Answers to Questions (from Aunt RM)

Aunt RM,

I'm glad you enjoyed what I had to share. Yeah, I'm sorry about the jargon, but as I had mentioned it was a letter originally written to report back to my home unit back in Virginia. Honestly, I thought it was a good idea to share with everyone (give a sneak peak) how we share words on-the-job. Even after watering it down some, I realize that it that it sill was a little to specialized. None-the-less, I'm glad I have been able to share it with all of you. :0)

Let's see, to answer your questions. I am able to take pictures of somethings, but rather cautiously; other things not quite so. It all depends on who or what is involved. If the contents of a picture can pose a potential security risk to our personnel and our operations, then I wouldn't even dare take a picture. Don't get me wrong, I am taking pictures of various things and I'm looking forward to sharing them in the future.

The climate and elevation here in Afghanistan is very similar to that of Denver, Colorado. The high elevation here has taken a toll on me - that couple with a very fine dust in the air that mimics a very bad pollution day in LA - and so I find myself struggling to breath at times (though, two and a half weeks in country, I'm finding myself acclimating).

The food is palatable, and even good at times. We are on a US compound, that has contracted out to a company from back in the States that provides all our meals. We have four meal services each day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and mid-night chow. There's always a variety of food to eat. Traditional military chow hall style, you'll always have a choice of two food style lines: main and fast. Main line always provides main-course entrees; fast (I'm sure you've guessed), always has a selection of fast-foods. Main entrees range from lasagne, fish, pork chops, to grilled steaks on Sundays (sides always included). Fast foods range from burgers, chicken tenders, to mini pizzas. Yesterday, we even had tamales - surprisingly, they were delicious (not chile, though). Also, there's always a salad bar, fruits, desserts, and an abundance of drinks.

As for consuming thoughts, hmm? I don't like not being able to perform greater than 'par', therefore I find that I'm always digging into things. I find that I spend a good deal of time considering my overall comprehension of the job and my overall role in our mission. Aside from that, when I'm not sleeping, I spend whatever free moments in daily devotion, reading books on spiritual maturation, and even studying for next years promotion tests.

Well, I hope you enjoy these few lines. Answering your questions has motivated me to start using my blog site again! As I get questions and even journal my activities here, I will make posts for the whole family to enjoy. Aunt RM, thank you for your support and thank you for the prayers - they mean a lot to me!

God bless!
Michael.