Kia Ora-

OK, perhaps it's not living on the sea, but it's a nice Royal Caribbean cruise for a week. Man, I didn't realize how stressful it was just to pack for that long. If it were Orlando or Titusville or St. Augustine it would be easier because if clothes got dirty we'd just drive down to the laundomat and do laundry. On a ship it's a little different, and I don't want to over or under pack. Actually, I don't know what to expect. I bought a suit bag and a huge rolling dufflebag, but I may go back and get a smaller one. I have 50 CDs, 60-AA batteries, 4 books, and a million shirts. I've packed and repacked probably 300 times and there still are 4 days left so plan for more packing. V bought me a couple of floral Polo-type shirts to fit with the vacation groove. All in all it should be fun. Cayman Islands, Belieze, and Cozumel. I'm wearing my combat boots out of the country. Sweet.

It's going to be kind of weird. Not because we're going out of the country, but because this will be the longest period of time we'll have been away from our family (meaning the Hynes', Mr. Eric, et al.).

That's about the all-consuming news at the moment. Work, bowling, and everything else--all the same.

More to come.

God bless our troops, our allies, and the Iraqi people.

Keep the faith.

-N.