This week was actually kinda fun. I can't go in to much detail, but we started training the Afghan National Army(ANA). The first day we got there, one of the SGT's remembered me from Khogi-ani, the last place we were at last time. It took me a minute, but I remembered him as well. Logar Province borders Nangahar Province where Khogi-ani is, so it makes sense. Still pretty wild. Ash Wednesday was this week as well. I tried to say I'm giving up work for Lent and thought that might get me a trip outta here for 40 days. But, it didn't work. So, I gave up red meat instead. I'm still working on learning Irish and I'm really getting the hang of it. It's alot of fun. It's a wild language, but like anything else, practice makes perfect.
So Tammy threw the question of week at me, and this is a rough one. She wants me to name 15 or so things people don't know about me. So, I gotta think hard on this one. Ok, we'll see what comes out while I type. I don't keep too many secrets, so I don't know if there are 15. Ok, here we go:
-The first song I learned how to play guitar to was Patience from Guns and Roses.
-When I was a kid, I had a huge crush on Alyssa Milano from Who's the Boss.
-I have an unhealthy obsession with keeping my finger nails short.
-I have a huge soft spot for really bad 80's pop music.
-I wish I would have stuck out piano lessons from my Mom.
-I can not read music to save my life. I don't know if that ties into what I just listed, for someone who's played guitar for 17 years, I'm really bad at that.
-I think I'm still a little mad at my parents for moving away from Fremont.
-I'm worried that Colin will make a lot of the same mistakes I made when I was a teenager and not recover from them like I did.
-I can not blow a bubble with chewing gum.
-I have an iron stomach. I've eaten so much crappy food in so many crappy countries, that I can hold ANYTHING down.
-When I was in Korea I ate dog. But, I didn't know it was Dog at the time.
-I have never been able to climb a rope. Even now, and being in Army, that's pretty embarrassing.
-For someone who isn't Italian, I love any movie or tv show dealing with the mob.
-I swear more than anyone else I know. And that's saying something.
-I hate going to the doctor. Hate it. Even if it's not for me.
-I'm not afraid of cemeteries, but I avoid them at all costs if I can.
-I graduated High School twice. I took the California Proficiency Exam when I was a Junior to graduate early. I passed it, but it is only good in CA. So, when we moved to NJ, I graduated again. I have 2 High School Diplomas.
Ok, there ya go. Until next week everybody......
Slan,
Chris.
This is what I'm talking about...
2 days from now, I will be contemplating my flight the following morning.
Life is good. Today it was so warm outside, but the wind just howled and the rain kinda ruined any ideas of a possible walk outside. Then, I got to thinking...when I lived in California everything just seemed better. The weather (duh) but I mean the bigger things like bad days...I don't remember too many of those. I remember bad moments but never a whole day just ruined. California should be written permanently with an exclamation point. {California!} Seems fitting if you ask me.
I did a crazy silly dance for the kids today chanting our trip to San Diego. I can't show you but I can tell you this much...I had pink horn-rimmed sunglasses on and this obnoxious dance...and major smiles (mostly because the most beautiful people I know where just a few feet in front of me)...Emma was laughing out loud and Colin was like half smiling and half in shock I think. He might have been mortified, I don't know. Good stuff.
Not too much has been going on here. Just been sick recently and feeling worn out. Emma is officially crawling 5 knee slides forward and then...down. She is amazing. She kissed me the other day with her mouth open. So cute I almost couldn't believe it. I spoke to Colin's teacher today and she said I should be so proud of him. He is able to spell his name and he is awesome with his letters. The teacher said many of the things Colin is able to do well are things 3 1/2 yr olds are doing...not 2 year olds (he will be 3 in April). So yay for my brilliant children.
Chris has been training the Afghanistan Army. Teaching classes. He said it is kind of fun so good for him. I miss him, we have't spoken in like 2 days.
Oh, I had the most major headache yesterday...it was unreal...thanks to Miss Maggie Egan I was miles better. She gave me this neck rub...she just rocks!! Thank you sooooooooooooo much!!!
Anyway, Just found this photo and nearly cried...
Time to sign off but one last thought...8/8/08...one of the best days of my life...
xoxo
Colin, you best guard your stuff...here she comes...
Colin thankfully has been really patient with Emma and her curiousity in his toys. This escapes me how that is ... there will be like 10 toys in front of her and Colin will be in another room, playing nicely and she HAS to army crawl herself all the way to the other room and take over. Colin cracks me up, he just continues to inch away from her gradually...until he is in another room...Emma still close behind. All the while, no words exchanged...he just ignores her. Classic.
Today was pretty mellow. Although, I was able to share some of this with Colin today:
Good times.
San Diego is just around the corner. Team Blue (plus, Emma) will get to see some of team yellow, orange and black. Team White: see you Thursday!!!
I am a little under the weather...sore throat...hmmph...anyway, have a good night.
Love. Love. Love...xoxo
My friend and fellow Army wife, Jen Stassi sent this to me...totally got me choked up...I really have a special place in my heart for these guys who sacrifice for us, they are seriously indescribable...I love all of them and I especially love you Chris. You have my heart.
Please follow the link to check it out. :)
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=408709
This little lady is on the move and is making major breakthroughs and quickly...she slithers, she slides, she frog jumps, she glides...the girl is ready to go...
I know it doesn't hurt that Colin is dancing circles around her. However, not only is she ready to crawl/climb but she is starting to take what she wants...even if it means getting a little mischievous. Colin is doing pretty well with her but there have been some moments where I wasn't sure how he would react. Especially when she took his 'Mater' truck...he took it from her and tossed her one of her toys. Nice.
The weather today was cold. Snowy...blah. Emma looked so adorable as you can see...she was prepared for the weather. Thank goodness.
Colin went to school today which made him so happy. I just adore both kids but spending one-on-one time with one or the other is simply awesome. I get to know them...really know them. Today was spent with Emma. Emma is magnetic. Emma is full of personality and definitely is not afraid to do her own thing. She loves attention but also really enjoys her time alone exploring. I love getting to know her as she grows into herself. Here is a shot of Emma-loney and me!!!
I adore you Emma.
xoxo
Here's a video on youtube that will give you a good idea of what the soldiers are doing over in Afghanistan...
Al Jazeera English mentions the coming of 10th Mountain to Wardak Province and shows images of the area near, around, and in FOB Airborne.
So, it's the last week of February already. 2 months down. We're getting there. Another boring week this week. Nothing really happened. It snowed abit, but that was about it. One thing I wanted to mention though is there are some Czech Soldiers here on Shank. Now, There are only a few Catholic Preists in theater, so naturally they have alot of ground to cover and they haven't made it down to Shank yet. But, the Czech Soldiers have a Preist with them. So, I've been going to Mass in Czech, which is actually kinda cool. I enjoy it. It's different, but still fun. They do some really cool old school monk style singing, which was wild the first time I heard it.
Ok, so Tammy asked me to name 20 albums that changed me or had a big impact on me. I think it's cool that she asked me for something like that. Maybe she can throw me like a question of the week for me to answer in the blog. I couldn't think of 20 albums, so I'll do 20 albums and songs. Kind of a hodge podge sorta list. So, in no sorta order, here we go:
-The Bends, Radiohead-I heard this in Korea and it floored me. Perfect album in everyway.
-Angel Dust, Faith No More-Every song was totally different from the one before it. And they were all better than anything else anyone else was doing. If I had to describe what the Bay Area sounded like, this would be it.
-Minor Threat, Minor Threat-The first "punk" album I heard from start to finish. Corupted me in every possible way. That's a good thing.
-Never Mind the Bollocks, The Sex Pistols-Well written, angry, and still rocks harder than most music 30 years later.
-O, Damien Rice-Sean got me on this guy the first time I went to Ireland. The soundtrack of Tammy and I falling in love when we first met.
-Best of, 1967-1971, The Beatles, My family played this the summer we went to Niagara Falls when I was 12. I never listened to music the same afterwards. Every song is a masterpiece
-Do or Die, Dropkick Murphys, Their First full length with their orignal singer. Bought it when I was at Ft. Carson after it came out in 1997. They really picked up where the Pogues left off, but with electric guitars and alot of South Boston attitude.
-30 #1, Elvis- Dicky and I played this one to death in Kosovo. And all 30 songs are a riot to listen to.
-Maniacal Laughter, the Bouncing Souls, Shane still laughs at me for liking these guys, but this album was awesome. Has probably my all time favorite punk song on it-Argyle. Sums everything up. Especailly when your 18,full of rage, and living in New Jersey(where BS is from)
-Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash, the Pogues. God bless Shane MacGowen. Take a kid from Tipperary, put him in London during the punk explosion in 1977, and listen to what he does to traditional irish music. Great songwriter. Greater drunk. Has one the best love songs ever on it. "Rainy Night in Soho." And Sally Macleinann rocks harder than most 'rock" stuff.
-I hope that I don't fall in love with you, Tom Waits. Gorgeous song. Nothing else to say about it than that.
-(), Sigur Ros, Like nothing I have ever heard before. And I mean that as the biggest complament I could give.
-Come all you Madmen, The Briggs-This album came out almost a year ago. Reminds me that, even though I'm in my early 30's, There is something a punk that cuts right to my soul. Makes me want to get drunk and break stuff.
-Streets gave you to me, Whiskey Rebels-see above answer.
-This years love-David Grey, just a gorgeous flowing song. One guy and a piano can do alot more to pull at your heart than a full band sometimes.
-Total eclipse of the heart, Bonnie Tyler. I gotta blame Tammy for this one. We bought it on iTunes right before I left and now when ever I hear it, I think of her and lagh about us signing it. Beyond cheesy, but hey, it works.
-Summer of '69, Brian Adams. When I saw the video for this when I was a kid, I knew I wanted to play guitar. Laugh all you want, but it's true. The only Canadian music I'll ever turn up the volume for.
Ok, so I know there's more I could add, but I think that's good place to stop myself. I know it's not 20, but it's hard to sort our all the music I love into a list of 20. There's so much more I could add. And some bands have written some classics that I wanted to mention but had to narrow it down. So, that's why there's no Cock Sparrer, The Business, and John Denver. Yeah, John Denver. I said it. Blame my mom for that one. Oh, and my tone deaf Father for trying to sing along. I tried to stay away from stuff that came out while I was a teenager. I thought about Dirt from Alice in Chains, Chaos AD from Sepultura, and In the meantime from Helmet, but it just didn't seem right. Still great albums but they don't do it for me now like when I was 14, right Matt?
I gotta stop myself. I could keep writing on this all night. So, until next week everybody!
Slan,
Chris
