Uncertain Times

Well here I am sitting in my office, the first day summer, well maybe in Canada, but here in South Sudan, there are 2 seasons, dry and wet.
 It is an anxious time right now, July 9 will be Independence day for the South. The UN in New York had deemed this to be the end of mission for UNMIS. What does this mean to me, and the other 10 Canadians that are currently serving in UNMIS.  Well on July 10, will be the start of a new mission UNMISS United Nations Mission in Southern Sudan, all I know for sure, there are rumours that suggest that the police strength will be cut in half, as well it is unknown if any of the Canadians will be invited to participate in the new mission.
What I do know is that all of our CTO (time off) that was scheduled past July 9, has been cancelled, and any accumulated CTO cannot be transferred to the new mission.
We were told that all of the police contributing countries had a very important meeting in New York Yesterday to discuss the new mission, so we'll wait and see.
All this information and rumours have added to the challenges that I face as the team site leader, I find myself putting out fires, and calming the troops, who put too much truth to the rumours. I find myself saying "it is what it is" lets stay focused, lets support each other, and when I hear something that is factual, I will let you know.
I think this is exciting, from what I have heard about the new mission, its going to be leaner and meaner, focusing on training, pushing the SSPS to new levels of operational and adminastrative abilities.
So we wait, all of us, for the impending decisions from New York, that will leave some folks realing with relief, while other with dismay.

Sailing is in the blood, just not mine

Well today is a very special day for my brother David and the rest of the crew of the Tripp Tease. At 10:30am, pacific time, the Tripp Tease will begin the Van Isle 360 sailing race. The race begins in Nanaimo, and travels 580 nm around Vancouver Island. There will be overnight stops in French Creek, Comox, Campbell River, Deepwater Bay, Hadwicke Island, Telegraph Cove, Port Hardy, Winter Habour, Ucluelet, Victoria, and on June 19 the race will finish in Nanaimo. The boat is a 1992 Tripp 40, and is skippered by Don Gillingham. You can follow the race if you go to the Van Isle 360 web site, where satellite tracking will allow us to follow the Tripp Tease, as she navigates Vancouver Island. Good luck bro, were all pulling for you.