Getting Back On The Horse

As I wind down the last week of my year-long deployment in the desert there are many things I'm looking forward to. First and foremost is getting back to my wife and daughter. After that I'm looking forward to everything from simply being back in the U.S. to not having to eat chow hall food again for awhile.

One thing I'm definitely looking forward to is getting back to firefighting. After a year away from it, I certainly find myself missing it. While I cannot particularly say I've missed hearing my pager wake me up in the middle of the night, I do miss helping people at their worst and the camaraderie I have always enjoyed from being a part of the organization. With that excitement though comes a bit of apprehension. I'm very nervous about getting into it again after such a long break from it. While the basics have certainly not left me, I know that there are things I am going to have to refresh myself on. I guess this is where experience helps though, however little I may have, in identifying what areas I need go over again. Many things from what is where on the apparatus to where this and that rural road are at are going to need to be refreshed. While I'm sure I will do okay, there's still a part of me that worries. That is just part of my nature though, not wanting to disappoint and always wanting to make sure I do the best job I can. It is going to be interesting for sure. While I am certainly not a rookie anymore, I see already that there will be a few times where it feels like that. Make no mistake though, my looking forward to getting back into it far outweighs any apprehension I have.

Of course, in another 5 months or so I get to start all over again anyway when I move from South Carolina to Maryland.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Break On Through To The Other Side

Break On Through To The Other Side, originally uploaded by VirginiaSouthern.

When I was setting up to take this shot, I could just hear the Doors' music in my head.

You know the day destroys the night
Night divides the day
Tried to run
Tried to hide
Break on through to the other side
Break on through to the other side
Break on through to the other side, yeah

Taken at Souq (market) Waqif in downtown Doha, Qatar.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Going Home Soon

I know. It has been some time since I've posted here. Taking two college classes and trying to get things ready for my departure has kept me fairly busy. As I write this though, I am only 21 days from leaving the desert for good. It is hard to fathom that a year has come and gone already. I am so ready. My wife and I have both been troopers throughout, but we're definitely weary of it now. I miss the hell out of my wife and daughter. I don't think families are really meant to be apart this long. I know so seeing how many families have been struggled with almost a decade of constant deployments for some. Material for another post I guess. In the meanwhile, it's time for this Airman to get his butt home. And finish my two classes before I do so I have nothing to worry about for my first two weeks home other than catching up with Kristin and Katrina. See you all on back on that side of the pond.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.