Afghanistan Food

My tour in Afghanistan is not complete without having to write about food. The name "Cesa" is a synonym for food. Anyone who have ever asked for my name always asked what my name stands for. Finally I came up with a definition, the word "Cesa" means food expert. Of course, I may not know all about food but I can tell you that the bond between "Cesa" and food is so tightly sealed that my name will not exist without food. Luckily am in a profession that will not allow me to be obese, if not in this present job, I would probably be about 300 pound by now. And if I would have to commit one of the deadliest sins I would pick gluttony. With all that said, I wanted to write about Afghanistan food.

I am not as fortunate to really indulge myself with Afghanistan food because I am limited to where I can go. I am not allowed off the camp unless if we are going to a mission or advising at the the Afghan National Army (ANA) base. Detours are limited to the Airport or smaller friendly forces camps. The only food I can really experience is what is brought to me by the Afghan army counterparts whom I work with or the food at the dinning facility at the ANA compound. Nevertheless, I consider it as an Afghanistan food experience. There are three favorite food in Afghanistan I really like, the well known "Beef Kebab", a dish called "Mantu" and the best ever crepe looking food called "Balani".

I am very happy to say that have pictures of both the "Mantu" and "Balani" in which I can post and share. However, I do not have a picture of the "Beef Kebab" but kebabs all look alike in my opinion. Kebab is a dish where a piece of bamboo skewers or some sort of stick is inserted with different type of proteins, i.e. chicken, beef, pork and even vegetables. The different technique of applying flavor to the kebab is what makes it unique to a particular place. I love the flavor of the "Beef kebab" in Afghanistan and sometimes I wish someone would show me what spices are used to flavor the meat. My team jokingly says, "The meat used for the kebab are the Trash Goats" remember my story about "Trash" goats on the road, and I do not agree. I have to justify that the meat used is beef by pointing out to the cows as we passed them during our convoy back to the camp. Besides, I would know what goat taste like I had goat meat before but with the different spices used on the kebab maybe it is difficult for me to detect the difference between goat or beef. Moving on to my next favorite food called the "Mantu".

The closest description of a "Mantu" is a dumpling or the famous chinese dish called "shomay", basically it is a form of thin wrapping or very thin like dough that is stuffed with meat and herbs. This particular dish have chick peas and yogurt. And it sure yummy in my tummy. The next dish I want to talk about is the "Balani".

Balani is a thin looking pancake or better known as crepes. This particular dish is embedded with either green onions or potatoes. The sauce is either soy sauce with spices and onions, or a sauce made with crushed up chillies (Red Pepper). My team sure enjoy this dish and we always look forward to someone's going away party because this dish sure is always present. Lastly, I wanted to talk about the food at the Afghan dinning facility.

My Colonel at the division would invite the advisors for lunch at the mess hall and only those brave ones will go because some of my team members have stomach problems when they eat at this facility. The food is so good it always made me think of "Oxtail Soup". The menu is always a beef stew type of dish, then rice, bread and vegetables---whatever is available that day. I really like the eggplant cooked in tomato sauce which I may have to recreate when I have my kitchen--"So missing my kitchen." Eight months of not cooking is depressing and so bad for my health. Anyways, bottom line, food is not just food is another way of communicating to others. Even if one cannot speak the language or the dialect, it easier to have a great time when there is good food, the end results "Camaraderie" is formed. Anyone for seconds:)

Operation Food Drop

This week felt like Christmas, "Yankie" team agreed on a plan to give food to the beggars in the street, a small gesture of kindness. Everyday, as we head back to the FOB, we pass several women and their young children in the middle of the street, and I often thought of helping and because we are not allowed to stop or dismount from the vehicle, it was just a thought. This week is different, the thought of helping became a reality. Whoever came up with the idea, of bringing food in the humvee and throwing it outside, is a person with a big heart and full of courage. An act of kindness makes a difference in this world. If you have seen these children, your heart will be filled with pity and sadness which I always felt when we pass the women beggars in the streets, mostly I felt bad for the children. I think the idea came from either the team leader or our new Captain, who just recently joined our team. I realized both have a good heart and making this arrangement made me think highly of them. Yes, a risky decision because there are people out there who would like to hurt Americans and will do all means necessary, even portraying like women or beggars. A risk that was taken but I am glad we were able to help in our own little way. The food drop was only for a week but the memories of helping those less fortunate will stay with me for a lifetime. I was fortunate to get a video clip of the operation food drop and I wanted to share it on my blog, but I cannot post it, for it is very challenging to upload data through the wireless connection. Helping others always reminds me of Christmas, a time of giving and sharing, why can it always be that way?

Everyone should make an effort to help others, no matter how small, so as long it comes from the heart. This remind me of another kind person. One other day, my team decided to stop by the airport to grab some food before we went back to the FOB. The team were divided because some wanted to eat at the dinning facility and five wanted to go eat pizza. And of course, am one of those who loves to eat and eating at the dinning facility I have done for almost forever and the last thing I want to do is go to the airport and eat the DFAC, especially when there are plenty of eatery place at the airport. I want good food even if its only once a month. Me and four other team member went to a pizzeria. As we walked to the front counter, a civilian woman was deciding on what pizza she wanted. As we stood patiently for our turn, she faced us and said she wanted to buy us pizza. All of us looked at each other and then looked at her. She insisted and said, "It is small gesture in thanking you all for what you do for our country." and she bought each one of us a whole pizza. We invited her to sit with us, and she asked about our job in Afghanistan. We exchange conversations and enjoyed her stories. She too was prior military and I will never forget her name, "Hunter Logan". One of our team member's last name is Hunter, and she made a joke, if she was married to him, her name would have been Hunter Hunter. I am very grateful to people like her, who never forget their roots, and continue to spread a little joy to other people lives. Maybe others will say it is just pizza but for me it was more than a pizza, a "Thank you" from a total stranger for what I do, make me feel like that I have chosen a rewarding profession and my efforts will never be forgotten. So when you have an opportunity to spread joy to others, do it! It is is spiritually rewarding. And those peoples' lives you have touched, will never forget you. I know I will always remember her act of kindness.

Smoky Trail

The week (Aug 14-19) started off really slow. The convoy trip was quite and as a right rear in the MTV, with a very small window to look out, the task of staying vigilant is the only difficult part as a passenger. This week I had difficulty sleeping, and would stay up until two in the morning. Normally I wake up around five in the morning which gives me time to run/exercise then shower and eat chow, but not this week, not once this week did I step foot at the dinning facility to eat breakfast. I woke up 30 minutes prior to show time, so I had to rush getting ready for work. I am always the first one to the vehicle and get the PMCS completed (get the vehicles ready) but not this week, I was the last one. By the time I arrived, everything that needs to be accomplished on the vehicle was done which I kinda enjoyed, a break from my everyday routine.

Another change in my routine, instead of running at the track, this week I walked around the FOB, along the perimeter of the wall. At each stretch of the wall is a lookout post. I have met an Army personnel, who was sweet enough to give us a tour of each lookout post. Each post was manned by one Army private and with a big gun, I rather not say what type of weapon for security reasons. But one thing for sure, I am glad they are armed and ready. I did not realize that our FOB is next to several villages. I always thought the FOB was secluded from communities. As I climbed up the stairs of the look out post, Afghan children will flock near the wall to say hello. I would speak to them in Dari and they insist they can speak English. Matter of fact, they spoke good English, better than my English. While I communicated back in Dari or "Pashtu", to practice my new learned language, I had a blast just talking to the Afghan children. How I wish I brought my camera or at least brought some candies to give to the children. I think I had climbed about a dozen of these lookout post and saw every angle of the FOB. It was a fun day.

This week (Aug 19-26) I decided to record a clip of the "Smokey Trail", as I call it, which is one of the routes to work. One must have a light breakfast when traveling this road, because by the end of the trip, you will for use feel sick to your stomach. I only took a 25 seconds video clip but this road goes on forever. Okay, am exaggerating maybe less than 20 minutes.

One thing for sure I will never forget this road.

Traffic in Afghanistan

This week is a short but very interesting week. The first day of "Ramazan" which fell on a Wednesday, we stayed back at the Camp for a total of three days to include the Friday that we are normally off, and Saturday is when we had to convoy out again and mentor at the ANA compound. This week am assigned as the driver for one of the vehicles, and when I am driver, it never fails that we are confronted with scary situation. My team have only two main routes that we travel to and from work and one of this route is through Kabul International Airport, which we use often to eliminate the hassle in driving through traffic and bumpy roads. As we were going home, convoy commander decided not to take the airport way, found our convoy stuck in traffic for two hour.

A scary situation I may add, traffic is no fun in Afghanistan too many unknown situation that can arise. I really dislike not being able to maneuver the vehicle, especially if there is an emergency. It was horrible! We could not turnaround to take the alternate route. The situation got worst when a truck hit a car and the owner got out of the car and started yelling at the truck driver, then the ANP (Afghan National Police) was trying to break the fight and end up pushing the car owner back to his car and the fight escalated. As I watch through the window of the humvee and trying to make sure no other threat were outside, I was praying that we would find a way to get out of this mess and hoping no one has to dismount from the humvee or MATVs. Luckily the policeman was able to control the scene and a small gap or space opened and we were able to make a u-turn and back tracked to the airport. I was impress in my driving skill that day, even with the limited space, I was able to turn the humvee around without hitting a car. I was most impressed how my team, who were driving the MATV, steered those vehicles during this situation. Imagine if I was driving the MATV, there is no way I could have turn the MATV around.

We finally arrived safe and sound at the Camp. Shudder of the thought of a possible attack during the traffic scenario and not having a way out of that sticky situation, all I could do is put on a "tough face" and consider that day as part of our daily routine but deep inside I was really scared. The following day, I was in a bad mood and was not speaking to anyone which led to being called "Ms. Grumpy" that day, and so the following day I was left behind at the Camp, to enjoy a day off. The next day, another scary day, as we were driving home, the first vehicle stopped and reported an explosion. I have no clue why the first vehicle stopped, and all I could think of is that the vehicle was disabled, and my heart started to pound so hard. As the third vehicle driver, I looked ahead and I saw no smoke or anyone dismounting, and a sigh of relief as I heard the convoy commander explaining that a big jingle truck's tire exploded and there were no damage to our vehicles, and so we continued back to the Camp.

Not a fun week, but am just glad nothing horrible happened. This week was short but memorable because our team was confronted with scenarios that was scary. I do not know why I am paranoid with these minor situations, maybe because it is Ramadan or maybe because am in Afghanistan, whatever the reason may be, I just hope the next time I drive we do not have to experience potential hazards. The last time I drove, I had to tow the first vehicle because it will not start when we stopped at the Airport. Towing a vehicle all the way back to the Camp, that is not even 15 minute away, seemed like a lifetime of driving. If I documented all the times that I have driven a humvee and got into this type of scenarios, anyone would understand why I should be band from driving a humvee. No more driving for me, please?

Particular to Kabul

Today is the first day of Ramadan and my team does not have to leave the FOB/Camp, which resulted to a day off. What an excellent opportunity to write about "something", as I scanned through all my pictures that I have taken during my deployment, and I asked my self, "What do I want to share to my family and friends today? Finally, I have found topics to write about: covered women, jingle trucks, trash goats, meat market and street gathering are five topics I wanted to share.

Many women in Afghanistan are covered, some of them use just the scarf to cover themselves, but many still wear the full cover. I find my self very appreciative that I do not have to wear such covering. I bet those outfit gets really hot, I could not imagine wearing it all day, especially during the summer times. I might just have to stay home if I lived in Afghanistan as a woman, forget about shopping or taking the kids to the doctor, its too hot to go out like this and the worst part some have to travel by foot. I like this picture because this woman is wearing a white covering unlike the majority whom wears blue burka.

Jingle trucks comes in small, medium and large trucks but what make these truck unique is the decoration on the trucks. From hanging trinkets, to color paint jobs, these particular trucks makes the street of Kabul very interesting. I like checking out the decorations on the trucks as we pass by it, during our convoys. I need a better picture of these jingle trucks, but unfortunately am either driving or the vehicle is going too fast or I have forgotten my camera. Whatever the case may be, when I see a really decorated truck come our way, all I can do is admire it from a distance. Oh well, I would have to just buy a replica of the jingle trucks and take it home for a souvenir.

When I am convoy commander I enjoy seeing a heard of goats on the street because I get to say, "Trash goat right" to inform the other convoy team that there are goats on the streets, so everyone can slow down, while we pass the goats. This picture only shows a few trash goat but they usually travel in large herds and instead of grassing on green pastures, these goats loves to eat trash. Henceforth, the name trash goats, as I call it out during the convoys.

Then the famous meat market store, everyday we passed several meat market place and all you see is just a bunch of meat hung up for the flies, dust and what other bacteria, infest on it. But we, "My Team" sure enjoy the kabobs that are given to us at the ANA base, I wonder which meat market did they get it from?

Lastly, the famous street gathering, everyday there is a meeting in the middle or side of the street. Afghans love parking on the side of the street and just sit anywhere, while they talk about everything and anything. I think it would be cool if I can join the street gathering but I bet they wont let me join in, because I am a girl. I have not seen any women gathering on the street, I wonder why? Oh! I know why, its to hot to be outside, Smart Afghan Women!!!!....Hope everyone enjoyed my story. Have to return to studying, and I wanted to let my family know that I am enjoying this deployment. I haven taken so many pictures and cannot wait to share/show to my family and friends.

Meet my Afghan Family

Today I have decided to skip studying and devote this time to write a blog. I have been very busy studying and keeping up with my chores here in Afghanistan. All the time management classes I have attended, it seems like I never have enough time, and applying what I have learned is not working for me. How do I balance working, studying and everything else? Anyways, today is different, I am not exercising because it is a rest day and I will not work on my reports nor study for my stripe, and the only thing I want to do is write about my division.

For over three months now, I have worked with awesome Afghans. They made my stay here feel like home but of course there are times I feel home sick because there is no place like home, no matter how much it is duplicated. Every time am at the Afghan National Army (ANA) base I feel safe. No matter what happen, in my heart I know that my Afghan counterparts will always protect me. The hospitality of the afghans cannot be matched, it reminds me when I lived in the philippines, people here are very friendly and caring.

They constantly remind me how much I look like an Afghan. My facial features resemble a tribe in Afghanistan which are known as "Hazar". They always invite me to go outside the base and assure me that I can blend in (of course in civilian clothing) and I have to explain that I could not. I have to keep reminding them that I could only travel to and from Camp Pheonix to ANA base. Anyways, the reason I wrote this blog is to introduce my Afghan family to my real family, and what best way is to post it on my blog. My family and friends has been reading my blog and it is the fastest way to tell them my story rather than calling each and everyone.

My Afghan family starts with Lt Col (Dagarman) Azim Rasuli, who is the commodity manager for the Electronic and Communication Division, whom I mentor. Then Major Motabar Safi-second in command. Then my brother Captain Gahish Daud, whom everyone says looks like me, because he too is from the Hazar tribe. Of course I cannot forget my Interpreter, who helps me communicate with my counterparts, Ahmad Sha. In the division we have one Zabet or Sergeant and his name is Taleb and his not a taliban-- is the famous joke that is told when we introduce him to an American mentor visitor. However, he has the white beard to show his wisdom yet he is a young man, with very young children.

Taleb and Major Motabar

Toran Daud- See the remblance

Electronic and Comm Division Clerks

My Interpreter: Ahmad Sha

The division has three wonderful clerk: Khetab Mohamad, Hamid Ullah and Farad Azim. Khetab practice his English words by conversing with me, so does Hamid but Farad speaks to me in Pashtu or Dari. Everyday I am expected to have learned more Phrases in Pashtu. I am getting more confused with so many different words in my head, to the point am mixing Dari and Pashtu words in a sentences, how funny is that?

Col Azim will often joke with me and tell my interpreter that he was going to the bazar and buy me more Dari words so I would not need an interpreter soon. Anyone who hear me speak Pashtu are very impressed and then they start talking to me in Pashtu then am lost when they start talking so fast.

My Pashtu is getting better I think, but I love telling Col Azim, "Za saba ta Kar ta na razam" which translate I am not coming to work tomorrow and he is tickled when I tell him this because he says, "Wali-Wali" with a laugh and then ask the question, "Wali-Wali" which means Why-Why. Then I can no longer respond back, but one day I learned how to say I have duty at the dinning facility and he liked that. Yup, once a month I have to sit at the dinning facility (DFAC) to count personnel entering the DFAC, it is like an augmentation as a "Services" personnel and it is a boring augmentation. I rather mentor and hang out with my Afghan counterparts.

Another Afghan personnel is Natasjan, whom is the cleaning lady and she makes tea for the division. She is a very sweet lady, always giving me tea and when she is not around or absent, I sure miss her because we run out chai or tea, because the men do not like making tea and yet forbid if I tried cleaning or making tea they all panic because I am not suppose to do such as thing. I guess there is an advantage of being an American woman---the benefit of being a guest.

Overall I enjoy each and everyone in my division and will not trade them for anything else. Everyone wants to go home with me to the US and if I could take them I would, is what I always tell them.

I know when I leave, even it is a happy moment, some part of me knows that I will truly miss my Afghan family.

Five Hundred Village Trip

I made up my mind, studying is my goal in this deployment and I have started allocating two hours of my time at night to study. Lately, I have been so tired after work because I have been working on a major project of accounting equipment items for Communication and Electronic Division. I sure need help from the Afghan Army personnel working in the division to accomplish this projects but I have been working on my own, but eventually I will get my counter parts involve, I will get it started then they can finish it and maintain the list.

With work tasking, exercising, and studying, I no longer have the time to write or read blogs. Its too bad because I sure enjoying writing about my day. I did not even get a chance to tell about my experience during the trip to the five hundred villages. The Afghan Army took us to this village which is located just around the Log Command but first we went up to the mountain. The trip is scary, we rode in the Afghan's army vehicle, driving at the edge of the mountain to climb to the top, and when the vehicle no longer can climb up, we had to take it by foot and the hike was not easy. By the time we reached the top we were about 7,143 elevation. The hike was worth it, the view is spectacular. There is something about mountains, it takes my breath away (maybe because I had to hike up the mountain and was gasping for air). Being on top of the mountain made me appreciate the beauty that nature has to offer. After the trip to the mountain, we then went to the village and gave candies to the children. Overall, it was a very rewarding day.

This week, is my week of driving the humvee, I cannot believe it, am driving a humvee to work. I am getting the hang of it and it not as bad as the first day. If you were the passenger in my vehicle and if you really listen closely, you will hear my heart pounding so loud. Driving humvee is no fun for me, and if I never have to drive one, am okay with it. Afghanistan's road is not paved and if it is there are many ditches and it is a very bumpy ride. My greatest fear is hitting pedestrians, especially those women beggars that sit in the middle of the road. Luckily, no major incident. Next week, I am convoy commander for the week and I hope everything goes well. I am going to post a picture on my blog and see if I become successful with it and I chose a picture that over looks the five hundred village, it is so beautiful.

Check out the new layout of my blog, I learned it from a team mate from Combat Skill Training and I chose pink because I am a girl! So, no laughing at me. Until the new post. I love "Jumaa" because I had time to write on my blog today.

My Deployment Routine

For two weeks, no entries was made on my blog, the reason behind this neglect does not attributes to laziness, and there are two reasons. I have been reading a book: Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child and I enjoyed it so much I could not put the book down. Then I found myself, a work out/ gym partner, we have been exercising every day at 1700, and the work routine we have been following on the CD is called "Insanity". My day has been quickly passing by and soon it is time to leave Afghanistan.
I have a routine down, in the morning, my team convoys to work, and we stay at the Afghan Army base (Where I mentor the Electronic/Communication Division) until 1500. Then off we go to convoy home. When I arrived the Camp we are staying at, I have just enough time to get ready for the work out routine for that day. Then run some errands such as dropping laundry, showering and eating dinner. Finally at the end of the day, I enjoy my book and read for hours. Sometimes I have to convince myself that it is time for bed or I will be tired in the mornings. And this is my routine. However, I have to find time to study for my next stripe and I have not calculated/ incorporated that in my schedule.
Now that I have finished my book, I have told myself it is time to study. I will stop leisure reading and replace it with studying. Then, I have to make a point to write on my blog as well. So little time, so many plans.

From complete surrender to a new hope

"Jumaa" a dari word for Friday, is a day off for the Afghan Army and so mentors were also off this day. I spent my day off sleeping and resting. I was relief to find out, we have at least one day off during the week. This day is the bazaar day as well, different vendors come to Camp Phoenix to sell goods. Shopping in Afghanistan was something I did not imagine doing but today I did go shopping. The vendors sold carpets, blankets, jewelries and some antique stuff.
Saturday came along, time to go back to work, I had some challenges with my afghan counterparts because the Colonel in charge of the Electronic and Communication division wanted me to sign a MOD Form 14 which I have no clue what it is about. I refused and when I did, he was upset and had told the interpreter that I have only been in the division for short period of time and he on the other had have been there for a long time and he does know about the job and has checked out the paperwork and I should just trust him and sign the paperwork. But I continued to refuse to sign the form, I was brief not to sign any MOD Forms unless I know what I am signing and that is exactly what I did. I think, I have placed myself on the bad side of the Afghan Colonel. I dislike not knowing my job here in Afghanistan, unlike in the US Air force I knew my job. If there is a problem in the system or process, I was first picked to correct the issue or problem. Even if it meant initiating a "Tiger Team" to find solution on particular problem, I was always on it. Now I feel like an Airman at the bottom of the totem pole. I know nothing and I had to ask someone else to help me which I felt bad because now I am taking away time from the other person or section he or she is mentoring, just to teach me the Afghan supply processes. This day I felt a little melancholy. Hopefully, Sunday is better day.
Sunday is not a better day either, it is getting worst. This day I was confronted with the question, Why I am not married? From the interpreters to the clerk and my Afghan counterparts, all wanted to know why am not married. They had explained that a woman my age should not be single. In the Afghan culture they will ask this personal question. I had to tell them my life story. I had told them I was married for seven years, divorced for seven years and I have one daughter. They ask me the original question with a twist, why I did not get married again? Had to explain that I am very busy woman and have no time. They did not like that reasoning, so I had to find another answer, so I told them I am catholic and with my religion am only suppose to get married once. I had an earful of reasons from my counterparts why it is in my best interest to get married again. My interpreter explained that in the Afghan culture single parents are frowned upon and women must marry or else they look down on them. I am profoundly grateful I live in the United States. At the end of the day, all I can think of is my daughter, how I miss her so much. It is not easy being a single parent and today my heart was filled with sorrow because I want to be with my kid and I cannot. I always beat myself up for leaving her even if I knew I had no choice. I have deployed several times in my career but it does not get easier. It hurts the same same way. But as the day passes by I am able to deal with the separation a little better. I have to push her out of my mind so I do not constantly think of her because if I do think of her and how much I miss her so much, a "Black Cloud hangs around me" as my dad describes it and it is true. Without my daughter, you can trace sadness in my life and I have learned to mask it, over a period time, but people who knows me well can distinguish when my daughter is away. This day I cried myself to sleep, wishing I can go home and be with my daughter and my family. I prayed to God to make me stronger to tackle the challenges in my life. And tomorrow is another day.
Today which is Monday, I woke up at 3 am like I have done since I arrived here but this time instead of getting up I forced my self to stay in bed until 6 am. My prayers last night made a difference today. I woke up with a new found enthusiasm to go to work and face my work challenges. Today was a good day. Instead of drinking 12 cups of tea like everyday, I only had 3, which is a measurement of the work I had to do. Less tea more work, more tea less work. I had signed many MOD 14 forms and made the Afghan colonel happy. Later I found out I have signed MOD 14 that I was not supposed to sign because of errors, but I shrugged my shoulder and said, "Inshalla", I would have to correct those errors tomorrow. The day got better when I received a phone call from a former team in Combat Skill Training, Major "Apps". I sure enjoy hanging out with Major because being around him meant learning new stuff or ideas. Today's class is learning how to shop for carpets. We have looked at a carpet that was so beautiful. He explained to me how to distinguish a high quality rugs to not so good one. I learned the smaller the knots on the back of the carpet the better quality. You also have to touch the carpet and the smoother it is the better quality. He had shown me one, that he had looked at earlier, and it is so gorgeous. The carpet felt like silk and the color matched my couch back home. I also liked the pattern but the price is not right, it costs $3,000. I wonder if I can talk the vendor in lowering the price. The vendor mentioned a carpet of very high quality is called, "Khoja Rhoshnai". I'll keep checking on it and maybe before I leave I will purchase a rug, I have to, it is one of a lifetime chance because I do not think I will come back in Afghanistan again. I sure enjoy hanging out with Major. My love for a MAC computer originated from him and then now carpets. I am glad he passed through Camp Phoenix. God is so good to me. He manages to lift my spirit up, every time it is down. He uses good people as instruments, to show me that it is going to be okay. Seeing Major, taught me a valuable lesson today, "No matter how alone you feel, you are never alone, there are always good people around you and good people you have met along your journey", just like Major "Apps". As the popular proverbs says, "If you only see one set of footprints on the sand its because Jesus was carrying you and he did not abandon you" and that is how I truly felt today. I was never alone. More experiences and challenges to face but each day I will find the strength to make each day, a day to remember.

Initial Introduction to Afghanistan

Lately, I did not get a chance to write on my blog. I was exhausted from the traveling. Even after I got enough sleep, it seemed like I was tired. Maybe the elevation in Afghanistan is contributing to my feeling very tired, or maybe jet leg is the cause of my sleepless nights, who knows? Anyways, I have started my first day to work on the 20th April 2010. I was given one day to rest which I also used for in-processing at Camp Phoenix. I found out that I had to convoy to and from work. I hoped never having to convoy in my career but now am faced with reality, I have to convoy everyday.
My first real convoy occurred when my team first picked me up at Kabul International Airport. Leaving the airport and seeing the road of Afghanistan for the very first time brought sadness to my heart, instead of fear. I have lived in a third world country for seventeen years of my life but yet never seen this type of living conditions. What I have seen gave me a heavy heart and I merely had a glimpse of Afghanistan through a window of a humvee.
Tuesday's convoy, this time I found myself terrified in going out the FOB but I had no choice but to just deal with the fear. We traveled almost the same route going to the airport. The road were not paved and it was a bumpy ride. It also rained that day so there were mud everywhere. We have arrived at the Log command, which is an Afghan Army Base. I met my Afghan counterparts and was oriented to my new job. I am a commodity item manager and mentor for the electronic/communication section. The day seemed short, I was enjoying the social interaction with the Afghan personnel, all seemed like wise men who look very old but wondered how old they were and dared not to ask. I had some bad vibes that some Afghans do not care about interacting with women but at the same time they had mentioned "respect" toward me. Some of the Afghans army personnel asked were I was from and the interpreters explained that I am an American soldier but the Afghans wanted to know my origin. I mentioned that I was born and raised in the Philippines then came to the US when I was 17 years old. We played a game called list all the countries that are near the Philippines. Many were confused but others were very good naming those countries, I had fun telling them if they had the right or wrong answer. I really hope I could build a good relationship with my counterparts.
The next day, some of my team went to Camp Eggers. This day I found my old team from combat skill training which we were separated in Kuwait, our stories revolved around how I was separated from the team and how worried they were when I was missing. They were supposed to fly out with me but because of room number mixed up, they missed the flight and instead had other flight arrangement. They told me that they flew on a russian helicopter from Bagram airbase to Kabul. I was so jealous. This day I also met some of the US military staff that I will be working with, in coordinating supplies and documentations requirement. The only thing stuck in my head is push letters. Hopefully I will learn all this new forms and processes really quickly or else I will left out in the conversation. Besides I would not want my counterparts feel that I know nothing even if it was the truth. The person I was replacing left already so if I wanted to ask question, I am on my on. My turnover was for one hour and thirty minutes tops. So here I am faced with a challenge in learning a new job for six months. Hopefully the Senior Master Sergeant in my team can help me with this different supply concept. It feels like everyone is speaking another dialect and I cannot understand a word being said and I am not talking about Dari or Pashtu language. Now I have to concentrate in this new job and I wonder if I will even get the time for my blog.
Camp Eggers is very busy compared to Camp Phoenix. What stand out the most, Camp Egggers have trees and grass while Camp Phoenix does not. One of my team called Camp Eggers as Disneyland and I have ask why. He answered, Camp Eggers have all the luxury a camp should not have especially being in the middle of a war. We stayed at Camp Eggers waiting for Major___ to finish his meeting. While we waited I had a spiced chai smoothie and it was very good. We even stayed in a pavilion in a middle of the rose garden. Yes, Camp Egger had roses in the garden. I have met so many people this day that I cannot remember the names. I met a Navy Captain (0-3), Captain Salire, who is Filipino except he could not speak the language and a Air Force Captain, Captain Seiling, from Langley Air Force Base Everything went well and I sure enjoy meeting new people.

Travel Into Theater

The trip of Afghanistan started very early. Midnight of April 12th or the morning of the 13th, an early travel especially when I could not sleep the night prior of the travel. Anxiety is the reason for not sleeping. Fear of flying is starting to set in and butterflies are slowly releasing in my stomach. Finally, the time has arrive to leave. Luckily I did not have to travel all by myself, there were four of us traveling from our class. "To run To run", "Dagarman" and "Jagran___ Ast" are the three guys going with me.

The first trip required us to travel to Houston, Texas which took about three and half hours. The flight from Houston to Charlotte is about two and half hours. While boarding sometime thing amazing happened at the gate at Houston airport, instead of regular coach sitting on the plane my group were upgraded to business class and at this moment I felt proud serving the United States of America. This type of gesture sure does have impact on a person, it made me realized that the sacrifices and service to my country are not forgotten.

Then when we arrived at Charlotte, off we had to go to Baltimore Washington International airport. The long seven hours wait ended as we boarded to go to Germany. "Mob station" is what a stranger describe some of his deployment travels and I did not understand it in the beginning but I saw it first hand and it was an "aha" moment. My trip to Germany is a "Mob station" moment, I almost forgot how it felt like to travel in a huge groups, especially military personnel. In the hundreds I may add, you could not distinguished which one were the Army from the Air Force, but might as well. One team one fight and if you think of it, the Army and Air Force were known to be one entity. I can sense some unity. Air Force personnel spoke to the Army personnel and vice-versa. I can remember talks about the difference of the two branches but today it was not the case, it was about a common goal. Everybody has stories about their family or family backgrounds. Some of the common questions asked were, What jobs they are doing? What base they came? and other endless stories.

Upon arrival in Germany, we deplaned the aircraft, waited at the lobby and then loaded back on the plane. Then off we flew to Incirlik, Turkey and conducted the same routine. Next stop, Aludeid AB. Qatar and because of diplomatic reason we could not go from Turkey to Kuwait, instead we were diverted to Qatar. We stayed on the plane for an hour while in Qatar, and then finally left for Kuwait City, Kuwait.

We arrived Kuwait on April 15, 2010 at 0300 in the morning, disappointment grew as we waited for direction on what to do. We sat in an open tent until 0530 waiting for transportation and billeting accommodation. I wondered who organized this processes because it sure a horrible way to treat deploying troops. Finally at 0600 we are given direction to move to a location and here the chaos begins. If I thought Baltimore Washington is a mob station, Kuwait is the worst. Hundred of people, who has been traveling for almost 48 hours, waiting for in-processing. I think the process could have been better and I cannot wait until this day is over. At the mean time were stuck at Ali A Asalem Air Base.

Final Days at Fort Polk

I have returned to Fort Polk and within less than 24 hours I am home sick. I wanna go home!!! I miss my two moms. I cannot describe in words what it feels like being home but I can tell you it is the most wonderful feeling in the world. I am treated like a queen during my stay at home. My family does not have a mansion or wealth as a royalty family but I can tell you there is something about my moms' house that makes my stay "The most relaxing vacation." I can spend thousand of dollars to go on a vacation and still do not achieve the same effect as staying at my mothers house. At home, all my worries seems to disappear. Tomorrow does not exist and responsibilities vanishes. All that really matters that day is Cesa. What does Cesa want to do? The luxury on doing nothing has become a privilege during my stay at home. She can sleep as long as she wants. Eat her favorite foods, all she has to do is ask and she receives, it is truly the description of paradise. To top it off, I do not have just have one but two places to call home, Jacksonville and Spring Hill Florida. I consider myself very fortunate to have two wonderful families who are always there for me. I always said, "My home is where the Air Force takes me but my heart stays in Florida. The four day pass is what I really needed. Visiting family prepared me to face any difficult challenges to come. I am sad to see both of my moms unhappy and I wish there is a way I can deploy without making anyone sad but this is very impossible I have so many people who cares so much about me and no matter what I do it always affects them. I thank the lord for all my blessings in life and showering me with plenty of families and friends.

Today is my birthday. I went to church to thank God for this wonderful day. I treated my self to a pizza for lunch and chicken wings for dinner. I enjoyed reading my electronic cards and the greeting from friends and family. So what if I was all by myself on my birthday, not once did I felt alone. Peace of mind is what I had today. However, I am not looking forward to the long trip to Afghanistan. I will finally say goodbye to Fort Polk, I will remember this training because I had fun with my team. And not to forget the new found blogging idea shared by a stranger. I move forward to another adventure in my life. I wonder what tomorrow brings me.

Graduation Day and Four Day Pass

Before graduation day, some guys in my team and I went to Lake Charles, ate at a restaurant called Double D's Steakhouse which had very good steaks and hamburgers.  I enjoyed being away from Fort Polk and unwinding from all the stress of training. 

     Graduation day, happy day, we are finally done with training. We were originally scheduled to graduate on April 9 but am glad the battalion let us finish earlier.  I cannot believe that I get a four day pass to visit family. I am so excited and I cannot wait. Good bye Fort Polk but I shall return before I head out to my next journey. 

Cap Stone Week

    The week started really slow. Monday is Team Leader Time, this day was set for table top practices and many what if scenario discussion.  On Tuesday, the Mounted Combat Patrol simulator training. The simulator made me dizzy and feeling sick. In the afternoon, I felt better and enjoyed the video game as I called the simulator.  I engaged on a building and no matter how much I shot at the target I could not kill the enemy.  At the end, we experienced our other team vehicle blow up, and all we could do is watch the flame engulf that vehicle because the vehicle I was in will not start. 

    Wednesday is a fun day, this day is the actual mounted  combat patrol with live fire for the M240 and M2 50 Caliber guns, very loud weapon system. During the engagement of the gunners, I was covering my face to prevent brass hitting my face. I tell you brass were everywhere.  I was able to put my training to use, as the dismount, I cleared a culvert.  Clearing culvert is no fun, I had to travel on grass and ditches. The whole time all I can think of were IEDs or explosives and accidentally stepping on one.  I even had to cross a stream and certain part of the ground were soft.  But needless to say, I did it, I saw the danger under the culvert and channeled the information. The guys gave me praiseworthy comments and boosted my confidence.  Another training put to use is driving a humvee,  I have never driven this type of vehicle until I came to Combat Skill Training.

     In the scenario, I had to drive the other vehicle because the driver and gunner were injured. While driving I was so scared that I did not realize I was speeding. When we arrived at the LZ ( Landing Zone for the helicopter) I had to carry the gunner and the driver to the static helicopters, and I tell you, even with two guys helping me, it took all my energy to get them from the humvee to the helicopter. I was telling both the driver and gunner that starting today they're both going on a diet because I cannot continue carrying them.  Every scenario that requires transporting an injured person, I had to execute it which provided ample hands on training for me.  At the end of this day I was so tired and hungry. 

    Thursday, is pre capstone, a day closer to the real test which is known as the Capstone.  Pre-capstone required a lot of preparation, hopefully my team and I are ready to show off our skills. This day we met with our afghan counter parts and talk about scenario such as 5-o-25s which is basically a means to check your parameters for danger. We also discuss the nine line medivac procedure  and other fundamental we have learned during the training. We tried to finish all the training with the counterpart as much as we can and at the same time prepare our vehicle  with the overlays and set up blue force tracker. I believe the time allotted for us was not enough but we had to make do what was given to us.

     The Capstone day  has arrived and we were schedule to visit three villages. I had to be a gunner this day because one of the member of the class had to go on an emergency leave. I had no clue how to even attach the harness and I even had to learn how to turn the hatch from strong right to left, what embarrassing experience. The first scenario was a total disaster, we did not help the injured afghan army for over 20 minutes. I had to dismount out of the vehicle from the gunner position to conduct a tourniquet on the injured person, which left the vehicle weapon unmanned but I was only following orders from the commander. I know it was not the right thing to do but I had to follow orders. After the injured was placed on the vehicle, I had to run across the field and help transport the injured to the helicopter.  Mesmerized by an actual/real helicopter landing, I almost forgot how to command the transport of the litter. We approached the helicopter and was given instruction to turn back with the injured person which ended that part of the scenario. Wished I was able to go in the helicopter but at the same time I am glad I did not because of the fear in flying. A million butterflies enters my stomach every time I know I was going on a plane and even after 17 years in United States Air Force and requiring to fly frequently, I have not overcome my fear of flying. Majority of the times I sleep on the plane to minimized the fear. At last, as we finished our mission we improved our tactics and the day came to an end. I was so hungry at the end of the day, had no breakfast, lunch and did not eat dinner until 1930 because we had to clean the vehicles. Hooray!!!! Capstone is over, by this  time I had two pieces of pizza and a cold beer and it felt like the best meal I ever had in my entire life. Now, I look forward going to Lake Charles and get away from Fort Polk even if it just over the weekend.

     

Fort Polk (Combat Skill Training)

I cannot believe it, my time at Fort Polk is almost complete. Two months in Loussiana on an Army post was scary thought, I imagined the worst living condition during the training duration, because my last Army accomodations was so horrible I have formed a discrimination against Army installation.  To my surprise Fort Polk was not too bad. I had a room to my self for almost two weeks and I love the fact I have the bottom bunk, heat and air condition in the room.  Even if Fort Polk is found in the middle of nowhere, my team/class found ways to keep us all occupied, from Walmart and PX shopping to hanging out the bowling alley (Where Fort Polk comes to relax).  I found myself content, just chilling at the bowling alley.  I also walked miles and miles because of boredom and later found new hobbies.  I have opened up a face book account and currently exploring the many capabilities of this program.  I have created a blog and loving the idea of being a mock writer.  About the training, I have some complaint but overall I am glad I received training before I head out to the unknown.

     The training schedule requires a lot of work, who ever has set up this program needs to tailor the schedule to the size of the classes because one size does not fit all.  If brilliant minds or involved echelons, just come together, discuss what a Combat Advisor will really need in theater, taylor it to the size of the classes and implement improvements, I have no doubt this training can become effective tool to prepare Combat Advisors for the mission and would eliminate a lot of the chaos.  Besides training  confusion,  there is one thing I am very thankful, I am very fortunate to have met a good team to spend my training here at Fort Polk.   I want to describe each everyone of them but I have promised not to mention their names.

    My "boyz" common referred to all the guys in my team,  took really good care of me.  I am proud to say they are my "Kuyas"-older brothers, who helped build my confidence during the training classes.  I can always remember being nervous around guns but now I can hold my weapons without shaking.  The first person I would like to mention is "Jagran" ____ ast,  the person who always made the team laugh.  If I was having a bad day, all it took to cheer me up is talk to him.  I can count on finding a bottle of mountain dew filled with rocks and water in my bag pack because he thought it will make me smile and that plan did work.  He was considered the village elder as we describe him, and his wisdom is very admirable. 

     Second person is "To run- to run" who looks so intimidating but his all fun, sometimes I think he is serious but then he is never serious, the big teddy bear of the group.  Then there is"Jagran" Apps who is the high-tech guru and music provider for the convoys.  I really like his people skills,  he cared about the well being of others and has a big heart. He always entertained my questions and never hesitated to help me.  I appreciate his efforts in teaching me about the computer.  Another person in my team is Senior, the historian, has a vast knowledge about history, who has learned to give hugs to another man. 

     Then my "SISTA" who hates that name but my day is never complete if I did not give him a difficult time.  He portrays himself as a tough guy who will not take "sh!t" from another woman but all of that is a mask.  There are days I over heard his conversations with his honey pooh and sometimes I want to puke, too sweet he is.   Another big brother of mine is my Pt "wing man", Lt Col, who will walk or run with me during Pt.  Of course I cannot forget to mention Col, who tried to engage the challenges our team is faced with.  Major laugh is another person in my team, if you heard a little kid laughing automatically it is him.  Then our lone soldier, the only Army person in our team.  I will never let him forget that an Army personnel shot me in the elbow.  These guys are awesome and I consider my self the luckiest woman in the class, oh I forgot am the only girl in the class. But kidding aside, I will never forget class 92, my family during this training. But every journey comes to an end, and its almost time to say good bye, a military way of life, so I bid farewell to all of you. I hope someday our paths will meet again and good luck to my new found friends. 

Inspired by a Stranger

      A personal diary with all my private thoughts, experiences and feelings for the world to see have not crossed my mind until I have read a blog of a complete stranger.  To create a blog and post it for everyone to read is a very nerve wrecking idea but at the same token I realized the many benefits I can gain in writing even if my thought processes did not make any sense.  I gained some courage to start a blog from this stranger and like he said, "Wanting to improve my writing skills." I found myself relating to him.  I think creating a blog is a good way to practice my writing and at the same time, a good way to share my thoughts and experiences to others.  How amazing is it to have all my memories in the tip of my finger tips without the clutter of journals or notebooks?  I think the idea is a great way to organize events in my life. Intimidated in the advancement of technology, I find myself willing to face the challenges of overcoming my fear in technology and writing.  Mastering the English grammar is very difficult for me and having someone read my writing could be very embarrassing, but I will be brave.  I will take any criticism or negative feed back as a means of improvements.

     From here I will dedicate an entry on my e-journal at least once a week and add any memorable events I deemed important in my life.  I have to set limits of the type of information to post because of the OPSEC requirement in my life.

     Thank you stranger, I owe you many thanks for the inspiration.  I found a new hobby that I can take with me in my travels.  I can write about everything and anything while improving my skills in writing and maybe someday inspire others to write just like the influence you have passed to me .  I enjoyed very much reading your blog and what I really liked about your blog is the positive twist you wrote about Fort Polk.  I am very excited to go to Afghanistan and now I can make sure my memories will be remembered.