On my way to Italy, Greece, Turkey and Israel!

I am at the airport in Baghdad getting ready to head to Italy where I will go on a cruise that I have wanted to take my whole life: Greece! It just so happens that I also get to stop in Turkey and Israel. I'll get to go to Jerusalem where Christ gave all so that we could return to live with our father in heaven. I am so grateful for the many opportunities that he gives me and really look forward to this trip! Talk to you in Italy! : D

Getting ready fro my next regional rest break

Time flies by too quickly sometimes and sometimes takes FOREVER!  Lol.  These times have been particularly evident my time during in Baghdad.  When I am gone on my R&Rs or my regional rest breaks (RRB) my time flies by WAY too quickly and then I'm back in Baghdad.  Then when I'm back in Baghdad, time seems to DRAG!  Lol.  But that's ok.  Luckily, I have enough R&Rs and RRBs that it helps break up my time pretty quickly.  That being said, I am getting ready to go on my next RRB.  And this time, I am going to a place that I've ALWAYS wanted to go...I'm cruising the Greek Islands! :D  That is something that I have wanted to do since I can remember.  I'm going to also get to Jerusalem too, so I am crossing off two of the places I've always wanted to go.  Can't wait to show everyone the pictures!  Until then!

Christmas 2011 trip home

I was fortunate enough to get to travel home again this Christmas.  I was home for 18 days and it sure wasn't long enough!  But I had a great time while I was home and did a lot of different things and saw a lot of family and friends.

We had a baby shower for Ruth.  Her baby is due in March and we can't wait to welcome Adaline Helene Kellersberger into our family!

 Only one sister wasn't able to attend.  We sure missed Vonda, but were glad that most of the sisters were able to make it to such a special day.

I got to catch up with my oldest friend.  I've known Lari Dawn since I was about four (maybe earlier but that's my first memory of her).  Its nice that no matter how long it's been since you've seen a dear friend, that you can still talk like no time has gone by!

New Year's Eve in Baghdad

This year I ended up spending New Year's Eve in Baghdad, Iraq. Luckily I've made some great friends here and we had a pre-party before going over to Baghdaddy's. I didn't take a photo, so a friend sent this one to me. In it with me is Burim (who is on the RSO soccer team), Diana and Nancy.

R&R

After 3 and a half-months of being in Baghdad, I finally got to come home for my 2nd R&R.  I got into Chicago and missed my connection (due to the airline being two and a half hours late out of Amman, Jordan) so I had to stay overnight in Chicago because there were no more flights to AZ that night.  I stayed in Arizona for a couple of days and then went up to Oregon to visit Vonda and her family.

 And I happened to be there on Vonda's birthday.  Us sisters have got into a tradition of taking each other to lunch on our birthdays (or having a tea party).  So I took Vonda out to lunch!  We had nachos (they were really good) and it was nice to spend the day with her on her birthday.

RSO Soccer

So I know I've not been so good about keeping my blog up-to-date.  Its been busy and we are limited in our picture taking, for valid reasons.  However, since working here I've become good friends with some of the Diplomatic Security agents (who man the Regional Security Office [RSO]).  And a couple of them play soccer.  So...since I make friends with people from other embassies I've arranged some soccer matches between the two.  I have permission to take limited photos, so when the Dutch players were here I took photos.  This photo was taken by Arie, who is one of the FSN-I (Foreign Service National Investigator), who is from the Netherlands (Dutch).

It's official!

On Friday I received an official offer for my next post.  I'm going to Wellington, New Zealand!!!! WOW, can I just say, Wow!  I'm SO excited!  I've NEVER been to this part of the world and for the next 3 years, I get to explore New Zealand and Australia.  Plus go to perhaps Thailand and other locations.  I didn't think that I'd get this posting.  There were quite a few other bidders on it, but the fact that I volunteered for Iraq, plus a good "corridor reputation" meant that I was the lucky one chosen!  I am supposed to report to post in August 2012, which means that I will probably be in Iraq until the middle of July.  But that's ok!  Knowing where I'm going next is a relief.  There won't be any training, just home leave before departing for post.  Everything happens for a reason, and I'm looking forward to my next adventures in the South Pacific! :D