Merry Christmas

I guess I should start off by saying Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays depending on who I am talking to, or what litigious people are reading my festive blog. :)



I have been lucky enough to have a couple of days off in celebration, which is pretty decent considering my recent schedule. I am glad to say that I can count the number of weeks until I'm back in the states using my hands. I have been counting down the days, even though it makes time go by slower. I'm not doing it because I want to though, I'm doing it because somehow, everyday I wake up I think, "hmmm... only 'x' days left.... [expletive] why do I keep doing that?"

Things have been going fairly slow here recently, attack wise. My unit has been very lucky, knock on wood.

I was able to see comedians John Bowman (check him out), Lewis Black (my favorite comedian), singer Kelly Pickler and Kid Rock here the other day. That was definitely a good break from the norm and definitely made my day (until my vehicle broke down, and the one that I took to replace it broke down... three times... but that's a different story). That day, I also met the Chairman to the Joint Chief of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. I spoke with him for a few minutes, and he gave me a coin. For those of you who don't know, coins are specialized to the person that gives them out, and in a bar... the one who has the highest ranking coin gets free drinks... so.... I win.

I sincerely wish everybody back home a very merry Christmas and happy holidays. Wish I was there to celebrate, but you all have definitely made being over here much better.

To my family up in Canada, there isn't any Tequila in Iraq, or for that matter... any safe places to pass out, so I'm good!

Happy Thanksgiving

I was sitting in my room this morning, just after waking up, and I think, "I'm glad I don't have to work today." I didn't even realize that it was Thanksgiving, even though I thought about how much I wish I could be at home for it the night before. It took about an hour to realize what day it was. The days just blend together here, and I'm not complaining because it makes the time go by.



So... this is what I am thankful for:

First and foremost, my family - You have always supported me, even when times were rough. I think about you all of the time. You have taught me to be who I am.

My country - there really isn't anything else to say about it.

I'm thankful to my Platoon for always watching each other's six.

Eddie and the whole 7th grade class at Parkway West Middle for all of your support.

My friends - To the ones that have always been there, I couldn't ask for more. Jenn and your family - for being unbelievably supportive in all the years that I have known you. It is far more than anyone could ask for.

I hope that everybody is having a wonderful Thanksgiving. I wish I could be home. There isn't really all that much time left, and the time is flying by quickly.

Miss you all and hope everything is well.

Phil