Merry Christmas

I just said farewell to another shipmate; I watched LT Cadle step on the rhino and begin his journey home. It was a bittersweet moment to end an otherwise pretty upbeat week. Christmas spirit was definitely in the air here on the New Embassy Compound. By the 23rd, it was hard to pass someone on the sidewalk without getting a “Merry Christmas” and a smile, particularly from the State Department folks who did not officially have work from Christmas Eve through today. In our office, we amped up the holiday spirit by having two movie nights; just after eight pm, we fired up some popcorn and watched “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “Elf.” And then on Christmas Eve we had a “Holiday Happy Hour and a Half” party.

Admittedly, I had something to do with organizing the party, but it was a group effort with all of us hoarding treats that came in by mail (thank you), and then combining them to create quite a spread for all of J9 and some special guests to enjoy. Two stations: hot chocolate/cider and sweet/savory were set-up with “A Christmas Story” playing on the big screen. Our centerpiece was a gingerbread house that my co-worker Jill’s daughter sent. It came in kit form, Jill and I spent a portion of Thursday afternoon putting it together and decorating it. We even had to overcome some structural engineering challenges, but overcome we did- fixing a cracked wall and a broken roof, and still managing to keep it all together! At the Happy Hour, Santa hats were abundant and I must say- it was a pretty cheerful environment considering all guests were far from home with loved ones on their mind. The evening was topped off by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause. Lots of pictures were taken in front of the Christmas tree, the same tree that CAPT Ahern so kindly left for me. After calls to home, I headed back to my CHU and opened the many packages surrounding my tree, with exception of those from Adam and the kids, and then happily sunk into bed.

I woke Christmas morning to find some lovely e-mails waiting in my box. Some reported seeing me on TV- turns out that the holiday greeting I made in November was played in radio form, and also aired on several evening news broadcasts. For a few days in November and December, the media folks set-up cameras and welcomed any passer-by to tape a holiday shout-out. Very few seemed to take them up on their offer but I was happy to give them a little business and appreciated the opportunity to say hello. I must say that I did not quite realize just how much play it would get!

Back to Christmas morning…after a leisurely morning I grabbed an quick bite to eat and headed to the turf field for our Holiday Bowl (now known as Motrin Bowl) for what I thought would be a fun game of flag football. And, it was fun, but it was a pretty hard hitting, highly contested game of flag football. I went in on defense, mostly trying to keep up with a player on the offense to block a pass. There was only one close call, I was outrun, but fortunately the ball was just out of reach of the receiver. My real shining moment came when my General and I collided as we both ran from opposite sides of the field to grab a flag of the quarterback who had decided to run up the middle. Neither of us got a flag, and I ended up taking the General’s nose to the top of my forehead. I don’t think anyone really knew or saw what happened, but I heard a horrible crack that I figured was either my head or his face. But I stayed standing and he went down, coming up with a bad bloody nose. Turns out I AM hard-headed! I stayed in for a couple more plays but that was the last drive for me! My fun meter was pegged with the realization that you could get really hurt playing flag football. The General is very tough though; after a short break he went back in for a few more plays. My team came out victorious, 7-0, but it was tense till the end.

Besides a sore spot on my forehead, the rest of the day was much more pleasant. I joined my boss and co-workers for Christmas dinner at the DFAC in the afternoon (Santa even made an appearance) and then late in the afternoon I was able to Skype with Adam, Noah, Amelia, my Mom and Adam’s Dad as they opened presents. It was a little blurry but I was just grateful to be there in some form! I headed back to the DFAC for another meal with the Navy crew later that evening and then finished the day watching “The Holiday” with a few friends. Adam and the kids spent their Christmas evening with the Jones family. So thank you to family and friends for all your efforts to make this holiday special for me, and for my family. When I think about the magnitude of your thoughtfulness, I feel very blessed.

So now, with Christmas just past, I look forward to 2011. I feel like I have cleared some emotional hurdles with the holidays behind, and in March I will head home for R&R (Rest and Relaxation). I am really excited to spend time with Adam and the kids, and for a chance to see friends too. So, on I continue, one week at a time…

Love,

Krista

Hug by Mail...

Early on I developed milestones for each day. They go like this: wake up and look forward to getting to work to check e-mail, look forward to lunch, look forward to mail call after lunch, look forward to calling home before the kids go to school, look forward to dinner, look forward to spin/workout and look forward to bed! I know, a lot of "looking forward" but I find that it makes the days go really fast. And, it is not all about what is next, I try hard to capture special moments and feel enjoyment in the present. I think of Jim and Pam from "The Office" taking mental pictures during their wedding and I try to do the same. Sometimes it is a really hearty laugh with my shipmates, or like today- playing flag football as helos flew over the field. I want to remember those times here, it definately beats focusing on the loneliness that comes with such a long seperation from family and friends.

I feel really connected to home but I miss physical connection. I had not really thought about that loss but it feels strange to not have a hug or get to hold a hand in so very long (although I have snagged a few good hugs as coworkers/friends depart.) So, I thank you for all the thoughtful cards, and packages that have been streaming in these past two weeks! Mailcall has been extra fun, and as I went through a box I received today filled with lovely cards and sweet packages from friends and neighbors, I felt a BIG hug of sorts- and I really appreciated it. The little packages have all been placed under my tree, they will stay there until Christmas day, they are a special "look forward to!" Hard to believe it is less than a week away. I feel like it was just last week that I was hugging the Thanksgiving Turkey outside the DFAC- on reflection that was a pretty desperate hug!

We receive the Armed Forces Network here, and there are many holiday salutes right now- consistently they offer special thanks for protecting our country, for our service overseas and to our families for their sacrifice during the holidays. In my small role here, it is hard to see how I am "protecting" you but I can absolutely relate to being seperated from what I hold dear- so I gratefully accept the warm wishes. But, I want to say thank you too. Thanks to family, friends, neighbors and even strangers for taking the time to think of me and my fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. I know that your lives are full and filled with the ordinary things that make life hum along at home and it makes your efforts all the more touching.

Love,

Krista

Nine in a row for Navy!

I am a bit wiped again this week, but I will attribute it to a very late last night spent watching a sloppy, but effective, NAVY team BEAT ARMY! I made it to halftime before calling it a night. I felt fairly confident that Navy would come out on top and was happy to see the final score of 31-17 when I woke up this morning.

United States Forces-Iraq is an Army centric command, support is provided by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force but the majority of the senior leadership and troops are Army personnel. This past week we have endured good natured ribbing from our Army colleagues, and in our regular Commanding General brief yesterday, the Commander's Comments at the end consisted of two points. The first point was in reference to an earlier portion of the brief, the second point was "Beat Navy". So victory is sweet. I am fairly confident that in tomorrow's comments, the CG will offer a congratulations to us Navy folks, deservedly so!

Now for an update that is job related. It is raining! It has been a very dry fall for Northern Iraq. That can have very dire consequences for the winter crops, particularly wheat, and the overall water flow in the Tigris which affects downstream users. In passing to a "what's up" offered in the hall last week by my General, I offered "not much Sir, but it is very dry up North. We could use a rain dance." In return he did a pretty good moonwalk, especially for being on carpet. And what do you know- it is raining, pouring actually. Each drop feels like a gift. We won't know for a couple days how much rain they got up North for the farmers' fields, but rain here probably means snow in the Mountains of Northern Iraq and Turkey. And of course, when that snow melts in the spring, it will get added to the rivers and flow downstream where it is badly needed. So fingers crossed, or as the Iraqis say, inshallah(God willing), the rains will continue.

Back on the homefront the Christmas season is in full swing. I received a very enthusiastic review of Ballet Met's Nutcracker. Adam, Noah and Amelia, together with Adam's Mom Sharon and husband Tom, joined the Mattingly family last night to watch Georgia perform the starring role of Clara. I am sorry to have missed it but was delighted to hear how much they all enjoyed her performance. I also got to see the family Christmas tree, via Skype, all decorated and lit. Amelia "walked" me around the tree pointing out special ornaments of interest from years past. It looks beautiful!

Here in Baghdad, I am playing a new role as Santa's helper. I am putting my skills as a personal shopper to use, gently guiding coworkers anxious to send their wives something special for Christmas. It has been fun, and a great vicarious shopping experience for me! I had a little "Christmas Operation Station" open in the office, but with the mailing deadline passed, it is now closed- only online ordering at this point.

I wish you all a wonderful week. For you, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! And here in Iraq- let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!

Love

Krista

Christmas Cheer

December is here and it is starting to look a lot like Christmas on the NEC. On Thursday afternoon, the Ambassador "lit" the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Embassy, and then that evening, lights came on all over the NEC. We had watched the maintenance guys string lights for days in advance. It was kind of funny in a Christmas Vacation way, and kind of horrifying as a tax payer, to see the number of buildings they draped with icicle lights, heck, even the date palms are wrapped in lights. No one can accuse them of not trying to spread a little Christmas cheer!

I have also done some decorating. I put a sweet little tree in my CHU and even hung a little bouquet of bulbs. The office is decorated too, drawers of seasonal decorations were emptied and the office was quickly transformed. Trees and ornaments are up, lights line the cubicle walls and stockings have been hung. There are other signs too, like long lines at the Post Office as mailing deadlines loom. But the best touch so far has been receiving a thick envelope of cards from Mrs. Pharion's class at Amelia's school. The kids each sent me a card with their favorite "holiday thought". From building snowmen with siblings to drinking cocoa while snuggled with family by the tree- they were sweet and from the heart. I love them and have them on my desk, available to flip through anytime.

Not surprisingly, many choose the holidays for R&R so the number of people on the NEC seems to have thinned a bit. My State Department colleague has just returned after spending Thanksgiving at home and my Spin Instructor is currently on his R&R. Because of my stellar attendance record, he asked me to fill in for him while he is gone. I have really taken to leading the class and hope I can sub for him in the future, we have a few regulars and have even picked up a couple new students. Between Spin and the recent adoption of Saturday Game Night, I now have a few regularly scheduled non-work related breaks that should help keep me sane. Add a movie night here and there and life might be as close to normal as possible when so far away from family and friends.

I hope you enjoy and embrace your traditions this holiday; I am thinking of you at home with a satisfaction of knowing what I will get to take part in next year. And as Noah reminded me, I will be there in a way this year- he is planning a marathon skype session Christmas morning.

Certainly this year will be different but I continue to be so touched by the efforts of so many to ensure we know our time here is appreciated by those at home. Thank you.

Love,

Krista