Bamako, Mali

Ever heard of it? Neither had I until last Friday when I received an email from a friend who had gone through Attache School with us. Her and her husband had gone to see a Diafarabe cattle crossing and her email described it beautifully, pictures and all. They're stationed in Mali (I knew that) whose capital is Bamako (didn't know that). Then today I received another email (a mass email thing for military families) and it describes how the V-22 Osprey had its first operational deployment exercise to Bamako, Mali. I don't even normally open these kinds of articles but today I did and there was Bamako - twice in less than a week. Freaky. Now you should do what I did and Google-map it!

Work has been great. Not much activity but I've managed to climb through the mountain of paperwork that is required for obtaining and getting paid for a government job. Now I'm ready to tackle some paperwork they need help with in the Health Unit. I already started this morning on the Internet. Yesterday was very exciting because I got my state.gov email address, it looks so official!

Yesterday morning I found out my angel son has been losing it at school a little again. I had a meeting with his teacher and the guidance counselor, they're somewhat concerned that the upheaval of the last few months has thrown him a little too much. I adore his teacher and the counselor is very sweet so I think between them and here at home, we can reign in his little issues and straighten him back on the road he's supposed to be on. I took Jake out to dinner just the two of us and we talked about it some. He's so bloody smart, I really think it's just a matter of maturing and learning to not take himself quite so seriously. He did get into two physical confrontations with a boy who's a year older...I was led to believe that no one was hurt but Jake was the one who got physical. Not allowed. He's off video games until we can arrange a get together with this boy and Jake. The funny thing is that I know this other boy and I think he and Jake would be great friends, they're very much alike! I'll keep you posted!