Sampson Update, 19 May 2008

Aloha,

 

Details are starting to filter in on dates for our upcoming move and we thought you might be interested.  But before we move from Hawaii, there are a couple trips that we have planned.  Let's go in sequential order, shall we?

 

First, trip to Big Island with Jay to sightsee and for Gary to run the 2008 Ironman Hawaii 70.3 race.  Race is on Saturday, 31 May.  You may be able to follow along online - check http://www.ironman703hawaii.com/ or http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/honu70.3.  Race starts at 0700 HST and I aim to finish in less than 7 hours.  Overall dates for the trip are 29 May - 2 June.

 

Next is the Olmsted Scholar Orientation Weekend in Washington, D.C.  We will travel from Hawaii on 4 June for this and return on 8 June.  John will stay behind with friends for this one.

 

That will take us up to our final week in the islands.  We are slated to depart on 14 June and arrive in Nebraska at about noon on the 15th (Sunday).

 

Will be able to spend about 2 weeks back home.  We sure hope to be able to see as many of you as possible during our time back in Nebraska!  We depart for Monterey, CA, on 29 June flight.  That will allow a few working days on the ground there to hopefully get squared away before what will certainly be a long weekend to celebrate Independence Day.  The 50-week long Mandarin Chinese course will commence the week of 7 July 2008 and is scheduled to end on 30 July 2009 (it ends up being over a year in total length due to holidays, etc.).

 

So that's it in a nutshell - please e-mail if you need or want more specific details; we'd be happy to send if you do!

 

Shameless plug for the Olmsted Foundation and the Olmsted Scholar Program: if you haven't perused their website, check it out here: http://www.olmstedfoundation.org/olmsted/web/index.cfm

 

I was selected as a part of the Olmsted Scholar Class of 2009 (when I will start my in-country studies), the 50th class since the beginning of the program.  This year, there were 27 scholars selected between the four services, the largest class ever.  Of note, I am only the 7th scholar to be assigned to Taiwan, and the first Marine Olmsted Scholar to be sent there.  To get an idea of how limited and exclusive this program is, noting as I mentioned above that the program has been in existence for 50 years now, fewer than 50 Marines have had the chance to be a part of it!  I am very humbled and proud to be a part of this select group!

 

Best regards from Hawaii,

 

Gary, Barb, and big boy 2-year old John!