Finishing out the holiday season

The holiday season was survive with communication back home, food better than any other day (although I think Thanksgiving was still the best meal we've had here), Phase 10 and Farkle.  Not that this is where anyone would actually want to spend the holidays, I think its fair to say we made the best of it.

Medics opening some of the presents under
our tree at the clinic

Of course we need a chocolate fountain...with
grapes and musk melon???

I was lucky enough to call home and talk to my parents over the phone while we opened our presents from eachother.  That was followed with lots of e-mails from friends and family - which made me feel as at home as possible.

The New Year was "rung in" with sparkling juice and Farkle - I say "rung in" because we missed it by about 10 minutes, darn friends are good at distracting you as to why you actually make yourself stay up so late...but none the less, and looking back still, it's how I wanted to spend the evening.

Now that the holidays have passed - the countdown has begun.  Looking foward to beginning to pack up my things and begin my trek home.

Decorating the gator to go deliver stockings and gifts to
the rest of the FOB

Christmas Lunch with our gang

Hoping that all of you have a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!

Can't help but smile

How can you look at this picture and NOT smile???  Yes, I'm a proud auntie, but even if we weren't related - I can't help but say this child is ADORABLE.  What a great picture to get (all the way over here) to show the joys of Christmas!  Love you, lil bug!

Traditions



Not from my service, found it online.  I contemplated taking a pic
tonight, but didn't want to give up my favorite moment of the year.



It's funny how I can be halfway around the world, sitting next to people I just met 7 weeks ago (or less) and surrounded by complete strangers - but yet feel so close to family and my roots.  Even though I took part in my Christmas Eve service half a day (duh, I'm halfway around the world) before most people I know, it made me feel the closest to home that I have since being  here in Affy.

Luckily, one of the church services here consisted of a candlelight service, so a group of us loaded up in a truck and took the trek there.  It was a wonderful service, with a couple oddities.  1) I don't know if I'll ever be able to attend a church service again without a pistol hanging from my hip - even for Christmas 2) the special music consisted of a 1LT playing the bagpipe.  I've never seen a bagpipe played up close (or in a closed building) - they are VERY loud and there is NO way to look attractive while playing a bagpipe.  But the music was special none-the-less.

My favorite part of any church service, however, is the candle light portion of a Christmas Eve service.  It's always the same - led into with lots of wonderful Christmas carols/hymns, the reading of the Christmas story and baby Jesus being born - then the lighting of the candles followed by the singing of Silent Night.  It doesn't matter what country I'm in or who I'm with, it brings me back home and reminds me of who and what I am.

While I'm not with family this Christmas, I am blessed that I'm able to communicate with them and that I'm safe and healthy.  Please pray for all the troops this holiday season, that we all can experience love, peace, support and purpose; even in being away from our loved ones =)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Whirling Weather

Well for days and days it was just dry, once and a while we'd get a little sprinkling but nothing substantial.  However, last week it rained and rained and rained.

Then this week, I woke up and got ready to head to the shower (in my shower shoes).  I stepped outside into a pile of snow.  Quickly, after a pathetic little whimper, I turned about around and put on tennis shoes to begin my first snowy trek in Affy.

The medics wasted NO time in enjoying the snow.  I forget how fun it is to spend winters with people from warm parts of the world - such as Vegas or Puerto Rico...they get so excited, like children.  It's fun to see and it helps bring back that child-like joy back to me.  When I walked to the MTF first thing in the morning, there were two giant snowballs laying next to each other...When I left after my shower (half hour max), this is what I saw:

We had fun and only have more plans for the next snowfall =)

My down time

Big ones, Small ones and Honey AS BIG AS YOUR HEAD

There has been a shortage of honey (and it's not real or good honey) at the DFAC, so my specatular Crabtree Cousin came through and sent me TWENTY FOUR oz of honey...At first I thought this was way overkill, but a week later, the head is already gone.  My tea tastes so much better and all the medics appreciate the kind gesture as well =)  I love honey, especially when it's a bear as big as my head!  Thanks, cousin!

Affy Humor

It's a weather rock - with legend to know how to read it.  Soldiers are so helpful...