aadler | Noel, Noel

So. Christmas in Iraq.

Helicopters go by overhead, front end lights on as they prepare for landing on the helipad next to the building where I work. The temperature has ranged from the low sixties to the low fifties, so that I feel a little cool when I go out without a jacket, and sweat just a bit when I wear one. My wife sent me a load of presents, which I dutifully waited until today to open. Almost all were discount books. She knows me well, and she also understands the way things work in-theater: she sent me stuff that I could give away or leave in the base library when our tour here ends, rather than having to find a way to cram it into my baggage or pay to ship have it shipped back. I went to Christmas Mass, the first Mass I’ve attended since leaving Fort Dix. And we were given the entire day off, which — trust me — is NOT the way it normally goes.

This is my second Christmas in Iraq. In 2003, I was attached to a team in Samarra for the three weeks that contained Christmas, and was miserable for all of it; the only time I was ever warm was when I crawled into my sleeping bag at night, wearing everything except my boots. The weather has been a lot nicer this time around, and I’ve had it a lot easier as far as duty goes.

Tomorrow, probably, I’ll find out the specific dates for my mid-tour leave. (I’ll have more details later about how I plan to spend that leave.) Very soon, my daughter will be moving from California to Idaho, to be closer to her not-quite-yet-fiancé. And I’m a little more than 500 words into a new fic that I hope to finish before the end of the year. I’ll have to push to reach that goal, but it can be done. Whether or not I’ll do it … we’ll see.

It’s Christmas in Iraq, and it’s not bad at all. I hope it’s going well for everyone else.