Going to Where the Wind Blows...

Let's see...

Language: Wow. So... The EOCT kicked my butt. Grrr. Now I have to redirect fire and try not to get blindsided again. We've been working on that for a few weeks and I think there's been some improvement but who knows? The material we've been working with is so far ahead of the curve that it's difficult to gauge just how well I'm doing. I've also been trying to gear up for the next (normal) unit test coming up this week. I'm feeling alright about it all, to be honest. Each time the language starts to really get me down I have an awesome speaking session.

A week or two ago I managed to detail my life story in Korean to my teacher. That same morning he and I started rambling about space Marines on account of my finally finding out that Starcraft 2 is coming out. There's been a few cracks about my trying to play with some Koreans for speaking practice but we all know that they'd destroy me. Starcraft is a cult over there. On a slightly more serious note I managed to pull a rather detailed comparison between the cultures and languages of the USA and Korea in Korean out of the air. My teacher was so impressed he's charged me with writing an essay and entering it into the contest. We'll see...

My study hasn't been all I've wanted it to be with everything going on... There's just not enough time in the day. It is getting better, however. Giggles has been doing better with the tutoring, which is always nice. My vocab project may have had it's official support stripped from it by a couple of teacher's pride, however. Hrmph. They have another thing coming if they think their delicate ego is going to stop a Marine from accomplishing his mission.

Fitness: I haven't been running much lately but I've been lifting more and I'm noticing subtle changes here and there. Today I've decided to abandon the circuit course and go for the classic three-set plan. I'm just not moving fast enough between stations thanks to how the weights are set up in the fitness center and how crowded it gets so I'm not getting the benefits. I've also bit the bullet and started making post-workout shakes to give my muscles what they need to recover from being smoked. They are pretty tasty with my milk, yogurt, liquid multivitamin, whey protein, banana, and frozen strawberries. Not too heavy on the fruit thanks to the sugar content but it works out. I've also found this new energy supplement that works wonders on my system with no noticeable side effects. That's also very nice.

I'm still planning on running the San Francisco Marathon... It'll be a challenge because I've been running less but I can pull it off. I'm that stubborn. Plus I now have a few good friends willing to support me when I'm weak.

Apartment: This has turned out to be one hell of a project... But it's slowly coming together. My kitchen finally has appliances in it and now I have not one but two girls who like to come over and try their hand at cooking. My other friend (being a guy) helps me with the dishes. The place is still a mess (even though my friends deny it) but it's getting better. The best part of it all is that I am feeling better and I'm developing a sanctuary here. The energy is really good... My friends come here and feel relaxed just by being here. Even the plants are responding to it and are just taking off.

Oh. I've also started collecting BAH... So very, very nice. I'm not poor anymore. Thank you, admin!

Automotive: I think there is something wrong with my left rear wheel... like the shock is a little out of whack. I only notice it when the vehicle is heavily loaded but it doesn't take bumps too well. It looks like it's been lowered. Honest. I'm going to take it the autoport this week or the next as I'm planning on a 560+ mile drive home for class break. That's going to be a blast.

Gaming: Purchased the Starcraft Battle Chest. Mmmm. A classic. Purchased God of War 2... So sick. The Musician calls it the most epic game ever. I only play it when the others are around. I've played with the new D&D group a couple of times too but I'm seriously debating dropping D&D all together. I feel like I have the choice been role playing a hero or really being one with where my life is going now.

Medical: So my mask was trying to eat the skin off my face earlier. It seems to be better now but that really hurt. It's still a bit annoying... Being asked 6-8 times per day what was wrong with my face was really annoying. I need to figure out how to regulate this.

Military: Being a fireteam leader has it's ups and downs... I'm not quite sure what the ups are though. The experience is valuable but I feel like every time I slip in the slightest that I'm going to get reamed for it. Hasn't happened yet (the reaming part) but it keeps me on my toes. I'm still trying to fuse us into a tighter unit and now we have a nug. For some reason, Corporal gave him to me instead of to Hairdo (another fireteam leader). It's rather exciting to get my first boot to chew on. Privates are absolutely adorable.

Personal: I could go into detail but... No. This is something personal. Ha!

Let's just say that I have found 'better' in the form of a lovely young lady with red hair and crystal blue eyes. Truly better. So much so that I feel like I'm racing to keep up with her... Which is a nice change to my trying to drag all these little girls along with me. Of course, M'Lady doesn't think she's that amazing (even though she has specified which adjectives I'm allowed to use for describing certain things and they are not humble words). I think what we are most impressed with is how things are quiet when we are near the other. Even if the world is a storm around us, we can generate this little bubble of peace and calm when we are together. We're both used to just giving and giving and giving to the people around us until we are truly exhausted on multiple levels.

Now we seem to be feeding each other and being stronger together than we are alone.

I'm trying really hard to be sane about this... And I have the driver's seat. Which is kind of amusing considering how she is everywhere else. There is something else I've noticed. When I'm close to her, it feels right. Kissing her puts me to ease instead of sets me on edge. It's a huge difference compared to where I've been before and just one more way of underlining how wrong that person was for me. However. I am thankful for the experience to show me just how wonderful M'Lady is.

I feel compelled to work harder... To be worthy. To be what the best that I can be for her. And so, my quest continues. It is a personal one but it is the one that truly matters.