For some strange reason, the military does not recognize holidays here in Iraq. Both the Iraqi and US governments do, but not the military. Instead of a holiday, we have DONSA (Day of No Scheduled Activities) days. I am not sure of the origin of DONSA but it feels like something the Army invented. Anyway, we received one DONSA for Christmas and New Years. We had a Christmas Eve dinner at a local IZ restaurant. It was nice seeing my fellow Navy officers all in one room. The dinner was traditional Iraqi; bread, beef kabobs, chicken kabobs, lamb kabobs, tomatoes, cucumbers and hummus.
Christmas Day was spent relaxing, reading and Skyping with family.One of my recent purchases was a set of noise canceling headphones. These are wonderful for Iraq. We have a large amount of construction and the CHU's aluminum walls reverberate with every opening and closing of a door. When you factor in numerous low flying aircraft and 24/7 cleaning/maintenance crews, it's like having dorm room within a hospital. It was nice just to kick back and listen to uninterrupted music for a change.
KBR did a great job with Christmas Lunch and Dinner. We had all the traditional foods with the trimmings, including Green Bean casserole. They decorated the DFAC with Gingerbread houses and had silver, red and gold tinsel decorating the walls. I finished the day with a nice long run.
New Year's Eve will be even more subdued. I am having dinner with a couple of IT contractors I met earlier this year. When I could break away from my military duties, I would help with some of the larger IT projects. This was considered my "moonlighting" job but in actuality it had much more impact than what I was sent here to do.
I will spend the rest of the weekend packing up to leave Iraq. Like most others, leaving Iraq is a cause for celebration. I don't believe I have met anyone who is sad about leaving. My next stop will be Kuwait and then the US. I will be de-mobilized (taken off Active duty) a few days after returning to the US.
yeah.. get to come home!!! we need to plan a get together with the cousins.. challenge Gary to another round of rockband..lol.. love you and be safe !!!
love ya.. Nancy
Posted by: nancy | December 31, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Well Super Bowl is around the corner so that means you will be coming home. How exciting. Missed you at Christmas but we did keep your little girl busy with all the snow.
Hope to see you soon. love Fran
Posted by: Fran Robbins | January 04, 2010 at 06:23 AM
Can't believe it is finally almost over! Can't wait to have you home! We'll have Christmas in January ready for you!
Love, Me
Posted by: Teresa | January 04, 2010 at 08:56 AM
Great news!!! Hurry home and then back to work. Stay safe in the meantime.
Ann
Posted by: Ann | January 04, 2010 at 09:45 AM
So great to hear you're going to be back soon! Work is waiting for you!! :) And how 'bout those Red Raiders?! (and Mike Leach???)
Posted by: Kim P | January 05, 2010 at 10:33 AM