Vacation Secrets

Howdy Ya'll

Okay, lets finally get to the vacation memories. I have waited this long in order bring them back fresh into my head once the glow of vacation had worn away. Let us begin..

The foundation of our trip was a week long stay at Secrets All Inclusive Resort in Playa del Carmen, just south of Cancun. It is a very new resort, recently opened, and as lavish as one could hope. It was a beautiful mix of traditional mission style with ancient Mayan influence, while still providing all the high tech gadgetry afforded to the modern traveler. With huge entrance halls, waterfalls, dual staircases and fine finishings, this place was a treat in itself. Our room was off in one of the wings, providing us a view to the pool and beach.

The grounds of the resort were equally as extravagant. A gigantic pool encompassed the entire inner courtyard and only ending where the beach began. The front of the resort opened to the jungle vegetation offered on the Yucatan Peninsula. Beautiful is all respects. We were in paradise for the week.

In lieu of a day by day synopsis, I will simply highlight our most memorable of experiences. First of which was our day of blissful rest and splendor on the beach. We only had to walk out onto our patio to know that this would be our first activity. The sun was warm and wonderful. The sad was cool and white. Only my wife's beauty could distract me from my beachside daydream. Heaven.

While we continued to savor our luxurious accommodations, which did pull ourselves away long enough to enjoy a couple of days worth of excursions out and about. Our first stop was the Xcaret Park. It is a theme park as only the Yucatan paradise can provide. We floated through a natural underground lazy river. We watched traditional Mayan ceremonies. We shopped. (Come on, wouldn't you shop?)

The following excursion was out to Chichen Itza, which is a grand Mayan site. While the bus ride was rather long, and the rain did not chase us under a tree for a time, we still managed to make our way up the great pyramid which this site is well known for. The history of 1700 years surrounded us, and it was amazing. I cannot fully describe the magnitude of these structures, suffice to say that you must see them to truly appreciate them. This excursion was ended with a quick trip to an amazing sink hole 180 feet deep and over 70 feet wide. Filled with water, it was an oasis within paradise. I can only imagine that this must be where the gods themselves drank. Again, see it with your own eyes. It will be worth it.

Okay, there is so much I could mention but it would only serve to fill in the gaps. I believe that you can picture the overall immense enjoyment that we had. It was a wonderful trip, and I can assure you that we will return there again. Should you ever have the chance to go there yourselves, all I ask is that you go with those you love and whom you hold dear. Paradise is not meant to be experienced alone. The smile it will bring you will be wasted if someone is not there to mirror it.

-Pooh out.

Day Of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll.

May you receive many blessings for which to give thanks. As I sit in the desert, I am reminded of those things for which I am most thankful.

• I am thankful for my family, for without whom I would not be the man I am today.
• I am thankful for my wife, whose love is a blessing each and every day.
• I am thankful for my friends, loyal and true, to whom I entrust my laughter and my tears.
• I am thankful for my faith, for it is my strength from which I draw in hard times.
• I am thankful for my home, that place in my mind where I belong, wherever I may be.
• I am thankful for the soldiers around me, whose deeds and struggles have given me the freedom to be thankful to God without fear of retribution from those who may not agree.
• I am thankful for my health, for it is something that many do not have.
• I am thankful for the happiness of others, for without that, the many blessings I have received would be of little consolation or consequence.
• I am thankful for prayer, through which I found counsel with God.

I hope this day finds you full of laughter and contentment, however great or small is your bounty. For a single blessing or many, may we give thanks.

-Pooh.

In Memory

How quickly fighting twelve did fall

Upon that autumn night.

Though felled the mighty Bonfire

Aggie Spirit did ignite.

And to the call of Aggie need

The twelfth man ready stood,

To offer strength of hand and heart

And help as best we could.

Tears we shed for fallen friends

Aggie family hand in hand

A tragedy compels our cries,

And quiets Aggieland.

So fallen, mighty Bonfire

Touching hearts worldwide,

Of Aggies spread across the globe,

And filled with Aggie Pride

HAIL TO THE MIGHTY BONFIRE

Though it stands no more

Lives were lost to raise the stacks

For them will burn once more.

Now we stand on sacred ground

Forever spirit dwells.

May our hearts never forget

The fallen Aggie Twelve.

- Pooh Bear

Class of 2000

Last Things First

Howdy All,

Okay, so it took me absolutely forever to get back into country following my R&R. The good news is that while the whole Fallujah mess was in the works, I was safely stuck in Dubai and Kuwait, but work waits for no man, so now I am playing catch up.

I arrived in Dubai on the 8th following a wonderful R&R, and I proceeded to check in with HR, and that is when I was informed of the airport closure in Baghdad. Now, to be fair, if you're going to be stuck in the Middle East on a layover, Dubai is the way to go. It's a tourist city, if you can believe that, and there is stuff to see. That being said, I didn't actually get to see any of the aforementioned sites, but it was nice to know that they were there.

Now, to add to the trouble of waiting to return to work, Ramadan was coming to a close but still in full swing, so I spent much of the time in the hotel room so that I would not inadvertently offend any Muslims with my infidel cooties. I know what your thinking, "Who cares about Ramadan?" but when you're stuck in the Middle East, it's better to roll with the tide and not cause any ripples.

Anyway, after a week, and a trip into Kuwait, we were finally shuffled back up here where I have settled back into my little hooch and am in the midst of getting back into work mode. Yes, I am safe, so don't worry.

Now that I have gotten that bit of ire out of the way, you can look forward to much more positive blogs as I describe my vacation to Cancun in the coming days. It was fun, to say the least and there is much to tell. Until then, take care of yourselves and stay out of trouble.

Oh, and don't forget to look for my riveting commentary on the elections as I perceived them.

-Pooh out.

I'm Back!

Howdy All,

There's so much to tell, and plenty to follow....What's one more day? Right?!

-Pooh out.