The Penguin Played in the Snow!

Hello from Afghanistan!

In case you were wondering, I have really been wandering this past week! After I left my heart in San Francisco, I began a series of flights. Over the next several days, I stopped in New York, Virginia, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and now finally Afghanistan. I got to walk through the rain & snow in Virginia, the snow in Germany, and sort and palletize my luggage in the rain & snow in Kyrgyzstan. Fortunately, everything important stayed dry, and my luggage has already dried out!

Afghanistan will be my new abode for the next six months, and the only wandering I'll be doing is to the gym, the dfac, the hospital, and occasionally the BX. However, since I am only responsible for myself, I'll probably have plenty of time to wonder, so check back often for more musings from the mind of the Penguin.

Work is going to be awesome as there are a bunch of people here I already know from stateside, including some I haven't seen since my last deployment! And I'll have plenty of free time, as I will only be working 8-12 hours a day. Living space here is very limited, so I am going to get to know my 7 (yes, count them, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7!) roommates really well, I would imagine.

Well, that's all the news that is the news from the other side of the world, at least for the moment. Seems like Mrs. Penguin and the littles are adjusting to life without me. Not necessarily well or easily, but adjusting. Surprisingly, the one that seems to be having the hardest time without me at home is Buck! He has been so bad since I left that he is now confined to linoleum only spaces or outside 24/7. Mrs. Penguin said if/when I deploy again, I have to take him with me, because he has been atrocious!

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

     It's wandering time again! Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Penguin is on the wander. At this moment, I am gracing the Eastern Seaboard with my presence, at least for a few hours.

 It was very sad in San Francisco last night. I had to say goodbye to Mrs. and the Little Penguins. We drove down from our house and stayed in S.F. to avoid the hour and a half drive at four a.m..

While we were in San Fran, Boy Wonder tried to get hit by a car. Fortunately Mrs. Penguin's piercing shriek alerted the driver to stop short of making penguin paste out of him!

Once we got to the hotel (Millwood Inn and Suites), I was privileged to spend some time talking with all the Penguin pack. I really enjoyed reminiscing about my childhood with them. I wish I took time to do that more often, but I always seem to find an excuse not to. Last night, there was no excuse, just a chance to spend good quality time with the Little Penguins and the Mrs.

Speaking of, Mrs. Penguin seems like she will really miss me, which of course makes me feel very loved.

Stay tuned for updates from around the world as I continue to wander!

A Penguin of International Appeal

    I was sitting here minding my own business, wondering what I should post about today. I was considering whether it was to soon to post another "My Last 5," when I happened to notice a tab at the top of the page labeled, "Stats." Now I'm a geek. I freely admit it, and those of you who know me can confirm it. As a geek, stats appeal to me, so of course I clicked on the tab.
   The page slowly loaded (the internet connection here at the hotel leaves a bit to be desired at times!), and I considered what I might find. A world of wonder and amazement suddenly revealed itself to me. I was amazed to see that hits to this blog have come from Taiwan, China, Canada, and various and sundry other countries. I had expected to see Iraq and Turkey listed, as I have previously been in communication with prospective readers in those locales, and they were there. It was the others that surprised me so much. I was flabbergasted to find a total of 16 countries listed!
    The first question to cross my mind was, "how did these people find this blog?" Did they stumble across it accidentally whilst looking for hockey information for the Pittsburg Penguins? Are they saddened to find that this blog doesn't deal with those runners known as Penguins?
     What do these international peruser's of the Penguin's wanderings and wonderings think? Am I a typical egotistical American, focused so narrowly on myself and my narrow worldview that my musings are simply derided by international readers without considering there merit? Do my ponderous ponderings provide some bemused expat a reminder of home? Am I making the most of my opportunity to be "a light to the world"?
     Suddenly my words have gained more weight, psychologically, knowing that they are an international representative of me. It's heady stuff, but humbling as well.
     Whoever you are, and wherever you are, I hope you enjoy my ramblings. If not, keep coming back anyhow. It makes me feel good! Wander and wonder at will, me fellow penguins. Until next time, keep waddling!

Updated Wanderings

Greetings Fellow Penguins!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, it just seems like it. A quick update on my wanderings: I am currently in the wonderful City of Baltimore, MD getting my C-STARS training. My 6 month plus field trip begins next month. Last month I managed to hit MO, IA & AR in a whirlwind trip. We are all eagerly holding our breath to find out where we will be headed when I return, or if I will stay in Cali one more year.

As for wonderings, stay tuned in the next few days for an updated "My Last 5."

Addendum: Be sure and follow this link http://www.gerber.com/photo/gclid=CI6C74DuhKUCFRtqgwodjihiNQ#/vote
to vote for the littlest penguin, Ms. Alyeska! You can vote each and every day this month. Thank you for your support of her college tuition!

That is All,

Penguin Out

On the Wander

Well my fellow penguins, I will be out of the service area for the next week or so. The bags are all packed, the truck is loaded and the kids are in bed with visions of sugar plums  . . . wait, visions of camping dancing in their heads.
We are headed up to the Tahoe Family Encampment. This may be our first and last chance to enjoy this experience, so we are going to make the most of it. This will be our whole family's first camping experience that lasts more than a night or two.
No, it won't be a true camping experience because we will have access to electricity and showers, but it will involve real tents, cookstoves, coolers, etc. We do have to keep the food locked up so the bears don't get to it, so that seems to raise the level of campingness. This causes me to wonder, what defines camping versus a non-camping experience? Does it only count as camping if you are completely off the grid? How much can you bring with you? Does a pop-up tent trailer still qualify as camping? Help me out here, please.


P.S. I'll let you know how it goes when we get back!

Happy Anniversary!

     Mrs. Penguin and I celebrated our 12th anniversary this past Sunday! Just think, she has been putting up with my wanderings and wonderings inescapably for a full dozen years, and an additional year and a half while she had the option of escaping! Your sympathy for her is entirely deserved! In that time we have lived in 3 states, 5 towns, and 10 domiciles. We have covered countless miles, worn out at least one vehicle, been separated for days, weeks, and even months at a time by my wanderings, and yet she patiently sticks by me. Thanks, Mrs. Penguin!

     Our official celebration involved a trip to Roseville to eat out, after which we went window shopping. The meal was fantastic - I strongly encourage you to check out the Claim Jumper restaurant nearest you. The shopping was an effort to walk off some of the calorie overload we ingested. The most exciting part of the evening was when Mrs. Penguin realized she had lost her glasses. A very frantic few minutes ensued, with much dashing about in a most penguinish manner, followed by great relief when the glasses were located (Babies 'R' Us if you must know!)
     On Sunday we went out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but only because the power was off at our house and we didn't want to open the fridge or freezer and risk ruining the food inside. We shared all three of those meals with Boy Wonder and Boo, and two of those meals with friends from church.
     This anniversary was rather subdued, compared to the efforts I have made in the past, but Mrs. Penguin and I weren't really in a big celebration mood. Marriage is like that too. You have really exciting times, big ups and downs, but some of the best times are when things are just moving along smoothly. As I have matured, I have come to appreciate the smooth times as much as, if not more than, the big exciting times.
     I am certainly not implying that the magic is gone. It's just different now. A deeper, more abiding, sustaining magic. I know that the excitement is always within my grasp, and I don't have to always spend a lot of money or go to a lot of effort to be able to experience it. Unfortunately, I sometimes use this as an excuse to not make any effort, which isn't okay either. Sometimes I forget just how much I have put her through. I know I will never be able to make it up to her, but I should probably try a little harder, though. Happy Anniversary Mrs. Penguin!
     Whoever your Mrs. Penguin is, take a moment to say thanks, even if it isn't your anniversary!
    
     For more reflections on anniversaries, check out the post over at cfcworldmissions.blogspot.com.