Happy New Year's!!
Well, it's one hour into New Year's Day. I don't know why, but I'm more depressed about being in Baghdad for the New Year than I was for Christmas. Maybe it's because I haven't gotten to talk to Jaana in a few days, other than a quick e-mail or phone call here and there since Christmas. Or maybe it's because I look back at the last year and see nothing productive come out of it.
This time last year I was in Yakima freezing my ass off. We were in train up to come here. I haven't seen my family since August for two weeks. Before that it was the day after Christmas when I was headed back to Ft. Lewis.
Now that I'm reflecting I see a lot of good that has come from this last year. I started working out again. It had been years since I was working out before I started on this deployment. I met Jaana whom I love very much. I started my first attempt at a web page (which I need to work on again). I've done multiple online courses related to the field that I want to get my degree in. Nothing that's worth much as far as college is concerned, but it has helped me get a base to start off on. I've met people that could turn into life-long friends (fellow soldiers, Iraqis and Nepalis). One Nepali (his name slips my mind right this moment) overed to show me around Nepal some day. I think I might actually take him up on his over one of these days. I've learned a little about the Arab culture (not that I actually agree with it). I've learned a little bit of Arabic and Nepali. Not enough for an extended conversation, but a little bit. Hell, I know more German, and I couldn't hold an extended conversation in German :-P.
Well, without further ado, here's my New Year's Resolutions:
- I resolve to be a better man than I was last year, learning what I can when I can and applying that knowledge to better not only myself, but those around me.
- I resolve to work on my memory and not only remember trivial things.
- I resolve to start college, and start earning my degree, not letting myself put things off to the last minute.
- Lastly I resolve to be there for Jaana whenever she needs me no matter how small the request may seem.
There we have it folks. May this coming year be a good and happy one full of meaning and insight. Merry meet and Merry part, and Merry meet again.
Jeremiah