that's a wrap...

in three days time i will find myself in a different country starting some vacation time and preparing to head home. my three plus months in iraq are officially over and there will be no more trips to projects, just packing an maybe one more iraqi meal.

i have enjoyed my time here in baghdad (as much as one can) and think that i have learned a lot. i have learned what we can do better and how we could reach more people. i have learned patience through testing! i have learned to keep my head down.

this has been an experience that i will carry with me for the rest of my life. i have made friends that will remain here and keep working and friends whom have already headed home. i can say that i was part of this effort, however history will describe it.

so that is about it. i will spend the next two days saying goodbye and packing by backpack for a trip to london. so long iraq; good luck and God speed.

winding down

with just 8 days or so left in my tour here in iraq i am starting to wind things down and prepare for my trip home. it will be interesting to see how i adjust to what used to be normal life and i can't wait.

but as i process my journey i am thinking about all of the great people i have shared my experience with. today one in particular stands out and i wish him all the best.

i won't say much in order to keep some privacy but this friend has done an amazing job of keeping his family safe while working to secure his country. this man is an inspiration to all of us that work at the embassy.