My Christmas

This is me and my friend Rodan, my favorite Iraqi worker. He hails from the town of Nasiriyah and has been working here for 4 years. We get along very well, as we share similar senses of humor, both have the same work ethic, and a fondness for European football (soccer). We also go to the same barber, though I have a slightly better haircut.

For my Christmas dinner, Rodan was kind enough to bring me a plate of "Ganam", which is the arabic word for sheep (I may have misspelled it), for dinner. His mother prepared it, along with potatoes...that was a week ago, and I thus far have no symptoms of worms. That was the highlight of my holiday, as it was work from 6am-7pm as usual. I didn't make an attempt at the chow hall, as thanksgiving proved to be bad enough....too crowded, among a few other things I have previously written about.

My Christmas Day went as follows, which as I said, was the same as any other day- woke up at 0455. Breakfast carryout from the chow hall, eaten on the way to the office. Worked from 6am until noon, supervising Iraqis and Indians emptying dumpers throughout the base. I then worked out at the Air Force gym from noon until 1300, as it's much more tolerable to work out there than at the army gym, due to my disdain for the national guard operating here. I then worked from 1300-1800, heading back to the office to finish my paperwork until 1900. For lunch I usually grab a sandwich from the chow hall and carry it with me as to save time so I can get a good workout in. I generally don't eat dinner, as I'm asleep by 2100 anyway.

I will soon be leaving Rodan and Hamza and working with a new group of Iraqis and Injuns; building fences, roads, and any other general labor task that needs completed. I'm happy about this, though I'll miss Rodan and the Red Baron. Merry Christmas.