California Trip

Last weekend, I had the privilege of celebrating my birthday in California with my Parents and some of my closest friends (who? ...keep reading). We visited a place called Big Sur...arguably the most beautiful place on our western coast! We also did some hiking near Ralph and Martha's house.
Who are Ralph and Martha? I knew some of you would be asking that question. Good thing for you, I already have an answer ready. Ralph and Martha are two very good friends who I met when I was living in California in 2002-2004 when I was at DLI. We met at Hollister Bible Church on one of my first visits there. It might have been the first actually...I'm not sure. Ralph and Martha (along with their grown kids Angela and Elias) adopted me into their family and made my time in California an experience that I will always cherish. They also made California a permanent part of my life...assuming that's where they will be:) They are two of the best examples of Christian lives that I have ever been privileged know. They have been a constant encouragement to me and I am grateful to call them my friends!

Included among the "we" of my trip out to California is another very close friend, Jaime.
Jaime is another Army friend. We met in Basic training and were stationed together in California and in Texas as well. She's one of the best Linguist that the Army has. I am proud to serve with her! We share SO MUCH in common as far as likes and dislikes too. She's one of my best friends and is a great encouragement to any endeavor I have ever taken. Thanks Jamie!

Thanks also to Janet and Gary who showed us their great hospitality! Thanks for the best birthday breakfast ever, and my first french toast birthday cake...haha

check out the pics in the "California" album:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chicado77/my_photos

You'll see:

Jaime and I on the Monterey Peninsula at sunset...great picture, Mom!
Birthday Breakfast
Me with Dad and Mom at Big Sur
The hike up to Fairfield Falls...good job, Mom!!
Ralph and Martha at Fairfield Falls
Me inside Fairfield Cave
Some really big trees...that's their technical term
"Man conquers river"
"Man conquers giant tree stump"
And and strange encounter with a fish

Leaving Maryland and DC

On October 16th, I left Maryland. I signed out of my unit and began two weeks of PCS (permanent change of station) leave. My Best freind, Todd, came out from Illinois to help me with the move. Thanks, Todd!!! You're the best!! I left behind two of my closest friends when I left MD, Dustin and Tonia Rose. ( I miss you guys!!) Dustin and I have been friends since we met in California in 2002, (and Tonia since they married in 2003). We were stationed together
there at DLI for a year and a half, in texas for about a day and a half (haha), and in Maryland for another year and a half. Besides being a great soldier and NCO, Dustin can be credited with turning me into a football fan!! Go Cowboys! (as long as they aren't playing the Bears) Tonia is one of the hardest working people I know and is a blast to hang out with. Good luck with the classes and the job! You guys gotta move to Germany!!
Most of you don't know my Army friends, so I wanted to introduce you to two of the best!!!!

Check out the pics:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chicado77/

Click on the "Washington" album and you'll see:

Dustin and Tonia with me
Todd and I
The Lincoln Memorial (my favorite)
The WWII Memorial (my other favorite) with my favorite quote there
The Jefferson Memorial
Marine One - the President's Helocopter
The Capitol building
The Washington Memorial
The Courtyard outside of the Haulocost Musuem ( a must-see museum if you visit DC)
The White House

Watch out Germany, here I come

On tuesday, I leave the United States to serve our great nation for three years in Germany. I will be living in Darmstadt, Germany. It's about 30 minutes south of Frankfurt, in the Hesse region. I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with all of you during my time there. I hope that this blog will make it easier for you to feel a part of my life while I'm away. I welcome whatever feedback you might have to the things I post as well.
I'm going to miss everyone a lot since the visits home will be fewer and farther between. However, I'm blessed to have this opportunity to experience Europe in a way that I probably otherwise would not have had. You all know that I LOVE to travel, so this is a great chance to see lots of new places!
Lastly, thanks for everyone's love and support over these past four years that I've been wearing our great country's uniform and serving in the tradition of the millions who have gone before me in the Defense of Liberty. America is, as President Lincoln said, the world's "last, best hope." If America does not take the lead in this worldwide struggle against extreme islamic totalitarianism, no other nation on earth will. The ultimate outcome of this struggle will not be determined by the strength of our military, but by the will of the people of our Great Union of States. Stay Strong, Stay Focused, Freedom will once again win the fight and spread her wings to fly into new lands. Those of you at home have as great a role to play in this fight as those of us in uniform (whether at home or abroad). Vote! Vote! Vote! After all, isn't that the reason for which so many in uniform have died in generations gone by? Love you all!