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.