Busy night
College football is one of my favorite things about the Fall. Being in Iraq, though, I’m not really able to follow it all that well. In addition, my internet has not been working much lately. However, tonight, I was able to get online a little and follow the Wisconsin victory over Purdue, taking us to 7-1. After seeing the score, it was time for bed. As I was sleeping, games like Michigan-Iowa would be starting.
As I often do on College Football weekends, I woke up in the middle of the night, around 3am, and thought “I’ll see if I can get online and just check the scores really quick.” So I did…and I saw that Iowa had lost to Michigan. Bonus!
I then decided to check my email, and saw that my wife had emailed me pictures, which was even more bonus! As I sat there, about to compose a quick reply before going back to sleep, I heard a boom.
I need to pause here, and explain the process of getting used to explosions. The first few weeks, as you experience rockets or mortars, you get more and more jumpy- at least, I did. I think that’s a common reaction. You hear a loud noise, you kind of get startled more than you normally would. However, after a while, you start to get acclimated, and you don’t jump at every loud sound or vibration. That’s my state of mind now.
So back to the sound…it sounded like an explosion, but I thought- Hmm… might be people moving a conex, nothing other than that. It didn’t sound very close regardless, so I went back to the email. Then I heard the second one, and that was MUCH louder and closer…and I thought "oh crap, that was definitely an explosion." So I jumped out of my chair, went to the foot of my bed, and half-heartedly crouched and waited. At that point, the sirens went off, and more explosions came in, closer and closer. One after another the explosions were louder. We were getting a serious barrage. So… I crawled under the bed, and began to earnestly pray. It was the longest sustained barrage we have had since I got here.
After a moment, there was a lull, so I got up, and picked up my body armor and helmet, and as I put them on, it began again, and I hit the floor. I didn’t fit under the bed anymore, but I had my armor on. After this second barrage, it finally stopped.
So, all in all, here is how my evening stacks up:
Wisconsin wins= very good
Iowa loses= bonus to my college football experience
Email from my wife= the best of it all
Incoming rockets= not good
Overall, though, still a pretty good night. Time for bed.
As I often do on College Football weekends, I woke up in the middle of the night, around 3am, and thought “I’ll see if I can get online and just check the scores really quick.” So I did…and I saw that Iowa had lost to Michigan. Bonus!
I then decided to check my email, and saw that my wife had emailed me pictures, which was even more bonus! As I sat there, about to compose a quick reply before going back to sleep, I heard a boom.
I need to pause here, and explain the process of getting used to explosions. The first few weeks, as you experience rockets or mortars, you get more and more jumpy- at least, I did. I think that’s a common reaction. You hear a loud noise, you kind of get startled more than you normally would. However, after a while, you start to get acclimated, and you don’t jump at every loud sound or vibration. That’s my state of mind now.
So back to the sound…it sounded like an explosion, but I thought- Hmm… might be people moving a conex, nothing other than that. It didn’t sound very close regardless, so I went back to the email. Then I heard the second one, and that was MUCH louder and closer…and I thought "oh crap, that was definitely an explosion." So I jumped out of my chair, went to the foot of my bed, and half-heartedly crouched and waited. At that point, the sirens went off, and more explosions came in, closer and closer. One after another the explosions were louder. We were getting a serious barrage. So… I crawled under the bed, and began to earnestly pray. It was the longest sustained barrage we have had since I got here.
After a moment, there was a lull, so I got up, and picked up my body armor and helmet, and as I put them on, it began again, and I hit the floor. I didn’t fit under the bed anymore, but I had my armor on. After this second barrage, it finally stopped.
So, all in all, here is how my evening stacks up:
Wisconsin wins= very good
Iowa loses= bonus to my college football experience
Email from my wife= the best of it all
Incoming rockets= not good
Overall, though, still a pretty good night. Time for bed.
posted by Christian | 2:28 PM
3 Comments:
Ok, it's hard for me to imagine "getting used" to explosions and rocket fire.......but it gets me thinking. Bad stuff happens, more evryday. We (Americans) are surrounded by sin, and desparity (is that spelled right?) and more and more of this junk becomes common all the time. Murder, addictions, violence, "alternative" lifestyles, are all becoming common in society. People, including Christians are becoming "numb" to it all.
I don't want to become indifferent to society and what is acceptable. I long for days where this garbage was considered garbage. I am just as accomodating as the next guy, and find myself worrying more each day what direction our race is headed. But on the same account, as a Christian, I find it harder and harder to "numb" myself to the "norm" society is becoming...
Chris, while it is hard to imagine you replying to email and checking ESPN.com while bombs are falling around you, it is a reality. We as Christians can still maintain our focus regardless of what is going on in the world around us, whether it be Rockets shot at us, drunks and addicts adding to the growing social problems, or the University of Wisconsin attacking Waukee for "illegal use of the Flying W" on their apparel. We all need to remain focused, and dedicated so that evil and sin do not prevail.
Keep your head down brother, and don't get too used to that environment, we want you back in one piece!!!
Larry
not sure if my last went, so here it is again....
Ok, it's hard for me to imagine "getting used" to explosions and rocket fire.......but it gets me thinking. Bad stuff happens, more evryday. We (Americans) are surrounded by sin, and desparity (is that spelled right?) and more and more of this junk becomes common all the time. Murder, addictions, violence, "alternative" lifestyles, are all becoming common in society. People, including Christians are becoming "numb" to it all.
I don't want to become indifferent to society and what is acceptable. I long for days where this garbage was considered garbage. I am just as accomodating as the next guy, and find myself worrying more each day what direction our race is headed. But on the same account, as a Christian, I find it harder and harder to "numb" myself to the "norm" society is becoming...
Chris, while it is hard to imagine you replying to email and checking ESPN.com while bombs are falling around you, it is a reality. We as Christians can still maintain our focus regardless of what is going on in the world around us, whether it be Rockets shot at us, drunks and addicts adding to the growing social problems, or the University of Wisconsin attacking Waukee for "illegal use of the Flying W" on their apparel. We all need to remain focused, and dedicated so that evil and sin do not prevail.
Keep your head down brother, and don't get too used to that environment, we want you back in one piece!!!
Larry
Chris:
Well, your Badgers are doing great compared to Minnesota. I actually found myself rooting for the North Dakota State Bisons on Saturday. Your Vikings won a key game in beating Seattle yesterday.
In your posting, you mention the incoming mortars. Isn't there a shelter or some area that you can go to when you hear the incoming mortars. Everyone here thinks of you and I know you're in the prayers of many friends. Take care of yourself.
Love, Dad
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