Plans for 2006

Well, as the New Year approaches, I'm sure that most everyone who reads this is probably doing the same thing that I am currently doing... making New Years Resolutions and trying to figure what we'll plan on doing differently in the upcoming year than we did in the past one.
As of right now, I can pretty honestly say that things are going to be diferent in 2006 than they were in 2005. As anyone who's read my blog for awhile knows, I spent half of 2005 in the UK and the other half (almost) in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. But sometime early 2006, I'll be heading to a much different area. Afghanistan. I don't want to write too much, because I know there's rules about these things, so I'll not put any more particulars there than that.
I will however, say that I am still not quite sure about how I feel about such an imminent deployment. It's what I've spent almost 5 years of my life preparing for, and it's fulfilling in a way to finally be doing what many of my classmates are currently doing or have already done. Yet, it's quite scary, because it's probably one of the biggest unknowns I've ever faced in my life. I have no previous experiences that quite compare (for obvious reasons), and one hears so many different stories on the news, from people currently serving, people who've been there before, etc. To be brutally honest, yes, I am relieved that I am going to Aghanistan and not Iraq, I think the numbers speak for themselves that it is a bit safer there. At the same time, the mission in Afghanistan seems almost to play second fiddle, and it's a bit frustrating to hear my worries dismissed because "it's only Afghanistan."
I guess what I'm really trying to say, is that 2006 is going to be a unique year in my life, at keast up to this point. I'll try and keep this updated, but again, I know there's rules and regulations about what I can and can't talk about. So stay posted and see what I post. Have a Happy New Year.

Welcome to Ft. Drum

I now practically live in Canada. Honestly. I pick up radio stations from Ottawa. How crazy is that?
I have now been at Ft. Drum for almost 1 week, and I don't think I've quite made up my mind about my new home. It's cold. It's very cold. It snows. It snows a lot. There's ice. A lot of ice. But it looks really, really, really pretty with all the trees covered in snow and ice. It's not a lot of fun driving around though. And having to consider how many layers of clothing to wear every time I step outside my room leaves something to be desired. But, at least I am here, and am someplace where I will actually not have to really move over the next few years.
This morning was interesting to say the least. I had to chip ice off my car. My entire car (except maybe underneath) was coated in ice that was at least a quarter of an inch thick, with absolutely no exageration about that. And of course there was a solid 4 inches of snow on top of that. It was a fun morning, and really hammered home that I am at Ft. Drum. Everything they say about the winter weather up here is 100% true.
I'm starting to get settled in up here, we'll see how that goes. I'm just happy to feel that I've finally arrived. It's like the pause button on my life has been let up on, and I am back in play mode.