This is Jim aka Paw Paw and don't ask me where he gets his nick name I just met the guy.

Jim

This is Bobby the Bobcat (I just named him). This is the Tractor that I mentioned not so long ago that I learned hoe to operate. He's a fun Guy...

Bobcat

This is my co-worker Rohana E. E as in I cant spell or pronounce his name so don't ask me to. He is from Sri Lanka near India for those that don't know. He has been blessed not to have lost anyone in the worlds worst tragedy in our lifetime.

Rohana E.

This is the desk in our room. See my book dear and you know its my room with tissue on the desk.

Desk

This is my half of the room, and as you can see after 29 years I still don't have the bed making thing down. Oh well all is well that ends well.

Bedroom

Not exactly the cleanest place you want to get clean at. They also tell us to brush out teeth with bottled water. Man what we take for granted in the US.
Restroom

More of our great society, if you couldn't get that from the pictures our housing makes a L formation.

Hall 2 Chill spot

As you can see its a very colorful neighborhood and lots of room for growth. These are our housing units not the greatest things but it beats the cold hard floor.

Hall 1

No Explanation necessary here.

Hoop

This is where I work sorry you cant see inside its a restricted area you dont have clearence.... LOL Just kiding
Workplace

So this is our Dish that connects us to the rest of the world. It is how I am able to post and make calls to my lovely wife.
Our Dish

January 2nd "A Day In Pictures"

I have decided to borrow a camera today and take some pictures of the compound to show you where I work, play and sleep. You can guess which one I do more of lol. Have fun and enjoy my little story.

Love Always
K3

First Day of the New Year

Well I want to thank all of those that have posted and have wished me well. I can always be conversed with via messenger service (aol and msn). I have to be honest and say I wasn't really upset about being away from home. I thought I would be in the dumps and be real depressed. When I was in Cali I would always be depressed and wanting to spend time with my future wife. Not that I don't want to be home, but I feel a purpose is being served with me here and it makes things not so hard to deal with.

Nothing can replace time nor can anything replace the joy I get when I'm with my wife. Just like I knew it was meant to be that I marry E. I feel right being here now, and I have to admit that I have never had uncertainty in my life. I may have felt uncertain, but I truly believe that everything I have done either has been right or wrong no in between. Be it my first relationship in Texas or the present and forever one (the first feeling wrong from day one, and the present feeling right from day 1). I love you E and know in my heart that all will come to pass just as I told you from the beginning. I just didn't know that I had to do so much to get there. Me being here has probably been the biggest spiritual and emotional awakening I have ever had in my life.

I know my biggest faults and I believe that I am coming to terms with them. I have realized what life is and its not here for me its back home in Dallas, in Peoria, in Springfield, in California, in Atlanta, in Memphis and where ever else there is someone I love or someone that loves me. Most importantly is Dallas and let no one forget it especially not you Mrs. Dub. You are my home more than anything else in this world. I once wrote a poem called home is where the heart is. I have come to understand that it doesn't have to be a place, sometimes it can be a person. I am mostly at home when I am with my wife where ever that may be.

Love always

Goodbye 2004 Hello 2 Double O 5

Well 2004 is quickly becoming a memory and I am in a distant land where sand is common place and grass is not. Ants move slower and seem to have no purpose, but what could be said of me watching ants while in Iraq. I find this place to be similar to the Old West where guns are like household items and bandits are all around. The military is law and the land is far from a developed society. I miss my family and friends and wish them all a happy New Year. Remember be when you toast and give thanks at meals. Remember me in your prayers, but more importantly remember those less fortunate that me. I give thanks to all I have and wish for nothing more than safety and love from those that matter most. Cherish me as I cherish you.

Happy New Year

Love Always
K3

Week plus 1

I forgot to mention that yesterday I had some of the best food since I have been here. This morning was not... Yesterday I had broiled chicken with buttered noodles and corn. Man put a lil bread in my hand and I would have been set. This morning I had eggs that tasted like powder, oatmeal that tasted like mush, and French toast that tasted like a piece of toast. Lunch wasn't any better so today I have had my fill of bad food. I have been trying to stockpile some things from the mess hall (i.e. soda, juice, cereal) so that when I get my own room finally then I would have a few day worth of rations in case I wish to stay where I am.

Oh ya and yesterday was one of those days where I wished I could have ordered a pizza and just watched a movie. I envy those that have been here, because even though I didn't get out much when I wanted or needed to I could if only for a couple of hours. I am beginning to feel the burn of a one world society. Although I did have a real good morning 2 days ago with a little help from Jack. Anyway I can't wait for E to send me my package I am egar to receive things that would make life a lil bit easier especially with all this time on my hands. I think I have found out where the courts are and I'm going to try and get over there when I get some time. Since that is my only workout I am fastly becoming lazy and out of shape.

I look forward to my wife's call everyday and it sometimes makes the day go by better when I have spoken with her in the morning. I can't imagine the strain I have put on her and all the responsability of doing all that needs done while I am over here. And on top of that she is willing to do what I ask in respect to sending me things that I have forgotten. Being here has made me a bit more calm than I am use to. I was shooting ball yesterday and a powerful sense of serenity came over me and I shot better than I even have. I couldn't miss and it was like I finally understood what it took for 2 seconds. My form was great my motion perfect and my arch was high and well rounded. Sorry was in a zone for a minute.

Anyway I look up to the stars every night looking for Orions Belt. As long as I can see it I feel refreshed and set anew. I find it funny how a childhood lesson from school has turned into a tool for a calm spirit. I will leave for today, but remember to post and remember that I love you. especially you Mrs. Dub. Without you I wouldn't have the strength to endure and with you I will.

Love and Peace
K3

As My First week comes to an end

What do you know I survived my first week in Baghdad. Contrary to most peoples belief it really isnt that bad over here. Better yet it isn't as bad as the news makes it out to be anyway. I think I heard my first mortar round the other day although it was far away it was very loud and it shook the walls. Now mind you I'm in a trailer that is similar to that of a single wide. I miss my wife dearly and have come to enjoy the smallest of times with her. I don't find myself getting upset over trivial things as much anymore. Not to say that wont be back to normal when I get back :). At any rate I love you all and will keep you informed of my situation.

Love always,
K3

Tuesday the 28th

Just so everyone knows I am alive and well. I have gotten use to the time change now and have been going to bed at a regular time. Which for me is strange, because I have never been a day person. Man the flys here are everywhere you are. I mean in the bathroom in the livingroom in the switchroom (where I work). I need a constant can of Raid for these lil vermon. Thw weather he very much like Texas. A tad bit cool, but not constant. Cold at night and sometimes gets a lil warmer in the day.

Short and simple
I'm Alive and Well

Love
K3

Just Another Monday

As my week comes to an end I find myself wanting to do more than I'm able to. When I was in Dallas I had a routine and I followed it regularly. I mean you could set your watch by me. Now I find there is more time in the day (or at least it feel that way) thank when I was unemployed. I think I am just about caught up with sleep. I have been drinking so much water than I have to get up several times to use the bathroom. Which means putting on my shoes or at least my socks, because I don't dare walk on this floor barefoot. Speaking of bathrooms the river next to Baghdad was used as their very own sewage dump. The water is so polluted you could get sick just by lookin at it for to long.

I see wondrous things and then I see a highway with no traffic and no lights that actually work. Everything is dark here the moon and the stars are your only night lights in this dim region. I don't mind it all too much, but I wonder if I can do this for such a long Period of time. A lot of the guys over here stay for 6 months before going on leave and then only stay gone for a couple of weeks before coming back. I look forward to coming home, but dread the long travel. If I could have someone drag me from plane to plane and take care of all my luggage that would be fine with me. Well today was lets just say boring and long as far as descriptions go. I look for a more interesting day as far as being more productive and feeling like I accomplished something. The one good thing that happened today was that I drove to breakfast as well as dinner today. I think I'm getting the hang of the area, but its still a little tricky, because besides not being able to see the streets at night, but I also have to watch out for the large potholes and uneven road.

Down and waiting for my pick me up
caffeine doesn't do it for me only a lil E
can put me where I need to be
No drug, no drink no artificial sweeteners
Just a lil lady with my heart in her hand
A gentle touch and the know how to hold it

I Have come along way in a short time
but I still have along way to go
To the journey ahead I welcome you
Just don't forget no matter what
I have to get back home to my Joy
The sunrise in my day and my Orange moon.

Love
K

Week Coming to an End

First off I'd like to make a comment based on my wife's comment: "Look for your gift when your care package arrives."

The only thing I CARE to see is you so unless you plan on packing yourself in a crate it will just be another PACKAGE.

Mic has asked me to be a little more detailed in my bolg. Well this is very hard to do, cause I have to watch what I say given the situation. But I will try none the less. I live and work in a complex that is about half the size of a Walmart parking lot. With a total of about 30 individuals living, sleeping, eating, working, bathing, and anything else you can think of in this one complex. Now I work in the switch which is 20 feet from the main building and is only about the size of a small trailer. Its only enough room for 2 people (comfortably). The living quarters are Transportation trailers like you see on the back of semi-trucks. Only that are about half the size and are furnished with drywall and electricity. The restroom and shower is also made from these wonderful conX's (what they call them don't ask me what it means I haven't asked yet). Although we can eat here and sometimes do we generally eat in the mess hall with the GI's.

Now I can tell you for me that I am honored to be able to dine with those that defend our country and have no choice to be here, because for them its a way of life, its their job. Now the food isn't all that bad and there is always Pizza Hut and Burger King if I get tired of the regular routine. The mess hall is basically a buffet line with pretty much the same thing everyday. There are exceptions from time to time, but not often enough. The basic food that are a daily routine are as follows: burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, potato wedges, and Philly cheese steak. Not exactly what you call a balanced meal. There is a salad bar and ice cream bar, but of the 2 which one do you think I visit more often...

Well I'd like to thank the 3 people that posted on my blog on Christmas it meant a lot to me under the circumstances.

Just another day in Baghdad Love ya.

K3

Mic Takes Big Chin Pic

Me and Mic with my Big Chin