Nail Salon

Yes, I get my mani-pedi even while training . . .

Shoot, move, and communicate . . .

Life continues to be busy here at Ft. Jackson--today I qualified on the M4 . . . during pre-qualification. I was happy because it was already "Heat CAT V," REALLY hot. I left the range to work on disbursing operations (lots of forms, figures, and calculations). I'm looking forward to this weekend so I can study, work on distance learning modules in resource management, and rest. I wish I had more time to write, but my writing wouldn't be very exciting right now . . . unless you like forms! ;)


Technically, we are finished with our "core" learning, but we aren't really finished--we still have our FTX toward the end of August. We will be spending a few days in a FOB working with students in other schools here at Ft. Jackson on finance operations in the field. Plus, we will go on our live convoy then (already trained on a simulator)--I get to drive a Humvee . . . (I don't think they saw me drive before my selection) . . .  ;)

Oh, you know life is good . . .  Cheers!

It's all fun and games . . . till it's time to take a test!

Actually, last week wasn't fun and games. I just wrote a paragraph about the things we learned last week, then I remembered OPSEC and deleted everything I wrote. Anyhow, it was an interesting week, a little break from finance. 

However, we have distance learning modules to work on during our "free" time. Tonight I finished a module on mission funding. Tomorrow, I'll complete three budgeting modules complete with exams. Everything we are getting on resource management is via distance learning. The online courses aren't bad, but as an instructional systems designer, I can't help but evaluate them as I'm completing them . . .  There's always room for improvement, right?

Cheers!

Decisions, decisions . . .

Chesepeake Bay

I'm planning to move to Tampa in September . . . but I visited Washington, DC for Independence weekend, and now I'm wondering if moving to Tampa is the best decision for me. I still think it is, but I keep getting calls from recruiters. Today, I had a recruiter call about a job in Bellevue, WA  . . . tempting! However, I told the recruiter that I'm not interested (this time--I definitely left the door open!); I want to make the best decision . . .  for my family and for me.

Longworth House Office Building

I interned in DC many years ago (wonderful experience! I worked in Longworth House Office Building), and I love the city . . . but there's something about Tampa (good memories?) . . . and the job is a very good fit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

South Carolina

I'm still loving Ft. Jackson. I wouldn't choose to live long term in Columbia, but I'm enjoying my time here. Our class has really bonded, and our instructors are wonderful. I can't think of anything negative to say, although I'm not excited about sharing space with the snakes next week (land nav)!

Last (but not least!)

Happy birthday to my best friend, Lance! Be safe, and be blessed!

Life is good--I am so blessed!

Cheers!

Living the dream!

I went to Charleston last weekend
with a friend--fun!

Life is crazy busy right now, and crazy good. Last week, we took the APFT, and this week we celebrated both the Army's birthday and the Finance Corps' birthday . . . OK, we were busy with more than birthday celebrations . . .

Our first assignment was due today, and we have distance learning modules to complete as well. I'll be studying this weekend.

There's so much more that I could write about . . . My class is going to take the new APRT while we're here (pilot testing . . . kind of). I'll try to make time to write more this weekend.

Hooah!

Soldier's Creed

I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

Matt Larsen, 2003

Hello, South Carolina!

Yes, finally!

I arrived in South Carolina yesterday afternoon--it was 100 degrees . . . and I was happy to stop driving!

It's hot here, but nice. I wasn't excited to have a snake slither in front of my car (about three feet long) before I even reached Ft. Jackson, but I digress . . .

Crazy weather - My camera focused
on the rain drops on the window,
but it was pouring outside!

The weather here is strange. Today, I went to the PX to pick up a few things. It was 91 degrees when I parked. When I left (about 20 minutes later), it was 71 degrees and POURING. I was soaked when I got to my car.

Once back to my room, the lightning became constant. There were thunderstorm warnings stating that there could be golf ball sized hail. Not good. Then the power went out. Some areas in Columbia are still without power. My lights are on, but I was operating on candlelight for awhile.

The weather here is crazy, but life is good.

Hello Arizona!

 

After two long days of driving (ten hours the first day, nine the second), I arrived in Mohave Valley, Arizona yesterday around 4:30 in the afternoon. So far, the drive has been good, and thankfully my guardian angels haven't been busy. However, my GPS wasn't working, so I'm glad I know the way--I've driven this route so frequently that I felt like I was on auto-pilot!



Here are some of the sights from yesterday's drive:

Driving on CA-99 near Fresno

The desert near Needles, CA

Gas prices in Needles--EEEEK!

This one is from an earlier visit with my parents. 

Two days into my road trip:  Mohave Valley, AZ 

This is what lies ahead!

The long drive (day one)

Mt. Shasta

Ten hours. But with some great scenery! I've seen this scenery . . . many, many times. I've taken photos a few times, but I've never shared them. As you can see, driving from anywhere in Washington State down to Northern California isn't so bad . . .

Ten hours from Washougal, WA brings me to Folsom, CA (just outside of Sacramento). There was a time when I thought of Sacramento as the "armpit of California," and I swore I would never live there. I stand corrected. I enjoyed living there, and I made some wonderful friendships!

If given a good opportunity, yes, I would move back!

Hello California--I've missed you!!!!

The side of the road

The Gospodor Monuments

Earlier, I said that I was going to take pictures and blog about the things I see and people I meet as I drive to South Carolina and beyond, but I see things every day as I travel near home. Yesterday, I drove to Gig Harbor to spend time with my kids (and my hair stylist).

For years, my kids and I have pondered the existence of the strange statues on the east side of I-5 near Chehalis. Yesterday, I took a picture of them on my way home. Seattle millionaire Dominic Gospodor erected them commemorating the Holocaust, Christianity, and Native Americans.

"Dominic Gospodor, the eccentric bachelor who spent over $1 million building the Gospodor Monuments, has died at age 86. He never told anyone why he built them, or exactly what he meant to say with their peculiar combination of Mother Teresa, Native Americans, Jesus, Holocaust victims, an eagle, and an enormous weather vane.

Mr. Gospodor reportedly wrote in his will that upon his death a nonprofit organization had to be found to take over ownership of the monuments. But he also reportedly left no money to maintain them, or even to pay for the electricity that lights them at night. The monuments are made of rustproofed steel, however, and should be around for a while (2010)." [credit]

The statues are just there, on the side of the road in a field . . . very strange.

Gig Harbor is beautiful--it was my home for several years.

But of course, the best part of this mini road trip was spending time with my Rachel and Tyler!

Rachel, me, Tyler

Eating mango sticky rice at Thai Hut in Gig Harbor

The Bucket List

My dad's Beechcraft Musketeer

I realized today that I need to revisit my bucket list. I created my current bucket list a few years ago--just before writing my strategic plan. Why do I need to revisit it? Well, I've been able to check off several items on the list!

I need to add more to the list, but one of the more important items--learning to fly--is still there. And it's achievable now . . .

Why do I want to learn to fly? When I was a child, my dad wanted to learn to fly. He and my mom bought a Beechcraft Musketeer, went to ground school, and learned to fly together. My dad earned his pilot's license, and my mom soloed. I remember them taking trips with their friends, flying themselves to their destination. I always admired them for that . . . and when I was ten (yes, this has been on my bucket list since I was ten!), I decided that someday I would learn to fly too.

So what am I waiting for? Bring it on!

The Email

Years ago, I received this email from a good friend. I remember when her son was born, and I was at his funeral. Her email touched me deeply, and I saved it as a reminder on my refrigerator door. Now I want to share it with you:

"It was 5 years ago today that my first-born son made his entrance into this world.  He was a beautiful baby with a deep soul who only lived for 5 days but gave me an enormous gift.  I would like to share that gift with you on the anniversary of his birth.  Please do not let the grinding details of life weigh you down.  Each day will pass by too fast so it is incredibly important to always reach out to those who mean the most and tell them how wonderful they are to you. Love to all"

Amen.

Life is all about how you handle plan B . . .

"Plan A is always my first choice . . . you know, the one where everything works out to be happily ever-after. But more often than not, I find myself dealing with the upside-down, inside-out version where nothing goes as it should. Do I sink or do I swim? . . . The choice is all mine. It's at this point that the true test of my character comes in. Life really is all about how you handle plan B." [From a fun T-shirt that I own.]

Plan B

People make too big of a deal over plan B. Seriously! Plans should be flexible . . . what is most important is the mission! A change in plans isn't a change in mission--plan B is merely a different avenue of approach.

One thing that I always try to keep in mind is that my plan A may not be what is best for me. It may accomplish the mission, but at what cost?

I have a strategic plan for my life and my career--yes, it's true (I am THAT anal). And yes, I weigh every decision according to this plan. Yet at the same time, I realize that I may not have all of the information, and my original plan may not be the best plan to accomplish the mission . . .

Do I sink or do I swim?

That is a silly question--of course I swim! I look at life this way: if we create a plan or a map for our lives and everything goes precisely according to the plan, how boring would that be? Where are the challenges in that?

I love the twists and turns in life--they usually bring heightened success!


Dialing it in

What am I talking about here? One example could be my own change from the Army's MI branch to Finance. Attending Finance BOLC and becoming a Finance Officer was my plan B. I won't share all of the details of my personal strategic plan, but the goal in that segment of my plan had already been met, so the change wasn't truly significant. However, initially choosing MI was important to my end-state. My background is actually in finance, so this change made sense . . . but MI still holds my interest!

My point is that it's important to not only have a plan, but to fully understand the steps in the plan and the desired end-state . . . otherwise you may get so caught up in the details that you lose sight of the end-state which is the ultimate goal!

"You’re IN, baby!"

NWM 2010

Last year, I ran it with Team-in-Training and raised $2400 to help find a cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma. This year, I'm running with a group, Team-in-Training Friends. We entered the lottery together, and we're IN!

IN what? The Nike Women's Marathon (and half marathon) in San Francisco. Like last year, the theme is "I run to be . . ."

Last year, I devoted an entire post to answering this question; this year, I told Nike that I run to be strong and healthy--an example for my children! 

Yes, it is!

Life is good!


Related posts:
I run to be . . .
Just DID it!
Race week
Snapshot of a Saturday
Hill repeats and work (wait, hill repeats are work!)
The trail run 

My artistic side . . .

This is a creepy picture . . . but I like it!

Relaxing at home

Sunshine in Washington!

I'm enjoying my last month at home . . . Today was wonderful, sunny, and . . . ok, it wasn't warm, but it was nice! The great thing about the weather being cool is . . . I can still have a fire!

Today was productive for me--lots of phone calls, emails, etc . . . but things are falling nicely into place. I'll feel better when the package is wrapped with a nice little bow on top though!

I'm looking forward to this weekend--Easter with my kids! I'm hoping for a sunny weekend so I can take them hiking on Saturday. Even if it rains, it will be a great weekend!

Ready . . . Set . . .

I am sooooo ready . . . I really am! Once I have a plan, I'm ready to go! In my mind, that is . . .

Truthfully, I have so much to do to get ready to leave for South Carolina . . . Yet in my mind, I'm already there. But half of the things I'll need are here with me in Washington, and the other half is in Arizona. Somehow, I need to get it all in my little car and get it to Ft. Jackson! But hey, I've done it before . . .

I'm excited--I've already started mapping my route and contacting friends to visit along the way. I love learning new things, visiting new places, and meeting new people. The only part I won't love is being away from my family . . .

I'm so glad my family is supportive of my adventures--I have the best family and friends. They understand what drives these adventures--that there is purpose and meaning to them. They understand that much of what I do . . . is ultimately for them.

"May you live in interesting times"

My car - ready for the road trip home.
Not as loaded down this time!

I'm definitely living in interesting times! This phrase is intended to be a curse meaning "may you experience upheaval and trouble in your life." [credit] 


While I wouldn't say there is trouble or upheaval in my life, changes occur every moment. It isn't always easy, but it always works out for the best. I was expecting to head to San Diego to turn in my government computer and say goodbye to the 315th, but the my last battle assembly with them was cancelled due to the expected government shutdown. Instead, I packed and headed back to Washington. It was nice--I gain a lot of perspective during these long road trips, and I stopped in the Sacramento area and visited some friends on my way home.

Now, I'm packing and preparing for another road trip--to South Carolina. At first, although I'm definitely excited to visit friends along the way, I was wishing I had more time to rest before another road trip. Remember, I've been ill and am still recovering. But rest, for me, brings boredom.

So I'm getting excited about this new adventure. Rachel suggested awhile ago that I blog about my "adventures." I haven't written much about these road trips. This time, I'm going to take pictures along the way, and spend some time each day writing about the things I see and people I meet. It really is an adventure!

My life is good--I wouldn't trade places with anyone!


So don't be deceived . . . the true curse is "may you lead a boring and purposeless life."

I can always find the rainbow!

Life is good!

What a great weekend! 

After leaving Ft. Huachuca, I was able to stop and have a brief visit with my parents before heading north to Washington. In Washington, I went shopping with Rachel, then watched Tyler's first regatta at Lake Stevens. What fun! I'm so proud of him! He's on a four man team and loving it--I think wrestling may become the off-season sport!

It was great to spend some time at home--I've really missed my kids. I'm so glad they are doing well! Watching Tyler row brought back some of my own memories of crew!

I'm heading back to San Diego now--via Las Vegas. Life is busy--life is good! I can't wait for the next adventure!

Cheers!

PhD

Should I? The timing seems right . . . Yes, I think it's time.