it would appear I have a routine of writing every two months with frantic updates of the major points in that period of time. I was quite surprised to learn this morning that it has been that long since the last entry, but now reflecting back, a lot has happened.

First, my grandmother is still around to read this entry. With that said, I'm going to skip ahead slightly in the timeline. I spoke with her the other morning, just before my first General Court-Martial was set to begin (a sex assault GCM), and she told me to go win on for the ladies. Well Grandma, yesterday (Friday, 10 June 2011) the panel came back with a conviction on all counts and sentenced the soldier accordingly. Thus, my incredible mentor and I have won one for the ladies.

But don't let me get ahead of myself. Shortly after the last entry my parents came in to visit me. We enjoyed several days exploring Seoul's numerous neighborhoods, and taking the coveted DMZ tour. However, the weather was so terrible the day of the tour that when we got to the main observation post, we were completely socked in and couldn't see a thing. Therefore, I'm not entirely sure that North Korea actually exists.

After an extended weekend in Seoul, we headed to Vietnam. We explore Hanoi and all of its many cultural and historical sights, before heading North into the mountain area of Sapa. Both Hanoi and Sapa was stunning. Hanoi for its busy, organized-choas that really made you feel alive, as you had to be watchful the entire time, or a run-a-way moped might take your knees out. And then there was Sapa, with its rice-paddy tiered mountain slopes, and indigenous peoples who still dress and live the way they have for hundreds of years. But when it comes to beauty, nothing could have prepared me for Ha Long Bay. We took a two-night-three-day cruise, on a small Vietnemese junk, through the wonders that are the islands that congest Ha Long Bay. We didn't see another boat for the entire trip, minus the indigenous fishing peoples who live in floating villiages tucked into the thousands of tiny islands that seemingly collide in this beautiful place. I wish I had never left, I could have been happy on that boat for the rest of my life.

After 8 days in Vietnam, we flew to Angkor Wat/Siem Reap, Cambodia. There we spent all of three days exploring the hundreds of temples, and cultural sights. We went to yet another floating fishing village, this one housing some 8000 people. But the real attraction of course were the temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Tom and Ta Phrom. They were simply amazing, and the levels of their preservations are stunning. I was also taken aback by the poverty surrounding these areas, but its difficult to dwell on that when everyone appears to be so happy. Cambodia is a diamond within the gems of Southeast Asia, and a place I hope to return to sometime.

So, after two full weeks of leave, I returned to Korea to begin the exhaustive trial preparation for no fewer then 5 GCMs. Not only is that a full-time job, but as the new Trial Counsel, I am at the beckon call of any commander within my Brigade. Of course the Colonel comes first, but he never calls me, but I do get hammered by the Battalion and Company Commanders on a regular basis. So, as you might imagine, it is difficult to prepare for trial with your co-counsel and mentor (I call him Sensei) when you're constantly being interrupted to discuss Art. 15s, Chapters, and potentially new Court-Martials a they happen. However, I am proud to say that this Brigade has not had a serious event since February, and Sensei and I are cleaning up the remaining issues rapidly.

After two weeks of non-stop work in the office (weekends included) I decided to take a short driving trip to the East Coast of Korea. I only stayed one night, but it was awesome. The relatively large city of Sokcho is known for its fresh seafood, and close proximity to Seoraksan National Park. I describe the entire area as the Korean version of "Yosemite, Big Sur, Monterey" all mixed together, in a distinctly Korean style. The park offers stunning hikes through the mountains, which would be AMAZING if you could find a trial with fewer then 100,000 Koreans. With that said, Koreans are funny people, and they love their hiking, so where you might not get that connection with nature and the solitude you were looking for, there is entertainment around every corner just people watching as you hike. Sokcho, on the other hand, is a mini metropolis of fish-markets. They're EVERYWHERE, with the most bizarre looking fish you've ever seen. The coolest one I found, was an underground market, which was one large room with fish tanks around the sides, and a number of tables smashed in the middle. Presumably, you buy the fresh fish from the vendors along the wall, and then someone will cook it for your in the middle. Normally, I would have dove in (pun intended?), but after several attempts at eating things I can't even pronounce without the aid of a native speaker, I am hesitant to do that again. Particularly when we're dealing with rather expensive seafood, that I can't even recognize, I need help and when I go back, it will be with someone who can help me understand what I'm eating.

Lastly, this last week was my frist contested General Court-Martial, and as I referenced above, it was a sexual assault court-martial. I promised my Grandmother that I would do all that I could to see that the right thing happened, and I have no doubt that justice was served. I sat second chair while Sensei put on our case better then I had imagined possible. From his opening to his closing arguments was a seemless expose of the facts, and by the time we concluded, we had done everything we could. I didn't just sit there the entire time, rather I had several witnesses that I examined, and I handled all but the closing arguments of the sentencing portion of the case, but really the credit goes to Sensei.

As you read in my last entry, I was moved down here in a somewhat emergent way and into this maelstrom of cases. There is no way I could have handled this job without CPT Montgomery, and now, having watched him through this past week, it is obvious, I have a LOT more to learn. He was phenomenal, and we ended up receiving a sentence that far exceeded our expectations (but mimicked our hopes) and all the work paid off.

Now, I'm headed to Seoul for the evening to relax, visit with friends, and enjoy myself before I set in for the next set of GCMs coming down the road (three more before the end of July).

Finally, Grandma, I love you, keep fighting the good fight. But as time passes, rest assured that I will continue your fight. This last trial was won for the ladies, just as you asked..