Just outside of Baghdad

The weather has been getting nice out here reaching up to about 80 degree's on some days. The skies have been pretty clear, except when they decide to burn trash then it turns black. At night, the weather has been perfect right around 55-60 degrees. And it seems like its been clear at night for the past few nights. The elections in Iraq have passed and they seem to have went alright. There was plenty of action going on during the day though. From morning till night you could hear all sorts of stuff going on everywhere. But as most of you probably have seen on T.V. it seems to have went well. So that's good news. Pretty soon I'll be getting ready to head out of here and head off to my next destination. I have been to so many different places since I left the U.S. there is barely any time to settle down, well not that I really want to settle down in a place like this. But living in close quarters, and living out of bags is not very appealing. But home will be a very different place when I arrive back on that home grown soil. Everything is different here, the smells, the air, the sun, the sky, the ground, the buildings, the streets, the people, culture, language, you name it, its different. Well, that's all I got for now, hope all is well back home with everyone. Keep in touch.

Baghdad, Iraq

Welcome to Baghdad. Well, Baghdad is exactly what its cracked up to be. A place that is underdeveloped. Trash along the street side. A whole new world. The world I came from seems as though its a far off distant dream. Have you ever seen the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray. This is kind of like that in a way. I'm stuck in the same place doing just about the same thing every day. The highlights of the day are talking to my family, Nora, and other friends and there families. It helps to pass the down time and remember who I am.

The weather here is much different than Kuwait. Cooler, rains pretty often. And when it rains it seems to poor. There is more green trees here, and palm trees. I definitely miss the good old Pine trees and evergreens though. I have seen some places that were taken over during OIF 1,2,and 3. This seems a bit more established than Kuwait.

Other than that theres not much to say. Soon I should be heading out to go to my unit. And then I will be setting up camp there. Once I get there, i should have an address and I will get that to everyone. If you here my address pass it along for me please. Alright well thats all I got for today. I miss everyone at home, hope everyone is doing well and healthy. Keep in touch.

-John

Kuwait

Im here in Kuwait now. What a different world this is. On the way to the base, a 2 1/2 hour ride from the airport, we were sitting on bus, with no real air or draft, no a.c., in the desert. Driving down these roads, as far as you can see is sand, to what looks to be the end of the world. Along sides of the road are many wild camels, some wild dogs, and sheep. There was a bit of trash along side of the road, and dead animals too. Its really hot and dry here. About mid 80's. The sand has been blowing around a bit for the past day, but the first two days we were here it was pretty calm. This morning there was poor visabillity so it delayed our day. On saturday, I am supposed to fly into theatre. You all know where i will be going. Once i have an address i will be sure to let everyone know. I am not allowed to post that one here so i will be in some other way. Things are alright here though. How is everything back home? I miss everyone. It is a completely whole different world out here, undescribable through pictures although when i get some they will go on facebook, hopefully soon. They way the heat is and the wind and the sand, and how when you look off in the distance there is nothing...no grass, no trees, just sand. Kinda crazy. Well thats all i got for now, if you have any specific questions about anything out here, leave a comment and i will be sure to get back, the more questions the better. Hope everyones doing well.

-John

Deployment Day

Today is the day that I deploy. I was supposed to leave yesterday but unfortunately there was a problem with something on the plane but they got it fixed and we should be good to head out of here soon. I just want to say that I am going to miss my family, friends, girlfriend and everything from home. Once I get over there and I have the opportunity to use the internet I will write how the flight is and the next plans of action. As much as I am allowed to put on here. I will be updating this a lot more from here on out. Everyone back home keep healthy and don't forget me. Stay safe. Ill be home soon.

Nothings impossible!

-john

The First Blog Post

Hi Everyone,
Its Friday, Jan. 29Th, 2010 although it doesn't feel like it for me cause I'm in shorts in a t-shirt and everyone back home is probably driving or walking in snow. Things are going well down here at Ft. Stewart, GA. The weather has been really good. The people are nice, and my unit is pushing to get everything going up to speed which I like. My initial date to leave, Feb. 15Th has been changed to a date later in February. As i get information i will post it here and i hope that all of you will be able to utilize this as a point of contact. It will be easier for me to get a minute and write on here than to try and get in touch with everyone individually. Once I have an address i will get that out on here also. I will post up some pictures soon and try and get this going so i can put a few post a week. I just want to thank all of you out there who support me, especially my parents. Thanks to all! Talk to everyone soon.