DAY 129 : 3 JUN 08

Well let me start by getting the stuff at work out of the way. We finally got internet in the radio studio today and should have AFN tv in there tomorrow. AP radio news for the top of the house should be back tomorrow as well which will all make for great show information. I left my glasses somewhere in Qatar so I have to go have an eye exam and order another pair. Those ones were getting beat up anyway but it still bothers me that I lost them. I have to anchor tomorrow so look for the newscast on here tomorrow. This morning I got up to the surprise of the Pens going to a second OT! I rushed my shower and then got to work to watch the 3rd OT and the game winner! I still do not think they can win three straight against Detroit but that is an old team and a long series does benefit the Pens. Either way I will definitely be up to watch game 6. I went to get the flag today I had flown for my Dad but the idiot there messed it up a 3rd time now. One more time and I am talking to his supervisor. Anyway I am all settled in here at Bagram again and looking to mow through the home stretch. Now onto my trip.

As you can see I posted pictures below. I have so many pictures from this deployment it is crazy. I will try to show as many people once they see me as bandwidth and time do not allow me to post that many while here. So as you can see my crazy driver took us through the sand dunes of the Qatar desert not far from the Saudi Arabia desert. I have never been anywhere so hot in my life. I thought at least 3 times that he was going to roll the SUV. Anyway once we got there we hung out at that one beach location as seen below. The camel was so old but none the less you can see the pictures. The next day I took a trip to a local mall which was by far the nicest I had ever been too(fittingly named the Villagio). The following day I took the city tour. It was there that we went to many shops, a mall, a camel market, and the city itself. See if you are a true Qatar resident born and raised you get money from the government for all of the money they make on oil. Kind of like they have it in Alaska. So while the true local population is very little they are all very rich. Did I mention no taxes either? Then you have all of these immigrants coming to work because there are jobs and money. There were so many Philipino people it was nuts. But good for them. When off base I saw Bentleys, Mercedes, Land Rovers, Corvettes, Mustangs, and a ton of other sweet rides. The landscape was flat, hot, sand, and little grass. Tons of palm trees and basically just like you would imagine a desert area. When my Dad says Pennsylvania is blessed geographically and resourcefully he is exactly right. Hell(no pun intended) we even use to have a little oil ourselves (see first oil well in USA). Anyway most men have 4 wives there and they are dressed from head to toe. Some you can see their faces if the husband lets them go without the veil. I went down to the old area of town and saw the jewelry stores they call souqs. I ended up getting Michelle something but did not want to buy a ton of stuff. Mostly Pakistanis, who speak very good English I might add, pressure you into buying anything and everything. I got a picture there with the hawk which they use for racing and big money game. Horse racing is also huge there. Overall I had a good time and definitely got the rest and relaxation I needed. On the city tour our guide was a Catholic from Sri Lanka who said his ancestors were ‘offered favors’ (probably land and better status) for converting to Catholicism! Ah those Catholics and there ethical ways of getting people to come to Jesus. Exactly how he wanted it too! Anyway he just turned 24 and was a real nice guy. Very informative and I enjoyed talking to him. As you can see in the pictures the city is growing immensely. They are trying to get the summer Olympics in 2016 there. There were more buildings being built than were standing! Apparently Princess Diana and her love hub went there often before her assin I mean death. Well I guess that’s about it. I was not allowed to take pictures of the base as the Qatar government likes to keep the fact that we are there on the down low. Now onto another thought and paragraph just for Lee.

In one of my previous posts I mentioned about drinking three beers a night which were allotted to me. I was reminded that people from various sectors of my life are reading this blog. I do know this, but honestly would not post any different. I know both through personal experience, stories from other people, and teachings at church that alcohol for the most part is not good. I know it can ruin lives, lead to and give into temptation, and be a safety hazard when doing just about anything. But here is the way I look at it. If I as a 25 year old adult cannot control my consumption then what does that say about my self-discipline in general? I think it’s safe to say I got at least one drunk on both sides of the family tree somewhere in there if I go far back enough. So it could end upding me in and for a pure follower of Christ, does not need alcohol for its futile and temporary high or buzz is nothing for only the spiritual high is the best and natural high in this world. But let me say this: After 4 months in a war zone working 6, sometimes 7 days a week, away from family and friends, if 3 beers is what’s going to let me relax and be the worst thing I do then so be it. I have no issues telling anyone that this squared away airman, man, Pittsburgher, PSU alumn, brother, son, etc. can handle it and still conduct a fulfilling and dedicated life with Christ being number one. I know I came on this deployment for a reason but am only beginning to see the results.

I miss all of you and cherish every moment I have ever spent with any of you. I am slightly more liberal and in other ways more conservative after going through a deployment like this. I think I have changed but only for the good. Thank God I have not had to endure what some service members endure down here and that’s if they even return. My outlook on life is so positive now I cannot explain. And yes that does include a few beers every now and again. I will say though that in lieu of Zach’s wedding I am getting tired of missing family and friends stuff back home. I guess it’s the sacrifice for getting to see the world and do a job I absolutely love. But I do not love any of it as much as my friends and family. I miss going to church allot too. I think Michelle is going to benefit most from me being here as well since she is around me the most! Anyway I guess that’s about it for tonight. If you have any questions please ask or email me as I am sure I did not touch on everything that would come to mind given the pictures below. Qatar was nice… for the 5 days I was there. I will take FOMBELL PA 16123 over it any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Goodnight. LETS GO PENS!