The Places We Enjoy

In the time I have been here, I have found some places that I enjoy. As for me, I enjoy these places due to the atmosphere, good People, Good Food and a the beautiful view. I figure when it comes to meeting people, it will happen or it won’t. If you try to hard, you will probably be disappointed. With that that said, I have written about one of those places I enjoy. As you probably know, I enjoy my adventures and my sunsets. They always seem to make life a little sweeter even when that is all there is at the moment. Puerto Rico offers a multitude of beautiful beaches, sunsets and weather.

I have to admit that the rain feels very different here, but like all things, it is a matter of perspective. When it rains in the Bay Area I am usually wearing something that is fairly waterproof and designed for colder weather. When it rains here, I usually get caught in a short torrential downpour that soaks you in the time it takes to reach your car fifty feet away. In addition, I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt. As you can imagine, it would be slightly different than wearing a gortex jacket and jeans. I still love the rain, it just takes some to get used to.

 One of my favorite places to go in Ola-Lola’s Garden Bar. It is a small place out by Shacks Beach and is literally a garden with a small bar and tables to serve food. The catch is that the food is absolutely delicious and it feels like you are going home when you eat there. No offense meant mother, just saying that it feels like your part of the family. There are a few others places that offer great food and service in the area, but few compare to the caliber of quality. I pose the question, where else can you get a peanut butter burger. It may sound a little different to your taste buds, but it is one of the best burgers I have had in my life. And don’t forget about the dessert. I would attempt to describe in words, but that would not do it justice. I was going to take a picture of my dessert tonight, but unfortunately forgot to take the picture before I ate it. If that does not say that the food is delicious, I don’t know what does. If you ever come out here on a weekend, this is definitely a place I will bring you.

Work is going as well as it can. I am still waiting for some light at the end of this tunnel, but I have done all I can, so no need for me to stress anymore than I already have. On a better note, I start my SCUBA classes tomorrow and have already spoken with the local SCUBA group. I will keep you updated, until then enjoy every moment.

Lives Ordeals

Many things can happen in just a short time, life can change in an instant without any notice. As can any other factor in which we have the inability to control. I have been working in an alternate location for the last seven weeks due to an unfortunate situation at my place of work. The crew there has been good to me and the station has done as much as it can to ease the tension for the moment. Needless to say, it has not been easy to work out of rate and be confronted by nothing but uncertainty. Regardless, I have done my best and kept my head above the water. It has taken longer than I expected to find a resolution, but I have done my part to the best of my ability.

The Air Station has been as busy as it always is. Constant flights, work, training, and some major changes for the entire Coast Guard on the horizon. The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell should prove to be very interesting considering the diverse workforce of both the enlisted and officers. I was able to observe the Cliff Operations training and get some nice photographs. Something still looks strange when I see a large object like a helo hovering off the ground. The sunsets have been nothing short of stunning, and have kept me going even on the most difficult days of this ordeal. They are one of those few things you can consistently rely on.

Although I did realize something very helpful that is like a weight off my shoulders. To this moment, I have already done all the things I felt I had to do. I set off in the world to help others, found love and was the best man I could be in the process. There are still many things I plan to do, but I am content with what I have experienced. As far as I am concerned everything else is a bonus. So when it comes down to it, I can’t really complain. I am alive and breathing, I have my health, and I am content with how I have lived. So I suppose that the only way to feel is grateful for the blessing that have been a part of my life and the ones that will be present in the future.

One of the next experiences will be getting SCUBA Certified. I have done a little before, but it was one of the guided tours where you just follow the leader. It was stunning to swim with the Sea Turtles in Hawaii. I can only imagine what Puerto Rico has to offer under its beautiful waters. I will keep you informed of my progress and hopefully some photos. Until then, enjoy every moment and live life to the fullest. Keep in mind, that not matter how far away your support system is, They still care and will do what they can for you, as you would do for them.

IF

I am usually one to write my own inspiration, even in my hardest times my personal strength and faith has always carried me through. But I found inspiration from a poem that many of you probably know. My Aunt Kathy sent it to me and it happened to be at a family friends funeral. It was a very helpful to me that I had to add my small part to it. Like always, we find out who truly cares when the people that care about us reach out to help us in any way they can. We can never truly thank them, other than to return the favor and be there for them.

IF by Rudyard Kipling

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

now my small contribution ...

If, you can give your all, expecting nothing back, or nothing gained;
And try your best, to be the best their is of you;
and the end or beginning comes in any moment.
Then you have done all you can, or all you must, or is required;
Peace is yours, and there is nothing to fear.

Life Is ...

Life is as beautiful as it is challenging at times. Amidst the chaos we may face on an every day basis, there are the consistent things that can keep us at peace. Along with the incredibly giving attributes of mankind, you will see unfortunate characteristic as well. We always have to the choice no matter what we face. I find in my most difficult times that I gravitate to the consistent and beautiful aspects of life. Like the sunsets that grace us every dawn. I find not matter how the recent events have pushed me, I will always find the peace of mind I need.

In addition we have the human aspect that at times can be interaction we need. Even if it is coming to someone in their time of need when you may not even be remembered. Few things are as fulfilling as the interaction with another where we are able to be true to who we are. But I don’t think that people come to the blog to hear what I have to think. As you may have caused from the previous statements, it has been a challenge, but I am getting through it. What would life be without a little difficulty thrown in the way? Puerto Rico is still beautiful, the weather is gorgeous and I am doing my best to make life great. Since I last wrote, I have been to Old San Juan and the old fort there. It is a very diverse history and played in a part in many conflicts over the centuries. I have taken photographs of some beautiful sunsets, went to a bonfire on the beach and had the opportunity to work with some Air Force personnel when they did some much needed work on the base. I even got a tour of an aerial refueler plane.

The bonfire was a good time, I tried to get some night shots, but with the moon as bright as it is out here, I have not been able to get any really crisp moon shots. Music, people and a fire on the beach as the waves crashed just about 20 feet from us. Other than the clouds that slowly marched across the sky, every star shown in the night sky. I got the opportunity to meet some new people and enjoy the fire.

The highlight of the sightseeing is the history of the island. Whether that is the ruins of the old lighthouse at Borinquen Beach or the old fort at Old San Juan and the wall that still surrounds the coasts. It gives you an idea of what life use to be like. Massive walls surrounded the city with only one entry to protect the people that inhabited the area. The people lived with the constant threat of invasion and the fort was maintained a constant watch inside and outside the walls. The bedding was little more than a blanket on some flat wood.

The area was known as hell for the soldiers stationed here because they had to deal the humidity and heat wearing a full uniform and armor. A little different that what we think of now when we go to a tropical area. A wall surrounds the entire coast, ten feet thick and 30 feet high in some areas. A single gate would allow entry to the city. In those days if I were to get stations 3000 miles from home, I would probably not see my family for a very very long time. I may not even hear depending on the turmoil in the area. I suppose the soldiers did not really have a choice in the matter, but that could not have been busy. The Fort consists of several towers, with lookouts at every angle. One was used for during World War 2 as a lookout there. On the other hand, you have the old lighthouse at Borinquen Beach.
Little remains of the tower that once stood there, but you can see the sturdy construction of the base. Two side have ten foot walls while the coast side has about 3-4 feet. The color still resides in the red bricks mixed with the concrete. In the center, there is a basin that looks like it may have been where a fire once burned. It is easy to let the imagine run when I walk through the tunnels of the old fort or see the ruins of the lighthouse. Like when I toured the castles of Europe, I could imagine the soldiers at their posts firing the cannons or searching for a ship on the horizon.

Finally, I was able to get a tour of some modern technology that in some ways is just as awe inspiring. I was able to see and tour an Aerial Refueler from the cockpit to the controls for the refueling mechanism. Not only is the shear size of the plane impressive, but also the loading capacity and capability’s to support an entire fleet of planes for a very long time. Needless to say, it is a little larger than our helicopters.

I suppose overall, life is not suppose to be anything, I am doing what I can to enjoy the ride. There is still much to see and do. If anyone is interested, I post more pictures on facebook. I will keep you updated. Until I write again, enjoy every moment.