Almost Home

I regret missing last week but I was in the midst of final goodbyes and final packing. Sunday was my last full day on the New Embassy Compound; I started it like I did all summer- with an early trip to the gym, breakfast to go and heading to the pool with Candace. We enjoyed our poolside brunch, a little lounging and then our last sidestroking session. The only thing different from our other Sundays was a duck and cover alarm just after our swim- we hit the deck but thankfully nothing else did. We had always thought of the pool as our escape from Baghdad so it was a bit of a bummer. Still, my real escape was only one day away so we shared a laugh as we huddled on the deck and waited for the all clear. Candace is only a week behind me, and if I am lucky, I can get her to Columbus sometime for a visit.

Late Sunday afternoon, I joined my Energy Services Division colleagues for our awards ceremony presided over by our J9 Director, MG Buchanan. Once you hit your awards ceremony you know you are close to leaving so it is a major milestone of sorts to reach. The majority of our division departs before the end of July, with just two remaining as Liaison Officers to the Embassy until the end of their tours. I was awarded the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. MG Buchanan introduced me with an Ohio State football dig, followed by some kind and generous comments, he then posted the award (meaning we came to attention and the award was read) and then turned over to the me for my comments. I took the opportunity to remind him of another football related memory- the time my forehead met his nose. We all enjoyed a laugh (yes, even him) before I went on to sincerely thank my leadership and colleagues for a really rewarding joint, inter-agency experience. I also shared how grateful I was for what I have come to think of as my mid-life reflection.

Early on, I jokingly referred to this mobilization as my "Mom Sabbatical". No dirty dishes, no family laundry, no house to clean...that was all positive and I embraced it. But of course so much was missed this past year and that is the true sacrifice. I can't help but feel like I have kind of lost a year of Noah and Amelia's life. That may sound overly dramatic, and with our almost daily phone calls and weekly skype dates- I am incredibly grateful to have stayed so connected. My greatest fear before deploying was how this would affect the kids. I can vividly remember sitting in Mr. Bowser's office (Amelia's Principle)with tears welling up, and a few spilling, as I shared with him my concerns. He assured me with confidence that they would be just fine, and thanks to Adam and so much family, friend and school support, they really have been. I am so proud of their resilience and so thankful for the support we have received. The from the bottom of my heart kind, the good stuff!

Because I was separated from family and other normal commitments, ironically there was an opportunity in Iraq to take care of myself in a way that does not present itself so freely at home. I am happy to report that I took that opportunity. And while I may not have everything mapped out, after my "mid-life reflection," I am certain that I am coming home more sure of what is important to me and feeling physically stronger and healthier than I was when I left just over a year ago. That feels like a gift to me and something special to give back to my family- because after all, they have had to contend with dirty dishes, laundry and so much more!

This is my sixth day in Kuwait; I left the Embassy and started my journey back last Monday- what a great birthday present. I leave tomorrow and I am beyond excited; I am moved to tears pretty easily but they are not the sad kind. I think they are a mixture of joy and relief. I have spent the last few days attending the Navy's Warrior Transition Program. Attending is probably not the best word because they do their best to ensure there is a lot of freetime. The idea is to slow the pace down and enjoy time off after working at a pace that is not quite normal. It has been nice, and I think very worthwhile, but I am ready to get stateside. I will head back to where I first reported, Gulfport, Mississippi, to do my demobilization. I know I have one great mexican dinner in my future but mostly it will be a race to check all the boxes so I can head home. Fingers crossed, the next post will come from home. And by just typing that, there are the tears again.

Much love,

Krista

Photos: About to leave the Embassy with Frazzure on my birthday, my Navy shipmate LCDR Jen Forbus after the award ceremony, my Army buddy and confidant LTC Jill Buchanan, my award ceremony, Kuwait bound on a C-130.

Farewell Season

As I have mentioned many times before- we say a lot of goodbyes here. On the military side, people are always rotating in and out. But on the State Department side, the turnover is massive in the summer months. So it is farewell season, and happily, my departure date is right around the time my Embassy colleague Eric's departs. Actually, mine is a week earlier but as he likes to point out, he will beat me home. I have that extra week "vacation" in Kuwait. Nothing like the desert in July!

This past Friday night, I joined the Embassy Econ Section for an official farewell celebration. The evening included a bountiful spread of Iraqi food, kind words for all, and a few nice parting gifts too! I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work so closely with, and learn from, such a talented Embassy staff. As a Naval Officer, joint duty (inter-service)is valued but one of our latest buzz words is inter-agency, during my time here I have had the best of both worlds.

But it is time to wrap it up, so I have really made an effort this week to do just that. I went through and cleared out office drawers, shredded lots of paper and made more piles of things to pass on, donate and toss. With a significant amount of people moving, finding boxes takes a little persistence but I think I have almost everything in order for my departure. As may be expected with our draw down in military forces, I do not have a replacement coming in behind me. In a lot of ways, this makes my last week here much easier. No effort required to train someone up, just have to make sure my office and CHU are cleared out and paperwork is all completed. So this last full week (LAST week, can hardly believe it myself...) will primarily be spent dotting i's, crossing t's and saying goodbye.

I am excited to get home for the last few weeks of summer vacation. Time with family and friends, trips to the pool and pulling tomatoes off the vine- I am just so pleased that it is all within reach.

Love,

Krista

pictures: My super Embassy colleagues, John and Eric, a picture with my boss, Air Force Colonel "Z". Over six feet something, he was making a deliberate effort to be in the same frame with me.

Happy 4th of July!

I arrived back in Baghdad on Sunday afternoon, just in time for the fourth of July festivities on Monday. I started the day early, 3:30 am early, thanks to jet lag. Got unpacked, did two loads of laundry, watched a bit of tv and even got a run around the NEC in before 7am. I was actually returning from switching clothes out of the washer to the dryer when I ran into Candace and Anne as they were heading out for a run. Quick change from a robe to shorts and a tee and we were off. The temperature felt mild and with overcast skies, it was only 90, for summer that is pretty mild here. It climbed as the day progressed but it was a nice start and fun to catch up with the girls.

The early wake up did me in later in the day but we were on a rare light work day for the holiday. I was out of the office by lunch and took advantage of the afternoon off to get in a good nap. The common areas of the NEC were decorated for the 4th, the DFAC featured traditional BBQ items and MWR sponsored a few special activities including a dunking tank and snow cone machine. Not sure who got dunked since I slept away the afternoon but efforts were clearly made to mark the holiday. We were just all hoping for no fireworks. That, and not being with family, made the day a little different than years past.

I was really lucky to catch up with Adam, Noah and Amelia at Lake Cumberland. I enjoyed introducing them to the delegation, but mostly was just so happy to have some time together. I think we all felt like it was bonus time, and a nice prelude to my real homecoming. After Wolf Creek I headed back to Nashville and flew to St. Louis for our last visit, this time to Clearwater Dam in southern Missouri. I learned a lot on the trip and came away feeling like it was a really great exchange for the Iraqis too. In between the presentations and site visits, we shared many memorable, light hearted moments and interesting, frank discussions during long car rides. It was not hard to say good bye, it was time, but I will certainly think of them in the future and wish them all the best.

Most importantly, coming back meant going home. I have a few loose ends to tie up and some packing to do before leaving the NEC on the 19th of July. I have taken pictures down, brought boxes in and started to fill them. You can tell it is final stretch time! With only two weeks to go, I feel like I have plenty to keep me busy. I am not feeling particularly nostalgic but I am also not feeling desperate to leave, just ready. And for now, that seems like a pretty good place to be.

Happy 4th of July.

Love,

Krista