I just can't wait to be King!

So apparently who needs to update in six weeks right?  Well I am told that I need to update.  This is the face that I imagine was used when they told me that.

No, not really but It happened to be a picture I took and I thought it would make someone smile who would read this!  

In the first part of Nov we had a day where we simulated traveling and doing a bunch of things one might do while doing that.  We also cooked and even played a few games.  This one is of my friend and I playing Chinese Chess.  Lots of fun!  I need to add that to my collection now!  

Here is something I saw a friend do and thought it could be fun.  I don't have other people do it but if you want to take a look at it it may be fun.  I started just by writing mine down to see.  It turned out different than I thought. 

1. Put your iPod on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the meme as well as the person you got the meme from.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "ARE YOU OKAY" YOU SAY?

Let’s Get Rocked by Def Leppard                        Do I need to even comment?  Let’s Get Rocked is all there is whenever you would need to ask me “are you okay?”

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

All the Small Things by Blink 182                        I do have a lot of little quirks.  It isn’t the big stuff that makes me who I am, it is the day to day stuff and that all is a result of people like YOU!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Faded Genes by Jeff Foxworthy                        Wow.  Apparently I am a little more redneck than I thought. 

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?

How Do You Like Me Now by Toby Keith            Looks like I am learning new things about myself.  I am here to please you all.  I am like a little plant that grows for your enjoyment.  Am I there yet?

 

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

Sorry by Buckcherry                                    Ouch, so true!

 

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Hot Stuff by The Pussycat Dolls                        Not so ouch, but also true!

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

What About Now by Daughtry                        See!  My life’s purpose.  No really, a good reality check on my path as opposed to where I want to end up is a good thing.  I do often have to check it. 

 

WHAT IS 2+2?

Go the Distance by Disney’s Hercules            Numbers are distance.  Learn all about it.  Stay in school.  It may be rough now but it will all be worth it one day when you are smart and more importantly when you have a piece of paper that says you were smart enough to stick it out to the end.  Worth it’s weight in gold. 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND(S)?

The Party Song by Blink 182                        They are always up for good times and making memories!

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette            There you go.           

 

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Real Good Man by Tim Mcgraw                        There I am.  Always trying to be a good person and grow up to be a man.  That is my goal.  I have hit many bumps along the way but I think I am going the right way.

 

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms                        Forget what I just said, I am going to be jealous! 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Space Mountain by Disney                                     This is the soundtrack off of Space Mountain before they changed it.  When I see the person I like I am thinkin’ “ the Magic Kingdom baby!  The Happiest Place on Earth!”

 

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Trashin’ The Camp on Disney’s Tarzan            This is the perfect song for this.  This thing is magic.  You should try it. 

 

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

Voodoo by Godsmack                                    This is a lively little number.  We might break out some black lights, glow sticks and the fog machines.  That would be really tacky but how fun would that be for my wife in her dress?!?

 

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Hellzapoppin’ by Louis Armstrong            If my wedding was a riot you will just love throwing out your hip at my funeral.  We are talking good times people!  I invite you all. 

 

 

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Skater Boy by Avril Lavigne                                    I have picked this one up.  I pretty much can’t be seen going anywhere these days unless you see me chillin’ it on my long board.

 

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Kokomo by The Beach Boys                        If you weren’t there then my lips are sealed. 

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

We Do (The Stonecutter’s Song from the Simpsons)

                                                                        Just listen to the song and you will understand my true feelings for my friends.  It is all true. 

 

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?

Don’t Cha by The Pussycat Dolls                        Don’t cha. . . what?  I don’t know.  Maybe the worst thing that would happen is that you all know I listen to the Pussycat Dolls.  Maybe a girl comes up and wants to be my special little lady.  Not a bad existence if you know what I mean.  I really am becoming more like James Bond. . .

 

HOW WILL YOU DIE?

White Trash Wedding by Dixie Chicks            Weird.  I like faded genes.  I may go to a lot of this kind of wedding.  I’d better watch out.  Maybe you had all better get your Jazz shoes on because I can hear Mr. Armstrong warming up.  Maybe you won’t have to throw your hips out after all.  Unless it is one of my grandkids. . .

 

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?

This Kiss by Faith Hill                                    If you really want to know my thoughts on this one you will have to ask me.

 

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

The Monorail Song ( another classic song from the Simpsons)

                                                                        It does, it is funny. 

 

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?

Son of Man by Disney’s Tarzan                        Or I might cry when I have a son. 

 

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?

Two Worlds by Disney’s Tarzan                        I have to much Disney on this thing.  Maybe to much Tarzan.  I think this song is more of a metaphor.  I as one world will come together with a person who is like another world.  We are different and it may seem that we don’t belong together because of our differences, yet it is that difference that makes us so strong.  We will not have the same weaknesses you see.  We will compliment each other.  As two complimentary angles make for a straight line.   

 

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?

The Rules of Marriage by Jeff Foxworthy            Maybe it is marriage itself I am afraid of.  Of course the rules are funny but so true.  Oh well, I will give in eventually. 

 

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?

Grease Lightning by Grease Lightning            Wow never having seen this show I don’t know whether or not I know how to interpret this.  Apparently someone out there just needs to Go, Go, Go ahead and speak up about their secret crush on me. 

 

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

Fuel by Metallica                                                Apparently I will make things more green.  Let’s get on the resources that we have a lot of.  That is what I would do apparently.  Good plan. 

 

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls                                    (actually two worlds from tarzan came up again –the reprise- but I skipped it because two of the same song, I don’t think so.  Unless finding that special someone hurts in which case that is perfect and the most true of anything that is in this crazy list.  However, I still skipped it.)  My eye hurts.  Maybe because I have been reading to many books and looking at a computer screen for to long today.

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

I Just Can’t Wait to be King by Disney’s the Lion King

                                                                        Way to much Disney on this ipod.  I have so many other great songs.  Oh, well.  Cheers!

10/11 before 12

On Oct 11th we had the Air Force Ball.  A chance to celebrate the Air Force and have good food and entertainment.  There are also traditions and ceremonies that take place there.  It really was quite amazing to see many of the legacies that have carried on.  There also was a bit of fluff of introducing many people who do great things but it makes for long introductions.  The presiding member in attendance was Major General Flowers.  Commander of the Second Air Force.  

I have heard him speak once before at my graduation from basic training.  I have been fortunate to have him around in my thus far short career.  A little unusual but then again unusuality is no stranger to me.  (yes I know it isn't a word but it makes sense and I like it, and let's face it-you know what I am talking about.  Ergo, it is a communicatory device.  Thus I declare it a functional word.  And that goes for communicatory as well. )  

Here I am again in my uniform enjoying myself.  I was a bit nervous to think about having a good time while I was standing next to the General.  This was actually at the beginning of the night.  This is my friend Bridgette and I.  I rode with her and two other people one of whom arrived here the same time as I did.  We also ate with my friend Dru and his wife and a lady and her husband.    I have met her and spoken with her before this night, she is a very pleasant woman.  

The food was excellent.  Fillet minoit and chicken breast with vegetables.  The asparagus was good and the other veggies not bad either.  The salad was not as enjoyable because it was really fancy.  It tasted more like leaves off of a tree outside but the meal was great.  The dessert was, well just look:

Back to Oct 10th

On Oct 10th we had some free time.  Right to left Dru, Garrett, and Ian.  Dru and I were on our way to Wal-mart or something and the other two were walking downtown to do something and we offered a ride.  They hopped in.  We ate at McDonalds.  It was the first time since May I had had McD's.  We then went driving and stopped at this place that Dru had been to.  Some sand dunes right next to the ocean.  

Here we are trudging up the one side to get to all the fun.  It is a little bit of a hike up but well worth it.  It was a very clear and calm day.  Just beautiful as most days are.  The wind off the ocean was pretty strong once we got to the top of the dunes.  

Here I am overlooking the Monterey Bay.  It was a gorgeous day!  The waves were crashing pretty good.  We took a few photos and just enjoyed it.  It really was quite relaxing. 

This side was really steep.  Can you see the little dot in the background?  Notice Dru's red shorts?  Yeah it was steep.  It was fun to jump off the little cliffs.  The sand was soft and took impact well.  What a great place to play.  I think this would be the ultimate battlegrounds for capture the flag!

Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  Normally I am all about doing fancy stuff.  I have even made a couple of costumes.  However, this year I didn't really do anything special.  Sad, right?  Well I did try and enjoy myself.  

I did eat chili as is the tradition.  It turned out to be a chili dog but it was pretty tastey.  I also had some red jello with pears and that might look like guts or something so that is pretty festive.  

I also got online via X-box Live.  I was able to play a bit on Halo 3.  A bit, it was actually all night.  I was also able to play a few games with Mike.  We did very well and had a lot of fun.  Mike was able to get a few new medals.  I actually also got a new one.  the two medals in particular are the medals awarded for a special type of game play.  Since it was Halloween what is more in line with the day than zombies.  The game starts and one person is a zombie and as he tracks down the humans and "convinces" them his way of life is better they become infected.  So the round ends when all the humans have "converted" to zombies.  The Last Man Standing medal for being the last human and the Zombie Spree medal which is for five in a row without becoming infected.  It actually turns out when we ended I played exactly 31 games!  Happy 31st!  On to Thanksgiving!

As a request.

Per request, here is another one.  More of the wildlife that co-habitates this base with us.  I was just walking along.  Bobbin' along on the bottom of the beautiful briiiiney sea.  ( name that tune from an old classic disney )  I walk past the corner of this fence and there they are.  Just munchin' away at the grass.  I stopped and whipped out my camera and the one guy looked up and watched me.  I was about 12 feet if I had to "guesstimate." I snapped the picture and moved on.  I went back to my business and he to his.  "He can go about his business.  You can go about your business.  Move along.  Move along, move along!" ( name the classic movie from which this exchange is an excerpt.)   

Also as a request I wanted to do a little comparison.  This first picture is one of my favorites.  How can it not be?  It is a picture of two of the most talented and, if I may add, ruggedly handsome devils out there.  Not the greatest tie but both look pretty good.  Right ladies?  If you could you might date one of these guys right?  He definitely has a quirky smile but that is just a small insight into his personality.  He likes to have fun.  Broad shoulders means he knows how to work hard.  Tall is always a good thing.  He dresses alright (again except for the tie)  Now compare this picture to the following:

Wow!  That is not necessarily a good wow.  Although, he has a cheesy grin.  That means he isn't afraid.  You couldn't ask for much more enthusiasm than a thumbs up.  With a part in the hair, pens and pencils in the pocket; you know this guy is one smart cookie.  He must be studying really hard.  Oh and by the way, those are my BCG's.  (Birth Control Glasses)  That's right!  Issued from that special place where I used to live.  I hope you like em' as much as I do.  

P.S.  Before you need to request it: Here are the answers to the aformentioned video trivia questions.  The first is a song from Bed Knobs and Broomsticks.  The second is from Star Wars episode IV A New Hope.  Between Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi and a stormtrooper.

A little of the area

I thought I could share a little bit of what I see around here.  I think Tasha and Mike are the only ones who comment with frequency but I know others see this because I have heard a comment or two.  This is some of what I see by being a current resident of the coast of sunny California.

Dogs are to Chile as deer are to my post.  I see them just about every day I walk outside.  They are so friendly.  Yesterday I stopped by the Hill Top Field where we do our exercises.  There were 17 deer on the field.  I admit, I normally do not see that many on a daily basis.  I usually will only see between 3 and 7, give or take.  I once was walking down the road and on my side there was one eating the leaves off of a tree.  He looked up at me and I just walked to the other side of the road.  Keep in mind this particular road was one of those that is really only wide enough for one car.  It might squeeze in two little cars.  He went back to munching away.  I don't think I could pet one but 10 to 15 feet is a bit close don't you think?   

This next guy was just sitting down there.  He was just peeking around.  I stopped.  I pulled out my camera from my pocket and took the picture.  He just stood there and watched me.  They go after garbage cans and whatever else they do.  I thought this picture was just so random.  One afternoon there he was.  You never know.

I spent Labor Day Monday afternoon at the beach.  I went to the beach with my single's ward.  The water is a bit cold.  It felt good though.  It was a very warm day.  Not to bad though.  Just the right amount of sun.  I didn't even get sunburned!  I went down with the second counselor and his wife.  They had rented a two person kyack for the weekend and it was but to good use.  There were also some folks body boarding and such on the waves.  It really was a gorgeous day.

We had a fire right there on the beach and had a little dinner of salads and burgers, dogs and brawts.  It really was quite tasty.  And my favorite part was definitely the beach volleyball!  I love it.  I think it is actually my favorite sport to play.  I enjoyed it in elementary school.  I was a huge fan when we had the sand to play in at college and now that I have a whole beach I am in love.  It was awesome.  We were playing with a group that loved to just go for it.  People were diving into the sand like crazy.  Nobody got hurt.  That is always good.  It takes some of the fun out when you feel bad for someone.  Mostly people start to pack it in when people get hurt.  As you can see we played until there was no light left to play by.  What an amazing day.  I even caught up with some old friends whom I hadn't spoken to in quite some time.  That was a well needed day off.  

Two months of classes

I have now finished two months of classes!  

Time flies when you are having fun! Speaking of flying I am in the Air Force.  Here are some pictures of Basic Training.  I purchased these pictures since I was not authorized to have my own camera.  The pictures that I have are therefore very limited.  For example, I don't have a picture of my Training Instructor.  Dad managed to get some video but I think that is about it.  

In the first picture if I get these all organized correctly, you should see the group of folks that wondered off the bus with me.  Each building is designed so that in the cardinal directions the building  overhangs and gives cover for the four large pads.  This way if it is to hot, or rainy, or drastic weather we are protected from either the direct sun or whatever element is plaguing us beyond what they want at that time.  We all formed up according to height.  Tallest in the front right corner.  It just so happens to be a familiar looking tall lurpy looking red head.  That is where we were taught to stand at attention and our very first corrections were made.  

In this second picture you will see what I lovingly referred to as home!  This is B Bay.  I am off to the left over by the bunk beds.  That middle aisle is all for the T.I. and none of us.  I spent my second Sunday morning in just socks waxing both bays and the hallway.  I didn't wear boots so I didn't scuff the new and still green wax.  For each bed there is a corresponding wall locker.  Two doors.  Left side is the skinny side with one shelf.  All used for hanging up clothes.  The right side is the fat side and short.  Under it it has two drawers.  It also has a shelf.  On the shelves would be hat, flashlight, gloves, and duffel.  Everything folded just right and centered or grounded or flush with the right spot.  Everything would hang on the hangers in just the right way evenly spaced and everything.  The top drawer everything was either folded or rolled correctly and without wrinkles.  the bottom drawer was were the toiletries were all kept on the white inspection towel all in the correct place and clean.  the back half of that bottom drawer was for my chaos.  My letters and anything I was authorized to have lived right there.  The bottom drawer was locked and the key hung around my neck at all times.  My bed was always tight, neat, and wrinkle free.  with my shoes properly laced and placed.  That is how I lived for my stay in Texas.  Very organized.

The third picture.  This was my first haircut.  The first week in basic is called zero week.  That is where you do all of your in-processing.  We went and got our hair cuts done and then we went to clothing issue.  While you are still wearing civilian clothing people refer to you as rainbows.  That is because when you see a group of them marching around they are all different colors.  After that day they are all so similar that we almost look the same.  I think that is the idea anyway which happens to work out perfectly.  In fact, you get to the point that you don't recognize those people when you see pictures of them without bald heads.  And civilian clothes kind of look goofy.  That is until you wear them again.  Then you realize that comfort trumps goofy.      

And for the fourth.  This is week four- warrior week.  This is the simulated deployment situation.  We get taken through what procedures we are to expect.  We sleep in tents like the one behind me in the picture.  You will notice I am carrying a few things out of the ordinary, well, for what you might see on any given day of the week here in the good ol' US of A.  Over our shoulders is slung the M-16 that we carry through most of basic.  During warrior week is the only time we had the other item.  The Kevlar helmet.  If the temperature there was over a hundred we could carry our helmets so we didn't overheat.  I know that other places it gets much hotter and you carry more gear.  This is a training environment and are just getting started with some of these kids.  They don't want to over do it to much or silly people not following orders (like drinking enough water) will pass out.  I am standing in this picture with my wing man Addo.  We had making beds in the morning down to a science.  He is a very good man.  I wonder how long before his father found out he joined the Air Force. . .  

I hope you enjoy the few new pictures.  This last week or so has been pretty tough.  It has been pretty busy.  I have now completed two units.  There are about 12 lessons per unit.  One unit equals one text book of about 350 pages or so.  There are also other supplementary books to the text book we use.  There are about 5 units per term and three terms.  That should give you an idea of about how I am structured.  It is very quickly paced and challenging.  It also produces some results.  I am happy to be here and am looking forward to this investment into my future.  And that of my future family.

This week was also nice because last Saturday I participated in a fundraiser for the Air Force Ball.  Because so many people participated we were given temporary phase grad for the week.  Which meant I had no curfew and no P.C. with the sergeants.  Which left some extra time this week.  It also was nice to feel I didn't have to run all over base trying to hurry up and be places.  Thursday and Friday were the unit test.  Any less stress for that was defiantly welcomed.  

It's gonna be a rough ride

This first picture in the bottom left is my hat and glasses.  That is me!  It isn't just someone wearing my stuff.  Then there is Dru and Kurt.  I couldn't figure out a problem and they both were stewing over it as well.  I didn't feel so bad that I couldn't get it after that.  Misery loves company right? 

This next one is of Scott and I studying.  Well, me taking a picture of us studying but I tried to do a good job of making it look like I was still working hard.  Both of these pictures were taken when I was still phase I and II.  

I am now in a new room up one floor and over closer to the volley ball pit.  Basically just a few rooms down and one floor up.  I study the most with Scott.  He is very patient and works really well with me.  He is a good study partner.  Dru lives off base with his wife and Kurt lives all the way down at the other end.  Scott and I were in the same class for the first 6 lessons.   Now he is one class over.  It is almost as good.  We still have 7th hour together so we can still see what the other person struggles with the most.  

I titled this section " It's gonna be a rough ride" because of something that happened today.  We took our lesson nine test.  After, we started lesson 10.  The teacher made a comment and it made me kind of cringe.  You know it's going to be tough when the teacher says " you had better hang on tight for this lesson." Wow.  I thought all that other stuff was hard.  We shall see.  Our last lesson was on things like the subtle differences between sentences like The winter in my hometown is as cold as the winter in New York. and The winter in my hometown is cold like the winter in New York.  

I am pretty much setting into my routine fairly well.  Wake at 5:30 shower get ready.  6:00 Breakfast.  By quarter to 7:00 I am in the classroom studying/ warming up my mind for the day.  We have class.  There are three 50 minute classes with a 10 minute break in between.  Lunch until noon.  Four classes.  Hurry up to the hilltop track and change.  Exercise for an hour then dinner.  After that I will study or whatever until I go to speaking club for an hour.  Then homework or whatever until I finish.  That is the basic schedule I put myself on.  It keeps me busy but pretty focused.  The weekends I relax and try to sleep in or whatever.  

New Food

There are a few new treats that I have never before had.  

I did go to the Monterey County Fair.  And the great thing about a fair is the many different things that can be found there.  How about deep fried oreos.  The deep fried oreos were really actually quite good.  

I went to Berkley with a friend the other weekend.  We ate at a yummy pizza place.  I think it was called Fat Slice.  There was this "peace-a" on the wall and I had to take a picture of it.  

Don't you love new food?  Well, new food that tastes good.  

Nice rides

So I am enjoying many things about living where I live.  One of the great things I like are the fancy cars I see.  Here is a great comparison:

A fancy car from my ol' hometown.

You will notice the nice rims, the tinted windows, and of course the custom rear spoiler.  Plywood is a very "expensive" addition to a classic car like this.  Now compare these other cars not from the same neighborhood.  

Here are a couple of cars that you may see are maybe a tinsy bit more fancy.  A lotus is a pretty cool car.  Of course one of my personal favorites would be this Aston Marton.  I like the DB9 model a little more myself.

How about this real classic almost like it was from the past.  Back to the Future, how about this Corvette?  Well these are pretty nice rides.  I wouldn't mind being forced to drive something like that.  A bit expensive for my current conditions but still nice cars.  

Here is another try

Ok, so the previous post mentioned the EARTHQUAKE and the beach here is an attempt at showing those to you.

It looks like it worked.

Not working :(

We did go a few places and have a little bit of fun.  We ate at Ghiredelli's Fine Chocolate shop.  We ate the EARTHQUAKE!!  It is an eight scooper ice cream platter with as many toppings.  Man oh man was it amazing!  

We also went to the beach and it was quite and enjoyable time.  Thank you very much.

I have been trying to get more pictures uploaded but it just sits on a screen saying uploading pictures.  please see the "about me" part at the top right of my blog.  I will keep trying the picture thing.  

I now have my computer!!

It will be a little bit until I can get used to posting pictures etc but I will try to improve as time moves along.  

Traci and Mandy went on a road trip through California last weekend.  As good friends would, they brought some of my personal effects to me.  I know have a few things to wear and some ways to relieve stress.  Thank You Very Much!  Also a great big thanks goes to Mike and Dave for loading my stuff together.  

Leaving foot prints...

This was something a couple of my friends did and it looks like fun:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! (And if you only know me through blogging, then leave your favorite post and why you keep coming back! :) )

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don’t want to play on your blog, or if you don’t have a blog, I’ll leave my memory of you in my comments.

It's been a month

I have made it about a month. I am now phase III. I have some liberties. I am kind of like a person in that I have a certain amount of say in what I do with some of my time. It is great!

I changed rooms this weekend. I now have a roomate. I would prefer not to have one. What can you do? He keeps to himself a bit. I haven't been around much though.

I am needing every extra bit of study time possible (eventhough I don't always use that time the most effectively) I am headed over to the Chinese Speaking Club in a few minutes. It is a chance to get into small groups with teachers or tutors and really get down to the grind on problems. It is also a good opportunity to hone studying skills.

I went to the shopping center this weekend and watched the new mummie movie. The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. It features a chinese mummie. I actually understood a few (very few and very simple) things!

I also have been able to pick out a couple of basic things on the coverage of the 2008 summer Olimpic Games in Beijing China. I have only been able to watch the games during meal times because I don't have a TV. I did enjoy what I have seen! Go USA!! go china or chile.

Testing is more a part of life than sleep

In the last three days I have taken 4 tests. Monday I have another test. The re-take quiz went fine. I got higher. We took a test today and I did ok on it. Not amazing. I was so tired last night I went to sleep early at midnight. I tried something new. I woke up early. 0430 is awefully early. It was nice to take a minute and text David though. I appreciate David's hard work to get up early and support me in my early morning endeavors whenever the occasion arises.

Wednesday we had another walk through for the room inspection war. We get them nightly but because there were zero demerits and we blew away the competiion (which didn't even exist honestly) we did not have to get them yesterday. Today we don't have them because it is the weekend. Basically Wednesday was the last phase II room inspection! I will only have to have it done on sundays and wednesdays from now on since monday I will "phase up."

I am really excited about this weekend I don't have anything planned. Awesome huh?!? Normally I think it would be good to have a plan but apart from some homework/study I can waste some time! It ought to be great! Cheers!

Random update

So here it is wednesday. I slept 4 hours last night. I had a vocab quiz today right after a lesson test. I felt good about the test but the quiz didn't go so well. I will retake the quiz tomorrow with half my class.

I am glad I don't have to worry about certain complexities with Chinese. For example, to learn to roll my R-s in spanish it took 23 months. The problem I have now is that I try to say something simple in chinese like the word for Japan is Riben. I keep rolling my r. That is kind of funny. The teacher just laughed and asked if I speak spanish. Good times! Phase III on monday!

What class is like

First of all for anyone who knows I had a quiz yesterday and our first lesson test today. My scores were as follows respectively: 72.5% and 87.5% I was up until 12:30 studing with two other people last night I had better have improved right? I even studied the night before for several hours. Can you imagine what what I would have got without studing for hours? Amazing huh? This is only the first week. 1 down only 62 to go!

I have converted to the 50-10 standard. My attention span is only 50 minutes. I can do anything for 50 minutes as long as for the next 10 I am free to stop. I can do class for 50 and bathroom/ excersice/ or talk for 10. I can wait for the bus for 50 minutes then ride it for 10. Actually I can also walk up the hill but it feels like I am hiking for 50 minutes. I have a different teacher for for each class period. They rotate between the three different groups. There are 6 people in my class. What a ratio. 1:6! Amazing huh?!? The opportunity I have is really a silver platter one. After 3 periods we go to lunch for an hour then do three more. For now we are doing an extra period at the end of the day for extra study. The only qualm I have with it is that it makes getting to P.T. (physical training) at the Hilltop Field very difficult. I have a stack of books that literaly are like a foot and a half tall and that is only for the first term. There are three terms. And half this material is taken up with english. This is also the smallest stack I will get. I have a lot of chinese to cram into my head! I am so excited! I was also issued an ipod. I will hopefully get my tablet PC within a month. Hard to say at this point. There are in the process of ordering some new ones so I will have to wait for them to get in!

Today after the test we started with chinese grammer. Up til' now it has just been tones and sounds. Although we have learned about what you get out of a high school term in this week we really ought to take off from here. It is very fast paced and I am certainly not the quickest pony on the track. I will require a lot of study time and hard work. It makes it worth it though right? I will have that extra bit of bitterness for those who will get an easy ride stored up for when I have to fight the "bad'ns" like good ol' James Bond!

Mangos and fuzzy lint

In the military, according to my point of view, there are an abundance of competative individuals. One of that lot happens to be my squad leader who is in charge of about 10 rooms. He claims that our sqad is better than another squad. In fact, better than all other squads in the squadron (squad is just the name for about 10 rooms there are 7 squads on our floor and there are two buildings of three floors in our squadron) There is a competition between our squad III and squad IV. The competition is simple. When we have our nightly room inspections the floor chief will accompany the respective squad leader into a randomly selected room and the least amount of demerits wins.

My room was chosen. And why not? My bed is easily the neatest, tightest, and most wrinkle free bed in the building without a doubt. I have no stinky room mate (anymore) to pile junk around and dirty things up. I maintain a very clean room (no laughing from any family members, I speak the truth. I suppose I will need a picture for this one. It will come.) I only have out a couple of very nicely framed items on my shelf and dresser. I really am a freak about the dust. I take pride in finding possible hiding places for dust and ridding the foul invaders from within my realm.

My kingdom was invaded, pre-inspection, and my squad leader said get rid of everything that is out and put it in your wall locker. So I quickly started taking stuff and putting it in my wall locker. I did not have time to locate the fuzzy little lint located beneath my desk organizer (you know the plastic thing with groves to separate pencils and sticky notes and paper clips etc) They found a demerit! Bummer! That just goes to show you don't mess with a man's way of doing things or it never would have been located. It would have been perfect! It didn't matter though, the other blokes had 5 demerits!

I took my first quiz in Chinese today. I will get the score tomorrow. Let's hope for the best right?

I also purchased an air freshener. Guess what scent it is. It is Mango! The same scent I use in my Durango. My room smells delicious!

The Main Event

Church here on post is just a group of people who gather at 2 o'clock on sunday afternoon in the chapel. There is a couple assigned by the stake to come here and make sure everything is done right and provide infor etc for anyone who needs it. Last sunday I was asked to prepare a 15 minutes talk for sacrament meeting this week (July 19th)

Sunday rolls around and there are twelve people total there. After the opening hymn, prayer, and the sacrament I get up to speak. I prepared a talk based from the message Elder Scott gave in the Oct 07 general conference, as per my assignment, on Finding Truth and Making Wise Decisions. It went pretty well and as planned went about 15 minutes or so. Then I sat down. That is all normal right? You may ask why am I going into such detail about sacrament meeting right? Well the thing is, the brother who conducts, then stands up (which is normal and expected) and instead of beginning a talk he says "the closing hymn will be number. . . " That was it. I was the sacrament meeting talk portion-condensed! Don't worry we didn't have a 20 minutes long church. The church is true everywhere, the meeting started 20 minutes late. This week we also had a sunday school portion (because his wife came this week) and after sunday school she gave us brownies. I love the gospel!

In other news, I am getting into the language stuff now. I have forgotten what it was like to not understand a language. I am studying a language and am totally basmupheled by even the most simple of things. I don't know how to say even yes or no which doesn't matter yet since I can't understand the question the teacher is asking me. I hope my previous experience will help me to maintain my patience and push even harder for fluency while I am surrounded by native speakers.

This paragraph will contain my complaints. The beautiful Monterey Bay is exactly that. That means the land rises quickly up and away from the water. I learned in science class that is why there is a difference between water and land. This land the base is on rises and is hilly. My class is down low. After class we have to do P.T. (physical training) I have to very briskly walk (running would be impossible for all but the best athletes, keep in mind hiking is a better term since the journey is through the trees and up dirt paths) up the long hill. The field is called "Hilltop." Not because it is low. If I walk straight there, which is at a faster pace than most, It takes 24 minutes from class to Hilltop Field. My shins were killing me this afternoon! That was my complaint. There is a bus but it is not a thing you can count on when time is as against you as gravity is.

I still love it here! I even picked up a picture frame to add a little decoration to my still room-mate-less room!

I know that the world needs to know the following for it is a breakthrough of titanic proportions:I have hit the West Coast baby! So, little ol' me, the youngest of the boys, and the tallest of the children; James, Jimmy, Angry Jim Bob, the great Jimbo has gone forth to live in California!
So I thought it would be fun to start this blog nearly the same as the last one. I don't have my computer yet so there will be no pictures until I can get mine sent from home.
I have gone to the Air Force Basic Military Training. It was in San Antonio Texas. I lived there for 7 weeks. I arrived in San Antonio and spoke briefly with a few people ( I think Syrissa had the most air time actually ) then went to the USO (the military is a world of acronyms and I'm not sure what that stands for) and sat in nice big leather lazy boys and watched TV and took a nap all day until about 5. That was the last time I slept in a lazy boy until this morning. In fact, that was the last time I was comfortable for a long while.
I left Utah at about 40 degrees. I arrived in Texas at about 95 degrees and 70 something humidity. I got off the plane and was hit it the face by the thick muggy air. I began to sweat until I got back on a plane almost two months later. About 5 o'clock a Basic Military Training Instructor (BMTI or TI) came and hauled us all out to sit on hard wooden benches engeneered for the absence of comfort and the maximum ability for someone to lose the feeling in their legs when sitting with backs straight, head and eyes straight foward, knees bent at 90 degrees, heels touching making 45 degree angle, and hands on your lap with fingers touching and extended with your thumb along your forefinger. We were given a short briefing about tucking in shirts and no jewlry then sent to a bus. When we got on base at Lackland Air Force Base I fully expected a TI to get on the bus and start yelling. We actually were herded off and into an auditorium. A few people started telling what to do and where to sit while our medical records were gathered and sorted. (I didn't realize at the time that they were not TI's but holdover airmen waiting to go to tech school)
We were all marched upstairs to get our feet scanned and a lunch sack. We were given a BMTStudyGuide book, pens, highlighter, handsanitizer etc that we would then carry until graduation. Briefed on some rules. Marched up to our rooms by a TI on our instructor team (not my actual TI but one that would show up from time to time to inflict pain) we marched up to our dorm and found beds and lockers all neatly aligned and organized. We were told to shower and shave and get into bed. By shower and shave I mean literally two minutes to get our stuff and into the Latrine (bathroom or restroom for most folks but since there was neither a bath nor time to rest it is not called by those names) to be done shaving. I was fast on my mission but two minutes is almost so fast you could slit your throat but it is so fast you cannot even dwell on the thought until later. We showered. We = 51 new trainees who still smell like civilians. Stripped down and filed through a square room with 8 shower heads in it. Four on one wall and 4 more on the opposite wall. The whole time with someone yelling faster, faster, faster. The best part was we had to count to shower. 1,2,3,4,5 Switch! 1,2,3,4,5 Switch! 1,2,3,4,5 Switch! Do the math. Five seconds times 8 shower heads= that's right 40 whopping seconds to shower. Try it sometime. Now remember, in those 40 seconds you need to scrub off all of the sweat from 24 hours-yes you even sweat at night.)
Our days were usually started at 0445 (if there wasn't an excuse to begin before that-and trust me our TI was very imaginative) We would go to Physical Readiness Training (PRT or PT) it would consist of running, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, chin-ups and many other things just so we would wake-up. Shower, then go to the dining facility (or eat then shower depending on the day. We actually would shower in the morning and the night)
The Dining facility was were you form up into 4 colums (or elements) of however many people it takes to fit everyone in. You stand at attention outside the Chow Hall and are then called in (that later became my job. I called in the elements when there was enough space for another one to enter.) to eat. You sign in on a roster. You sidestep with your hands on your tray, tray touching the tray of the people next to you, head and eyes straight foward back straight, without bending your knees and get the food put on your tray. You then are directed to a table to "Seat, Eat and Get Out." You now have about 4 minutes (to maybe 6 in later weeks or 7 if you TI gets distracted) to shovel, cram, stuff, or by any means possible funnel the food into your gullet and get the crap out of the chow hall. The bad part is that there are usually 3 or more TI's on the prowl yelling at people. I only almost choked once. And one time I had the chair I was sitting in pulled out from underneath me and thrown across the room. I had to get the chair and get out. I look back now at laugh at that, but at the time it was not very funny.
We had several stages of in-processing. Shots, uniforms, dress uniforms, PT evaluations etc. We had classes on military history to first aid and defense classes to offense.
The people were as diverse as the son of a president of a country who owns 3 construction companies and a computer networking company who wants to be a part of the greatest air power in the world to a drug dealer who saw his life circling the drain and needed a way out.
I have graduated from basic training!
I moved to Monterey California. I am on an Army Post. There are more Airmen than Soldiers, Marines, or Sailers. It is beautiful and nice and cool. There is mist sometimes in the mornings. There are deer that are very accustomed to people that just wonder around. I will slowly gain freedoms as time goes along. I was given an in-brief about our class today and tomorrow will begin english review and then a week from tomorrow begin the Chinese course. I was issued a 30G video ipod to help me learn chinese I am sure I will learn more about that in the coming week. I will also recieve a tablet computer in a month or so. I have plenty of time to eat now. I love it. I am still addicted to ice cream. I also am growing very fond of cheese cake =D.
This is my brief overview of basic and my current status. More to come so stay tuned!!!

My very own blog: Chapter 1-D.C.

I know that the world needs to know the following for it is a breakthrough of titanic proportions:
I have hit the East Coast baby!
So, little ol' me, the youngest of the boys, and the tallest of the children; James, Jimmy, Angry Jim Bob, the great Jimbo has gone forth to visit Mindy and Clint and Beth in Maryland.
I visited Mt. Vernon, Washington D.C. temple, International Spy Museum, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, National Archives, Jefferson/Washington/Lincoln memorials, Cherry Blossom Festival, Arlington Cemetery, White House, Capitol Building, Metro and street vendors.
I ate at such phenomenal places as Potbelly's Sandwiches, Five Guys: famous burgers and fries; Cosi, and the Reeder Family Residence.
I got a little sunburn which is badly needed to add more color than just paste white to my skin. I got a ball cap as a souvenir. I am loving it here and having a wonderful time!