I think this year I continue to appreciate the little things in life that may be most citizens of America take for granted. I remember when I was in BASIC and I had the chance to talk to my ex girl friend for like 3-5 minutes, and during that moment it felt as if life wasn't so bad and I was in a better place. Being away from family and friends after college has been a great growing experience as well. Being able to say that I am fully independent, financially stable, and living in a new state are all great challenges. Even though I am not in love with Colorado Springs, it does remind me of home in certain ways. I think the greatest thing is every time I do go home though, it makes me appreciate the friendships, my family, and being "home" that much more. When people say that they can't imagine themselves living any where else, thats how I currently feel about Seattle. I have yet to find a city that I have visited that has clean air, a relatively large metropolis, suburb cities with their own personality, and the great outdoors all with in a matter of an hour or so (and only being about 2 hours from the Canada border isn't too bad either). Being deployed this year has definately drawn me closer to my family. Though I do not know how much it may hurt my parents to know that I am not home, or my sister knowing that I am missing out on some large events in her life, its a growing experience that has brought me closer to them. I remember watching a CNN Special Investigation story on a marine unit and their ability to maintain their position around Northern Iraq. Of course there were losses of life, and one story really touched me because the Marine was half Asian. It just brought me back home, seeing a grieving Asian American mother have to deal with the heart ache of not seeing or having her son anymore. I dont know what hurts me more sometimes, hearing taps, amazing grace on the bag pipes, or a 21 gun salute. I think its also surreal that whenever I hear the alarm go off on base, its kind of like for a couple seconds everything is in slow motion. I pause and take a breath and wonder if I will feel the impact of the incoming round. Most of the time I am so used to it that I dont care anymore, not for my life, but I guess the inability to control or know who is attacking me (no worries though I do what is safe i.e. staying in a bunker, a hardened building, etc.). I know there are other Soldiers in uniform who have it a lot harder than I do. Its hard to not feel connected to them and pray that their loved ones back home won't have to deal with the loss of a loved one...I truly enjoy being a leader for the men and women that I am in charge of... But sometimes I just can't wait for the day to leave this country, so I can have this weight lifted off of my shoulders. Hope everybody is doing well... | 
