Monday, February 27, 2006

Tour of Duty...

Yes, it is I, Tam, the master of things, Jack of all trades, postig from an undisclosed location. Well, I have left for the "sandbox."

As you have read from the previous post by Nyoka, my journey began @0545 Sunday morning, 26 Feb 2006. I'll make this as short as possible. The plane took off at around 1500 on 26 feb 2006. We made two stops before getting into Kuwait 2300 on 27 Feb2006. The next journey is into Iraq, which will take place sometime today. I am glad that we made it into Kuwait before the beginning of March... Explanation for that is, PAY. Thats all I can say about that.

My next journey is the journey home sometime in late August early September. If none of this doesn't make since, its because I have not gotten a lot of sleep. I'll just close for now and hopefully next time that I post, it'll make since. Take care of each other and I'll see you guys real soon...

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Let the Countdown Begin

Just a brief update from our end. Tam is in route to the "sandbox." Muster was at 0545 this morning, but just like everything else in the military it was hurry up and wait. The bus didn't arrive until sometime after 0800. Feeling sad that he's not here to hang out with, but I take pride in knowing he's on his way out there to defend our freedom. Sweetheart, just remember that we are all here cheering you on and praying for a safe return. We love you with all of our heart and can't wait to have you back on our soil safely.

I went to see him off with every intension of taking pictures of his departure, however, like a nut I forgot the camera at home. Never fear though, Tam purchased a camera to take with him so we were able to take some pics. I just have to wait until he's able to send them to me to post. So stay tuned for pictures.

Until next time, adios.

Friday, February 24, 2006

The TIme is Near...

That's right the time is near and it is coming awfully fast. I found out this Friday morning that I would be leaving Sunday morning at around 0545. I have to meet up with my crew in the morning and draw weapons at 0600. After drawing weapons, it is off to the airfield and onto the plan. The destination is unknown. Dont know what route we're taken and franky I dont really want to know. It is better not unkowning thant knowing. I hate the anticipation.

Even though I am gone for 6-7 months, I'll still have somewhat access to the internet, so I'll try and keep every informed about my daily routine and stuff. Right now, I'm just spending time with the family. I know it is going to hard on them and I'm being strong about it. I've promised myself that I'm not going to cry. I know that the time over there is going to go by so fast that if I blink, I'll miss it. I know that I'm going to be really busy while over there. I'll have things like work, gym, movies and games to keep me busy.

Well this is the last post that I'll be doing while in the states for 6-7 months. The next post that I'll do is when I'm back in the states in late August early September. It is see you later...

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Paintball Fun Day's...

Well, every month I try and play paintball with a couple of buddies from San Diego. Sometimes we play once a month nad sometimes we play twice a month. It is very rare that we play three times a month. That would be just crazy and unheard of. When we do go, it is very fun and we have a blast. Last time we went, Tony put together a group play. Meaning, it was just a group of friendly's playing. No outside players. Just friends.

I remember the time before last, boy was that crazy. Every field we played on, it seems like Tony and I got into yelling arguments with the opposing players. There was this one incident when this fat guy from the opposing side ran up and bunkered Tony and some other little guy (younger than 12 yrs old). Beginner rule is, no bunker!!! Bunker is when you shoot someone that is less than 10 feet from you. A shot like that hurts real bad. When I saw that he bunkered Tony and the little kid, I called him out and said, "Hey man, you cannot bunker!!!" I guess the fat guy took as, "Hey man lets fight!!!" The fat guy started cursing and throwing down. Then Tony told him, that I said, "No bunkering!!!" I guess the fat guy thought that Tony wanted to throw down. So the fat gug ran up to Tony and pushed him with his chest. That was a crazy mess.

Any how, it is always fun when we go, except for that fat guy incident. Overall we always have a good time when we go out . When I get back, I plan on buying myself a new paintball gun. I am due for a new one. Nyoka said that she would play next time I go out. Hopefully she'll go and enjoy. Maybe I'll buy her a gun and force her to play.

Here are some pictures of my paintball EXTRAVAGANZA!!!


Kid: Wow, you're good mister!!!
Me: Thanks little man!!! Combat school paid off.

Whose next on my @#%^ list. Oh, there you are little one!!!

Monday, February 13, 2006

5 More Years...


Well, I went and did it, I re-enlisted for another 5 years. I wanted to re-enlist for 6 years, but the Navy has a rule about High Year Tener. HYT for an E-5 is 14 years. If I would have re-enlisted for 6 years, it would have put me 15 years and 2 months. I guess they did not want to give me 2 months. I plan on making E-6 within the 5 year's.

This was a special day because Nyoka did my re-enlistment. When she re-enlisted back in March 2004, I re-enlisted her. It was quite a ride. When she was reading the oath to me and I was reciting the oath back to her. She made it difficult for me because, she would read long sentence's and it was heard for me to recite them back. I was getting a little worried that I might not be able to recite the oath back. But somehow I managed to pull through and was ablt to recite the oath back to her with no problems.

Maybe for my next re-enlistment, I'll ask Dominic to re-enlist me. I sure he'll say yes and he'll enjoy doing it.

Nyoka was such a pro at presenting my discharge and re-enlistment certificates.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

A Family Affair...

Please be patient as this is my first post. Just getting my feet wet so-to-speak so I can take over during Tam's absence. Don't worry you guys, the professional will be back in 6-8 months.
Towards the end of January, we all finally got our family portaits taken. We've been wanting to do that for awhile, but one of us wond up pregnant. Ooops, guess we know who that was. Then we decided to wait to make it more of a family affair when our bundle of joy arrived. Now our circle is somewhat complete and here we are for all to see. We do hope that you enjoy. At the time the pictures were taken Dominic was 2 months & 3 weeks old, weighing 13 lbs & 7 ounces. Who knows how much he weighs now as he grows so fast.

Among the many poses we decided to take a special photo, a generation pic. This one is of three generations: Dut (Tam's father), along with Tam and our son, Dominic. Man do they look like "proud papas" or what!?!









There were only 2 solo portraits take of Dominic. Thus, picture #1, ready to "duke it out."






Last but not least picture #2. Ok, so he looks handsome in all of them, but this one's my favorite. The answer to most of ya'lls question is yes, his hair naturally stands up. But with a little help from a wonderful invention {baby lotion}. It makes him look that much more adoreable.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Getting Ready for the Sand Box...

Well, it is almost time for me to go and do my part as a Nav Corpsman. This past week, I've been checking into my unit that I'll be going with. Got all my gear that I'll needing over there. A lot of it is just junk stuff that I wont need. I'll probably jus take the essentials. Things like water canteen, sleeping bag, each unifrom, extra boots, hygiene products, soxs, underwear, and most importantly a flak jacket. I'll make sure that I wont forget that. It is a must to have over there. It could mean between life and death. My departure date is 25 Feb. It is subject to change, but I'm pretty sure that is the date that I'll be heading out. The time frame is about 6-8 months.

It'll be the end of winter and the start of spring. The summer months is not what I'll be looking forward too. I'd rather be cold than hot. I'll propbably come back 20 pounds lighter and looking like Kate Moss, HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

I am looking forward to this deployment. I've been waiting and wanting to go. I joined the military for this type of stuff. When it first deployment tool place in 2002, I tried volunteering myself to go, but I couldn't. I want to do my part in this war. I want to protect the lives of my fellow sailor and marines. I also want to protect my family from terrorist and protect their freedom. I fight for them and for those who believe the world should be a place without dictatorship and genocide. I am glad that I'll have a chance to fight for those who can't fight for themselves and those who are afraid to stand up for themselves. I believe in time that WE (The United States of America and our allies), can win the fight against terrrorist.

Well the time is nearing and I am very anxious to go. The sooner I leave, the sooner I can get back to my family.