Christmas in Iraq

            It is Christmas Day, not the first I have experienced without friends and family to share it with and not my last. However, hopefully that will only be once more. I certainly have a greater respect and appreciation for those who have done this before. Even more for those that don't work in the offices I am surrounded by. I find myself not dealing with this Christmas away quiet as well as I have in the previous years. Indeed, I was very wrong about those years being in Germany, when I said being away is away regardless of the exact conditions. Coming from a desk jockey I didn't think it would be that much different than it would be when I finally got my chance to be deployed.

            So I finally got my chance, here I am. Already I know it is grossly different from any garrison or field exercise I have ever done. Perhaps the most noticeable surprise which I was not aware of until I got here is the sense of prolonged conditions. Most times I have spent in the field hasn't been more than a month or so, in the back of our heads regardless of how busy we were we could mentally countdown roughly or at least reassure ourselves that we wouldn't be here long. I have made every mental attempt to drown out the thoughts of counting down. I don't think I have been so unsuccessful at flushing this thought out of my head. I knew how long I would be here but it didn't really click till I saw what the next 15 months would entail.

            In the past, whenever a major holiday has approached it was not too difficult to ignore it. The work schedule slowed down, we had tons of down time and I'd drown myself into a video game, book, or the gym. One of those is always my constant source of occupation. The ability to drown out the approaching festivities was more a survival technique that I have grown accustomed to. I wasn't doing great, but I was getting by. As I attempted to apply such a mindset this last week it didn't hold very well. Be it the decorations that coated office doors, the Christmas songs played in the DFAC (Cafeteria), or the Santa hats people wore around work the reminders were too apparent to ignore this time.

            The abnormal thing about the season of joy, celebration and family that the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas has come to be in our society, I find myself being the Grinch. I was discussing with someone today why say "Merry Christmas" today? It is not merry. There is nothing about our activities today that could be provided as to make this day "merry". It would be more appropriate to greet people just claiming it is Christmas. Somewhere in the middle this idea is a desire to be true to ourselves instead of masquerading like everything is joyful like it ought to be or just saying something out of reflex without meaning. This is the same way that we greet one another with “What is up?” both mutually not expecting an answer or an interest in an answer.

            While I sincerely want to believe that I believe the meaning and celebration of Christmas is to celebrate Christ's birth. I know that it can actually be charted that Christ was actually born closer to Easter, the Catholic Church chose this date to have something to celebrate to compete against the pagan celebrations of Harvest, and the commercialization of Christmas is sickening enough to wonder if this is what Jeremiah mentioned. I find it difficult to get the full joy of Christmas without those I love. Certainly working this day like any other work day except for the occasional Christmas hat added to the disheartening feeling I have had today. The sanctity of such a precious day is being ignored and disregarded that it is difficult to meditate on the significance of our Lord coming into this world.

            It really hit me tonight at dinner. We have been very well fed the past several weeks with care packages from family members and random people wishing us holiday cheer, the care packages have been more encouraging I expected them to be. The daily feasts we've had available at the DFAC have not been hindered by our snacking throughout the day. It is still the holiday season so I give myself more than enough slack to indulge in the labors of our supporters. I had my dinner before me, it was barely what I would call a meal it was so small in portion and I couldn't take more than a couple bites from it tonight. As I write this I am kind of wishing I had because the vacant space in my belly is speaking to me. I was almost brought to tears just listening to the music being played tonight. It was a collection of choir preformed Christmas songs; they were actually focused on Christ than a jolly fat man on the side of a Coke can. Be it the recognition or even the melody of such familiar tunes that were sung at my home church the night before, it was almost unbearable. I haven't had a sense of crying like that since my first Sunday at Basic Training. That time I bawled almost the entire time, but here before I would allow a tear to form I left.

            While this doesn't seem like a good start mentally for what will be a long time here I want to be optimistic about the time spent here. As I returned to my quarters the last thing I said to someone asking how my day has been all I could do was shrug and say, "One down one to go". I know I will be spending next Christmas here, I hope I have a better attitude about it. I am thankful that today I got my box of books that were in storage for some time and I finally was able to recover them. Perhaps the company they offer will help. I don't want this to be something that the goal is to endure it. I want to see the potential to all I have to learn from the time spent here. After all, this will be the longest time I have ever spent in a single place that the Army has sent me. I should follow suit of my previous places and make the best of it.

Have a blessed Christmas, I know by the time you read this it will have passed but that is okay.

Welcome to Fort Hood

Written 11 Sept 07

It has now been one week since I stepped foot on Ft. Hood. I do like it here. I am working on the in-processing stuff still and expect to for the next week or so. I must say it is almost a 180 coming from Germany. I was overjoyed to get the news that I was not getting reassigned to a different unit than my orders had set for me. The replacement detachment is known for doing that to people. Actually, this is only day two of actually knowing my section and whatnot. I didn't get out of the replacement unit until Friday afternoon and didn't get to my company until late afternoon. Not knowing where or who exactly I was to be assigned is not the best feeling in the world. Not coming fresh out of training I make every effort to not come across as an FNG (google search for definition, if you must).

I spent most of Saturday walking around getting the feel for the East side of post, my division's side. When people say everything in Texas is bigger, it is true. It is at least a mile to anywhere I need to be and 2 miles to get to the specialty PX or the chapels I attend. I am still looking into the Bible studies where I can get plugged into for the short time I am here. I got a good room, the best type on post from what I have been told. I miss my old room, as sad of a post Storck Barracks were, the rooms were great. Technically there is about the same amount of space; however, there are no storage areas and more walls that take up valuable space.

I am getting plugged into the chapels around here. Granted it is a 2 mile walk to the chapel but I think it is a good thing that there are enough people here to better service the styles of worship practiced. I am currently going to the Evangelical service and the Contemporary service. The Evangelical is a small gathering, I think largely because it is on the 1st Cav side of base and they are mostly deployed. The preaching so far is biblically based with an exegetical style of preaching. The Contemporary service is much larger and well contemporary. The songs are what you'd hear on Christian radio; there was a guest speaker this week so I am not sure how to gauge what the preaching is like. The Evangelical service was more welcoming.

I had an initial scare when I found out that despite my orders, the replacement detachment might have assigned me to “needs of the Army”. An affection term that is full of uncertainty and ripe with potential to get the short end of the deal. So far my new unit is great. I like my company, I am getting to know people. I like my section. I have a lot to learn to figure out what we do and how to do it. It certainly is not a section which I have been in before. It is a small section and I am welcomed with open arms. This is where it gets fuzzy though.

I am not where I want to be. There are several places where my job goes to work at this level unit and I happen to go to the smallest section. The work looks appealing and intriguing but it is not exactly in the path of my trained job. In Germany both my assignments and respective unit levels were primarily administrative type of work. I want to go to a different section to do all the real analysis, which there are several other teams and subsections. I've made it known to my section, I am more than happy to give it a shot but when we leave I really want to get into the thick of it. That won't happen in my current position, I hope we can get a newbie that could take my place and I could go do what I want to do. It is bittersweet, there are so many places I could've ended up but I managed to get to the exact division, battalion, and company I wanted. Transferring within the company to a different platoon is not too difficult, it is just manpower issues.

The other side of it, being that I am in a small section the social aspects of it seems dismal. I like to work with larger groups or have more interaction with people, because work is where you get to know most people. It is small enough and consists of people that it isn't proper to socialize with. I have really been pondering what God has me to consider in this position. Every unit I have had so far my section has consisted of some colorful individuals, in a sense I was very aware of the spiritual warfare constantly. I think in many ways I fed on it, sensing the differing views I was prepared to go to war everyday. This section seems so safe, it is refreshing. I can't help but wonder where or how I am going to get those discussions and get to know people wherever they are in life.

I'm not trying to come across that I feed on conflict or persecution, or maybe I am. I have my goals of material to read while I am deployed, I have that sense in a non-spiritually conflicting atmosphere is this where I learn the disciplines to study on my own or be faithful without the constant battles? I know many people I have encountered that upon hearing what I believe and seeing how I live I think they have thought twice about what a Christian looks like. I can only hope. I am having a hard time seeing how I will be used in this position. That might be just it though, something about letting God lead me is I don't know where he'll take me.

Epilogue: I remained in this position for the first month of my deployment. We didn’t get a new soldier but another soldier was “tasked out” to a different duty making a vacancy for me to do some more meaningful work. It was exciting and amazing, but I still can’t tell you about it for… 18 more years at least.

To Drink or Not To Drink?

As I was reading a very interesting book that will have its own blogs of thoughts and reflections it just struck me that I should write this. Whatever it turns into here's your warning this is completely spontaneous. I am on the eve of finishing my clearing process and thus leaving a place that has been my domicile (I still refuse to call it home) for the last 13 months in a country I have called my residence for 2 years. I suppose this warrants some amount of reflection. It might even help the fact me accept the fact that I actually am leaving.

The first thought that comes to mind started around June or July of 2005. When I first saw there was the strong chance I was going to be stationed in Germany I immediately thought about what I could do to make a meaningful, apparent and bold statement of faith through my lifestyle while residing in a foreign country. At that time I was still trying to learn how to move past the spiritual separation I experienced upon leaving home while finding a livable medium in which I was not a “holy rolling judgmental Christian” but was not one of the crowd either. The idea and reality that it was normal for young adults to go out on a weekend basis if not more often and completely give themselves up to such worldly living was still a bit of a lifestyle shock to me. I never attended a gathering prior to the military where my peers were drinking and… yea. All of it.

As I reflect upon those months in Arizona and saw what people did with the freedom they had, even as limited as it was; I know my response had be something drastic. Germany is famous for their beer. I was still unsure how to respond to the offers of alcohol. While at Arizona, I was under 21 and had the weak reason by social standards but an easy one as to why I did not drink. I wanted to follow the law. I knew going to Germany where the legal age if you want to call it that was 18, and I was 21 upon arrival, the excuse that got me through several months would not hold up in the regular Army. Talking to reclassing soldiers (those getting a new job & training) the stories of Germany were not very encouraging to me and my desire to remain faithful throughout the duration of my service.

It was during those months that I had made a commitment to God that I will not willingly or knowingly consume an alcoholic beverage while on my overseas tour. I wouldn't call it a covenant because it was something I wanted to lay before God as a sacrifice; I was not expecting anything in return. I can think of two close calls which I might have compromised myself and my commitment, one was eating cake that had rum in it that I found out upon chewing it that there was a small presence of rum not cooked out of the cake. The other was when I popped my first whole German chocolate candy in my mouth; it was filled with something that I didn't like that was alcoholic. Following that experience I learned how to read the ingredients on the back of chocolates. It is rather difficult to find non-alcoholic assorted chocolates. I must say with brutal honesty that this was not easy to complete. This was reflected upon in What did I get myself into?

The first year was by far the most difficult. It probably didn't help that I spent the majority of my free time playing WoW in the barracks hallway on the weekends which I would see the habits of the second floor population. Actually, I kind of prided myself at times that at certain points I simply by smelling the drink I could tell people what they had put in it. My unit put serious effort trying to get me to drink. On one humorous point, the easiest way to get lots of free alcohol is to tell people you don't drink. There were also days that had taken their toll on my spirit. Between work or personal stress, I am certain if it was not for my commitment to abstain I would have drank myself to the clear point of sin. In that respect I think I can somewhat empathize with people that do drink to escape the problems of the day. I think there has been a several occasions that it was through people's curiosity about my decision that I was able to share Christ with them. It was astonishing to me how many found such a simple action as to abstain was seen a drastic move. Throughout this challenge, I must also keep my pride in check. It was not by my power that this commitment was fulfilled.

Like many of my decisions of abstinence, after several months of practicing a grander idea came to mind about what could be gained from such experience. Hopefully, I can speak as one who has experience about alcohol and peer pressure. Living in a country which beer is more normal than water, at an appropriate age, and appropriate places, I have had every justification to partake. Except that I wanted to lay before God a part of my life that I had not used until I committed it to them (remember the Trinity). There is a part of me that hopes these years of experience will encourage a high school student or college student how to address the prevalence of alcohol in today's culture and how it meshes or conflicts with our relationship with Christ. I don't pretend to have a mask that it doesn't bother me that many of my peers drink alcohol, I know there are plenty of scriptural examples that show it is not the act of drinking that is sin in anyway. After all, Jesus' first public miracle was making good wine. I know this is a question that every person must answer for him or herself. For me, for this period of time, it was a choice not to drink.

This is where it starts to get curious. On one hand I am experiencing a sense of accomplishment and joy because through God's strength I remained true to my commitment. I am preparing to return to the states, now a full fledged legal adult at 23, I am in a similar situation to ponder, upon the completion of this commitment do I want to try an alcoholic beverage? In complete honesty this question has come to mind several times and I have not made any solidly committed decision, which I think I will before I get on the airplane this week. While I am very curious what some drinks taste like, I don't think that curiosity is enough to possibly tempt myself or become vulnerable alcohol or the possible abuse of it an extremely active issue in the military. I don't know why I am delaying a committed decision so much; it is not like I spent months in agony or meditation for the first commitment. For the sake of continuing to submit myself to God's will, to make myself open and always alert to what I might be shown, I here and now extend my commitment to the duration of my enlistment.

Epilogue: I had my first drink with a friend from Germany back at home. God brought us together that our friendship could continue. I was the designated driver for him from time to time in Germany and in one of our conversations I agreed to have a drink with him if it was reasonable. Even in my civilian years there have been numerous occasions which I have abstained from alcohol. Whenever I work at Hume, no drinking is included in the contract. When I was in student leadership at William Jessup, no drinking. When I deployed to Afghanistan as a civilian, no drinking. When I was an undergraduate at Biola, no drinking. Through these experiences, especially not being able to drink as a 28 year old undergraduate I was able to recognize the heart of submission to authorities I have voluntarily accepted. Integrity ought to be worth more than a light buzz.

Prove It

I was surfing some of the most popular blogs just to see what grabs everyone’s attention and usually on the top 100 or so there are some insightful religion and philosophy blogs. I do this from time to time, I suppose to see what other people are thinking, and there is also a part of me that wonders how people get on the top read blog list. While scrolling down the lists, I read some irrational concepts people have to justify double standards and poor relationships before I got to the interesting reads.

I find it interesting that there is a decently strong presence of atheistic themed blogs. Within their own context they seem to range between a rant about Christians or a challenge to beliefs that many Christians believe like Creationism or the sort. It takes a bit more scrolling down the list before I can find a well written blog of a living Christian. I wonder if we can gauge the popularity of such blogs as a growth in atheism/anti-Christian attitude. I find reading the same arguments and accusations against Christianity or Christians disheartening. There appears to be a constant supply of proclaiming Christians who do not live as we ought. At the same time, in the blogosphere, the ability to identify the Fruit as evidence of faith is rather impossible. It is particularly challenging knowing that there are many nominal Christians who are not differentiated from practicing Christians.

After reading most of the arguments against the existence of God I am anxious to read the other works that are counter/anti-religion. I know the God Delusion has been a big one for quite some time, I think it is on my future read list. Reading what the reasons against God are in a full essay format I find it that much easier to see the misconceptions and assumptions. In the point- counterpoint book I am reading I had to take a step back to look at the "Does God Exist?" debate. I know I have commented on debates in mass print or broadcasted before on the same topic but during the course of this one there was a new epiphany. I don't know why it has taken me so long to see this reason, after all scripture explains this same fact. In the public context of "Does God exist?" it is apparent Christians are at the very best paddling the canoe up a waterfall. It is not because we have weak arguments, lack evidence, or have poor rationale that it seems reasonable to reject our beliefs.

"Does God exist?" is too general of a question. It is perfect for the atheist because they can attack Thor as much as God. The presence of hundreds of different deities throughout the world allows a plethora of examples to reject. At the same time, the Christian must explain the characteristics of the Judeo-Christian God in order to separate him from Allah, or Siddhartha. The separation that Christians must make and emphasize to show the difference of God versus the other gods puts a greater burden of proof that is so much so it can easily distract from the goal of the discussion.

Once the Christian has stated the characteristics of God the atheist can really go to town. So far I have found the rejection of God is not because of a lack of evidence for the God of Christianity but for the God of Christianity that the atheists want him to be. For instance, the atheist claims there are no good evidence for the existence of God. However, when the evidence is often presented the atheist rejects such evidence because it is not how they want their God (who doesn’t exist…) to do it.

For example, using the Problem of Evil to disprove God, the atheist claims there is too much pain and suffering at some level. Sometime it is a personal experience, sometimes it is the philosophical citizen of the world. When the Christian might try to explain that pain exists due to the presence of sin or free will, the atheist can respond that if God really was God then he could do it better or differently. This happens with every good argument for the existence of God. The Christian presents it, the atheist rejects it because they want it done a different way. Essentially it is a debate in which the atheist requires us to prove to them that their God exists. They have been rejecting the God who does not exist. It gets even better, often times, the atheist will put the burden of proof on Christians when the points from which they demand proof are contrary to orthodoxy. One example is something along the lines of withholding pain and suffering but still have a way in which the lessons from such pain and suffering can still be known, in the same way it was made known by experience.

The short sightedness of the atheistic arguments is a decent challenge to the Christians in this debate. Through reading this debate book I recognize the focus we must have ought to be on eternity, this cannot be forgotten. While the Christian view carries on for all eternity, so that the pain, suffering, evil (all justified with moral law) will be answered and solved, when the end of the road is the human lifespan such resolution cannot be fulfilled. Suppose someone rejects God because a bridge fell on someone they loved, or because they were repelled by the pain people were suffering from Hurricane Katrina. However, for those of us that know there is an eternal scale we view death, pain, and suffering with a different looking glass. Atheists want paradise/heaven on Earth while simultaneously rejecting the only being who has the potential to make it happen. They don't conceive that there is an afterlife or there is a greater purpose/meaning for life other than personal pleasure. It is not that our faith is irrational; it is that they don't like our rational.

The last point I noticed so far was that in order for many of the atheists to believe that God exists they must be able to fully comprehend and understand what God is doing and how he works. Essentially they want to be God and since that can be god in their own mind they don't want to admit it. The root of atheism as Ravi Zacharias writes is that people don't want to have to submit to anyone/thing, they reject the idea of faith and submission, not the evidence for the God that we believe. I reflect these thoughts with a heavy heart, on one side of me "ask, seek, and knock" comes to mind in which they must be willing to believe if they are going to be able to understand. I also look at the reasons Christ said he used parables. He will hide the truth from those not willing to accept it and will grant understanding to those who will. This seems so contrary to the way I would do it, to me it would make sense if all could see and understand, however, this might just be why I have to have faith. When there are those instances of "God, why do you do it that way?" I cannot get caught up on the why's and lose sight of what matters. Constantly reading apologetics that provide the intellectual response for Christianity there is a danger that I forsake God as the one who knows it all and become a modern Pharisee.

Youth Ministry & High School Relationships

As most of you know I plan and hope that my plans fall in line with God's that I will return to Youth Ministry as an official role in the near future (little less than 2 years). Unlike my typical writings that I'll spend a week mulling over to develop the thoughts this one just struck me. Under these circumstances I don't think I am the proper one to be given credit on these thoughts. Could I be that presumptuous?

I think as we approach the idea of being leaders we ought to have an idea of our goal. It sounds simple enough doesn't it? Those goals could be anything from getting the attendance to grow, have students go into ministry after they leave, they could be anything at any magnitude. I could even go so far as to say not having a vision or goal could also be the vision/goal, even as undeveloped and irresponsible it might be. I consider the interaction I have had with students since being in Germany, my many peers who are as old or younger than some of the students I lead in Bible studies back home, I might have the unique perspective of what happens to students when they leave home. I know I wrote something about this in Growing Out Of Faith, and what I have seen happen when they leave. I wouldn't quite say I am revisiting the same topic, instead adding more to it.

Considering what focus I would most want to encourage students the best churchese answer is “Jesus”. Of course I want people to know Christ on the personal level, which is true Christianity. Clarifying the scope which I hope to encourage is where the flurry comes to play. Do I want to focus on service, relationships, drugs, alcohol, sex, and all the usual issues of today's society? Do I want to encourage mass evangelism, discipleship, theology and apologetics? There are so many aspects that can be addressed that are very important that it is clear one person cannot teach all the areas at once. Hopefully that is what other leaders are there for so we can encourage the more specific needs as they are needed.

What came to mind this morning that ties much into the under-developed potential I see in many of today's teenagers was the distraction of dating. Oh no I said it! This is gonna be another dating rant. Nope, or at least I don't think it will be. I think it is fair to say on the eve of my 23rd year I have successfully completed the teenage years and have had decent time to reflect upon those years. Most of you know I have never dated, it was odd back in high school and it is at times rather frustrating in my current state but that is for another time. I suppose this also ties into developing leaders for the next generation. After all, a good leader in my thoughts not only leads well, but trains those he leads to be leaders also.

On to the rant part of the blog. I see many students focused on earthly relationships, which are immature. Not to say they lack the potential to be mature, but in order for maturity to be manifest in a relationship it must first exist in character and faith. The immaturity manifests itself most clearly when they talk about love. When I hear a our 16 year olds talking about love and their deep understanding it takes some restraint to just nod as though I agree with their emotions at that particular moment. When I am snarky I respond that they are in some ""L" state of mind but it isn't love. I know they have a shallow understanding of what love really is... then again this is not limited to teenagers. I know many peers who still think love is a feeling. People get so tied up getting their significant other for their various reasons and in the process of developing their character especially during the teenage years I think many allow their boyfriend/girlfriend to take the place in the heart that God would otherwise fill. In turn God gets some heart scraps if that much and he is more like a lucky charm than Lord. This only happens to really manifest itself when they come to God in their later life if at all.

I find that is a bit out of order how we should be learning about life. If the spiritual is so important why do so few people treat give it preeminence? From my own trials, tribulations, and blessings I have learned of a faith that overflows into my thoughts concerning every aspect of life. I think it is far better to get the right understanding the first time instead of having to return to previous ideas and let Christ rewrite them.

Connecting the dots between my thoughts on teenage lust and youth ministry. I want to focus my message to the more mature students. Please wait on romantic relationships. I think this is especially appropriate considering that I believe the purpose of dating is to find your husband/wife. I don't know many teenagers who initiate relationships with the opposite sex with marriage in mind. More often it is for fun or because that is what youth today believe is appropriate when you like someone of the opposite sex. In my mind playing with emotions and hearts for such trivial causes is rather dangerous and careless.

I find the most benefit from promoting such a lifestyle would be for the guys. Instead of being worried about the social drama that plagues high school they can spend their time developing their leadership skills. I know not every man is a natural leader, but I do believe that as our God given role we are all to be some kind of leader. My leadership skills I think started to develop rather late in my ministry experience. The other main benefit, I think the Christian men would be better prepared to know how to treat women with respect as Christian sisters instead of a possible girlfriend. The aspect of dating, relationships and all that jazz is just a huge distraction instead of capitalizing on numerous opportunities to develop social skills and seek what God has in mind for your life. Not being preoccupied with someone in some relationship that will likely not manifest into marriage.

I suppose the greatest con to my idea is "how will people know how to date/interact if they don't get practice". Being one that still has not dating experience my argument seems to lose validity to many people. I don't approach people like a sport or activity that practice makes perfect. Knowing how to treat people comes from the beliefs and values I hold. Sometimes those are altered according to how I get to know the person, but there is a certain level of respect to be given to every person regardless of how I feel about them. Furthermore, I only need to find one person to marry. If I practice dating like I believe its purpose is then why is trial and error so necessary? I also believe that every person is different. What lessons you may learn from a relationship will either be about yourself or that specific person. Knowing yourself is one of the primary perquisites I think are necessary before starting a relationship.

I cannot discount that I have know a number of married friends who met and started dating as teenagers. This is especially common in the military community. It is one of those "the way things are", there are many a young soldier in training who will marry their sweetheart or break-up. That is the only way people can take their girlfriends with them to where the military sends them. I don't intend these thoughts to be set in stone rules of “how to's”, as there are always exceptional people with exceptional circumstances. Thoughts and lessons to be taught to the masses are developed for the many in a general form of application, not for each and every person to follow exactly.

London Photo Blog

    I think you have all noticed that I recently went to London this last Memorial Day weekend. It was great, well for the most part. I noticed whenever I get back from a trip I have kind of a giddy feeling about other cultures. I get a sense of experience that cannot be taught or read about, it is a great feeling. I try to encourage others to travel as much as possible but alas it is not as easy as one would hope or think, well to travel properly in my opinion (pre-arranged room, travel, food ect.)
    I'll start with the bad stuff that happened first before I get on another tirade about how great it was. When I visited Jonathan last 4th of July I flew Ryan Air without much of an issue. It was more miscommunication that was solved in a few hours rather painlessly. I wish it were so this time. On the return back we all took the train to get to the airport. Well, as the powers beyond us would have it the train was delayed for 3 hours causing us to miss our flight. Once we got to the airport and reported the issue with the hundreds of other people in similar situation our solutions we less than appealing. In order to get on the waiting list for the next available flight back to Germany they had a 50 pound service charge (that is roughly 100 USD) per ticket. Out of options we had to do that, luckily we got on the flight and all was well. Adding 100USD to the tail end of a trip is not the best note to end an awesome vacation though. I will never fly Ryan Air again, by choice.
    Rewind back to the beginning of the weekend now. Myles and Kelly picked me on the "sheim" (my affectionate nickname for my post). Fast forward from all the driving and details like that we got to England without incident. Once we got our lodgings settled we hit the city. Between the underground and walking we got around just fine. The adjustment to the pound was a difficult one. First being reminded how much our own currency sucks, and second the fact that everything costs at least 2x as much because of the difference. Everything seem to be appropriately priced if there were no currency difference it would all be the same cost as stateside, oh how that would've been a great IF... The only way I could justify the costs was a cross between convincing myself it was like a dollar to them and I am on vacation.
So getting on with the photoblog part.

Famous Big Ben, yea it's big.

This looked cool, it is the Admiralty Arch

Buckingham Palace, the home of the Queen, but she wasn't home when I visited. I didn't try to go check though...

Those famous palace guards, I wonder if they actually get loaded weapons, I am pretty sure that is an SA-80 they are packing.

Double decker bus, yea, no longer in official London service but there is tour buses EVERYWHERE.

Enough said, the ribs were yummy, it was cool to see all the memorabilia. I think it was mostly Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton.

It is a London Bobbie at the airport, I was really hoping to get a picture of her co-worker that is not pictured cause he had a nice looking rifle but he asked not to be pictured.

I would've taken a picture of the actual bridge but it is nothing special just a standard concrete bridge...

A piece of the real Roman Wall, it is a fascinating piece of history to trace back to the roots of the nation/culture.

St Paul's Cathedral ummm it is famous and cool looking.

Yea the Tower Bridge, I wish we went inside those.

Another one of London's main sites Trafalgar Square

Henry VIII armor, it was cool and shiny. Really hard to get a well lighted angle so the picture would come out. The groin protection thingy is rather interesting, I wonder what was the purpose of that...
 

This is huge, it is Wellington Arch it was one of those monuments that one takes a breath of awe for.

WWI Memorial, Honor the Fallen

I guess some really famous royals got married & coronated here.

 

This is known as the White Tower, the Yeoman Warder Dave was an awesome tour guide, the requirements to be one is scary, they need to be a Senior NCO with 22+ years of service and a medal only received after 18 years of no blemishes on their record.
    Well that is all the pictures I wanted to post. The vast majority of the pictures are more the kind you can look up. The lasting impression of London is a certain kind of appreciation. I find it inspiring how there are so many monuments and memorials to their past. The first day I was snapping at everything in sight, as the weekend went on it was apparent my camera didn't have sufficient memory (512mb) to capture every monument to the heroes and honored of the past.
    I see much that we can learn from such a city. I don't know if the culture truly believes or exhibits this but the structures throughout the city certainly do. Honor their past, I suppose it is easier for a country to do so with such a long and rich past, unlike ours. I haven't been touring on the East Coast to see our monuments and memorials to our past. I doubt it can or will be as inspiring as my travels from this weekend. I am stirred and left wondering what would it be like if I lived in such a place that I couldn't walk a mile and not pass 3 separate structures honoring the past?
    How do we honor our fallen? I remember reading about the WWII memorial when it was commissioned to be built. In the article it said that the average age of the sponsors reflected that is was the WWII veterans funding their own memorial. Is it just me or is there something wrong with that? One of the statues in Trafalgar Square, it was of Sir Charles James Napier has inscribed on it "erected by public subscription the most numerous contributors being private soldiers". I think it is fair to process that those were soldiers that served under him. What kind of leader was he that his own soldiers paid to have a memorial for him? Something that rings home in my world. I have had commanders on different spectrums of leadership style and method. To have one that the soldiers would initiate a memorial for, that is something to aspire for any leader.
    It was an great trip, despite the downfalls and costs. The experience gained is a small price to pay for something that reduces some electronic numbers in an account that represents cloth and digital signals we use to determine a person's wealth. Hardly what I would prescribe as being wealth.