Hey all! And Hi to my followers.  The big day is around the corner (April 10) I am busy packing and trying to tie up loose ends before I leave.  Nichole (my wife) is doing very well, I am constantly surprised at how well she is dealing with being separated for a year; she will have to buy a house and move without my help, she is probably better off without my help! 

I have been through the gauntlet of family dinners and goodbyes, and frankly I am ready to go and get it over with.  I am aware that things are cooling down in Iraq now and I hope this affords me the chance to experience the culture on more friendly terms.  I plan on taking a lot of pictures of the region in hopes of framing a positive picture of the country.  

Well I have to get back to things, I am new at the blogging thing so my posts will be longer in the future as my experiences increase.  Thanks for reading!