In Response

Okay, I will go in order per the comments posted on my last blog.

Susannah,
As you said it is a war so I can understand the worry. But I also know everything will be okay. As for the Airport, I would let you know the time, but to be honest, I am not even 100% sure on the date. April ninth is a tentative date, meaning it may be different. It will most likely be the ninth but I was told it could be a day or two later. I will know the date and time when I get my itinerary. That could be as soon as this weekend when I am on base for UTA, or it could be as late as a day or two before I go. Part of our Squadron deployed this last weekend (some on Saturday, some on Sunday) and the didn't get their itinerary until Thursday. That being said, I will gladly let people know when I do, but due to the short notice, I will understand if people can't make it, and just knowing you wanted to is good.

Alison,
My official job title is Air transportation. That means anything that that goes on or off an Air Force trasnsport plane (a cargo plane) goes through us. For example, people, basic cargo, mail, weapons, humvees, tanks even helicopters. And of course other things but you get the idea. Air Transportation is split up into a few different areas, but basically we prepair whatever is being trasported for transport, load and secure the load, and when it gets to its destination, unload, breakdown and make sure everything gets to it's intended recipient. As of right now, I am assigned to Cargo but more specifically Special Handeling when I get to Iraq. But that could change to give us experience in multiple areas.

Amy,
To be honest with you, being away from Marni and the kids is the hardest part about going, and I worry about that more than I do about any possible danger. When I first found out I was on the Alternate list we went through a processing line. Normally it is what you do jsut before deploying to make sure you have everything done in preperation for deployment, from paperwork to vaccinations. We did it just to see where we were, so we would know what else we needed to do before going, and to start our vaccinations. In that line I was told that we would be given 3 fifteen minute phone calls per week to talk to family. That is more than during basic, but still is not much time. It turns out that is the standard, or the general rule. Luckily because I am Air Force, and because I am in a job that keeps me on a base, the rule doesn't exactly apply. We will still be give our 3 fifteen minute calls, but as I mentioned before, we will also have internet access. So in addition to e-mail, I will be able to do video chats with them, as much as everyday. Although it does not take the place of being with them like now, it will definately make it a lot easier.

Safety in the Aerial Port!

I have found that most people's initial reaction when I say I am deploying is one of worry, or fear, or just basically it is looked at in a negative way. So I want to clear that up a little. I am not worried so I don't think anyone else should be either. After all I did volunteer.
As mom implied in her comment, even though I will be deploying to Iraq, I will be relatively safe while there.
My job in the Aerial Port means I will be on base working all the time. That means no roadside bombs or any of that stuff. The base itself is basically a "safe zone" as I heard someone else refer to it, which helps keep it safe and in turn us safe. On base we will have access to everything we need, from our housing to food, even a base gym and a BX, meaning we would not really have to leave base to get anything. And to answer moms question, we will also have access to internet, which means we can send and receive e-mail.
Of course there is a war going on, but those in my career field are pretty lucky as we have one of the safest jobs you can have in that environment.
I guess what I am saying is if you are worried about me getting shot or anything, you don't need to as it is very unlikely.
Let me know if you have any other questions or anything.

Sather

So when I officially got to my squadron in the November UTA (the weekend a month that I go in) we heard that the squadron would be deploying to Iraq in May. During formation that morning as a Captain came through inspecting us, he asked me if I was going to be going on the deployment. I told him I didn't know, and he said he would talk to be later. (he never did) However that did get me thinking, and talking to one of the new guys that was in tech school the same time as me. I basically decided that I would much rather volunteer to go than to be volun-told. So the other guy, Airman Broadhead asked about the chances of us going. We were basically told that new guys like us would never be selected to go as we had not on the job experience. Plus they were taking 40 people and already had something like 56 volunteers. Well later Broadhead was talking to one of the higher ranking Enlisted guys who happened to be in charge of the deployment. Broadhead decided to volunteer even though he was told there would be little chance of him going. So I talked to the guy a little and let him know I would much rather volunteer to go.

Well nothing really happened and I didn't really hear much more about it, Until January UTA when they came out with the list of the 40 that would be going. Of course I was not on it, however next to it was an alternate list, which was basically people that could go if someone dropped off the main list. Guess what, my name was on that one. I found out that Broadheads brother-in-law who is also in our squadron talked to some people and pulled some strings and got Broadhead on the list as he really want to go. I on the other had was still basically told that it could be possible for me to go but not really likely, because a few people would have to drop off the list before they would move me over. We were also told that as it was 100% volunteer at that point if anyone needed to pull their name off the list for any reason to let them know, whether on the alternate list or tha actual. I liked the idea of maybe going, and decided to leave my name on, at least long enough to talk to Marni about it. Which I did. Ofcourse she was not crazy about the idea of me maybe going to the desert for a few months and not being around this summer again, but supported me in it, and after talking for a while about it, even feels like me, that even though it would be hard to be apart, it would be good in a lot of ways too.

Well a little later in the month of January I got a call from my Commander. She said that they just got a call and the squadron would need to deploy the end of March rather than in May. She thought that the change may cause problems for some people planning to go and wanted to know if I would be able to go then if they needed me, especially if enough of the 40 dropped off. I told her I would and she said they would let me know.

Well come February UTA there were less people on the alternates list, but I still was. No one was dropping off and as time went on and as it got closer to the deployment I started thinking that I would not be going after all. But then in the middle of February I got another call saying I was on the "extreme hot list" to go and I needed to be there in a couple days for an extra UTA that was for additional training for those deploying.

As it turned out no one had really dropped off the list, but there were suppose to be 20 active duty people going with us and it was looking like 5 of them would not be able to go, so they wanted to give those slots to us, and they were going to give one of them to me. I got some pre-deployment training done, but some of it like the M-16 refresher course they would not let me do since I was not yet officially on the list. They figured by the end of that next week they would know, but a week past and nothing, then 2, at which time I was told that we may only be getting 2 or 3 slots but I would get one of them. Then another week past with no news so this last Monday I called Chief and was basically told that they still hadn't gotten the slots transfered to us, and since it was so close to time to go, it didn't look like it was going to happen. So I went from almost guarenteed a chance to go, to maybe having a 20% chance of going. This was Monday afternoon. Tuesday morning at about 7:30 am I was got a call from Chief and he told me that I was going. Basically the night before someone dropped off at last minute because of some family issues and they needed to get someone in the spot so they chose me. So today I had to go into base for the M-16 training as well as some other prep. Luckily I had done some of the deployment prep in hopes that I would be going, so i don't have too much to do to get caught up to everyone else, but I do have some, so I will be back down there tomorrow.

The good news is I am deploying, the bad news is I will be away from my family for a little while.
I will be going to Sather Air Base which is located in Bagdad and I will be there for about 4 months. I am tenativly scheduled to leave out of SLC on April 9th, but it could be a day or two after that. So if anyone would like to come out, I will let you know the exact day and time as it gets closer.

Sorry if this was really long, and hopefully I did not ramble too much. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions or anything.

Clarification

Okay, it looks like I may need to clarify a couple things that may have been mis-interpreted in my last post. If anyone doesn't understand what is going on, feel free to read my last blog, all comments as well as David's blog and comments.

Based on both Amy and Alison's comment it seems that my post was understood to be saying that if we do not agree with a law or rule we should not have to abide by it. That is completely not the case. In fact no matter how much I don't agree with a law, because it is a law, I think it needs to be followed.

In that case I agree with Amy's analogy of of the 25 mph speed limit. I wasn't trying to say if we don't agree with a speed limit we should be able to go faster with no penalty. What I was trying to say is A) I think it is a stupid rule, but that asside B) if the speed limit is 25 mph for me it should be for everyone. I say that based on the comment that it may be alright for teachers to use their cell phones as they are probably more responsible. That may be true, but if we all saw cops driving 35 or 40 mph down that street just because they were trained to drive faster safer, it would totally undermind the law, and so the law should apply to all, even those tasked with enforcing it.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I also am very much for rules and laws as I think they are necissary to have a peaceful safe society. However, I think it is possible to have too many rules, which can actually take away our rights and freedoms and goes from governing to controlling. I will give an example. Lately Lilly has decided to turn on her light after we put her to bed, as soon as we leave the room. That then leads to her getting out of bed and not going to sleep as she should. Now we have talked to her about this and even given her punishment as we saw fit, but she would still do it. So we started trying to figure out other things we could do. Well she is able to turn on the light because the switch is by her bed, so we talked about moving her bed to the other side of the room so she couldn't reach the switch. Although this would make her keep our rule of not turning on the light, it would not teach her anything. It would just make it impossible for her to break the rule. If I remember right, there was once someone else that wanted to do that to. Make us do what was right by taking away out ability to choose, or controlling us. As we know, those of us here on earth are here because we wanted the ability to choose, we did not want to be controlled. Now I realize that is a pretty big difference than just whether there should be a rule about cell phone use in a public school. However, my whole point is although rules are good, if the take away our choice and make it so we cannot choose, we are not teaching anything, we are just controlling things. I don't know about you, but I don't want my kids growing up where they do the right things because they don't have a choice. I want them to have laws and rules to govern them, not control them. Fortunatly we live in a country where we do have those choices. Unfortunatly people choose to break the laws and make it worse for the rest of us. So if our kids grow up with the schools not teaching us anything, but instead controlling what we do, what is going to happen when we go out into society when we have to make those choices. We will have no idea what to do, because we won't have a teacher telling us what to do.

I feel like I am going to just start saying the same things in different ways, so I will end it now. I am just saying rules can go too far, and if there is going to be a law or rule, it should apply to everyone, not just some.

Rules

The following was a comment that I put on one of David's recent blog entries. If you have read those comments, this is the same. If not, I will first include what he wrote followed by my comment. Although my blog is called "What I Think" I would be interested to hear what others think, whether or completely agree or disagree with me.

David's post:
".......yesterday i had my phone taken away because i pulled it out to check what time it was in between second and third hour...i just happened to have a text right then so i pressed a button to get out of it to check the time...so it looked like i was texting....not that it mattered anyways because they have a dumb A rule about having phones out in between classes teachers can do anything but students cant do crap what the freak right??? right... so anyways i go after school to get it and the stupid lady said i couldn't get it because stupid old fart was in a stupid meeting thing and i have to get it today...but chances are i probably cant get it today either because its Friday and there is lunch right after our 7th hour cause its a short day and so he will take is stupid time...then i will be stuck outside the office waiting and if they basketball team has a game he probably wont let me get it cause he is a stupid coach...but i am not leaving this school without my phone...so i guess we will see what happens... "

My Comment:
I am going to have to go with David on this one. I don't agree with the cell phone rule to begin with, especially just between class, now during class that would be something else. However, if they are going to have a rule about it, I think the faculty need to set the example for the students by abiding by the same rules! Also I am assuming unless they are just total Nazis that the rule was put in place to prevent kids from being late to class. If that is the case, I think the tardy rule is sufficient and that you should be punished for breaking that rule whether it is because you were texting or just talking to your friends in the hall. I don't think they need to micro-manage by creating more rules to get kids to keep other rules that they either will or will not keep regardless of how many rules they put in place to try to make that happen. Basically they say they are trying to teach kids to be responsible, but then totally contradict that. They are not "teaching" them anything but to not get caught breaking the rules. I think they need basic rules, like don't be late for class, then give them a chance to be responsible. And if they choose not to follow that rule, then they can give them the appropriate punishment. I think the cell phone thing is over kill, especially if the "adults" that are trying to to teach the kids to be responsible like them, are doing that which they are telling the kids they should not do. Not to mention, a Cell phone is about as personal of personal property as you can get, and I don't think they have any right to take it from you. I think the only person who has the right to do that is the kids parents, and maybe the police if they have a warrant. So yeah, that is what I think. We live in a Democratic society and although we need some rules and laws to govern us, I think they take it too far sometimes, especially in schools where they are teaching the youth of today to be the adults of the future!

Thankful!

I am thankful for....

...An incredibly beautiful, incredibly incredible wife who definitely could have done better than me, but thankfully for some still unknown reason decided to marry me and make me the happiest, most blessed man for all eternity!
...A daughter who is as beautiful as her mom, but has a wonderful personality all her own. She constantly keeps me entertained and never fails to surprise and amaze me!
...A healthy son who will soon be born and for the great blessing he will be to our family, and the lifetime of exciting things to look forward to with him.
...Having the true and eternal gospel in our lives, and the opportunity to learn and grow through out our lives.
...Living in a country were we have so many freedoms many of which we take for granted every day. A country where even an idiot can be elected President but were we know the country will still be alive and well after his term. A country where men and woman are willing to fight and die if necessary to secure those freedoms, even when many of the people who enjoy those freedoms, speak out against those who daily make sure we keep them!
...And I am thankful for the opportunity that even a simple guy like me has to serve along side some of these great men and women, even if just as a reservist.

Break Down

This is in response to Amy's question as to why they belittle you so much in basic when it seems it would get the opposite result that one would want.

Before I went to BMT I wanted to figure out all I could about what I was getting into. Under the FAQs section there was a question that basically said " Will the Military Training Instructors (MTI or just TI as we called them) yell at me." The answer was "Yes" It went on to explain why, but I am not sure exactly what it said. Basically we all grow up in different environments with different levels and types of discipline. They are mean the way they are and belittle you the way they do, to break you down. Because without that they cannot build you back up to live with the discipline required in the military.

I was told everything to expect prior to going in, but knowing what will happen and experiencing what happens are 2 totally different things. And although I hated the daily "abuse" and the fear and constant worry that someone would mess up and we would pay for it, and although there were many days, probably almost everyday that at one point or another I wondered if I made the right choice in joining. I can now look back and say I did. I am truly grateful for that experience and that I made it through. Even after experiencing it, I don't think i know why it works, but that form of discipline does work, and I saw it change many people completely. So though I would never want to do it again (and I have had nightmares about that) I am glad I did it once, and would completely recommend it to anyone thinking about going into the military, even though it (BMT) may be the hardest or at least one of the hardest things you will ever do.

I hope that makes sense and answers your question. If now let me know and I will make sure I do. Let me know of any other questions you may have.

So I have been trying to figure out what I can right about my experience at Basic. Then I remembered that another Airman that was in my BMT flight and was my wingman wrote something on Facebook while we were in Tech school that I thought summed it up pretty good. His name is Samuel Howard. He is from Minn. The following is what he said:

"Aright, I have been unable to come up with a satisfactory answer to why basic is so hard and what it is like but I will try yet again

The first thing to understand about Basic Military Training (BMT or Basic) is that you never get to completely relax from the moment you step of the airplane until you walk on the bus leaving for tech school. Even when you are given time to work in your area doing stuff like folding clothes and polishing your shoes your Military Training Instructor (MTI/TI) may explode at any time. This is compounded by the fact that you are punished for everyone’s mistakes not just your own, so even when you know you are doing what you are supposed to the threat of trouble lingers. The constant state of tension is mentally draining as well as physically exhausting by the never ending stream of pushups, flutter kicks, and squat thrusts performed as punishment. Along with the work outs your body is punished through lack of sleep and little food. Combined with this is the emotional stress of not being able to see or even talk to any of the people you love and you find yourself constantly walking the edge of breaking down.

Now in this exhausted state you are expected to perform in an environment focused on “attention to detail” It is the little things everywhere that get you in trouble and keep you constantly worried. Flipping your cups in the dinning facility, rolling back the toilet paper in the latrine, put on a hat when outside, make sure you have a canteen and satchel, all your pockets must be buttoned, no strings on the uniform, put the toilet seat up, never forget a reporting statement, never say ok or alright. It is a never ending stream of little things that get you abused endlessly.

During a standard day in that environment you wake up at 4:45 to do physical training, where you either run about 3 miles or you do a couple hundred push ups sit ups and other assorted muscular workouts. After about an hour of this you go back to the dorm for breakfast where you have 45 minutes to shower, make beds, sweep down the floor, and clean the entire dorm. This seems like enough time until you realize it is with 44 men showering in 8 showers and that it takes almost 15 minutes to make a bed because it must be perfectly done with 45⁰ corners and tight enough to bounce a quarter off of. Now it is between 0800 and 0830 and you go to class which is incredibly boring and you struggle desperately to stay awake in an 90 some degree classroom on 5-6 hours of sleep. Then when you finish you go back out on the black top drill pad in 100 degree weather and practice marching for about an hour. Of course regardless of how well you personally do both you and your MTI will end up frustrated by the 2-3 people who are incapable of marching correctly so you wind up doing pushups on the burning black pad in a heavy long sleeve uniform. After repeating that 2 or 3 times you go back to the dorm for lunch. Then either another class or an appointment which could range from ID or clothing issue to haircuts or shots. Inevitably you will be yelled at for poor marching and multiple other infractions before you ever arrive where you are going. Of course when you get there you will stand for an hour doing nothing then given confusing instructions super fast and when you forget and ask a question you will be called retarded and ridiculed. Eventually you wind up back at the squad for dinner and mail call (best part of any day) Then you work in your areas for an hour or two before bed during which someone inevitably screws up and you push once or twice. Finally you head to bed for the short sleep you get which is interrupted every couple of days by a 2 hour Entry Controller shift standing there during nothing.

Now you may think that this sounds boring, routine, and dry. You are right. Nothing exciting or worthwhile ever happens in BMT. It is just repetitive grinding that gets to you. Also you can never do anything right at BMT. That is one of the primary tools, regardless of how well you perform they will find something wrong and no matter how many things you do right you will never get a “good job” that humans crave. It is this lack of validation combined with complete mental physical and emotional exhaustion that really gets to you. It is like taking your worst day at school, take away your friends, giving yourself less sleep and extending it six and a half weeks with the knowledge it will not get any better. Oh and thrown in physical workout and screaming teachers. Its hard because no matter how right you are even when everyone knows it you still get ridiculed and blamed. At BMT you don’t win, you lose less.
I don’t know if that really helps you understand but it’s the best I can do. I think honestly it is one thing you really can never get unless you experience or witness it for yourself."

I will probably write more later on, so if you have any questions about things that were mentioned here or anything you want to know specifically please let me know and I will base a post on that question.

New

I have been trying to find a really good Air Force background for this blog for a while but have been unsuccessful. I have found a couple but they were not good ones. I like this one for now though. But if anyone knows where I can find a good Air Force one or if you come across one in search of something for yourself feel free to let me know. I am still planning on writing about basic training, and now that I have a semi-appropriate background maybe I can find the time to do it.

Marni's 50 odd things

50 ODD Things about Me

1. Do you like blue cheese? heck yes! the stinkier, the better. :)

2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? nope. unless you count those one bubblegum cigars that they had back in the day.

3. Do you own a gun? don't leave home without it! kidding. i don't own any.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? mmm...sonic. that sounds good right now. what doesn't?! i love cherry limeade.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? no. i love going to the doctor and i love going with anyone who has to go to the doctor.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? hate them. love the smell.

7. Favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night. i start listening this month. one month of Christmas songs is not enough. and i hate that radios shut it off the day after.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? i don't drink a lot. but if i had a choice and someone to serve it to me, freshly squeezed orange juice or postum.

9. Can you do push ups? not at the moment (too much extra weight in the middle area). but normally, yes.

10. What is your favorite movie? far and away.

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my engagement ring. or anything that andrew has given me. :)

12. Favorite hobby? blog-stalking, being crafty, sleeping, eating. k eating should probably first on the list.

13. Do you work with people who idolize you? probably. poor girl.

14. Do you have ADD? No

15. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? hmm...i don't know that i really hate anything. maybe i wish i had arches in my feet. and that my boobs weren't so sad looking after having just one kid. she sucked the life out of them, but i still love her. :) sorry if that was a little too graphic for some.

16. Name 3 thoughts at this moment: I really need new contacts. maybe i'll actually get them someday. i wonder if there's anything good to eat. i hate the cold. why do i live in cache valley, the coldest place in north america?

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: milk, pears, condoms. can't be too careful...:)

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? milk, water, and juice if we have it. really, i'm not a big drinker.

20. Current worry right now? how much weight i'm going to gain over 2 weeks.

21. Current hate right now? dogs

22. Favorite place to be? home chillin' with my peeps.

23. How did you bring in the New Year? no idea. see andrew's answer.

24. Favorite vacation spot? hawaii!

25. Name three people who will complete this: i don't know

26. Who's answer do you want to read the most? yes, have some.

27. What color shirt are you wearing? vintage strawberry shirt my mom wore when she was pregnant. and andrew's brown hoodie.

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? i'd probably be ok with it, especially in the summer when cold sheets are awesome.

29. Can you whistle? yep

30. Favorite color? orange.

31. Would you be a pirate? if i was hot like keira knightly. ;)

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? none. i'm so afraid to wake up lilly in the mornings.

33. Favorite girl's name? lilly

34. Favorite boy's name? andrew and peter. ;) (peter's a joke)

35. What's in your pocket right now? nothing. i actually hate things in my pockets.

36. Last thing that made you laugh? lilly pointing to a naked little boy in a parenting book we have and saying, "look at that". what will i tell her when "peter's" born?

37. Best bed sheets as a child? that's a weird, random question. i liked the heman ones, but the boys always used those.

38. Worst injury you've ever had? concusion. i don't remember how old i was, that's how bad it was...:) but that's about it. i haven't had anything cool, no stiches or anything. i'm pretty boring.

39. Do you love where you live? yeah. i'd like to be more in logan and in a place where i can pick which neighbors i have to make sure they don't have annoying dogs. but i do hate that the winter lasts for 9 months.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 1. growing up we only ever had 1, too, come to think of it.

41. Who is your loudest friend? lilly

42. How many dogs do you have? zero.

43. Does someone have a crush on you? andrew thinks i'm pretty smokin' even though i probably outweigh him. ;)

44. What is your favorite book? uh. i don't read a lot. i do like twilight. don't judge me.

45. What is your favorite candy? skittles. airheads. peanut butter m&ms.

46. What is your favorite sports team? i don't really care about sports.

47. What song do you want played at your funeral... i don't want a funeral. just throw me in a box and into the ground. :)

48. What were you doing 12 AM last night? sleeping.

49. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? holy crap, the dogs only barked once and it wasn't even until 7:15 am! shocking.

50.What is one item you currently don't own but wish you did? a fancy camera

50. If you could travel anywhere outside of the US, where would you go? Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and lastly, since i'll die when i go there, brasil. :)

50 Odd things!

50 ODD Things about Me

1. Do you like blue cheese? Nope

2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Nope

3. Do you own a gun? Heck yes I do, don't mess with me!

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I like raspberry

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Nope. Figure I am fine or not, either way going to the doctor is the best way to take care of it.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Not bad, don't want them everyday though. I had a 1/4 pounder for lunch today.

7. Favorite Christmas Song? O Holy night. We were actually listening to Christmas songs today. Judge away!

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Usually just drink water.

9. Can you do push ups? Yep. Didn't do too well before BMT, but can do around 50 or 60 in a minute now.
10. What is your favorite movie? Don't really have a favorite right now, I like a lot!

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My nipple ring....oh and my wedding ring!

12. Favorite hobby? Sudoku

13. Do you work with people who idolize you? Probably not, but maybe they do secretly.

14. Do you have ADD? No

15. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? Procrastination.

17. Name 3 thoughts at this moment: I'm a guy, I would be lucky if I had one thought at any moment.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: Wood for the cradle, work gloves, and chips.

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, milk and Water.

20. Current worry right now? Money.

21. Current hate right now? Lack of Money.

22. Favorite place to be? Home with my girls.

23. How did you bring in the New Year? Don't remember. I asked Marni and she doesn't remember either. It was tons of fun!

24. Favorite vacation spot? Brasil, but some day hope to be able to say Hawaii.

25. Name three people who will complete this: Alison, Susannah, and myself.

26. Who's answer do you want to read the most? Someones besides those listed above since I already know theirs.

27. What color shirt are you wearing? Blue and gray stripes.

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Wouldn't know, I think they would be slippy and cold, so maybe not so much.

29. Can you whistle? Yes, but I can't carry a tune, though I try a lot.

30. Favorite color? Blue.

31. Would you be a pirate? If I were sexy like Johnny Depp!

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? None, tried it once and got made fun of. Can't carry a tune there either.

33. Favorite girl's name? Marni, Lilly and Stormy

34. Favorite boy's name? Ian, Gavin, Ethan

35. What's in your pocket right now? Chap stick, cell phone, pen and my wallet.

36. Last thing that made you laugh? Lilly smashing her face against the screen and licking it with her long snake tongue.

7. Best bed sheets as a child? Did I have sheets on my bed as a kid?

38. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken arm, and dog bite.

39. Do you love where you live? Yes, but not so much the cold in the winter.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 1, I guess we are not normal.

41. Who is your loudest friend? Lilly

42. How many dogs do you have? None, but I wouldn't mind shooting a couple of my neighbors right now.

43. Does someone have a crush on you? Like everyone, but I only care about Marni.

45. What is your favorite book? Don't read too much, but I liked the Work and the Glory books and I recently started reading The Host which is pretty good so far.

46. What is your favorite candy? All! but I like chocolate a lot!

47. What is your favorite sports team? Any that plays soccer, USU basketball, and not USU football.

48. What song do you want played at your funeral...The song they play on the bag pipes like at military funerals and the such as.

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping on the couch where I fell asleep watching CSI Miami.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? There is no way it is 5:30 already!

Name Game

We have been making a list of boy names trying to decide what we want to name our son in December. So far we have just added to the list and and haven't really narrowed it down. So now it is your turn. You can do one of two things or both. List your top three picks, and/or list them in order from your favorite to least favorite. Right now they are listed in no particular order.

Coenn
Quinn
Ian
Liam
James
Christopher
Ethan
Jake
Jack
Dylan
Philip
Eric
Gavin
Grant
Graham

So good luck and have fun. We are interested to see what you all think. Also as mentioned in Marni's blog, feel free to add to this list with your own suggestions.

Sneak Peak

So everyone is posting pictures and I got jealous and decided I should too! Actually I wanted to start blogging again, and fill everyone in on my exciting summer. But rather than go into all the details right now, which some people may find boring, I figured I would post some pictures, which some people may find boring.
These were taken during tech school and will give a a sneak peak into some of what I was training to do for the Air Force.

The first one is our Air Transportation class in Blues, and the next one is not in blues posing with the hummer and the C-130 used for training.

Here we are getting cargo ready to ship, inspecting the cargo, and then after we have loaded on the pallet and tied it down with nets.

Were were sitting around waiting for our turn to load pallets on the C-130. We were trying to look serious, not mad I promise. Then the second one is me inspecting the pallet just before pushing in onto the plane.
I make a good supervisor don't you think. I was actually watching to make sure we stopped the hummer in the right place to tie it down. The blue thing is a pretend C-141 because they could not get an actual C-141 for training.
Spotting the hummer on to the "C-141"
Since Lackland is a training base, people come form all branches of service and from all over the world for training. Yeah the Air Force is that good. Here I am explaining to the Navy how we do things the right way, the Air Force way. At least that is my story.
Riding in the hummer as my instructor backs in onto the "C-141"

Ridding in the gunner seat. Too bad they didn't have any weapons installed on this hummer.

We were having a little race with another class to see who could chain down the hummer the fastest. I don't mean to brag, but we were lots faster.

More chaining. I am faster than I look!

As you can tell we are the cool guys of the class. The hummer and C-130 help a little.


Posing as a class. The rest of the class wanted to be cool too. :)

I have a couple pictures that were taken of us in Basic Training too. I may try to post some of them before doing all the word explanation posts.

Memory Lane

I am sorda back online. Not really though. I am still in Texas at Lackland AFB for training but wanted to take advantage of this memory thing, to see if people remeber things I don't. After I get home next month I will take some time to blog about time here, incase anyone was wondering about it. For now, memeories....

Here are the instructions:

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 can remember.2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's fun 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.

Stuff

There is not really a lot going on right now to report. Most of the family stuff such as Lilly's birthday you can see in Marni's blog.
Personally I am just really stressed out as this is the last week of school and I have a ton to do. Nothing like procrastination. I have decided I really want to work on that though. I know it is better to get things done little by little than to put it off till the end and stress so much you think your head will explode. I just need to remind myself of that throughout the semester I guess. I am actually in the library right now doing just that, stressing that is. I just though taking a little break will help me do better in the long run. We shall see. I just look forward to the end of this week so I will be done for a few months.
I only have two weeks from today until I report to Basic Training. I wend down last week to meet with my recruter as I am required to do once a month until I leave. We also went to get our Military ID's, but were unable to because they are having a problem with the system. I got an e-mail from my recruter today saying it is still down, so it will probably be next week before we get those. That is actually probably a good thing though because I need all the time I have this week for school.
Anyway, I think that is it, and my stress as not reduced at all, I think because I keep thinking about all I have yet to do, so I better get back to it.

Tagged....sordof

Marni said she was tagging anyone so I guess I qualify in that.

10 YEARS AGO.....

I was a young wipper-snapper of 20. I was serving a mission in Fortaleza Brasil at the time, and although I didn't was about to be made a District Leader which I would remain for the rest of my mission. As my mission grew to a close I remember looking back and thinking how fast the time had gone. Now looking back at that time I think it must have been slow compared to the last 10 years which has just flown by.

5 PLACES I HAVE VISITED....

1. Brasil (twice since getting home from my Mission).
2. New York City (for our wonderful Honeymoon).
3. Mexico (only Nogalles so it probably doesn't count).
4. Disneyland with my Beautiful wife...and friends).
5. To most of the Continental United States (for family vacations as a kid).

PLACES I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT...

1. Hawaii (I would like to even live here).
2. Michigan/New Jersey.
3. Brasil again. (you can never get too much of a good thing and no one will kill you).
4.Disneyland...again and Disney World.
5. Europe...especially Itally, Scottland, Irland, England, France with Timothy and others places too.

5 Things on my TO DO list...

1. Homework, Homework, and more Homework.
2. Help Marni more at home.
3. Get ready (especially physically) for Basic Training.
4. Graduate College.
5. Get other things in order before May so Marni doesn't have too much to worry about while I am gone all summer.

3 BAD HABBITS...

1. PROCRASINATION!!!
2. "Do What?" Marni says I say that too much and it makes no sense.
3. Hard time pulling myself out of bed in the morning (I guess that will change this summer. :)

5 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME...

1. I enlisted in the Air Force Reserve less than a week ago. Of Course if you have read my blog at all you know that. But you may not know I have wanted to for years, to some extent for my whole life.
2. Although I always use lack of money as an exuse, I think part of the reason I have not graduated yet is fear. Don't get me wrong, fear or no fear without money it is impossible. However I think I am afraid that I will spend all that time and money getting through school and not be a good enough pilot. I think I am a good pilot but I am not the typical arrogant (cocky) pilot, so I guess I am afraid those types may get jobs ahead of me. Stupid I know.
3. My biggest fear in life is being alone. Probably being from a big family I am use to having plenty of family around. I guess I am just afraid that will change.
4. I like "chick flicks" almost as much as any other kind of movie.
5. I HATE cold Winters. I love Utah, just not the winters.

-Sorry could really think of things people don't know about me,...at least that I want people to know. :)

I now Tag....Alison, Amy, Mom, and Timothy.... The last three because I don't think Marni, Alison and I should be the only ones in the family with Blogs. We want to read about your lives too, and see pictures.

A St. Patty's day to Remember

So if any of you have read Marni's blog you know that yesterday March 17th will be a day you remember forever, especially for the next 6 years.
I enlisted and was sworn in to the Air Force Reserve yesterday. I don't feel any different yet, probably because nothing has really changed yet and won't until May 6th when I go to Basic. But technically I am now in the military.
We got up and started getting ready to go to Hill Air Force Base in Layton. We didn't have to be there until 11am but with getting Lilly ready to go and everything we actually had to get up earlier.
Marni's Mom rode down with us and of course her dad was and brother were already there since they both work there. Then My dad, brother's Jonathan and Samuel all came up and met us there. Jonathan said is was only because they were already in SLC but I know they like me. I feel bad though because I told them to get there at 11am as well and they had to sit there for about an hour while I went over and signed paperwork with the recruter and got fingerprinted and everthing.
Then finally we went to Marni's dad's (Jim) office across base where I was sworn in. If you were unaware while looking at Marni's blog that is her dad swearing me in. Then I just has one more paper to sign which made it all official.
I don't remember feeling nervous at all but aparently I was because Jonathan commented on how my had was shaking when I was getting sworn in, and I kept having to wipe my fingers off when I was getting fingerprinted because they felt like they were sweaty.
So now I guess the next picture of me in an Air Force environment will be when I am in uniform as well.

Rank

I don't think I have mentioned this before, and I am not trying to make myself sound good, just let people know all my years of school has not been for naught.
Normally when you enlist in the airforce you start out as an Airman basic (E-1). However then eventually you get promoted to Airman (E-2) etc. However bacause of the amount of College credits I have I will get an automatic promotion to Airman First Class (E-3) then as soon as I finish Tech shool I will be promoted to Senior Airman (E-4) again because of college credits. Then WHEN I graduate, I will have an opportunity to get into an Officer training thing. Anyway I'm sure this is boring, but just in case anyone was wondering. All this means really is a difference in pay.

If you didn't read the blog before this one you might find it more interesting. I just posted it too.

More Info

So I have a little more info for anyone who is interested.
I I mentioned in my last blog, I will be enlisting and getting sworn into the Air Force Reserve on Monday. Also for those who have not heard I found out when I will report to Basic Training and Tech school.
I will go to Basic Training at Lockland AFB on May 6th. I will finish that on June 20th then report for Tech School (also at Lockland which I may be spelling wrong, but it is in San Antonio if you are wondering) on June 30th. Now you may be thinking to yourself, that is nice that you get a 10 day break in between but unfortunatly that is not the case. Technically I will report directly to Tech School after basic, but I guess they have a 10 day grace period incase there are people who need an extra week to pass basic. To be honest I do not fully understand what this means, but the recruter is suppose to explain it to me on Monday. Then I have 5 1/2 weeks of tech school meaning I will finish on Aug. 8 2008. Which obviously means we will not make it to the reunion and Baby blessing, unless of course it were possible to change it which I talked to Amy about already. However it changing it would prevent anyone else from coming don't change it. Marni and I really want to go, but have talked and decided that we will just go to Michigan and visit who ever is there after I get home, unless of course the Michiganites are tired of visitors in which case we will come some other time.
I will let you know if I learn anything else.

Enlistment

We are almost there. I decided on a job. I will be doing the Air Transportation job. This is also good because with this job I get a sign on bonus an a Kicker which means I will get about twice as much from the Montgomery GI bill which will help a lot with school. I spent a good portion of the afternoon yesterday on the phone with my recruter so he could finish up my Securty clearance stuff. And I should hear back either today or tomorrow to know the exact dates of my Basic Training and Tech School.
Then unless something changes (Which I hope it Doesn't) I will be down on Hill AFB to officially enlist and get sworn in on Monday, March 17th at about 11am. Family and friends are welcome to come for that, but it will probably not be that big a deal to miss for those of you who can't make it.

So Air Force here I come!