Should have Known...

You should have guessed, I have a Children's book coming soon. This is something that even I will be able to comprehend...I hope. So I went to the publisher on Thursday and talked about the draft. I think I have a good thing here. I will be able to keep going with the character in different titles.

This is a process that has taken too long and I wish I had some time to work on it without interruption. My goal is to get my book into this childrens book reading/comprehension contest in the spring of next year, along with others I will write by then.
More to come...

Has it really been that long?

It has been a very long time since I last wrote in my blog. I was in the Philippines this time last year. I don't see a deployment in the future anytime soon (fingers crossed). I am hoping to enjoy a very nice summer in Alaska. Today was a balmy 62 degrees!! I thing we will have a warm summer, unlike the first summer we moved here it was raining all the time.

So I am putting my book together that I started when I was deployed. I have a few more pictures to finish then I will take it to my publisher. I can't wait! Then I will start on my next book when I am on convalescent leave starting the 21st of May.

Hopefully I will have the book for your viewing soon. I am so excited. Guess what kind of book it is...

About Darn Time

Guess what folks I am almost on my way home I will be there on the 6th. Hard to believe that an entire summer has gone by. So I thought I would write the things that I was able to accomplish: I was able to finish up the one class that I didn't have to drop when I left, and start and almost finished THREE more. I have a couple B's and two A's I am so happy. Now I have two classes to take to finish my degree and start on my Masters Program.
So next I was able to chalk another deployment in my military career.
I spent some valuable time helping the good people on Jolo, although they are destitute, they will do most anything to stay head above water.
I went on five MEDCAPs taking pictures along the way and assisting in various ways that I thought I would never see in my lifetime.
I made some new friends.
I pissed a few people off. Nothing really changed there.
I have read a few books and actually was interested and enjoyed them. Although I couldn't bring myself to finish Harry Potter.
I had a super really awesome totally righteous gift made for my wife to be presented on our 20th Anniversary, don't even try to ask...you will have to wait. And it only cost 35,000P.
I was able to go shopping downtown Jolo and met some interesting people and see the hustle and bustle of the big city. lol
I witnessed the craftsmanship of the Phils in their buildings.
I was finally able to go to an island and then to the beach and was able to snorkel.
I flew on a helicopter for the first time.
I shot a 9mm for the first time.
I drove a Hummer for the first time
I went on a convoy with the army for the first time.
I missed a great summer in Alaska!
I ate octopus for the first time.
I received tons of packages and a really nice one from Marti Goldburg who sent 40 letters full of candy bars for the troops here.
I had a great work out almost everyday and lost 20 pounds to boot.
I for the most part had a good time. There were some times I wish I didn't come here but all in all it wasn't too bad. The best part is I will have a loving wife and children to go home to. Most of all I missed them and just being home. I was sick several times too, maybe that had something to do with missing the family.

Down Town Jolo

For such a small island this place is bustling busy. The streets are packed with people all day long and this is just one of the streets, although this one isn't very busy. I don't know where they come from or what they are all doing I just know every day is like this. I bought some watches at one of the shops they were cheap but I don't know how they survive I don't think they sell that much. They were surprised when I bought four of them two are knock offs the other two I believe to be authentic, even still I paid P800 which is about $8.

Still looking for a place to go shopping in Manila if anyone knows of a place specifically with cheap stuff. Let me know.

Homeward Bound...Shortly

I'll be home for Christmas just you wait and see, in fact I'll be home for Thanksgiving, Halloween, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Yom Kippur need I go on? I'll be heading out on a jet plane don't think I'll be back again!!?

So I started to get ready and low and behold my big suitcase is full already and I haven't even packed any of my stuff. I think maybe I will donate some stuff to the locals, shoes, cloths, no undies though. I'm burnin' those things. Well I went out on another mall run and was cut short by some gun fire down the street. Our escort wanted to go anyways, so they got their way. I hope to do some shopping in Manila too. Well I was able to get some things today despite having to come home early. I got some watches, shirts and a couple more purses for Jen. Gucci this time, I think they are authentic too they are real leather not vinyl. Anyway if anybody knows of a good place to shop in Manila let me know!! Thanks.

Ha Ha Jen! Check Out My Purse

Well I shouldn't show this because Jen will see this. I should make it a surprise for her when I get home, 20 MORE DAYS. Any way I went to the mall here in Jolo again and did some shoppin'. I did much better this time, since I new how to haggle with the shop keepers. So I stumbled across this purse I'm sure Jen would love and being the greatest husband in the world I bought it for her. But the one that will be a surprise will be the one that matches her new shoes that just jumped in to her cart a Target.

The thing is I don't think this is a knock off it is real leather. The best part is that I only paid about $9 for it. Tell me what you think, and Jen you will have to wait for Christmas...

A Part of History

OK, I told Jen I was going to go to bed since it is 3AM, but couldn't wait to put this on my blog. I can't believe what just happened. I just finished a Poly Sci test on-line, said my prayers and snuggled into bed. Then the door bell rang, good news the hostage that was kidnapped in January was released and they wanted us to go and give him a bill of good health. It was very exciting to see him, although I never met him. He is a spunky 62 year old.

We ended up hearing all about his captors dragging him through the jungle and all the fire fights he was caught up in. He said he just curled up in to the fetal position and covered his ears. What a scary thing that must have been. I am glad he is safe and back in the real world.

This one is a little blurry but you can recognize my shinny dome.I am sure he was sick of all the cameras and such going on and the reporters in his face etc.

I took this one and he looked up at me as to say enough. But he was just so happy to be free. Dwight was pretty happy too, this is what he was hoping to do, he got his wish.And we were all able to welcome him back with thanks to the Lord.