Today my family went to one of the oldest cemeteries in our city. There's a section called Soldier's Hill that is the resting place for veterans as far back as the War of 1812. It was humbling to be there today.

As we were driving towards the gates, my mother's eagle eye spotted a lone marker at the edge of the cemetery. Out of the thousands of gravestones in that cemetery, I was honored to have found this one...

Chip Chan went to my high school. I barely knew him, but like everyone else I heard the news that he had been working for Cantor Fitzgerald in the WTC and was lost on September 11. I was so touched that we found his beautiful gravestone today.

We'll grill out tonight like everyone else does, but I'm glad we spent our Memorial Day the way it really should be spent.

Tomorrow morning we pile into the car and make our way across half of the country. By the time we finally get there, our brand new car will already have 3000 miles on it. But we're ready for the adventure...

Posted by: Sarah at 07:21 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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We saw X-Men today. Some of the dialogue was cheesy, but you know I'm a sucker for anything Marvel. Now I just can't wait for Superman...

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Tonight I went to see my old track coach. I graduated from high school ten years ago yesterday, so I wondered what it would be like to be hanging out with him at 28 instead of at 18. But he's still the same wonderful man I remember.

Actually, many at my high school would debate the "wonderful" part. He was rough, the Bobby Knight of high school girls track. He yelled, turned red, and kicked girls off the team. But he was fair too: if you gave track your all, he'd support you to the end. He ran our team a lot like the military, with a strict hierarchy, rigid uniform requirements, and a lot of yelling. That man put so much energy into track that he collapsed at last year's state meet. He's retired now and is just back helping for fun. He's a lot more relaxed now, but I wouldn't have traded what his previous intensity taught me. He taught me dedication and commitment to your team and to your goals. He taught me a lasting respect for my elders. And he taught me to push when I thought I didn't have anything left. And I love him for it.

While I was out on the field talking to my coach, my husband ran into my cousin; she had run track for another high school a few years behind me. She asked what on earth he was doing at a track meet, and he said that I was back visiting my old coach. My cousin was flabbergasted: "That man is a psycho!" Yes, he is, but he's my psycho.

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OK, so here's the deal. We got to my parents' house on Tuesday, only to find that their internet provider can't read mu.nu blogs. My mom has been telling me for months that she can't access my site, and I've been rolling my eyes and thinking that she just doesn't know how to use a computer. But it's actually true! I contacted Pixy Misa and he said that for whatever reason, Insight Broadband can't read anything mu.nu. So I can't post anything or read any of my comments. Needless to say, it's been frustrating. And I'm at my parents' for another ten days...

But right now we're in Des Moines visiting an old friend from college. He was my husband's friend first and mine by default, but he's a really great guy. He's Indian, and it's been interesting hearing the way the pending immigration bill affects his life. He's in the last stages of getting his green card, and if anyone deserves it, it's this guy. Last night my husband threw out some random joke about John Snow, and our buddy not only knew he was the Secretary of Treasury, but also knew who the previous one was! It's wonderful to watch my husband meet his match in global awareness. I wish these two could spend more time together.

Nothing else as exciting as cockfighting to report. I've been spending my time buying yarn and cookbooks. Both stashes have doubled since we arrived. Now I'm starting to panic because we have to fit everything in the car and we've wasted so much space buying warm clothes! Luckily the weather has turned in the Midwest (knock on wood) and we can at least venture into short sleeves.

Forgive me if I can't blog for a while. It's not that I'm holding back! Maybe if something good comes up I can have Erin post it for me again. I think I'll try to call Insight's tech support and see if I can get to the bottom of this mess.

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Right before we left Germany, we ate at a new Chinese restaurant near post. The food was really good, but two entrees and drinks was $30. We just got to Kirksville and ate at our favorite all-you-can-eat buffet for ten bucks. Man, I love this country.

Our college looks pretty much the same. The students all look like they did before, except they're all talking on cell phones. Husband and I never owned a cell until we got married! But everyone here is gabbing up a storm while they walk through campus.

It's good to hear that the local ROTC program is going strong. We got to say hi to our favorite Major. And now we're off to see our old Iranian neighbors. It'll be interesting to hear what they think of old crazy pants.

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Last night we went to a very exciting KC Royals baseball game. They have a fabulous military deal: free admission for the soldier and three family members. We had great seats and a heck of a game.

We've been back to Walmart too.

My mother-in-law also told a good story. My husband and I were out yesterday and she ran out to the drugstore. She was chatting in line when she suddenly remembered that she hadn't put Charlie in his crate. She said out loud, "Oh no, I left Charlie in the backyard! He's only one, but he should be OK since I haven't been gone very long." The store manager almost called the cops until she realized that Charlie was a puppy and not a kid!

Tomorrow we're traveling to Kirksville for the day to visit our alma mater. It'll be interesting to see how it's changed.

And I'm dying to buy a cell phone. This ringtone thing is out of control. I've already got my sights on the Dallas theme song...

Posted by: Sarah at 03:33 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 Isn't being home just great! The first thing we did before we even had a house was buy 2 cell phones! I don't even know why I have one. I never use it. I guess I just feel cool since everyone else has one.

Posted by: Angie at May 10, 2006 04:37 AM (ec43W)

2 LOL!! I love the story about Charlie!

Posted by: Erin at May 10, 2006 07:52 AM (OEHKU)

3 We did the same thing after one week on the ground. We were walking in the mall in Dallas and wandered into Sprint and walked out with two phones. I use mine, but D rarely uses his. Soon his won't be used at all until 2007. Why are we drawn to cell phones? BTW, I went old school with the ringtone, Planet Rock. Makes me wanna break dance everytime it rings!

Posted by: Vonn at May 10, 2006 05:01 PM (aiiwQ)

4 If you take I-70 out there, overshoot your exit a little bit and run by Kingdom City. There is a truck stop restaurant out there called Gasper's that is really good, or used to be.

Posted by: Pericles at May 10, 2006 11:50 PM (eKf5G)

5 I'm laughing at Angie's comment...I think owning a cell phone is a pre-requisite for "being cool" in the US. Sometimes I wonder how I survived for almost 3 years in Germany without one...then again, I don't remember missing it that much!

Posted by: Nicole at May 11, 2006 05:17 PM (ot21y)

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We made it!

Our flight was long, but it was impossible to feel bummed when we knew we were on a one-way ticket! Even when our little headrest TV screens didn't work, nothing could get us down. I managed to knit most of a sock on the way back. At one point I thought the stewardess was going to reprimand me, and I was all set to pull out the FAA regs and then narc on the lady crocheting behind me, but then I realized all the stewardess had said was "Is that a sock or a glove?"

Within 24 hours of being on the ground, we bought a car. My husband had been doing months of research, and we knew exactly what we wanted. As long as it was close to what we imagined it would be, we knew we'd be happy. A test drive later, my husband was ready to talk business. And now we're the proud owners of a Mazda5.

I've adjusted my sleeping schedule fairly well, but my husband is still waking up at an ungodly hour. Light switches seem weird and I keep forgetting how to dial the phone. Charlie is having the time of his life chasing squirrels and birds in my in-laws' backyard. He barely missed us.

I'll try to write more soon. However, my in-laws only have dial-up, so I don't imagine I'll be online much for a while. And having more than eight TV channels is still too overwhelming for me at this point.

Life is good.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:28 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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1 Welcome home, Sarah. To you and your husband. We appreciate the sacrifices you have made for this nation, and hope that you settle in nice and comfy like!

Posted by: Dave at May 04, 2006 09:36 AM (6GFTi)

2 Welcome back to America! Home of the brave and the free!

Posted by: Vonn at May 04, 2006 10:16 AM (dEgRi)

3 Glad you had a safe and uneventful trip. It's nice to "hear" your voice again. TheJewelryLady

Posted by: Sue at May 04, 2006 10:50 AM (g8xza)

4 Glad you had a safe trip, I will look forward to keeping up to date with you through your blog!

Posted by: Stephanie at May 04, 2006 03:01 PM (hEdhS)

5 I am so glad that you guys got the car and that it lived up to everything that you thought! I forgat about the knitting on the plane and I am glad that all went well considering your screens were broken...Well think of me while you are in Walmart. I miss you tons already Love ya , Kelly

Posted by: Kelly at May 04, 2006 04:18 PM (fydBf)

6 Yay. I already knew all that (lucky me!), but it was fun to read it anyway. I still look for your car when I drive by your house. Sad.

Posted by: Erin at May 04, 2006 06:41 PM (/vUGb)

7 Welcome home.

Posted by: Kathleen A at May 04, 2006 08:49 PM (7qm8p)

8 Yay! You made it! Welcome back. I'm so glad that the flight went well and the new car was ready to fall in your lap. *grin*

Posted by: Teresa at May 04, 2006 11:54 PM (FZwDL)

9 It sure was nice to hear your voice and know that you were in just another state instead of another country! Looking forward to seeing the new car, but most of all, looking forward to seeing you and Russ in a couple of weeks. Love you both, Mama

Posted by: Nancy at May 05, 2006 12:05 AM (OeioM)

10 Mazda5...awesome car. Enjoy.

Posted by: Curtis at May 05, 2006 07:17 AM (Ws5uG)

11 Welcome Home!

Posted by: MargeinMI at May 05, 2006 07:31 AM (Rx/UC)

12 I'm glad you are home safe. You are already missed by many here at your "old" home.

Posted by: Jennifer at May 07, 2006 03:00 AM (p1jKh)

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