WESTPAC ‘08: Update Bahrain
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Jan.2,2008 Jan.2,2008
WESTPAC ‘08: Update Singapore 2
Dec.17,2007Today, about 40 Marines and Sailors headed out to Paula Ubin to do a beach clean up. The island was a quick boat ride, ~15 mins, from Changi Village. We then spent a good 3 hours cleaning up the beach, before stopping for some lunch, and heading home. The island had a cute little village with a dramatically different feeling from the island of Singapore. It was far more laid back, absent of technology, and only a few motorized vehicles…none of which we saw in use.
After the beach clean up, we headed back to the ship to clean up. Then, we headed out to Sembawang, another Singaporean military base, for a unit function. I was able to ship off some gifts & holiday cards. We had some lunch/dinner at the Terror Club – named after the HMS Terror, an old British vessel.
Johnson and I promptly headed out of there for less militaristic climes. We headed down to Marina Bay, a bad choice since there’s NOTHING there. Then, we hit up Raffle’s Place…um, cool if you need a gym or a mall. Then, we headed toward Boat Quay (pronounced ‘key’), where I had a beer or two while catching up on all this Internet stuff. Pics have been posted on my Facebook account.
Singapore is clean & fun, but very far from what I thought an authentic Asian experience would be.
WESTPAC ‘08: Update Singapore
Dec.16,2007We’re in Singapore. It’s great to be off ship. I can barely type right now because my hands got totally thrashed during the obstacle course that we ran today, on the Sembawang School of Infantry base. I ran the course 7 times, which was 6 times too many. I’m now missing much of the skin from my right hand and a decent chunk from my left hand.
Tonight, I posted a bunch of pictures from our float on my Facebook. If you would like to get regular updates via email, then please email me at holzmannmj@11meu.usmc.mil.
I miss you all an wish that we could all be living it up in Singapore, because it seems to me that this is either a place to make your name in international business or party like a college kid.
UPDATE: We are somewhere off the coast of Hawaii…I have no idea which direction or how far away we are. I thought I saw lights off in the distance last night, but when I woke this morning…we seemed to be back in the middle of nowhere. I had more written, but it all got lost.
In the mean time, I leave you with a way to contact me. Via email: holzmannmj@11meu.usmc.mil
Cpl Holzmann, Matthew J
1/5, H&S Co., Comm, Data
Unit40320
FPO AP 96610-0320
NO FedEx or UPS. Only send via US Postal Service (USPS). Use Nylon Filament Tape for boxes. If you want to send letters for free – via the Internet, then you can use MotoMail (www.motomail.us).
More later, when I have time. Also, there may be a site redesign in the near future.
Times They Are A Changin’
Aug.23,2007It’s been a LONG time since I’ve written, and since then MANY things have changed quite a bit.
- I’m married (to the wonderful woman I used to write about – 3 July)
- We’ve our respective in-laws
- I’ve ’sold’ my Vespa to Jonathan, for safe keeping
- I’ve been to FL to visit my mother, and up to NoCal to visit my father
- I’ve purchased a Mac
- My wife will be moving out to San Diego this weekend
- I’ve been in the field* since 3 Aug
- I’ve turned 30
**Field: Currently a hellish part of the Mojave Desert known as Ft. Irwin. We sleep in refugee style tents, work in a portable command center, enjoy temperatures in the 110’s, fly kites (namely us) in the nightly windstorms (a.k.a. sandstorms that coat EVERYTHING in a thick cloak of sand), go without bathing for weeks, and try to maintain network connectivity over several satellites and through several hops of another force’s gear (ahem). Oh yeah…and our battalion plays GI Joe everyday in a ‘notional’ campaign against desert-going insurgents. This is practice for some desert-like place, in which we may be expected to perform our duties. Gee, wonder where that could be?
Getting married was great, but I’m really looking forward to our ceremony in San Diego, 27 Oct, 2007…yes VERY soon. Turning 30 was kinda a non-event, but I was fortunate enough to live the day for 39 hrs before finally getting to sleep – we moved our unit out of the ‘rear’ and into the field the day after my birthday.
Currently, I’m typing through a satellite connection w/ downloads of glacial speeds, which seems to impact the loading of pages to the point that simple buttons, like Reply and Delete, often don’t work. So, if I haven’t replied to your email, it’s b/c I haven’t been able to do so.
I love and miss my wife. I miss talking to friends and family. I can’t wait to take a shower.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST ENTRY CATEGORIZED UNDER ‘DATING’!!!
On Nov 23, 2006, I wrote “Touchscreen On Steroids: Interfaces Gone Wild” in reference to ‘new’ technology for interfaces. The technology has been used in Apple’s iPhone for image resizing and menu manipulation. But now – an I HATE to say this – Microsoft has stepped up with the Surface.
This thing gets 5 gold stars for cool. I wish I could be on the sales team for this thing. The Surface is a table with a 30″ touchscreen that interacts with multiple inputs from multiple users, devices & objects that are placed on the screen, and potentially even payment methods on the tabletop. Users can set down a Bluetooth enabled camera, which automatically syncs, drops the photos for immediate display & manipulation onto the Surface, and then permits multiple users to sort, edit, and share photos to other devices – i.e. PDA. Alternately, the table could be used commercially as a cocktail table that permits guests to order food & beverages, (of course) receive advertisements, and split the bill by pulling their items to their credit/debit cards that are placed on the table. – very cool. The tabletop tool can also used to plan waypoints for a trip and then have them submitted to a PDA for later recall. With a GPS enabled device, the PDA could direct users through their day.
Popular Mechanics had a great video review of the product and the supporting technology.
Engaged
May.29,2007I’m engaged. MMommy and I have chosen to get engaged with one another, this past weekend. As part of the engagement, we are working through the process of Imago Therapy, which we both feel is bringing us into a far more mindful relationship.
During the weekend, we went sea kayaking around the La Jolla Caverns (Hike, Bike, & Kayak Tours – great military discount available) where we saw sea lions and seals at play, to the batting cage at North Island Naval Base, ate great food at Fogo de Chao with my future sister-in-law – MiRo, enjoyed the Japanese Tea Garden, and found a wonderful engagement ring made by a local artist (pics soon).
All-in-all, a wonderful weekend.
It’s been a long damn time since I checked in, so…now’s as good a time as any.
Yesterday, I was awareded Marine of the Quarter for my Company, and now I move on to a Battalion level board in a couple of weeks. If that comes through, then I will potentially receive a meritorious promotion to Corporal. As a Corporal, I will be considered a Non-Commissioned Officer…which is a big damn deal (pay raise and more responsibility).
A few weeks ago, MMommy was out in San Diego for a conference. It was a big deal for her, because she got the opportunity to present. And, it was great for me, because we got to be together. I might even get to see her next week, if I get leave approved to go back to Denver.
Ahhh…I finally have a renter for my condo! Yeah!!! Guess that’s about it.
In the words of Ice Cube, “I gotta say, today was a good day.”
Today, I received several awards upon graduation from the Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School (MCCES) 0656 Tactical Data Network Operator’s Course (TDNOC).
1st in class – Meritorious Promotion to Lance Corporal
Warrior’s Award – Peer award for Marine that most exemplifies Core Values
Highest PFT (Physical Fitness Test) – 295pts (out of 300pts)
CO’s Challenge Coin, an extra honor received from the Bravo Company Commanding Officer.
Director’s Award – Received by entire class for outstanding academic and physical achievement, community service, and no negative paperwork (Non-Judicial Punishments or Page 11’s)
Needless to say, I’m very happy. Additionally, I’m very proud of the class with which I served. They showed outstanding character and commitment by staying out of trouble, studying, and staying physically fit. I also thank them for selecting me to receive the Warrior’s Award.
UPDATE: Other big news, my orders were changed this morning. I will still be serving at Camp Pendleton under the 1st Marine Division – the oldest and most decorated Division in the United States Marine Corps. More specifically, I will now be serving a Victor Unit, known as 1/5 – 1st Marine Division/5th Regiment/1st Battalion - the most highly decorated Regiment in the Marine Corps.
Did you know that 47 countries’ have reestablished their embassies in Iraq?
Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?
Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated,
364 schools are under rehabilitation,
263 new schools are now under construction and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq ?
Did you know that Iraq’s higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating?
Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program?
Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational?
They have 5 – 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.
Did you know that Iraq’s Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers?
Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion?
Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers?
Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks?
Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq?
They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities.
Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?
Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October?
Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158%?
Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations?
Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?
Did you know that 2 candidates in the Ir aqi presidential election had a televised debate recently?
OF COURSE WE DIDN’T KNOW!
WHY DIDN’T WE KNOW?
OUR MEDIA WOULDN’T TELL US!
Instead of reflecting our love for our country, we get photos of flag burning incidents at Abu Ghraib and people throwing snowballs at the presidential motorcades. Tragically, the lack of accentuating the positive in Iraq serves two purposes:
It is intended to undermine the world’s perception of the United States thus minimizing consequent support, and it is intended to discourage American citizens.
—- Above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense website.
