Thoughts From a Wandering Soul (Not too Far from Seoul)

Rubber Ducky in Hebrew

Oh The Memories...

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Tribute to the Bush Administration - Christine Ebersole

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Labels: Bush Administration, Colbert Report

It’s The End of The World As We Know It!!

And I feel Fine!!!!

Yes the day is here. The day that I have been waiting to come for eight years! It is a wonderful day. I am staying up all night to watch it. Korea is 14 hours ahead!! Bring it!

Labels: New President

The First Day of Fall

I know that the Autumnal Equinox occurred just a few days ago, but today felt like the first day of fall. When CR and I woke up and went to go for our walk, we opened the door to find it was rainy and cold. That is the first time that it has felt like fall. It makes me want to go to a foot ball game. I want to be sitting in the stands bundled up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate watching a game. I am now waiting to see the leaves change. I hear the color here in Korea is pretty good, but not in the area that I am stationed. I guess that I will have to travel for that.

There is just something exciting about that first sense of cold. It reminds me of the first weeks of school when any things seems possible for that school year. Out of all of the seasons, I love fall the best. I guess it is just the Midwesterner in me, but the thought of falling leaves and riding down roads with harvested cornfields on both sides with deer grazing is comforting. Except when you have to avoid the deer that jumps in the road, but those are the breaks.

Well my time for waxing nostalgic must come to an end, I must get back to work!

Labels: Autumnal, Fall, Football

The Republican Right is Eating their Young!

I was riding home from lunch with Corey when I turned on Armed Forces Network Radio (AFN). I have not normally had the chance to listen to the 1300 programming schedule (since I am normally at work at that time) so this was the first time that I had heard Dr. Laura on this station.

Today she was going off on Sara Palin! That is right she was critical of her decision to go back to governing her state days after giving birth to her last child. She made this statement in a blog entry on September 3rd entitled “Sara Palin and Motherhood.” She went on and on about how it was a horrible example for women. I guess they are never satisfied. Dr. Laura is a witch that makes American womanhood feel bad about themselves if they even venture to think about going to work. Isn’t it enough that Sara Palin would do everything in her power to prevent a women from exercising her reproductive rights. But I guess the right will never be happy with any one.

Labels: Dr. Laura, Republicans, Sarah Palin

A Message for Canadians!

People Will Eat Anything

CR and I were sitting in at the Food Court on USAG Yongsan when he mentioned the latest pizza creation by Anthony’s Pizza (the Army and Air Force Exchange version of Sbarro's Pizza). This pizza is a concoction of everything that should go into a taco but on a pizza, this includes lettuce and other delights. They have truly outdone themselves; the last “special” pizza they came out with was a Mac and Cheese pizza (I even think they added some bacon or meat to it). It looked truly disgusting.

The video below brings light to this as only The Onion can!

Domino's Scientists Test Limits Of What Humans Will Eat

Labels: Eating, Pizza

A Bra's Tale: Detour on a Daughter's Trip Abroad

I saw this story and I just could not stop laughing! I hope the makers of Wonderbra looked at this potential problem so that they can avoid it to happening to a consumer of their product.

Morning Edition, June 27, 2008 ·

As a young woman, Betty Jenkins received a gift from her mother that was meant to attract the attention of young men. But as Jenkins, who is now 94, tells her niece, the attention she got wasn't the kind she was expecting.

"I was very skinny, and I didn't have any curves. I guess my mother got kind of worried, because she didn't think I had enough boyfriends," Jenkins said.

The gift was an inflatable bra that was designed to enhance its wearer's figure. A straw-like tube was used to inflate pads in the cups.

"I was real excited, so I blew and blew to about [size] 32," Jenkins said.

But things didn't go smoothly during a plane trip in South America. The plane was flying near the Andes Mountains when Jenkins began to feel pressure and sensed there was a problem.

It turned out the cabin was not pressurized, and the bra was expanding.

"As the thing got bigger, I tried to stand up," Jenkins said, "and I couldn't see my feet."

The instructions said that the bra's pads could be inflated up to a size 48.

"I thought, 'What would happen if it goes beyond 48?'" Jenkins recalled.

"I found out what happened," she said. "It blew out."

Only one of the cups burst, Jenkins said. But the noise was loud enough to seize the attention of everyone on the plane.

"The co-pilot came into the cabin with a gun, wondering what had happened. The men all pointed to me."

Jenkins then tried to explain in Spanish what she could hardly explain in English, "that part of your anatomy just blew up."

The plane made an emergency landing, and Jenkins was handed over to the police. She was ordered to strip, as the officers looked for what they assumed could only be a bomb.

After she showed the men the hole in her bra, Jenkins was allowed back on the plane and her trip continued.

"A month later, I got a bill from the airline for $400," Jenkins said, "for an unscheduled stop."

Her mother enjoyed the story so much that she kept the broken bra. Her mother died in 1967. As for the bra, Jenkins says she no longer has it.

Produced for Morning Edition by Nadia Reiman. The senior producer for StoryCorps is Michael Garofalo.

The Colbert Report

Thank you Internet…

The Internet allows me to see The Colbert Report and The Daily Show here in Korea! It was one of the things that I would regret not being able to access!

Last nights show was one of the best that I have seen in a while!

Here is the Cookie Monster Sketch!

Korea...

There are many things that just aren’t quite right here. I have a long list. But it is a beautiful country. Before I go into a diatribe on how you take you life into your own hands every day you drive on the road (that is a post all to its self). I thought that I would post some photos of the country!

When I arrived in Korea the Cherry Blossoms were starting to bloom. They are only in bloom for a short time, but they are beautiful.

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New Flat, New Car and The Cat is Back!

We moved into our new digs on Tuesday. We are finally out of Army Lodging and into a nice two story Apartment (really a townhouse). It is a little smaller than the last place that I lived in Cleveland. It is 2 stories with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms! The new digs are really nice. We have a view of the river (with some power lines included).

With living off of post, we had to get a car. The car that we purchased was a Daewoo Matize. It is about the size of a shoe box, but you can park it anywhere. I would like more metal between me and the next car (driving here will be the topic of a separate post). It is cute!

Minerva is really enjoying the staircase and she loves the views of the outside. I also think that she is happy to be out of kitty jail (we had to keep her in the pet care center in Seoul until we found a place because lodging didn’t allow pets in the rooms). We visited her as often as we could, but Camp Humphreys is an hour bus ride from Seoul.

Labels: Flat, Korea, Minerva

The Big 30!

I have been so busy with moving to Korea, finding an apartment, a car and figuring how to navigate around the country that I completely lost track. My Birthday snuck up on me and I didn’t even realize it. This evening is also the start of Passover and I was even a little bit more concerned with that.

I have fulfilled some of my list that I wanted to complete prior to my 30th B-day. I have a wonderful husband, my job is stable and I am in better shape (still can improve). Heck I even ran a half marathon prior to my 30th!

So here is to good-bye to my 20’s and welcome to my 30’s! I guess that I have to grow up now!

Buffett Song of the Day: “I am Growing Older but not Up”

Camp Humphreys

Well I have made it to my duty station. I have not really had an opportunity to get off post yet, but I hope to see some things this weekend. I miss everyone!

Welcome to Korea

Well I have made it to Korea! The plane flight was long, but it was not that bad. Korean Airlines was much better that Alitalia! The food was good (even though I had a kosher meal) and the service was some of the best that I have seen in my travels. I can’t wait to see this country. The people that I have met so far have been really kind.

Another Funny Comerical

Prep For the Field!

Today is the last day before we go to the field. Since I am going to be a Battalion S6 (In Charge of everything that has electrons running through it in the battalion), I had to go out on a Retransmission team. It was raining and nasty. Oh the joy of putting up an antenna in the rain and mud. Then NCO that was training us is a good guy. I like the NCO’s that really want to make us better and tell us about what soldiers are like.

On the other hand, they wanted us to put up tents without stakes! Yeah like that is going to work. Good times.

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Labels: Field, FTX, SOBC

How much of a prude has America become?

Today I was at the grocery store waiting in line at the check out. I noticed that the covers of Glamour, Cosmo and a few other magazines had that hard plastic blocker that you see placed in front of magazines like Hustler and Penthouse. I mean really! The covers did not even show very much skin. I do not like the exploitation of women, but these magazine covers were not offensive. They did not show body parts. They were just regular covers. There was no need, but I wonder what prudish freaks complained and made Publix resort to this. What is the next step, a burka?

Labels: Censorship, Prude, Publix

Yeah! One Less Hoop

Today we had our final PT Test at 0445. I passed everything and even exceeded the standards! I am excited. This was the last hurdle to getting out of here! Next stop...Korea!

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Labels: Korea, PTTest

More School Fun

I hate how the schedule for school changes. I was really looking forward to seeing CR on Saturday evening, but I just found out that is not going to happen. He has been gone for 2 weeks and I looking forward to being on the same continent with him. We were just informed that we will be staying out in the field starting on Saturday, not Sunday as previously stated. It could be a whole lot worse, it isn't like I am being told that my deployment is being extended 12 more months in Iraq. So I guess there is always a bright side, but it is hard to see.

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Tampa Bay Red Dress 2007 Video

This was a wonderful day! I miss all of my friends in Tampa!

Labels: Hash, Red Dress, Tampa

Packing

Well it is that time again, it is time to pack up all of my worldly belongings and move on to the next place. This time it is Korea!! I have gotten rid of more stuff, but there is still so much! CR is in Korea right now, so I am here with the boxes! Good times! Next week is prep for the field and then if all goes well Graduation!

Minerva's World

Minerva’s world will be changing here soon. She has done well with all of the moving that she has done. She has another move ahead. I am happy that I will be able to take Minerva to Korea with me. It will be wonderful to have her I couldn’t imagine not coming home and having her flop right down on her back ready to have her tummy rubbed.

In order to facilitate her flight to Asia, she needed to have documentation. There is a ton of paperwork that needs to be done. Today CR started the process by taking her to the vet. She did well. She became a techno cat. She was chipped at the Vet (not that I ever let her outside0, but it is nice to know!

In addition, while she has been here in Grovetown with Corey and me, she has attracted a fan club. Some of my friends from Officer Basic Course love to come over and play with her. Jen even comes when we go on trips to pet her. She is so loved!

Labels: Friends, Korea, Minerva

Here are the Run Results

See the data on the run

I Did It!!!

CR and I successfully ran the Half-Marathon! My Time was 2:27:21! I am happy that I did not even stop once. I am sore, but it was worth it. I cannot wait until my next one.

Labels: Half Marathon, Tampa

The Gasparilla Distance Classic

We drove through the night and made it to Tampa at around 03:00. We had 4 drivers so it was not dangerous at all. Greg and Lisa came along as well. We are here to run the ½ Marathon. The race is called the Gasparilla Distance Classic. It will by my first ½ Marathon and Lias’s second. Corey has ran 2 marathons, so it doesn’t really count for him. I am a little excited and nervous. I have been training for this, but I am not sure that it has been enough. Things have been crazy with school and all. I am going for completion here. I will work for time on another race. I am excited yet fearful! The best part of it all is that it is in Tampa! I love this city. I really miss it down here.

I would try to vote, but it wouldn’t matter!

I am from Michigan, but moved to Florida. I have residency in FL. In either state my vote would not have counted! As usual Dave Barry puts it into words that express how people truly feel.

Dave Barry: Every vote matters, unless you're from Florida

By Dave Barry
Miami Herald
01/27/2008

On Tuesday, millions of Florida voters will head for the polls. Being Floridians, many of them will become confused and drive into buildings, canals, cemeteries, other Floridians, etc. But some will actually make it to the polls, where they will cast ballots that will play a crucial role in the presidential election. Or, in the case of Democrats, not.

It turns out that the 2008 Florida Democratic primary doesn't count. Florida will be sending the same number of delegates to the 2008 Democratic convention as Uzbekistan.

This may seem unfair, but there's a simple, logical explanation: The whole primary system is insane. Consider the process so far:

First Iowa held "caucuses," in which Iowans gathered in small groups at night and engaged in some mysterious Iowan ritual that for all we know involves having intimate relations with corn. Right after that Wyoming had a primary, but it was only for Republicans, because Wyoming Democrats (apparently there are at least two) will hold their primary March 8. Most of the candidates ignored Wyoming and focused on the New Hampshire primary, except Rudy Giuliani, who's following a shrewd strategy, originally developed by the Miami Dolphins, of not entering the race until he has been mathematically eliminated. After New Hampshire came Michigan, where the ballot listed all the Republicans, but only certain Democrats, including Chris Dodd, who had already dropped out if the race, but NOT including Barack Obama or John Edwards.

After Michigan came the Nevada caucuses, in which Hillary Clinton got more votes, but Obama got more delegates. (If you don't understand how that could happen, then you have never been to a casino.) Then came the South Carolina Republican primary, which of course was not held on the same day as the South Carolina Democratic primary. Then comes Florida, in which Republican voters will elect some delegates, although the total will only be half the number Florida was originally supposed to get.

Meanwhile, Florida Democrats, as I mentioned, will have the same impact on their party's nomination as if they fed their ballots to ducks.

I am not making any of this up: This is our actual primary system, except (I hope) the part about the corn. We're selecting candidates for the most important job in the world via a process that's less rational than the one used to choose Miss Kumquat of Pasco County.

How did we end up with this ridiculous system? We got it through endless petty squabbling, in both parties, over the issue of which states get to go first. That's right:

When confronted with what should be a minor procedural problem, the leaders of our major political parties can't even work intelligently with THEIR OWN ALLIES let alone their opponents. This is why, no matter who wins in November, I am optimistic about the future of the nation. (I'm referring to Uzbekistan.)

Anyway, for those of you who plan to vote Tuesday, here's a quick overview of the political situation:

THE REPUBLICAN RACE: It's still wide open. Mitt "Mitt" Romney holds a slight edge in delegates, plus a heifer he got for winning Wyoming. Right behind him are John McCain, Chuck Norris and the late Ronald Reagan. Bringing up the rear is Rudy, who needs a win and has been frantically courting Florida voters. He's mowing their lawns right now.

THE DEMOCRATIC RACE: It's down to Obama vs. Clinton, and it's getting nasty. They hate each other, with the kind of passionate hatred that you see only between two people who hold essentially the same positions on everything. Edwards is still running, but at this point they don't even bother to put a microphone on him for the debates. He just waves his arms to indicate how he's going to take on the big corporations.

So that's the situation. Also, Rudy, if you're reading this: My hedge needs trimming.

Trip to Honky Tonk Land

I have done a bit of traveling during my time here in beautiful Augusta, GA. This weekend I went to day goodbye to one of my best friends from high school. I met her at one of the dorky Debate/Model UN functions that I participated in during high school. Sarah is not from my hometown, but from a city about 30 minutes to the east. Now her mother lives in a suburb of Nashville, TN.

Sarah and I have different opinions on a lot of subjects, but our friendship shows how opposites can get along and even become great friends. My grandmother said that the true friends you have are the ones that when you have not seen them for a while, when you do see them again you can pick up right were you left off. This is the kind of relationship that Sarah and I have. Sarah has been in France for most of the last year, and I have been in different Army schools, so needless to say we have not had a chance to see each other. Last weekend was the only chance that my schedule and her schedule would allow for a meeting prior to her departure to Cameroon, West Africa. She will be there for 2 years. So I decided to drive up to Tennessee to see her and her mother.

We talked and went for a walk at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. It was beautiful. There were 3 huge gardens under a glass roof. After that we got take out and rented a movie. We sat and looked at my wedding photos (so far we have over 1500 photos). Then we watched Patriot Games.

I am going to miss her. I was sad that she could not be a part of my wedding. She has been there for most of the significant events in my life. I feel like our paths are diverging in a significant way. I will be in Korea for at least the next year (maybe the next two) and she will be in Africa.

I wish her the best of luck on her new endeavor. She is a PA and she will be working at a mission hospital in Cameroon.

Labels: Cameroon, Sarah

Learning to Fly

Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction holding me fast, how
Can I escape this irresistible grasp?

Can't keep my mind from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I

Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings, I thought I thought of everything
No navigator to find my way home
Unladened, empty and turned to stone

A soul in tension that's learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can't keep my mind from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air,
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night

There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, A state of bliss
Can't keep my mind from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

-- Pink Floyd

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Labels: PinkFloyd

Jingle Bombs

Here is Achmed!

Labels: Achmed, Jeff Dunham

Cold

Here is a website that is moving: One Cold Hand. It is about gloves that are found in the Pittsburgh area.

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Labels: Gloves, One Cold Hand, Pittsburgh

Train to Michigan

Currently Corey and I are on the train to Battle Creek! We had a nice day in Chicago and got to see my friend Lauren who is working in Chicago. Almost Home!

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What has the world come too? We are now the dumping ground for Canadian hand me downs!

Canadians Discarding Old Clothes in Mall Parking Lots on U.S. Shopping Trips

Monday, December 17, 2007
Associated Press

NIAGARA, N.Y. — Canadian shoppers taking advantage of the parity between the U.S. and Canadian dollars are leaving behind more than cash when the head home.

They're leaving behind their old clothes.

Some Canadian shoppers wear their new clothes home to avoid paying a duty when they cross back into Canada. The old clothes get left behind in parking lots, dressing rooms and restrooms at malls and shopping plazas in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls region.

At the Fashion Outlets mall just outside the city of Niagara Falls, managers have placed collection bins near the exits where Canadians customers can deposit their unwanted items.

The clothing is then given to Community Missions of Niagara Frontier.

Clothing bins have also been placed at the Walden Galleria in suburban Cheektowaga.

Labels: Canada, Economy, Loony

Some Initial Wedding Pictures

Here are some of the first photos I have from my wedding. There will be more to follow.

Corey sees me for the first time in my wedding dress

Corey signing the Katuba

Corey going down the aisle with his father

Corey and I under the Chuppah

Sunset after the wedding

Introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Corey Ringer

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Labels: Wedding

Tech Bubble

Labels: tech bubble, We did start the bubble

Back to the Real World

We are back from our honeymoon. We had a wonderful honeymoon. For our honeymoon we took a cruise to the Bahamas. We rented motor scooters and went around the island.

The wedding went off without to much trouble. It was a special day that I will never forget. My Grandfather walked me down the aisle. Seeing Corey under the chuppa waiting for me is a picture that will remain with me for eternity.

I will show some pictures tomorrow, but I have to get back to the real world. Tomorrow I have to get back to the grind. Signal Officer Basic starts tomorrow bright and early at 0530. Fun times! Got to love early wake up calls.

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Labels: Bahamas, Honeymoon, Wedding

Our Wedding Day!!

Today is the big day. WE had the Hash Wedding last night. My bacheloret party was on Friday evening (more to come, I was surprised to say the least). I will be incommunicado for a few days! I am going to get some sun in the Bahamas!

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2 More Days!!!!!!

We only have 2 more days until we graduate. The time now is spent clean and getting all of the administrative stuff taken care of. I can’t wait to get to a civilized place. Lawton, OK is a bit backwoods for me. There are 2 Wal-Marts but no Target. Not even an Olive Garden, not like it is fine dining, but it is better than I-Hop! I have to travel at least an hour to get to a decent shopping place.

I got a little excited this weekend about the wedding. I purchased the shoes that I will be wearing for the reception (I am going barefoot for the ceremony). I went to David’s Bridal for the shoes. I was a little sad that I didn’t have the experience of shopping for my dress like the brides that were at the store, but I am not a nutty bride either. They all seemed so obsessed with the wedding planning. It is like the world has stopped and they are completely focused on their wedding. The store also helped to perpetuate this feeling (it is their job). When I was there I was looking at the veils, a saleswoman came up to me. (With only one week out I am still undecided about wearing one. They are ridiculously expensive and I am getting married on a beach and I don’t know if I need one.) She asks the preliminary questions (sort of similar to what I used to ask when I worked in car sales). Then she asks about my dress and immediately says that I should get a veil (like you would expect them to say any different). I have a hard time paying close to $100 for something that I could make on my own if I had a day to spare. I left without the veil. I got the shoes (they dyed them for me right then and there) and left for my hour and a half trip back to Lawton, OK.

Labels: Bridezilla, Oklahoma, Wedding

Memories of Michigan

I was killing some time in the day room (the common room in a Army Barracks where the TV is located) and ran into a fellow Michigander (a person from Michigan there is some debate as to weather it is Michigander or Michigianina). We were reminiscing about things that are uniquely Michigan. There is an entire genera of “You Might be from Michigan If “ jokes. There are also the unique Michigan traffic laws. For instance in Michigan when you are at a left turn signal you can tern left on a blinking red. And then there is the “Michigan Left.” Then there is the things that can only happen in Michigan. On I-75 in Michigan exit 69 is the exit for Big Beaver Road. Also there are the entertaining city names of Colon, Climax, and Hell, Michigan. Oh how I miss that winter wonder land. Yes! Michigan the Feeling is Forever.

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Labels: BigBeaver Road, Michigan, Michigan Left

My Feet

In my previous post I mentioned that I had a ten mile ruck march this morning. To go along with that, my heals are on fire and I have matching blisters on both of my pinky toes. Since I didn’t bring my Birkenstocks to OK I am wearing my Naot sandals instead.

They are really cool! I have them with the silver leather with mint leather base. They are comfortable. It is a bit cold for them here, but I am having a hard time walking in regular shoes. I am glad that I will not have to another march for some time. Next time I will work my way up to it. I plan on purchasing my own ruck to start rucking on the weekends. I hear in Korea that we will have to do a 12 mile ruck march each year. Good times!

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Labels: Feet, Naot, Ruck March

Finished!!!

I am happy to state here that I have completed all of the requirements for BOLC2. Today I woke up at 0015 for a ten-mile ruck march! This was the last requirement for graduation. We spent the entire first part of the week in the FOB (Forward Operations Base) putting into practice the stuff that we have been learning throughout the course. I am happy to be done. Now we just have out-processing and weapons cleaning left. I should be on the road on Wed. I can’t believe it is only 8 days until my wedding. I am now allowing myself to get excited about it.

There is much traveling to be done between now and then. I have to drive to Augusta, GA and catch a flight to Tampa. That is no small feat. It is over 1500 miles from Ft. Sill to Augusta. Ugh.

I had a wonderful weekend in NJ meeting CR’s family. CR’s brother and sister in-law have 4 children. They are wonderful children. They will look so cute in the wedding. I got to see more of New Jersey than just the airport (which is the only part that I have seen before). It is really beautiful. The landscape is rugged and varied. I think that it is a place that I wouldn’t mind settling down.

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Labels: BOLC2, NJ, Wedding

Ohhhhh.... Vodka

Ugh! First one bridesmaid can’t make it from Alaska, now one has to go home to Ohio for a Family emergency. I am sorry that this has happened, I completely understand. Family must come first. I will miss her being there. A bottle of Żubrówka is waiting for her if she changes her mind.

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Labels: Polish Vodka, Wedding Mishaps, Żubrówka

Patience

get on the flight and take my seat. Toward the end of the seating a gentleman boards the plane (I am using the term gentleman loosely here). He has a brief case and a bag with presents in it (not large could have fit underneath the seat in front of him. The Flight attendant was doing her checks and getting ready for the flight to move away from the gate. He turns to her (after not looking at all for a place to put his stuff) and says “you are a stewardess aren’t you, find a place for this stuff”. My head shot up with the phrase Stewardess, that is no longer politically correct, it is demeaning like the word actress (meaning that they are not as good as a male who is an actor). She took the package from him and asked if there was anything breakable in it, he said yes and then stated that it was just some hats and gloves that were wrapped. She said that she would find a place for it, but did not take the package immediately because she was in the middle of taking care of another issue. He seemed a little miffed that she did not drop everything for him. EH placed the package in the middle of the aisle for her to pick it up. She came back and picked up the package. She placed the package at the back of the plane and proceeded on with her work, as she passed is reminded her to tell him not to forget the package. To her credit she was completely congenial.

When beverage service came around he was extremely demanding. He wanted tea (the plane is a small commuter jet and does not have hot water. Then he requested a Bloody Mary (they did not have Bloody Mary mix on the plane). He settled for some tomato juice. Later during the flight, he lost the cap to his bottle and it landed near my feet, I was half awake, I noticed that he looked at me like I was to pick it up for him (and had he been nicer to her I would have). He fumbled for it and got it. At the end of the flight he asked me and the other women in the back of the plane to get his package for him. He didn’t even say please. To their credit, none of the other women lifted a finger. He was miffed and stomped to the back of the plan and then preceded to crowd the girl in front of him. She was getting her baggage from the overhead compartment. This guy was a real prick. He needs a little jolt of reality. I was really pissed off. As I disembarked the plane, I smiled at the Flight attendant and said that she had extreme patience and said to have a nice day. She laughed.

This is just a small example of what I am sure that she has to deal with everyday. It is not as bad as in our mothers day, but it should not even be this way. I am expected to carry my own weight as a Soldier (gender neutral term). This guy really needs to get hit up side the head with some reality. Maybe it will be when his female boss downsizes him!

Labels: Flight Attendent, Male Chauvinist Pig, Newark, Sexism

More Fun in the Field

We just completed week 2 in the field. It was good training (as they like to say when something is stupid, but you are still doing it be cause you are in a military school (TRADOC: Training and Doctrine)). I did learn a lot, but it could have been condensed in to three days instead of making us stay out there for five. As field exercises go, this is the most luxurious one that I have ever been on. Hey, if I can get a shower every night, then I will do almost anything. I don’t like being sweaty with no hope of cleaning off the funk from the field for three days. We only have next week left and then I will be done with BOLC 2! One school down, one more to go, However, I found out that I am squad leader for next week, so it will not be stress free!

Even with being told that I will be squad leader all next week, I am allowing myself to get excited about my wedding. I picked up my dress from its second alteration (I lost more weight so I had to have it taken in even more!!!). I am taking it with me to NJ so that CR can take it to a cleaners in Tampa to be cleaned and pressed for the big day. It is coming up so quickly. Only sixteen more days left! Funny how life creeps up on you, I have been so busy with school that I have not let myself get excited about the wedding. Now I look forward to the beach and having my friends around me. It will be a good time. There are still some last minute items to take care of (like the music selection) but I am sure that Buffett will be a staple of the evening.

The Weather is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful

Play ball!! (one, two, three, four)
Wheres my per diem? (ladies and gentlemen, the carl reiner band)
Hey bobby, wheres the keys to the rent-a-car?
Jimmy, jimmy, can I open the show in Atlanta please?
Warning! don’t ever start a band!

He worked hard all year, just wanted a few weeks alone
But his old ladys into modelin, she can’t get away from a phone
Besides she bitches about the mosquitoes
She says, down there is nothing to do
Her goddamn phone never stops ringin
He’ll try the service in a day maybe two

Well he’s on his third drink before the wheels of the plane leave the ground
Making points with the stewardess high over long island sound
She’s also spending some time on the island
Too much city madness gives her the blues
They make a date to go dancin and dinin
It seems neither has that much to lose

Chorus:
The weather is here I wish you were beautiful
My thoughts aren’t too clear but don’t run away
My girlfriends a bore, my job is too dutiful
Hell nobody’s perfect would you like to play?
I feel together today

Well now that’s just the start of a well-deserved overdue binge
Meanwhile back in the city certain people are starting to cringe
His lawyers are calling his parents
His girlfriend doesn’t know what to think
His partners are studying their options
He’s just singin and orderin drinks

Chorus:
The weather is here I wish you were beautiful
The skies are too clear life’s so easy today
The beer is too cold, the daiquiris too fruitiful
No place like home when you’re this far away
I don’t care what they say (I don’t care)

Hes goin back to New York pack it up and let everyone know
It was something that he should have done such a long time ago
Still time to start a new life in the palm trees
Ah, Billy Clyde wasn’t insane
And if it doesn’t work out there’ll never be any doubt
That the pleasure was worth all the pain

Chorus:
The weather is here I wish you were beautiful
The skies are too clear lifes so easy today
The beer is too cold, the daiquiris too fruitiful
No place like home when you’re this far away
Time for to play
I need time for to play
Time for to play
I need time for to play
I need time for to play
I need time for to play
I need time for to play
I need time for to play
I need time for to play

-- Jimmy Buffett

Blogged with Flock

Labels: Army, BOLCII, Wedding

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I left this morning bright and early from Lawton, OK to make a 6:10 flight out of Wichita, KS to Newark, NJ. Currently I am sitting at Chicago O’Hare waiting for my connecting flight. I am a little miffed that the airport in Kansas had free WiFi, but Chicago makes you pay for it. Since this is the case, I decided to use my air-card. It is not as fast as the WiFi, but I already pay for it. The temperature here is 32 degrees. Yesterday at Ft. Sill it was in the high 70’s. I now realize how much I dislike the cold. There was a reason that I moved to FL.

Blogged with Flock

Another Week in the Field

This week in the field was not as bad as in OCS. We stayed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB). They try to simulate what it would be like in Iraq. This is totally different from any other training experience I have ever had. There were showers!! I was excited. A lot of stuff was different, but I will not get into that.

Being away for a week is good sometimes. I got to clear my head and learn a lot of things. I am excited to be a leader. I am looking forward to leading troops and taking care of them. I am getting a better understanding of what it means to be an officer.

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Off for the Weekend!

We have been released! CR is coming to Dallas this weekend to visit me. It will be the last time that I get to see him before the weeding. It will be a great relief to get out of here for a while.

Today we stared off with a 5 mile Ruck March that began at 4:30 in morning. I am not all that good at ruck marches. I hate them. I find that they are a low point for me. I will never be a PT stud, but I always feel horrible about myself after one. A bright point of the match was when we went along the range for the field artillery trainees. They were doing night fire! That is some cool stuff to watch!

On a more fun note, today was intro to US Weapons. I love playing with the 50 Cal. It is one of those weapons that once you fire it, everything else will feel like shooting a child’s gun. I find it strange that I love the large weapons. I also find it strange that I really like to make things explode. I don’t mean this in a strange psychotic way, I just love seeing what the weapons can do. Too bad I didn’t get branched ordinance, I could have go EOD!

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Missing Things

I have been reading the e-mails from the Model United Nations conference that I was involved in. I didn’t think that I would miss it but I do. I hope there will be a time in the future that I will be able to volunteer again. I really miss conference. I loved working with the students and the other staff members. The conference was once a large part of my life. It is hard to give those things, but sometimes it is for the best. Other things have taken its place, but I still miss it around this time of year.

Labels: Cleveland, LEIMUN, MUN

How to Ghettophi a BMW…

This is a book that I should write after last weekend. My Saturday started off late due to the prior evenings festivities. So when I did get up, I decided that I would like some fresh air. What better place to get some of that kind of air than on a mountain top. With that in mind I decided to go the Wichita Mountains and drive up to the top of Mt. Scott. That is another story. On the way up the mountain I got a low coolant light. I had no other choice but to continue up the mountain, due to the fact that it was a two lane road and there was no safe place to turn. Once I got up to the summit, I waited a few minutes and took in the sights. Then I started my trip down the mountain. My engine started to over heat. I let my princess roll down the mountain and out of the wild life reserve. It finally red-lined and I stopped the car immediately. I rolled into this small roadside store that had “live rattle snakes” painted on the side of the building. 2 women were there about ready to close up and they were extremely helpful. I purchased 3 gallons of water and waited for the engine to cool down. When it did I attempted to pour water into the coolant reservoir. I wouldn’t stay. There was a huge crack along the entire side of the coolant reservoir. It was nine inches long and about 1/8th of an inch wide. Nothing was going to stay in this thing. To make things worse, I was not in an area where I had cell phone coverage. But I got out of that situation.

I got to a place where I could call a flatbed to get my baby back to town. I called one of my fellow LT’s and he took me home. The next morning, 2LT W and 2LT Mc went with me to the place where I had the car dropped off. They proceeded to take apart my baby. I had a hard time looking. They managed to get my coolant reservoir out and they we proceeded to duct tape it. We closed the gap and taped it and then replaced it. Then we filled it with enough water to get me back on base. From there I ordered a part from Ohio and then we repaired it this evening. It is funny to think that I had to duct tape my BMW. Oh…. She will never be the same.

Labels: BMW, Car Trouble, Oklahoma

Today

Today we had our second day of combatives. We learned how to choke out people. It was a good time. I fought for hours. I got my butt kicked, but I learned a great deal. I am really sore! I am not the only one. We have 3 more days of this. It isn’t that bad.

Labels: Army

Fall in Oklahoma

I have not had a really good fall season since I left the northern part of the US. It is mid October and it hasn’t even started to get cold yet. I miss the leaves turning. I long to take a wonder drive through the countryside looking at the colors.

This evening it looked like we might have a good fall storm. It seemed as if it was going to storm or at least rain, but it was not to be. All it did was threaten. It has gotten a bit colder, but that is only in the morning when it is most inconvenient for morning PT. Today was the first day that we have been allowed to wear longsleve PT shirts. It was a nice change.

A weekend in Oklahoma

This weekend I went to my first hash in some time. I went to the Texoma hash south of Lawton, OK. It was a good time. I took a virgin with me. She had a good time. The hashers were good people. I hope that I will see the pictures soon.

Today I went up to Oklahoma City to see the Oklahoma City Memorial. It was moving. The memorial alone was exquisite. The museum was also nice. There was also a large parade in town. This year marks the Centennial of Oklahoma as a state. The parade was huge. I would have stayed to watch it, but I would not have gotten back to Ft. Sill at a decent hour.

More About Graduation

I wanted to get a general update out, but there were some specific things that happened at my Graduation from OCS that were really special. The first thing was that Salena came up from Tampa to see my graduation. She didn't get to come to my BCT graduation due to the fact that she was in Japan visiting the newest addition to her family, a bouncing baby girl. She did however make it a point to come to this graduation.

Along with her Mario came from Ft. Drum to pin on one of my butter bars. He got in a little late, but he had a surprise for me. One that I would have never expected. He brought a present all the way from Michigan. The present took the form of an old friend from our Aquinas College days, Vicki!!! I opened the door to his hotel room to pick him up for dinner and all I saw was a camera in my face and Vicki standing right next to the camera. The photos were priceless.

There was a mass swearing in at 11:00 on the 30th of August and then after graduation, there were more personal ceremonies. I chose to be sworn in by my Training Officer CPT Arnold.

After the swearing in, SGT Corey H. Ringer and SGT Mario Camila pinned my 2LT bars on me.

And then SGT Ringer pinned my 2LT rank on my barrette

With the final result being a fresly minted 2LT.

Life Update

So many things have been going on that I have not had time to write. I graduated from OCS on August 30th and received my commission as a 2LT in the United States Army. Right now I am sitting with 59 days until my wedding day. I am looking forward to it, it will be a wonderful day in the sun. I have been sitting at FT. Gordon snowbirding for the last month. That means that I have been picking up details to do while I wait for my next class to start in Oklahoma. It works out great that CR is stationed here.

This weekend CR and I are going down to Tampa to move the rest of my belongings to Augusta. It should be a long trip back in a uhal truck. This is the only way that it is going to get done. We are not sure if we will stay for the Saturday hash or drive straight back. On Sunday Evening, I have to start my trip to Oklahoma for school.

Mini Cat will stay to guard the house. Mini cat and CR are getting along famously. She just flops for him and shows him her tummy. They are so good together. I am so glad to have the Mini cat back. I am sure that she misses her friends in Tampa, but she will get to see them while CR and I are on our honeymoon. I think that she needs friends here, but that would be too much for the little space that we have. Before I leave for Oklahoma I will be purchasing her a play tower of her very own. I hope that she likes it.

Labels: Army, OCS

4 More Days

As of right now I only have four more days until I receive my commission in the US Army. We did our four-mile battalion run this morning. The thought of that being my last battalion run here at OCS makes me excited. It was about this time last year that I started down this road. Corey will be here as well as Salena, Mario and John. All four are special to me. My life is completely different from where it was one year ago. I am so happy! I have more adventures in front of me. I will be going to Korea for a year and who know where I will be going from there. I have not seen that side of the world so I look forward to the trip. Good thing that I like the Korean food that I have had.

This weekend was spend tying up loose ends. I got my bike from Mike’s bikes. I have the last fitting for my wedding dress and I packed up most of my room. In addition, CR and I had our engagement photos taken (this is for the local newspaper back home). CR and Salena will be here on Wednesday. Still a lot to do.

Review

Got to spend the weekend with good friends. We sat around and played dominoes and other games. Talked about many topics. It was a good weekend. I even managed to get my essay written and do some studying. Tomorrow I have two exams. I hope that I have studied enough for them. I will do some cramming tomorrow.

Today is the one year anniversary of when CR and I met. It was at a Full Moon Hash. It was my second hash. It is funny what the smallest decisions bring. I almost didn't go to that hash, because I was having a hard time finding the place where it was going to start.

It is hard to believe that it has been a year. So much has changed. I never thought I would be where I am today! Everything in my life has changed in the past year and a half. I feel much better about my life and where I am. I got rid of the dead weight that was suffocating me, stifling me. The weight that was keeping me from realizing my full potential. I was being held back from the world by forces that were trying to control me. Granted I am not in a completely free world right now, but it feels so much better then what was in Cleveland. Looking back I see what was really going on. I can't believe how blind I was. I now see the indicators. I have learned from that experience. I am entering my new life with a prospective that should make me successful. I know what went wrong before and what should have been changed. In addition, I am working with superior material.

Labels: Anaiversary, Friends, Full Moon Hash

Better Together

There's no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing
But I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a, shoebox of photographs
With sepiatone loving
Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing it's always better when we're together

[Chorus:]
MMM it's always better when we're together
Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together

And all of these moments
Just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they'll be gone
When the morning light sings
And brings new things
For tomorrow night you see
That they'll be gone too
Too many things I have to do
But if all of these dreams might find their way
Into my day to day scene
I'd be under the impression
I was somewhere in between
With only two
Just me and you
Not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be
We'll Sit beneath the mango tree now

It's always better when we're together
Mmmm, we're somewhere in between together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together

MMmmmm MMMmmmm Mmmmmm
I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no, combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together

-- Jack Johnson

Labels: Jack Johnson, Love Songs

This Weekend

I will not get to see CR this weekend. He is going to NJ for a family function. It will not be fun, but I have 2 tests to study for and an essay write, so I guess that it is a good thing. I will also go to have my wedding dress altered! I finally found one that will work!

My baby (my BMW) broke last night. The rear driver-side window regulator broke so it would not go up all the way. Good times. It ended up costing over 300 dollars to fix. Oh well. CR was so sweet. He drove all the way down to Benning and back to FT. Gordon to trade cars. He was so tired. I am truly lucky.

We are getting more freedom here. We are now allowed to wear civilian clothes during the week when we are not on duty. We are even allowed to go off post during our off time. Today I spent my time at the gym and then I went off post to get something to eat. Not an adventurous evening, but I am trying to keep it low key for now. I plan to spend most of this weekend in the gym and working on school work.

Plans and More Plans

I am so glad that my fiancee is really good at putting events together. He has a Bachelors in Hospitality Management so he knows a thing or two about putting together a wedding. This is extremely helpful since I am still in school and will not have any freedom until I graduate (22 more days!!!!!!!).

I am so lucky to have found a person with whom I have so much in common. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with him. We both like to travel and are freer spirits than some people that I have known.

The Countdown!

I now only have 25 more days until graduation. I am excited. We have another inspection coming up this week and that will be stressfull, but at least the last Field Leadership Exercise (FLX) is over with. In all reality I have only 3 more weekends in wonderful Columbus, GA. That is not a bummer at all, since there really isn't all that much to do here.

In other news, I found out that I got my assingment, however I do not know what it is yet. I am really hoping for Kuwait or Korea. Now some of you who have a knowledge of the military may find that statement funny, considering that I will be married at the end of November. The truth of the matter is that there are ways to make situations work, and the extra money will be helpful.

Well here we go, I will know more about what my future has in store for me tomorrow. I can't wait!

The Field

Good times! I have been out in the field for the last 2 weeks. Tomorrow we have a 10 mile road march. Then we get to come back to the company. I look forward to getting a shower!

Save the Date

No Shoes, No Ties, No Worries!!

Corey and I have set a date! It will be the 25th of November and it will be in Tampa, FL! I am so excited

Big News

CR and I are engaged, he asked me on Saturday! I am so happy! I have been bouncing off the walls wanting to say something!

Waiting on Orders

Now that I have found out my branch the next waiting game starts, that is the game of waiting to find out where I will be spending the next year of my life! All I know right now is that sometime in future I will be attending a 13 week course at Fort Gordon, GA and prior to that I will be attending a six week course at either Ft. Benning, GA or Ft. Sill, OK (Benning would be preferable). Then there is the question of where I will be stationed. That is completely up in the air! I have lucked out so far, I got my second choice of branches, so I hope that my luck will hold out with my first duty station assignment.

Those who know me well can guess what my first choice would be (it isn't in the continental United States (CONUS)). Really none of my top choices are in the continental United States.

Branch!

Today was a day that I had been waiting to come for sometime. As a "College Option" Officer Candidate I did not know what branch I would receive when I entered the army. Today I found out. I am a member of the Signal Corps! That means that I will get to spend even more time in wonderful Georgia! The home of the Signal Corps is headquartered at Fort Gordon, GA. It is funny how the world comes back around. When I enlisted at the age of 17, I was supposed to do my AIT there. Funny!

Fantasy Football

Got an invite to join a fantasy football league. I tried to do it last year, but I just got caught up in my new life in Florida and didn't really pay any attention to it. I wonder if I should even bother this year? It still keeps me connected to my old life, but I am not sure that is a good thing. In addition, I don't really know how much time I will have this season to do it. I may be in a training environment and not have that much of an opportunity to do it.

Senior Officer Candidate!

Today my OCS class went to the white ascots. This means that we have passed into senior phase! It means a lot of things, but the most important to me, is that it means that we are half way through!! seven more weeks until we graduate! I still do not know what my branch is yet, but I am hoping for anything but ADA! Watch now that I have said that I will get it.

Another Weekend at Ft. Benning

We got a 3-day pass last weekend and we got an overnight pass this weekend. CR came down for both. It was so nice to have him visit.

The last week was full of classes. Currently I am in my 3rd week of OCS. We go to the field for land navigation tomorrow. We will be in the field until at least Friday. Just me and my compass. I have to do both day and night courses. It is going to be fun. Well I hope that it will work out ok.

I shall be incommunicado for the rest of the week!

Did i mention that it is really hot here!!

All The Ways I Want You

The hills are full of secrets
Owls watch by night
Down in town the bars are full
And the drunks are picking fights

These are things I know
But the facts are filtered through
All the ways I want you

2:19 freight train
Moaning somewhere near
I see you in the distance
But I can't get there from here

Hard to believe it's happening
But my whole world's shrunken to
All the ways I want you

Stars look down and laugh at me
I ought to take a bow
Don't have to tell them life's hard sometimes
There's one falling now

Nobody's here beside me
I can talk about it to
All the ways I want you

-- Jimmy Buffett

5 Miles of Misery

UGH! Today we completed one of the graduation requirements for OCS. We did a five-mile foot march with a ruck on our back! GOD DID IT SUCK. I have been having some problems with my knee, but I made it through! I didn’t fall out and that was my goal! I didn’t even fall back into a different platoon. I made it. It is really hard to do a foot march when you are short, those with longer legs have a distinct advantage. At 5’4” I am not on the tall side! Tomorrow we learn more about Troop Leading Procedures! It is really hard to stay awake in class, I am glad that they allow us to have caffeine!!

An Anniversary of freedom

A lot has changed in the last year. It was a year ago tomorrow that my world was turned upside down. It is funny that right now I am going through one of the most significant life changing experiences in my life.

I finally made it into an OCS class. I should graduate at the end of August. I am excited. I am learning so much and I am in the best shape of my life. I also have found someone that is really special to me. Life is wonderful. I am so glad that I left Cleveland. I will now get a chance to see the world again! Bring it ON!

The US/Canadian Border

Ten Things that I Wish to Do Before I Die (Revisited)

I have had a bit of time on my hands to think about what has gone on during the past year. While doing that I took the opportunity to look at some of my old posts.

This is the list that I posted on January 30th, 2007:

1. Get a Pilot's license (Not Yet Attempted)
2. Learn to Down Hill Ski and Ski in the Alps (Learned how to Ski and Skied in the Rocky Mountains)
3. Take the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Moscow to Beijing (Not Yet Attempted)
4. Have Children (Not any where near thank god)
5. See the Pacific Ocean (still not attempted, but with new job it is a posibilty)
6. Go to Japan (almost had the chance)
7. Overcome my fear of Heights (this one will go with the learning to ski). (Still working on it will have to address this when I go to Airborne School)
8. Get a PhD
9. Work for the Federal Government (Done! I work for Uncle Sam in the Army).
10. Own a Purple Car (Still a Dream).

I have partially completed some of these items, and I still have to work on others. The next month will be a test for me. I am scheduled to start OCS on Wednesday! This will be a big step! More news to follow…

Photos from BCT

Graduation Day!

Graduation day was special. Many of the people that I care about came to see it.

The Ottos came along with CR

And the most special of all Grandfather!

I am Back!!

Friday was my graduation from Basic Combat Training! It was a long 10 weeks but I did it. I am a stronger person because of it. I also can now fit into a size 10 jean!! That was exciting.

I was blessed with the presence of my family and friends at my graduation. CR is back from Japan and he is now stationed at Ft. Gordon, GA. He came up for family day. He picked me up from Hilton Field and cooked me a wonderful first non-military meal. My family arrived later in the day and I spent time with my Grandfather, Mother, and Sister Alicia. After that I had to report back to my company for Accountability formation.

Graduation took place inside due to possible wet weather. I did not really care since the graduation that really matters will take place in August. It was a small affair. I hope to get pictures of it soon.

Right now I have just arrived at Ft. Benning where I will go through OCS. I have reported to Alpha Company; however I do not know what my new address will be. I will let everyone know when I get it!

That is All for Now

I leave for Basic in a few hours. I have been so busy and have neglected the blog. I should be back around the end of April. Here goes Nothing!!!

Push IT!

I have been on a running program that CR set up for me. This program has the goal of completing a 10K race on February 3^rd. The program does have some flexibility, so I decided to do my mid-week long run today with CWH. Well as she explains in her post “I'm so sore” we did a bit more then the 3.5 that I was planning. She will be sore tomorrow and so will I. I hope that I can find a way to be comfortable on the plane to NY tomorrow!

Labels: Bayshore, Running, Tampa

New York State of Mind

Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach
Or to Hollywood
But I'm taking a Greyhound
On the Hudson River Line
I'm in a New York state of mind

I've seen all the movie stars
In their fancy cars and their limousines
Been high in the Rockies under the evergreens
But I know what I'm needing
And I don't want to waste more time
I'm in a New York state of mind

It was so easy living day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The New York Times, The Daily News

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I've left them all behind
I'm in a New York state of mind

It was so easy living day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The New York Times, The Daily News

It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons
I've left them all behind
I'm in a New York state of mind

I'm just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line
'Cause I'm in a New York state of mind

--Billy Joel

Colorado Re-cap

Colorado was beautiful. This was the view from my room at the Bed and Breakfast.

I was in colorado for the winter holidays. With the extra snow my stay was extended a bit longer then I expected. So I made the best of it. We went to Keystone for a day. While CR was looking at schools I went ice-skating on a lake.

After CR was finished with his perusal of the culinary school, we went to a unique restaurant that is located on the top of a mountain. You have to take two gondolas to get there.

The resturant is located at 11,444 feet.

It is called the Alpenglow Stube. The food was wonderful. The wine was superb. After the late lunch, we took the gondolas back down.

The trip was a bit cold but the view was beautiful.

Since CR broke his hand at the Hash campout, he could not go skiing with me. Therefore, he took part in some other outdoor activities. We even went cross-country skiing! It had been a longtime for me.

Our last evening was spent at another unique resturant. The snow was thick and winter was in the air. Here is a picture out side of the resturant.

Breathe in, Breathe Out, Move on

I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man
Floating down Canal
It doesnt use numbers or moving hands
It always just says "now"

Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And if I had trouble the warranty said:
Breathe in, breathe out, move on

(Chorus)
And it rained
It was nothing really new
And it blew
Seen all that before
And it poured
The earth began to strain
Pontchartrain leaking through the door, tides at war

If a hurricane doesnt leave you dead
It will make you strong
Dont try to explain it just nod your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on

And it rained
It was nothing really new
And it blew
Seen all that before
And it poured
The earth began to strain
Pontchartrain buried the 9th ward to the 2nd floor

According to my watch, the time is now
The past is dead and gone
Don't try to shake it, just nod your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on

Dont try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, Breathe Out, Move on....

-Jimmy Buffett

Who I look Like

Words...

This entry is hard to for me to write. My reason for flying to Michigan was not a joyous one. I came to say goodbye to a friend who was so special to everyone that knew her. Her life was celebrated in a service on Monday. She worked for peace and social justice. She truly lived the rule. She touched so many. Her influence on my life will always be there. The world has lost a shining beacon, but we have our memories of her. There is so much to say that words cannot do them justice. Thank you does not seem to say enough. It does not express the depth of feeling.

Saying Good-Bye

I am off to Michigan to say good-bye to a good friend. I will miss her. I can only hope that she is no longer in pain and in a better place.

A New Years Tradition

This is the time of year when people look at what happened in the past 12-month period and decide what they need to do better. As I look over the last year, I feel quite satisfied with how it went. There were some rough patches, but over all the changes and things that I have ejected from my life were all for the better. I moved to a better place, I ejected people who were weighting me down, and I took time to find my true self. I took a look at what I had resolved to do last year:

1. Drink more water
2. Exercise more (yes I know this is lame, but please humour me)
3. Re-dedicate myself to my work
4. Be nicer
5. Do better at follow through

With regards to all of these things I have done better. I do drink more water. I have been exercising like a fiend (I dropped over 20 lbs!) and I have been doing better with the follow through. My dedication to my work will come into play this year when I go to BCT and OCS.

Here are some other things that after review I have learned:

1. Thanks to Corey, I learned to cook and really enjoy it.
2. I learned to find an inner strength.
3. Running 3.5 miles is no longer hard for me to do (I did it today)
4. I know that it is possible for me to loose weight and keep it off.
5. I learned that I am a good person and that I have no reason to feel guilty. In addition, I found out that those who have tried to make me feel bad about things are just trying to cover up their own guilt.
6. Most importantly, I am now happy with my life and myself!

So now for the resolutions:

1. Take better care of my family and myself.
2. Get rid of things that I will not need (need to do this before I leave for BCT).
3. Correspond more with my friends.
4. Play with Minerva more!
5. Learn to be a better housekeeper (I have been doing more of that lately).

All of the above I resolve to do this New Year!

Labels: Fresh Start, New Year, New Years Resolutions

Anything to Avoid the Draft

In an article today published by the Boston Globe entitled "Military considers recruiting foreigners" they lay out the possibility of increasing the number of military members by opening up enlistment to non-citizens and even possibly opening up recruiting offices overseas. I am not sure how this sets with me. There are pros and cons to the idea. However, one that really irks me is that it is another way to avoid the Draft!

Colorado (Cont.)

Had a good day! Went skiing and had a wonderful time! Lucky I got to Colorado on Tuesday since the airport closed yesterday. There is a ton of fresh powder and the conditions for skiing are great!

At the Top of the World!

Can't see the mountains because me the snow, but they are there. We had lunch at 11,000 feet. It was a 4 diamond restaurant. Wonderful!

Close but No Cigar

Here are some insights from our neighbors to the north!

How I Got Here

I am sure that to some of you my actions yesterday may have come as a surprise. This is something that I have wanted to do for sometime. I wanted to do it before I left for Poland, but then I got accepted to the Jagiellonian. I wanted to do it after I came home from Poland, but then I was hoodwinked and moved to Cleveland. That part of my life is a black hole that could have ruined me. I am glad that I have found a much better life then I ever could have had there.

I got in touch with my real friends, the people who have known me since childhood. I looked at myself. I took a long hard look. I was determined after I left Cleveland that I would not make a decision based upon anyone else who was not my Fiancée or husband. I looked at what my dreams were. I looked at my wants, where I wanted to live, what lifestyle I wanted and what would make me most self-reliant. I found that I love to live in new places. I began to understand that I do not mind moving to new places. In addition, I found that I do need some direction in my life. I decided that I wanted to use my degree and I want the opportunity to learn more languages and use them. I want to see more of the world and more of the United States. I am not afraid of the road ahead. I rather dig the uncertainty.

However, there are things that are truly certain. One of the things that is set in stone is that I will not have a life for the next 6 months. Over the next 6 months, I will be doing things that I have never done before. I will have to confront my fear of heights. I will learn how to shoot a weapon. I will go for an extended camping trip. I will be in a place that is very different from anything that I have ever done in my life.

Taking all of these things into consideration, I decided to go for it. I took the ASVAB and rocked it. Even before that, I started a program to take off the weight that I had put on during my misguided adventure in Cleveland. I went on an entire cruise without eating a single sweet thing! Then there was the paperwork! The first lesson that I learned is that the military is nothing without paperwork. There is a ton of it! The Questioner that I had to fill out was extensive. I had to document every place that I have lived in the last 7 years! That was a good time. In addition, I had to have all of the transcripts from all of the colleges that I attended. The ones from Poland took the longest. Furthermore, I had to get letters of recommendation. The packet was large.

I have been running and making it to the gym at least once a day. Sometimes I make it there 3 times a day. I will truly kick ass by the end of this. I will be in the best shape of my life! So bring it ON!

I did it!!

Today I made my future path more clear. Today I signed my contract to become an Officer Candidate in the United States Army!

It has been a long road to get here. I have been working on this for the last 3 months. The process sped up when I finally made army height and weight standards! I went to MEPS on Thursday of last week and to my physical. Yesterday I went before the OCS board, interviewed, and was granted the opportunity to become an officer candidate. Today I went to MEPS, signed the contract, and swore in! I will be leaving on February 15th 2007 for Fort Jackson, SC! From there I got to Fort Benning for 14 weeks of OCS! I am so excited!

Labels: Army, Contract, OCS

Thoughts From a Wandering Soul (Not too Far from Seoul)

About

About Me

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Blogs That I Visit

Military Blogs

Links

Podcasts That I Enjoy

Seoul

Sites Linking Here

Friday, December 31, 2010

Rubber Ducky in Hebrew

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Oh The Memories...

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

It’s The End of The World As We Know It!!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

The First Day of Fall

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Republican Right is Eating their Young!

Monday, September 15, 2008

A Message for Canadians!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

People Will Eat Anything

Friday, June 27, 2008

A Bra's Tale: Detour on a Daughter's Trip Abroad

Saturday, June 21, 2008

The Colbert Report

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Korea...

Thursday, May 01, 2008

New Flat, New Car and The Cat is Back!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

The Big 30!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Camp Humphreys

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Welcome to Korea

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Another Funny Comerical

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Prep For the Field!

Thursday, March 06, 2008

How much of a prude has America become?

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Yeah! One Less Hoop

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

More School Fun

Monday, March 03, 2008

Tampa Bay Red Dress 2007 Video

Packing

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Minerva's World

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Here are the Run Results

I Did It!!!

Saturday, February 09, 2008

The Gasparilla Distance Classic

Monday, January 28, 2008

I would try to vote, but it wouldn’t matter!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Trip to Honky Tonk Land

Friday, December 28, 2007

Learning to Fly

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Jingle Bombs

Monday, December 24, 2007

Cold

Friday, December 21, 2007

Train to Michigan

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

What has the world come too? We are now the dumping ground for Canadian hand me downs!

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Some Initial Wedding Pictures

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Tech Bubble

Monday, December 03, 2007

Back to the Real World