Days of My Life

Talk about daily life of a teenage girl in Iraq, and days of suffering and success. My nick name will be Sunshine..

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Um Al-Rabeeain operation..

Couple of days ago, I came home after I spent long time trying to find an open road in the hot weather, as soon as I came home I had my lunch and went straight to bed, I had a long nap! I was really tired.. but at night I couldn’t sleep well.
I think I fall asleep at 1 am or so ! at 5:00 Am , my dad awoke me saying “WAKE UP SUNNY, we have inspection” I was asleep and wondering with myself “what?! ” I wore my robe and sat in the living room, I was still sleepy ,yawning and wearing my pajamas as well as all the family members, the soldiers were Iraqi ,so polite, and they didn’t break anything, actually they apologized for awaking us .. we’ve been inspected by national guards many times, and twice since the operation started, and in each time they were nice and respectful..
Then I went to bed ! and woke up at 7:30 to study, because I had an Arabic exam (preparing for the sixth grade), at 8 am the driver called me saying he can’t come , he was stuck in the road, and he said the bridges and roads are closed and there is no way I can pass to the other side of city, so I called the teacher and my friends and postponed the class..
Next day, I spent 2 hours in my way to the teacher’s house, at last I was going to cry whenever we enter a road we see tanks and try another one, however, I reached late, and in my way home I was stuck in the road again for a long time.. but I know the national guards are doing a great job and catching the bad guys.
I heard that the Drs. in the hospital made a small celebration and prepared lunch because they didn’t receive injured people due to explosions in the last few days, they were so happy .. Everyone here is in high spirits and feel there’ll be a better tomorrow..
This mission is great, so many terrorists were caught, and I can feel the difference, people go out and talk feeling safer than before, I don’t hear shootings and explosions as much as I used to,I can say they are 90% less..
Yesterday I was in my way to the teacher’s house, and was smiling the whole way, I didn’t see residue of car bombs burning nor bullets’ covers, or any signs for a previous fight.
I know there is still a long long way till Iraq heals and return to the way it was before, and there are billions of things need to be done, but I am trying to focus on the positive things, everything has a solution the only thing we are seeking for now is safety, it is a great bless to have safety, I didn’t know how important safety is till I lost it, life without safety is unbelievable, there isn’t any word can express that, imagine yourself among criminals having guns and killing everyone around you and you can’t protect yourself, it is the most horrible thing that can happen to anyone , and I hope those events I and every Iraqi witnessed will be only memories and stories we tell to the next generations..
Even my 4 years old brother noticed the change , yesterday we were playing, he said he’ll go downstairs to bring his toys “ alone”, “there’s no explosions today” he said,, I was shocked and thought wow even a 4 year old kid noticed that!! I hope he can get better and start speaking well again (few months ago he lost his ability to pronounce and create sentences correctly when a car bomb exploded about 30 meters away from our house, he was in the bathroom alone and got panicked and since then he stutter a lot)..

In these nights I sleep comfortably, at least I can’t hear my heart beat ! time I hopefully night bruxism will stop, I still suffer from killing cramp in my jaw, now I spend more time in my room and even change my clothes there !!
There are a lot of things I want to do in the coming days, not now, but within a month or so to make sure the situation will remain good, I want to fix my room, and hide the places that were damaged because of the fights I am excited.
May god bless Iraq, and National guards ,and save everyone ..
Sunshine

33 Comments:

At 11:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dearest Sunshine,

I am sorry that you are having so much trouble with all the road blocks. I honestly believe they are trying to provide safety for the innocent people and arrest the terrorists.

I am so very happy that you are experiencing a more safe life. I am glad that there is not as many explosions as before and that you are able to safely return to your own room.

I truly believe that the situation will continue to improve. I am thankful the Iraqi Army and national guard are experiencing so much success.

Thank you for keeping us informed on the situation in your city.

Sleep well and keep shining.

 
At 12:18 AM, Blogger Jhondie said...

I do love to hear good news from you. God bless the patriots of Iraq. I hope they can soon secure your country.

 
At 5:48 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sunshine, I'm so relieved your situation is becoming calmer! The U.S. Ambassador to Iraq recently stated that al-Quaida was very close to defeat. I usually read your blog to find out the REAL situation over there. Maybe this time the good news is actually true and not a false media report! I hope so. You and your family deserve some peace.

Prayers from Texas....

 
At 9:57 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Sunny! It is great news that peace is finally coming to Mosul, but please continue to be very careful, the al Qaeda snakes still have venom. May you and your family have many many years of peace and happiness to come : ) Keep your Sun shining. Solo

 
At 5:34 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Sunny,

I am so happy to hear you so happy.

Love,

Bill

 
At 9:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey sunny, i hope this operation will face success and live in peace, iraqis paid more than enough and suffered alot. with that i wish to see a calm city without tanks or closed roads& the city of mosul has to revive again. study hard you are in a critical stage,i do believe in ur abilities and im very proud of you. Baghdadentist

 
At 2:28 AM, Blogger cat said...

Hey Sunny!
Yes, your Iraqi Army and National Guards are doing a great job, and I believe that it's almost getting to the point were our soldiers and Marines can start coming home. All thanks to the wonderful job they and the IA have done. It's great to hear you talk of these things; the media tends to focus on the bad things, and so the picture we get is destruction without construction. Keep it up! Luv ya,
Cat

 
At 6:02 AM, Blogger Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

I am glad for you that life in your city is more peaceful and you are feeling more secure.

It is encouraging that Iraqi troops are dealing with the people and not the American soldiers.

 
At 6:02 AM, Blogger Average American said...

I love to read such an upbeat post from you. If the violence is down 90% like you said, that is even better than the news media is saying. That is FANTASTIC news. Please stay safe and keep posting for us who are craving to hear from you. God bless you and yours.

Joe

 
At 7:22 AM, Blogger RG said...

Sunshine,

I would like to say something to Lieutenant Fishman who said the following words to you and your family with a lot of confidence and assurance in the comments section of your last post;

You guys take so many chances and are so brave! Instead of just hiding out in your house you go out in the streets and talk! That is the true spirit of the Maslawis and you will win in the end. Not much longer now. Just like Maliki won in Basra, he has now won in Sadr City, and very soon Maliki will win in Mosul as well. We are killing and capturing so many terrorists- we just need time to interrogate them and get the information and then move to the next bad guy. Keep the faith- shortly victory will be on your very own street!

I would like to say to the Iraqi Military and to Mr. Fishman that you are doing your job with excellent results. You clearly have figured out what works. God Blesss You. We appreachiate everything you are doing in Mosul to keep our girl Sunshine Shining Brightly.

PEACE!

 
At 9:48 PM, Blogger David said...

Sunshine, as much as I think it is terrible for your family to be woken up by soldiers to have your house inspected, I am glad they were Iraqi soldiers and that they were polite. I think most American soldiers try to do a good job, but they do not understand the customs of Iraqi people. They might seem impolite even if they do not mean to be.

I am really glad to hear that the doctors at the hospital didn't receive more people injured by explosions. I hope this large reduction in senseless violence will continue until there is no more of it at all!

I am also glad that your little brother is feeling safe enough to play with his toys again. This war has been so difficult for Iraq's small children. I have worried many times that they are growing up knowing so much fear that they will have many difficulties when they are adults.

I hope your jaw pain will stop. That must make it difficult for you to sleep throughout the night.

Good luck fixing your room. Hopefully, it will never be damaged again.

Take care.

 
At 1:57 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is what I like to see. Our old Sunny is back with optimisim in her voice. Hope is everything. Keep it up.

 
At 7:08 AM, Blogger bintangbicara said...

hi sunshine, i am from malaysia and since i read your blog i realised i started to have a different perceptions of life. you are such a strong girl, and if the distance isn't a barrier, i'd like to be your friend.
ikakikakaki@gmail.com

keep shining, sunshine :)

 
At 10:36 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"at 5:00 Am , my dad awoke me saying ' WAKE UP SUNNY, we have inspection' the soldiers were Iraqi ,so polite, and they didn’t break anything, actually they apologized for awaking us ... each time they were nice and respectful.. "

You act as if that is acceptable. Strangers breaking into your house and searching your belongings. In America we consider that a crime, and if it ever became the norm, the country, and the world, would call the US a fascist totalitiarian state. The point in Iraq is "supposedly" "feedom", right?

I don't get it. I don't understand how you practilly appologize for you opressors. Tisk.

 
At 5:26 PM, Blogger Ripama said...

Sunshine.

I hope that this is the end of the terrorists in Mosul. I'm sure you'd rather be out and about, meeting new people, and writing about new adventures.

We're waiting, hoping and praying.

 
At 9:04 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"'at 5:00 Am , my dad awoke me saying ' WAKE UP SUNNY, we have inspection' the soldiers were Iraqi ,so polite, and they didn’t break anything, actually they apologized for awaking us ... each time they were nice and respectful.. '

You act as if that is acceptable. Strangers breaking into your house and searching your belongings. In America we consider that a crime, and if it ever became the norm, the country, and the world, would call the US a fascist totalitiarian state. The point in Iraq is 'supposedly' 'feedom', right?

I don't get it. I don't understand how you practilly appologize for you opressors. Tisk.
"

BS. How does what the Iraqi government does in the middle of a counter-insurgency count as "the norm"? The Habeus Corpus was suspended during the American civil war and the reconstruction, was Abraham Lincoln a fascist totalitarian?

Regardless, I'm glad to hear things are so much better in Mosul.

-Dennis

 
At 9:13 PM, Blogger Don Cox said...

"a long long way till Iraq heals and return to the way it was before"____We hope it will be much better than it was before. Thanks for the report. It's good to hear things are getting better.

 
At 9:44 PM, Blogger Deena said...

As I understand it they are not oppressors, the Iraqi Army are looking for terrorists hiding out in innocent Iraqi homes. (Like US police will search for criminals)

 
At 2:10 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would like to say to anoymous above. You asked how it was acceptable for solders to come into your house and that in America it is a crime. 1st you live in America probably in a safe town in a safe neighborhood and in a safe house. Sunny lives in a War zone in a life that those of us who live in America can not even begin to understand. She and her family lived a life of constant fear and violence. So if what it takes is solders coming into your house to search for the bad guys just to get your life back to a somewhat normal life then I bet they don't mind and you wouldn't either.

 
At 9:09 PM, Blogger Ripama said...

Sunshine,

What is "Um Al-Rabeeain"?

 
At 9:19 PM, Blogger Ripama said...

-Dennis

Sunshine, her family, and many other Iraqis have had a lot more on their minds other than American legal rights.

The surviving the deprivations of war is always paramount for those involved. Arnchair lawyers such as yourself never seem to grasp true suffering. The only suffering see is that which advances your ideology.

 
At 12:58 AM, Blogger Captain Jarred Fishman, USAFR said...

Love to say this one Sunny:

"I told you so!!" :)

Just don't take any risks now that the end is so near to final success. Don't let the joy overcome you being vigilant in looking at potential problems, now is NOT the time to change your actions- it will be a few more months before the risk has totally been extinguished from the terrorists. Until then, keep being cautious but happy!! :)

 
At 9:22 PM, Blogger Sunshine said...

Um al Rabeeain means "the mother of two springs" , which's another name of Mosul, also it is the name of the new operation ..

 
At 3:43 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ripama?

Huh? Are you thinking of the post I was quoting? I took the same stance Deena and Anonymous 2:10am did.

-Dennis

 
At 6:18 PM, Blogger Strykeraunt said...

Sunshine,
Thank you so much for this wonderful update! This is the news I have been long been waiting for. It is great to read your thoughts towards the future. It has been a while since I remember you talking with such optimism. I guess the media here in the U.S. has been pretty absent during this very important operation because I got to read it here first.

Take care and stay safe!!

 
At 8:47 PM, Blogger Captain Jarred Fishman, USAFR said...

The International Conference for Iraq had over 100 countries attend three days ago, and now today France is pledging more money for reconciliation and reconstruction. I have an entire report which is full of encouraging stories.

Unfortunately for the American left, the war is being won. Which even though that is bad for their political desires, is good for Iraqi patriots like Sunshine and her family and friends.

Which is better for the people of Mosul- to finish the job in killing off Al Qaeda or begin immediate withdrawal as soon as Obama takes office?!! No Iraqi wants the US troops pulled out before the Iraqi forces have consolidated power in every district.

The leftists are consigning those Iraqis who have helped us to death- which is immoral to any thinking person.

 
At 11:32 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dennis,

I'm sure that Ripama misunderstood your comment. I did too the first time I read it. When I read it the second time I saw what you were saying and I agreed with you but not the post you were quoting.

Everyone please do not post violent and political junk on Sunshine's blog. She does her very best to keep us informed and has nothing to do with your foolish political observations.

I love her and I am her grandpa.

 
At 5:16 PM, Blogger John said...

Dear Sunshine,
I am so happy that you are well. Please continue to be careful and stay safe.
Best wishes & a prayer,
John

 
At 5:12 AM, Blogger Nancy said...

I am happy for you that things are improving for you and for your country. I just can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to live in fear the way you do.

You be careful yet as it pays to be cautious.

I'll check your blog for new posts from now on.

Be safe! You sound like a very grown up young lady!

 
At 5:19 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

oh sunshine. what good news. I hope you will be able to get your life back on track now. I was touched to hear about your brother too. Take care still and let us hope things really return to normal.
starliz

 
At 8:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Sunshine,

Your strength and spirit are inspiring. I've encouraged my children to read your blog and share it with others. God bless you and keep writing!

 
At 5:40 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Sunshine,

I have read through your entire blog in the last few days. You are an amazing young woman.

From what I understand, there has been increased activity in Mosul in the last few days, with the bad guys putting up a big fight and the good guys working to end the terror. The good guys are winning, but I know when you're right in the middle of it all it is just devastating.

I hope and pray that you and all those whom you love and care about are safe.

Much love to you from Seattle, Washington,

Hope

 
At 7:56 AM, Blogger Dancewater said...

"Which is better for the people of Mosul- to finish the job in killing off Al Qaeda or begin immediate withdrawal as soon as Obama takes office?!!"

When Obama takes the oath of President, this war will be five years and ten months old.

Quite a long time........... by the way, Al Qaeda did not exist in Iraq prior to the arrival of US troops.

 

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