Happy New Year

2008 arrived on a cold and clear night in Kabul. The weather has been so unusually clear that even local residents are commenting on the lack of snow. The residents of Camp Gibson stayed up and entertained themselves at various small parties. There were card games played in one area while some music and karaoke was enjoyed(?) in another building. I rewarded myself for making it through the year by turning off the alarm and sleeping in a few extra minutes. It was glorious.

This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I thought back to the events of the year. For me this has been a year of meeting new people and making new friends. It was a year of professional growth in an arena new to me. It was a year when some dear friends and family members lost their lives and moved on to their rewards. It has also been a year of travel: countless trips to and through Dubai, a city that always surprises you; meeting friends in Vienna and London; meeting family in Spain and UAE; seeing old friends and family in the US; and some quiet, personal time for me in Fujairah.

One of the proudest moments of the year was when three new Afghan friends of mine, people that have witnessed hardship and strife like most Americans can not imagine and certainly not lived through, were granted permission to start new lives in the US. They will each have challenging times ahead as they adapt to a new culture and way of life. I have every confidence that they will be successful in their goals for themselves and their families.

For 2008 I look forward to completing some of my own goals in SW Asia before returning home and starting the next chapter in my life with my own family. Happy New Year to you all--be well.