In the airport on the way here, the person who checks passports and IDs in the Tucson airport, gave me a hug. She just saw me say goodbye to Kevin and Cecilia. Still can't type this without crying.
An old lady on the plane gave me a hug.
A retired First Sgt bought me lunch in Dallas.
When I saw a bus full of Afghanistans going to a job fair, in Baltimore-was on the shuttle to hotel. I know how much of a sacrifice they have made to try to get employment to feed thier families in Afghanistan. At the moment, I just thought-you have got to be kidding me.
The showers in Manas with no shower curtains.
Taking a picture in Germany of my flat family in the snow.
Watching the people coming home and the celebration that was happening for them while in airport in Blatimore.
When I got here and remembered I labled the box that had the sheets in it-great idea! Failed in writing it on the right box....they were of course in the last box-but, I unpacked that first night in this place I call home now.
The yummy lemon cake they have on occasion in the chow hall.
Learning the ANA language, we learned Dari at training, they speak Pashtu of course. Discovering that the sound of laughter is universal.
That shaking a hand is more then a greeting, it is like a little hug for your hand. Some are unwanted of course and some of them think that because I am tall I have hands of steel, um no, don't squeeze the crap out of it.
Being wished long life, health and the birth of many sons-by A LOT of people. It is the nicest thing to say to a woman.
Hearing the ANA learn to count when I show them the American number.
Drinking chai and eating little pound cakes, eating and drinking another universal way to communicate.
Opening a new bottle of body wash and shampoo-that is progress.
Getting the good shower and it is hot so I can shave my legs.
Watching a $2 copy of a movie and it is a Good Copy and not taped in the theater with people coughing, babies crying and soda being slurped.
Buying my t.v. and dvd player-saved my life. More on what I have watched later.
Seeing a rainbow.
Hearing children's laughter as they chase down a dump truck with dirt in it. The Navy guy hands out water bottles and candy to them.
Seeing the chow hall has the good creamer again.
Eating oranges from the ANA while we sit around and talk about why Americans have different last names and where do first names come from.
Teaching the interpreters better English. Here are some epic fails:
"I'm going to punch you in the teets" instead of "nuts"
"I like my wedgtables." instead of vegetables.
"They go too far past the line" instead of he crossed the line.
"His neice is in the ANA" instead of nephew.
"Kristina" instead of Kristin-sigh, everyday on this one.
The biggest stuff that warms my heart every day-the support I have from everyone out there.
Kevin-he has been beyond amazing. Truly amazing. He writes me a letter every day. I love getting them, they may be about the news, about Cecilia, Matthew, William-anything. I love that he puts at the top, Day 70 of Kristin's Hostage Crisis. He keeps me sane. He sends me a package at least once a week. It makes him feel better about being able to support me. He can't make this place go away or hug me when I just can't take it anymore and don't know how I will make it. When the office I work in is destroying my confidence with the degrading, demoralizing, unprofessional behavior with no recognition of my rank and abilities....I digressed. Inside each box varies on what I get. He keeps me supplied with soup and things like that. Sometimes I will give him a list. Because of him I have a real plate, bowl, small plate, fork, knife, spoon, coffee cups. I have a hot water kettle so I can have a cup of tea, PJ tips that he sent me, sent me Starbucks coffee singles too. Sends me flavored creamers, little tasty snacks. Best part he sends me is the little things to make it better here. Little robot bugs-named Mickey and Minnie of course, Moon Dough, the Butterfly in a jar-its operated by batteries, not a real butterfly of course. When he sent me Seinfeld-the entire series! He sends me magazines and silly little things that are so romantic and endearing. I get pictures from the kids too. He is always thinking about me which makes me so happy and in love. So many guys could say, what you are going to Afghanistan-see you later. He didn't and he offered to take care of Cecilia too. Which he is doing awesome with her. On the Honor Roll twice! She just got braces on, he went through 5 cavity visits, 3 teeth pullings and has endured watching the Bachelor with her. He has been truly amazing. He has put up with my million and one ways to keep things fun, the cosmo quizes I send him. The articles from the magazines I cut out and send him with little comments. Without him, I wouldn't have this computer, I paid him for it, he ordered it, had it sent to him and sent it to me. Next is a camera-mine died naturally last week also. I wouldn't know how this whole thing here would be going without his love and support and everything he is doing at home.
The packages and letters from everyone else.
Cookies I got from my mom when I first got here-they were awesome.
Cub Scout troop that sent everyone their own individual boxes.
Jana who sent me movies, two books, some snacks and a candle. Plus letters.
My neighbors, Barry and Carol, sent me a box of snacks.
Penny who sent me a box of things everyone needs when deployed-lotions, chapstick, drink mixes-it was great.
Kathy-Kevin's sister who has sent me two boxes of the exact right things. She sent me a plant, who is named Ruby-that is doing awesome. It is almost 8 inches tall now. Everyone talks about it. I just got a wind sock-will probably stay in my room though someone might steal it. She has sent me cards that are very uplifiting too. Her support means a lot to me.
The box Will and Theresa sent full of magazines, sorry Kevin, more articles to go through and the yummy girl scout cookies and pictures, it was awesome.
Kevin's parents who send me cards and pictures of the kids, so sweet of them to think of me.
I am just so touched by the support from everyone. The card I got from Tiffany came on a day I was really low, was so nice of her to send it. Got pictures of my nephew Jeremy for the first time, was so nice! The text messages on Christmas from everyone, albeit I couldn't reply-was so nice. I got a card from George Wirth and his girlfriend who used to work for me, I teared up when I got it-just so nice.
What warms my heart also is how excited the mail room guy is to give me mail and to have mail to send off. He knows me by name and knows that the pink envelopes are from Kevin and the blue ones are from Cecilia. I share with him from time to time the pictures she draws. When the cub scouts sent the boxes, Q was being an ass so I gave his box to the mail room guy. He teared up and said it was the nicest and most thoughtful thing anyone has done for him. It was so sweet.
To give you an idea of how many cards and letters I have received....120 letters, not counting the packages. 69 of which are from Kevin, 37 from Cecilia and the rest are from other people. So very blessed. Some people have said to me wow that seems excesive, I just think they are jealous because they aren't as supported and loved. But, you have to give to recieve. I try to email, write do whatever I can to give back. The kids get 3 letters a week, sometimes more. Kevin gets more a week then that, though we talk to each other almost every day with Magic Jack. We text each other on our Blackberrys-it is free between them-so that has been so nice. The internet isn't always reliable here. It can get pretty confusing though with the 11 1/2 hour time difference here, but, we are getting pretty good at it.
There are more moments, those are the big ones. Still trying to catch you all up....later I will cover what has kept me entertained....
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