I am ALIVE!!!

Everyone, I am still alive - actually I am doing great! It has been a long time since I posted anything here. Thanks to my husband there were some pics and stories posted to keep everyone somewhat up to date.

I got too many pics here but believe me it is not nearly enough from how many has been taken.

I have skipped my sisters' visit to Hawaii altogether, evidently. But, they enjoyed beautiful Hawaii for a week before coming to Alabama to attend my graduation.

At the dining out with Christopher Cahill and his fiance (well, by now they are married :=)

My husband commissioning me.

My three sisters got to pin my gold bars!

"Uncle" Eddie got to salute me.

Here is the family: my sisters, hubby, uncle Eddie and Aunt Coleen, Sister Bernie and brother-n-law Ronnie.

I like the blues, I have to say. :-) No offense to my army husband.

Thankful that my sisters made it from Mongolia.

Flight 1-13 - newly commissioned officers in the US Air Force.

After the commissioning we went to Columbus to stay with family for a day - went to Japanese restaurant for celebration.

Then, for more travel: first to Savannah and then to Atlanta.

I guess I am getting packed!

Fort Pilaski in Savannah.

Getting to Atlantic Ocean via Tybee Island.

Water isn't as beautfil as it is in Hawaii and of course, not as warm. But, Oyuna and Nomin got to see both oceans.

We are goofing around and Nomin is not to be found closeby.

Oh, here she is - I guess, she is keeping her toes warm.

My loving hubby - keeping me warm as always.

Nice dinner after long drive and a walking tours are always welcome!

We are still having fun! After this hug, I couldn't feel my face for a while.

Sweet!

Outside the Savannah City Hall.

There is the top of the City Hall.

We love playgrounds.

and fountains...

and monuments...

On the bridge heading to South Carolina.

Dinner at Cheesecake Factory in Atlanta.

Then to Centennial Olympic Park to work off our dinner.

Nomin and I got wet playing in the water but somehow Keith and Oyuna stayed dry... hmm.

We jumped to get on the rocks - yep!

Another day another adventure - at the World of Coca Cola.

Then to the Mall of Georgia!

We had worked up quite an appetite for some seafood.

Oyuna and Nomin enjoyed there first experience with tasting lobster and had some crab, tilapia, shrimp and much more.

It has been wonderful to have them visit - but the play is over and now time to work - we are in Utah and I am back to work - at my newly assigned base of Hill AFB.

The OTS Journey Continues

Chimge and two of her class mates waiting to do something. Not sure what is up with the hats, must be an Air Force thing.
Chimge being fitted so she can do battle with a classmate. Not sure if they realized she is Mongolian. Would not want to fight her.

Chimge is about 4 and 1/2 weeks from being the second commissioned officer in the family. She is doing very good and her spirits are very high. As I have stated previously, I am very proud of her. The Air Force just does not know how lucky there are.....

Sorry for the lack of pictures. What can I do, I can only post those that she sends. So keep her in your prayers and maybe add an extra one for pictures.

411th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy)

On 13 September 2009, the 411th Engineer Battalion, formerly the 411th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) recieved the Meritorious Unit Commedation (MUC) for service from March 27, 2004 to March 27, 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. The streamer stated, Iraq 2004-2005. I served with Bravo Company 411th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) as the Horizontal Contruction Platoon Leader. My time with the Battalion will always be remembered and held close as a great opportunity to make a difference and serve others.
I was also very lucky to see several of the Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldiers that I served with, many of who I have not seen since we returned home. It was forsure a family reunion.
I also had the honor of inviting two Iraqi Army Officer who are in Hawaii attending courses. For me, having them there made the ceremony that much nicer, because much of the work we preformed had a direct benefit to the Iraqi Government, Iraqi Army and the Iraqi People. My two friends were treated as honored guest and they were honored guest!

Col Amer (Left) and MG Luay (Right) outside the Battalion HQ.

Standing and talking with a fellow Muslem about friday prayer.

The old Battalion Colors, waiting on the ceremony, like with all Armies, hurry up and wait.

Front row seating, still waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Major Rhodes, then 1Lt Rhodes HSC XO and Cpt Kelly, then 1st Lt Kelly A. Co 1st Vertical. Meeting up for the first time in 4 years.

Major Young, then Cpt Young, the Former B Co 411th ECB(H) commander. My old Company Commander. Standing with the National Colors, the Army Colors and the Battalion Colors.

Myself and Major Young

MG Lauy, Major Rhodes wife and Col Amer.

A great group photo. Major Young, Col Wung, MG Lauy, Myself, Col Amer, Cpt Kelly and LTC Stibbard (The former Battalion XO).

It really was an honor being there seeing the streamer placed on the Battalion Colors, that streamer will be on the colors forever. That was our part of the 411th Engineer Battalion's history. We joined with the history made during World War II. Not bad being a good part of history.

Wahiawa Hills, yet another hike

Wahiawa Hills is not an easy hike, but it provides you with view of untouched green hills and fresh flowing streams running in every direction. It took us about 3.5 hours to complete and was worth every step. Especially, since I was in much better shape this time, than when I did this hike 3-4 years ago.

Going down hill, the beginning of the trail. The forest in this area is thick with huge trees.
Moss covered hill

Using my buddy ski, to show the scale of the plant. He is 6'.

Was supposed to be a water fall, but it is ok. It was humid, so their was plenty of water.

A shot of the stream, lots of water. Actually this stream is the longest in the state of Hawaii and we care required to cross it twice.

You always need to stop and appreciate the simple thing. Like the beauty of a flower.

The stream is about 800ft down, somewhere in there!

Ski using his modelling skills to show off a plant.

Me and a dead fall. Lots of big trees down all over. Wonder if they made any sound?

A beautiful view, a picture does not do it justice.

Another view, you have to see it to truly feel it.

Ski on the way down to the stream, you can make it out through the trees.

A view of the stream from above.

Me enjoying the water. Didn't swim, but made sure my shoes were wet before continuing.

The Waianae Mountains in the distance. The views are just simply amazing.

I took a lot more pictures, the last one shown was about 3/4 of the way. It was a long hike, but I did enjoy it. Ski was not as happy, he had a cold, told him if he went it would clear it up. Sorry, didn't work, but I don't like hiking alone!

OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL (OTS) continued

The three pictures of Chimge with her friends were taken on 9/9/09. As you can see, it is Chimge in her dress blues w/ three of the United States Air Forces most recently commissioned 2nd Lts.

The next two were taken over the labor day weekend. All of the OT's had a mandatory BarBQ. So they go to relax a little and let their hair down. Well the guys have no hair and the women have to keep it up. But, they did get to relax.

This is an older picture, but it shows Chimge's whole flight, all 13 members who are working toward their collective and individual goals of becoming 2nd Lts in the United States Air Force.

As of today, Chimge's class is moving forward. They have been the upper class for a few days, since the last upper class graduated and has moved on.

The new lower class arrived today, so the OTS campus is alive with screaming upper class and terrified lower class. Chimge is Scheduled to Graduate on 27 October 2009. Keep her and all her classmates in your prayers, that each will realize their dream of serving as Officers in the United States Air Force!