2 Year Mark

It's a couple weeks past, but on 7 July 2006, I hit my 2 year mark in the Army. For some reason it doesn't really feel like I've been in the Army all the long. However, it feels like I've been in Korea for a lifetime. Most people say that it's not the "real Army" over here in Korea, and I can see why. A lot of discipline and military bearing goes out the window. It's pretty lax. Some days, I don't really feel like I'm in the Army at all... Just an ordinary job, in a not so ordinary place.

Lately, things have been pretty good. For the longest time, I refused to get to know a lot of people, or just didn't care to. I just wanted to ride my time out, and go home. But I've actually grown quite fond of most of the people in my unit. It really is almost like a family. A lot of these guys would do anything for me, as I would for them. It's been good times hanging out lately.

With that said, I still can't wait to get out and come home! The military is good for some people, but not for me. I know I can easily advance in the military, but it's not what I want to do. I came into the military to get experience. I've got some, and now I'm ready to move on. Like I said, I chose a certain path, and I'm sticking to it.

Change

I briefly scanned through some of my old posts and comments on here. It's amazing to see how much things have changed. How much I have changed. It almost seems like EVERYTHING has changed. And in only 2 years, or less. I guess it's all part of growing up and maturing. Some of the things I posted or issues I was having, seem pretty silly now, reading back on them. Things are a lot different today. Problems, issues, even friendships. I no longer worry about the little things.. at least I try not to. I'm just trying to stay focused on what's ahead of me... Life. Even though I've been living it, I know there's much more ahead of me. I can't worry about the little things or let them get in the way and cause problems for me. I can't do some of the things I used to do. Getting into trouble has consequences now. My life and my career ahead of me requires me to walk a fine line. Now, there are times I need to know when to say no. Times I need to keep my cool, or learn to walk away.

I guess I've learned a lot in the past couple years. About life and about myself. Learned some hard lessons and made a few mistakes. Chose to take a different path, but I'm sticking with the path that I chose. I feel I'm on the right track in life right now. Things are constantly changing. Who knows where I'll be, or what I'll be doing in the next couple years.

I Think I'm Getting Old

People say that you age 5 times faster in the Army. I'm beginning to think that's true. Lately, I've been gaining weight.. and not the "good" kind. I've always been the kid with the crazy fast metabolism. Could eat all day and never gain an ounce. And just the other day, I was hanging out with my girlfriend, and I stood up, and thought I threw my back out! Thought it was nothing... 'til I woke up this morning and my back was killing me! So... thinking that it was nothing, I went to my basketball game today. Played 3 minutes before I had to sub myself out because of BACK SPASMS! What is going on?! As I'm sitting here typing this up, I'm trying not to move so much, because my back cramps up on me! Stuff like this isn't supposed to happen for another 20 years! Maybe I should stop drinking so much beer and go back to doing PT religiously... Just a thought.

The World Today; From Where I'm Sitting.

So, I'm sitting here tonight, doing my usual thing at work... watching a movie and surfing the web. Every night I'm at work, I read the news and try to keep up with what's going on in the world. Upon opening the World News page on msn's site, I see that 4 out of the 5 top headlines are about North Korea.

It's not news anymore that N. Korea had fired off some missiles into the Sea of Japan.. one of the missiles being the Taepodong-2, a missile that is suspected of having the capability to reach the U.S., which fell apart 42 seconds after launch. Before these missiles were test fired, N. Korea put out a statement saying, "any preemptive action to prevent the launch of the missiles would result in a 'cruel and annihilating' retaliation."

Being stationed in South Korea, statements like that kind of put me on edge. Especially knowing that N. Korea has nuclear capabilities. After the launch of several missiles, and a strong uproar from the international community, N. Korea vows to launch more missiles. Knowing that there's some insane, little, mad man with his finger on a button, just doesn't sit well.

Aside from the recent issues with my jolly neighbor to the North, there's everything going on in the Middle East. Israel is currently sending troops into Gaza, and the Palestinians are pissed and all that mess. Meanwhile, Iran's crazy president spouts off by making statements saying that Israel needs to be wiped off the map. Them and the ones that helped create it, (the West.) And lets not forget that just shortly before Lil' Kimmy started shooting his rockets off, that Iran has been in the process of developing their nulcear program... it hasn't been in the news, but you know it's still an active issue.

So... War, nuclear bombs, and crazy Arabs and North Koreans are always a scary thing. But to add to it... what's with the weather and geological activities these days? It seems a little odd. Crazy earthquakes all over the world. Massive tsunamis. Hurricane Katrina. I'm beginning to think that someone hit the Self Destruct button!

Maybe it's just me, but when I sit back and think about it... the world is a scary place these days. Or maybe I should just stop reading/watching the news.