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.

Day 4 / Task 2 - Pressure wash the driveway

Well today was probably the easiest so for just because there wasn't a whole lot of a hard sweat labor involved. Again, not complaining.. Just saying. Anyways... Woke up at about 6:45am and got my run and work out done, and man do the side cramps kill me., what's even weirder is that the right side of my abs are smaller than than left, and that's the side that hurts lol but I got to go to little Jonathan's soccer game later this morning, picture of the little guy here, and the little superstar played his heart out and his team won, which was very exciting! But man oh man, soccer mom wonderland over here on Virginia Beach haha

Me and Uncle J then came back and busted out the 3000psi pressure washer and did the entire drive way, pictures are up of that too. He explained to be how that even when it's pouring down rain, at least after the storm the sun starts shining, and sure enough it did! Once we got done with that we came back inside and had spaghetti and meatballs! One of mu favorites! We then went into the living room to relax and watch a movie. Jonathan wanted to finish the avengers movies before it comes out on Friday, so we decided we were going to watch them in order, starting with the hulk. This little guy is really the little brother I never had, gotta love 'em! Goodnight everyone.

Bible Verse of the Day - Psalm 49 : 18
Human beings who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

Day 3

Day three was great but a little sore at the same time. I love the feeling of getting up in the morning and working out, but like I said before about the jet lag, my body sure isn't used to all of this yet. We did finish the dirt project though, and that gave me a fantastic sense of accomplishment. Even though it was only dirt from the front to the back yard, I could really get used to starting and finishing something just for the sake of it needs to be done. The weather was also amazing today, little bit of a breeze, but I still got a little sunburn as you can see in the picture.. Afterwards Auntie Aly made an amazing dinner, complete with asparagus, some fancy rice, and a London Broil steak (what a hunk of meat). Uncle J finally gave me an evening to recover and we watched the movie The Recruit, too fricken cool! And Auntie Aly made some premium apple pie with ice cream!! Got to bed a little bit early just so I could enjoy the sleep and prepare for the weekend. All in all, good day.

Bible Verse of the Day - Joshua 9 : 25
"Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the valley of Aijalon." so the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies.

Day 2

Well starting off day 2 was little more startling than yesterday. Was so exhausted that I immediately fell asleep, but was woken up this morning by that damn alarm again.. This time I about jumped out if my skin! Went on my run and did the work out. Uncle J told me yesterday instead of working from higher reps to lower, to go the opposite.. Kicked my ass this morning, but that's what I asked for. Can't wait to get used to this so I'm not in and out of consciousness so much haha

Didn't have to do a lot of manual labor today, but me and Uncle J ended up going to Barnes and Nobel to pick up a couple of journals to keep my thoughts in, and an ASVAB practice test book so I can begin studying for that as well. It kind of feels good to expand my knowledge with things that are actually going to apply to my real life and not some bogus bull that some high school teacher who hates their life teaches me. Anyways, we also saw a bunch of F-16s flying around today while we were out and about which looked fricken awesome. Gotta get back to studying though! Be back later. P.S. that picture is my work station.. I'll be here all night haha


Bible Verse of the Day - Jeremiah 15 : 18
Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation; to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.

Task 1 - Move Dirt

It might not look like much, but it goes all the way back to the fence.. And the dirt just so happens to be wet as well. Less dirt per wheel barrel, means more trips back and forth. But who's complaining? I'm getting the work done and a work out, pops always told me two birds with one stone haha I'll be sure to update with the finished project.


So the second picture uploaded shows all the work my uncle and I have gotten done, still not done but we are getting close! Worked on this same thing for 7 hours today.. Unreal.

And the third picture is all of the roots from the oak tree that we were able to dig up, and believe it or not, it took almost 4 days with 2 fine young men working on it to get all that up.

Starting off the official Day 1

Well I woke up to the sound of a nuclear warhead going off, but that was just the alarm I had set for 5:30am, which means for my body 2:30am.. But keeping it real and honest, it felt great. Got done a little early so I had time to post this update, but now it's time to begin the push-ups and sit-ups. Stay humble everyone!

Bible Verse of the Day - Job 39 : 14
She lays her eggs on the ground and let's them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal might trample them. She treats her young harshly as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain, for if God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at a horse and rider.

Just gettin' my feet wet.

Me and Uncle J went for a drive down the Virginia beach Avenue in his '70 road runner. Took a walk down to the beach and got my feet in the sand before we went to lunch at Waterman's right there on the beach. What a way to kick it off.