Light at the end of the tunnel. . .

Well folks, four more days and I will be home! I have managed to pass my classes and I will graduate from here on Friday. It has been a long, difficult and amazing time here. I have made several friends that I am sure I will be friends for many many years to come. I have suffered through copious amounts of B.S., and shared some of the most amazing experiences with one person who has made an enormous impact on my life forever.

I will return to Oregon for a few short days before shipping off again to prepare for war. To say that I am not scared would be a lie. I am sure that God will see me through this next year, and I will return home to my loved ones.

We are currently in our "Final Cut," which is where the entire class produces a 36-page newspaper. We were divided into teams of sports, news, features, editors, and photo. I was lucky enough to make it to the photo team. It is a super enjoyable assignment, and I am glad I was one of the lucky six to get picked for it.

Here is a picture taken by one of the other photogs of me running my PT test Saturday. Although I did not pass, I was able to cut 2 minutes, 6 seconds off my 2-mile run, in just three weeks. I ran the 2 miles in 17:34. Not the fastest time I have run in my career, but 56 days ago, I couldn't run even a half mile without falling out of a run. I lost 25 pounds officially, and plan on losing another 30-40 before I get back from Iraq.

This is a picture of Ajay and I during our last weekend together. I will miss her terribly, and think of her often. Never in my life have I met someone as special as she is. I am pretty sure I will see her at some point downrange in Iraq though, so it isn't all that bad.

For my friends and family back home, I will see you Saturday! God bless, and please keep reading!