Bonne Annee!!!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2011.  Even though I am posting at 1:49am I am still the first to wish everyone a Happy New Year! ("Bonne Annee!" in French).  It is pretty cold here...no snow like in El Paso....but very cold.  So I guess you are wondering what I did for New Years.

 I started off New Year's Eve at work...and I will be back there in about five hours or less....but I did have some fun.  At work we had a James Bond marathon in the background (if you need a wikipedia link about James Bond...then WOW) I left around five and went to a BBQ with the AF Communications guys....CommBots.  We ate T-Bone Steak and I had a slice of a rib.  I am glad that we decided to BBQ because the generator to the Dining Facility for the Americans went out so dinner chow was delayed and I don't they really couldn't make a main course only sides.  But the BBQ was good.  After that I went with the Engineers and watched some more James Bond and then played Taboo (I will link that one since some of you True Believers might not know what that is) It was actually the first time I played it.  My team won both times even after we switched...I am not saying anything...but I happen to be extraordinary at every board game I play.  Fact.  After playing Taboo, I went to hang out and smoke cigars with the Army Comms guys and rang in the New Year.   I had an Alec Bradley Tempus.  It was pretty smooth.  Yup smoking cigars and drinking du l'eau. (that's water...at least its named Kristal)  (I also yelled "Happy New Year Kapisa!!!!" over the walkie talkies and then promptly turned mine off....hahaha....hahah....snort.....haha) What is really cool about being up in Afghanistan at this hour of the night (because it is the darkest country in the world)  is that the choppers that were flying over let loose their flares!  It was definitely a site.  Kinda like fireworks.

There are somethings that I miss in America during New Years.  Last year I was in Las Vegas at Carmen Electra's New Years Bash.  I do miss hanging out with the family...whether it be at Ate Nanette's house or Tita Letty's house.  I miss playing guitar for everybody.... I didn't do that here because its awkward playing guitar for a bunch of dudes.  I especially miss the food. (shout out to that soup that Tita Letty makes that I really don't know the name of it, but its good anyways)  I also miss Mommy Minda's adobo and flan (oh how I miss Flan)  What about the all night Mahjong tournaments (Jai alai!)  I can't wait to get back.  I hope that everyone back home has a Blessed Year with much hope and cheer. 

So I really don't know what to have for my New Year's resolution.  I am going to be in Afghanistan for more than half the year....I mean I am here serving my country helping rebuild a country thats seen war since 1979.  Oh, well I will think of something. 

Bonne Annee!

JoJo

Do They Know It's Christmas in Afghanistan?

So this is my first Christmas in Afghanistan…I know that it is not Christmas yet, but bare with me. I am in very holly jolly spirits even though I am celebrating this holiday in a Muslim country (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan). I know that I sound crazy, but hear me out. Imagine that it is the day after Thanksgiving, and you are not worried about the hustle and bustle (where did that phrase come from?) of Christmas shopping. Think about a life without the cheesy Christmas commercials on Television telling you to buy Buy BUY! The Coca-Cola ones are fine because they bring a sense of nostalgia with a classic picture of Jolly Old St. Nick or when they illustrate the true spirit with those loveable polar bears. Enough about media overexposure in America, and more about spending the holiday season in Afghanistan.

The reason I am so jovial is because the peace and quiet has left me to my memories. My favorite part of Christmas is hanging and viewing Christmas lights. I have spent the holidays in many different places (mostly in Texas) but what I miss most about the majority of my old homes is the different ways each city celebrated the most wonderful time of the year. (Are you sick of my Christmas song references yet?)div>

I will begin the Christmas Light Walk Through Winter Wonderland with my hometown of El Paso, Texas. I don’t know the name of the street, but we would always caravan out to Eastside El Paso and marvel at the lights inspired by friendly neighborhood competition. My favorite house was the all-blue Dallas Cowboys house. I also remember going to Downtown EP with my Grandma and waiting for the giant Christmas Tree to be lit up. The lights in downtown have definitely been expanded to the rest of the park. One other unique thing about the Sun City (because I haven’t seen it anywhere else yet) is the Wells Fargo (a.k.a. State National or Norwest depending on how long you have lived in EP) building having its windows colored to make the shape of a Christmas Tree for all driver’s viewing pleasure no matter what state or country you come from.

My first holiday season spent away from home was in lovely Lubbock Texas as a student at Texas Tech University (WRECK ‘EM) I know I skipped Los Alamos, New Mexico, but I don’t remember much about it except being poor and cutting down our own tree in the woods….actually I remember going back to El Paso for both Christmas and New Years. Stream of consciousness tangent over and back to Lubbock. My living experience at various locales in the US of A leads me to the conclusion that the smaller the town, the bigger the emphasis on Christmas Spirit. Every Techsan and Lubbockian (I am a wordsmith) looks forward to the Carol of Lights Ceremony.  This is an annual event where the whole town of Lubbock flocks to Texas Tech’s Campus for a Holiday light extravaganza! Every building is wrapped with lights from the Science Quad to the Engineering Key to the Admin Buildings. The paths in Memorial Circle are lined with Luminarias and the ceremony is topped off with Carols from the Texas Tech Music Department. The Dean of Music sounds like old man winter when he sings his frightening (as least to me) rendition of “Oh Holy Night”. Another guilty pleasure for Christmas Light Lovers is the breath-taking visage of a small town just outside of Lubbock known as Ransom Canyon during the holidays. I swear that when I first saw this visual feast it was like hearing “Journey” for the first time. Never have you felt more pimp then when you took a girl out there blindfolded as a holiday surprise and sipped hot cocoa. ;-)

The next stop in my memory banks is San Angelo, Texas. Do you remember what I said about small towns? Well, San Angelo does not hold any punches in this occasion. There is a house on “N Street” that was uprooted from the North Pole and planted in this small Texas Town. The Griswold house is not in the same league of holiday lighting expertise. You can even venture through the inside of the house and see generations of Christmas Spirit through hundreds of stockings and snow globes. The real magic from San Angelo comes from a drive-thru light parade that hugs the Concho River.  Before entering you are given hot cocoa and tune your radio to a special commercial-free radio station and experience the things Christmas dreams are made of in the heart of Texas. 

Finally we end our journey in San Antonio, Texas. I know that I am only describing Texas sites and sounds, but this is where the Air Force has taken me so far….did I join the Texas Air National Guard? Back to San Antonio…this is a metropolitan area, so the inherent Christmas spirit giving birth to light competitions is few and far between. However, I happened to live less than 2 miles (lucky me, it is like destiny) from the feature micro city of Windcrest. You are probably wondering how I can talk about San Antonio and not mention the biggest attraction of the city, the Riverwalk. The fact is, is that I rarely go to the Riverwalk…but here is a picture anyway. 

The magic in San Antonio isn’t represented in lights, but it is more experienced through the camaraderie that my squadron has during the holidays. We have constant Christmas parties and events. I was even the “Most Untalented” winner in 2009 because I practiced. (Who practices to be untalented? Only yours truly who is by nature spectacular)

I hope that ya’ll (family and friends) enjoyed sharing a couple of merry memories with me. I am sure to have made some of you feel nostalgic and mushy. Since I am on General Order 1 out here in Afghanistan have an Egg Nog (with a shot of Jeremiah Weed) for me.

Joyeaux Noel!

JoJo

Book Review: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

I have finished reading the The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and I have to say that it was a fairly enjoyable murder mystery.  I haven't actually read a murder mystery in about seven years.  That was the good 'ole days when I was a librarian at Franklin High School.  Yes, I was a librarian my senior year of high school.  I had the extra time and it gave me an opportunity to order the books that I wanted.  I was a big Thomas Harris (He created Hannibal Lecter) fan because he wrote a lot of crime solving books.   I like books where mysteries are solved by the main character putting puzzle pieces together and discovering conspiracies.  Consequently the Hannibal Lecter Trilogy were the last murder mysteries, much less recreational reading that I did since now. 

Back to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo...it was a fairly easy read about an investigative reporter solving the murder of a girl nearly forty years earlier.  Don't worry I won't reveal any spoilers. (its not my style)    When I picked up my Kindle and started reading, I was a little surprised by the main theme of the book.  This book was originally written in Swedish with the title "Men Who Hate Women".  This title was more in line with the contents of the book than the American title.  From the Swedish title you can gather that it was a novel about crimes against women.  It wasn't American Psycho bad, but it was graphic enough.  The interesting part of the story was that the investigation is performed by a financial crimes reporter.  This contrasts the FBI agents that are the main characters in the Harris stories.  He took on the case because his reputation took a big hit because he lost a court battle to a major financial corporation about on of his reports.  The other main character was a girl (with the Dragon tattoo) who perform background checks for a security firm.  They were tasked with solving the missing person mystery that happened on an island in the 1960s by the Grand-uncle of the girl.  He suspected murder, because his family was as twisted as they come.  I do not want to reveal the story, but it is an understatement that the family in the novel has a couple of skeletons in the closet.


My one critique of the book, is that the climax of the story occurred when I was about 75% through with the book.  (I know 75% because my Kindle keeps track...and it does my laundry j/k)  At that point one of the main character's ethics are challenged and some readers might feel disappointed.  The last quarter of the novel is spent settling the score for one of the main characters.  However, I did like how the last pages of the novel read.  The author ended the story on a very realistic note, after building up the reader to think that the story was going to be very cheesy.    I think that Steig Larsson is a pretty good author...to bad he died earlier this decade.  Decade, wow, I wonder what this first decade will be remembered by?  Probably the Afghanistan and Iraq wars sadly and probably Lady Gaga.  Oh well, 2011 bring it on!!!

Stay Frosty,

JoJo

J'en Peau Plus De Cest Connarries!!!

Tis the season to be jolly right?  I know I know, but this is my blog and I will complain if I want to, plus I haven't updated my blog in almost two weeks.  I have been super busy here.  Mainly because there exists a JTF (Joint Task Force) that has taken over the PRT and benefits from the by-products like a normal eukaryotic cell benefits off of the small mitochondria.  Maybe if the liaison officers attached to the JTF were worth their weight in gold.  No offense to the Reservists that I know, but wow do reservists suck.  Active duty military is just more squared away.  Being that they are reservists you do get a motley assortment of characters.  The leader of the pack sounds like the golfer from Winnie the Pooh, and he is about as tall.  Think of the way Humphrey bogart talks.  My counterpart from that team has a lisp too, but not the manly one.  (You know "not funny haha, but funny -----") I think that if they weren't in mine and the PRT's business they would be tolerable.  I just hate that they haven't been trained in the PRT mission, but they think that they can dictate the actions.

Back to Happy go-lucky JoJo.  I did get to make a holiday shout-out to Texas Tech for the upcoming bowl game.  (Wreck 'Em Tech) I hope they beat who ever North Western is...does anybody even know where that is?  I am glad that the Cowboys beat the Colts, but at least Yuck Yuck isn't coach.  Is Tony Romo still injured?  BTW these aren't rhetorical questions.  You as "True Believers" can comment on my blog posts.  I am playing the guitar when I can.  My new guitar is ok....Its a Squire (by Fender) Dreadnought acoustic.  Its a little rough on the fingers but it gets the job done.  I hope that I can bring it back home and add it to my axe arsenal.  I currently own three guitars, but I have also sold back three, so this is my sixth guitar.  Weird to think that I have been playing since I was roughly 13 years old.  I am learning French if you can tell by the title.  Please don't translate that if you don't have a sense of humor...or if you have children that are just learning how to read. :-P

It is pretty monotonous here...kinda like Groundhog's Day (if you don't know what movie that is, then you are missing out)  I have pretty much finished all major TV series in the last month.  I have thus far watched, Weeds, Spartacus, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and I have begun Heroes.  Heroes in my opinion is a knock-off of X-men that has watered down Biology and Psychology stats worked into the script.  It is somewhat interesting though.  I have started rambling...so I will sign off and come back when I have something more interesting to write about.  (Probably when it snows and I have pictures or Christmas)

Stay Frosty!

JoJo

Happy Turkey Day!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I hope that everyone is having a great Thanksgiving back home.  I am thankful that I get to serve my country and help the people of Afghanistan.  I hope the Dallas Cowboys and Red Raiders win.  If the Cowboys don't win the rest of the season, then that means that they get better draft picks....Maybe they can get a better QB.  We had a real turkey for Thanksgiving at the FOB so that we nice.

So my Shamalis asked about why us Americans celebrate Thanksgiving.  You never really know how much you forget from grade school btw.....here is what I said.  When the Pilgrims first landed on America, it was very cold and scary.   When the Native Americans came to meet the settlers, the settlers expected a fight.  Native American is hard to explain to Afghans because the other reference is Indians, and that means something else to them since India is like their Canada so to speak...and note that I say settlers instead of pilgrims because what really were they pilgrimaging (if thats a word) to?  Muslims have a pilgrimage to Mecca (see PRT Kapisa Facebook for info on last weeks Muslim holiday ;-P)....back to subject...The settlers were expecting a fight, and instead the Native Americans brought food.  Thus the tradition of a Thanksgiving feast was born.  I hope that I explained the story correctly.  Maybe I need to go back to kindergarten.  I wonder if they understood?

Stay Frosty,

JoJo

I have a better address here to give out:

Joseph Shamy (No Rank)

FOB Morales-Frazier

APO AE 09354

Book Review: Becoming Batman

Salaama Layukum Folks!

I have finally finished my first E-book on my Kindle.  My first Kindle broke on the way to Afghanistan and I had to wait for another one to be sent at no cost, unless you count time, to me so that I could continue reading.  Plus since I spend the majority of my work day reading, I spent some nights watching movies on my computer.  Excuses aside....I am done with Becoming Batman.  In case you are wondering, I am not out at night in spandex fighting crime on the FOB.  That was the title of the book my E. Paul Zehr.  He explored the feasibility of a human being actually transforming into the Dark Knight.  Being that I am a super nerd (not geek, there is a difference) I was fascinated by the subject.  Paul is a well versed martial artist and a doctor in exercise sports science.  He explored concepts such as biological disposition, dietary, psychology, senescence, and training time line in his book.  He took a scientific approach and used an imaginary character know as Bob Wayne as Bruce Wayne's (Batman) twin for the control is to assessing if an average Joe (or JoJo) like you or me could become the caped crusader.  (I will run out of alternate names for Bats soon :P) Back on subject.  Paul explore various factors that and goals that one must achieve to become that terror that flaps in the night (wait that's Darkwing Duck) and provides scientific data to prove his hypothesis.  In my opinion he was too scientific in his approach.  Not for me (because I majored in Biology) but for the average person.  At times I had to dig deep in to my memory to be able to understand some of the biological theories that Paul noted had to be met for a person to become the masked manhunter.  I did like the fact that he had studied various forms of martial arts (like yours truly) and assessed ninjitsu to be the style that Batman would choose.  I also enjoyed a plethora (heh heh plethora of pinatas) references to actual Batman  comics, movies, and commentaries by writers to historically link Batman to certain assessments.  In the end he assessed that it was possible for a person to become Batman.  However, to stay Batman, and he means at the peak of his career represented in the majority of his comics (shout out to The Dark Knight Returns) would not be feasible.  Thus Batman could only be Batman could only be Batman could only be Batman (just checking if you were actually reading) for roughly 10 years.  He compared that to boxers and other athletes who are at their physical peak while performing that play sports that are comparative to the amount of beating that Batman would sustain while keeping the streets of Gotham safe.  This was a fun read and I recommend it to anyone who thinks that they want to fight crime and likes a realistic approach to the world of comics.  Next book The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Stay Frosty, (whoops still in caps...I mean italics)

JoJo

Facebook

Howdy Ya'll,

That's a good 'ole fashion Texas greeting.  Speaking of Texas what is with my football teams?  I mean the Dallas Cowboys are only 2-7 and Texas Tech is not doing too well either.  It is getting colder and colder here.  We also are getting warnings about Mice and Cobras being in the dorms if we eat food in there.  I don't know why I capitalized them, but it may be because I consider them a collective force ready to terrorize the residents of FOB Morales-Frazier.  My job here gets busier and busier, so I may be a little tough for me to keep on my blog.  I am glad that you guys are reading though.  I have over 244 views as of today.  (And there was much rejoicing)  It is hard to believe that I have already been deployed for over a month.  I mean I missed my favorite holiday (at least I could make a JibJab card) and it is almost Thanksgiving.  I do not even keep track of the days of the week anymore, because I am always working.  I do get to catch up on a lot of movies and read books when I go back to the barracks though.  The best way to keep in touch is through email (dakenshamy@gmail.com or ssjshamy@sbcglobal.net) or with Skype (slimshamy85)  If you find me on Skype, then we might be able to VideoChat. 

Back to the title of the post.  Facebook.  I am writing to let you true believers know about the Official PRT Kapisa Facebook page.  This is not to say that I will be on the page, but you never know.  :-P (Does anyone get the emoticons?)  If you are on Facebook (if not, shame on you) then you should definitely become a fan of the page.

Stay Frosty,

Jojo

They are called Shamalis!

Week 2 went by pretty fast...uncomfortably fast.  But I guess that means things are getting pretty normal here.  Here is a fun fact:  The indigenous people of Kapisa, Laghman, and Panshir provinces in Afghanistan are called Shamalis (pronouned like Shamaley)  MY PEOPLE.  :-)  Anyways.  I got two packages from Mom, Dad, and Nicole which is great.  I got a new downs blanket for my bed which came just in time because it is starting to get colder and colder here.  Props to Texas Tech for beating #12 Missouri.  I didn't even care to look at the game score (bc they suck this year) except that I had an email from a retailer trying to sell me a bragging rights T-Shirt.  So even though I live 12.5 hrs in the future...I  am still behind on some news in America.  Its funny how things that you get to monitor daily in the US like facebook get put on the back burner.  I hardly ever check fb unless someone sends me a message, or I get a birthday alert.  It also funny how us Americans use expressions "Like running around like a chicken with its head cut-off" which sums up my work day normally.  I told one of my linguists that I am like a ping pong ball and he said, "You are no a ball sir, You are a MAN!"  classic.  I also got my Kindle Back so that rocks my face off.  I can continue reading Becoming Batman.  (Then I might actually be able to complete the process and fight crime j/k) 

Stay Frosty,

JoJo


(If you are wondering about "Stay Frosty" watch Generation Kill)

Week 1 at Morales-Frazier

Well I have officially completed my first week here at good 'ole FOB Morales-Frazier.  I have begun to get in the groove of things here.  Some days I eat at the French DFAC (Dining Facility), some times I eat at the American one.  There is always the Kapisa Pizzeria or as I like to call it the Kapizzeria.  My team almost taken over for the new team.  My job has kept me pretty busy, but it is nothing that I can't handle.

I have already begun to make some new friends with the local nationals (LNs) and the French.  This deployment is definitely going to be a life-changing experience.  I am proud to serve my country and honored to be part of re-building Afghanistan.  I have had some tastes of Afghan food and even got to visit some of the bazaars.  As you can see from my photos, Kapisa is definitely a diamond in the rough.  Near the capital of this province is a natural phenomenon known as the walking sands.  It is basically sands trickling out and piling out of a mountain that never runs out.  If we had the time I wish that I could 

have gone out to see this up close.  The craziest thing about being here so far is the fact that the sun rises at 0530.  So when I get up early in the morning I feel like a slacker.  The sun also sets right around 1730. I don't know if it is because of winter, but when the sun sets...IT GETS DARK!!!  The little red light that we have to use to see at night is not enough some times.  There is constant construction going on so every day presents a new pot hole at night.  It looks like we should be able to move into our permanent rooms by December.  I don't really mind, but I would like to be able to listen to music (beyond the power of head phones) and I also would enjoy the added privacy.  Nevertheless, I have gotten used to the living in an open bay area.  So.... Inch Alla (God Willing) which is an expression used a lot here.  There are more pictures on the slide show under the clock.  I hope...I hope....

Stay Frosty,

JoJo

Mass in French

Well I am finally here at FOB Morales-Frazier and it is "very nice"(Borat Voice).  I was wondering if I was going to be able to go to church while deployed (because how many Catholic churches are in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan :-) )  But luckily the French have services.  It is part Latin, part French, but it is still the same schtuff.  Catholic does mean universal so I can take my ASB .  So I guess my cultural experience just got better.  Looks like I am going to be learning French and a little bit Latin (because I already knew some songs).  I will attach pictures of the FOB soon, but I am in the process of taking over for the guy that is currently doing my job.  Another thing about being here is that I get to eat at the French Dining Facility so it is pretty sweet. 

Stay Frosty,

JoJo

Manas is Wet, Bagram Blows

So I have been in Afghanistan for about three days now.  We did it in two days using a flux capacitor so the jet lag was pretty bad at first.  It took me a while to sell out and buy the wireless here which is 10 hrs for $10.  I will get back to that, but let me talk about Manas Air Base first.  Its in Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia.  This was a surreal experience at first because we were in the loving hands of the United States Air Force.  I forgot how blessed I was to be in a service where the People are first and everything is geared for your happiness.  My four months of Hell at Camp Atterbury made me forget what it was like to be appreciated as a service member by my particular service.  (if that makes sense)  Anyways, there were fun activities like Karaoke, Internet Cafes, and game rooms.  (Go Air Force!!!) Despite the fun things (and great spaghetti) we still had the toolish rules, like wearing reflective belts at night and stuff like that.  It also rained a lot at Manas.  Like Jurassic Park  level 5 bad.  

It rained on all of our bags for about eight hours straight and never stopped.  Luckily I lined everything with trash bags, so my stuff did not get wet.  Other than Manas being wet, I still loved it there.  I even got a little ethnic hat.  A Kyrgyz actually looks like an Asian except that they speak Russian.  It is kinda sad that we had to leave Manas so early, I would have like to explore the Kyrgyz culture a little more.  I slept through Karaoke, and the amenities were actually kinda sweet.  After that we loaded a plane and flew to Bagram Air Base.  I was finally in Afghanistan!  

The first thing I noticed about Afghanistan is that is looked exactly like El Paso, TX.  I mean eerily so... The mountains almost looked the same and there is sand and desert everywhere.  The sand created a lot of dust. Funny thing was that we arrived right before a sand storm.  Everything I have including myself is covered in sand.  The wind never really stopped, but being from the desert the dust didn't really affect my breathing like most members of the team.  (My eyes are a little itchy though)  It is also very cold at night.  I have never appreciated cold weather gear sooooo much.  The worst thing about Bagram is that it is commercialized in the wrong ways.  It is hard to believe that we have been here for nine years.  This base is really in the stone age compared to Manas.  The Internet that I am using is pretty cheap, but they install some software on your computer so that you can access it.  You true believers must know that I had to be really desperate for the Interwebs to risk my own Network Security.  Thats bad juju number one of many.  Another thing is that the BX can only be reached via shuttle which takes forever and is usually croweded (like El Paso ;-) )  So for the first couple of days I was shut off from the world (dramatic music)  I tried the calling center, but it only allows AT&T calling cards.  (I am not sure how the phones will be at my Forward Operating Base so stand by) At least at Manas any calling cards could be used.  Skype works the best according to Mom and Dad. (username SlimShamy85).  I know that I have been complaining a lot, but despite that I am really happy to be here and serving my country.  This is a once in a lifetime deployment and I am very excited to start doing my job.  I with a good team and we all take care of each other.  Next stop Kapisa!

Stay Frosty,

JoJo

I heart my Kindle

So I bought a Kindle e-reader today.  Let me tell you that it is fo-shizzle.  I am not getting paid by Amazon.com for saying this, but this has to be the best reader out there. While I am in CONUS (Continental United States for those non-Military folks ;-) )  I get free 3G access (Thanks AT&T!!!) and it is Wi-Fi capable.  It takes merely seconds for me to download a new book.  I made sure to get as many books as possible so that I can't get bored on airplanes.  You can download games for it too, but I am not really into that.  The main reason that I went with the Kindle and not the Nook (by Barnes & Noble) is the free book selection and the fact that Amazon has converted some of my textbooks to Kindle format.  So (ensh Allah) I can try to take some college classes if I have time.  I only have three course and a disertation left for my Masters.  I know I have really been slacking.  Oh well.  The only con that goes with the Kindle and other e-readers (except for the I-Pad, but thats not only an e-reader) is that there is no backlight.  This means that you need a reading light at night.  The plus side to that is that I have a month's standby on my Kindle.  The book that I am reading right now is "Becoming Batman" I am about 30% done and will right about when I am finished.  But it basically explores if it is scientifically possible for a human being to become Batman in a life time.  Pretty Sweet huh? 

Stay Frosty,

JoJo

Goodbye Camp Atterbury

Final days at Camp Atterbury, Indiana after living here for nearly four months.  Even though the Intel training I received here was sub-par...we still had fun.  The first month and a half of training actually only averaged about 3 hrs of actual training a day, but we made due with the white space.  Like the Air Force guys Beiberizing the Navy side of the dorm in the first month, to being able to actually leave base and watch movies and go to various restaurants around Indiana.  In the end the Navy guys finally got the last laugh.  They decorated the entire side of our barracks with Disney Princess birthday party stuff.  They got K-Fed pretty bad because he was behind most of the other practical jokes on the Navy side. Then we got dispersed amongst the PRTs and specialized in our Area of Operations.  The rest of my team showed up and thats when we got to do some really cool Army stuff.  You can see some of the activities that we did below.  We really came together as a team and excelled in all aspects of the training.  I am definitely happy to be part of the Air Force, because Army training follows a Crawl, Walk, Run approach.  This creates the whitespace that I mentioned above earlier.  Sometimes I think that the time could have been used more efficiently, but it is hard to train thousands of people.  In the end everyone is trained and ready to fight the good fight (literally) in Afghanistan!

Stay Frosty,

JoJo

Welcome to my Blog

Hey Everyone,

Welcome to my Blog.  I haven't really had a blog in around five years, but going to Afghanistan is pretty interesting.  I know that many of you have wanted my address over there, so here it is:

Joseph Shamy (No Rank)

PRT Kapisa

APO AE 09354

I will expand more on what I will be doing in further blogs, but I just wanted to give a first shout out to all who have shown great support for me in this deployment.

Mom, Dad, and Nicole

Ninang Winnie and Ate Nanette

Mommy Minda and Daddy Jun

Eric and Molly

The Lantican Family

Grandma Lupe

Uncle Dan and Aunt Dora

Uncle Mark

Little Tony

Little Mark

My brother Paul and his family

My best friend Kaz and his family

The Snow Family

The Wagner Family

Friends at my Dad's VFW

Thank you all for giving me a great send off while I was back home!

Stay Frosty,

JoJo