This is the same guy who did ‘Daily Life of a NinjaHinja’ and he’s our first nomination for the 2011 SchutzHappens ‘Hug Against Hate’ Award.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Day 995: Daily Life of NinjaHinja
Well folks! My R&R hasn’t quite started, but I’m busy getting packed and organized… so yet again, while I am away I’ve left some fun (and funny) videos for your guys to enjoy.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day 994: Second ‘Rest and Recuperation’ Trip (R&R)
Well… I am mere DAYS away from my second R&R trip and I am SOOOOO stoked! This JohnPaul has earned some Grayson/Gilliam hugs and Serena kisses!
And the timing of this trip could not have come at a better time because I’m really starting to feel the distance. The other night I sat down to edit our monthly SchutzHappens family video and I was just dumbfounded. The gravity of my time away hit me like a ton of bricks. Both Grayson and Gilliam have grown up SO MUCH! Grayson is such the little man… and Gilliam is very much a toddler… I’ve just missed so much. Too much. 35 weeks is a VERY long time in the life of a dad.
It’s time to go home.
Now, don’t go feeling sorry for me… it’s not like I did those 35 weeks without a break. They were broken up by my first R&R. In reality, when I first arrived I did a 20 week stretch right out of the gate, which got me to Christmas for my first 3 week R&R. Now, my second 15 week stretch in Pakistan is quickly coming to a close, leading directly into my second 3 week R&R. And get this… when I get back… I’ll only have 10 weeks left in my tour.
I have to tell you… this descending 20-15-10 week schedule happened completely by accident. When I arrived I had planned to take my R&Rs ever 15 weeks, which would have put my first R&R around Thanksgiving. HOWEVER, too many people were already planning to take their R&Rs around Thanksgiving and due to coverage needs in the office we couldn’t let everyone go. So, I quickly conceded my place in the Thanksgiving R&R block for the opportunity to take Christmas… essentially adding 5 weeks to the first stretch of my tour… and it was TOTALLY worth it!
Listen, 20 weeks is a LONG time. However, knocking out that much time up front was great and honestly, this second stretch of 15 weeks was way harder than the first 20. But that’s normal… from what people say the middle stretch is always the hardest. Which makes sense if you think about it; the first stretch is easiest because it’s all fresh… so it’s easier to knock out a lot of time, while the last stretch is also easy because it’s your last. The middle stretch is like a speed bump.
Anyway, even though this second stretch has been difficult, morale-wise, I can still feel and appreciate how this stretch is shorter than my last… and honestly… I can’t imagine only having 10 weeks left when I get back. It’s either going to fly by or drag like a five year-old anticipating Christmas morning. We shall see.
In any case, I am super excited!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
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