Kuwait is almost behind...

So, my sincere apologies for not getting a post up in the last two weeks. Internet access has been kinda sketchy.And no, unfortunately, I have no new writing for you to read either. To tell the truth, we haven't been doing much. a lot of sleeping and watching movies while we attempt to acclimate to the new environment. It's been consistently in the 120-130 range. Before you freak out, it's also very dry, so your body is better able to cool itself, provided you hydrate well. So all in all, not a terrible thing.

A few admin notes- if you post a comment, especially if you ask questions, subscribe via e-mail, so you know when I reply, because I'll use the comment thread. Next, since everyone else in my unit has put out their address to the public, here's mine.

Kappelman, Joshua M
103d ESC
APO AE 09391

It's an American Post Office, so standard postage should get regular letters to me.

If you're sending a care package, the Tazo Chai Tea concentrate is something that moved up very high on my list. They don't have it here. Period. All the locals drink Chai, but I can't get it. I'm sitting ina freaking STARBUCKS and I can't get a cup of CHAI. Grrr.

Also, photographs. Of you, of the Thunderstorms, of the sunset... you don't understand... there is no definition to the sky here.

You walk out of the chow hall after dinner, putting on your sunglasses not because it's bright, but because you never know when the wind will decide to gust and pick up some god-forsaken grit to put in your eyes. As you turn to start the daily trudge back to your tent, such a gust does kick up, and you instinctively clamp your mouth shut to keep sand and dust from getting into your gum. The other day, your buddy had to get a tooth fixed up after he bit down on a piece of grit just right. You feel the windburn start to set in as it just keeps blowing. The sensation takes you back to when you sat too close to the campfire as a kid and the whole night you felt like your face was stretched really tight. Then you have to inhale, just a little bit. 'Oh, great' you think. somewhere upwind they're cleaning out the port-o-johns. As you continue your journey, you turn your gaze skyward, recalling a poem you read in highschool, probably written by some dead guy, but it kinda fits. 'this is the way the world ends... not with a bang, but a whisper.' Well, the way the day ends, at least... You watch as the sun slowly fades into the perpetual haze that rides the horizon, reminding you just how much crap is getting into your lungs with every breath. Welcome home.

Okay, so maybe it's a little dramatic, but hey. Pretty accurate.

Now, I thought I'd list some things I miss.
First, is of course, people. This time difference is really rude. Being able to hear yourself think is another one. Or the ability to go somewhere by yourself and just be alone. A real chair to sit on, not just a cot, or those worn-out chairs at Starbucks that have seen hundreds of thousands of butts since they arrived. (And some of those butts were pretty heavy, they'd tell you) Being able to flush the toilet. Or not burn your tuschis off when you have take a number 2. Not having to wear this ridiculous reflector belt at night. Cooking for yourself, or at least choosing what you're going to have for dinner. A decent cigar in the woods with a friend. Oh, trees. yeah. The color green. Gatorade powder in flavors other than lemon-lime. Texting. Real yogurt. Hugs. The gorram soybean plant on the east side. Driving. My cat. (and the dogs, too. But don't tell Amber) Some rutting privacy! Not having to change your drawers in a tent with 40+ guys. Somewhere to put your stuff beyond just your duffel bag. My Chiropractor.

I'm sure there's much more, but you get the picture.

So tomorrow, we fly to Balad. Pretty excited, not going to lie. Life will be more hectic, but expect more updates as I get into a routine.

Sierra five-two out.

We are the Blessed Resistance

I want to take some time to write a little about one of my favorite bands, Why I like them, What they mean to me, and How they've impacted me as a person.

DemonHunter is an Alternative/Melodic Metal band on the Solid State record label. They've been around for a few years now, and have produced 5 albums. They've undergone some lineup changes during this period, most notably when Don Clark, Lead Guitarist, Founding member, and brother of Ryan Clark, the Lead singer and also a founding member, stepped down to pursue other interests.Nevertheless, DH drove on with not even a hiccup, releasing their 5th album soon after the announcement.

I enjoy Demon Hunter's music because it has an energy and feel that can't be found in any other band I've ever listened to. And I've tried to find a match. nothing comes close to being the same. I enjoy their songs because they have this visceral connection with what it means to be human, what it means to be a Christian in a fallen world, to fight daily with a sin nature, and to band together with your brothers to fight that hidden war. A war that the world doesn't see or understand, because they're on the outside looking in. And in most cases, our war requires us to fight against our fellow human, because they choose to give into what we have sworn to fight against.

DemonHunter as a group, is very important to me, because they've been a large part of the encouragement that gets me back up off the ground after I fail, after I lose a battle. And the encouragement to keep giving my all when I just want to up and quit.

The stories i've heard of how DemonHunter has touched people's lives... You would not believe. Even if you're no fan of metal, I suggest checking out "45 Days," which is a documentary of the band on tour, and includes some acoustic music made for the film, and an acoustic track and a piano track.

Hop the Pond!

That's right, we're getting ready to go across the Atlantic to Kuwait.

But first, a couple housekeeping remarks.

The comment form is open to everyone. So comment. PLEASE.
Sorry about the color, I'm still trying to work out some things with the site design.
I have an address for Iraq, email me if you want it or my home address. beroya.is@gmail.com is my current e-mail.

Okay, so... I should be in Kuwait by Sunday evening or Monday morning. Not sure how much internet access I'll have there, so you may not hear much from me until we hit Balad somewhere around the first of July. I'm still writing, so i expect to have another story or two to post by that time as well.

Well, this week has been interesting, to say the least. It's been an emotional rollercoaster, seeing a lot of people only to say goodbye right away. And I'm the type of person who doesn't really deal with emotions until the last moment, I don't know why, I just can't process it until it's actually happening. So today has been really difficult, realizing that beyond people like Travis, Tim, Brandon, Josh, Jason, My family, Jess, Rachel, Rachael, Kristin, and Andrea, I'm going to miss the State Fair, TSO, the Ren Faire, Christmas, My birthday, Everyone else's birthday, etc, etc, etc. I mean, I knew it, i knew it a long time ago, but It's just now becoming a reality in my head. Homesick seems like a step down from how I've felt today. I mean, hell, I won't even get to experience the cat waking me up in the middle of the night because she wants to look out the window. It's the little things that get me.

If you guys do want to send me stuff, photographs are good, nick-knacks... such as buttons or magnets, stuff to remind me of home. letters, newspaper clippings, comics, Sunday funnies, a devotional that stuck out to you, uhm... 5 gum, jerky(deer if you can get it) and i'm looking for something called coconut water. if i can think of anything else, I'll be sure to post it.

Well, I'll try to catch you guys up on my adventures in Kuwait here in a couple weeks!