TGIF

Today i got up in the mood to go to school, (1) I knew it was going to be a short day and (2) We are now covering a topic that im comfortable with - Travel entitlements. We spent ton Fiscal processing and to me it was boring and a little complicated at the same time. It doesnt help that I have a short attention span. But hey travel - thats no real problem for me, I ran the travel section at my last command, so Im on cruise control until this topic ends.
But there was no work for today. We learned that we have a student sweep which means every student attending school in ALL the classes had to provide a sample for urinalysis (drug testing). Now normally this isnt so bad. At my previous commands we go in the restroom with a "observer" you go in the bathroom, he just sits in the bathroom in the open area, you provide a sample, do a little paperwork and thats it. But its not so simple here at this training command from what they was telling us.. A couple of my classmates was talking about you have to "get buck naked from the waste down and the observer pulls a chair in front of you and observes your "jingle bells" (this is a "G" rated blog) going in the cup. Now this sounded a little crazy too me, but they were all saying "no, no its true, its true" So im thinking they have to see your crack and everything??? Does my buttcheeks need to be in the breeze?? Ok..whatever Its not everyday so fine.. But when i went to my designated location and when it was my time to go I had this skinny black dude as my observer.. So we went to the bathroom and it wasnt even like that - but they do have to watch your "jinglebells" providing a sample to the cup..Its not the most comfortable thing in the world but its protocol to prevent you from providing a fake sample or whatever. So its ok. No different feeling than going to the doctor and doing all the things he/she needs you to do to treat you.
Today I ate at the galley, (pork adobo, mixed vegetables, spinach, rice) To say it wasnt good is a understatement. I had to look down at my clothes to make sure I wasnt wearing a orange jumpsuit with the prison number #128734. But hey food is food and Its not that im ungrateful, Its just that if you know someone or a institution is paying for a food and paying you to provide it, the least you can do is prepare it properly. I think this is because its payday and they dont expect people to eat there because they have money in their pockets. But I dont care if it is payday I aint spending no more than I have too..these are tough economic times.

My phone is back!!

Yesterday afternoon I realized that i didnt have my cellphone. I looked everywhere for it. I went to every lost and found place in the area where I was at. I was not happy because I didnt want to replace the phone or try to remember all the info I had in it. It also has sentimental value.
Well anyway just when i was about to give up I went back to the gym to check one more time ( I previously checked twice last night) And what do you know, One of the brothers who was talking to me while I was taking muster (making sure all my people were accounted for -for those of you who have never been in the military) and I left it there, he found it and kept it and waited for me to come back looking for it. He had since got off work when i came back last night, so nobody who was there was able to locate it previously. Needless to say I was happy to have my ol phone back. I just have to be more careful with it...you know how it is.
Since I did decide im jumping in this body -4 life, im going to be posting my before pics so you all can see the progression. Im all in. Its so easy to fall into old habits, but this is going to be my year of checking the boxes. Whatever it takes.

Attention to Detail Part II First Exam

Today we had our first exam after so many in class quizzes. It was open book, open notes but as all you test takers know that those are the hardests tests to pass. The instructor did a review with us for about 1 hour over 2 1/2 weeks of notes but the test was only 25 questions. She told us if we missed more than 5 questions then we failed the test, because you must graduate with at least a 80% average. After I finished that test I was praying that I didnt fail, for one I dont like failing, for two It would have been embarrasing to get that look from your classmates..You know the look..The ol "You failed" look. Nah I didnt want to go out like that, and I needed the Lords Help to make it so. then she graded the test.......Whats that church saying?? "God is Good (chorus "all the time") And all the time (chorus "God is Good") I learned I missed 4 questions out of 25. Which gave me a 84%. I know, I know its not great..but it kept me from the walk of shame, because everyone who didnt pass had to meet with the instructor after class.
Now the reason why i call this blog "Attention To Detail Part II" Is because after she reviewed the test, I learned that I got 3 questions wrong because even though I knew the right answer, I colored in the wrong circle on the answer sheet. I should only have missed one!! If I would have been spot on with my "ATD" then I would have scored one of the highest in the class. Focus is so very important.
On another note, Did you all see that Obama interview with the Islamic TV station. Our President is spot on. This cat is as close to the standard of excellence as I have seen on TV representing our country. Its crazy because you dont have to have a degree in political science to understand the nature of what is is trying to say, or where he is going. I like that.
Todays lunch: A hotdog and a hamburger. Plain just mustard and ketchup.
Im hungry again so Ill sign out now.

Staying Focused...

This is about the time of the month where everyone who started off strong with those New Years Resolutions, kinda start to fall off. Yes it was energizing as well as inspiring to see Obama in the inaguaration, but as far as goals are concerned, Unless you have a clear cut plan which you are following with a precision like focus..You are maybe starting to get a little lazy around about now and starting to fall into your same mundane flow of doing business. This here is me. Today i was almost done. I could use the fact that i have to study as much as I can to make excuses, but today i just didnt feel like it. So Im happy to say I attended my second day of Spin Class. It was much easier because mentally I was prepared to complete the whole hour. It was still a good workout.I decided for the 5th time to enter the " Body-for-Life 12 week challenge. I am putting this out here on my blog, strictly for accountability purposes. I want to be held to this challenge. Its 12 weeks of discipline to see how good of shape you can get in. All you have to do is use some Muscle- Tech products. So Im going to update this blog weekly on my status. Im on the straight talk express now.
Today I ate at the galley or (chow hall) It cost $4.25. It wasnt the greatest. I ended up eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when I got back to my room. Go Figure.

Count Your Blessings

Today I went out just to get away from the barracks. I navigated my way to Best Buy to see if i could find a webcam i could use for skype. So i found best buy and got my camera and was on my way to my car when a woman stopped me with a box of candy. She said, " I dont mean any disrespect but Im out here with my daughter and we are having a rough time. I have some candy here and all im asking for is donations. I had some coins in my pocket which i gave to her and got me a grape blowpop. As I was driving out of the parking lot I saw the lady talking to a couple and her daughter " I guess that was her" was standing nearby. it seems the couple gave them some money i dont know how much. But to see the look on the daughters face made these tough economic times real for me. She had a look mixed with shame and embarrassement. but she stood by the mother as she talked with the couple. Then i thought to myself "How blessed am I?" That could be me not knowing where my next meal was coming from. Then i wished i would have gave her more. But i didnt have but $7 dollars in my wallet.
I realized as i was driving home that me and my family is blessed beyond blessed. And we should thank the Good Lord when we have the money to pay our bills and buy the things we need to keep going. I have spent much money on useless items and even though I manage to save a little bit im going to do better, because I felt then if you have then you should do.
I learned you cant judge a book by its cover. Many times I saw Tony Robbins books in the store and i never thought to try it because he looked goofy to me. But his infomercial came on about some motivational items he was selling. It sounded good so i decided to check you tube to see what kind of speaker he was and to see if he was legit. Well i learned that guy is a powerful speaker. Ill have to try to pick up some of his items. I like motivational books.
Well I wasted most of this saturday away. Ill have to study all day tomorrow to catch up...

Attention to Detail

Today I got my next two test scores for our "job" sheets. One I scored a 88.10 and the other one was 90.87. And most of the class scored higher than me. All my mistakes were because I didnt provide the complete answer or I was rushing to finish everything up. And its minus one point if you forget any small detail..because you are dealing with Navy funds so everything needs to be perfect..Now I know you are thinking "why is this" well its because during this class we are allowed to talk to each other and help each other with the answers and use our notes. So basically the class ends up comparing notes-then going to the most experienced person on the subject to make sure their answers are ok.. The teachers encourage this because they say out in the fleet we can call on other people when you need help.
Now me with my hard headed self , I very rarely try to copy anyones answers even when they offer me the paper. Why? Because I want to know it for myself and correct my own mistakes besides copying off others or letting them give me the answers. Test scores are great - but when you are out there and that inspector or Supervisor wants you to provide some information , you dont have classmates to call or refer too. There are no instructors and you are basically out on a island. A island I have been on many times...So to me Its important that I know it on my own. So my scores are taking a beating(a little) But im still going to come out this class with a decent score.
Enough of the school - today i had a taste for some Phillipino food. I got it and it wasnt as good as i imagined it would be because i had it before. They were slacking today.. Ill give them another try before i leave because i got the same thing when i first got here and it was delicous..I need to take some pictures for updates.
I took a nap when i got home from school..after i ate of course and now its 11:00pm. Nothing much to do..I could go out on the town because its near but I dont feel like spending any money.
I guess Ill wash my clothes so I dont have to do it tomorrow.

Spin Class

As you all know 2009 is the year of trying new things as well as getting into goal mode. I was invited to try a spin class. For those who dont know what spin is its indoor bike riding on a stationary bike. So I arrive for what i think is a 30 minute class and I take my position on the bike with about 12 other people in the class. The instructor is a cyclist who rides miles and miles normally and he let us know that on this day. Im here to tell you all for me, this class was murder. I was so tired i didnt know what the world too do. I was tired 10 minutes into the class which i learned while I was ON the bike that the class was one hour long. Standing up, pedeling uphill, sprinting, all on 30 second intervals. After the class i had to rush back to my room, take a shower, and get to class because i did not have much time. the class starts at 0530 and my class starts at 0745. But i had some work to turn in so i wanted to get there sooner.
I was tired all day and especially sleepy after lunch. I didnt have a heavy lunch so I knew it was the class that got me. But guess what..Ill be at the next class this Tuesday. Because like I said it 2009 and I think that class is going to pay big dividends in getting me back in shape. Im not buying any of those tight biker shorts though. thats carrying it too far.

Inauguration Day

Today I went to PT with my classmates to exersize. After exersizing I kept thinking I would like to watch the inaguration on tv, but I wouldnt have the chance. We are coming off of a long weekend and there is no way I would be able to see it. So I was just set to rewatch it whenever they played it agian. But just to tell you how much support our nation has changed, two of my classmates (both fillipinos, who out rank me - but I was selected as class leader, so I make all the class decisions) approched me about how important it was to them so see the inaguration. None of the black people asked me anything about it. They were persisent to. So I called our instructor and told her that we would like to see the inaguration, and she gave us a extra two hours so we could see the swearing in..This was great because I could say I was watching along with everyone when it actually happened. This was great for me..Ill make sure ill let the teacher know how much i appreciate that!

Yesterday and today

Yesterday i gave up junk food.. My last junk food meal was a double cheeseburger, chicken sandwich and large frieds. Its going to be difficult to let it go completely because i love french fries. But you got to give up something to get something. If i want to get in shape then french fries cant be the priority.
Today i got on the bike for 45 minutes and burnt about 429 calories and rode about 12.28 miles. I like the exersize bike but i cant wait to get to point mugu ( my next duty station ) so i can ride my actual bicycle. I got a good one that was sized to my height, weight, and riding style. I didnt know that you can get a large frame bicycle. I thought all bikes were the same size once you got the adult one. I would have never learned this if my cheap jeep bicycle wouldnt have got stolen.. My new bike is definitely a upgrade and you can tell the difference big time..Ill post a pic of me and my trusty bike when i get to my new duty station.
I have been watching the nomination on and off for the last two day. I cannot get tired of watching it..if they make a dvd of everything im definitely getting it. As I was riding the bike today in my everlong quest to get back to top shape I realized that Barack Obama has managed to do what only Nelson Mandela and the guy whom "The pursuit of Happyness" has done in my eyes, which was take away all excuses for greatness and personal acheivement. We really dont have any excuses..In a way thats a very uncomfortable feeling because many of us have found a comfort zone in our excuses, and become lazy in that comfort zone. But a wise man once seed that true sucess comes from getting out of our comfort zone...I think this was Dennis Kimbro - the author of "What makes the Great Great" One of the most fantastic books i have ever read...
We all have goals and sometimes we fall in to the trap of wanting everything to happen right now and we get impatient with the process...Got to love to love the journey and the process..That Dennis Kimbro just jumped into me..Got to switch back to WCT

Yesterday's adventure

Yesterday I decided to venture out and ride around San Diego a bit. So I plugged in Horton Plaza to the GPS and away I went to see the sights. As I rode around I noticed that it was exceptionally nice day and everything looked good. People walk around here like they are on vacation, Kind of like they do in Monterey. I found a place to park the car once I got to Horton Plaza. I went to pay for the parking and this older gentlemen and his wife asked me did I need a parking ticket. I said yes and they gave me theirs! They paid $20 for all day parking but they didnt need but 1 and a half. I walked them to their car so they could give me their ticket. If i was thinking i would have took their picture. I thanked him very much of course and he said all i ask is that you give it to somebody else if you dont use all the time. I ended up being there about 2 hours. When I came from the mall I was looking for somebody to give the ticket to, but I couldnt tell whether people had already paid, or was leaving the parking lot. And I didnt want people to look at me like I was crazy or trying to pull a fast one on them, so I just kept it...just incase I decided to come back to that area later that day.
I wanted to go to another mall and my stupid GPS system stopped tracking sattelites. Which means I had no idea where i was going. I ended up riding around all of San Diego not having a idea where I was. But the think about here i learned coming in is that highway 5 is the major road that runs through San Diego so if you can get back to the 5 then you are good.
It was all good, I just burnt more gas than i wanted to.
Nothing funny happend..but I had to use the bathroom and I went to Subway to use theres. And as im heading back to the car (I dont care too much for Subway Subs) i noticed a homeless lady sitting near where I was parked..I couldnt really tell if it was a man or a woman so i looked really hard..I was thinking, maybe i should hook this lady up with a sub, and do my good deed for the day to make up for that free parking i got earlier. But i guess she got nervous at me watching her and she picked up her stuff and walked away..So I thought "No sub for you" Then i hopped back in my car and I was on my way..
I noticed i need some new tires. I hate it when you have a few extra dollars then here comes a new expense..Burns my gall it does.
Well ill post later!

First Quiz

We got our first job sheet and I learned my score was 94.8. Although this is a decent score a few of my classmates scored 100% and thats the score I wanted to have. Most of my errors were small but as we know little things add up...
As you all well know I got a weight loss-get in shape goal for this year. One of the reasons for creating this blog is for accountability as well as to monitor my progress. My goal is to lose 95 pounds this year. I know that seems like alot but it totals out to be about 8 pounds per month. Comparing it to those people on "The biggest loser who lose between 64-110 pounds in a 10 week period. But I dont have a weight loss campus to sit around at and exersize and eat healthy.I got things to do and money to earn. But Im on my way. What im going to do is weigh in once every week and keep a monthly tally. I will probaly have little rewards per 10 pounds loss and once I get that get a little better every extra 10 pounds. If i meet my goal im going to buy something huge as a reward..Im thinking a Rolex watch or something nice like that. You have to reward yourself and keep focused..Naturally having the extra good health will speak for itself.
My current weight I learned is 305. End goal 210.
We will see what happens...

E7 exam..

Hi everyone,

I know you all are just reading this blog, and im just start to post on it. Feel free to leave any comments you so desire. Its intended to just to post some views that I have from day to day as well as keep you all up with whats going on with me. Ill include some observations and what not, just crazy things i see and sometimes do everyday.
Today i took the E7 test today... I didnt study so chances are I didnt do so well. Ill pass it next time. I know im going to get some flak at my next command about it..Tyler whats up with you, why didnt you past the test..My response will be geared to whomever makes the comment. If its a higher ranking person than me, My response will be: Ill try harder next time! I lost my focus for this test..however if they are the same rank or lower than me..my response will be along the lines of "Mind your business, and while you are at it, kiss a monkey's cayes.. Now if you arent from around the way you probaly dont know what cayes are. And if you dont than its better you didnt.
Today i took my first lesson quiz..I missed a few.. I hope this doenst ruin my chance of being the highest in the class. we have 19 people in the class. My goal is at least being one of the top 5 in the class.
Well its time for me to go. Im going to take some pictures this weekend. And keep you all updated on everything.. piece out..