A Time to Study, A Time to Relax

One more Performance Evaluation passed and one step closer to completing this course. It was not quite as difficult as the first one, but I knew how it all worked this time. Still, there is stress in knowing that I cannot miss anything. I cannot say it was the smoothest execution, but that grace in examination comes in time, not by memorizing the exam. We now move on to HENT (Head, Ears, Nose and Throat). Although it is a complicated process, it can always be broken down to manageable parts. At least that is how I figure it all out. There are many lessons left to learn, and many hours of studying left. So I still must be diligent. I am looking forward to Puerto Rico, it will be a great adventure. I can say that it will probably be good for the blog as well.

In the meantime, I have spent some time with family, played some soccer and spend a very relaxing weekend in South Lake Tahoe with Amy. I have not spent to much time with family, but that is the drawback of a very active family. They are not always home when I am available to be there. It has lead to a very good life, so I find myself grateful for an adventurous family.

For base relaxation we have an HS plus some soccer team. We are not to picky about who plays on our team or who we play against. It is for fun, although some people take it very seriously, but that happens no matter what you do. I enjoy it, I get to run around and chase a ball. My ball handling skills have improved, but like most things I still have a lot of practice to be any good at the sport. Puerto Rico may be a good remedy for that problem.

The most relaxing trip was to South Lake Tahoe. Believe it or not, I went to Tahoe and did not have the jitters to be active the whole time. We went up there and had some food, checked out the casinos, relaxed and relaxed some more. The place we stayed out had a very beautiful but interesting view into Nevada. It is a strange sensation to be in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and look into a vast expanse of flatness. I suppose it gave some perspective on how the original settlers felt when they saw the mountains rise before them. The area up there is beautiful once you get away from the casinos. On the way home, we took Highway 50 and it was absolutely gorgeous with waterfalls coming down the rock face the highway is carved into. It was raining and the roads were wet, which made for a fun drive home. Call me crazy, but I like adverse weather. The river was running very high filling the drainage built into the road. I would have taken some photos, but there was not a safe place to pull over or set the camera up. If you want to see it you will just have to see Lake Tahoe.

So overall, life is great. Until I write again, Have a wonderful day and Enjoy Every Moment.

The Path is Revealed, but still much work to do.

I had to reflect on why I first joined the Coast Guard to accept the next chapter of my life. I suppose that happens on the horizon of any major change in our life. Nothing somber, but the review of blessing and opportunities before me.

I passed my Performance Evaluation and although it was a lot of work, it was well worth the accomplishment. Still much more work to follow, but it is not such a mystery anymore. That is what the remaining weeks here will be. Cover a system and then test out. It is amazing how fast the time has gone, only eight weeks remain and it feels like I have barely been here. I have met some people that I truly respect and others I can do without, but that is the way of life. Made some friends for life and some experiences I will never forget. Never the less, there comes a time to move on and that will be in December. I still have to work hard even though we know were we will be going.

I joined because I wanted to go on an adventure. I wanted to have a life story worth talking about. I wanted to help people most of all. There were a myriad of reasons, and so far the Coast Guard has been good to me. Life is what you make it and I have done my best to have many good days (Thanks Dad). Port Clarence was the wilderness of Alaska that I had always wanted to see. I did not intentionally choose to go there, but it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. Then I was fortunate enough to make my way back home for a short time. It was not the billet I directly asked for, but still turned out to be a wonderful experience. If I have learned anything from the guard, it is that I can make the best of any experience that I partake in.

When I found out I was nearly at the bottom of priority list, I just had to take a leap of faith and trust that I would end up somewhere that would enrich my life. To no surprise, my initial choices were not available. Ironically I am thankful for that because it forced me to do something I would not have done otherwise. I had the choice of two standard type stations or one that would satisfy the adventurous spirit. If you have not guessed already, I chose to partake in the adventure. How does Aguadilla, Puerto Rico sound for a change in life?

I cannot say it was an easy choice to make because I knew I was leaving some things I cherish for a while. The family being close by, friends, Hobie and Jasmine, the area I know and the women I adore. I would have been on the east coast regardless, so followed my gut and made it another adventure as well. I never thought that a year ago, that I would be headed overseas for a second time. But I suppose that is how it was meant to happen. Who am I to know what my life is supposed to be?

I am not looking forward to being so far away, but I am going to enjoy every moment that I can and live life to the fullest. All things considered I have nothing to complain about. I am going to be in Puerto Rico, how bad could it be?

A Toast to be Grateful ...

I may not be a big drinker, but I raise my glass (usually a Shirley Temple, the manliest drink on the planet) of Don Julio 1942 to being grateful. Grateful for the opportunities, the experiences, and the challenges in our lives. It all starts with how we wake up in the morning and of course the things we choose to partake in during our day, both volunteer and voluntold.

Class is going as it should. Nothing but 100 percent is expected of us and it can be a significant source of stress at times. I relieve some as I write this now. I do not have a problem with the knowledge itself, but the test can be a little nerve racking for me. I may not show it most of time, but I can assure you I take it very seriously. The most challenging thus far is the upcoming Performance Evaluation (Perf Evalve). The process makes perfect sense, every step plays a part in determining what ales the patient, but the test itself put me a little on edge. I try not to show this stress, but the same challenge is always making things a little harder than they have to be. As many of you know I tend to overanalyze, over think or just look way to far into things for the moment. Now normally this is strength, ensuring that I am thorough. Unfortunately the timed test does not feel that way. I have to throttle back a little to just give the info that needs to be given. Our first test is this coming Monday and I am ready, but my mind is always running through the steps. I am confident, but it is just me to be as effective as possible. This really is a change in me, probably due to age, but it surely is a change. I never worried about school to this degree in college, but I suppose that would explain a lot from that time in my life. Here I go, I will succeed, there is not other option. This is my future and my career, only I can make it happen.

Off the stressful aspects of life and the things I do to keep myself balanced. This past two weeks have been incredible in terms of seeing the beauty of the world. I went on a short drive down Highway 101 in the cover of fog at dusk. The fog blanketed the entire area like a curtain to remind us how small we really are. Needless to say it was absolutely beautiful and provided for some great photographs. I ended up at a diner were only cash or check was accepted; I did not have either on me but they took my word that I would pay my bill later. The reason was because I was in the Coast Guard and we take care of them. Now that is hospitality, the trust given to me at that moment. The food was wonderful as well.

Fleet week was also a highlight of the week. The trip turned out to be just my parents, Chief Casey, Lisa and Myself. It turned out to be a very relaxing trip on the bay even with the sound of the aircrafts flying all over. These show are for those thousands of people on the shore, the city and the bay that look forward to seeing them every year. I have seen them at least four times in my life and I still am amazed at the skill of their piloting. I remember the first time I saw them from Coit Tower and being able to read the writing on the pilot’s helmet from the ground. Now that I have a nice camera, I enjoy getting some good shots of them flying. The Guard was out in full force, a good portion of the fleet represented themselves very well on the bay. I am betting it was a busy day for the units in that area, considering all the people out for fleet week.

And to top it all off, I was able to go riding for the first time in a while. There are few things like riding a horse. It is an exercise in body language that you rarely get. Your movement, position, tension on the reins, pressure with your legs, where your head is looking is all significant communication to the horse. They get their confidence from the rider and respect that rider enough to follow their lead. It is an amazing experience and unfortunately many people only get to ride a horse that know how to follow another horse on a set trail. It can be a frustrating past time, but when you can get a good canter going, there are few things more exhilarating. You have to be the leader, otherwise the horse will. Hopefully you can find that balance where the slightest move will communicate what you want, and you can read what the animal is about to do.

So here I go, headed into another week and many things to look forward to. Until I write again, Have many wonderful days and life to the fullest.

Respect

Enjoying some freedom in the redwoods.

The world is more diverse than the mind can imagine. The life story of an individual is what has defined them, but not what we are capable of being. I mention this because we as a class had the opportunity to take a trip to the Armstrong Woods. Part of this trip was a chance to open up to our shipmates and instructors if we chose to do so.

The majesty of the redwoods was as I remembered. It is never something that can be put into words, but a picture can be worth a million of those. Even then, justice is not done unless you stand among them. The attention to detail in its design is beyond our perception. It is intricate from the cellular level of the tree to the structure that supports the incredible height. Although we never see the millions of smaller steps in the process, we see the effect and how it has shaped that tree, forest and ecosystem. I suppose the same it true about people.

Macro shot of the smaller aspects of life in the redwoods.

Redwood Leaf.

Everyone has a life story that has shaped who they are today. I cannot say that mine is extraordinary compared to anyone else, but it has similar components, to a different degree. I can say I have had a wonderful life. I am grateful for even my most painful challenges because they shaped who I am today. I am great at one thing in this life, being myself and no one will ever change that. Hearing the stories of others was beneficial for the class. It was an opportunity for insight into the mindset and drive of one another; to help us cope, assist and succeed as a class.

I consider character to be paramount, yet I could not tell you what exactly it is. Everyone has their own definition. I see it as introspection in regards to the person we desire to be. It is something that respect is based on, both personal and of others. How we define character is personal, yet we will compare everyone else to that standard to some degree. I must constantly remind myself to respect people for who they are, not to who I am. I hope that my character is demonstrated through my actions.