Christmas In Baghdad

If you were wondering how I spent my Christmas, here is the play by play.

0:00 Midnight Mass at Community Chapel: Catholic service, which was a little hard for me to follow, but the spirit of celebration was alive. Sermon was on Jesus as the Prince of Peace, delivered in a trailer that rattled the entire time.

8:00 Awoken by call from soldier wanting to apply for a passport.

8:05 Back into bed, but now with Christmas carols playing on my iPod--the respectable traditional kind.

10:15 Rally to open presents--switch to less respectable "Superstar Christmas" CD. See festive decoration corner at right. Thanks to everyone who contributed. It was a lot of fun, and the gifts were all spot on.

Until 12:15 Play with new presents.

12:30 Meet office colleagues to brave the Dfac (dining facility) for Christmas brunch. The line was out the door, through the checkpoint, around the T-wall. The spread was just unbelievable--all kinds of holiday favorites, a large dessert table, and sweet tea. AND, they put out the real plates and silverware (vice the plastic options normally available). Unforunately, it seems that more time was spent on the decorations than the food preparation! I enjoyed my selections, although despite my pleas, I was given solider-size portions. One holiday tradition I have not had to give up! Anyhow, took the picture on left on the sly, so forgive the poor lighting. It will give you a sense of the atmosphere.

14:30 Check mailroom, which is open, and discover I have a package from my parents (2006 calendar--PHEW).

15:30 Play with new presents some more, pluck around on a guitar.

17:00 Watch White Christmas, including all special features on the DVD.

20:30 Start phone calls to family.

21:30 Listen to church service from my church online.

22:30 Surf the internet a litte, send a few emails.

23:30 Finish phone calls to family.

0:00 (26th) Turn off overhead lights, Christmas carols playing softly, lantern christmas string lights glowing red, sleep like a happy little mummy in my tin coffin!

Looking forward to an equally uneventful New Year's Day, with no trip to the office.