| Should have trusted my instincts!! too late now! I can only try to learn from my past lessons.
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Sunday, January 6, 2002; 4:36 a.m.
|
| Good bye South Korea and helllllllllllllo Japan! Well I finally made it, despite a very trying week of offsets and obsticles. Home at last, safe and sound in my own bed. It was a trying day of travel just to get here, but the rewards of being where I have wanted to be for the past year, kinda makes it all worth it. I didn’t get to leave Korea in the manner that I had hoped, nor did I get the opportunity to really say goodbye to very many people. I guess it’s a lot like getting pregnant or falling in love, there is no perfect way or time, it just simply happens O_O. I’m sure I’ll end up missing several people back in Korea, but not enough to prompt me to stay any longer, since eventually it comes everyone’s turn and time to leave. I did enjoy one good aspect of traveling thru both countries yesterday to get here. With the abundance of attractive Oriental women I saw during transit, obviously I was in love/lust several hundred times along the way. I mentally ravished so many women along the way, it’s no wonder I’m all tuckered out right now. I’m tired, but I can’t really sleep, guess it will take a little time to fully unwind from all the past week’s events. I made all my deadlines, but in many cases with only moments to spare. It was a true test of my own patience and character and since I did it all, I guess that means I passed the test. Despite being tired and overwhelmingly glad to finally be home, the minute I got here I started in with my usual cleaning and organizing around the house. Guess that shows, some anal qualities I can’t seem to shake no matter how tired I am. I’m sure Bai is just exercising a bit of tolerance and indulging my quirky little habits of tidiness. She did make some minor little protests when I ransacked the refrigerator, tossing out items that had either expired long ago or had grown into some kind of unidentifiable science experiment, I found a few “Mystery Items”. Bai has a song on CD, that I can truly relate to as far as roomates and refriderators are concerned, heh heh. Hopefully I will tone it down a little, so she doesn’t boot me out before the first night is over. It was a pleasant surprise to find that despite several misunderstandings and some painful arguments between us during the past few months, things are about the same as when I left here last September, which is something that had worried me before I arrived. I’m not really sure what the future holds for me here, but I do know it holds the possibility of great opportunities and amazing possibilities. This will probably be the last entry for this particular page style, after the New Year and my latest move; I think it may be time for a small change. Oh yah, I turned 21 again yesterday. It was a cool day, Bai's mom bought me a cake and drove me crazy trying to find out my true age. Thanks for everyone’s support and Bai’s extreme patience. Byes
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Saturday, January 5, 2002; 03:52 a.m.
|
| Well in less than 70 hrs, I'll be leaving Korea destined for Japan. It's hard to believe that my long wait is almost finished. I had to help transition the new guy in charge of Town Patrol this past weekend. I could have just tossed him the keys and made for the door, but I couldn't do that. Regardless of what I think, this Korea assignment and the people involved with my time have been exceedingly kind to me, and deserve much better. It was very important to me to finish things up with the same level of enthusiasm as I started out with. I officially turned the keys and all the equipment over on Saturday night, and then one of my former troops drove me home from the ville. It's policy to radio our dispatch center whenever a unit leaves the ville or returns so the Desk Sgt always knows where everybody is. As we passed under the off-base welcome banner towards the base, my troop radioed in "Tango-13 to Control" *radio squelch* "Go ahead" "Tango-1(outgoing leader) and I are 'Departing the Ville". The words held a significant meaning to me because I knew it would be the last time I would ever here my call sign used in that manner. In some ways I know I will miss quite a lot of people here, but I also know it's my time to go. I've managed to accomplish quite a bit for my short year here. I managed to achieve 2 decorations, 2 outstanding performance report evaluations and several other items of recognition, which is an extremely difficult task in such a short period of time. I came here from a place that labeled me as one of the worst they had ever seen, only to come here where a critical mission was being performed and I was labeled as one of the best they had ever seen. I know it’s bad to stroke my own ego, but I’m very pleased with what I have accomplished here, especially since I had to almost be forced here to this assignment at gunpoint. Well it's almost one year past the hour and it's about time to wrap things up around here for good. Only a few more things to do before I turn out the lights, lock up and make for the airport. Come Thursday morning as I drive out of the base gate for the last time, I'm going to stop for a brief moment and look back at the entry gate. It will be much like the fulfillment of leaving the ville for the last time. I'm sure I'll smile for a brief moment, then possibly mumble to myself "So this is Kunsan Air Base" then quickly close the taxi door and press on!! To all I leave behind, take care and thanks for all your help and encouragement. Julia, my unforgettable Russian beauty, I checked with the airlines and the maximum allowable luggage weight is 40 lbs, and I think even if you diet all week, you'll never make that, sorry. *Waves a Salute* Byes
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Tuesday, January 1, 2002; 05:42 p.m.
|
| Well Happy New Year all!!! It's time to close your eyes and make a wish! I'm going to break a small tradition and tell everyone my one single wish. My single wish this year, is for everyone else to have a very good year and may all your wishes come true!!! byes
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Tuesday, January 1, 2002; 12:01 a.m.
|
| > Going out to all..
>
> TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
> HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
> IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE
>
> I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
> WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
> AND TO SEE JUST WHO
> IN THIS HOME DID LIVE
>
> I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
> A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
> NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
> NOT EVEN A TREE
>
> NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE,
> JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
> ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
> OF FAR DISTANT LANDS
>
> WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
> AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
> A SOBER THOUGHT
> CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
>
> FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
> IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
> I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
> ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY
>
> THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
> SILENT, ALONE,
> CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
> IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME
>
> THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
> THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
> NOT HOW I PICTURED
> A UNITED STATES SOLDIER
>
> WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
> CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
> I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
> OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO
> FIGHT
>
> SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
> THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
> AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
> A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY
>
> THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
> EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
> BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
> LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE
>
> I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
> HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
> ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
> IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME
>
> THE VERY THOUGHT
> BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
> I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
> AND STARTED TO CRY
>
> THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
> AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
> "SANTA DON'T CRY,
> THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
>
> I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
> I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
> MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
> MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS"
>
> THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
> AND DRIFTED back TO SLEEP,
> I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
> I CONTINUED TO WEEP
>
> I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
> SO SILENT AND STILL
> AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
> FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL
>
> I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
> ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
> THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
> SO WILLING TO FIGHT
>
> THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
> WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
> WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
> IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE"
>
> ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
> "MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT"
>
To all may I say, Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!! Byes
>
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Monday, December 24, 2001; 07:00 p.m.
|
| From inside the zoo's cage |
| The Panther....
His tired gaze from passing endless bars-
has turned into such a vacant stare which nothing holds.
To him there seem to be a thousand bars,
and out beyond those bars exists no world.
His supple gait, the smoothness of his strong strides
that gently turn in smaller circles and
perform a dance of strength restrained, centered deep within
a great will, stunned, but yet untamed, indomitable.
But sometimes the curtains of his eyelids part,
the pupils of his eyes dilate as images
of past encounters enter. While through his limbs
a tension strains in silence
only to cease to be, to die within his heart.
--Rainer M. Rilke
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Monday, December 24, 2001; 05:05 a.m.
|
| Maybe we were supposed to meet the wrong people before we finally meet the right one,
so when we do meet the right person, we'll know how to be
grateful for that gift.
Maybe when the doors of happiness close, others open up, but often we look so long at the closed doors, we don't see the new doors right smack in front of us.
Maybe the best kind of friends are the kind you can sit on a porch and
swing with, never say a single word, then walk away feeling like it was the
best conversation you've ever had.
Maybe it's true we don't know what we've got until we it's lost,
but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing, until it suddenly
arrives.
Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love
you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their
heart; and if it doesn’t be content it grew in yours.
It only takes a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to really like
someone, and a little over a day to love someone, but sometimes it takes a whole
lifetime to forget someone.
Don't go for looks; they can be deceptive. Don't go for wealth; even rich people can go broke. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it only takes a smile to make a dark day seem brighter. Find a person that
makes your heart smile.
Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be all that you want to be in this world, because you have only one life and sometimes only one chance to do all the things
you want to, so make the very most of it.
Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it
probably hurts the other person too.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the most of everything.
Happiness lies in those who cry, those who hurt, those who have
searched, and those who have tried and failed, for only they can appreciate the
importance of people who have touched their life.
Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, ends with a tear.
The brightest future is always based on a forgotten past, you can't
go on in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so that when you die, you are the one that is smiling and
everyone else around you is crying.
Smile to the people that make you see the brighter
side when your really down, and to those who let you know, they really appreciate your friendship.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make
you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to keep you going forward. I Luv you all, byes
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Sunday, December 9, 2001; 10:57 p.m.
|
| It’s finally the weekend!!!!, TGIF. It’s been a real longggg week for me, that consisted of a military chemical warfare exercise. I don’t mind playing war games, but spending hours at a time in a gas mask and a chemical suit is really a drag. I worked in the Operation’s Center, which is indoors and is considered by most as a real easy job. It was a fairly easy job at times, but when the action starts, things really got hectic. When the base defense force fighting occurs, it’s actually the total nerve center of our operations and thats where all the information comes in and the counter measures are sent out. At times I needed several more hands, to keep up with all the information coming in and the phones that were constantly ringing off the hook. I spent the majority of the busy hrs with the Capt. saying, “Rob, I need more information, find out what’s going on” and me constantly replying, “I'm working on it sir”. I was the lowest ranking person in a room ful of senior leadership and at times I wanted to shoot them all, cause some of them were really getting on my last nerve. It got so bad at one point that the guy in charge of intelligence was afraid to even ask me for updates. I did make some really good contacts with a few new leaders in our unit, which should be very helpful in my remaining days here. This whole last week during the exercise, most people were really pleasant to work with, but I ended up snapping at a few of them. I even managed to snap at a few people in my home life. I’ve been doing a little reflecting on this past week, and I’ve realized that at times I’ve been extremely critical and harsh with certain people around me. Even though I’m fairly used to getting the short end, I do have the tendency to go ballistic at times, especially if I sense my feeling are getting trampled on. I know I’m somewhat of an extremist, especially when it comes to the dramatics in life, but it’s just my way of dealing with it. I really have no excuse to rationalize my behavior, except that the many years of getting trampled on, has given me a low threshold in certain areas. I think what I’m trying to say is, if I’ve offended anyone, I’m sorry. Well it’s almost 6am, so it’s about time to head off to bed. I’m thinking of going into the “Ville” tonight to eat some Korean food and to check out the new December calendar month girl, on the topless calendar, which hangs in my favorite restaurant. Have a good weekend everyone, byes.
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Saturday, December 8, 2001; 05:57 a.m.
|
| Well I’m finally back to my usual stomping grounds after almost 2 months being away. I was really glad to escape my restriction. The leadership in my squadron wanted to show me their hospitality by placing me in an office job. It’s super easy, nobody asks me to do anything, but I hate being cooped up all day. I'm an outdoors kinda guy, and I get restless inside. I haven’t been to the “Ville” yet. I figure the less I see of the Russian girls the better off I’ll be in the long run. I have one month before it’s time to move on from here. I’ll be glad when this assignment is finally over, but I have mixed emotions about leaving in general. I doubt I’ll ever find a group of leaders so accommodating, willing and caring towards me anywhere else in the military. It seems like a lot of people I know are ill lately, I mean seriously ill. My assistant who I have really grown to like, despite her lewd crude demeanor, is now possibly struggling with breast cancer. My former Desk Sgt just got shipped off to the States cause she suddenly couldn’t walk and was diagnosed with multiple Sclerosis. So many people I know that are suffering and I am power less to help them. I’ve also been struggling with my own self-image. I inherited my mother’s good values in life. I have awful traits of morality, decency, humanity and generosity and it’s driving me crazy. It’s seriously true that nice guys finish last; I’m living proof of that. I wish at times I were more like my father, who is motivated purely by his own self-interests. I seriously doubt if he cares much about anything, but he always seems to be happy. I know some people wouldn’t like me very much if I were that way, but I figure if I no longer cared, it wouldn’t bother me very much anyway. Well just a short vent for tonight I have a very busy week ahead of me. Byes
~~~~~~~~~~
'Departing the Ville' in South Korea on:
Sunday, December 2, 2001; 11:40 p.m.
|
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