What a long week! We went through the gas chamber a second time. (First time was basic training). This time, however, we had to cover our skin with this charcoal like stuff to decontaminate ourselves. We came out looking like coal miners! Then later this week, we were given a drug test! Yay....wake up at 3am! Thats right, we were up at 0300 and kept up all day. That was a blast *rolls eyes*!!! A few days ago, we did some unarmed self defence training that used principles from Akido. It was pretty crazy! If you did the move right, you could knock the opponant on the ground with minimal force! They also taught us pressure points! Ask me about em when I'm back in town, I'll demonstrate a few! :)
Eventually, I've been told, I will be receiving pepper spray to the eyes! I am NOT looking forward to that. OOOh, and I got to drive a HMMV (pronounced humvee). I'm sure this will get old, but the first time was exciting!
Ok, link time!
First, Paul Potts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOytYLlhiQ&feature=related
I heard about this in Rob Bell's podcast.
Second,
The 9 Most Bad Ass Bible Verses.
*disclaimer: Site have profanity (If you can't already tell by the title)
From my friend's blog. http://www.arkaonco.blogspot.com/
Laters,
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Frustration
Have you ever met someone that is disorganized? It's almost like watching a guinea pig. It seems like they hop from one activity to another with no plan or order, yet each day seems haphazardly like the one before and the one after. An overall pattern, but not to the point that you could look at your watch and make an accurate guess as to what the guinea pig is doing. My unit is lead by a bunch of overpaid guinea pigs.
In the Military, there is a huge importance placed on the chain of command. Every soldier, from the brand new private, all the way up to 3 star generals have someone of higher rank that they report to. I, as a private first class, have no business talking to a 3 star general, I report to a Staff Sergent. However, I find that most of the time, he has no clue what's going on. Neither does his supervisor, or his supervisor, or his supervisor. If I want to find out what's going on, I'd have to jump straight to the higher ranks. This is highly frowned upon. However, I don't fault any of my supervisors as the problem lies higher up. Those on top are fighting for control and forgetting that us lower ranks are present. Every day, it's a suprise.
Needless to say, it's hard to fearlessly follow your leaders when your confidence goes about as far as you can throw them. At least those I will be on missions with are competent. In any case, it's frustrating to no end to have no idea how to run your day. I just have to take it one day at a time.
In the Military, there is a huge importance placed on the chain of command. Every soldier, from the brand new private, all the way up to 3 star generals have someone of higher rank that they report to. I, as a private first class, have no business talking to a 3 star general, I report to a Staff Sergent. However, I find that most of the time, he has no clue what's going on. Neither does his supervisor, or his supervisor, or his supervisor. If I want to find out what's going on, I'd have to jump straight to the higher ranks. This is highly frowned upon. However, I don't fault any of my supervisors as the problem lies higher up. Those on top are fighting for control and forgetting that us lower ranks are present. Every day, it's a suprise.
Needless to say, it's hard to fearlessly follow your leaders when your confidence goes about as far as you can throw them. At least those I will be on missions with are competent. In any case, it's frustrating to no end to have no idea how to run your day. I just have to take it one day at a time.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
This is what I would have posted on the 19th of November
November 19th, 2007
I've settled into my new New Jersey home. We moved in to a FOB. (Forward Operating Base) and they have us in tents. It's cold out here. It's not too bad, we have heat and electricity and bunk beds. It's out door toilets and showers and a separate chow hall. As it gets colder, it's going to be harder to leave the tent. However, when I was living back home, I was in a building without food or plumbing for a few years. I'm sorta used to this! They have a recreation center here. It has a large screen TV with Satellite as well as a projector for movies. They were installing some additional stuff today, but I'm not sure what. Also in there is a bunch of workout equipment. I'm going to try to get in there often. We'll see how that goes. We're supposed to get wireless internet out here too, but it's down at the moment. I used a public computer to post this. Well, just popping in to say hello. Send me mail!!! Call my parents, my sister or my church for my address. The only off-limits items are stuff you can't ship anyway such as weapons and fireworks and stuff. Well, that and alcohol.
I've settled into my new New Jersey home. We moved in to a FOB. (Forward Operating Base) and they have us in tents. It's cold out here. It's not too bad, we have heat and electricity and bunk beds. It's out door toilets and showers and a separate chow hall. As it gets colder, it's going to be harder to leave the tent. However, when I was living back home, I was in a building without food or plumbing for a few years. I'm sorta used to this! They have a recreation center here. It has a large screen TV with Satellite as well as a projector for movies. They were installing some additional stuff today, but I'm not sure what. Also in there is a bunch of workout equipment. I'm going to try to get in there often. We'll see how that goes. We're supposed to get wireless internet out here too, but it's down at the moment. I used a public computer to post this. Well, just popping in to say hello. Send me mail!!! Call my parents, my sister or my church for my address. The only off-limits items are stuff you can't ship anyway such as weapons and fireworks and stuff. Well, that and alcohol.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
This is my last post from the state. NOTE: not from the states, but from the state. Today we had a send off ceremony which included the local police department and the Patriot Guard. It was really cool, but it was also really hard. Seeing my family and saying goodbye is something I hope to never have to do again! I've been mentally preparing myself for some time, but nothing can quite prepare you enough. It is good to know I am not alone.
Friday, November 16, 2007
En Route
I'm in the final stages of in state training. Scrambling to make sure I have everything I need. Fortunately, the past two days have been many times better than the 14th. I'm still busy as heck, but it's manageable.
More later....
More later....
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sigh....
Before I say anything I'll regret later, I'll just say,
I had a really bad day.
...................sigh..............
I had a really bad day.
...................sigh..............
Sunday, November 11, 2007
CLS Certified
From this past Thursday till tomorrow, I've been in a class for CLS certification. CLS stands for Combat Life Saver. They teach me the basic first aid skills needed to save a life on the battlefield. This includes stopping bleeding to correcting a collapsed lung. I even had to start an IV today! That's right, I stuck someone with a needle, and they stuck me! I got it on my first try......and guy I was sticking......he missed twice! I've only got two arms, so I was done being a pincusion. I don't like needles anyway! However, at least I know I can do it. So next time you need an IV, give me a call! I promise I'll charge less than a doctor!
Tomorrow, we have a short test, then we're released for the rest of the day! I'm taking the oppertunity to spend it with my family so I'm driving home. I also get Monday off as well!!! It'll be nice to see them once more.
Tomorrow, we have a short test, then we're released for the rest of the day! I'm taking the oppertunity to spend it with my family so I'm driving home. I also get Monday off as well!!! It'll be nice to see them once more.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Quick little post. I uploaded some pictures to Facebook recently. Below is a link to a series of pictures I took of Steve H. This is using film, and no photoshop or any editing of any kind was done to this pictures. Anyone who knows me would know that anyway. :)
Enjoy!
http://niu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2146578&l=ae186&id=30823954
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Ratatouille
First off, I don't like posting twice daily. However, if you look at the time of the post, the last post was just after midnight before I went to bed, nearly 23 hours ago. Thus, it's been technically one day since the last post, so HA! :)
I just saw this movie for the first time. Man, is it good! I heard a review for the movie that had little good to say about it and I was worried it wasn't going to be good. However, it turns out that like most Christian movie reviewers, they completely missed the point. I swear, christian reviewers would give the worlds best ice creme 1 star because the font used on the packaging wasn't right and the overall color was a bit yellow for their liking. Nevermind the fact that the remaining 97% of the product (99.72% of what actually matters) was exceptional. They miss the ocean for a cup of water. Or as Jesus said, "You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." (My reference here is that for most christian movies, you have to swallow a camel, (put up with poor story, horrible acting, and bad camera work) just to be sure you are free from gnats (anything rated more than PG). Link at end of post.
Anywho, back to the story. In the movie, we have Remy the rat, who can cook creatively. Remy decides one day that he's not going to settle for the typical rat life. He leaves behind friends and family to be what he's supposed to be. Then we have Linguini the human, who can physically cook, but is as creative as a slug. He runs into Remy, and through some cartoon magic, the two pair up and begin making some amazing dishes. However, when asked about his skills, the fear of being rejected by his peers gets in the way and he begins to take credit for his "skills". Remy at this point, leaves Linguini on his own. Suddenly, Linguini doesn't know how to cook anymore. Linguini is quickly reminded of where his skill truely comes from and brings Remy back on board. If you haven't seen an important, and very biblical lesson yet, then you are blind.
Lastly, in the movie we have the ghost of Gusteau who first gets Remy interested in cooking. He also guides him as he learns, and gives him a verbal kick in the pants when things are down. Gusteau was a famous cook that had died a few years ago. Yet, all he can do is give suggestions and advice. The final choice is up to Remy himself. Gusteau was ultimately the source of all the cooking.
I feel like a combination of Remy and Linguini. As Remy, I am not satisfied with "normal" life and I have to do more. I can't join the rat race (pun unintended) like everyone else. God has so much more for me. It's who He's made me! Secondly, I feel like Linguini as I have been given a gift. Rather, gifts. I know I have skill, but I have to remember where those skills really come from. I know that I can loose them as easily as they came to me.
I think what this movie does so well is it captures, in a tangible way, another mystery of God. God is a creative God and I believe he inspires his children to be creative as well. Often in subtle ways. Like Gusteau, he inspires people to be skillful at something, and he encourages them when they're down. Yet at the same time, he is like Remy and gives us the skills. We must be ever-mindful of their source. In the end, Linguini is running a successful restaurant with Remy as the head chef. Linguini does not advertise the source of the cooking so as not to scare people, but neither will he deny the true source if asked. Hmm......it all sounds so familier.
So, that is my review of the movie. I bring it up because I relate to the movie a lot, and I think it is a well executed movie. Highly recommened.
And as promised, the link is.....
http://www.independentchristianfilms.com/news/article_2007-07-30.asp
(read with caution, and do not let the sun go down on your anger)
I just saw this movie for the first time. Man, is it good! I heard a review for the movie that had little good to say about it and I was worried it wasn't going to be good. However, it turns out that like most Christian movie reviewers, they completely missed the point. I swear, christian reviewers would give the worlds best ice creme 1 star because the font used on the packaging wasn't right and the overall color was a bit yellow for their liking. Nevermind the fact that the remaining 97% of the product (99.72% of what actually matters) was exceptional. They miss the ocean for a cup of water. Or as Jesus said, "You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." (My reference here is that for most christian movies, you have to swallow a camel, (put up with poor story, horrible acting, and bad camera work) just to be sure you are free from gnats (anything rated more than PG). Link at end of post.
Anywho, back to the story. In the movie, we have Remy the rat, who can cook creatively. Remy decides one day that he's not going to settle for the typical rat life. He leaves behind friends and family to be what he's supposed to be. Then we have Linguini the human, who can physically cook, but is as creative as a slug. He runs into Remy, and through some cartoon magic, the two pair up and begin making some amazing dishes. However, when asked about his skills, the fear of being rejected by his peers gets in the way and he begins to take credit for his "skills". Remy at this point, leaves Linguini on his own. Suddenly, Linguini doesn't know how to cook anymore. Linguini is quickly reminded of where his skill truely comes from and brings Remy back on board. If you haven't seen an important, and very biblical lesson yet, then you are blind.
Lastly, in the movie we have the ghost of Gusteau who first gets Remy interested in cooking. He also guides him as he learns, and gives him a verbal kick in the pants when things are down. Gusteau was a famous cook that had died a few years ago. Yet, all he can do is give suggestions and advice. The final choice is up to Remy himself. Gusteau was ultimately the source of all the cooking.
I feel like a combination of Remy and Linguini. As Remy, I am not satisfied with "normal" life and I have to do more. I can't join the rat race (pun unintended) like everyone else. God has so much more for me. It's who He's made me! Secondly, I feel like Linguini as I have been given a gift. Rather, gifts. I know I have skill, but I have to remember where those skills really come from. I know that I can loose them as easily as they came to me.
I think what this movie does so well is it captures, in a tangible way, another mystery of God. God is a creative God and I believe he inspires his children to be creative as well. Often in subtle ways. Like Gusteau, he inspires people to be skillful at something, and he encourages them when they're down. Yet at the same time, he is like Remy and gives us the skills. We must be ever-mindful of their source. In the end, Linguini is running a successful restaurant with Remy as the head chef. Linguini does not advertise the source of the cooking so as not to scare people, but neither will he deny the true source if asked. Hmm......it all sounds so familier.
So, that is my review of the movie. I bring it up because I relate to the movie a lot, and I think it is a well executed movie. Highly recommened.
And as promised, the link is.....
http://www.independentchristianfilms.com/news/article_2007-07-30.asp
(read with caution, and do not let the sun go down on your anger)
Time Away
I've only been gone 6 days, yet it feels like forever. I'm thinking it's because I can't say I have - days left before returning (meaning single digits). It's more like - - - days (meaning triple digits) and it seems forever. However, life is still good. It's all a growing process.
Tomorrow, I get the day off, sort of. They're sending me to another location for more processing and tomorrow is all for traveling. It'll be nice. Sleep!
Speaking of which...
Tomorrow, I get the day off, sort of. They're sending me to another location for more processing and tomorrow is all for traveling. It'll be nice. Sleep!
Speaking of which...
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Trust, or lack there of, in the media.
In June 2007, there were 101 US soldier deaths. In October 2007, there were 34. IED attacks are down 78%. Believe it or not, the surge is working! (Gasp!)
I found this online...an interesting read. (Written in 2004)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1225799/posts
"Death may not be a final medical diagnosis but the state of being dead is final! Are the deaths of our courageous soldiers any more final than those who die on our own streets?
On September 8, 2004, the Los Angeles Times reported (The Conflict In Iraq, U.S. Toll in Iraq Reaches 1,000) that through September 7, 2004, 1,000 US soldiers lost their lives in Iraq due to both hostile and non-hostile actions. This is certainly a tragic loss correctly reported in the media and mourned by the US populace. However focusing exclusively on these statistics does not provide the much needed perspective.
According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report of May 24, 2004, the number of murders reported during calendar years 2002 and 2003 show a comparable death toll exists in several US cities. Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City reported 1,168, 1,246 and 1,184 murders during the subject 24-month period.
The average monthly death toll for US soldiers in Iraq is 55.6 deaths per month while the average reported murders per month in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City are 48.7, 51.9 and 49.3 deaths per month. The murder statistics in the US cities are for hostile deaths only — whereas the death toll in Iraq includes both hostile and accidental deaths. This makes our own murder rates in LA, Chicago and NYC even more appalling. Yet there is not an equivalent amount of reporting or hand wringing.
Reasonable people can disagree about the wisdom of going to war in Iraq. But objectivity requires that these deaths be put in perspective. Do we continue to condemn death in Iraq while simultaneously ignoring the concurrent deaths in our own cities — or should we consider all violent deaths a terrible waste of life?"
Anywho, life is good up here in Arlington Heights. I miss people already, but it's not to bad up here. There are, gasp, sidewalks! There are places open past 10! Oddly enough, there's a plethora of wonderful restaurants within walking distance. The local Wal-Mart closes at 10pm and ISN'T super!
In other news, I've got a PT test coming up in a week or so. Please keep that in prayer. I admit, I got a little lazy after getting back from AIT. I've been working out though, and especially hard the last week so it's not like I'm not trying. And lastly, I've already begun to be stressed out about all this Army S......stuff. It's mostly just the realization is sinking in. It's hard knowing that life is about to get a lot harder, and have no choice but to push forward. Motivation is hard to come by. Well, time to shower, change and head out for some nice sushi!
JulietAlphaSierraOscarNovember, Out
I found this online...an interesting read. (Written in 2004)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1225799/posts
"Death may not be a final medical diagnosis but the state of being dead is final! Are the deaths of our courageous soldiers any more final than those who die on our own streets?
On September 8, 2004, the Los Angeles Times reported (The Conflict In Iraq, U.S. Toll in Iraq Reaches 1,000) that through September 7, 2004, 1,000 US soldiers lost their lives in Iraq due to both hostile and non-hostile actions. This is certainly a tragic loss correctly reported in the media and mourned by the US populace. However focusing exclusively on these statistics does not provide the much needed perspective.
According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report of May 24, 2004, the number of murders reported during calendar years 2002 and 2003 show a comparable death toll exists in several US cities. Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City reported 1,168, 1,246 and 1,184 murders during the subject 24-month period.
The average monthly death toll for US soldiers in Iraq is 55.6 deaths per month while the average reported murders per month in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City are 48.7, 51.9 and 49.3 deaths per month. The murder statistics in the US cities are for hostile deaths only — whereas the death toll in Iraq includes both hostile and accidental deaths. This makes our own murder rates in LA, Chicago and NYC even more appalling. Yet there is not an equivalent amount of reporting or hand wringing.
Reasonable people can disagree about the wisdom of going to war in Iraq. But objectivity requires that these deaths be put in perspective. Do we continue to condemn death in Iraq while simultaneously ignoring the concurrent deaths in our own cities — or should we consider all violent deaths a terrible waste of life?"
Anywho, life is good up here in Arlington Heights. I miss people already, but it's not to bad up here. There are, gasp, sidewalks! There are places open past 10! Oddly enough, there's a plethora of wonderful restaurants within walking distance. The local Wal-Mart closes at 10pm and ISN'T super!
In other news, I've got a PT test coming up in a week or so. Please keep that in prayer. I admit, I got a little lazy after getting back from AIT. I've been working out though, and especially hard the last week so it's not like I'm not trying. And lastly, I've already begun to be stressed out about all this Army S......stuff. It's mostly just the realization is sinking in. It's hard knowing that life is about to get a lot harder, and have no choice but to push forward. Motivation is hard to come by. Well, time to shower, change and head out for some nice sushi!
JulietAlphaSierraOscarNovember, Out
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