Well I just got the news this week that I have been hired to go to the Middle East. I will be a MWR coordinator; basically, I will be putting together events, recreation activities, sports tournaments, and assorted other things for off-duty soldiers. This will be right up my alley from all the things we've accomplished with the GEAYL and the Cinco de Mayo Festival.
So Nora is very supportive, although it took some convincing. I think what makes this whole process easier is the fact that John (Nora's brother) has been through this as well. Two years ago he signed up as a contractor to do work in Iraq. He was there a year and a half. Now he's going back. As a matter of fact, he and I are going to Houston the same day for processing; I doubt we'll leave at the same time, though.
I was apprehensive about telling my parents I got a job overseas, especially my mom. She loves her family being close. I knew my dad would be okay. But they were surprisingly receptive, albeit, cautiously enthusiastic. My mom is still hoping something else will turn up in the 2 weeks before I leave for Houston.
My brother was very surprised and concerned, but he'll be fine. E-mail, IM and blogging will make this whole situation easier. So I've started letting others know and the reactions have been "somewhat surprised" to "totally shocked". You see, I'm a big family guy and being away from my wife and kids (not to menion parents, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) will be a HUGE adjustment.
Michael is showing concern for me going. We are waiting to tell Annalisa until about a week before I leave. I want to spend as much worry-free time with her as possible. Plus she has back-to-school coming up, so hopefully, that will make some of the change easier to bear. Jon-Gabriel won't understand since he is so young. We are trying to setup up webcams on both ends so we can have face-to-face communication. I just hope that works on my end after I deploy.
"Deploy"...............That's so weird to have apply to me.
I have to let that sink in.
More to come.
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