I finally broke out the snacks today..me and Kyle (my roommate) watched a movie and snacked. A bunch of people went home ths weekend..including Kyle now. Me and Roblyer (from ROTC) ended up going to the mall and walking around for awhile..but they closed at like 9. It was pretty pathetic.
And now here I am..wasting time. Finally get to sleep in a little bit tomorow morning. I'll be home next weekend for the little siblings' birthdays. And Roblyer is bringing me back to school on his way back from Colorado.
ROTC pics Tuesday..watch tomorrow (in uniform)..fun fun..
8/24/2005 - It's been a little whle...like almost 2 whole weeks. Whoa..what happened? I finished pabking..my fam drove me down here to campus, and the fun began. Last Monday was the first day of ROTC orientation..which (minus the waking up at 5 every morning, and the running insanity, and also minus a parking garage) was pretty good..and fun. There are 20-ish newbies like myself in the unit. Anyway..we were sworn in almost immediately after we got here last Monday, and just about a quickly as that we were swept away to begin our training. Our parents (for the most part) stuck around long enough to unpack our belongings, never to see us again (so dramatic). Not really..they could stay after teh ceremony, but we had to get going for training to start. It was lots of classes/seminar things, many many drills in marching and platoon movements, sail training all but one night..it was enjoyable for most of the time, as long as you could make it through the few miles in the morning. Although, we did get pretty well acquainted with Asp Street..the street right in front of my dorm, and also the path for most of our running.
So..on Wednesday, we managed to get done a little early..and my dad came down..and we went to a certain concert in the city..at the Ford Center..and it was packed..and awesome..and there were actually people there older than my dad..lots of them..but it was cool..we had a good time..but at $50 a ticket, it better be a good time :) He came down again on Friday for our ROTC celebration cookout (celebration meaning "THANK GOD WE MADE IT!!"). I went home for the weekend and did some laundering (no..not money..washing clothes..geez). It was a pleasant time..restful and relaxing. Monday this week began classes..they're not too bad so far. I added early US history to my load to put me up at 18 hours. But..it's about time for me to be heading out now..it helps to show up at the classes..
8/11/2005 - Another late night..packing and getting ready to go to school on Monday. I'm not quite sure what to think about it yet. But..it's coming..no matter what..
I've been listening to Green Day..and I went on their website and watched the video for "Wake Me Up When September Ends". And as a side note..I don't care what people say about Green Day because of the stands they've made politically or whatever..they are an awesome band. And I think they bring out a lot of truth by what they say..they say what we all know, but a re too afraid to say for fear of "hurting someone's feelings". But anyway..the video..it's good. It made me think about why I am committing 10 years to the Navy..wherever it may take me..and think about what I'm risking. I believe in why we are in Iraq right now..I believe that we can do some good over there..and I want to be a part of that..I want to (excuse the cliche) "make a difference", in a way most people are too afraid to. But, I know that I am nowhere near tough enough to go in the Army or Marines..and I commend anybody who is in for what they do..nobody will ever know what they are going through and experiencing over there, while we all sit over here in our comfy chairs and houses and criticize every move they make. You think you can do it better? Then get off your lazy derriere and get over there. I want to be over there..but I know I couldn't handle it on the ground.
In the Navy..I could be there, but I won't be THERE..or I might be somewhere else. For 4 years, I'm safe..barely dabbling in anything military..time to change my mind and back out (with some consequences). My biggest fear going through life is being alone..not having the one person to spend my life with (I'm a sentimental kinda guy..I care about these things). But, if I want this, that someone will be left alone waiting for me every time I go to sea..every time I ship out..wondering what's happening..where I am. And the reality that I may never come home the same. When I first began seriously looking at the military, my dad (a former navy sailor) and me had more talks because he wanted to make sure I knew what I could be getting myself into. And my mom (a former sailor's wife) told me what it felt like when he went to sea..no knowing what was happening until the day he got home. Knowing that now..and writing that down..I can say I'm scared to go to school Monday, because it's the first day of my career..when we take the oath..when we dawn our uniforms for the first time..it starts me down that path of whatever may come.
I just went back and read what I've been typing..and I'm sorry..it's a mess. Watch the video..maybe it will make a little more sense out of it. I was just thinking..that's all..
8-6-2005 - (2) Well..I'm making some progress. The toughest part of my cleaning (and the part I was dreading most) is over. It was only one box..a small box in my closet..but I had to sift through it. I kept some things..there are a lot of really good memories there..and a lot of hurt now. No real anger..no reason to be angry. But, I needed to clean up..so I did. I sifted through..found some good times that I don't mind holding onto..
(1) I don't feel so hot. Sam came today with her mom and sisand (I hope) we had a pretty good time. There's really nothing to do here..about as much as there is to do in Alva, so we're even. But, anyway..we went and got Mark (Doug was already here) and ended up driving around all afternoon. We went out to the lake and were going to stop when we saw this guy sunbathing..in a speedo..and he was pretty large..and greasy. It was just nasty. So, we pulled over real quick and snapped some pics and left. Then we went to the park. We played on those animal things on the springs that rock back and forth, and I got thrown off mine. That bunny was pretty vicious..it almost threw Mark off too. The reason I feel like crap now is because of the merry-go-round. I got on and Mark started pushing it..and pushing it..and pushing it..and I everything was all blurry. It took me a couple mins to get off of it after it stopped. Mark got on next with Sam and I pushed it..he started crying for me to stop pushing, but me and Doug threw in a few more turns. He fell over when he got off. I took another go at it and got even sicker. We all went to ice cream after that and we all went home.
I have shoe polish now..and my dad gave me his shoe shine kit..which was his dad's before that.
I need to start packing..or at least getting things in somewhat of an organized state. I'm working with my uncle 3 days this week and I'll only have a few days to get things packed and ready to move. I think I'm going to do some of that tonight. So..off I go..to puke..or pack..or both..
8-5-2004 - I am still tired. I have yet to get a full night's sleep. I've been getting up every morning (except Wednesday) and going to the gym between 5 and 6. On Wednesday..it was an OU day (long story..don't really want to get into it..but it's over now)..but I was still up at 5:30. And every night I've been trying to get things done for school so that I'm close to being ready, and that puts me to bed late. Tomorrow, though..tomorrow's my day off..from everything. And Sam is supposed to be coming from Alva. Anyway..time for some workin..heading to Blackwell to work with Chuck..