What's been up!

Well it definitely has been too long since I got on here. But I've just been up to the same new same new stuff haha still getting up every morning and doing that "get big" routine! It's incredible what a little work will do to a little guy like me!! Anyways, we got the deck that I had been working on finished!! So while Jon and Auntie Aly were out shopping for patio furniture, I it to babysit little bailey, who happens to be my new best friend! She is the perfect puppy, beagle mixed with lab we think. But she's a floppy dog and loves to play with her ears haha we also saw some parachuters while we were outside BBQ'n which was pretty cool too see, don't see that where I'm from. Been doing a lot of stump work which is getting me that real nice tab that I've been praying for since the day I figured out that white people can tan haha but being out in the back of the yard where the ivy grows with shorts on was probably not the best idea, and my legs definitely suffered for it, I'm still sitting here itching the hell out of them!
Yesterday, Uncle J and I went up to Washington D.C. which was absolutely awesome! Got to sit in on some really cool conversations between some important people and had my first Chik-Flit-A lunch, which was surprisingly good. Especially because the owner of the company picked up 5 of everything!! Spending that time with Uncle J was awesome though, still can't believe how much our stories relate, and what really blows my mind is how lucky I am to be in the situation he has put me in. Everyone I have talked to and that he has introduced me to has always said "I would do anything to know what I know now, back then.", "If I could be any age again, it would be 18", or "I wish someone would have told me _____ when I was younger so I could have better prepared myself for _____". Well I am 18, I have a countless number of people giving me advice, and I have nothing but time to learn what I need to, really couldn't have asked for anything more. And I still can't even begin to fathom what I owe to this man I call my uncle, even if he doesn't think so. Things like this can't go unacknowledged. So if you're reading this Uncle J, just be ready!
One picture that I wanted to note on was the Beatles poster, signed by all 4 of them. I guess we went to this restaurant called Abbey Road, really good soda there haha but they had so much memorabilia there it blew my mind, but it also took me back home thinking about a certain someone. And man oh man.. The memories that came flying in we're almost overwhelming, just glad to still be able to say that they are still in my life.
Something important that I learned from an old man out here was to be appreciative of every second of life you have. This guy was 74 years old And I asked him how his day was going, his reply was "great! I woke up and looked in the paper, flipped to the obituary and didn't see my face, so I have no complaints." kind of a funny way too look at it, but it just shows that some people are just worried about the wrong things in life, simply because there is nothing to truly be worrying about. It's just a waste of time, and time is the only thing that will ever truly run out.
But hey, gotta get back to studying! Be sure to update soon.

Stay humble!

Assemble!

Well since the other day, I've been up to a whole lot of things! It's pretty crazy how fast time is flying by when you aren't paying attention to it. Finally starting to get a little bit of homesickness and it's only getting worse.. But then something happens and I can't even explain what it is or how it works, but missing home is part of the motivation I get to keep going. It's weird (not trying to sound coincided) going from being everyone's friend and the go-to guy, to being the new guy who has a tough time even being heard when he talks. But I know this is a good thing because I'm seeing my own world from a different perspective. Which is something everyone should experience, but very few ever do. Anyways, have had a lot of work to do lately too, bringing dirt up and around and down and out, pulling up tree stumps, getting the salt water pool up and running. But the most rewarding feeling I have felt yet on this trip has got to be the beach.. Worked long and hard all day and finally got a chance to go run and jump in the big blue ocean. Water is clear enough to see the bottom, and the sand is soft and warm. Couldn't have found a better way to relax. Last night we went and saw the Avengers with Uncle J, Courtney, and little Jonathan. By far the best action movie I have seen in a long, long time. And what was cool is that I finally understand the story behind it all, and it's not just some superhero I looked up to as a kid. Understanding is an action that my too many people appreciate, and I'll tell you what, I can't get enough of it. But I gotta get back to work! I'll be sure to be back either later today or tomorrow.

We got a problem

So I've been getting really busy lately, and can't keep up with the day by day updates.. So from here on out, we are just going to be having the updates when I can. They will be longer with more information on what I've been up too. Stay tuned (;

Day 8

Today didn't have a whole lot to talk about, but I'm starting to understand that I have a lot to learn. At the same time I have realized that I have learned a lot about myself. I'm flying through this ASVAB training booklet, and it's actually kind of ridiculous how much I have learned from this one text book compared to the 4 years in high school, learning the same material.. Oh well, better now than never, right?
After work, Uncle J, James, Jon, and myself went out to Catch 31 (really nice place on the beach front) for dinner, got myself some wings. Probably some of the best I've ever had haha. The stories i heard from these men had me laughing out of my chair, and even though me and Jon were going to go to a pool tournament, I'm glad we ended up doing this. It's pretty incredible how just by changing the people you surround yourself with, how you begin to enjoy the time you spend with them. Not saying I don't miss home, but it feels more than great to finally meet some new faces and see some new places. Just wish a certain someone was around to enjoy all this with me! Anyways, like I said, not a whole lot went on today other than work and the work out. Back at it in the morning! Talk to everyone tomorrow!

Bible Verse of the Day - Matthew 8 : 10
He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.

Day 7 / Task 3 cont.

Today I had to wake up at 5:00am sharp and be running by 5:15am so I would have enough time to get ready before Uncle J, his friend James and I all went to Citrus for breakfast. That my friends was quite the challenge.. But I made it happen! After breakfast we headed over to where Uncle J needed us to be at to help with the experiment that Touch Table Inc. is involved in, which was way to cool for my own good haha. We then went and got some lunch at Gator's, which had a mean Philly Cheese. But what made this place even better for me and Jon was a fine young lady named Lindsay, problem for me was she was 29 years old.. Was kind of mad about that haha. After lunch Jon and I went back to his house to work on the deck some more and as you can see in the picture, we got the frame of it all done! Took a lot of work, but after listening to Uncle J about how to lift and move different things without straining my back made a complete difference, and even made it a little easier! Jon then took me back to the command post, also known as Uncle J's house, where I found out they were going out again with some of the guys and I was planning on going out with them. But Uncle J then brought it to my attention that it had been awhile since I studied anything on the ASVAB, and asked me if I was going to make the decision to stay at home alone to study. I really wanted to go out because I'd been bustin' my ass all day, but stayed back and knocked out a good portion of the study book! Came to find out later that I made the right choice because not very many people came out tonight and it wouldn't have been much fun for myself. I even get to go to bed a little earlier!! Wolverines!

P.S. check out that crazy looking duck...

Bible Verse of the Day - Ezekiel 20 : 48
A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished - sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lighting! Shall we rejoice in the scepter of my royal son?the sword despises every such stick.

Day 6 / Task 3 - Build Jon's Deck

Well this morning was rough at about 2:30am, but after I emptied myself and filled up with a bottle of water, I got back to bed with just enough time to take a nap before I got back up at 5:30am to get started on the 4 mile morning run. As you can see from the gorgeous picture from the marina bridge, this run was well worth it. First real sunrise I've ever seen, and it came out of the ocean! Too cool. After I got back Uncle J, Jon, and myself all went to Citrus for breakfast. Which happens to be where Courtney works, too bad she was in school. But just another reminder of how beautiful this place and the people are here haha. Afterwards Uncle J and I went to the recruiting office for the Air Force and got some much needed information. We tried to stop by about 3 Navy offices, but they were all closed. Uncle J has opened my eyes to the factor of fate in life, and today was a very good sign of that. Came over to Jon's after that to help him build a deck, he's got a pretty nice place here.

So we headed back home to get ready for dinner at 7. But me and Uncle J had a really good conversation beforehand helping me explain to myself what it is that is making me nervous about this entire situation, and he explained it perfectly, it's nothing more than riding a bike.

Anyways, dinner rolls around and we went to Catch 31. I got to meet Mandy who was awesome, taught me a lot about the educational system and process within the military. The best part about dinner was watching the two creeps move in on the two babes sitting at the end of the bar. When the tab came around, the macho man forgot that he told the girls and the bartender that he would pick up the tab which created a huge confrontation between him and everyone else. But he was still so drunk that he talked himself into paying it anyways.. He was a fool beyond belief, but entertaining nonetheless. Just got home and found out that I have to wake up even earlier than usual to make it in time for breakfast at Citrus again tomorrow morning with all the guys, so goodnight everyone!! Stay humble.

Bible Verse of the Day - Isaiah 57 : 3
Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

Day 5

Today I woke up on the normal time for the weekend for my run and work out. It was the last day for the 3 mile run so I tried to make the best out of it haha. While on my run I stopped for a minute to stretch my legs and I came across this tree. When I started to look a little closer I noticed the beginnings of a bee hive. Now we all know how big those suckers can get, but I have never seen one just getting started.. Which made me realize that everything, even something as naturally complex as a bee hive, has to start somewhere. I know I'm not the biggest, strongest, most intelligent person in the world. But I'm getting started on a journey that I hope and know will make me into the man I want to be.

Today was actually a really fun day after I got back from working out. Auntie Aly and Uncle J planned a BBQ for us and some friends at their house,. So we spent most of the day cleaning up the backyard and making it look nice for company. Auntie Aly and the little munchkins prepared the burgers and everything else that was needed all afternoon, Auntie Aly made her famous cake which I will touch back on in a bit. After we got the cleaning done, we had to head over to Fort Story, so I got my first taste of a security clearance which was pretty fricken cool, still can't believe how real this is all becoming. We didn't do much there at Ft. Story but unload a touch table and put it in a trailer. I met Doug and Dave, who are both former Navy SEALS, which was absolutely surreal. One thing that I have noticed is that everyone that I have met so far you would never guess were in the military. Anyways, Doug and I had a talk about just general stuff I should know about the military and I definitely took that to heart and will keep it in mind when I do get in there. What was surprising to me was that when I told him I wanted to join the Navy in pursuit of Special Boats, he steered me away from that and towards AFSOC. Said if he could do it all over again, that's what he would do.

So once we got back to Jason's we did a few more things, just quick clean up and preparation for the night. It was pretty cool once everyone started showing up because it was like one big family. I met Boris, who is an awesome guy. Really funny and easy to have a conversation with. Told me to stay focused, and pursue what I have a passion for. The guy I'm really getting along with is Uncle J's best friend Jon. He is one of the coolest guys I've ever met and has some awesome stories. All in all it was a great night and I even got to meet a famous dog as you can see in the picture. But for lack of better words to describe tonight, it's going to be a rough morning haha goodnight everyone.

Bible Verse of the Day - Proverbs 23 : 2
Do not make friends with the hot-tempered, do not associate with those who are easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.