Bamyan Ramble

It takes me by surprise much more than I thought it would, I guess. When I step out, ready to face the day, I glance up and see the mountains that surround me, and sometimes, randomly, it seems, I start laughing. I can't believe I'm here. What started out as a way to shut my dad up turned out to be the adventure of my life. I've been many places, and done may things, but nothing compares to those mountains. I mean, Cheeto has a semi-automatic assault rifle strapped to his back. Who saw this coming?

The only real thing that sucks about this, and it seems to keep coming up, is the severe bouts of homesickness. Having no one to share this adventure with is disheartening sometimes. I mean, sure, I have Army people around me all the time, but they don't really understand what I'm all about, and I'm cool with that. It's to be expected. I'm not someone that belongs in the Army. It's not me at all. But, here I am. So, all I have is the Internet, and sometimes, someone worth talking to is on.

But going solo is a classic trait of mine, I think. I don't like following orders. I like finding out things the hard way. That attitude gives me a lack of friends. But the ones I do have I feel will stick by me for the end of time. I mean, i may not be the most popular kid ever, but I have the most kick-ass fiance. I mean, who can say he has a girl that really GETS him? Its hard to come by, and I thank whatever circumstances led to this situation every chance I get.

I really think that this assignment I'm on will get me my 4. It would be awesome to some home on leave, and sit on that Fourth of July float a specialist. It would be nice to show the people I work with/for that I really DO know what I'm doing.

Plan on pictures of my adventure to Bamyan either Saturday night or Sunday (Afghan time = 4:30+ GMT). I took some really good ones this time.

I'm also thinking about renting a Nikon D300 while I'm on leave. It's what I'm using for work, and I gotta say, there's nothing I've used that comes close.