Bratwurst!

On Sunday, we had a little barbeque for our employees.  The DFAC provided the food and drink; all we had to do was get the grills going and cook the meat.  We grilled steaks, marinated boneless chicken breasts, and bratwurst!  I have to admit, the brats were the best.  I suspect the reason they were so well-liked was that we rarely have good bratwurst in the regular DFAC meals here.  They provided us with real German-style brats and bread rolls.  We also enjoyed potato salad, coleslaw, cake and cookies for dessert.  We used two large grills to cook the meat.  My colleague, Jesse cooked the chicken on one and I grilled the steaks and brats on the other.  Here we are sweating over the hot coals.

That same morning, I also received the keys to our new compound.  We have a lot of work to do before we can begin moving in but it was a major step in a task that has taken many months to achieve.  The new housing will provide safer, more comfortable living conditions for our employees.  So, we are looking forward to moving in there sometime this summer.

I also had the pleasure of attending the Change of Command ceremony at the hospital here on the airbase.  Our hospital is clearly one of the finest trauma centers in the world.  Operated by Navy medical staff, they are in the business of saving lives.  This is where medevac aircraft from around southern Afghanistan bring casualties.  The staff here was also responsible for the outstanding care of our civilians who were attacked on April 6^th in Zabul.  This was the first Navy Change of Command I have witnessed.  It is a bit different from the many Army Changes of Command I participated in.  Even though the ceremony was conducted on dry land, they maintain naval tradition by “piping aboard” the incoming and outgoing commanders, both Navy Captains.  They also had a great reception after the event where I was able to talk with both officers.  The outgoing commander has been selected for flag rank (Rear Admiral) and returns to the U.S. soon.  Command of this hospital is clearly an important and unique responsibility for Naval Medical Officers.

On Monday, the nation celebrated Memorial Day.  While I often think about friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who have given their lives in service to our nation, I am glad that we use this day to focus the attention of all of our citizens on the sacrifice of our fallen service members.

Finally, only 24 days until I depart on R&R!  I sure miss my wife and family and I am looking forward to getting to see all of them soon!

Postcard from Charlotte!

Exactly one month remains before I begin my final R&R.  That’s 31 days from now.  I’ll be returning to Manchester for about a week before we head out on our 2013 Fisher Family vacation.  When I return from this vacation, I’ll have about 34 days remaining in this Afghan tour.  So, today also marks 91 days until this tour is over.

It was an extremely busy work week.  We have a lot of planning and coordination work related to our future move to a new compound on the airbase.  This project has been my main effort all year and we are getting close to making it a reality.  A highlight to working on this project is that I get to work with a friend from my time in Bern.  Rod Schellack and his wife Nancy are great folks who served in Bern while Terry and I were there.  Rod just arrived in Kabul and one of his job responsibilities will be working with me on projects here at KAF.  It was good to catch up with Rod this week and I’ll enjoy seeing him from time to time when he travels down here occasionally.  

With all the work competing for my time, I had a less than successful week of physical fitness.  I think I was able to run or work out three times this past week.  I guess that is what is recommended for most folks so at least I’m keeping up the average guy.

The beard experiment didn’t last very long.  At about day 10, it was just getting too itchy and hot.  Of course with daily temperatures going over 100°F, it was pretty uncomfortable.  SO, yesterday I shaved the beard off.  Besides, my lovely, caring wife would not Skype with me while I grew the beard.  I could call on the phone but she refused to look at my scruffy face.  Can you blame her?  Look at this photo I took just before shaving.

The highlight of my week was receiving a cute little “American Girl” post card from my granddaughter, Charlotte which was addressed to “Papa.”  Sha Sha is only 2 years old so, with the help of her Mom, she scribbled a little on the card and put some cute stickers on it.  Thanks Sha Sha!

Hair and a Helicopter

Sorry about the gap in posts.  The previous two Fridays did not lend themselves well to sitting down and writing.  I was either working or trying to just relax.  Needless to say I am staying quite busy.  But, this week I refocused on what is important and started making time during the day to get a run or workout in.  Since the first of the year, I've really been a slug in that regard.  Yeah, I still went out and ran the races they had on the base, but otherwise, I was either working or too tired.  I had the intention of getting up early every day to get my run done before getting to work but that was not working because I was so tired, I didn't want to get up and out.  So, I am leaving the office late in the afternoon to exercise before supper.  This past week, that has seemed to work.  There is one more 5K planned, on May 24th.  I've been mixing things up a bit too.  More hills (on the treadmill), push-ups and ab work and getting on the stationary bike for some cross-training.

Okay, here's the hair part of the post.  I have about five and a half weeks left before my last R&R and our family vacation!  Between now and when I depart for R&R, I am not going to shave or get a haircut!  Why?  Because since I joined the Army at age 19, some 36 years ago, I have had short hair and never grew a beard.  Of course Terry does not like beards, and likes my head shaved.  No fear Terry, I'll get it back that way before the R&R but now is my only chance to try it.  So, here goes!  This picture is two full days of not shaving.

 

I know it will look very scruffy for the first few weeks, but I don't have anyone here that I have to impress, right?  I bet my wonderful bride is thinking, "Oh no, what if he likes it?"  I'm looking forward to bringing my left-overs back to the hooch with me and enjoying seconds (remaining food in the beard). ;-)

I received a belated birthday gift from Chris, Marissa, and Charlotte!  Here it is, a small, remote-control Apache helicopter!

It is really kind of a cool gift.  I've flown it around my small room a couple of times but I know it is going to take some time to get the hang of it and get used to operating the controls.  Later tonight, I might take it over to our small conference room and give it a try in a bigger space.  The helicopter is surprisingly rugged and can survive crash landings quite well.

It's been like Christmas around here.  This week I received a huge box of breakfast food and snacks from my wonderful wife and three boxes from Chris and Marissa which had everything in it from smoked oysters to t-shirts to Trader Joe's snacks!  I've got so much breakfast food now, I'll never have to eat that meal in the DFACs again!

I have less than 100 days remaining in this tour!  Speaking of 100s, that is where our daytime temperatures are now.  I am sure it will get even hotter but anything over 100 is still oven-hot.  What better time of year to grow a beard!