Well, finally. Sorry for the extremely long delay. The Internet connection has been pretty lame here for the past month and a half. I haven't been able to get on for very long, and uploading anything is out of the question. Ever since a new unit took over the Wireless Internet, it's been absolutely terrible, and only works 20% of the time. But I don't have to deal with those bastards anymore, because I have wired satellite internet for around $45 a month. That's pretty sweet, considering that the internet cards for the wireless internet are $20 for 10 hours. The connection isn't spectacular, but it is pretty decent.
Now for an update of things that have been happening over the past month and a half. First of all, it has been a little over three months since I have been in Baghdad. Time sure has flown! I only have around a month or so before my mid-tour leave, which I'm really looking forward to, because I get to go to India for my cousin's wedding. My whole family is going to be there, so it should be a whole lot of fun.
Towards the end of January, I got to roll with 1st platoon on one of their missions, which was pretty neat. They actually had me ride along for a... well... for lack of a better term, a "tech support call". The Iraqi colonel's computer wasn't working and they needed me to fix it. We headed out at about 8 in the morning towards an Iraqi Juvenile Detention center. We basically hung about there for a while chilling in the Humvee. We bought some freshly baked bread off this Iraqi guy and ate that for breakfast. Usually people bring along stuff to munch on, but since this was my first time, I hadn't brought anything, so I went ahead and got some bread. While we were waiting there, I saw something that made my whole day. It was pretty much the sweetest and cutest thing I saw. A little girl, who couldn't have been more than two or three years old, was walking with her mother. She had a pink sweater on and pigtails and as she walked by us in our Humvee, she smiled shyly at us. We waved and smiled at her. Then as she was walking away, she turned around, flashed a huge smile and blew us all a kiss. It was a Kodak moment, and I wish I had my camera. The children here seem to like us. But I feel a little worried at times because they run so close to the Humvees, and I am afraid that they may get hit. The soldiers toss them candy and toys. They're always cheering at us and waving to us when we drive by.
After leaving the Juvenile Detention center, we headed to the IZ (International Zone) and had lunch at the Al-Rashid hotel. I bought a few DVD's there - there is a huge market in bootlegged DVD's - you can get movies and entire boxed seats for ridiculously cheap prices. The Iraqis love to haggle, so you can even talk them down a few bucks. I'm sure the RIAA and the MPAA are gritting their teeth. Or probably not, they're too concerned about American piracy - maybe if they changed their outmoded and dicatorial business practices something would change, but they're too stupid to do that. Anyway, enough of that, I feel a rant coming on.
After lunch, we headed over to the place where the Iraqi Colonel is at. Unfortunately, he wasn't there and so I couldn't fix his computer. I figure I'll go there again one of these days, I'm not sure when. Eitherway, it will be a change from what I do normally.
The other interesting thing I did was escort duty. We have Iraqis and TCN's (Third Country Nationals) who come into our base and work here. They need escorts when they move around base, and as a result we have Escort Duty. The first duty I had was escorting this kid around from one contractor site to the other. He didn't speak much English. But he would say "America Good! America Zain! Saddam Muzain!" ("America Good! America Good! Saddam Bad!") from time to time. I also escorted this other kid who actually spoke excellent English. In fact, he used to work as a translator. I asked him why he didn't go to school, and he told me that his father was killed when insurgents bombed a mosque he was praying at. He's the oldest son in the family, so he has to forgo school to make sure his sisters and younger brother can go to school, and also to put food on the table. Everyone has their opinions on this - I don't like to talk about mine because I feel that one's political views are irrelevant, especially if one is in the Military. I am here to do a job, and that's what I'll do, regardless of what I think. But at the very least I feel that the "freedom fighters"/insurgents are hardly doing anything for Iraqis. On the other hand I can see coalition forces doing things to rebuild Iraq. So whether you agree with the reason for this war, or whether you disagree - I'm just stating what I can I see here. I guess people want to know what Iraqis feel about us being there - because I do get asked that a lot. Just from my brief drive around, I saw a whole spectrum of reactions. From complete support, to indifference, to open hostility. It never is black and white. The few Iraqis I have talked to, support the coalition effort in rebuilding Iraq, but look forward to the day when they can take over and run their country on their own. But that is just my experience.
Other than that, not much is happening. The rains have finally stopped, and it hasn't rained for over a month now. Everything has finally dried up, but it also means that it's dusty all over again. But I'll take that over the mud. It's also slowly starting to warm up, but the weather right now is perfect - like Phoenix in the winter. Oh yeah, and it looks like my promotion is coming through and so hopefully, I should get my stripes soon. I'll be a Sergeant (E-5) now.
My job is just the same - each day is not much different from the one before, and they all just sort of blend together into one. We work long hours, at least 12 to 12 and a half hours a day, but it's not so bad because it makes the day go by quicker. We get one "down day" a week, where we get to sleep in, and just relax in general. I look forward to those.
I've been keeping myself busy and entertained by watching movies and reading books. I also acquired a guitar from a buddy of mine a month ago and I have been teaching myself. I wish I had more time to play, but I try to do a little bit each day. I think I am getting better. Since I know how to play the piano, I can apply some of the theory here. So it helps a little bit.
Oh yeah, and I did get my new computer - a new Alienware laptop and it totally rocks. The other one started dying on me - hard-drive failure - because of the dust, I think. Umm... yeah... so Chip... I know you're reading this... I'll uh... be needing a new laptop when I get back... I hope it's not a problem! Write this one off as WIA (Wounded In Action)!
Oh and check this out. So we spend a lot of time watching movies, right? I wanted to rent some somehow, so I figured I could try and use Netflix. I mean, we have an APO AE address, which is physically located in New York. They just route the packages from there. So theoretically, it should work. I tried to use Netflix to sign up, but the website complained that the address was invalid and wouldn't let me go any further, which was totally lame because the address is a valid one. So I figured I'd try Blockbuster, and although the website claimed the address could be invalid, it accepted it anyway. Within a week and a half, I got my movies! Pretty sweet, huh? I wonder if they know that they're shipping to Iraq! It takes anywhere frome one to two weeks for a movie to get here and around the same time to get back, so a round trip of two to four weeks. Which really isn't all that bad. But anyway, I think it's pretty sweet that I got Blockbuster to ship to Iraq!
What else... well, I can't think of much else. There really isn't much else to talk about actually. I am keeping well, eating well, taking care of myself, and all that good stuff. Oh yeah, and Keerthikutty, thanks for your care packages and the Nutella! Thanks for sending it all over! Also acha, amma, aniyammama and ammayee, thanks for all the stuff you sent over from India! All your care packages made me really happy! The simple pleasures mean a lot here, and thanks a bunch. And of course, I can't forget Michael for shipping my sweet new laptop over and all my home videos. Thanks a bunch buddy! It's much appreciated!
Oh, and an update on my mailing address. Our parent unit has changed and so there is a slight change in my mailing address. It is as follows:
Vivin Paliath
372nd MP - HHB 1/180th FA FWD
APO AE 09344
That's pretty much it for now. And as promised, here are some pictures:
Grant and I by our Humvee at the Iraqi Juvenile Hall.
Inside the Humvee.
Sunset at the Motorpool.
Iraqi Sunset.
Iraqi Sunrise.
I met this friendly doggie at the KFC we have here. He was very playful.
I didn't take this picture. I actually found it on one of the computers at the Internet Cafe. But I thought it was a really cool picture, so I'm putting it up here for all of you to see.
Update:
I have a Skype number that you can call me at. I'm usually available between 9 am and 2 pm and 8 pm and 9 pm Arizona Time. If you can't reach me, you can leave a voicemail too. The number is (602) 281-4616.
Hi, my name is Merven Paliam from Durban, south africa. I am doing some research in tracing the paliam name back to India. Thanks.
Hey Cheta!!!!!
I loved the pictures… I know we talk very often, but I love reading your posts…. It makes me really sad that you are so far away, but I am really REALLY proud of you!!! 🙂 we all are… and that story about that little girl..awww…I just can’t get used to the fact you are there.. and I miss you SO MUCH….. and yes… I am crying as I write.. I know… I’m being silly.. but it is only because I am so proud of you and i miss you terribly!!! 🙂 I’ll be sending you all the stuff you wanted very soon, ok? Like tomorrow…Do you have a fridge in your room to keep the flan!? Pinne, honey-ma is doing great… she misses you just as much..smiles.. She has a new friend, Maverick. He is this huge wolf looking dog… and they hit it off really well and she had him chasing her back into our place… it was really funny…Madd was watching TV and then there was this huge white fluffy dog romping about..hahaha.. pinne whatelse, I spoke to ithitha..and he is doing well, can’t wait to see you…amma and acha are doing fine as well…ok cheta.. we all send our love from here… call me when you can ok?
love you
pillava
Hey Vivin.
Glad to see you doing OK over there. Keep sending the updates, the team really enjoys reading them. As for the laptop … well seeing as your review is coming up I think I can just deduct that from any raise you’ll be getting this year! Ha Ha Just kidding.
Btw: I’m leaving Arizona – so when you come back you’ll have a different manager 🙁 Sorry man, I can give you the details later.
Take care, Chip
wow.u are a brave soldier.iraq!!it’s a scary place right now.hope you take care and God bless
hi – i’m a freelance writer in massachussets. a malayalee too. just happened to see your blog and want to wish you well. the photos moved me – it showed a different side to your presence there as a soldier in very difficult times. have a safe stay, a safe return and keep the creative, reflective, humane side blogging! (i dont mean to sound patronizing – we just get a different picture of the battle and the embattled out here!)
i came across your name because i am researching a story on strange malayalee names – vivin is one because it sounds like many of those that are combinations of syllables that may or may not mean something. have you ever thought about your name? if you have and are inclined to write a line about it, I would be much obliged. I would also mention your first name in my article if i used your perspective, but no last names, promise.
best,
mk
Hey Mary,
Thanks for your message. I’m glad you like my blog. My main motivation for this blog is to keep track of my memories and also for my family and friends to know what is going on in my life. It serves another function now, i.e., giving a perspective on this war through someone who is there. I don’t find what you said patronizing, in fact, I found it very pertinent. Information passes through many filters and layers before it finally reaches people who are out there. Hence, they may not really see what’s actually going on here. So at the very least, I’d like to show what it looks like from over here.
I actually have researched my name. Near as I can tell, it comes from vive (to live) in French, which in turn is derived from the Latin vivere (to live). Therefore, the name Vivin describes someone who is lively, animated, or quite literally, “full of life”. The female names Vivian and Vivien also mean the same thing. People have always told me that my name is unusual and uncommon – there are not very many people that I know of, with the same name. When people see my name they sometimes assume that I am female because they seem to think it is actually “Vivien” or “Vivian”. I’ve emailed people with my name clearly spelt, but they insist on writing back with “Vivien” or “Vivian”. However, I don’t mind it all that much – I’ve gotten used to it!
Hope your article goes well! Please send me a copy or a link to it when you are done with it!
Hey Vivin! Glad to hear that you’re doing well. I love the pics. You’ll be home before you know it! And we’ll have the BEST PARTY EVER!!
Hello Vivin, I ran into this blog because I was using google to find a friend of mine named Vivian who also lives in Chandler, AZ.
I am the Grandmother of a soldier also in Baghdad. He is stationed there with the 101st Airborne. Also hoping to be home on his mid-tour leave near the end of April or early in May.
My grand-son-in-law is currently serving with the AZ National Guard (in AZ still).
I would like to thank you for reading some of the positive things there in Iraq. The story about the little girl was very moving. I hope to receive updates in my email when you add to your Blog. My best to you and all the troops serving both here and over there in this war on terror. God Bless you all.
Hi Vivin. I found this site quite by accident,but was really glad i did when i read it. It’s some amazing work you’re doing. I’m malayalee too and live in Nairobi,Kenya and from here the Iraq war looks wasted and just another thing to report on every day on CNN. But i guess we’ve all forgotten that the war is’nt just a factual documentary thing but is about real people and real feelings and how serious it really is. It’s crazy that we don’t see it as a life-and-death situation.
I’m glad that you’re willing to put your life on hold to represent your country of birth out there. I’m just 18,so it was quite wonderful to see someone of my own culture doing what they truly believe in. Thankyou for being such a great mentor! I’m just about to start university in Vancouver and was scared stiff about it,but i guess it really is’nt all that scary compared to what you’re doing!
Vivin!! I love reading your entries and miss you terribly. We remember you whenever something breaks down on a computer or there is a conversation on salsa dancing hehe : ) So we are thinking of going salsa dancing this weekend and its totally not the same without you – you are the BEST dancer – good thing you are sharing your moves out there with the amateurs : ) Sadhu got to catch a glimpse of Prem’s band – their music is FANTASTIC! We got there CDs and I unfortunately missed out on the concert.
Viv, I hope you write everything down and keep sharing it with us, you change our lives and what we know through your experiences. Love you dearly : )
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Hello Vivin,
I came to your website through Wikipedia Nair Page. Like a true Nair, you are in the battle field. I am proud of you.
I found the Nair page highly disorganized. I made some changes mainly by alphabetizing and adding certain missing pieces of information. I added Achan, the surname of Paliathu people. After alphabetization it begins the list of surnames of Nairs. The lineage of nairs is through the blood-related female members of the tharawad (family). So Mallika Sarabhai is a Nair, eventhough she is the daughter of the famous scientist, Vikram Sarabhai. Nair women can marry Brahmins and other upper caste men and the progeny must become Nairs. This created many problems at the outset of the modernization which started in the beginning of the 20th century. So reformists from the Nair side and Nampoothiri side both objected to these customs. Eventually, even the Matrilineal system crumbled. These historical factors are not known to many now. Nairs are born of Nair mothers and nobody can dispute it, whether its Prakash Karat or Lakshmi Sahgal. All the Tharavads are having a female deity or Bhagavathi as Kula Devatha and a Sarpa Kavu (Sacred Serpant Grove) of their own. So sociologically the Nair caste remains and continues even now with their customs, temple festivals, art performances and feasts. I appreciate your contribution to it.
You are having a very challenging job. Again let me reiterate, I am proud of you as a Nair. At the Mesopotamia front of the First World War also Indians fought along with the British in the desert. India Gate in New Delhi commemorates it. All my blessings to you, since I am much senior to you.
Som
hey.. was nice to hear a very different opinion. like your attitude to de war…it seems like a hard but satisfyin time.. neway keep well ‘n’ take care o yourself…
Hey Vivin,
Tony here from the ol IPO days. Glad to see you’re doing well and all of you are doing a kick ass job over there. Thank you man, once again you’re helping my ass out more than you need to be heh. Stay cool.
Tony
Hi Vivin!
I’m the motor sergeant that you guys relieved–Nice pics! Had some rain????Hope you are all doing well-I sure am-I got out of the guard on May 5. At 51 years old it was really tough on me. With seven more to retire I would find it very difficult to achieve. YOU TAKE CARE
Bill Young
Illinois
Hey everyone!
Thanks for the messages and sorry about the lack of updates. I have one from last month, but wasn’t able to upload it because of the flaky internet. I also have one coming up about my mid-tour leave.
Deanna, thank you for your kind words. Your support means a lot to us. Like I said before, I don’t like to get political, I just talk about what I see.
Dipika, glad to be a source of inspiration for you! College is great fun – don’t worry, it will be the best time of your life. You’ll learn a lot and you have a lot to look forward to. I used to hear about the war from the media too, but it’s quite different when you’re hear and when you actually experience it and talk to the people here.
Somasekhara, thank you for your words. Your contributions to the article are always welcome. It has been some time since I’ve looked at it since I don’t really get much of a chance to. I started it because I felt it was something that needed to be in Wikipedia.
Divya, well we talked about (almost) everything about the war during that conversation we had that evening at your house. I’m happy that you enjoyed reading what I wrote.
Tony, it’s been a while! How’s everything going with you? Fine, I hope! Where are you working these days?
SSG Young, it seems almost yesterday that you guys relieved us, but it’s been about 6 months. Just like you said, time does go fast. Glad you like the pics! Yes, we did have a spot of rain and some hail too! We’ll take care here! You take care too!
Thank you for your Service….
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HI THIS IS FLEME. IAM A GIRL.I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFULLY TRYIN TO FIND THE MEANING OF MY NAME .CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP MEEEEEE!AND VIVIN GOOD JOB THAT U DOIN OUT THERE .YOUR FOLKS AT HOME GOTTA BE PROUD OF U .ILL PRAY TO GOD THAT HE KEEPS U SAFE .TAKE CARE