june:
01st
SSG: one (01) year
04th
IRIS' b-day
08th
staff duty
10th
RATHROMONY's b-day
13th
camp humphreys (depart)
camp walker (arrive)
14th
flag day
16th
camp walker (depart)
camp humphreys (arrive)
18th
father's day
19th
camp humphreys (depart)
camp henry (arrive)
camp henry (depart)
camp humphreys (arrive)
23rd
ALANA's b-day
25th
MARGARET's b-day
26th
REUBEN's b-day
leave (begins)
27th
hiv testing day
28th
seoul, korea (depart)
manila, philippines (arrive)
30th
NORMI's b-day
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FRIDAY 30TH JUNE 2006
11:54-AM-(UTC/GMT +8 Hours)
"On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: 'O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.' So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!"
-- JOSHUA 10 : 12 - 14
After struggling with my FTP program (Filezilla) for the past half hour I finally sought out an online FTP server. I wasn't sure if anything existed but was pleasantly surprised and rewarded when I found SurFTP.com. It saved the day. I kept getting the message "could not locate directory" when trying to run Filezilla. Tips online told me to change from active mode to passive mode. I did it once last night and it worked fine; this morning it was being stubborn. But luckily I found an online FTP I could use so the day was saved and I'll most likely just rely on SurFTP.com until I get back to Korea. I guess the problem stems from the connection here in the hotel. I don't know. As I walked down the halls and saw that all the wifi routers were attached to the ceilings I didn't get a warm fuzzy about connection speeds and reliability in the rooms. Sure enough I'd have appreciated a regular network connection I could plug into as opposed to going wireless. The only way I can get an "excellent" connection is to set up camp right by the door. But no worries. JENNY should arrive soon and we will be off.
IVY wants to meet me so we will meet her for coffee sometime this afternoon. I'm not sure when we will see The Lake House. Superman? Oh yes, we will catch that later in the week at the local IMAX theatre. Eat your heart out CHRIS. I'm not a huge Superman fan but the Superman mania is pretty big here. I'm however a KEVIN spacey fan; I'll be going mainly to see him, and yes to catch movie previews as well. I think we are going out in the evening to see some bands. Speaking of bands, there is a cultural arts & entertainment center nearby. I mentioned yesterday that I wanted to catch some theatre there so we will definitely be looking into that as some stagecraft would sure hit the spot while I'm here delving into all things Filipino. Okay, that really didn't have to do with bands per se. I suppose I was thinking about the live aspect of bands and theatre. Anyway, whatever, there was a connection in my head.
So a bit of a FTP snafu this morning but all is well. I suppose I'll do some hotel exploring as there are some pretty cool things in and around the lobby. If I weren't already showered and dressed I'd check out the fitness center. I think I'll recon it though and see if it will not be the ideal spot for some working out in the middle of the night. Coincidently I'm right across from a track and tennis courts. Of course they could have an indoor track here in the hotel and it is not very likely I'd actually get on it and run. Ha! But it is nice to have such things close by if the mood struck me. Sure, if the track wasn't there I'd be complaining about the availability of a track. Yes, sort of a "there's always something to complain about," "grass is always greener," kind of thing. Or maybe it can just be summed up by the fact I'm one (01) of the laziest persons on the entire planet.
I am working on that though. Baby steps.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 30TH JUNE 2006
9:07-AM-(UTC/GMT +8 Hours)
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."
-- Proverbs 29 : 25
"NORMI, ...
... happy birthday sister!
I hope you will have all the time in the world today to do anything you want or just nothing at all. It's your day so celebrate however you see fit. And it's Friday too. You can party as hard as you want because tomorrow the weekend begins! Ha! I hope I'll be able to see you while I'm here. See, I came all the way here just for your birthday. How special does that make you feel?
Have a great birthday sister and do not think that you are getting older, just wiser. Love ya bunches sister. *squeeze* Hold on and hang in and do not work too hard. GBYA!"
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 29TH JUNE 2006
2:14-AM-(UTC/GMT +8 Hours)
Listening - "SOMEHOW YOU ARE"-Avalon Stand
"'Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins.'"
-- MARK 11 : 24 & 25
Lazy day.
I tried to access my Korea web mail to send the Sergeant Major my report (which I have not exactly finished) but I could not. I suppose it has something to do with the fact I'm trying to access the domain from the Philippines. That is the only thing I can figure out as I'm typing my username and password in the boxes correctly. But who knows, with the quirky connections could happen when I return to Korea as well. (I need to stop mentioning my return as I'll not want to head back in a week and a half.) If I were staying in Korea any longer I'd definitely be making a few more trips this way. Since I'll be heading back to the United States I'll have to do much more waiting and planning (and money spending on a plane tickets) before I bounce on back to the Philippines. So maybe not at the start of next year, but I'll be shooting for May or June of next year.
We shared a calzone at the Yellow Cab Co. And by share I mean that I had eaten already but had to help JENNY finish the ham and cheese calzone. It wasn't bad, but the place didn't exactly boast New York style pizza (or anything else) as every bit of the atmosphere suggested. Everything was New York-ish.
Anyway, all of a sudden I have become tired. So, time to sleep.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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WEDNESDAY 28TH JUNE 2006
11:19-PM-(UTC/GMT +8 Hours)
"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt--darkness that can be felt.' So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days."
-- Exodus 10 : 21 & 22
After waking up about four (04) times throughout the night and early morning (and being thankful I had somewhere comfortable to lay my head for the night) I awoke at 6:00 to prepare to catch my 9:00 flight to Manila. Noticing more and more men lying on mats around me each time I awoke was a bit weird, but nothing could have prepared me for the moment when I opened the door of the sleeping area to the sight of a handful of naked business men doing everything from watching television to having conversations. But hey, my accommodations beat spending hours slouched uncomfortably in an airport chair. So I undressed, stuffed my things in my locker and headed to the showers. When in Rome eh? Yup, the shower did the trick and the realization that I had a night's sleep before the shower was great. It's funny how things come together.
After I reclaimed my shoes and suitcase at the front I was headed for the Asiana airlines desk feeling refreshed, rested, and very anxious to record what had been a very unique experience. If ever I put out a book of screenplay in which a character tells of a community shower, ... yup, this day's experience in Incheon International airport is the root of the details. But that is all there is to say about that I suppose.
The flight was about three (03) and a half hours and as soon as we took flight I was ready for a meal. We hit some pretty bad turbulence so I think it delayed the meal. But sure enough I eventually smelled something good. Of course having not eaten anything since the day before, I could have been salivating over the smell of rotten meat. This time "wine" came out of my mouth after I told the flight attendant I'd have seafood instead of the beef dish. Good? Of course. I could live off of Asiana's airline food, it's never a disappointment. For some reason my neighbor didn't eat the dessert. It was a pound cake affair with strawberry swirled on top. I asked him for his as it just sat on his tray for a while. He passed it on over and I immediately gobbled it up. One (01) of those, "I am glad I asked" moments indeed. The flight seemed much longer than it really was but once we were over the Philippines it ended in a flash. before I knew it I was in line staring at thousands of people who would clearly be described as brown when compared to the likes of my complexion. Surprisingly a lot of Koreans were on the flight over to Manila so there were many more Koreans in line with me. When I left Korea my passport wasn't stamped. I suppose after she looked at it and saw that it wasn't stamped on my arrival to the country, she figured I was in the military. She handed it back and asked for my military identification cardand leave paperwork. But when I finally made it to the counter Ninoy Aquino my passport was stamped, "Arrival: Philippine Immigration, June 28, 2006 - July 19, 2006". Thank goodness, I'm finally getting some use out of it. Ha!
Now JENNY said she would meet me at the "M" lobby. Okay, that was my mental note as I headed for the baggage claim and waited for my suitcase. I waited and waited until the conveyor stopped and I was sure that I was going to have to deal with lost luggage. Thank goodness I was in the Philippines where I was sure to deal with English speakers. Upon closer inspection I discovered my bag was in fact on the carousel. I'm not sure how many times it went by but I assured myself that it could not have passed me more than a couple of times. But it really didn't matter since my next stop was the "M" lobby (wherever it was) where I'd meet JENNY. And sure enough this is beginning to sound like the story of meeting my wife-to-be. But make no mistake friends, neighbors, and people I have never met who happened to stumble upon this site, JENNY and I are strictly friends. We are good friends, yes, but "friends" just the same.
And who noticed who first? Why I noticed her of course. I was standing on the other side of the street under the "M" section. Yes, it wasn't a lobby at all but one (01) side of the street with letters of the alphabet hanging above waiting areas on either side of the street. Since my surname begins with an "M" I stood under the "M" sign and those waiting for people whose surname began with an "M" waited on the other side of the street. I waited a couple minutes before making my way across the road. Initially I thought I was going to have to seek out a phone to call her, but at the end of that thought I looked over and saw her; she looked just as she did in the picture, just like my friend JENNY. And thank GOD it was no mistaken identity. As I made my way to her she saw me and called my name. I almost caused an international incident by wheeling over someone's foot with my suitcase. Oh and it was (is) hot. Yes, nice and muggy indeed. It was like being back in South Texas with many, many, many more Filipinos, ... many.
So after waiting almost an hour to get me checked in, we headed up to my room. I downloaded my backpack and put the card key in the door. No green light. I tried again. Nope. Naturally, I should have known that something would have to go wrong, things were going all too well. But not to fear, JENNY, handled things with the hotel personnel and we were let in with the master key. We would worry about a replacement key on our way out. We decided to take a nap. Well, I decided to take a nap and she napped until she couldn't ignore her hunger and woke me up. It was time to eat. She wanted pizza but for some reason we ended up at a quaint little restaurant in a plaza, right before it started pouring. So as we talked and shared a plate of green mango with shrimp dipping sauce, and a sizzling plate of sisig and rice, it rained and rained. And naturally we commented on the fact we were both wearing white shirts and couldn't wait to step out in the downpour. It stopped a few minutes before we paid and left. Our next stop, the Mall of Asia. A movie was in the plans but we arrived at the cinema about five (05) minutes after the start time of The Lake House and I quickly gave her a shortened version of why I can not stand heading into a movie on time much less late. Yes, so it basically ended up being nothing more than whining about our bad luck. No, I didn't whine. Really, I didn't.
After walking past about fifty (50) different coffee shops, including a Starbucks, JENNY eventually realized she wanted coffee. And naturally there wasn't a coffee shop in the immediate area. But that didn't matter because she insisted on Starbucks. So we walked around thinking we were pretty sure we knew where it was located; it didn't make us anymore confident when a mall map informed us that there were in fact two (02) Starbucks located in the Mall of Asia. When we finally found it JENNY said she no longer wanted coffee. Go figure. But my sweet tooth was acting up and cheese cake was a must. And as I had just exchanged US dollars for Philippine Pesos I was ready to spend some money. I told the girl at the register she could take back her forks and just give me a spoon. I guess since I ordered a couple of brownies and a slice of cheesecake she figured I was in the sharing mood. I told her it was all for me and of course we share a laugh and I flashed her a smile. I confess, I get a kick out of getting raised eyebrows from those who seem a little puzzled when I order food enough for two (02) with every intention of eating it all myself. So I ate as JENNY sat and looked utterly exhausted. But she perked up once we caught a cab and had made our way back to the room. We talked for a few hours about anything and everything and just got to know each other a little better before she said it was time for her to head home. Caloocan City is in the Manila area so it would not be a trip too far out of the way.
Day one (01) in the Philippines was nice indeed. I spotted a Subway in the mall by the way; the mental note was made. But that will come later just to check the block. Before Subway comes everything and anything Filipino. I mean it would be criminal not to eat at Jollibee a couple of times before leaving. JENNY has already promised to be very good about introducing me to the more exotic side of Filipino dining and delicacies. She was surprised that I had already had balut but I'm sure she is going to want me to eat the food before her very eyes. Not a problem.
Tomorrow I'll most likely sleep in. I have the report to finish for the Sergeant Major. I'm sure he is wondering why I didn't drop by on Monday. I mean what can I say, I had just signed out on leave. I need to get it to him by the week's end though. Fortunately, I'm writing a report which does not necessarily have to be presented to everyone involved in the exercise, but is something which I can present to the Sergeant Major and Colonel and have them disseminate the information through the officers and first sergeants as they see fit. The bottom line is that there needs to be written standard operating procedures for the rear detachment. And I think my suggestions and observations will be invaluable, so it is something I'll need to sit down and crank out before I get too far into my vacationing here.
All is well with me. So far I'm enjoying myself and more than happy to be miles away from anything military at the moment.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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TUESDAY 27TH JUNE 2006
8:36-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"'I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.'"
-- JOHN 05 : 24
Well, so far so good. I had a couple of options this morning once I realized that heading from Camp Humphreys to Incheon International Airport tomorrow morning would get me there too close to my 9:00 departure time. I wasnot about to risk it and miss the flight so I left Camp Humphreys around 9:15 this morning bound for Osan Air Base. I needed to do a little shopping there before I began my journey to the Philippines. I ended up buying some more clothes but failed to find the canvas "carry all" I had seen SSG Claveria with a month or so ago. Of course he said he had found it just outside of Camp Humphreys in the little shopping district, not at Osan. I figured since Osan's shopping district is better, I'd have no problem finding the canvas carry all wallet which held cash, cards, was large enough to hold a passport, and which could hang very conveniently around the neck. Alas, I'd love to have that now.
I checked out of the hotel I had checked into once I returned with my purchases and repacking my suitcase. It was just before 5:00 and the last bus from Osan Air Base to INcheon International Airport was to leave an hour later. My plan was to either grab a taxi immediately upon my arrival at the airport and head to the cheapest hotel I could find or just grin and bear a twelve (12) hour stay in the airport. I had searched the internet to find reasonably priced hotels around the airport but had no luck; the hotels around the airport are all priced at about eighty (80) dollars and up and I wasn't about to spend that much for a few hours, plus the taxi ride there, plus the fare in the morning to the airport to catch my flight. As the bus neared the airport (after almost two (02) hours) I resolved to stay put in the airport until morning.
It would not be the first time I have spent a significant amount of time in an airport. I spent almost a day in Seattle-Tacoma (SeaTac) after my first tour in Korea. And I was willing to just bide my time in the airport if it meant saving money. My new plan was to seek out the USO so that I could at least get rid of my suitcase. My backpack, however, would stay with me.
I wandered around a bit before asking two (02) guards where the USO was located. No luck with the guards. But they were lucky because after they stared blankly at each other and then me, one (01) looked up and saw an information kiosk the next floor down. He pointed and I gave him a thumbs up. Of course I was on the opposite side of the airport as well as a floor higher, but it wasn't like I was in a hurry and didn't have a few hours to kill. Besides, the walk to the USO toting my luggage would do me some good; I do not expect to get any physical training (PT) in for the next two (02) weeks and I definitely didn't last week.
A smiling Korean met me at exit twelve (12) and asked if I was military. I guess I stood out as I didn't recall seeing anyone else who looked quite like me since I had began wandering around with my suitcase in tow. I told him I wasn't a new arrival but on my way to take some leave. He asked about my accommodations for the night and when I told him I had run into a snafu and that my plans were to survive a night in the airport he cringed. I explained to him that it wasn't the first time I had "lived" in an airport. He laughed and said that the USO had nowhere to stow my suitcase but that there was a place to do so a couple floors down. To the basement I went in search of lodging for my suitcase.
Currently I'm sitting in a nice comfy chair. My feet are propped up, my shoes are off, … in fact all my clothes are off save my socks and boxers. I'm wearing a robe. As it turned out, there is a spa, showers, a place to sleep, a sauna, a massage room, …the basement is awesome. So yes, I'm so glad I didn't just give up and fork over money to spend a night in a nearby hotel. This is a pretty sweet setup indeed. The only thing that is lacking is a wireless internet connection and a 110-V outlet to plug my laptop in. But hey, I'm not sore about that in the least all things considered. When my battery runs low I'll call it a night and get some rest. And to think I was planning on wrapping my backpack straps around my arm, stashing my suitcase under a seat, and sleeping in a chair somewhere. This is great. And I only spend about thirteen (13) dollars to have my suitcase watched and get keys to a locker to stash my valuables. I have set my watch to chime at 7:00 tomorrow morning so I'll not stay up paranoid about missing my morning flight. This could not have worked out better. I'll have to spread the word so that others who may get in this sort of jam will know they can come down here to get some rest without worrying about their baggage being swiped and the like. In fact, I think I may just take a shower too.
Come to think of it I guess this is just a man thing. I didn't see an opposite "side" or anything like that to accommodate women. Might this be another facet of a male dominated society? Hm? Maybe so. Or maybe women are just a little smarter and do not put themselves in situations such as these, planning so that they are not stranded in airports for hours and hours and hours. There is also billiards a couple of doors down. I might have to wander over and hustle a few of my fellow poor planners. Ha! Nah, I do not play for money; or maybe I should say that I'm not good enough to play for money. Truth.
Well, so far so good. I have already had quite the adventure and I have not even reached my destination. Hopefully the adventures will keep on coming once I hit the ground in Manila. JENNY will meet me and we will head to lunch so seeing her for the first time and talking in person will be an adventure in itself. Yes, in twelve (12) hours I'll be in the air; in a few more I'll be having lunch with the very first person that I have initially come to know exclusively via the internet. Weird.
I think I'll wander over to the sauna and do a little sweating before I call it a night. I ate at Joy Cook before I left Osan. Pasta with alfredo sauce and a Coca-Cola. When I first decided on my meal I was going to order a glass of wine. Wine. Wine. Wine.
"Wine. Wine."
"And to drink?"
"A Coke."
Oh bother. The Coke was good though. Bottled. For some reason it is so much better when bottled and drank it in a foreign country. I don't know why. The Cokes in Mexico are always so much better too. Much be something about the can.
Okay, it is sauna time. I'm not sure when I'll get this all up on the site. Of course that means nothing to you, the reader, since you are reading this now. I'll probably get a chance to upload once I get settled in to my hotel in Manila and JENNY and I have stopped chit chatting about everything under the sun. So maybe this time Wednesday. Again, disregard because if you are reading this, … yeah, you get it.
Okay, sauna.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 26TH JUNE 2006
10:36-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished."
-- Proverbs 28 : 20
Okay, here's the revised plan. I was going to spend today and tomorrow shopping and taking care of last minute details before catching a bus to the airport very early Wednesday morning. Now, however, I think I'll catch a bus tomorrow morning, with my luggage, to Osan Air Base to do some shopping and then proceed to Seoul in order to stay there for the night. I'm not sure if leaving from here at 5:50 will get me to the airport in time to catch my 9:00 flight. And the last thing I want to do right now is roll the dice when it comes to catching that plane.
So I should arrive in Seoul tomorrow afternoon with plenty of time to coordinate being taken to the airport Wednesday morning with plenty of time to check in, get my baggage on the plane, and board. Better safe than sorry. I'm packing light so it is only myself, my black backpack (which has become sort of a trademark for me; I'm always toting it on my back, often with about forty (40) or fifty (50) pounds of gear in it), and a suitcase. I do not think I'm lacking anything, but I'll go through my mental checklist several more times before I crawl into bed early tomorrow morning. I'll take the 8:00 bus to Osan Air Base, check into a hotel off-post, do a little shopping for a few last minute things I know I can get there, have lunch, and then catch a bus to Seoul in the early afternoon. I'll stay the night and leave Wednesday morning for Incheon International Airport. By noontime I'll be in Manila.
I had not communicated with JENNY for days because I was so busy. Luckily she popped on YIM and I was able to confirm plans and such with her. She acted as if it was no big deal but confessed she had become busy too and just yesterday had remembered I was arriving this week. I was a little nervous, but now that we touched base and she assured me she would be waiting for me in a sleeveless white shirt, jeans, and white "rubber shoes", in the "M" lobby, I'm more than ready to be on my way to the Philippines.
I am taking my laptop and camera so I'll be chronicling my trip. Hopefully I can surrender my camera to others and they can take pictures as I'm not exactly a photo guy. I know when I meet MEIGH, she will have no problems swiping my camera and clicking away and away.
Tonight I'll just take it easy and keep recharging my batteries from the last few weeks. I doubt I'll get much sleep until I'm on the plane bound for Manila. And after that I'll probably only get some sleep as a result of being just too exhausted to go on, because I'll definitely be trying to enjoy every solitary second of my vacation time.
Ciao for now.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 25TH JUNE 2006
8:04-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "REACH"-WARREN barfield Reach
"Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
-- 02 Corinthians 05 : 17
"Reach"
WARREN barfield
Beautiful Love, You have changed my world
It’s so much better now
I don’t know what You see in me
But I’m glad that You found
Something worth
Loving, ... oh
And I reach for You
And I reach for You
I reach for You
You reach for me, too
You reach for me, too
You reach me
You are more than I can take
So all of You I receive
And I cannot go to where You are
So You take me
Beyond these
Dreams I dream
And I reach for You
And I reach for You
I reach for You
You reach for me, too
You reach for me, too
You reach me
I can’t live without You
I don’t wanna be without You
No I can’t live without You
I am never without You
I reach for You
I reach for You
I reach for You
You reach for me, too
You reach for me, too
You reach me
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 24TH JUNE 2006
11:19-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb."
-- Psalm 19 : 08 - 10
Two (02) years ago I was in upstate New York hoping that I'd receive a job at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, driving for a General. I was a Specialist and very much looking to get out of the Army in March 2006. A lot has gone on and changed since then: I'm not a Specialist, but have been promoted twice since then; I did receive the assignment to Redstone (which turned into a position as assistant to the Post Command Sergant Major); and I'm now due to get out of the Army in June 2009. But back then, I probably would not have guessed so much would have happened in just a couple of years.
THURSDAY 24TH JUNE 2004
11:58-PM-(UTC/GMT -5 Hours)
Listening - "O PRAISE HIM"-David Crowder Band Illuminate
Well, I have been setting up banking all night. Well not really setting up, but preparing to set up tomorrow. I opened another savings account through ING Direct a few days back. I have one (01) set up (Is set up a single word--"setup"--or is it hyphenated--"set-up"?) with Bank of America but it is easily accessible so I find myself transferring funds from it to my checking account (also with Bank of America) far too often. So I'm going to use this ING Direct account as more of a long-term savings account.
I took two hundred fifty (250) dollars from my Bank of America savings account and put it into my new ING Direct savings account. And just now filled out the necessary forms to have a regular, monthly allotment of two hundred fifty (250) dollars taken out of my military paycheck each month. Also, I filled out savings bond paperwork so that another fifty (50) dollars will be taken out each month towards one hundred (100) dollar savings bonds. I already have twelve (12) dollars and fifty (50) cents coming out each month towards one hundred (100) dollar savings bonds which I set up way back when I initially joined the Army. That was a good idea alright. Sure, they will not mature for about thirty (30) years or so, but at least I'm putting money away. And I suppose each little bit helps.
What made me laugh was the fact that if I had taken out two hundred fifty (250) dollars out of my check from the day I joined the military to the day I'm currently due to get out (March 2006), I'd have amassed over fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars. That would not be bad at all. And that does not include interest. Of course, I didn't have that kind of forethought back then. But I'm trying to get on a better track now.
And I'll be able to track it all via Microsoft Money. Yes, it is a shame I know, if I get my finances all set and my educational endeavors well under way I'll not have too much to whine about anymore here. I know my readers will be very disappointed about that.
On the educational side of the house I'm doing peachy. It takes me a while but eventually I hit the books, bear down and finish up assignments. I have about eight (08) more weeks so it will be plenty of time to finish up this course. Yes indeed, the Army is picking up the check for my classes. "Thank you Army." Well, "Thank you me, really." So all is well in TED's education land.
I have not heard back from 1SG Johnson regarding my potential assignment to Redstone Arsenal. I have heard from LUKE however, who is going to be at Fort Rucker, Alabama, just five (05) hours away and he says he is all for it. Ha! I emailed 1SG last night and when he called the shop today I asked him if he had received it. He said he would check it out and speak with CSM Lunn regarding it again. "Hope. Hope. Hope!" So maybe I'll get some definite feedback sometime next week along the lines of
"Pack your bags, you're coming to Alabama."
SFC Sands arrived at the shop towards the end of the day today. Yes, the new blood is arriving. We are due one (01) more SFC (Sergeant First Class), another SSG (Staff Sergeant), a SGT (Sergeant), a SPC (Specialist), and a PV2 (Private). I believe that is all. And I believe they are all due to arrive before the year is out. Hopefully, I'll head out of here before the year is out and relinquish this team and this shop and this place to them all. But hey, these days I have learned to just remain patient, hopeful and optimistic, ... very, very patient. And yeah, it is tough. Ha! But I'm a much calmer me, and that is extremely peachy!
Good morning and Good night.
I still have the savings account I opened with ING Direct. These days my monthly contributions are just over five hundred (500) dollars. I'm doing a lot better managing my finances. Of course I do have my "weak" moments every couple of months. But hey, money is for spending after all. I cashed in all of the savings bonds however. I believe last year around Thanksgiving time while I was down in South Texas. I believe I have two (02) more there which had not matured enough to cash in. So my savigings right now is all in one (01) account. My plan is to get into investing and have some diversification going on. But so far so good.
I have a Psychology course in the chute which I have to finish before the end of August. After that I'll take a break until the start of the new year, when I'll be back in the United States wherever the Army sends me. Hopefully I'll be back in Alabama, but the way it is looking now, I'll be in Kentucky.
Obviously, I ended up getting the job in Alabama. It was a great experience; it was easily one (01) of the best experiences I have had in the Army, and because of the timing, one (01) of the best experiences in my life. I was promoted while there, reenlisted, and opted to head to Korea for another go around at Camp Humphreys.
Now I'm winding down things here at Camp Humphreys, knowing that even if I stay in the Army, I'll most likely never again volunteer to come here at this same rank. A few more months and I'll head back to the United States with two (02) and a half years to go in my current enlistment. But first I'll head to the Philippines for a couple of weeks, celebrate six (06) years in the Army, and finish out my time here as a very visible person in this Battalion.
It has been a crazy ride indeed.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 23RD JUNE 2006
11:15-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for GOD's wrath, for it is written: 'It is Mine to avenge; I'll repay,' says the LORD."
-- Romans 12 : 18 & 19
The nightmare has finally come to an end. The last three (03) weeks or so have been tough to say the very least. What began as little ol' me taking over the Platoon in the absence of my platoon sergeant turned into little ol' me becoming the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) while the bulk of the Battalion was in the field from 19 June to today.
Yes, the reason for my absence, ... I have been working my little butt off for what seems like forever. This week was really tough. I have not been asleep since Tuesday night, I have been so busy. I wasn't surprised at how unorganized the field exercise was considering everything in the Battalion seems unorganized, but I had no idea just how crazy things would be back here in the rear. It was almost like no one (01) really planned how to handle things here in the rear, they just figured someone would be left back as Rear Detachment NCOIC and they didn't need to worry about it. Sure enough, I was left with problems and messes and was surprised with something or another every single day.
I might write more about it later, but I'm still pretty disgusted and exhaustedby the events of the last three (03) weeks and espcially this last week. I'm just relieved it is over and really just want to look towards signing out on leave next Monday and successfully arriving in Manila come Wednesday. So more later. Sorry for those of you who have missed me or thought I just kind of disappeared. I just had to much to take care of and coming back here to the room pretty much meant just crashing without having much energy to do anything else but shower and fall into bed. Many mornings I'd wake up with lights and music on. Ha! Crazy I tell you. Crazy.
"FRIENDS ...
... thank you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement about my assignment, the death of my grandfather, and just your support regarding my life and well-being. Your feedback and love are very much appreciated and truly make me feel as though I have not simply visitors but friends who come not simply to check-in, but to see how I'm doing out of genunie concern. I love you all so very much. I apologize for the long hiatus, but when duty calls and work gets crazy, I have to answer and take care of business. Again, thanks for the love and support."
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 11TH JUNE 2006
8:57-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"... because we know that the One who raised the LORD JESUS from the dead will also raise us with JESUS and present us with you in His presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of GOD. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
-- 02 Corinthians 01 : 14 - 18
I just found out via my sister's MySpace page that my grandfather died on Thursday. It is kind of strange getting news like that for the first time by reading it on the internet. I suppose my family felt I was dealing with enough over here and choose not to email me with the news. I suppose if I had not hit up my sister's page, I still would not have any idea. Weird. Anyway, SARA writes:
"My grandfather passed away yesterday. It was kind of unexpected, he was 81 and I thought he was doing ok. He had heart surgery but afterwards water got into his lungs and he couldn't breath. I'm very sad, but not as much for myself as I'm for my mother. He was her father. She already lost her mother back in December of 1999 and now her father is gone.
It has hit her pretty hard; it happened on her anniversary, a day that should be happy. I don't know what I'll do when I lose my parents. Thank God I don't have to think about that now.It's hard enough losing a grandparent.Anyway, I just want my parents to know that I love and cherishthem for all they have done and given me. And I hate what my mother is going through not having here parents anymore. 'Granddad, I love and miss you... You are forever in my heart and in my memories.'"
I distinctly remember when there was just a cement slab in the backyard. We were building onto our house to accommodate MOM's parents. I suppose it was in 1998 or so, I'm not completely sure when, but I remember it didn't take as long as I imagined. Soon after the lil apartment was complete and they made the move from Lago Vista, Texas to San Benito, Texas. There would be no more heading up to Austin to stay in their spacious house. But my grandmother was suffered from Parkinson's and they both just needed to be a little closer. She died on a Saturday morning. I was working at OfficeMax at the time. I went to work like any other day. Her death wasn't sudden and she wasn't exactly in her right mind so it was more of a gracious passing, instead of a tragedy. In fact I remember writing about it in "younger" versions of this website, long before it adopted the name and this layout.
My DAD's parents moved into a house across the street. His father died back in May or 2004. Soon after his mother moved into the house, into my room. So now it is just her. I wonder what my parents will do with that apartment extending from the house. I doubt my grandmother wants to occupy it as it is a better idea for her to be close to MOM and DAD. I wonder if my brother has mentioned moving in with his wife. Right now he is living with her parents.
I will not be making the flight home. I don't know the date of the funeral or any of the details at all, but I decided when I arrived here that I'd not be heading home for any funerals short of my immediate family. There is just too much going on right now and getting away for a week or so to attend a funeral will just rock the boat further. I'm pleased he has gone home; I know he was very lonely living all by himself over there since the death of his wife. They are together now and though my family is mourning here, we know he has reached the end of a long and tiresome journey here on earth, ... and we secretly just long, not to have him here again, but to be with him in paradise.
In other news it has been an extremely exhausting couple of weeks; I'm tired and in serious need of a vacation. When I put in leave for the end of June it didn't seem so far off; with everything that has been going on though, it seems as if 26 June will never arrive. Oh bother. Another work week begins tomorrow morning. Oh joy.
"Miss ya' granddad."
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 10TH JUNE 2006
9:59-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "UNDERDOG"-Audio Adrenaline Underdog
"Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice."
-- Proverbs 16 : 08
"RATHROMONY, ...
... happy birthday! I still visit your site a few times daily even though you have taken a respite from updating the maintaining it. You are still quite the busy gal these days huh? Indeed. Hang in and hold on. I know a lot of changes and happenings are going on in your life and with your family and friends, ... your wedding has finally been scheduled and is quickly approaching. I trust you are relying on your loved ones to see you through the ups and downs and joys and frustrations. But you are blessed with truly wonderful people in your life because you are just as wonderful. Celebrate you today. May you have a good day, a fun birthday, and a blessed year to come.
You are a great talent RATHY with oodles of potential. The world is lucky to have a RATHY just like you. Things are hectic these days for me and I'm so busy, but never forget that I'll always remember you! Happy birthday big sister!"
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 09TH JUNE 2006
11:51-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "THINK ABOUT IT"-CRYSTAL lewis See
"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread."
-- Proverbs 30 : 08
What a day! What a day!
I just arrived back at my room. Yes, quite late. And yes, there is a story to tell:
Yesterday, after training in the morning, and a training meeting in the afternoon, I arrived at the staff duty desk and began my stint as the staff duty NCO. I had my driver take the desk for a while because a Soldier in my platoon (yes, since I'm the acting platoon sergeant, it is "my platoon") was reporting before the Battalion Commander to receive punishment for breaking rules. So I stood in there with the Battalion Commander, Command Sergeant Major, Company Commander, First Sergeant, the Soldier's Officer in charge (OIC), his Noncommissioned Officer in charge (NCOIC), and direct supervisor. He reported, and the Battalion Commander spoke with him a little bit about what he had done and such. He left and the Battalion Commander asked us all to suggest which punishments he was to receive from a listing he read. We all said he should receive the maximum allowable considering the circumstances of his actions and his current attitude towards his leadership, authority, and the proceedings. He didn't simply commit a string of mistakes and wasn't a victim of circumstance. He deliberately acted in direct violation and direct disobedience of orders given him by his superiors.
He reported once again and the Battalion Commander doled out his punishment, which included forty-five (45) days of extra duty to begin immediately. This meant I'd be supervising him until about midnight while on staff duty, along with anyone else on extra duty. After the reading of his punishment the Command Sergeant Major wanted to speak with him and the NCOs. He asked him what the deal was and why he looked so disheveled. Not much of a response. He asked me to step forward and get his rank off. (Yes, losing rank was part of the punishment as well.) So I brought out my knife to cut off his sewn-on rank. It was stubborn. I was trying not to laugh while struggling to cut the thread. The CSM just kept talking as the Soldier stood in front of his desk and I tried to cut off his rank while preserving his neck. I'm sure it looked absolutely hilarious. Eventually, and without cutting his head off thankfully, I was able to remove his rank. I stuffed the rank in my pocket and took my place behind him and to his left, at parade rest.
So after all of that drama ended, I took my place at the desk and placed two (02) calls to the Soldiers who were sitting at desks in the barracks. Their job was to talk care of issues in the barracks and keep the Soldiers safe and out of trouble and so on and so forth. Staff duty is essentially the same but the staff duty NCO is at the Battalion headquarters and goes around making checks at buildings every once in a while.
Anyway, there is a list of chores to do while on staff duty, but if there are extra duty personnel on hand, they are to do them as well as any other duties the CSM sees fit for them to accomplish. And regardless of the day or week or phase of the moon, the floor must look presentable. The floor is pretty much "the chore" when it comes to staff duty. If it looks good, it makes staff duty much easier, if not, the floor must be buffed to a high shine. I have had problems with this task in the past and yesterday was no exception. I released my two (02) Soldiers who were on extra duty about half past midnight.
I intended to fix the floor myself since they laid the wax with a mop which was too wet. The result was that the wax dried and the floor looked streaked. In short, it was horrible. But no big deal, I figured a couple of thicker coats would even it out. As it turned out, it made it worse. So the staff duty driver and I took turned looking for buffers. The first one (01) had a buffing pad which was too old to be effective, however we could not get it off. It was stuck and would not budge. No big deal, there were more in the other buildings. I found another one (01) and he found an extra buffer pad. The pad however was too large. All in all we had three (03) buffers in the hallway and none were any good to us. I tried to even out the floor with hot water. That didn't work. Of course during this whole mess I had been going out to do my checks as well as sitting and thinking of a solution.
All of a sudden it was about 4:00 in the morning. I knew I had missed that window of opportunity where I could have stripped all of the wax from the floor and laid down a few coats to make itat least look even, and maybe good. But it was far too late to strip it and start all over. I was pretty upset and disappointed because I wasn't able to get it looking right and I wasn't equipped with the proper tools to do the job correctly. It wasn't until my driver used the restroom and stopped up the toilet that I thought to pick up the phone.
I called the CSM. I apologized for waking him and explained to him that the floor looked horrible and I was more than willing to come in the evening to get it up to standard. He said he would be in to look at it soon enough. I felt a little better since I knew that he wasn't going to expect to be blinded by the glare off the floor. What a mess the day was though. So while my driver cleaned up the restroom, I did some additional touch-ups and my last series of checks of buildings.
Sure enough, in the morning, when the CSM arrived he smiled and shook his head. It was much easier to take though since he knew what he would be seeing when he walked in the door. Thankfully both he and the Battalion Commander left for the morning, it meant I'd not have to feel bad while they went through their morning routines in their offices a few feet away.
I didn't get to my room and crawl into bed until noontime. I stayed up and met up with SGT Benn to make sure he was taking care of everything. He was my stand in because today was my "off-duty" day. But I could not head for my room at 9:00, there was more to do and so I went around checking things off of my list. A few people looked at me and mentioned that I had duty and should be in my bed. SGT Benn said I had issues and a warrant officer pretty much ordered me to get some sleep. I ended up waking to my phone ringing around 1:00. It was news of a close-out formation in the afternoon. When I became a little more coherent I decided to get up, get my uniform on, and head out once again to make sure things were being taken care of. Once again I was looked at like I was crazy. The First Sergeant did a double take before asking me if I wasn't on duty last night. Ha! He really did do a double take, it was kind of funny.
He said that since I was up and out and about I could attend a platoon sergeant meeting after the formation. I waited at the company while the formation went on at the motor pool. Once it was over I headed to the First Sergeant's office. Since only two (02) of his Platoon Sergeants arrived he let us know that instead of keeping us here through a meeting with the CSM, he would have a platoon sergeant meeting tomorrow at 7:00. Yes, once again a platoon sergeant meeting Saturday morning. And it was most likely going to rain, ... just as it did the last time we met on a Saturday morning.
I was then onto Battalion headquarters. Each time I arrive there it seems like the CSM throws a party; there are always several people waiting to speak with him. But I wasn't there to speak with him, I was just there to fix the floor. I headed to the PX to buy a toilet seat cover. It would be used to buff the waxed floor to a high shine.
When I arrived, the CSM saw me and called me into his office. He was in a meeting with a few other senior NCOs. He asked me what I was doing there:
"Sergeant Mueller, what are you doing here? You don't have to be here."
"I'm here for the floor Sergeant Major."
"No, you did the right thing. You called and admitted the floor wasn't in good shape. You let me know and told me you would be here to make it right. You did the right thing. You may go."
"Well, with all due respect Sergeant Major, I'd like to stay so I can show the extra duty Soldiers how to lay this wax down correctly."
When I walked out of his office I heard him say something like " ... that's the difference, ..." and I knew he was telling those in his office that that was the difference between me and other NCOs. He has said more than a few times how much he thinks of me and respects me. So I kind of patted myself on the back. Ha!
I ended up staying there for hours waiting for the CSM to get out of meetings. I had extra duty strip the floor up to his door and leave a section untouched leading out of the headquarters so that he and the Battalion Commander would not have to walk through the water if they decided to head home. While all of this was going on, the restroom was flooding. Each time one (01) of the extra duty Soldiers would change out the water, they would spill some on the floor, but the drain was clogged up so when I headed to the restroom about a half inch of water stood on the floor. I wanted to just head to my room and go to sleep. But I knew I could not just abandon the situation. I got on the phone with the Department of Public Works and pretty much said that the Colonels restroom was flooded. Hey, sometimes it pays to exaggerate. Two (02) workmen arrived promptly. Outside the restroom, in the hallway there is a little circular brass plate. Apparently it leads to the pipes which are connected to the toilets and sinks and the drain in the restroom.
Anyway, the Korean didn't have the proper tool to get if open so he improvised, using a hammer and a chisel to chip away at and get a bite on the plate. He banged and banged until it began to turn. Of course the banging was loud, annoying, and I'm sure just slightly interrupted the CSM's meetings. Eventually the CSM came out and asked what he was doing. I explained. Then the second Korean came in with a huge contraption which was basically used to force down into the pipes and pull back up. It was a machine though, much like a winch, but with a long cord with ridges on it which fed down into the drain. It took some effort and a few tries before the sludge began to bubble. Once again making an escape crossed my mind as I envisioned a huge geyser of sludge erupting from the hole and flooding the hallway and conference room. But nothing erupted and about an hour after I noticed the swimming pool, it was drained and mopped up. Crisis averted.
When the CSM left I had them strip the rest of the floor and I showed them how to lay the wax with a damp towel on the end of a mop handle, instead of a string mop. After that I let them try. When I saw they had the hang of it I began the walk back to my room. And now I'm here.
What a day. I should of known it would be just as crazy and hectic as the past week. Will the fun ever cease?
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 08TH JUNE 2006
4:38-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"She caught him by his cloak and said, 'Come to bed with me!' But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house."
-- Genesis 39 : 12
Sergeant's Time Training today. I'll be heading out with the platoon as the platoon sergeant so that will be very new to me indeed. The rest of my section is undergoing the first day of the quality assurance inspection. Hopefully the day comes and goes with little confusion or mishap.
It will be a long one (01) too because I have staff duty today. So that means I'll report to the desk around 4:30 and sit until 9:00 Friday morning. So yes, my "day" begins now and continues for another twenty-eight (28) and a half hours.
Well, it is time I was off to go draw my weapon from the arms room. I'm not sure if we are having a platoon sergeant meeting this morning so I'm going to try to leave in the next twenty (20) minutes or so to be early in case there is one (01) before formation. Yes, I'm already dreading a morning of training in addition to an evening and night as staff duty.
And I could use a few more hours of sleep!
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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WEDNESDAY 07TH JUNE 2006
6:41-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "MY LOVE HASN'T GROWN COLD"-BETHANY dillon Imagination
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
-- 01 TIMOTHY 06 : 06 - 08
Two (02) years ago I was just getting back to Fort Drum and about to undergo surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed. That was a very memorable experience indeed and I know that if I had not had all four (04) of those suckers yanked from my head at once, I'd not be doing it again unless I was completely unconscious.
MONDAY 07TH JUNE 2004
8:44-AM-(UTC/GMT -5 Hours)
Listening - "KATIE"-LaRue LaRue
Well, my day officially began. A couple of hours ago. Monday. A run day. It wasn't serious, probably only about two (02) miles, maybe two (02) and a half. But in my case it proved to be enough of a work out, considering I have been on leave and sick for the past three (03) weeks. I survived though and am now back in the fold here are Fort Drum.
I am not too thrilled about being back but I'm going to keep confident that things will not be too bad. Hopefully I'll be promoted in a few weeks. That will definitely work to lift my spirits, it will mean a raise too and will afford me the opportunity to make a push for an assignment to Korea. Yup, I'm going to keep mentioning that until something definite happens. So you should hope that I get promoted too so I'll stop rambling about getting promoted and putting in for Korea. Furthermore you can just hope I get the assignment. Then goodness, I'll not know what to go on and on about. Well, I'm sure I'll think of something.
Changing hosts so things may be down for a day or so. It should not be a major problem though. All for now, more after a half day of work and a dental appointment. I'll definitely share my experience under the knife.
Funny how things turned out. I'm now in Korea. But I didn't get here that year. I ended up heading to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama to work for a Command Sergeant Major. And it was the best experience I have had in the Army yet. I have been in Korea for approximately eight (08) months now. When I was preparing to leave Alabama for Korea I intended to hit the ground here and immediately extend for another year. Of course things have been so crazy and hectic since day one (01) I decided not too about two (02) weeks into the tour and overall am still glad I didn't tack on an additional year.
Yes, I'm almost finished with another tour here in the "Land of the Morning Calm." It is weird to walk around and think that I have been here before years ago. Even though I'm not "living" here as a civilian, I can say that I lived in Korea for two (02) years out of my life. Pretty cool. Maybe I'll get a chance to come back as a civilian with a lot more freedom to roam and travel and experience more of the Korean culture.
Needless to say, I didn't run out of things to go on and on about as I "feared" two (02) years back. Ha! I went on and on about when I'd head to Alabama, about my car accident there, about getting promoted to Staff Sergeant, about another car wreck, about heading to Korea (again), about how crazy things are here, about trying to get a platoon sergeant slot, about trying to head to Redstone to be a drill sergeant or SGL, about going Special Forces, and so on and so forth and everything in between. Yes, I tend to rant and get all kinds of crazy ideas.
One (01) of these days, or weekends, I'm going to head read every single entry and relive from Fort Drum to here. Crazy! GOD willing I'll be around to write more about my little life. Right now I think m domain is good through 2009. And I have a feeling that as long as I'm around so furiousbeauty will always be around.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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TUESDAY 06TH JUNE 2006
7:31-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"'For many will come in My name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. 'So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.'"
-- MATTHEW 24 : 05, 23, 24, 26
The day has finally come to an end. Surprisingly I'm getting back to my room at a decent hour. Yes, half past 7:00 is a decent hour considering I'm the acting platoon sergeant. Last night I was taking care of business until almost 11:00. And of course this morning had me waking up at 4:45 to get to a 5:30 platoon sergeant meeting prior to physical training (PT). The days have been long and it is only Tuesday evening. It seems like it should be at least Wednesday. And the fun will just continue as I know things will come up and surprise me tomorrow.
Yesterday was a nightmare; day one (01) as platoon sergeant for a week and I was in three (03) platoon sergeant meetings and left each with notes galore to put out to the sections. And just about everything was due either at the end of the day or sometime this week. It took me no time at all to realize SFC Sinkfield had not properly briefed me before heading off to his class. A couple times I just had to let the First Sergeant know that I had not been briefed and had no idea what he was talking about. If I know about it (knew about it) I can take care of it, but if it is something he mentioned last week or days and days ago while I wasn't in the platoon sergeant position, … well I need time to react. Needless to say I'll be letting SFC Sinkfield know that he left a few holes in my briefing before he left.
I am sore too. PT in the morning, plus PT on my own on weekends and in the evenings is doing a number on me. And now that I'm trekking everywhere as platoon sergeant to make a dozen meetings daily and link up with a few dozen different Soldiers, my feet and legs are quite ready for a rest. And I know things will not let up one (01) bit as the week progresses with the field exercise (FTX) rapidly approaching the third week of this month. I'm still not sure if Chief approved me as a stay-back or not. I let him know that I'd like to stay back since I went through the field exercise in November, SFC Gutierrez would be the acting platoon sergeant, and SFC McManus would go to head the team out in the field; … I figured I'd stay back and head up the four (04) personnel back here plus deal with the company politics. Furthermore, I just let him know I'm getting a bit burned out and could use the break. He has not mentioned it so I guess I'm good to go to stay back. But I'm going to set my mind on going and work to prepare to go until I get confirmation from him that I'm on the stay-back crew.
So yes, I'm quite the busy bee. I'll be glad when this week is at an end. I enjoy the platoon sergeant gig but knowing I'm only a stand in and have to deal with everything plus tie up loose ends that should have been tied before I took over is discouraging. If I was going to be the platoon sergeant for the next few months (until I'm out of here) it would be a totally different story. Of course I'm doing my best and have received sentiments that I'm doing well; yes, I'm already getting some kudos here and there. But thank GOD day two (02) is over and done with. I just hope and pray my phone does not ring.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 05TH JUNE 2006
3:40-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, 'Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I'll not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of GOD comes.' He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, 'This is my blood given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'"
-- LUKE 22 : 17 - 19
Yes, I have been up all night long. I took a very long nap today because I wasn't feeling exactly peppy; please, save the lectures. Thank you. In about two (02) hours I'll be on my way to the company for the platoon sergeant meeting. Yes, it is a daily thing each morning before PT with the exception of Thursdays. I'll have the platoon sergeant gig all week after which SFC Gutierrez will take over since our preparation and inspection will be at an end. Does that make sense? Is that a sentence? Hm. Well it does and it is here. I think when I finish my course work I'll begin reading more style manuals and writing handbooks; I need to refresh my knowledge of all the rules. And I never did learn how to use commas correctly. I just kind of put them in when I get bored, like right there. Is that fine? Someone let me know.
Oh, speaking of "someone letting me know," thanks a lot to all of you Internet Explorer users who never told me about the grayish bars around the headings of the boxes to the left and right. I have been using FireFox for the past few months so I have been viewing all of my coding in it. I added an extension to FireFox yesterday that allows a page to be viewed in IE using the click of a button. It is quite nifty. Anyway, I noticed it immediately. It is fixed now. I had to put a black background on each heading graphic. For some reason the clear background does not translate into "clear" when using IE. In FireFox it is just fine because only the letters show up against the webpage's black background. Not in IE. Well, it is fixed, whatever, ... this is really boring.
Okay, so this week should be pretty packed. I fully expected to be on the second shift all week but now that I'm platoon sergeant and having to take care of issues and field preparations for the entire Platoon, I'll be doing a bit more than simply sleeping in and sitting at equipment all day. Okay so I'm looking forward to the hustle and bustle again; I was just getting used to life back in the shop, but still, I was itching to do something different. What can I say, sitting at equipment is just not my thing.
I need to get my butt in gear and finish up this Anthropology course. I think my instructor is giving me another week to finish it up. I have duty this coming Thursday so that means I'll be as a desk from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning. I'll be off from 9:00 Friday morning to Sunday evening. So come Monday, 12 June, I'll definitely have all the assignments completed. I just hope he agreed to another week's extension. Goodness I procrastinate a lot. It is shameful. I'm ashamed. Shame!
Time to get on an essay. Sixteen (16) to go. Oh bother. And I still need to shower and shave. When I stay up all night I like to shower before PT just to give me that added wake-up call. And besides, I have a meeting to attend at 5:30 before PT and I have to head out early to pickup the key SFC Sinkfield left under SFC Gutierrez's doormat. Yeah, he said he would drop it by when he came around the first time. I have no idea why he thought to leave it across post when I'm the platoon sergeant for the week, not SFC Gutierrez. He was doing the same thing on Saturday when he came to our shop to go over the notes. He was always turning to SFC Gutierrez and handing him paperwork. It was rather annoying because SFC Gutierrez would just hand it over to me. It was like I had never sat in for him before and had no idea how to take care of the platoon. Blah. I'll probably hit the shower, shave, and head out to retrieve the key around 5:00.
Later.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 04TH JUNE 2006
7:33-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"'I am the Good Shepard; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me--just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father--and I lay down My life for the sheep.'"
-- JOHN 10 : 14 & 15
"IRIS, ...
... happy birthday! I miss you! It has been too long. I trust things are going a little smoother for you; I know you have been lonely and hurting these past couple of months. Put your cares and woes and fears and frustrations down at the feet of the Savior IRIS. He will carry you through the valley and up to the mountain top. Sit and talk to Him and He will pull up a chair and listen morning, noon, or night. Pray for Him to take away your lonliness, concerns, and pain, and He will. Keep trusting and keep believing sister. You are not alone!
I trust you are celebrating your birthday with family, friends, and of course, with plenty of food! Take a break today! Remember the loss of your job and the disappearance of friends when you first were invited to bible study? You life turned around since then and will once again, ... and you know where to turn and whom to turn to. He will never be outdated or out of style or the wrong answer. So let the start of this new year in your life be the start of recommitting yourself to the childlike trusting in Him. Sure it is tough and sometimes lonely and scary, but you can do it and I believe in you. And I think you believe in yourself too.
So happy birthday big sister! I pray this year brings you more of what you need and less of what you do not. Continue to smile and continue to pray. I'll be waiting patiently to hear from you. You are truly missed.
Love ya' IRIS!"
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 03RD JUNE 2006
3:33-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "GLORY"-Audio Adrenaline Lift
"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
-- Deuteronomy 15 : 11
I just returned from work. Yes, work on a Saturday. Once again we are putting in extra hours to prepare for our inspection on 08 and 09 June. So after getting off early (9:30) last night I headed back to work at 10:00 this morning. SFC McManus was back from leave (just in time to come in on a Saturday) so SGT Kennedy and SPC Lee went into full effect trying to get on his nerves. The succeeded and while we were eating lunch, SFC McManus called them out of the break room to give them a nice talking to. It was all pretty funny and childish. The rest of us laughed and shook our heads as we finished our lunch.
When Monday rolls around I'll be heading up the platoon. SFC Sinkfield is headed to a school tomorrow and I'm the third in line to take the platoon. SFC Gutierrez needs to be at the shop to spearhead the preparations (and he is on the second shift) so the platoon sergeant gig is falling to me for a week until the inspection ends. After that SFC Gutierrez will take over. Yes, I'm the "stand in" once again. Blah. No biggie though, I'm just doing my part. But once again I'm just being handed the baton at the last minute without any briefing or preparation. Tsk. It would be a shame if I were someone incapable of handling just about anything this unit can think to throw at me. Uh, was that a hint of egotism there? Ha, you better believe it; but it was just a little, I know who is truly making things happen through me.
So once again this weekend I'll be (all together now) doing course work, cleaning my room, and probably eating about five (05) Subway sandwiches. And speaking of Subway sandwiches, I have already eaten one (01) and a half for the weekend with one (01) waiting patiently in the refrigerator. Ha!
Everyone laughs when I tell them that when I make my first few millions I'm going to have a Subway built in my house, right off of the kitchen. And yes, it will a regular Subway with the ovens and the Subway napkins and all of the fixings shipped right to my house. But I'll not be making my own sandwiches. (Well okay, I'll probably sneak down in the middle of the night and indulge myself by making an obscenely large sandwich as a midnight snack.) But no, I'll have employees and needless to say it will forever be the best after school and summer job in the area. Ha! Can you imagine a bunch of high school students talking about their job and my employees talking about working at the Subway at TED's house? Can you? Well I can anyway because it is going to happen.
You will remember me when you see a newscast on location of the first ever Subway franchise to be located on private property at a residence. Then I'll be laughing as I eat my sandwiches. I might even have them delivered upstairs to my room or to my entertainment room; yes, Subway plastic bags, drink caddies, and the whole nine (09). Oh, and in case you are wondering I fully intend to try out Subway in the Philippines. Yup, there are fourteen (14) in the Philippines. There are twenty-nine (29) here in Korea and in the United States there are a whopping twenty thousand one hundred and eleven (20,111) Subway restaurants, for your information! I think that very soon here I'll be tracking every Subway franchise I visit and rating them accordingly. I bet if I think real hard I can pin down quite a few of them. And when I visit them in the Philippines it will make the fourth country (United States, Kuwait, Korea, and the Philippines) ( have had the pleasure of being in when sitting down to what is easily becoming my sandwich (maybe food) of choice.
Okay, now it is time for a nap.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 02ND JUNE 2006
6:44-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "REFINE ME"-JENNIFER knapp Live
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night."
-- Psalm 01 : 01 & 02
"Refine Me"
JENNIFER knapp
I come into this place
Burning to receive Your peace
I come with my own chains
From wars I've fought for my own selfish gain
You're my God and my Father
I've accepted Your Son
But my soul feels so empty now
What have I become?
LORD, come with Your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me
LORD, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Refine me
My heart can't see
When I only look at me
My soul can't hear
When I only think of my own fears
They are gone in a moment
You're forever the same
Why did I look away from You
How can I speak Your name?
LORD, come with Your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me
LORD, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You
It's all I can do
To give my heart and soul to You
And pray, and pray, oh I'll pray
LORD, come with Your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me
LORD, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You
Refine me, refine me
Refine me, refine me
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 01ST JUNE 2006
11:07-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters."
-- Romans 14 : 01
Tonight ended day two (02) of my being on the second shift (1:30 to 10:30). It was a rough night indeed. I woke up in the morning a bit thrown off. But I guess it is because I'm not use to marathon sleep session. So between the hours of about 7:00 and 10:00 I tinkered with my assignments and tried to stay focused. My mind tends to wonder all of the time and lately I have had oodles on my mind. Around 10:15 I decided it was time to get dressed and head to the gym. The second shift does PT just before noontime at the gym. I figured I'd get there earlier than our 11:00 meet time to work off a little extra stress. I did a about forty (40) minutes on a bike and a stair stepper before hitting to mat to do some abdominal exercises. After that I hit the bike again for the last ten (10) minutes.
Lunch wasn't half bad: barbecue chicken and such. It could have been better, but that is usually the case so the mediocrity of the food today wasn't a huge shocker. If I wasn't paying for it (The money for meals at the dining facility comes straight out of my pay here.) I'd probably never eat in the dining facility; I rarely eat there anyway. And I have only eaten three (03) meals in a single day maybe ten (10) times since arriving here and involuntarily being issued a meal card almost eight (08) months ago.
Writing of months ago and such, tomorrow is my one (01) year anniversary. Yes, as of tomorrow I'll have been a Staff Sergeant for an entire year. It seems like a lot of time has gone by but surely not a year. I mean I did BNCOC, went on leave, headed here (again), survived a move, a crazy field exercise, had Christmas here (again), put up with the unit for so long, and so on and so forth. But a year, really? Okay, the more I really put my mind to thinking about it all it seems like I have been here for over a year. So tomorrow makes a year being a Staff Sergeant and next month (25 July) will be my six (06) year in the Army anniversary. This anniversary comes with a $97.50 raise. Every two (02) years Soldiers get a raise. So that will be nice.
Oh and today I'm officially three (03) years out from my separation date. Yes, come 01 June 2009 I might just be saying farewell to this Army life. If you asked me tonight if I'll be a service member come 02 June 2009, I'd probably roll my eyes and tell you nope. But who knows really. Once again I'll have some tough decision making. My heart is drawing me more towards getting out of the Army these days because I'm having more and more fulfillment issues as the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months. And getting out with just under ten (10) years seems more beneficial to the me that needs a change and a chance to pursue his heart's desires. Twenty (20) years, sure I'd only be thirty-eight (38). And I have no doubt I'd retire having served honorably with a rather impressive jacket on where I have been and accomplished; of course I can not help but think how I could spend those ten (10) years as a civilian trying to make some wants and desires realities. As long as I do not feel forced to raise my hand again when the time comes. If I'm going to go the long haul it is going to have to be a choice and not something I feel I have to do as a result of external persuasion or circumstance.
I'd like to finish my BA before I call it quits. That was a major reason I raised my hand back in June of last year. I wanted to have the Army pay for as much of my undergrad degree (all of it) as I could get them to pay for before I went civilian, I wanted to fulfill my eight (08) year obligation so I'd be a less likely candidate to be called back into service, I wanted to put back some more money, and I wanted to just do a little more Soldiering. I thought I could do a few more things that I'd enjoy before hanging up my uniform. SGL and/or drill sergeant being two (02) of them, but I'll not get into that and my assignment snafu right now. Just an update, I have received no word from my former reenlistment NCO about him contacting my assignment manager. I figure I'll give it another day or so because I send a little inquiry email. I just hope he will call and not simple email. And of course that he will fight (tactfully of course) just a little for me and not give up so easily. Basically he is my last hope to get him to change his mind.
Well time for course work and then bed. Tomorrow I'll do it all over again. I'm starting a physical tomorrow morning. I think part one (01) is only blood and urine and such. It's at 8:00 so yet again I'll be up early. I may not go though because the morning is the only time I have to really do course work now. But I might make it over there.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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