It's still So Surreal, being back among the Land of the Living

As I've mentioned before, I've just returned from spending 22 months in a combat zone.  You're probably wondering why don't I just mention where I was.  Iraq?  Afghanistan? Somewhere else perhaps.  I don't know.  After spending so much time over there, I can't help but be security conscious.  And, I never what to write something that could get my friends who are still there hurt or killed because I spilled the beans and said too much.  So, I'll tell you my stories, it'll just be minus certain details.  Hope you don't mind.

So, anyway, this time last year I was still assigned overseas, and I was home on leave.  Instead of everything going smoothly (actually, getting back and forth was never really smoothly - especially since it took 2-3 days) or as smoothly as they could, instead, I got stuck in New York, thanks to the wonderful Nor Easter.  Think of a hurricane, but instead of rain, it dumps a whole lot of snow all at once.  This storm that came in dumped about a foot and a half worth of snow.  It took me four days to get out of there.  It was not a fun experience at all.  Changing travel plans is never easy.  Especially international travel plans.  But, thankfully I made it back to my assignment in one piece.  That trip was the first time I had been back in the states for almost a year.   I got to see my best friends in Tampa and NY, I went to the awesome Broadway musical Wicked, and had Carvel Ice cream Cake (something I've missed since I left NY all those years ago), and got to hang out with friends I missed.

This year, I'll be able to visit my grandmother and my Aunt.  That should be nice.  I haven't seen either of them in several years.  But, it really is strange to be here.  To choose what I want to eat, when I want to eat.  To work less than 65 hours a week, and actually have days off.  How awesome.

Anyway, hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday!  I know I will.

And, to my friends who are still over there, you know who you are, keep safe and enjoy the reprieve from the all the drama.  I really miss you all.  But, I especially miss the pumpkin pie.

-G

------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference --The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. --Dune by Frank Herbert