october:
03rd
san benito, tx (depart)
harlingen, tx (arrive)
harlingen, tx (depart)
houston, tx (arrive)
houston, tx (depart)
atlanta, ga (arrive)
atlanta, ga (depart)
04th
seoul, korea (arrive)
06th
EDWINA's b-day
12th
EDELWEIZA's b-day
13th
RAMON's b-day
14th
LAINEY's b-day
16th
san antonio, texas (depart)
tyler, texas (arrive)
18th
LAQUAWNA's b-day
19th
GLORIA's b-day
20th
YVONNE's b-day
30th
TED's (ME) b-day
PRECIOUS' b-day
BROOK's b-day
SHIANNE's b-day
BECKY's b-day
MARI's b-day
ERIKA's b-day
31st
halloween
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MONDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2005
5:24-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"'Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.'"
-- LUKE 06 : 36
Okay, my class is not exactly the best I have been in so far. Sure, it was day one (01) but I wasn't convinced that proper preparation had been done. I'll leave out the fact that my platoon sergeant gave me a start time of 8:30 for the class and when I walked in there were no more computer stations to sit at. I learned later that the start time was earlier. But I'll not mention that, especially since we didn't really "start" until after lunch. The morning was spent pretty much just sitting around waiting fro the instructor to enter our names into the system. We were excused for lunch at 11:00. Yes, that is correct, we were on a lunch break from 11:00 to 1:00. It was a shame the commissary wasn't open; I'd have liked to do a bit of grocery shopping. The commissary closes on Mondays to restock and do inventory and such. I suppose I'll had over there tomorrow. It should not be too crowded, but it would have been les crowded at 11:00. I do not expect to get out at 11:00 tomorrow. I think the instructor was a little overwhelmed by an overflowing classroom so he just cut us loose.
Sure enough, the system basically boils down to a database which requires users to input a whole lot of information. Of course we have not really begun to do that since well, it took so long to just set everyone up. I suppose we will begin tomorrow. I'm sharing a computer with another NCO from the Company. (Yes, it is weird having such a big company now. But I'm now one (01) of a couple hundred (100) in 520th.) She talks about ten (10) times more than I do, about anything and everything. But all in all the class is not tough, or much of a challenge so far. I just know this will be useless to me once the week ends. But who knows, I could be moved to work in training or something and actually use this database. I don't know. All I know is that I'll be away from the shop for a week and hopefully I'll be in class during Thursday training too. But hey, I have a whole year here so I'll get stuck with much more training and duties as the year rolls along. I need a break here and there when I can get it. Right? Right.
I think someone stole one (01) of my uniforms from the laundry room. I'm missing a temperate weather set of BDUs. I wanted to take two (02) sets down to the Korean lady who irons uniforms downstairs and could only find two (02) other sets, minus the one (01) I was wearing. And since I do not exactly have a house to look through I'm suspecting it was taken from the dryer the other day when I did laundry. I'm pretty sure I looked thoroughly throughout the room too. I may have stashed it in a duffle bag because I had all my training gear out and extra gear for a couple of days. I'll have to dump them tonight because well, I'd like to find my uniform so I can wear it. I do not want to be down to three (03) uniforms. And besides my "summer" (thinner) sets have an annoying orange-ish ring around the collar. I think it is from ironing but I don't know. Anyway, I'll be on the prowl for the missing uniform. But I'm becoming more and more sure about it being stolen. Bummer. A new uniform, complete with nametapes and patches sewn on, is expensive. And besides that the new ACUs are supposed to be in military clothing stores at the beginning of 2006. I didn't even want to buy new uniforms months ago before BNCOC because the new uniforms were coming to the stores in April of 2006. Now that they may make their way to stores in January I definitely do not want to shell out money for a new uniform. So if I do not find it (if it was stolen) I'll have to roll with one (01) "winter" set and two (02) "summer" sets, ... in the winter.
I received birthday greetings from my family and a few good friends. It was nice to be remembered. So it is official worldwide now, I'm twenty-four (24).
"Where is my uniform?"
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2005
11:04-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of GOD be in him?"
-- 01 JOHN 03 : 17
I am still awake, squeezing every ounce out of the very first day of my twenty fourth year here on planet Earth. Actually I have completed everything on my to-do list except tonight's homework assignment. Fortunately, I have plenty of time, as it is Sunday morning in America and I have until the end of the day there to finish it. Of course that does not mean it is not nearing midnight here. I'm not very tired though. I do not see an early bedtime tonight anyway. I mean I do have to finish the writing assignment, sure, but I have a class tomorrow so yeah, it is not really that serious. I do have to wake up for PT at 5:20 though. But after that I'll need to find building S302, the site of my class, around 8:20.
The class has something to do with Soldier training records. ROBERT said he had taken it while at Fort Drum and it boils down to an electronic database to track what training Soldiers have had and have not had. So I suppose it is going to be a lot of data entry. No big deal though, I volunteered for the course while at a meeting with the platoon sergeant. I welcome the chance to get out of the shop and just mix things up here so time will start to move a bit more quickly. I think the class is a week long, but I'm not sure. I hope it is. And I hope it is in session on Thursday so I do not have to participate in the weekly Sergeant's Time Training. It would be nice to sit in a classroom rather than be out in the cold with pounds and pounds of gear on. See, I need to head to Redstone to be a small group leader, I'm fit to be in a classroom these days rather than humping it out in the field. I have not received a reply from the BNCOC First Sergeant. This week though I'll begin to email a few more people and maybe contact branch for the first time about it.
Well, I should get back to my reading so I can crank out this writing assignment. I may be around to post again before PT time. Maybe. Maybe not. I may just stay up until PT time. Of course, then again, maybe not. But I do have to finish this writing assignment and that will take me at least an hour and a half. I might be able to hit the sack by 1:00. But if I'm awake after 2:30, I'll most likely stay up and busy myself with reading or something until it is time to head for the motor pool around 5:30 for PT.
I hope the class does not run too long tomorrow.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2005
10:34-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "LOVE YOU THAT MUCH"-MaryMary Mary, Mary
"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
-- Psalm 51 : 02
Technically it is not yet my birthday. It is 30 October here, but since I was born in the United States it will not "officially" be my birthday for another three (03) and a half hours. I think. I'm not sure now if the time is minus two (02) hours and morning, or minus three (03) hours and morning during to the changing of the clocks. Anyway, the point is that it is 30 October here and not quite 30 October in the country in which I was born. But for purposes here, and so as not to confuse, ... it is my birthday and I'm going to call myself twenty-four (24) for the next three (03) hours and some odd minutes until I'm actually twenty-four (24). No biggie.
I have a lot to do today and so far have only taken a shower and dressed. And while that is an important start to the day, as I plan to head out, I have not yet been able to cross a single thing off my list. I suppose I should have added getting out of bed, showering, and dressing; I'd feel mighty good about having accomplished some things. For the most part it amounts to errand running. I need to take the trash out. I need to drop my coveralls off to get patches sewn on. I need to buy bread and milk. But the meat and potatoes of today will be working on my English course and heading to the shop to straighten things up a bit.
My plan is to try and knock out this English course early, by the beginning of December. I think my mid-term arrives in December so I'll still have that to do. And if I can not finish by the start of December I intend to at least get as far ahead as possible. Getting behind would not be a good thing at all with my Anthropology course beginning in mid December. And besides sticking to these courses is a must now since it is the major reason I'll not be transitioning back into the civilian world this coming March. If I do not have this degree or at least come within six (06) or twelve (12) credits of it by the time 2009 rolls around I'll be a tad bit disappointed in myself. But that is not going to happen, I'm going to get hot on them, stay motivated, and knock them out one (01) assignment at a time, I'm about fifty-five (55) credits away. Well, something like that anyway, ... about halfway there.
So today will be a busy day, but busy makes the time fly and getting things accomplished makes good use of time and making great use of flying time is definitely a good thing.
I will return later today, when I'm twenty-four (24) in everyone's neck of the woods.
Oh, for those of you who are not observant or who just have added my email address to a list and email away without caution, I have changed my email address. I have to do that every once in a while to avoid hundreds and hundreds of spam emailings. It is now "tamueller" instead of "tedamueller" but it is at the same place, here. So make that change and you will no excuse not to email me. Also for those of you who know my address, the box number has changed from "Box B" to "Box 274". If you don't know my whole address and would like to write or send me money email me (at the new email address) and I'll give it to you. Okay, now I'm off to be productive.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2005
11:29-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "RIGHT HERE"-JEREMY camp Stay
"Sing to the LORD, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples."
-- Psalm 96 : 02
Flashback.
This day (two (02) days before my birthday) two (02) years ago:
TUESDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2003
11:37-PM-(UTC/GMT -5 Hours)
At about 4:15 today SSG McManus spoke with JAMES (SGT Lindly) about deploying to Iraq for six (06) to twelve (12) months. I overheard it so I asked about it. It turns out the powers that be are in need of a Staff Sergeant and a Sergeant to deploy with members of the calibration team out of Fort Riley, Kansas. I told SSG McManus that I'd like to go. He said he would look into sending a Specialist promotable in a Sergeant's place. JAMES said he might want to go, and volunteered too.
I can not remember if this happened before or after SSG McManus received a phone call informing him that BRIAN (SPC Diongon) and I had to do another PT (Physical Training) test for a PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course) prerequisite. Yes, apparently the one (01) we took on 16 October is not going to be good to go to PLDC on the 17th of November. Would anyone like to guess why? (Drum roll please.) A PT test given by Battalion representatives prior to PLDC must be done within a month of the PLDC start date. That is correct ladies and gentlemen and boys and girls, BRIAN and I missed it by a day. But, what's wrong is wrong and what's right is right, sometimes there are not degrees of either one (01). So plain and simple, if we want to go to PLDC come the 17th of November, we need to take a PT test, ... the PT test, tomorrow morning.
BRIAN wasn't a bit pleased to be taking a PT test coming out of the field this afternoon. He was very, very upset. I didn't really think much about it. This PT test is one (01) you have to pass. I know I'll pass. I want to max my push-ups and sit-ups and run a very decent time. I'm always going out to do my very, very best on any and every PT test. Granted BRIAN has bad knees. And they gave him problems last time. I hope he makes it. It would really be a shame if something happened now, after the promotion board and just a couple of weeks away from PLDC. If you fail a monthly PT test before PLDC, you are not allowed to go. I'm not sure if it effects your promotable status. Anyway, I do not want to know. I just want to get out there, pass (max what I can), and get back to business.
TIME OUT
BREAKDOWN:
Two (02) days - My 22nd birthday (30 October 2003)
Twenty (20) days - First day of PLDC (17 November 2003)
Forty-eight (48) days - Last day of PLDC (15 December 2003)
Fifty-two (52) days - Flying to Texas (19 December 2003)
Fifty-eight (58) days - Christmas with the family (25 December 2003)
TIME IN
Before JAMES and I headed to his room to watch the finale of the JOE schmo Show we talked at length (as always) about the Soldiers in the shop and the climate and atmosphere of the shop. We came up a different way and a lot of what we are seeing with the Soldiers who have come in after us just is not up to our standards. Ha! Imagine TED with Soldiering standards. Well, believe it, I have grown a lot since I have been in. But do not worry (I know those of you who knew me "back when" may be assuming I have "changed".) I have changed for the better; ... and c'mon really, do you think I could ever get a hardened heart? Ha! No way.
I am still as soft as ever, I still get passionate about the oddest things. Haha, yeah, movie trailers can still bring me to tears. And I still sometimes catch myself thinking of those I love most and who mean the most to me for hours and hours on end when I have tons of better (Are they really better?) things to do. I still love my friends with all my heart. Love my mother and father with just as much and love my GOD with all that I am. I still daydream. I still aspire to finish a book I have been tinkering with for years. I still get bothered when people do not like me. And I still get bothered when I do not like someone else. I still remember PRECIOUS and hope that sometimes she remembers me.
I still want out of the Army but am compelled to press on and finish what I started (26 March 2006). I still buy only Christian music (And still credit JOHN with introducing me to it. As I do ADAM for introducing me to the Army.) I still wish, hope, dream, and ask "what if", ... about some of the same things too. I still get overwhelmed with my emotions and sometimes cry for seemingly no apparent reason. I'm still single. I'm still under one hundred and fifty (150) pounds, and do not see myself getting over that weight anytime soon. And yes, I still eat just about anything and everything that is not between white bread with raw tomato on it. I still only eat with a spoon (no fork). I still do not use straws. Still, my favorite color is orange. I still sit at my computer far too much. I'm still lazy. I'm still not as motivated and driven as I'd like to be. ...
No matter what act of my life you were introduced in or when you exited stage right, and for whatever reason, I'm still pretty much the same. I still love you very much.
(Oh at the end of the day I told SSG McManus that I changed my mind. I do not even want to be considered for another deployment to Iraq. A year. No thanks. Now Korea, that's a different story. Ha! Still, ... surprising ya!)
In recognition of the two (02) years and something I do not think I have done since then on this site I'll again call for, ...
TIME OUT
BREAKDOWN:
Two (02) days - My 24th birthday (30 October 2005)
Seven (07) days - In Korea for one (01) month (04 November 2005)
Two hundred twelve (212) days - Staff Sergeant for one (01) year (01 June 2006)
Two hundred sixty six (266) days - Army for six (06) years (25 July 2006)
Three hundred thirty five (335) days - Leaving Korea (04 October 2006)
TIME IN
So the breakdown is a little far out. I didn't include my ETS date of 2009 though. And anyway, if things keep rolling along I'll reach my date of departure from Korea, three hundred thirty five (335) days from now. In fact I'll reach my ETS date of 02 June 2009 as well. It is a shame there are not other mile stones in there right now. Hopefully, there will be a few chances to travel and go exploring thrown into the mix this next year.
A lot has changed in the last couple of years. One (01) huge change is that I'm back in Korea after a year in Alabama. And of course how can I forget to add the fact that I reenlisted in June and extended my time in combat boots to June of 2009. Everyone aforementioned (and in the Army of course) has since been promoted. In my case twice, from Specialist to Staff Sergeant. And well, "this time around" I got exactly what I asked for: I'm back in Korea and more than ready to leave. Ha! What can I say things here have changed significantly, it just is not the same Camp Humphreys.
Of course some things are the same as always it seems: I still love movies, still can not seem to finish half of what I start and now again, am looking to get out of the Army when my ETS date rolls around.
So I suppose here is to two (02) years since then and here is to almost twenty-four (24) here on earth just trying to make my way. Some day I'll be able to get off the merry go round and get on a ride which involves more forward and upward motion and much less going around and around and around in circles. That will be a good day indeed and a day I'm now trying to work towards with great determination. But to gain anything worthwhile demands sacrifice and change and hard work. And sure a lot of times I just do not want to give anything up, change, or put in the work it takes.
That is okay if I do not want to progress past a life of spinning around and around. It is not okay if I seek to get off the ride altogether and try something else. And even though it is hard and trying and takes more effort than I sometimes choose to give, all it really comes down to is the answer to a simple question and the fact that if I want it, I'm going to have to do something, change, work hard to make it happen. That is all there is to it. If I do not mind spinning I can stay put and spin myself crazy. If I do mind it, I have to do something about it. If I want to be somewhere else in my life I have to plan so that I may get there. But not only plan, but carry those plans out. So here is to plans and here is to carrying them out to fruition.
And here is to the end of a tiring work week, sleep, and the anticipation of a morning which begins after the sun rises.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2005
4:28-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "BREAKING MY FALL"-JEREMY camp
Stay
"You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more."
-- Psalm 10 : 17 & 18
The work day ended a little later than expected. It is strange, quite a few people were complaining about how bad the day was with all of it's changes to the schedule and cancellations and this and that, and sure it was a stressful day. ... I guess I just have my mind on other things. I didn't really notice anything extra stressing. Most days in the Army do have that good old fashioned element of ridiculousness. But nonetheless I did need a little comforting so I'm comforting myself with spicy pork and shrimp fried rice from the KATUSA snack bar. I'm thinking about heading to the PX after I do some homework and pick up a movie so I can wind down and prepare for tomorrow.
On second thought, maybe not. I think we are having a Battalion run tomorrow, that means another early morning. I should try to get to bed by 10:30 tonight. It probably will not happen, before midnight is a little more realistic. Of course I have surprised myself before so I'll see.
Okay, here is the deal. I'm going to begin sending emails to try and request a slot at the NCO Academy at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama to be come a BNCOC small group leader. Yes, I just arrived here from Redstone and it would have probably been pretty easy to stay put at Redstone as an SGL after having talked to the cadre at the Academy. I'm sure by knowing who I knew there it would have been pretty easy to get orders cut. Now that I have moved on it will be a little more difficult. I still know the same people but the fact I'll not be able to talk to people face to face and can not go to buildings and ask the right questions face to face, it will be a tad bit tough, ... and of course there is the fact I have to finish my year here before I can rotate back to the States on assignment. So that means having my slot forecasted about a year from now.
I emailed the First Sergeant of the BNCOC department as well as my BNCOC SGL to see if they could suggest what steps to take or who I need to get a hold of. I'm also planning to email CSM Lunn and let him know of my wish to head back to Redstone to be an SGL. I do not expect him to do anything out of the ordinary to help me, but I'm sure if something like a letter of recommendation or a phone call to the right person would help, he would do that for me. I of course will not be so bold as to blatantly ask him to throw his rank or influence around though. But you know, a simple "do you have any advice or can you get me in touch with someone who might help me get the assignment," will be in the email in some way, shape, or form.
Being "out here" on the calibration teams just isn't my thing. I enjoyed BNCOC and loved the idea of being a small group leader. I think its would suit me perfectly. And while I was thinking of drill sergeant, at this juncture, SGL would be a better fit because even though the hours are long, things are not quite as demanding as drill duties. And I know I keep saying 2009 is "it" but who knows. Yeah, roll your eyes. If I do stay in I'll want SGL in my background. The next step would most likely be drill sergeant and then I think I'd head to Officer Candidate School (OCS) to join the Officer Corp and leave the Noncommissioned Officer Corp. I believe I'd be a better officer than enlisted Soldier as the years progressed. So that would most likely be my "staying in the Army plan": BNCOC small group leader, drill sergeant, OCS, Officer until retirement. But SGL is something I want to do now in order to work outside my current job. Calibration was never me but now I just feel so out of place in an electronics shop. If I go SGL and decide to reenlist it is definitely to put in a drill sergeant packet and then an OCS packet. I'd never see another calibration shop again, as far as working in one (01). And to boot if I did go to OCS I'd try and move to the Military Intelligence side of the house for a chance to head to Monterrey Bay, California to attend the language institute there and learn a second language.
Surprise huh? Well what did you expect, no "stay in the Army plan"? No back up? Tsk. Of course I think about staying in. I'd be a fool not to work towards staying in and getting out at the same time. And while I'm planning to get out I have no idea what the future holds and so when my enlistment is starting to wind down I want to have options: And if I opt to stay in I do not want to have to play catch up so to speak. Of course at twenty-three (23) I'm off to a pretty good start. But I do not want to have to regret not doing this or that. I want to be doing well so that if I stay in I can just build on the success. And I just know I'd be a very successful SGL. I have a lot to offer in the way of mentorship and advice and encouragement to my fellow NCOs. And to move on to drill sergeant afterwards would be great as well as look great in my records.
Now I'm not saying that I want to stay in the Army. I'm not saying that at all right now. I'm saying that I want to leave the calibration world and be in a training environment in this mentoring role as an SGL. It is a much, much better fit for me.
Pardon me though; most of you have no idea what an SGL is or what an SGL does. Basically I'd have a group of soon to be promoted Staff Sergeants, newly promoted staff sergeants, or staff sergeants who just for some reason or another never attended. I'd train them through practical and classroom exercises and work: how to conduct formations, how to be a PT instructor, marching, how to give a military briefing, how to give a class, how to conduct in ranks inspection, and so on and so forth. I'd also mentor and guide them. The perfect fit for me at this juncture, to step into the role of a guide for others.
So that's what I'm looking to get put in writing as soon as possible so that I know from Korea I'll go somewhere nice and somewhere I truly want to be, ... doing something I just know I'll love. SSG Blanco's, my BNCOC phase I SGL, mentorship and professionalism did a lot to encourage me and set a good example of a squared away staff sergeant and NCO. I'd like to step into the boots he had worn. It would be cool to call him as an SGL and let him know that I'm doing what he did and he was a reason I even considered it. He will head to drill sergeant school in January. And who knows, after being on the trail for a couple of years as an SGL I may "follow" him again on a quest for my "brown round" and my drill sergeant patch. In fact he will most likely head to Redstone Arsenal as a drill so I'd even see him there! That would be too insane!
But nothing is even in the works except for a couple of emails sent in hopes for advice and feedback and my working this out in my head and weighing pros and cons. Texas is still a big want too, but it is second on my list because if I can work outside my MOS and mentor and train I want to do that. If I get turned down, I at least want to work closer to family and friends so I can disappear on weekends and holidays.
I could get it. I could send the right email at the right time and put in my request on the perfect day, I could get a recommendation sent by someone I met there and it could reach the right person, ... after all heading to Redstone to work with a Command Sergeant Major is not something just thrown at every promotable Specialist in the Army. So yes, stranger things have happened and even though it is difficult to see me in that role in front of a class basically in charge facilitating and setting examples, it could happen. I believe so many of us never try things or never ask because in our minds we can not "see" it and so we subconsciously (or consciously) limit ourselves. I'll do everything I can to try and get this assignment and write as many emails as I can. I'll keep asking and putting my name in the hat until I get orders to head to Redstone or anywhere else. I'm not limiting myself. ... I can see this!
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2005
12:22-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "DECLARATION"-STEVEN CURTIS chapman Declaration
"'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' JESUS replied: 'Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
-- MATTHEW 22 : 36 - 39
ING Direct, the online financial institution I have a savings account with, wished me a happy birthday on my account page. That was kind of neat.
Anyway, I'm fresh from cold weather training. Mission accomplished. I'm rather tired too after lugging a duffle bag full of cold weather gear around and wearing tactical gear all morning long, ... and of course waking up at 4:00 to get to the company to draw weapons and load up has something to do with why I'm so tired too. I mean well, I think it does. Of course training wasn't at all as great as it is made out to be. We were given a class on a new heater. Okay, that was informative and kind of cool since I had never seen that heater. It looked a lot better than the other three (03) heating systems I'm familiar with. We had our cold weather gear duffled up for the next class my group attended on cold weather dress and considerations.
That class amounted to nothing but being given a handout and having people read the pages. We didn't even have to put on the gear. I opened my duffle but I wasn't about to turn it over and dump things out. No sir; not after being in the Army over five (05) years and spending almost two (02) years at Fort Drum. I think I know how to dress for the cold. And you can bet if I was short something I'd not have hesitated to head to issuing, draw whatever I was lacking, and sign for it. When it is cold it is not time to play when it comes to not having the proper gear and clothing to keep warm.
After the training we conveyed back on post and headed to the airfield to watch a cold weather video. This was a huge waste of time as the sound on the tape was distorted. So after we all had a good laugh the majority of the people in the room nodded off, ... and those of us who didn't had more good laughs watching eyes close and heads bob every which way. But hey, if that is what they call training then so be it. I suppose it could have been a lot worse so no major complaints here. One (01) down, about forty-nine (49) more training Thursdays to go. And of course field exercises here and there. Goodie!
I came to my room dumped my stuffage and opened a nice email from MARY.
"MARY ...
... Thank you so much. I really needed that, you have no idea how perfect your timing was to have that email here to be opened now after a tiring morning. You are a sweetheart. I'll write back after this next formation. Thanks again."
I really needed the email too and she wrote a good deal. It wasn't just "hi" and "bye" (which I do not get anyway) but actual news. I have to make sure to respond after this next formation. I think it is at 1:00. Hopefully we will be finished for the day by 3:00. I think we will be. I can not wait. I plan to take a nice nap and then get started on a couple of assignments for my online course.
Well I'm off to formation. I'm not too sure what else is in store. I truly hope there is no talk of roommates. I do not need that today and through the weekend. Okay, really, I need to just not worry about it. It has not happened yet and maybe it will not. And as I have gone over with myself time and time again, if it does happen, there is nothing I can do about it but suck it up, finish out the year and rotate back to the States where there is no way I could have a roommate forced upon me since even single Staff Sergeants are afforded Basic allowance for Housing, BAH, and allowed to live off-post.
Okay, now I'm off. I'll break down what I have been thinking about and what I want to do some research on trying to do when I return.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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WEDNESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2005
11:28-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
Today was okay. PT was a bit rough. We sprinted at the end of a lower body workout. And what did I do? Well I aggravated my strained left leg of course. So yes, I'll not be sprinting on it anytime soon. I stretched well and will continue to work it until it is back to normal. It is not really pain per se, just discomfort. Anyway, it is not serious. That is the bottom line.
I should really be asleep. We have weapons draw tomorrow morning at 5:00 which means I need to wake up at 4:15 to grab my gear and make my way over to the company area. So yes, here I'm wide awake and it is past 11:00. Will I ever learn? Hm. I'm sitting here wearing a pair of boxers, a flack vest and a load bearing vest. I had to do attaching and sizing and such of the vest and then I had to attach it to my flack vest. Basically I had to get my gear ready and fitted for those who may be reading this and are not 100% with the Army equipment and lingo. Do not worry, you are not missing out on much. Ha!
Anyway tomorrow is cold weather training. We are moving out to some training site to basically make sure we all know how to get into our cold weather gear and what the proper cold weather uniform is and so on and so forth. I'm sorry but if you have trouble putting on cold weather gear when it is cold, you have problems. Cold? Put everything on. But no, it is not that simple. The Army has to get everyone on the same sheet of music as far as what to where and when for uniformity purposes.
I am pretty sure I can make it through tomorrow with little sleep. We should get off of work around 14:30 or 15:00 too so then I can head back to my room here and nap. Ugh, I do not want to think about living with a roommate. Like take now for instance, this could not happen with a roommate. I'm awake with lights and music on and it is almost midnight. I doubt many a roommates would stand for this with a 4:00 wake up. Of course then there are the times I want to call it quits early and crawl into bed around 9:00. Those times are few and far between though. And just having my own space is something I have not become accustomed to taking for granted, ... I know how nice it is to have my own space and I treasure it after full days of being around people. What can I say, I enjoy my alone time with my thoughts. But as I mentioned, no use getting worked up about it. Roommate? Roll with it, I have to go with what it put out by those over me. No roommate? Just peachy!
Well, I'll bed down for a little bit. And sure, I'll probably wake up at 4:00 wondering why I stayed up. Ha!
Oh I have news to post but I'll do so tomorrow (if I can keep my eyes open) when training and the day is finished because I do not want to just quickly unveil it without proper detail. It is nothing super good or bad and it is not a definite thing. I suppose it is just another of my many "plans" but I have been thinking about it for the past few days and I think it is something I'm going to try. I'll not forget, there will be an explanation tomorrow. But for now I'll finish packing my gear up and crawl into bed for a few hours. So yeah, I should get a good solid four (04) hours of sleep.
Oh yeah, in other news I received an email from MARK, who lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He wrote that he discovered a dollar bill with my website address stamped on it. He entered it on the dollar tracking website. Pretty cool, a dollar bill with my site address on it found it's way to Wisconsin. MARK posted a message about the bill on the dollar bill tracking website:
"Bill in fair condition. 'WWW.FURIOUSBEAUTY.COM' is stamped in red on the back. Received in change from a burger at the Alano Club (A.A.). Be happy!"
I thought it was pretty cool for MARK to write and let me know that and that he dropped by my site, which is not something I can say for the hundreds of visitors I received this month. I can say though that this month will not be the lowest month as far as unique visitors are concerned. As of today it eclipsed my lowest month even by ten (10) visitors.
That was all, now back to packing.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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TUESDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2005
8:18-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of GOD and man."
-- Proverbs 03 : 03 & 04
SFC McManus let us all know that we will be work about an hour to an hour and a half later each day (except Thursdays) to get caught up with all of the work. No big deal really, I'm from the olden days around here where we would put in fourteen (14) or fifteen (15) hour workdays. And it needs to be done, so extended work days until further notice.
Yesterday's in processing wasn't bad at all. It lasted "forever" though. We broke for lunch at 12:00, returned at 1:00 and did two (02) and a half more hours of briefings and such. The issuing facility was one (01) of the last briefings and we were told we could head on over to the facility to be issued out gear the very next day. So today, sure enough, I was there at 1:00 to get issued all of my gear ("TA-50") that I'll use for training and field exercises and "whatnot". So I'm ready to head out to the field and dig in for a few days. I was telling people at the shop I was looking forward to heading to putting on the gear and doing some training or heading out to the field for a couple of weeks. They thought I was joking but it was partly true. I had not had gear since I left Fort Drum, and only a bit during BNCOC, so in a way I'm anxious to put it on and train. And besides, if we go to the field (which we will next month I believe) it will make the time go by more quickly. I mean two (02) days in the field, just focusing on being out there and training goes a lot faster than one (01) would think. Of course I'd not want to stay out there for a month and a half or anything, just a week and a half or two (02) would suffice. I'm sure I'll get my wish in no time.
My books arrived last week so this week I'll begin on my English course. It should not be too bad. In fact, I'm thinking about trying to get it all finished as soon as possible and ahead of schedule, maybe before the beginning of December. It is possible if I set aside chunks of time to do the reading and work on a couple assignments at a time. Anyway I have all the assignments printed out so I'll look over them in a bit and tomorrow to see what I'll be required to do.
I have food in my room now. ROBERT and I dropped by the commissary before heading off post to the 'ville for dinner. We decided to go Filipino tonight as we did Italian the last time we headed out for dinner. I'm not sure where we will go next time. I think ROBERT suggested Italy Pizza. That was a favorite of mine three (03) years ago; the spaghetti there is exceptional. His mission tonight was to see if he could switch his phone's eleven (11) digit number for a ten (10) digit number. (Or maybe it was ten (10) for eleven (11).) Apparently it is no longer possible to make the switch since ten (10) digit numbers are now being phased out. He gave the girl, GLORIA, at the corner phone store right outside the gate a hard time about it. GLORIA was here when I was last here but she didn't recognize me. Of course I look a bit different and I'm not exactly the only black Soldier on post, and especially not the only one (01) who has been around since 2002. But anyway, I suppose during the course of my tour I'll ask her if she remembers me. At first I was surprised by the amount of people off post who have been here in between my tours here. But later I realized that Korea is their home and they stay in the "'ville" right outside post because with all the traffic from the Soldiers, it is profitable. The old guy I used to play pool with at Duffy is still there. The owner of Crystal is still around. That is where MARCO and I did a good deal of pool playing as well. Mr. Lee still has his stand and still sells fried shrimp, yaki mandu, squid, and just about any other fried thing you can think of. So there are familiar things and faces around even though so much has changed on post and rules and regulations-wise.
Rumor has it, that because of over crowding NCOs will be either doubling up or some will be moving off post. Obviously, as a Staff Sergeant this rumor does not thrill me in the least. I do not want a roommate nor am I interested in moving off post. Since Soldiers in the rank of Staff Sergeants on down are not authorized privately owned vehicles it would prove to be a pain to walk to the front gate or take a bus to the front gate and then take a bus or cab to PT each morning. And of course after PT it would mean the same to get back to wherever you reside off post, then do it again for formation at 8:50 and to get "home" at the end of the work day. Sure I suppose it just means another change to get used to but all these changes coupled with the fact winter is arriving and it will be cold is not too great. But hey, can I control it? Nope and so I'm trying very, very much to not get worked up over it. If it does not happen, great. If it happens, bummer, but I have to drive on. One (01) more day that goes by without moving or having to room with someone is another day I can truly enjoy my own space and privacy. Here I'm with the light on just sitting up and pecking away at my keyboard. What if I live with someone who goes to bed at 9:00? What if I live with someone who goes to bedat 3:00 in the morning? What if I live with someone who smokes and brings that smell into my room? What if I live with someone who does not know how to pick up after themselves? What if I live with someone who just loves to talk, ... All of the time? But like I said, I should not get worked up about it. I'm in the Army and what happens sometimes, well, it happens and there is not a thing you can do (in this case I can do) to change the decision which is made. Yes, that is a big reason I know it is time to move on pretty soon.
Well, it is time I touched up my boots and uniform for tomorrow morning and stretch my left leg a bit since I think I strained a muscle this morning running sprints.
Good night and good morning all!
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2005
7:44-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "BETTER"-KIRK franklin Hero
"... Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD YOUR GOD will be with you wherever you go."
-- JOSHUA 01 : 09
"Better"
KIRK franklin
If I could, I’d get away
Far from all this trouble I see everyday
Nobody wants to, show their face
This life is like a masquerade
I know You love me, I know You care
But while I’m hurting
I just need to know You’re there
Watching over me, and I feel You telling me
Count it all joy, always remember
Life will get better, it’s gonna get better
No matter the weapon, it will not prosper
Things will get better, it’s gonna be better
Persecuted, pushed away
Didn’t think I’d live to see another day
Cried some tears and, couldn’t pray
And when I tried at times
I couldn’t find the words to say
But now I’m stronger, because of You
Without You Jesus I never could have made it through
Thank You for watching me
Loving me and telling me
Count it all joy, always remember
Life will get better, it’s gonna get better
No matter the weapon, it will not prosper
Things will get better, it’s gonna be better
Life sometimes may change and nobody wants to feel pain
But it came to help you grow, there's one thing you need to know
God’s in love with you and He’ll never let you go
Count it all joy, always remember
Life will get better, it’s gonna get better
No matter the weapon, it will not prosper
Things will get better, it’s gonna be better
So the next time you feel like givin' up, remember, ...
It's gonna get better!
The next time you feel like walkin' away, remember, ...
It's gonna get better!
The next time you look at your bank account, remember, ...
It's gonna get better!
The next time your child is in trouble, remember, ...
It's gonna get better!
You're talkin' about divorce, just remember
It's gonna get better!
The next time you're cryin' in the midnight hour, just remember, ...
It's gonna get better!
Look at somebody and tell them it's, ...
It's gonna get better!
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2005
6:51-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
-- Ecclesiastes 04 : 10 & 12
In about twenty (20) minutes I'll have to head to Burger King to meet up with a couple of Soldiers. They are new to the post and don't know how to get to the site of today's in processing appointment at 7:45. I showed up in BDUs for PT formation and fell out. Well, when you do that you have to fall into another formation so that the First Sergeant can go through and ask why you are not doing PT and validate the reason. I suppose now that I think of it it seems really absurd. But then again there are more than a few Soldiers who would start to cheat the system and make up appointments and "reasons" to get out of PT. So I suppose I'm for it.
A few Soldiers were told to get back into formation because the First Sergeant didn't quite buy their reasons, or they weren't legit, or didn't seem legit. Anyway, my reason was for this in processing appointment. I was walking away when he called first for "one stop" (which was the name of the appointment I'm to go to) and then called me by name. So after I heard my name I didn't really have a choice but to spin on my heels and hustle back. It turned out these two (02) Soldiers told him they didn't know where to go so First Sergeant called me back to show them. He told me to meet them at the company, but after a couple of questions they agreed to meet me at Burger King which was much closer to where my barracks are, as the majority of the company lives a good ways away from the barracks I and the rest of my fellow ex-95thers live. I just hope they show up when I head out in twenty (20) minutes. The last thing I need this morning is to lose accountability of a couple of new Solders. Things were so much easier when we were our own company. Oh well.
Today should be an easy day. The appointment lasts pretty much the entire day. And if it lasts until 3:30 or 4:00 I think I'll "make it last the whole day." Hopefully it will go that long. If it does I'll not bother heading back to the shop. So yes, a day of briefings and paperwork is before me. It is about all I can handle afteronly sleeping a couple of hours. What can I say, I just wasn't in a turn-out-the-lights-and-go-to-sleep kind of mood. And besides, I had to take care of Monday morning preparations. I did get the clippers from ROBEERT after all so I was able to give my head a shave. I do hope it is uniform all around. I need to remember to buy a little mirror so I can stop having to guess. And since it is dark during PT formation I could not ask anyone to check it out. I'm good to go though, I did as much contorting as I could to try and check it out. The medicine cabinet door to the left of the mirror opens toward it so I can kind of see the back if I do a little stretching and use my peripheral vision. Anyway, writing about this is stupid. I think maybe I'll head to Burger King for breakfast before I have to corral Soldiers and get to my all-day appointment.
Things to purchase today include an alarm clock, trash bags, food, and water and juices to drink before I die of dehydration one (01) night because I insist on forgetting to purchase anything to drink to keep in my 'fridge.
Gotta' love Mondays.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2005
10:57-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"Know that the LORD is GOD. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep in His pasture."
-- Psalm 100 : 03
I will be so glad when the new Army uniforms and boots will be in the military clothing stores. Last week it was put out that we can wear desert boots with out BDUs now. It has been out for a few months. A few of the Soldiers were wearing theirs late in the week. I'm thinking about putting mine on if they look halfway decent. I think they are a little scuffed up though. I probably wil not even dig them out of my bag. But if I see more and more Soldiers wearing them I think I'll pull them out and clean them up. I guess no one (01) but a Soldier knows just how much easier it will be without having to shine boots. And then when the new uniforms are officially "out" it will be all the more easier to not have to shine boots nor worry about having a pressed uniform. The new uniforms (or ACUs) will be wash and wear. So the preparation I'll begin doing in about a half hour will be obsolete: No more shining boots and no more ironing my uniform. Good stuffage. And anyway to put it a little more selfishly, I need a break. It has been over five (05) years now, I'm almost twenty-four (24) and I need a break from the routine of it all.
But until I get that small "break" I'll be dealing with the same old routine that I'll begin soon. Tonight I have everything to do, the awesome foursome to do before Monday morning: Yes, boots, uniform, hair, and laundry. The laundry is in the washing machine and should be just about finished. I have to borrow ROBERT's clippers since mine decided to pull at my hair and not cut properly a week or so ago. So I have boots and my uniform to do. So yes, I'll again reiterate my longing for desert boots and the new ACUs. Sure I could have (should have) probably started tomorrow's preparation earlier in the weekend but that only happens maybe eight (08) in ten (10) times, and no biggie, I have been here before, so come Monday morning everything will be taken care of and I'll begin yet another Army work week.
One hundred and eighty-five (185) more to go. Well, approximately anyway. Weeks that is; one hundred and eighty-five (185) more Army work weeks. Of course that is not accounting for leave days, so it does not add up to that many "full" Army work weeks. And of course you would say that holidays and weekends do not really count since they are not "work" days but they do count since they are in between the work days and still count as "time served" so to speak. No, the count of each and every work day I have left will come at a later time. After all, who's counting.
Now this is not all to say that I dislike the military, and the Army in particular. I believe in all these years I have been quite consistent at delineating the difference between liking the Army as a separate entity and liking me being in the Army. Those are two (02) different things so when I say I "do not like the Army" I'm not saying I hate the institution and do not deny it has done me some good and offered me very many benefits and opportunities, ... I just do not like the Army for me. And I suppose I never really have. It does not challenge me in the ways I feel I need to be challenged. Sure training was something else and the Army life has opened my eyes to much. But it is time to move on. Of course I did reenlist for four (04) more years back in June. Yes, even though I'm looking to get out in 2009 and would love to get out now, the time is not right. I have to stick around for a few more years in order to accomplish some things before I say a final farewell to Army life. Hopefully, when the time comes I'll have hung in and held on and completed all of those things which I have planned which will afford me a better chance of success on the "outside world". It would not be intelligent to just get out with no plan and no direction, ... I have not determined whether or not I'll get out regardless of where I stand when June of 2009 hits, but I do not see myself getting out without proper planning, preparation, and direction. Fortunately I'm beginning to work those things out and in fact, if I do say so myself, and I will, the plan is rather good. Well, it is a plan anyway.
Of course I'll be a little sad to depart from the Army. I mean after all, it has been all I have known since I graduated high school in 2000. I have spent some of the most important years of my life training to become and living my life as a Soldier. And while I'm not ultimately gung-ho about Army life and do not eat, sleep, and breathe my job, as far as my lifestyle, I have been a Soldier. And a Soldier's life is just different. We sacrifice some of our freedoms in order to ensure others are afforded theirs. So getting out and no longer having the Army in my life will be a pretty drastic change and one (01) that I'll obviously have to be well prepared to face after spending what will almost be nine (09) years of my life (from age eighteen (18) to age twenty-seven (27)) in the Army. That sure does make it sound like a very long time, nine (09) years. It will mean starting a whole new life. Sure not entirely, but it will all mean enough changes to seem that way. I mean I'm not going to get out and work as a calibrator (if I can help it of course) so even the occupational specialty I perform in the Army is not what I'll be doing. Of course if it happens to be something I can fall back on for a year or two (02) in the U.S. or overseas, I doubt I'd pass it up if I were struggling to make ends meet. But that is getting a little bit ahead of the game. Naturally the plan I have laid out is not going to involve struggling. It will be expected though and no doubt will happen, but I suppose cutting the struggling time down is always something we try to do when approaching any situation or going through any kind of change. Nothing truly worthwhile comes to anyone who has not first put in the blood, sweat, and tears to gain that worthwhile something.
Well anyway, I have the Sunday night routine to do. It is boots, uniform, and laundry to do for now and a few more months as well. In a few years I'll have another routine to learn, but I suppose for now I have to live the life I have made for myself as well as I'm able. And well, my three (03) year plan looks pretty promising here at it's outset. So far so good. Hopefully it will remain good and blossom into really good, or great, or outstanding. Right now though, good is pretty outstanding. Things are okie dokie for me here in the "Land of the Morning Calm".
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2005
5:21-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see GOD.'"
-- MATTHEW 05 : 08
Tired. No, exhausted. Yes, that will do. I'm utterly exhausted. It has not been a particularly rough week, I have endured much worse weeks than this one (01). But whenever I wake up with my head on my desk in uniform, yes, even laced combat boots, I know I have had a rather draining week. And what did I do to top my work week off? I went to a provost marshal course where I was supposed to be taught how to conduct identification checks and vehicle inspections at the gates here on post. Okay, I'll be nice, I was taught, or shown, or whatever you want to call it.
It was supposed to be a short class. Of course I had no idea what exactly I was getting myself into, only that it is required all the NCOs attend and well, I volunteered to do it. When I arrived I noticed there were Privates and Specialists and only a couple Sergeants. I was the only Soldier above the rank of Sergeant. So needless to say I wasn't thrilled to realize that I'd most likely be pulling duty at the gates with Privates. Because after all we were being trained to stand at the gates and check identification and search vehicles with the help of the military police on guard at the gates.
Anyway instead of heading to the class at 1:00 and finishing up around 2:00 or so, I stayed waiting at the class site for maybe an hour for others to arrive, and by the time it was finished it was almost 5:00 and I had to walk back, a good couple of miles, to my room in the wind and chill. Luckily it had stopped drizzling. And this was right after waiting in line for over forty-five (45) minutes in the wind and chill to sign the cards and be put in the system which would prove I had been through the training as well as secure a nifty spot for my name on the duty roster. Goodie. I can not wait. And to sweeten the day's pot the rest of the shop went to close out formation at 3:00, somewhere around the time I was taking a bus from one (01) gate to another to learn the procedures for dealing with vehicles and commercial vehicles entering the post. So yes, my "early" end to the day turned out to be two (02) hours later than I imagined and in fact had nothing at all to do with "early" at all.
Apparently things have changed a bit here in Korea. Or well, maybe not, we (being calibrators in what once was the 95th Maintenance Company) just never pulled duty at any of the gates (or much duty anywhere else) because of our unique "situation" as being attached everywhere we were and didn't fall directly under any of the attached unit's Commander. But well, things change, and they have changed.
Now it is time to take off these boots, get comfortable and finish that nap.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2005
10:14-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"Keep me safe, O GOD, for in You I take refuge."
-- Psalm 16 : 01
I suppose you could say I was on a bit of a hiatus. It wasn't intentional, I just wasn't in the mood to update I suppose. And no, I wasn't too busy, every time I wanted to sit down and type away I'd get tired or it would be time to head to PT or work. But I figured I had better get something down here and something put out "here" before the month of October just disappeared.
We are pretty much finished with the inventory. The commander is coming back through but things are not a huge deal. But we are going to have to do some serious moving of equipment and cleaning of the shop. But it will not be the first time I have been around for a shop overhaul here. Of course we will not get as in-depth as three (03) years ago. After all, the nice floor, benches, carts, and shelving I helped build and install and put in place are all still in pretty good shape. But things need to be wiped down and scrubbed and "prettied" up a bit more.
The new Battalion Sergeant Major and Commander visited the shop and let us know in a round about manner that we needed to step up our game as far as shop cleanliness was concerned. Of course they didn't know we had to tear it all apart in order to lay everything out and just to what extent a layout in a calibration shop meant as far as how much time, work, and attention to detail is involved. I have no doubt though that we will get things looking good and running smoothly soon enough.
Today was training day. The Army calls it Sergeant's Time Training. It is on Thursdays here in Korea. Back at Fort Drum it was on Wednesday I believe. I like it much better on Thursdays. Anyway, SSG Jones gave a class on the equipment database we use and entering in information. Back in "the day" production control used to status pieces which the technician would leave on a shelf. The production control clerk would update the statuses, make corrections in the database, credit the technician with hours for calibration (or repair) and put the piece on the correct customer's shelf. Things changed while I was in Alabama working with the CSM. Now the technician does the status changes to the database, and even places the pieces on their customer's shelf. Too many hands in the cookie jar if you ask me. But no one (01) asked so they didn't get a chance to benefit from my vast knowledge and wisdom. Ha!
I am ready for the weekend. I need a three (03) day, I'm not feeling like heading to PT tomorrow morning. But there is no use in dreading it so I may as well spend the next couple of hours before bed psyching myself up for what will most likely be a six (06) plus mile run tomorrow morning. Wheee! all for now, I promise to be "back" much sooner this time.
Oh, I'm almost twenty-four (24); for all of you who care and those of you who come by to read and check things out faithfully. Yes, all five (05) of you!
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2005
1:44-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served, ... But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
-- JOSHUA 24 : 15
THURSDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2003
10:11-PM-(UTC/GMT -5 Hours)
Well, I managed to pass this morning's PT (Physical Training) test. I didn't expect to fail. I didn't do as well as I should have done. I didn't max my push ups and sit ups. I usually take for granted the two (02) events but as our PT program has not been up to par since I returned from the desert (and I have been doing so many other things and not any kind of work out on my own) I wasn't used to getting down and doing push ups. So, instead of my usual seventy-five (75) in two (02) minutes I only did sixty-six (66). I forget how many sit ups I did. I ran the two (02) miles in fourteen (14) minutes and twenty-five (25) seconds. That is a good time considering my knee usually hurts when I run. But my knee didn't hurt. So I'm looking to improve my run time. If I can get it down to thirteen (13) minutes I'll have a good shot at scoring a three hundred (300) on a PT test. I have never done that before because it requires such a fast run time.
I have never been able to run the two (02) miles in thirteen (13) minutes. I can get ten (10) more push ups and a few more sit ups back. That is no problem. But the run requires, well, what I did this week: Running hard Wednesday with JAMES, running hard yesterday morning with the NCOs and Sergeant Major, and taking a PT test; again, running hard. Of course I doubt I'll ever run ten (10) miles in three (03) days again, and definitely not as quickly. But who knows, if I steadily improve my run time it may come to that in order to sustain.
But hey, another PT test is down in the books and another requirement for my promotion is finished. I had to take this PT test as a prerequisite for PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course) in November. If I wasn't going in November I'd have to take a PT test every month until I attend the course. Luckily, I'm going in November. I'm glad I'm going next month: It will get it out of the way and January will be free for me to be on leave in South Texas. The next class begins the fifth of January. I plan to still be in South Texas at that time. If I wasn't able to get this slot in November I'd have had to cut my leave time significantly short. I'd not have been a very happy camper then. The last thing I'd have wanted to do would be to cut my leave short to fly back to the cold in order to take a thirty (30) day course. But it does not look like it will turn out that way so I'm a rather pleased camper at the moment.
I have my plane ticket for this Christmas. Unfortunately it is going to cost me a little over USD$700.00 to go home for a few weeks during Christmas. Fortunately, there is nothing planned in the near future which will prevent this. So, anyone is welcome to give me partial compensation for the ticket. Feel free. My birthday is at the end of the month after all. And I take paypal. So see, it would be too easy.
I am sure it will be weird going home. Originally I had planned to take thirty (30) days leave. But a whole month is a long time. And work never stops here at the shop so I have to get back here sometime. I'd not want to get bored at home anyway. So I'm taking a little more than half of thirty (30) days. I do not remember the exact number of days. But yes, the e-ticket is confirmed and I have a seat reserved for me. As soon as I finish PLDC I'll go into vacation mode and fly home for Christmas. I should be there on the nineteenth of December, three (03) days after PLDC ends. And I'll stay until the ninth of January.
But, before all of that happens I have to finish things here and put myself in a good position to be able to take a few weeks off in south Texas. I have to train MIKE so he can man PC (Production Control) while I'm at PLDC; I have to finish my Language in Social Context course by the end of the month, I have to get more promotion points in this coming week so that I'll have a better chance of being picked up for sergeant when December rolls around; and do other things which will come up along the way. But so far, so good. Now it is sleep time. It was a short week but a long week just the same, ... and running hard three (03) days in a row for a total of ten (10) miles will tire me out every time. Night.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2005
11:27-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."
-- DANIEL 12 : 03
I suppose maybe I was being a bit presumptuous by looking for vacant apartments in the Fort Hood area. I mean after all, I have not even put down a month here in Korea. But as I'm now looking to leave Korea in a year instead of two (02) and am hoping I get Fort Hood as a return assignment, I can "hope" just a little bit. Hopefully my luck has not run out just yet and I can get one (01) last assignment of choice before I say my farewell to Army life in a little more than three (03) years.
I can not really figure out if the next three (03) years will go by slowly or relatively quickly. Well, smoothly would be a more accurate word I suppose, three (03) years is three (03) years after all. Of course there is a huge difference between a year at Fort Drum, New York and a year at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Just an example of course. Fortunately I have enough planned for the next few years to keep me occupied; trying to finish my online degree alone is going to have me taking classes for the next three (03) years straight. Once I get Stateside again I'll look into other methods to obtain credits which will apply towards my degree plan. I'd like to think that I'll not spend all that time doing class after class after class. No, if I can get some credits by examination I'm all for it, as many as I can stand to earn. In addition to the degree, I have an approximate amount I need put back in order to move on from the Army and to Los Angeles to attend the acting academy.
Most people are saying 2009 is a long ways away. And sure, maybe it is, but I plan to be busier in these three (03) years than I have been in twenty-three (23). My birthday is right around the corner. This will be my second birthday here in Korea, hopefully my next two (02) will be had in Texas. Well I suppose I hope the next three (03) will be in Texas. I sure have used a lot of "hoping" and "hopefully" and "hopes" in the last few minutes.
Right now though I'd not be anywhere with out a little hope and a lot of faith though. They have gotten me this far. I have a funny feeling they are going to see me through my time here in Korea, my time wherever I end up when I rotate back to the States, (Fort Hood, Texas. Please.) and through whatever I end up doing when I get out in 2009. Funny, now I'm looking to 2009 when months and months ago you will find postings looking towards March of 2006 as the date I'd be making my exodus from the Army. And in fact, if I didn't extend to take advantage of the eArmyU program, I'd have been out of the Army for almost three (03) months now, since 25 July of this year. But instead of having been out for three (03) months, or looking to get out in five (05) months, I'll be getting out in forty-three (43) months. Crazy? Yes, probably. But I have a plan. (As if I didn't have "plans" in the past. Ha!) And I think this one (01) is a pretty good one (01) too.
And well, I raised my hand so planning to be in the Army for at least the next three (03) and a half years would be a very good start and a smart plan. But really, there is a reason I tacked on that many more months. If I had no intention of finishing my degree I'd most likely be at Fort Drum, New York dreading the bitter cold that I know will begin to set in in the next coming weeks, hating the cold that set in a month earlier, and counting the days until March of next year. Nope, it is pretty official.
And every time I have really sat down to think about it, whether getting a happy, or a little sad and discouraged, I have always come away knowing in my heart I made a very mature and sound decision.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2005
6:27-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME"-MATTHEW west Happy
"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
-- 01 Corinthians 09 : 22
I'm up. I've showered, dressed, and am about to eat breakfast. Wow, I could almost be mistaken for someone who doesn't spend countless hours procrastinating. But I know better. Ha! Three (03) people stayed at the shop last night because we are supposed to be on alert and doing an exercise. So minimal manning was required at the shop. Another group will stay tonight to do the same, so I may be missing in action tonight. No big deal though, it will definitely not be the first time I have been in a calibration shop in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning and not the first time I have spent the entire night either. So far the inventory and inspection (or layout) is going well. I believe the Commander will come by again this afternoon and be finished by close of business today. So that will be really good, then we can get started on some of the many items in for calibration and repair. Oh happy day.
I am using my laptop instead of my desktop for some reason. I mean my desktop is powered up but I have my laptop sitting right beside my monitor and I'm using it. I have become used to the compact size so my desktop monitor just looks really weird. With the new wireless router I have I could unplug my laptop's network cable and crawl into bed with my laptop. And yes, still have internet access via it's internal wireless card. Well, I can not exactly crawl into bed now. The time for sleep ended a while ago, now it is time to face the day. But when given the time, I can crawl into bed with my laptop. That is pretty nifty. It will come in handy when I'm doing homework for my courses. Well, okay, maybe not, ... that may require more fighting to stay awake than to learn and do my course work. But in the case of sitting here and posting on my website, well that is a good time to just crawl into bed and type while at the same time being comfortable.
Well, I suppose I have been in country for about ten (10) days now. So far so good I suppose, ... just three hundred and fifty-five (355) days to go, give or take a couple. This whole "unit" thing will take a while to get used to indeed. I mean to go from dealing exclusively with a handful of people in a shop to having to interact with hundreds at physical training (PT) in the mornings and formations and everything else we will have to be doing now is a drastic change. Even so there is nothing really too new. A lot of times we would go to the field with our unit of attachment, train with them, have formations with them. So all in all, with my previous time in Korea and my time at Fort Drum, I have done everything there is to do with a unit, now I'll just be part of that unit. Daily tasks and details were something we were never involved with in the past because we were a different unit for one (01) and two (02) we rarely had personnel to spare because of such a large workload. Well, that goes for here at Camp Humphreys any day of the week. The workload is just large no matter what.
Things are not going to ruin though. Those of us who were once part of the 95th Maintenance Company will just have to take things in stride. I'll be taking things in stride from here on out of course. I have a little over three (03) more years to go. There is no use in getting all bent out of shape because really, I'm a Soldier and there will really be nothing new I have to deal with and what is going to be new, I know I can handle; I have been in the Army long enough to know how to take care of business and I have had a few really good mentors along the way.
Time to begin the work day. I hope I make it through to the end of it just fine. ... I will.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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WEDNESDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2005
11:11-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil."
-- Proverbs 03 : 07
"I Believe In You"
JOY williams
You breathe and life begins
You speak and my world makes sense
That's how it is when it comes to You
Your mercy has no end You're more than just a friend
It amazes me You feel the way You do
I believe in You, and nothing less
I believe in You can't help myself
You're all the hope, the reason that I need
I believe in You just because
I don't need no one to prove Your love
For all that I have seen
It's easier for me to believe in You
You are so beautiful
You are the miracle
That dries the tears and heals the wounded hearts
And it's so clear to see
Your hand in everything
You were there for me, there to see me through
Through the fire and through the rain
I know Your love for me will never ever change
Goodnight!
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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TUESDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2005
10:37-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You."
-- Psalm 33 : 22
The work week begins in a few hours. Fortunately it will only consist of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. And tomorrow I'll be standing by at my room to receive my things. So really, my week will only consist of Thursday, Friday, and a few hours tomorrow morning. An alert will be called around 5:00 or so and we will all gather at the Company to sign in and then be off to the shop. The incoming Commander will do his walk through inspection tomorrow so we will get right to laying out camouflage netting and tents and equipment when we get to the shop. About 9:00 or so I'll break contact to head back to my room and wait for the movers to deliver my things. It could be anytime between maybe 8:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the afternoon. So tomorrow is kind of a "free" day in a way. So no, I do not plan on sleeping. I'll get up, shower, head down to sign in, head to the shop to help out, eat breakfast, and then be on my way back hereto wait for an hour or so before taking a nap. I do not expect them to arrive before noon but I have to be here just in case. I believe I'd be charged if they arrive and I'm not waiting for them. Well, that is how it works in the States anyway.
So tomorrow will be my first taste of how everyone interacts in the shop as a whole, everyone will be there in the morning for the alert and at the shop for at least a few hours. Including the warrant officer we have from the Company and myself we are eleven (11) strong, with one (01) more to arrive by the end of the week and another to arrive in early November. I believe that count is accurate anyway. It seems we will have a nice number of personnel at the shop. Enough to allow me to kind of work on my personal things like my online classes and such. And of course more people will help things move along quite smoothly. And smooth ladies and gentlemen is always a good thing.
Time to head to the laundry room and then get the ironing board out to make my uniform look presentable for tomorrow morning. Ah, being responsible feels good.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2005
11:44-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"If you confess with your mouth, 'JESUS is Lord,' and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.'"
-- Romans 10 : 09 - 11
Well, it is official. Okay, it is not for sure official but I'm about 95% sure that these next three (03) and a half years in the United States Army. Sure, I know some of you (whomever "you" are) are shakingyour heads, remembering how much I loathed the Army years ago and how I kept counting the days until I could be free, only to extend back in early 2003 and then reenlist last June. But the extension in 2003 was to take advantage of an online degree program offered by the Army and the reenlistment was to give me more time to finish the degree plan (BA in Liberal Studies) I started and to put more and money back for the day I get out. So there were plans behind the actions. But when June of 2009 rolls around I should have a nice chunk of change put back and should be either finished with my degree or just about finished with it with all of my GI Bill and Army College Fund money to boot. And well, there will be no other reason for me to remain in the Army. It has not been a good fit since day one (01) but we have been existing in one (01) another's realities quite well for the past few years. We are tolerant of one (01) another anyway and have in fact been helping one (01) another and giving and taking. But with money in savings and a degree, along with almost nine (09) years of life experiences it will be time for me to move on.
Yes, almost nine (09) years. I'll be short by a month when June rolls around. I really need to have my Bachelor of Art in Liberal Studies finished or about six (06) or so credits shy of being finished. It is working out to be two (02) courses every term for the next three (03) years. Ha! So needless to say I'm going to have to contact the school and an education counselor to figure out how I can squeeze the rest of the credits in before I get out while at the same time not driving myself crazy having to take courses each term until then. I'm sure I can accomplish some courses via examination. But we will see. Finishing my degree is the major reason I decided to reenlist. If I just give up on it I'll be too disappointed in myself to stand my own company. Ha! Well okay, I'd be disappointed in me though, but I suppose I'd be able to hang out with myself from time to time.
Wherever I end up after Korea is where I'll stay until I'm prepared to take the next step in my life. I'll get out and work in the area if I have to until I have enough dough to head out to parts unfamiliar to make my way as a civilian. It sounds exciting anyway, ... but I'm formulating a plan of action and a destination PA. Yes, Post-Army. But more on that a little later.
Right now it is past lunch time and I'm hungry. So without further ado I'm off to feed my face. Until next time friends and neighbors. Yeah, corny I know. But who cares this is my own personal source of amusement and if you do not like it feel free to move right along.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 09TH OCTOBER 2005
2:08-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"'Blessed is the man whom GOD corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal. From six calamities He will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you.'"
-- JOB 05 : 17 - 19
A year ago today I was still fairly "new" at Redstone. And my car was still very new to me. We were just getting to know one (01) anoher when we were involved in our first little fender bender. Or in our case, fender cracker. Well, something like that anyway. What a quick year.
SATURDAY 09TH OCTOBER 2004
11:21-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "THE WONDER OF IT ALL"-Point Of Grace Steady On
"Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
-- 02 Corinthians 05 : 17
Some days it is just not worth it to get out of bed. I should have stayed put in my room the entire day but of course, around 4:00 I realized that most of the day spent reading and napping resulted in me growing very, very hungry. So I dragged myself out of bed and from my book to shower, put more clothes on, and head out for food. The plan was to head to a restaurant, sit down, and enjoy a nice quiet meal. I called CRAIG up at Drum and he wanted to talk, so we did and as we talked I kind of aimlessly drove. By the time we finished our conversation I realized I was heading out in the direction of Tennessee. Since I didn't really want to head any further, and I was starving, I stopped at a Taco Bell to get a snack. I ordered, ate, and got back on the road headed back into Huntsville.
Now I was going to seek out a good restaurant for dessert. I had a couple in mind but after my baby was rear ended just across from the stadium and waiting for the police to show up for almost an hour, I totally forgot about dessert. Yes, my baby was assaulted about four (04) and a half hours ago. She is okay though, just sustained a three (03) inch or so dent in her bumper. It is hardly noticeable but she knows it is there and I definitely know it is there. It wasn't a high speed collision since the game was being let out at the stadium and cars were heading out rather slowly. But any collision will serve as a butt pain when she and I have only been together for less than three (03) months. Two (02) girls from Tennessee were following a bit too close and when I had to stop for a car they weren't able to without smacking my baby. Now I'm going to have to deal with police reports and repair estimates and such when Tuesday rolls around. (Because of course, Monday is a holiday. Now instead of wanting Tuesday to come at a snail's pace I'll be anxious for Sunday and Monday to be over with.)
But it is not super serious so I doubt I'll be dealing with all of this for more than a couple of weeks. One (01) Honda Civic Coupe rear bumper should fix her right up. So the fixing part should be nothing than popping off her old one (01) and popping on her new one (01). And she looks new so hopefully matching her color (black) will be a piece of cake too. And she drives just fine so I'll not have to put her in a shop to wait around.
I gave her a good washing afterwards and examined her again. Of course it looked even better now that we were alone and off the side of the road. Things always look a good bit worse lit by the lights atop a police cruiser. After I cleaned her up, we went to the Shopette and I bought a pint of the most expensive ice cream I could find to drown my sorrows in: Haagen-Dazs Creme Brulee. (I don't know how to make all those fancy dots and swirls and swishes over the letters, so you sill just have to imagine they are above the letters in the title of the ice cream.) So as I ate my ice cream and my baby sat clean and a tad bit banged up, we both began our healing process. I'm pretty sure I'm more worked up about it all then she is. Go figure.
We will make it though.
Bedtime.
Everything turned out just fine. Of course I had no idea that about two (02) months later I'd be involved in a much more severe accident which would force my baby and me to be apart while she was patched up and recovering. We were lucky again and recovered from that too and even though it was my fault, it was only the two (02) of us involved and she has long since forgiven me. Of course I now have left her stranded in storage while I'm here a world away. But when I'll make up for it with some nice window tinting and maybe new wheels in the future so I'm sure I'll be forgiven for leaving her and we will again get along just fine together.
I miss her.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 08TH OCTOBER 2005
5:25-AM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever."
-- ISAIAH 32 :17
I suppose I'm up now because I headed to bed so early. My sleep schedule will probably be horrible for the next few days. Well, until I get my things, I'll remain rather bored and left to entertain myself weighing the pros and cons concerning my extending for another year here or not. I keep changing my mind about extending. One (01) minute it seems like the thing to do and the next minute I just want to see if I can push to get to Colorado or Texas and head out of here next October.
But I probably should not even be thinking about it much now since I just arrived. I need to give things a chance to develop. Who knows I could meet a bunch of people and travel buddies and such. This Commander could be cool with granting leave. I could get involved in some organization. Who knows? And now is not the time to be predicting the next few months as I'm just getting a feel of things here again. So I'll continue sleeping on it and keeping it in mind, but not trying to figure it out for the next few weeks as if I'll instantly die if I sign or try to forget about extending and press on. One (01) thing which would discourage me would be to decide not to extend and then get Fort Drum, New York as a return assignment. That would be a major downer.
Anyway, it is not time tobe up for the day. I'm going to go back to hibernating for a few more hours.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 07TH OCTOBER 2005
8:51-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
Listening - "LOVE YOU THAT MUCH"-MaryMary Mary, Mary
"I know that My Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I'll see GOD; I myself will see Him with my own eyes--I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"
-- JOB 19 : 25 - 27
Today was a very long day. Yes, another long day, my second here so far. It began by heading to our "new" unit's motor pool for physical training (PT). Before I had time to fully realize how long it had been since I ran, I had stretched and assembled to the right with the rest of the formation to begin the run. I had no idea where we would be going or how long it would be. ... I was only certain of the fact I had not run in months. Surprisingly enough I kept up just fine as we twisted and turned and many in formation vocally made their opinions that we weren't ever returning to the motor pool known. All I was thinking about was my back. If it began to ache as it has in the past after not having regularly run in a while, I'd be finished with the run, no doubt about it. But no backache at all. So it turned out to be a good PT session. I do miss just doing PT with the shop. Doing PT with a large company is a totally different animal, way too many personalities trying to get their two (02) cents in all of the time.
We are in the midst of inventory. Yes, I arrived just in time to help with a 100% layout of all our equipment and gear. It really is as lovely as it sounds. From signal generators and pieces worth thousands and thousands to cables, connectors, and about a hundred (100) various other widgets. In case your are curious, it is not fun. Inventory in a calibration shop is an undertaking to begin with, but it is more of a pain here in Korea because for the most part those here put in work for the first six (06) months of their tour and then get relaxed and sloppy for the second half. Inventories have not been done properly here for the last couple of years. There is tagging and labeling on things though so the efforts were made. But wehave to really clean things up now since we are being looked at by our new Commander. Yes, the integration is real. In fact it will happen in less than two (02) weeks. And come the new year, 95th Maintenance Company will officially be no more. Well, the good life was great while it lasted, being under our own Commander who was always miles and miles away, no duties like charge of quarters or staff duty, no alerts, ... life was just peachy. But it will not be as terrible as most of my fellow calibrators are making it out to be. Of course the way we will be taken into these units will of course vary from installation to installation because of different units, Commanders, First Sergeants, etc. So I suppose I'll shut my mouth about it not being all that bad. It may be worse on other installations. But as far as I can tell things here will be different, but it will not spell the end of the world. The only big change I see coming is moving into their barracks. But I do not see us losing our shop any time in the near future. We will be making their end of day formations too, ... doing PT with them, be on their charge of quarters (CQ) and staff duty rosters, head to the field with them, ... well, become part of the unit. Everything their Soldiers do, ours will do, etc. Different.
So, yesterday and today we have been working on inventory in order to have everything laid out for the incoming Commander to view. Oh yes, not only are we integrating, the unit we are to become apart of is going through a Change of Command and getting a new Commander. So we are preparing for a new set of eyes to check everything out. Yesterday we did the items and accessories for all of the trucks and went into the sheds and organized all of the tent gear and camo netting, etc. Yes, a couple of days into my tour here and I'm putting in hours in the sun and rain working my tail off. I can not wait to reach SHAMAL and let him know what al he is missing. Maybe I should have bit the bullet and tried to reclass to prime power two (02) for my last few years in the Army. But no, I could not handle all the additional mathematics and physics. I could handle the relaxed atmosphere and all of the temporary duty (TDY) assignments and pay. That would be nice right about now. But I received a nice relaxed atmosphere for a year at Redstone along with other perks, so I should not be complaining.
So SFC McManus arrived. He will be taking the reigns here at the shop in a couple of weeks. So SSG Jones and I'll just become peons. Ha! Well, no, not really at all. We are still Staffs, but he will not be in charge any longer. And all of this is fine by me because I just want to keep my head down and out of the spotlight so I can do what I have to do when it comes to work but be able to also concentrate on getting as many courses completed towards my BA in Liberal Studies as possible. I have a lot of personal goals and such on my plate too. Of course I'll do what I have to do to get things running smoothly at the shop and take care of my Soldiers.
It is weird though. Kennedy has been here a month or so, SFC McManus, SGT Sumantri, and SPC Lee arrived this week. I was expecting to shake Fort Drum when I reenlisted with Korea as an option. And here, a good third of the shop is right here at Humphreys with me. What can you do though? Ha! And I asked SFC McManus what his return assignment was and he said, of course, Fort Carson, Colorado. What do you know? So if I get Fort Carson, which is my number one (01) pick ahead of Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Riley, Kansas, I'll again be working with him. I suppose the odds are not exactly like the odds would be if I were an Infantryman, but there are other places needing a SFC I'm sure.
In related news I'm not sure that I want to extend for an additional year here in Korea. Yes, I'm not actually contracted for two (02) years. I'm actually contracted to do a single year here in Korea, but my plan was to tack on an extra year for stabilization, to lengthen my time here in order to travel, and to take advantage of the Army offering a three hundred (300) dollar a month incentive for adding another year onto a one (01) year tour. If you asked me right now I'd decline the extension. There have been too many changes here and while I'm flexible and will, of course, adapt just fine, I'm not 100% sure I want to spend two (02) years in here anymore. And this is for a wholehost of reasons, some little and kind of silly, and other which hold a lot of weight on the con side of me sticking around for twenty-four (24) months. But I'll have to give it more time and give the "new" Camp Humphreys a chance. Of course I can extend up to the time I receive assignment orders. Of course now I learned that the extra money is not just for the additional year, but the payment begins the month you sign for the additional year. So instead of signing up and getting the USD$300.00 for the last year, or for twelve (12) months, the payment would begin the month you agree; so you could get paid for all twenty-four (24) months. And that means an extra USD$7,200.00 instead of just USD$3,600.00. Of course the money is taxed as is all of our pay unless we are deployed. Talk for years to make Korea a tax-free zone could always be heard, but I guess nothing came of that since I'm here (three (03) years later) and am going to have to pay good old taxes. But anyway, I'll be wrestling with the option to extend or not for the next few weeks. After all if I end up doing it, I'll want to take advantage of being paid as much as possible so the sooner I decide to go through with it, the better, ... I may as well make as much money off of it as possible.
Well I'm beat for the first couple of days of work. And I just know I'll be sore from this morning's run. I can feel a tinge of it coming on right now.
Time to crawl into bed and get some shut eye.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 06TH OCTOBER 2005
6:11-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him."
-- JERIMIAH 17 : 07
"Without You"
Big Daddy Weave
Would we hear the sound
Of breathing in the dark
Where would be life's spark
Without You
Would the birds ever sing
Would the wind move through the trees
Could I touch the grass so green
Under this big sky so blue
Without You
And the sun doesn't shine
And my world stops spinnin' round
Without You, without You
Tell me where else could I ever find
The peace that floods this heart of mine
Without You, without You
Who could fill the emptiness inside
Who would ease the pain in my broken heart
Who would come in and abide
Promise never to depart
Without You, without you
And the sun doesn't shine
And my world stops spinnin' round
Without You, without You
Tell me where else could I ever find
The peace that floods this heart of mine
Without You, without You
I can't live without You
I don't want to try to
Live one more moment without You
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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WEDNESDAY 05TH OCTOBER 2005
11:09-PM-(UTC/GMT +9 hours)
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
-- Philippians 04 : 08
Well all in all I suppose today wasn't | | |
