Blog Readers, We Have an E-mail!

Late last night/ early this morning I heard from Chris for the first time in six days via e-mail!!!  It was short and sweet.  They are in transit so phone/ internet capabilities are slim to none, but they made it fine and he would talk to me soon!  Yayyyy!!!!

With that said, if you wanted to send a package or a letter/ you have sent a letter or package PERFECTLY fine, because they will hold it all at that address until it can be delivered to him and let's be serious, what could be better than being 1,000s of miles away from the comforts of home, to finally arrive and have packages from home?! Thanks for sending!

Oh and I almost forgot - Chris didn't mention anything about seeing the President and I am 99.9% sure they were already in route to wherever by the time the President was in Kabul.  

Now to a much overdue good nights rest... 

*Picture from 2007 when Lt. Parks was learning to become Lt. Parks.  The Basic School Family Day 2007 - I am intimidating, I know!

Side Note On Packages: It's up to you, but I recommend NOT getting delivery confirmation on packages you send.  From what I was told by USPS, the tracking only covers the package while it is in the US.  After that, no mass.  

Insurance however is legit, but I leave that decision entirely up to you.  Do I ensure packages I send?  Unless I am sending Chris something of value (an ipod, weights, etc) I never insure the packages and have thus far, (knock on wood) never had a problem.  I do however, mark on the customs form "return to sender" if package is undeliverable.

Watch out for... the Snow Leopards?!?!?!

I must admit my knowledge of Afghanistan/ the Middle East in general is sadly... pretty terrible.  Today I decided that enough was enough, it's time for me to get with it!  

On my initial google of "Afghanistan Map" I was overwhelmed by the 100s of maps that came up, NONE of which, at first glance anyway, looked to be easy to read or navigate.  If I am going to teach myself about the Middle East I need the "Dummy" version to start.

FLASH BACK:

Childhood - Dad's Bedside Table, that Magazine that I had no appreciation for until I was out of the house: National Geographic! 

THANK GOODNESS FOR 

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC!

Not only did I get a map out of the deal, but they have some pretty cool features such as a guide, photos, facts and quiz.... yeah my score.... to put it nicely... it was sub-par...

HOWEVER I did learn a lot!  Who knew Marco Polo passed through the Stan back in the day?!?!  Think the popular childhood pool game exists over there?  I have no idea, but I would venture to say, probably not.  Any thoughts on what Khameerbob could be?  I was clueless too, but apparently it's a popular dumpling like pasta dish that is very popular.

Now for the doozie - ever heard of a Snow Leopard?!?!  Me either!!!  (and no we are not talking Mac OS X)

Watch out friends because these Big Kitties don't growl, they hiss and their tails which help keep them warm and help them balance on dangerous ledges, are as long as their bodies and really fluffy.  Wait, that's not all - these Cats can jump SEVEN times their body length!!!  Frightening I know - not sure whether or not the tail is counted in the "body length," but regardless... scares the heck out of me...

Now I realize our Marines (and all Military for that matter) have much bigger fish to fry other than worrying about Snow Leopards, but I want to know - in your training is "potentially threatening wildlife" something you good people are briefed on?  I mean I know you learn about all aspects of the Country you are headed to (the people, the terrain, the potential danger, etc, etc), is there at least a quick, 5 seconds or less mentioning of Giant Cats that could leap at you? 

I mean granted you have with you at all times high powered rifles so bring it on Big Kitty, but still, just curious =).

Want to learn more about the tahilwidars and how they saved Afghanistan's famous Bactrian gold?  How about the Pashtun people's code of honor?  To have fun and learn more about Afghanistan I encourage you to visit National Geographic's website:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/afghanistan-map/

***MANY MANY THANKS to National Geographic, my source through out this blog.***

What would I want if I was in the middle of the desert?

Last time I spoke to Chris was via facebook chat on Thursday.  They were getting ready to leave for Afghanistan.  This deployment and not surprisingly, is already not like the last.  I go into this not really knowing what the communication is going to be like so, to not have heard from Chris in a few days is not really all that surprising. 

I will be the first to say, the communication that we had on the last deployment spoiled

us, in a good way of course.  In our conversations before Chris left, we both sort of started mentally preparing (the best we could anyway) ourselves for sporadic and limited communication – doesn’t mean I like it though =).

From what I have heard from the wives of Marines who deployed with the early party (a group went a few weeks before the rest of 3/7), they got e-mails about a week after they made it/ got sort of settled in country.  I am sure there is a lot of settling in once they arrived so until then, letters, e-mails and care packages are how I will pass my time!

We were so blessed and appreciative to have great support on his last deployment, I wanted to make sure that anyone that wanted to, could send letters, e-mails, care packages, etc.  Anything you send is appreciated more than you could know!  MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE!

CHRIS' ADDRESS IN THE STAN

1^st Lieutenant Patrick Christian Parks

3/7 H&S CO

UNIT 41575

FPO AP 96427-1575

SENDING A LETTER OR A CARD

All you need is the a regular 44 cent stamp and you can drop it in any mailbox.

WHEN PUTTING TOGETHER A PACKAGE IT HELPS TO THINK,

“What would I want if I was in the middle of the desert, potentially sleeping in the sand and 1000s of miles away from 
the comforts of home?”

SENDING A CARE PACKAGE

I suggest using a priority flat rate box.  They even make priority flat rate boxes for the military (I think there is a small discount if you use these).  They are great because it does not matter how heavy the box is, it’s one flat rate!  Don’t forget to include the customs form (I highly recommend filling out prior to going to the post office)!

WHERE CAN I GET THE 
MAILING SUPPLIES

 All of these items can be picked up (for free) at your
local post office  or you can order them online (links below).

A FEW SUGGESTED ITEMS TO SEND

Beef jerky, sunflower seeds (all flavors especially BBQ), gum, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, reading materials, cards/games, chap stick, peanut butter, Gatorade powered, baby wipes….
The list is truly endless.

 If you send cookies or chocolate, keep it mind it may be melted or curshed by the time it gets there, but I am not going to lie a box of melty Girl Scout cookies may  not be such a bad thing…

Tobacco products (cigs and dip) are a HOT commodity – your care package will be a guaranteed favorite if you send.  Apparently the tobacco products they “buy” over there are usually stale if American brands or really just disgusting and strong if from the locals… 

Items suggested you do not send can be found on the USPS link below.

I STRESS

All of the above tips are suggestions and by NO MEANS all you can send.  Just remember think,
“What would I want if I was in the middle of the desert, potentially sleeping in the sand and 1000s of miles away from the comforts of home?”

LINK FOR USPS 
SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS

http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/welcome.htm

More to come, but if you have any questions about mailing packages, customs forms, etc please do not hesitate to e-mail me!

REGULATORS MOUNT UP: Let the Coming Home Countdown Begin!

Hard to believe, one week ago today I was in Twentynine Palms, CA seeing off the Marines of 3/7. It was definitely a bittersweet goodbye – sad to see Chris go, but happy because the sooner he got on that bus, the sooner it meant he would be coming home!

As with their tour to Iraq last year, 3/7 will be in Afghanistan for approximately 7 months. A week ago today, the coming home countdown began as they left CA and flew to Maine then on to Kyrgyzstan where they waited on standby for a flight to Afghanistan. They left sometime on Thursday for Afghanistan.

This was my first “going away” experience - last year when Chris left I was not there to see him get on the bus (last year we said our goodbyes after he left visiting me in DC). So the battalion going away experience was a new experience for me, but one that I feel privileged and thankful to have been a part of!

Last Sunday was an early morning as we got to base for 3/7s formation at 7:30am PST. Organizing (I honestly don’t know how many) a couple hundred Marines and their gear was quite the site to see, but actually and not surprisingly a fairly smooth process (from where I was standing anyway, hahaha). Once we dropped off Chris’ three HUGE and HEAVY bags of gear, we went to the armory so he could check out his weapons. NOTE: Yes, I do have a military id now, but no, sadly, that does not grant me access to the armory – hahahaha – I know, I was disappointed too – hahaha). Once Chris got his pistol and his M4, he checked them in with the rest of his gear because, “Marines were not to hang out with their families and their weapons” hahahahaha – I can’t imagine WHY!

NOTE: I find it quite hysterical – once they get their rifles they become the Marines responsibility and naturally they take their weapons just about everywhere, including on the plane (unloaded of course). I can just imagine the flight attendant, “gentleman please make sure your automatic weapons are secured either in the overhead bins or securely underneath the seat in front of you.” HAHAHA

At about 11:30am it was time to say goodbye =(. Normally, (from what I am told anyway) you say goodbye, but then have another opportunity to say goodbye as they get on the bus. Sadly, this goodbye was, goodbye – after that we could only watch from afar because they would be getting their immunization shots and would not be allowed to have contact again – they could possibly be contagious with whatever the heck they were immunized for (small pox, anthrax, etc etc etc).

So for a good hour – hour and half I watched with other friends and family members of the Marines, from a far. Of course it was sad, but it was also pretty cool. To see a couple hundred Marines all gathered in formation, as they get ready to go off to war is a pretty bad ass sight (excuse my language, but in my opinion no other way to say it). All I could think, (for those of you familiar with the rapper Warren G) was, “REGULATORS – MOUNT UP!” Hahaha.

Now, here I sit, one week later still not quite sure it’s all-sunken in yet – within one week, I became a Marine Corps wife and my husband and his fellow Marines went off to war... pretty hardy stuff, but  yet, I would not have it any other way.

Chris and the Marines of 3/7, there are no words to describe how proud I am that I got to be there to see you all off and I can’t wait to be there again to see you all come home. October will be here before we know it! I know you hear it often, but I don’t think it can be said too much, thank you for what you do. You truly are The Few, The Proud.

Tick tock on down coming home clock!

Newlyweds =)

I could rewrite this, but I think this sums it up nicely =)








Going to the Chapel and We’re Gonna Get Married … In Vegas!

A bicoastal couple yes we are
After five years, we have come so far

With Chris off to Afghanistan for seven months
Elizabeth refused to be by herself, alone in the Stumps

By now, everyone has heard the story
Chris got down on one knee in all of his glory

With Tiffany burning a hole on Elizabeth’s left finger
We decided, what the heck, no need to linger

On Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 8:00pm
We’re heading to Vegas and not on a whim

Although it will be just the two of us
Having all friends and family there is a MUST

How will I get to Vegas you ask?
Having a website to view, makes it a simple task

Although, we will have officially tied the knot
Having a fabulous celebration has not gone to pot

Pencil in March 19, 2011
A renewal of our vows will take place President’s Day Weekend

We are thankful and blessed to have you with us on our special days
To say how much we appreciate you, there is not enough praise.

Thank you for being a part of this special time in our lives!

Much Love,
Elizabeth and Chris

You can view our wedding live:
Little Chapel of Flowers
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
8:00pm PST
http://www.littlechapel.com/

(Viewing will be available for one week after)


What the Heck Did I just Read aka Frequently Asked Questions

• We are getting married in Vegas tomorrow, Tuesday, March 16.

• You can view our ceremony online at 8:00pm Vegas time (10:00pm CST, 11:00pm EST). Website: http://www.littlechapel.com/

Once you get to the main webpage click guests (right corner) – Chris Parks and Elizabeth Courtman should be at the top of the list. If we are not, you can search for either of our names and we will come up.

(Viewing will be available for one week)


• It’s very important to us that we have a celebration with our friends and family. There WILL BE a vow renewal complete with white dress, wedding party, Marines in uniforms (with swords) a great reception/party, dancing, etc.

• Pencil in March 19, 2011 (President’s Day Weekend). We still don’t know where Chris will be stationed once he gets back from Afghanistan (hopefully DC area) so the vow renewal date could change depending on that, hence the “pencil in.”