Wave hello. Wave goodbye. Or, just wave.
Life is an ocean.
Cresting high, and then crashing,
I am but a wave.
Well, I can safely say it’s been quite a while since I’ve last updated. I’d like to say a lot has happened, but unfortunately it’s the same day, everyday. I’m like Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day, only not nearly as charismatic and funny.
But, I suppose a lot has been happening. I’ve been reading a lot, including a book of Japanese haiku written by some of the most legendary and famous poets from Japan. So, staying in line with that, I wrote the haiku above. Apparently it is custom in Japan to write a poem before death. Some do this long before their death, some do it only moments before they die. I’d want that to be my death poem. It sounds morbid, but the Japanese culture views death in a much different way than we do, and it’s not something frightful or taboo. I just think it is extraordinary the differences in our views and cultures.
I’ve also been studying the Japanese language pretty avidly. I’ve learned a lot in the past few weeks, which really surprises me. It can be difficult at times, but I feel like I’m grasping it pretty quickly. Japanese is a beautiful language, and I think it would benefit me to learn at least one other language during my lifetime. In any case, it’s a good way to engage my mind and stay sharp while I’m out here. Maybe one day I’ll be able to travel back to Japan and put what I’ve learned to good use. Maybe I’ll study abroad? That would be an exciting experience! It’s a much more desirable place to be than on a floating steel island.
Speaking of which, we are now playing an important part in the war. No longer are we floating from port visit to port visit. Instead, we have been relieving our foes from their burdens of living by airlifting benevolent gifts of highly-explosive ordinance onto their bunkers and caves. While we’re able to support our troops on the ground, the feeling of a war gone on much too long begins to snake its way into your thoughts. But, we’re here, I’m here, to carry out and support the mission, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Although I have a lot to keep me busy from day to day, it can still be tough out here. Not being able to communicate with those you love and care about, being isloated and seing the same things over and over and over again isn’t the most exciting way to live. But, I’ve got amazing family and friends back home who have been taking good care of me from afar and keeping my spirits up. Truly, I must be blessed to have people such as them to watch out for me. Thinking about the celebration and merriment to be had when I return is enough to keep my morale high.
More than half of the deployment is over. I’ll be home in 80 days.
On second hand…that seems much farther away than I thought just a moment ago. Ha!
.//chris