Ice Cream

It’s funny what reminds me of home. Today at the mess hall we had a mediocre dinner, but we had mint chocolate chip ice cream. As anybody who knows me, knows that this is my favorite ice cream. It was always a treat in my family. It was also my preferred ice cream to get during the summer months; it even won out against the vanilla and chocolate swirl on a sugar cone that is available at DQ. We’ll leave gelato out of this since it isn’t truly ice cream (which is how I can reconcile my extreme fondness for it). I had thought this summer would pass without getting ice cream. Fortunately I was wrong. While I was eating my ice cream, with coffee of course, I begin thinking about summers at home. I haven’t had many since I joined the Army. In fact only one and I got to spend it with Katie. We even celebrated my birthday with ice cream cake. I also tried to remember the last time I was in the States to celebrate a birthday with my brother and sister. I finished two servings of ice cream and three cups of coffee, and I couldn’t think of an answer to that question. This important holiday will have to be rolled into the tour de force that will be my leave in October: wedding anniversary, Katie, my little brother Steve, and my birthdays not to mention Canadian Thanksgiving. Part of me longs for the idyllic summers past when I worked at camp, or even earlier when my family used to go to the Cottage for a few days after celebrating my birthday with extended family. Unfortunately those days are past, and my ice cream is gone. What to do… Look forward to spending summers with family and friends again real soon, and to have some more ice cream. 

Care Packages and Correspondence :)

Hello Everybody. :) I know it has been some time since I updated my blog. Course, it hasn't been as long as others. hint hint This update finds me at another camp, thankfully with a more reliable net. I will not be here long, so I am taking full advantage when I can. Having said that I still only get a few minutes at a time, hence writing this in my hooch to be uploaded later. I wanted this update to thank people who have sent vittles and voiced their support.

1. Karen Chamberlain - my birthday present which arrived yesterday, thank you very kindly. I will nail it to a wall once I find one. Till then, it is currently resting beside my camo teddy bear in my foot locker.
2. Ms. Ellie - it was a welcome surprise to get what we call pogie bait in the Army: munchies and crunchies to eat when you get sick of the mess hall, when you can't possibly eat one more MRE, for bribery when trying to get out of guard duty, or as is more the case, when you are bored out of your mind. Thank you Ellie for a means of escape as well as a poignant reminder of friends at home.
3. Katie - I received my Amazon box, to much fanfare. Seems within moments everyone wanted to watch Rome Season 1, course with the snide remarks they kept making about Stargate, all they will get is Feivel Goes West. :) Thank you sweetheart.
4. Nana - I received the box shortly before I had to move. The box has finally caught up with me. Thank you very much for the vittles. They will be gone in short order.
5. Mom and Dad Maxwell - thank you for the continued correspondence, it means so much to get letters from home. As Katie is fond to remind me in her emails, the day to my leave is fast approaching. I look forward to being home and spending time with you.

One common request in all my gifts from home is what can people send. Doritos, cliff bars, pop tarts, twizzlers, and anything that needs hot water i.e. Raymen noodles, cup o noodles. To the dear heart who sent me instant alfredo pasta, thank you very much. This particular food groups' salt content rivals the Dead Sea, but I don't care, its good. Truth be told, I am grateful for anything you send. If I don't eat it, I know plenty of guys who will. Not everyone receives packages like I do. I definitely share the love; as long as they don't touch my poptarts or Doritos. :)

Thanks again to everybody. I hope you are well. Take care.

Care Packages and Correspondence :)

Hello Everybody. :) I know it has been some time since I updated my blog. Course, it hasn't been as long as others. hint hint This update finds me at another camp, thankfully with a more reliable net. I will not be here long, so I am taking full advantage when I can. Having said that I still only get a few minutes at a time, hence writing this in my hooch to be uploaded later. I wanted this update to thank people who have sent vittles and voiced their support.

1. Karen Chamberlain - my birthday present which arrived yesterday, thank you very kindly. I will nail it to a wall once I find one. Till then, it is currently resting beside my camo teddy bear in my foot locker.
2. Ms. Ellie - it was a welcome surprise to get what we call pogie bait in the Army: munchies and crunchies to eat when you get sick of the mess hall, when you can't possibly eat one more MRE, for bribery when trying to get out of guard duty, or as is more the case, when you are bored out of your mind. Thank you Ellie for a means of escape as well as a poignant reminder of friends at home.
3. Katie - I received my Amazon box, to much fanfare. Seems within moments everyone wanted to watch Rome Season 1, course with the snide remarks they kept making about Stargate, all they will get is Feivel Goes West. :) Thank you sweetheart.
4. Nana - I received the box shortly before I had to move. The box has finally caught up with me. Thank you very much for the vittles. They will be gone in short order.
5. Mom and Dad Maxwell - thank you for the continued correspondence, it means so much to get letters from home. As Katie is fond to remind me in her emails, the day to my leave is fast approaching. I look forward to being home and spending time with you.

One common request in all my gifts from home is what can people send. Doritos, cliff bars, pop tarts, twizzlers, and anything that needs hot water i.e. Raymen noodles, cup o noodles. To the dear heart who sent me instant alfredo pasta, thank you very much. This particular food groups' salt content rivals the Dead Sea, but I don't care, its good. Truth be told, I am grateful for anything you send. If I don't eat it, I know plenty of guys who will. Not everyone receives packages like I do. I definitely share the love; as long as they don't touch my poptarts or Doritos. :)

Thanks again to everybody. I hope you are well. Take care.