My flowering little tree

Sunset in Afghanistan - Jan 2012

Afghanistan

It's been a while since I've blogged. It has been a busy 2 months. I find myself here in Afghanistan for a month now.

Here are a few observations of Kandahar:

1. RLBs are little containers that are probably NOT meant to hold 3 people per small room, but the Army does it anyway.

2. Internet is waaaaay too expensive here, so I refuse to pay it

3. There is moon dust everywhere! I've noticed while in pts that my legs, shoes and socks get covered in dust. And that makes me miss the gravel from last deployment.

4. The food here is terrible, I had spaghetti with "meat" sauce the other night that tasted a lot like ground vienna sausages

5. There are way too many vehicles on KAF, so many in fact that the Air Force Security Forces set up speed traps...ugh

6. Everything is at least a mile away, if not more: the px, the gym, work.

7. It is extremely hot, so hot in fact that if I go out during day light hours, I can feel the heat radiating off of my uniform

Sugar Skulls & Skeletons

I have never celebrated Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) because I was born and raised in Chicago and I suppose Chicago Mexicans don't really celebrate that holiday like they do in Mexico or even California. Dia De Los Muertos (which takes place Nov. 2nd) is a day to gather family and friends and to remember family members who have passed away.

Traditionally an altar is made to honor the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, the favorite foods and beverages of the departed...all which are placed on their graves. DIa De Los Muertos was also traditionally an Aztec ritual.

While in California last month my sister Myra decided she was going to venture off into TJ (Tijuana) because she is ballsy and has a passport. I, however, did not feel the same enthusiasm about going to TJ. As my sister was on her way with her boyfriend Rene I had two pieces of advice for her: 1. Do NOT go see a donkey show. 2. Do NOT get your head chopped off by the Mexican drug cartels.

Upon her return she came bearing gifts...ceramic sugar skulls! I have an infatuation with sugar skulls. The brightly painted colors, so Mexican and so traditional. While Paul and I were walking to the beach in Encinitas we found a store that had two tiles with skeletons on them, I fell in love with them immediately. I had been searching for kitchen decor. Since I painted my kitchen red, I wanted to decorate with all things Mexican.

So I have decided...then when I die, I want my family to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos. Have a party and bring me my favorite dishes to my grave. Sugar skulls and marigolds (or stargazer lilies) and a shot of Tequila.

"Life is a dream and only in death do we become truly awake"

Elise & the May storm

Elise decided it would be a good idea to ride her bike as a storm was coming through.

Nashville and tornado sirens: Feb 2011

Le Rendez-Vous

I was in Oceanside, California last month on vacation. My hair was a hot mess and I needed a quick trim. On my way to the salon, I found a quaint little French bakery named: Le Rendez-Vous. I mentioned to Paul that after my hair cut that we should have breakfast there.

The croissants we ordered had this amazing sauce I had never tasted before, Bechamel sauce and freshly made Baguettes. Why can't Clarksville have places like these??? I want a French bakery in the town I live in too!