Snow, Snow, and culture!

So it's snowed a lot here these days, about another 3-4 inches and counting right now! It's pretty nice out there, but cold! Ah well, I'll make it!

Got a fun bit of culture the other day that really made me think. In preparing to go off base soon, I need to go to a few places around base. They have locals drive big shuttle vans around here which is pretty fun. Most of them speak decent english, but this gentleman I had the other day didn't really speak english besides hello, how are you, and thank you....Made for an interesting conversation.

After a few minutes of silence, he reached over to the seat next to him as I'm seated in the back and pulled out a handful of candy (it was sealed, no "strangers with candy" thing or anything here!). It was in Russian and I plan on bringing some back. I asked if he was Kyrgyz and he said he was Russian. Without prompting him, he taught me how to say hello, thank you, and you're welcome, in Russian, correcting my pronunciation along the way. It was quite fun and I now have learned those phrases in two different languages while here (Russian and Kyrgyz). I definitely plan on teaching that to the kids back home! Get ready guys!! ;)

Now to some of you, this may seem pretty trivial, but if you think of the implications of this, it's quite amazing. Here I am, an American, in military uniform, having a fun, insightful conversation with a man who's country I was grown up to know that they were the "bad guys". My dad, flew planes that tracked Russian Subs, his dad was in Korea and a stint in Vietnam. All of this against communism which was a part of this very diverse way of life growing up.

It was just simply amazing to me that politics, world views, and wars can all be looked past and here are two simple guys, having a great conversation, learning about each other's language and a little about each other's culture and customs. Regardless of anything that happens here, I'll have that moment in my head for quite sometime as an example of how people can get along, no matter what. I hope I helped you all get an insight about the implications of what the US being over here truly means.

I miss you all and truly can't wait to come home, but I am trying to learn and "soak up" all of the culture I can while over here! Thanks and have a great New Years!! See you all very soon!

Merry Christmas!

Hello all, well, even though it's moved on to Dec. 26th here, it's still Christmas back where you all are at! I hope this note finds you all having a wonderful Christmas and you are getting all the presents you wanted and spending wonderful times with family!

It was a nice Christmas here. They had a great meal in the chow hall, work was busy, but slow for me. Tons of care packages have come for all of us to share! People are so generous I love it!!! Tons of goodies, toys, and so on!

I am getting over yet another sickness now. Yep, just can't seem to stay healthy...I think my roomie and I are passing it back and forth to each other! lol. Seriously, we both have been sick this entire trip practically!

I've signed up to go on a historical tour around town in the next week or so! Still being approved, but should be able to! We'll be going to a historical museum, visit old soviet spots, visit new Kyrgyzstan squares after they gained their independence after the fall of the soviet union, lunch and maybe one other spot, we'll see! Anyway, it should be fun and lots of pics will be taken then!

I'm still looking into visiting a school while I'm here too...more on that later! Well, finally got to come to this area where it'll let me onto my blog (the free laptop rental place of course won't let me on this site, weird!). Take care all and again, Merry Christmas!

Spaniards and Snowballs....

Hey there! Funny topic eh? Yeah, we had our first snow since being here and when I was on my way to work, a group of Spanish soldiers were having a fun snowball fight! It was hysterical, especially when an unsuspecting spaniard got the "you know what" scared out of him when another launched a snowball from far away and nailed him in the back of the head! :)

Also a group of army guys played the whole "sneak-attack" on a friend while hiding behind stuff. Poor guy kept looking around and couldn't see. I didn't dare say anything for fear of getting pelted myself with not much snow around me to return fire! :)

Anyway, it's beginning to look a lot like christmas! :) Tons of decorations all over the place and in fact, you can't walk into any place (offices, chow halls, hang-outs) without seeing a christmas tree or a pic of St. Nick! It's pretty fun, but also kind of sad at the same time. Ah well, not much longer now! (that's what I keep telling myself!)

As I type this the day is about half-over back at DTA where I teach. Kids are getting squirrely, teachers are staring at the clock, and the cold just awaits any unsuspecting staff or student right outside the door! You guys are all in my thoughts and prayers and wish you nothing but a safe and prosperous winter break! I'll be home soon and can't wait to talk to you all about stuff I learned here! I've even learned some of the local language that we will DEFINITELY be using in my class when I get back! I found out more about visiting local schools and a historical tour as well! Can't wait!

Well, most of you will be able to read this over break, but to my kids and all the kids of DTA, I love you all, miss you all, and wish you nothing but the best!

Paul.....Mr. D

To the kids and teachers at DTA.....

I just wanted to get a message in to you all before you all enjoy your holidays with your family and friends! Know that I'm thinking about you and can't wait to get back to you all! I sat down the other day and went through all of the wonderful cards, pics, and messages you all sent me! Thank you so much!

To my class: I hope you all are treating Mrs. Reid with the same amount of honest respect you show to me! She will be letting me know if you aren't! ;) Anastazia, hope you are doing ok. BJ, thanks for the family pic that I keep on my nightstand here, you too Delquan! Jordan, thanks for my plane that I fly around my room (my roomie thinks I'm nuts)! Safiyah, A'tum, Rashad, and Doug, hope you all are keeping table one in check! ;) Emily, thanks for the cookies, they were scrumptious! Gerritt, you turning your homework in?? ;) You know I love ya bud! Isaiah and Aisha, hope you two are still adjusting as well as I know you are! Chekelia, Trevor, you guys ok? :) Asia, you bring a smile everytime I think about ya! Alaiyah, I hope all is well with you too! Ulisher, buddy, you better be getting all blue dots by the time I get back! :) Montrell, I know you're still the reliable one! Denise, you better still have that smile on your face! :) And Jamel, remember man, you are in control of you! I know you can do it!

To DTA: I thank you all for the thoughts, well wishes, and prayers for my trip! Know that I'm thinking about all of you and want you all to have a very merry christmas and wonderful new year! I'll see you all very soon and am wishing you nothing but the best! Take care!

All my best,
Paul

Checking in....

Well, first night of work is in the books! Not too much to report (and can't really report on stuff anyway) but did get to get on some airplanes and out in the cold for a bit! Not too bad though. The shift was a long one and will definitely take some getting used to! Anyway, hope all is well with everyone else. I'm doing well, making good friends, reminiscing with old ones, and doing my duty! :) Miss you all and hope you had/are having a great weekend!

Paul

ps....here is the website for the base I'm staying at: www.manas.afcent.af.mil/

Made it!

Well, here I am...sitting in an internet cafe, able to update my site, check email, and such. Not too bad considering the country I'm in! Man, these military folk really take care of you! :)

So the last leg of the tour was pretty fun. I sat by the window because my "partner in crime" moved to the back to spread out since a lot of people got off at the two stops we made. It was truly amazing to see the sporadic lights throughout the countryside and trying to figure out which country I was flying over! Then we happened upon some HUGE mountains and with the almost full moon above us, it was amazing to see the snow-filled mountains all lit up! Then again the lights in little towns below. Amazing to know that even though we may think some of these countries are so far behind, they are getting power even in the nether-reaches of them! Truly eye-opening!

So we landed and of course, being the great person that I am, volunteered to help unload the bags...yeah, didn't realize how many bags we actually had and how MUCH people packed in them. I'm feeling ok though after unloading them from the plane to a truck, then from the truck to the ground so people can come pick them up. Kind of fun though to be able to help like that.

Man, there are a ton of people at this base! Lots of army and air force mainly, but the occasional marine here and there.

BIG TIME irony here....when the plane (a DC-10 if i didn't mention it before) pulled in to stop, it pulled near some of the planes I was going to be working on. Those planes had "Illinois" on the tail! Yep, the same planes that I used to work on (ok, kind of) back when I first joined the Air Force National Guard back in 1996! I have since seen several people that I used to work with and learned that I'll be working with them for the rest of the month! Truly amazing that fact!

I have yet to see my army buddy who's here, but after we got in, in-processed, unpacked, and showered, I crashed out for 14 hours!!! Yeah, I was tired!

Alright, so here I am, made it safe, and will definitely have better internet access than I thought! I look forward to hearing from you all and will try to keep this updated as much as possible! I start work tonight and am working night shift while I'm here. Should be fun!!

Take care!

Paul

ps....I'm 12 hours ahead here....

Last stop before my destination....

Well, as adveturous as I thought these two legs of the trip would be, yeah, no such luck. Ah well, I still get to count them as two more countries I've been to! So flying at night over Turkey was fun! We saw about 5-6 fireworks displays in different cities below us....is Dec. 11th some kind of Turkish holiday? Muslim holiday perhaps??

Got to watch Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull this leg, not too bad! Other than that, just conversing with fellow military people, looking out at beautiful night time cities below us and enjoy the cramped quarters!

Well, not too long of a layover here and saw an open computer so I jumped at it! Take care all and hope you have a fantastic end to your week!

Longest leg done!

Ok, so that was a very, very long flight, but I've been told it was the longest of all the legs. About 7 hours in the air, but what made it worse was the fact that I was in the front row of the middle section which meant absolutely no leg room! Not fun, but I survived. We flew on a DC-10 and it was loaded front to back with military personnel. I sat next to the gentleman from my unit so that made it at least more comfortable to know the person sitting next to me.

Not much to see here in Rammstein, Germany, besides another USO area! This one is more open, but still as cozy and with plenty of amenities (look that word up class!!). We only stay here about an hour then it's off to Turkey! :) I hope you all (my class and other classes) are able to track me on the map for my journey! Helps with an easy lesson doesn't it teachers?

Anyway, not much else to report, just had decent meals on the plane, watched "Hancock" (pretty funny!) and slept! Or at least attempted to. Take care all and I'll talk to you on the next leg perhaps, or maybe at my final destination!

I'm gonna go find some German food!

Middle of the road.....

So here I sit in the USO at the Baltimore airport contemplating the trip. Good so far, pretty relaxing and smooth. It has been pretty fun meeting new people, all military people, going to different destinations, but all on the plane that I'll be on. It is pretty sad to talk to some of them who are going to be gone from 6-12 months, rather than my 1 month. Everyone has been very nice and have received several "thank you for your service" from people which brings a very proud feeling inside of me. To me, this is a hobby on the side of my main career now of teaching. I truly though have to realize the spectrum of what I'm doing. What I see as a way to gain experience and see new places, others see as maintaining their freedom that they have each and every day. It's a hard thing for me to fathom, but the more I think about it, the more I appreciate it.

I miss my kids, though have heard that they didn't have school today (lucky ducks!), so hopefully some will be home to read this! You all better work extra hard tomorrow to make up for today! ;)

I have a few more hours still until I have to leave, so I've brought a couple of movies to watch. Should be fun! The USO here has a lot of nice areas to relax, a coffee bar (Yummy!), vending machines, family areas (for the families going overseas visiting or being stationed there), books, magazines, and other relaxing areas. I think I could get used to this!! Nah!!! Teaching is what I want to do...I miss you all already, but again, am very excited about this new adventure ahead of me.

I'm not sure from here on out about my internet access, so bear with me, know that I'm thinking about each and every one of you and I'll contact you as soon as I can! Take care and Happy Holidays!

Anticipation....

Alright, so I got all of my processing done today. Got my family stuff set up, bills set up, and packing as I type this (lots of stuff, had to take a break). I'm already missing my students and DTA. I truly feel at home there and miss you all so much already.

I'm nervous about tomorrow, but am really excited. I'm hoping to be able to do some off base activities to possibly visit a school or something to truly make this an "educational" experience! I already have some presents for my kids, yep, you guys in room 211! Can't wait to find more fun stuff over there to bring back and share.

Well, I have a really long day tomorrow and the next few days. I miss you all, love you and here's to wishing you all the happiest of holidays and a wonderful new year!

More preparation.....

Alright, so my training weekend is done, got a lot of preparation for the trip accomplished: practiced chemical warfare, fired the m-16 rifle (qualified as an expert!), and did some computer training too! Good times! All in preparation for the big flight out on wednesday morning! I have to go out to Whiteman AFB in Missouri tomorrow for shots and then back to topeka for more training and signing things off! I had no idea it would be this complicated!! Ah well, it'll be worth it!

A big shout out to my kids in my 5th grade class! Thank you for making my last day a fun one. And and even BIGGER shoutout to my fellow teachers for taking time out of their day to throw me a surprise going away party after school on friday! It was so nice and heartfelt to receive all of your kindness, cards, and cards you had your kids make for me. You all have no idea how happy that made me. I truly feel like you all are my family and care about each and every one of you. It truly shows me how much you all care about me too and I can't find the words to describe how happy that made me. You all are wonderful people and I feel so privileged to be a part of Derrick Thomas Academy!

Hope you all enjoy the picture I've attached and not too scared of it! More later!