Today in my history: September 5, 1993

Today in my history: September 5, 1993

           I’m reenlisting in a few days. I’m not sure about others but whenever my personal Navy anniversary arises it’s time to revisit the reasons I volunteered to join the service. This isn’t the kind of blog entry to stir your patriotic juices or to teach a lesson, it’s just another piece of my personal puzzle more of an adjunct to my last entry.

Sixteen years ago today was a Sunday, which meant I was going to work at Gymboree. It was also my last day coordinating outfits for toddlers. I originally chose to work at Gymboree because there was nothing there I would want to spend my paycheck on! It was a great job but without benefits. The place was filled with happy music, colors and little clothes making it an easy job and a joyful part of my week.

My weekday job was as a Teacher’s Assistant at the Rockville, Maryland Treatment and Learning Center. It was another rewarding job but without health benefits. The children were speech delayed 2-4 year olds, some were abused others had other types of developmental delays. I enjoyed the personal satisfaction of watching my students grow and overcome their disabilities or learn new life skills. Watching the light bulb above their heads go on and their eyes light up with understanding were addictive but it wasn’t enough to hold me there. My mentors were professional women who taught by example and were generous with their time whenever I had questions.

My final job was at Natural Wonders. It was by far the coolest place in the mall to work. Amongst leadership skills, display techniques, and shoplifter spotting, I learned how to juggle! I had the most seniority at this job but without a college degree I would never make it to manager or earn benefits. This is job where the manager had been in the car accident and spurred me to join the Navy.

I actually went to the recruiter’s office on August 11, 1993 and went to the Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Site (MEPS) and entered the Delayed Entry Program on August 13, with a shipping date of August 1994. Imagine my surprise when I got a call on September 2 that an opening came up and was to leave in ten days! Now I had to tell my parents that I joined the Navy… and that is another story.

What's up? You may have asked & hopefully I answered.

It's been nearly a month since my last transmission. You, you know who you are, have been bugging me for another blog entry. Golly, I've been busy Beev. Let me list the ways.

• I'm a year older (sorta). Had a Birthday anyway.
  
• Made pleasantly aware I'm married to a Champion, USN Atlantic Fleet Individual Rifle First Place Winner.
  
• Lived in a Marriott for 14 days (Charleston, Cocoa Beach, Charlotte).
  
• Proud mother to a newly potty trained two year-old.
• Completed seven books via my eReader Pro app for iPhone:

The Complete Demonica Series by Larissa Ione. Sinful reads perfect for lonely nights.
Slan by A. E. Vogt. How do we know our children won't surpass us?
Dead and Gone Southern Vampire Series Book nine. Dear Sookie, stay sweet.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Genius isn't everything, hard work, luck, and a the perfect birthday make all the difference.
Lizard World by G. Bryan Smith. What's the meaning of slavery and when is it okay...

• Was a techno-weenie by utilizing data merge to create 40 gratitude letters and labels on behalf of the USN Shooting Team, and crunched their post Atlantic Fleet Match Surveys into something neater with a graph.
  
• Helped an old man with his luggage.
  
• Saw four movies:

Star Trek - Awesome! I'm totally loving the ST, STNG, Enterprise, and other SCI-FI easter eggs.

Wolverine - Hugh Jackman.

Terminator - Unhappy about the ending. I think they killed the franchise.

Angels & Demons - I can't wait to read the book! It was a fun ride.

• Saw three for real, not digital, IMAX's:

"Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3-D" - Tom Hanks narrated, but other well-known actors added their voices to this spectacular film.

"Space Station 3-D" - The 3-D imagery was super cool. Tom Cruise's nasally voice was distracting.

"Star Trek: IMAX" - The first five minutes had me crying again, the IMAX theater's sound quality is unmatched, and the huge screen made things I missed the first time pop out more.

What haven't I done?

• I haven't walked past a vagrant without saying "Hello" or a panhandler without giving them $0.50. - It's my Karmic debt and charitable donations go far to dig you out of the hole.
  
• Dined on McDonald's/ Burger King ... - If you haven't shopped at Trader Joe's or Farm Fresh you are missing out, no need to get Fast food. Real food is easier and better for you.
  
• Dined at Bennigan's. I was crushed when my little family discovered the Monte Cristo is no more.
  
• Left my hovel without an umbrella. - It's like the Eurythmics are on tour to every state I'm in!
  
• Tried something new daily. - Food or exercise mostly.
  
• Watched SCI-FI or BBC America. - I'm tweaking...
  
• Escaped the pull of the Season finale of "American Idol" or this season's start of "So You Think You Can Dance."
  
• Not read at least 3 chapters a day.
  
• My ode to my Mom Blog. While Hubby and I were TAD Mom took care of the girls. They are GERM Magnets/Multipliers. Poor Grandma has been down with a bug since this past Thursday.
  

**@NAVYCS LUMPIA recipes will be posted! Your patience is appreciated.**

I have so many new followers on Twitter and I have been a poor Tweep. I refuse to Auto-DM. So as a blanket to all of you.... Mahalo for your follow. I really do add each of my valuable followers manually and check out their websites or blogs. My #FollowFriday recommends are not filled with everyone in my follow listing but of real tweeters who ADD something positive to my life. Maybe a blog on them would be in order? Hmmm.

Until next time, treasured surfer.

15 Books That Stay With Me

15 books that stay with me.

1. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card 
   
2. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Addams 
   
3. Spell for Chameleon - Piers Anthony 
   
4. Saints - Orson Scott Card 
   
5. Handmaid's Tale- Margret Atwood
   
6. Anna to the Infinite Power - Mildred Ames 
   
7. Sphere - Michael Crichton 
   
8. The Girl With the Silver Eyes - Willo Davis Roberts
   
9. The Voyage of the Dawn Trader - C. S. Lewis 
   
10. The House Between the Worlds - Marion Zimmer Bradley 
    
11. Cyteen - C.J. Cherryh
    
12. Childhood's End - Arthur C. Clarke 
    
13. Slan - A.E. Van Vogt
    
14. Women Who Run with the Wolves - Clarissa Pinkola Estes
15. The Princessa : Machiavelli for Women - Harriet Rubin

How Time Flies....

Yes it's been a long time since my last entry.  I have been too distracted to update my blog.  January was a month of upheaval and sophistry.  February a month of rest and love.  March so far seems to be a month of change and excitement.  

My New Year's Resolutions were derailed due to health issues and now they are back on track. 

1) Get Fit.

a) Continue the AB DIET.

b) Run a 10K with out vomiting or walking. (Jogging is okay.)

c) Really find out if I have ADD or just looney. (LOL)

2) Focus on accomplishing my Quals.

a) Inside Tender

b) Med Deck Tech/Sup.

3) Be more diligent in nurturing my nieces and nephews.

a) By Blood

b) By Love.

4) Connect exclusively with people and things who add to my life or make me happy.

a) Go to Disney World!!! 

b) Get rid of mementos of dark trials and tribulations.

5) Complete my book and my responsibilities toward my the other authors in my circle.

Since my brush with mortality I am pressing on with being more in the moment and not the past.  The "What ifs?" will remain unanswered. The really interesting question for '09 is "What will happen next?"