This is a video of an Offset Shallow that we were treated to yesterday. Next to seeing Lana on cam before my day started, this was a definite highlight!!

PS I just re-watched it again...sorry about the language!!

It's been another few days since I last updated, It's been a couple of really good days at work and even pretty good around "camp". I decide to take some initiative and "beautify" the outside of the shacks, it was so dull and boring and we spend allot of our time outside. We added some mood lighting (christmas and rope lights) and some screen shelter from the sun, I have not heard one complaint about how it turned out, I only hope that it will still be here in a few months when we come back. "Kamal" called it the smoke area today, he really liked the upgrade. We do have plans for the other side of the patio, but with our crew going camping soon, it may have to wait untill we come back. Or maybe someone else will take some initiative....but some of the vets here said that in 6 years on camp, they have never seen anything done to the outside of the shacks!!
Lana and I have had a couple of really good chats..or at least I think so, all you have to do is look at the smiles in the above picture. Not sure if she realizes or not, but my day cannont be ruined when I see her smile at the beginning of it. I miss her more than you can imagine, and this trip has definitly been different being away from home, it is more of a work trip than a work/vacation, and that is by my own choice,I have seen it and done it now the novelty of being here has really worn off and I am WAY ready to be home. But with that being said, I know I have a job to do...and being here comes with the job.
I have been spending some time on getting ready for our upcoming hockey pool on Yahoo sports, I can't wait for the upcoming season to start, I may just have to stay up late to watch the Leafs opening game, we should be in Kandahar for it so it will be on the bigscreen, might be a packed house though!!
I should sign off for now, I must start packing for camping, don't get upset Lana, but I am kinda looking forward to the change of pace and scenery, and besides, once Kandahar phase is done, then we are that much closer to coming home. Considering we are almost halfway through Ramadan, it has been relatively quiet up there. keep your fingers crossed and keep the prayers coming. Till next time...

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~M

Quick update

I just thought I would pop in and fire off a quick update before I fade off to sleep....Yup, sleep, The re-pat is scheduled for 2:30am. Not too much to update though, We had a very fun day off at diving, it was the most surreal thing I have ever done. During the first trip out to the rock, we encountered a small school of sharks, they were about 6 feet long, the just swam around us in circles, not to intimidating but the distance was just perfect for me, on the other hand, I really enjoyed swimming with all the Nemo type fish, you know, the bright colorful ones. I just floated there and they would just swim up to us and look. The water temp was a warm 37 degrees but the outside temp was 50 plus Celsius. By the end of the trip, it did not take us long to all fall asleep on the bus home for the 2 hour trip. I have posted some pics on my Picasa web album, check it out www.picasaweb.google.com/marknlana There are also pictures there from my first trip over seas.
Thats all for now. Till next time,

Support Our Troops
~M

The Roller Coaster Continues....

After a much needed and deserved day off swimming with the tropical fish and 6 foot sharks, arrived back on camp to find a "comm lockdown". We spent some time as a group bonding and conversating. When the lock was lifted I was saddened by the news that my Nanna Vonnie had passed away, she was everyone's favorite, she had a personality about her that radiated. There are way too many things to mention that she will be remembered by, but the one thing I will never forget was her sense of humor. The whole "arm thing"...some of you will know what I'm talking about. Heaven has gained a true angel today, I know she is at peace and she is resting with Grampy, something she has not been able to do in a long time. There is a song that comes to mind right now, it is called Heavens Table by Garou, if you have a chance listen to it! My thoughts go out to all family, immediate and extended. Nan would have been 93 on Tuesday. She will be missed!! R.I.P. Nanna Von :)
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My sister just sent me the link found in the Cape Breton Post

Veronica MacLean
Sept. 9, 1915 - Sept. 7, 2008
Boisdale
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Veronica MacLean, formerly of North Sydney, in her 93rd year.
Vonnie died peacefully at Kenwood Hall, Harbourstone, in Sydney, with family by her side. She was the daughter of the late J.J. and Margaret (MacNeil) MacInnis, of Sydney. She had been a 12-year resident of Parkview, Enriched Housing in North Sydney, following the death of her beloved husband, George F. MacLean, in 1995.
Vonnie thrived on people and gatherings and especially loved when friends, family and their children would visit. She was the last of ‘The Lasses of Campbell Street,’ Sydney, and was never very far from the Scottish music and songs that she grew up with and loved so much.
She is survived by her eight children, Margaret, (Fred MacDonald), Upper Port LaTour, N.S., Ronald, (Lorraine), Kingston, Ont., Joseph, Airdrie Alta., Rita (Frank Glogowski), Sydney Mines, Rhodena (Gerard O’Handley), Port Hawkesbury, George (Denise), Lower Sackville, Basil (Theresa), Seal Cove, N.L., Miriam (Lloyd Poirier), Lower Sackville; 29 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; also by her sisters-in-law, Margaret MacLean and Norma MacInnis; longtime family member and friend, Lillie MacLean, as well as many nieces and nephews who visited her often.
Besides her husband George F., she was predeceased by her sisters, Sr. Mary C. MacInnis CND, Rita Bryden, Agnes MacCormick, her brothers, Joseph Roy MacInnis, Dr. M.Vincent MacInnis, her grandson, Michael MacLean, and his mother, Sandra MacLean.
The family would like to extend their special thanks to Vonnie’s caregivers and friends of the last year and a half at Harbourstone, who made her stay very comfortable and happy.
Visitation for Vonnie will be held in St. Andrew Catholic Church, Boisdale, on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. The funeral mass will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Paul Abbass officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney.
Online condolences for the MacLean family may be sent to info@wjdooley.com.
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