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,

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.

Short update. I will be home for Christmas!!!

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.

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.

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....

Sigh....

Before I say anything I'll regret later, I'll just say,

I had a really bad day.


...................sigh..............