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.