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.