Training Day 75

Language: I only had a half day today thanks to medical... But it was a good half day. We did all sorts of crazy things with new grammar patterns. I think the highlight of my day was figuring out how to say, "Get off your fat ass and run." The literal translation was "Lift your fat ass off the chair and run." Of course, half the humor is in botching the translation. For example, I used the verb for "lift" which entails grabbing with your hands and pulling up. Not quite what I intended. Apparently, I really want to use the verb "separate" for that sentence. Heh.

Apartment: I hate tight pay cycles... Let's not do that again. I lost the apartment because I couldn't materialize the $100 for the holding deposit and another couple snuck in after me. Now I have to find another place... Fortunately, while I was in medical a Marine sergeant called her realtor and asked her to look for some properties for me. Maybe I'll get a phone call.

Medical: So I went to medical today to get my eye looked at, my feet looked at, and my referral to an ENT. That didn't happen. I waited in sick call until 1000 and then triage, despite knowing it was an eye problem and saying that I needed to see an optometrist, sent me to see a different doctor. Who told me to go see an optometrist. Then at reception while I was making my appointment to take care of my eye, feet, and referral... The receptionist said that I could just walk into the optometrist. As I already burned an entire morning I burned my lunch hour too but at least I got looked at. End result: wash my eyes with baby shampoo and put three different drops in my eye. Come back in a couple weeks. Too bad I wasn't told to walk-in from the start.

Personal: I hit the road today at 1600. I didn't get off until 0200. I endured that and many other things today.

Training Day 74

Lazy day...

Language: Another day. So slow... Oh well. Tonight's homework was transcription and translation.

Apartment: I went to look at the apartment today with my squad leader. I really like the layout. It's nicer than the other ones I've looked at with more storage space in logical areas... but it is a bit smaller. Still has a full kitchen and bath though. Having an NCO there really helped with the application process as he could vouch for my employment, references, and more so I was this close to sealing the deal... But no one anywhere would give me a cashier's check or money order. Fortunately, tomorrow is payday. So I have to get that together tomorrow during lunch, rush it over, put a hold on the apartment, then get a copy of the to-be-signed lease agreement so that I can get the rest of the money for the security deposit and first month's rent. Joy.

Medical: I am going to sick call tomorrow for my eye, feet, and referral to an ENT doctor. I'm also sore from yesterday's workout and a few old injuries are popping up... My left foot is all tense and out of shape and my left ITB is acting up. Again. Same injury just about crippled me in boot camp. Of course this happens right before a race... but I made it through MCT on a bad knee so I can suck it up through a half marathon.

Personal: Too much too fast right now... I'm looking for a chance to unwind. Probably won't be until next weekend... when I finally can stand in my own apartment and surround myself with the people, things, and routines that bring me peace. I'm taking charge of my own life.

Training Day 73

Language: This morning sucked a bit... But, for some reason, my mood was much approved in the afternoon and time went by quicker. I was also more animated and involved in class. As for homework... Tonight I just needed to study for tomorrow's quiz.

Marathon: I confirmed my registration for my races and both races sent me e-mails with instructions. Saturday's race is going to be easy. The actual marathon, however, will be a gut check.

Apartment: My BAH was approved today! And tomorrow my sergeant is going with me to look at the apartment. Not only do I really appreciate his input but, if it it is a good apartment and he gives the okay, I'll go ahead and work on the lease right there. As soon as I have an address I can get my commuter sticker, change my mailing address, and apply for that grant/loan to cover the initial deposit. Maybe the landlord will even negotiate on the deposit.

Today was my last field day. Mwaha. My platoon mates hate me.

Fitness: I woke up early this morning and started my day with a PB&J sandwich. I think it helped. For morning PT we ran, sprinted, did planks, push-ups, pull-ups... Just a bunch of stuff and I felt okay through all of it. Not great but okay. When I went to the gym during lunch? That is when I felt great. Today's routine called for working on my arms, neck, and abs... It's weird. My left forearm is weaker than my right but my right bicep is weaker than my left.

Personal: I did a lot of thinking today... And I took a couple big steps. We'll see what happens.

In other news, this one guy thinks I'm going to kill him in his sleep. Which is funny because I'm not even mad at him but he doesn't listen when someone tells him that. It is, however, somewhat flattering that he thinks that way about little ol' me. It's been years since I was even in a fist-fight, much less killed someone.

Training Day 72

Language: Wow today sucked. Not only did the teachers not collect my awesome map... But I couldn't focus at all today. We've slowed class down so much that it's terribly boring and various stuff keeps intruding on my mind. Also, I cut my thumbnail too short to jab it into my pinkie hard enough to bring me back into focus. Bah. Tonight's homework was just a bit of writing and I pounded the vocab.

Military: I worked on my Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership MCI today.

Apartment: I didn't go to my showing today. The landlord was having a crazy day and one of my tires was going flat so we rescheduled to Thursday. Oh... and the base commander is too busy to glance at my form and sign it so I'm still waiting. At least the landlord told me that the tenants move out on Saturday and that it should only take a couple of days to clean the place up. Tomorrow may be my last field day! I may move in next week!

Fitness: Today was off to a rocky start. We show up for the 0515 PT formation, it's really cold, and then it starts raining so my sergeant sends us away... Just so that our Platoon Sergeant could call us all back. I was this close to getting in the shower. I just had to go back to my room for soap. So instead my fireteam turned to "OFP PT" at the weight room and I went for a stairs run. Quick but effective.

Automotive: As I mentioned earlier... Had a near flat. I noticed my tire was acting up before something broke. So I put the spare on, went to the on-base gas station, and put air in all the tires. Problem solved.

Medical: I have permission to go see medical for my three different issues. 1. That thing in my right eye that has been bugging me for years 2. A referral to see an ENT 3. My feet. Now to actually get an appointment.

Personal: I mended my PJ bottoms today... It seems small, I know, but I managed to fix something of mine on my own. Other than that... I've felt out of it today. I'm trying to find a way to work through all this. Games isn't the answer and I actually cancelled my GameTap subscription today. I'm still struggling with my webcomics addiction but I'll get that under control too... Hrm. I don't know how other people make this look so easy.

Oh! And I've been formally invited to a wedding.

Training Day 71

Language: I showed my e-mails to my MLI but I don't know what is going to happen with that. Other than that... Today was a really slow day. I was all sorts of out of it for most of it. Then tonight's homework was to draw a map. No joke. So I did...

Apartment: I tried to fax in my application for that apartment I wanted just to find out it was rented out yesterday. Gah! At least I have all that information in one spot now. I also talked to the relief office for help with my initial deposit but they say I need to show up with a rental agreement. Fortunately, the lender's closet is much more understanding. I just need to show up with an ID and they'll give me whatever I want. I may need that soon. One of the complexes I spotted on Saturday called me back today with an apartment that will be opening up soon. I go by to look at floor plans tomorrow.

Fitness: Busy, busy day! Kicked it off this morning at 0515 with fireteam PT. We ran up and down some stairs with calisthenics mixed in, ran up to the top of the hill, then sprinted 1/4 of a mile in 1:23. I pushed myself hard to keep up and, ultimately, my body ran out of fuel. I pushed through that and felt my abs contract around my stomach. Then on the walk back I vomited. It's not as bad as I remember it being...

Then during lunch I went and lifted weights at the fitness center. I still had time to spare too. No marathon training as I had to handle my apartment stuff.

Personal: Chugging along... One of my friends is sick so I'm keeping an eye out for her. Other than that, I'm just focusing on taking care of business.

Training Day 70

So this would be Sunday... One of my friends gave me a computer virus. Whee.

Language: I pounded vocab to prepare for tomorrow's quiz. I also received some e-mails from the Transparent Language corporation. They produce BYKI! and Rapid Rote and were very interested in the lists that I am trying to publish. So interested, in fact, that one of their managers decided to e-mail (in addition to his assistant) and was urging me to speak to some people with very high billets in my school. People like deans, chancellors, and some acronym I'm not familiar with.

Apartment: I drove around outside the other side of base looking for apartments and while I did find some complexes they were all too expensive. Blech.

Personal: I did some laundry as it was my last chance to. Vegged a bit. Went out with the Hooah to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It wasn't our normal theater but it was nicer. As for the movie itself... once I got over the initial shock of the movie being CG and some of the plot, it was actually an enjoyable movie. Purists may freak but if you can separate yourself from that it should be fun. It helped that the kids were well-behaved.

So... I think my reprogramming is working. I'm feeling things more and doing better with expressing them. It's kind of double-edged though. Poor Hooah caught me dumping a lot of my aggravation and frustration with everything.... I think I used proper grammar but I didn't breathe much between words. Anyways... Feeling things more? My voice vibrated when I spoke. Crazy.

I wonder if I stumbled upon my 'great voice'?

Fortunately, I maintained my reason. I knew that while I was certain feeling things that they were based on information that hadn't been confirmed yet. I needed to know what was really going on before I could do anything. I wanted to make sure that what I did was a conscious, planned decision and not a hasty, damaging reaction.

It's a good thing too. Later that evening I managed to get a clear view of what was going on and act accordingly. Fortunately, while I certainly felt my emotions and expressed them, I did it in such a way as to not do any damage. Then I was able to handle the truth properly.

...I think I may be growing up. For a lot of different reasons. I think I'm starting to master my learning curve instead of falling down it.

Training Day 69

Saturday... Hrm.

Apartment: I started my morning off by getting a haircut then driving around looking at some of the properties I had my eyes on. Ew. You definitely get what you pay for. I felt a bit put out for having failed to find a good apartment when I found an awesome apartment on a road near base. It's a decent size, well-maintained, has a balcony, full kitchen, full bath, large closet, teachers for tenants... A nice apartment. It hits the ceiling of my budget but I think it would be worth it. I took an application so we'll see what happens.

Personal: Busy, busy day... Rounded up several friends (Momrine, Hooah, Zoomie, Marzipan, and Zoomie's fiance) and we all went down to the boardwalk. Unfortunately, the lovely beach weather we had all week vanished as soon as we determined we actually wanted to enjoy it. So we just rode a couple rides instead. I was pleased to discover that I have completely conquered my fear of heights and rides.... what used to terrify me and prompt a string of curses is now exhilarating. I now laugh. Marzipan seems to have the same fears I used to have and I certainly did not help him cope.

I also discovered that warcrying on the pirate ship is both therapeutic and amusing.

I played DDR with Hooah for a bit (actually, I spent most of my time with the Hooah) then I played Time Crisis II with Zoomie. We actually managed to beat the game and I am proud to say that I was the top shooter. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, I died during the final boss fight and while I was feeding quarters into the machine he fired the kill shot. So the machine ate my quarters and told me it was game over so I could watch the end FMV on his box. Bah.

Then we all headed over to the Momrine's house... I had a good chat in the car. I tried my hands at cooking dinner while the others drank a little (not my thing) and discovered that cooking chicken breasts with vegetable oil is both time-consuming and dangerous. That stuff gets everywhere. I even managed to make some of it ignite briefly. The Hooah says that's okay. We nibbled on the food I made and I caught bit of Johny Dangerously while I was cooking.

Unfortunately, the Zoomie decided we should play this game called "The Seven Deadly Sins." I wasn't comfortable with it for several reasons. Fortunately, most everyone there understood. Unfortunately, the Zoomie didn't. I don't know what it is but he has to either be oblivious or just not think about what he says because some of the stuff that falls out of his mouth is reprehensible. Anyways... we didn't play.

Then I took people home and drove around for a bit listening to music to clear my mind. Weird day.

Training Day 68

So... Yeah. Really late. Crazy weekend. This would be Friday.

Language: Reading and writing tests today... 92/92! That translated to B+/A- because of the crazy sliding scales on my course but that's such a huge improvement for me. I actually know this language and am getting better all the time. Then we watched this pretty horrible movie.

Military: It's a loose connection but today I proved that my MCT-acquired marksmanship skills are as sharp as ever. If not more so now that my body is almost working right.

Personal: Wow... so... Today I got to watch how I react to a situation. First, the shock of the initial statement hits me. Then I scramble trying to get more information to understand what is going on. When I don't get that information and for a while later, I seem to shift gears until I am exuding aggression as my frustration and shock play out. One of my classmates said, "I'm going to stand on this side of the table." I also stomped the floor. Later I start bouncing the situation off of some of my friends to get their perspectives on it. They also help me work out my own thoughts. Finally, things start to make sense. Once the situation stops being strange and sudden I can work through it.

Then I have to make my decision: freak out or handle it. I choose to handle it. I am at peace.

It's when I'm blind-sided by something and don't have the necessary information or time to figure out how to handle it that I start getting tense and defensive. I think it may stem from a feeling of having just been attacked and I'm on the lookout for any other assaults. Fortunately, I am getting much better at working through all of my emotions in such a way that no one gets hurt or freaked out. It's also taking me a whole lot less time to reach the 'acceptance to action to peace of mind' stage.

End result is that what I thought would really suck will actually work out for the better.

...However, because of what I was feeling I didn't get a lot done. I kind of vegged. At some point I went out to get Chinese food with The Hooah and then we went to a movie. I determined that I just needed to get out of my room and have some fun with a friend. We had several really good and deep conversations over chow. We arrived at the theater too late to catch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles so instead we saw 300. I had never seen the film before.

It rocked. For so many reasons. 'Nuff said. While waiting for the movie to start we played some games at the little B-rate arcade in the theater and that is where I put my MCT skills to the test. It's the difference between firing at the range and firing for combat. So between getting to put some of my training to use (I know it's just a game but it's still rewarding) and watching an awesome movie, I was feeling pretty good when I hit the rack.

Of course, I had a hard time sleeping. Too pumped up.