Plans:
As has become my style, I want to thank a few fine folk first. I got a top notch care package from Kathy Stone this last week and one from Mary, Kim, and Larry Cowdery. Larry (I presume) sent me a couple of the new George Washington dollar coins. I like them. They are an improvement over the Sacagawea model and I hope that they become more commonly used.

The weather here has continued to get hotter by the day and it's up into the mid 80s now. I suppose that by this time next month, it will be into the 90s, just like it was last year. I arrived on the 25th of April last year, and can only hope that I don't see the 25th of April this year. I should be out of Iraq by then, even if it just means that I'm in Kuwait. Time will tell. There is a chance that I could end up stuck here until sometime around August. That would not be cool. (pun intended).

My intentions have bounced around quite a bit since I got here, changed jobs a few times, and got sick of the Iraqi quagmire. I have settled to about 90% likelihood that I will simply go back to my job at Eastern and apply to the Ohio University PhD in Instructional Technology.

For those of you who haven't noticed, my house is occupied, though I am out of the country. My mother and grandmother have moved in and are taking care of the place. It is possible that my mom may buy the house. Time will tell.
Chad

Mail Call:

Well, the mail is still very bad here. I got a few nice things this week. First, a special thanks goes out to Jeanie Weeks for a GREAT care package. It was very tasty. Second, I got a package and a letter from Ann Henrie; both of which were sent in November. I also got a letter from Clyde and Marlene Kuhn that was sent in November. I am thankful that I got them at all.

The weather continues to be nice. February is definitely the month to visit Iraq. I am hoping to come home in a couple months, but there is always the chance that I will be extended, because my ability to draft PowerPoint is WAY better than the average guy's.
I am getting ready to go outside and see if I can catch part of the lunar eclipse that is tonight.
Maybe the Iraqis will see it as a sign that they all just need to get along. Hmmm, I doubt it.

Per chance that I should forget: Happy St. David's Day (March 1st) and Happy St. Patrick's Day. These are two of the many holidays that I have missed since being here. I will have to celebrate last year's and this year's St. Patty's Days.