Well it has been awhile since I last posted. I think I just am too day to day to remember to post. Sometimes I will be out doing something and think this would be an interesting thing to talk about but then the moment passes and I forget all about it.
As some of you may know I am homeward bound. yes going west towards the americas, doing a little columbus action without the pillaging of indian villages of course. Its been a long 6 months in my eyes. I always heard how time would fly and that you find a grove and the next thing you know your heading back. I never found that groove I guess. This deployment has been a true struggle for me. I have felt as though I was asked to run when I could not crawl. I have been pounding my way through with mostly pure will and alittle bit of cunning but I can feel I have changed, and I am not sure its for the better.
I can't say though that this has been a terrible experience and what kind of person would I be if I didn't take away lessons and positive things from this deployment. I have seen and done things I never would of dreamed of doing. I have been to djibouti and seen the true picture of the poor and starving. crude huts made from stacks of garbage and whatever they could find. fields of plastic and garbage strewn about a barren land. I have seen the mega rich in monico and been inside the monte carlo, where every fifth car was a porsche, lamborgini, or rolls royce. I have been to the middle east. heard the call to pray while haggling in the golden souq. Been to arguably the holiest place on earth and stood where christ was born, lived and died. I have even been to the remote islands of the country of seychelles and seen the almost jamican atmosphere that they exude.
Its been an adventure for sure. Seeing the world helps me see my world in a different light. Seeing how the people in djibouti live makes me realize how much opportunity I have and how little they have. I am always curious about how they view life. I saw a group of them huddled laughing and joking but if I was stuck in that situation would you or I be able to do the same? Makes me wonder whats truely important and what makes people happy. I had a moment of pity for them and their plight but I am not sure that is what they want, pity gifts and money thrown at them. I think there has to be a better way. A way to bring up the poor and the starving to educate and give them the chance to create their own opportunities. I wish I knew that way but I think later in life I will be able to spend more time working toward that goal. For now I will do my job defending my shipmates and my country which has given me the so many opportunities. And when my time is done, be it in 20 or 6 years from now, I will take the next step in my life with the knowledge and wisdom I have gained here as a heavy influence on the direction I choose.
Less then a month from now I will be back home. Yes home but it is not my house or the comfy comfines of being back in the US that I call home it is my wife that I call home. She has been my support and helped me through all my struggles. I know it has not been easy for her and I appreciate all that she has been for me. she is my house and my home. thank you hun. I will be with you soon :)
to all reading this I hope it finds you in good spirits and good health.
mark
