2007!

Happy New Year! 2006 didn't end, nor did 2007 begin, with a bang. That is a good thing in Iraq. No mortars or gun fire, I am thankful for that. It has actually been quiet following Saddam Hussein's execution Saturday morning. I have no doubt that your prayers for me are being answered.

There was a New Year's Eve party, but I did not attend because I had work today. An officer's job is never done. I did grab a complimentary Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Grape Juice bottle from the chow hall during dinner (everything is complimentary, by the way). I had no intention of staying up till midnight, but I thought I would "drink to the new year" at 0800, Casie's midnight back home. I forgot about it and missed that midnight too. Oh Well.

So a new year is upon us, full of possibilities. In 2007 I have lots to look forward to; my deployment will end this spring, Detroit Pistons and Red Wing playoff runs, a summer filled with Tiger baseball, the App-lak wedding (Applin/Wolak wedding) and a PCS this fall! 2007 will bring exciting and unfamiliar territory, but Casie and I will be doing it together. By year's end we will be newlyweds starting our lives together in a new location.

I can't wait to see what 2007 will bring. This time last year, a deployment to Iraq was the farthest thing from my mind. That's what makes life exciting. May 2007 bring you good health, friends, and prosperity.

2007 arrived while I slept, but what did you do? Post a comment.

Losing A Whole Year

Missing major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years feels like losing a whole year. These occasions are momentous events and signal, to me, the end of the year. With no holiday memories with the family, this year doesn't feel like it should be over. New Year's Eve won't be the same without Casie. I will help myself close 2006 with a look back. Have fun clicking the hyperlinks!

The year that was 2006:
- 05 Feb Superbowl XL takes place in Detroit, MI (Steelers v. Seahawks)
- 15 Apr I went to the first of four Tiger games this MLB season (1, 2, 3, 4)
- 07 May I ran my second Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon (26.2 mi) in 4:43:48
- 02 Jun Detroit Pistons lose in the Eastern Conference Finals to the eventual NBA Champions, Miami Heat
- 25-30 Casie's Family reunion in Cedarville, MI
- 28 Jun Superman Returns to theaters
- Casie's sister Becky moves in for the summer
- 17 Jul I am notified I am heading to Iraq
- 20 Jul Casie and I go to Kentucky with Katie and Becky ;-)
- 05 Aug to 04 Sep I attend Combat Skills Training (CST) at Camp Shelby, MS
- 18-22 Sep TDY to Washington DC
- 23 Sep last day in the United States
- 26 Sep arrive in Al Udeid, Qatar
- 04 Oct arrive in Baghdad, Iraq
- 10 Oct arrive in Mosul, Iraq
- 12 Oct first mortar experience
- 14 Oct Detroit Tigers win AL pennant and head to their first World Series in 22 yrs versus the St. Louis Cardinals
- 18 Nov I start this blog
- 23 Nov I escort MGen Holland around FOB Diamondback/Marez in Mosul
- 25 Dec I was named Time Magazine's "Person of the Year"
- 27 Dec I take the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force
- 28 Dec it snows in Iraq

What will you remember from 2006? Leave a comment.