Carey Akamine:
CLASS OF 1967
Kailua High SchoolClass of 1967
Kailua, HI
Carey's Story
Life
After 4 years working in Iraq... I finally came home and spent the past year just goofing off and just enjoying life... I fnally went back to work... The project ended early and I was burnt out... done... and wanting to just to rest and be in a safe environment... besides things there were getting a little "hairy"... I outlasted everyone at the site and am the "Old Man" of the Umm Qasr compound... I haad 270 Iraqis (from Facility Maintenance, Warehousing, to site security), 125 Fijians... mostly our armed security and Personnel Escorts... and 6 Indians (Dining Facility).. the the Expat staff consists of Brits, Aussie, Fijian, Indians and Americans... and Iraqis... I have come like the Iraqis and have a kindred bond to the Fijians... but Hawaii is calling me home... and my health and personal relationships could be a lot better... but that's life... I may seek another "adventure" after a year or 2 hiatus... They are talking about Mogandishu, Afganistan and Somalia... (sp???)... but that would be another life changing experience...
Hope to reconnect with friends and family when I'm home... Forgot to mention that I was asked to help with the State Department contract in Baghdad... working in the New Embassy Compound... Transporting and installing the new ...Expand for more
office furniture and living quarters furniture... that was a trip in it's self... Anyway, I've been home now for a year... and contacted twice for startup jobs in "less than" safe working conditions, but didn't get the contract so, no job... I was told I would miss the "Cowboy life style" and I'll have to admit that I do...
*****************************
After 9 months here in the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq... I've learned that changing an attitude and a work ethic will take much longer than a few years... The new expats arriving in country have little or no experience with the Middle East, expect that they are still working in America... boy are they in for a surprise!!!! I will soon have to make a decision to extend my contract or go home...
********************************
From an idyllic lifestyle to McCall, ID back to Hawaii and now Iraq!!!!
Life can sure be full of surprises... I never thought I would be working here but strangely felt like I should go for a totally new environment... and this is truly a different beast...
Unless you've been to the Middle East, you could not understand the frustration level an American will experience in getting work accomplished on time or in a timely fashion... Inshala (sp???) a truly different experience!!!
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos