long
I could put this in a cut... but I dont post that often. So, heres a big long entry to clutter your friend page.
Well. I've come to a decision. I'm going to join the Air Force. I've prayed
about it, thought about it, talked to people about it, and this is where all
that has led me. I've gotten some big slap-in-the-face signs too. I took my
aptitude test a week ago (ASVAB). I was late for the bus to get there, but
the bus came late as well, it pulled in right behind me as I got to the
stop. I ended up being late for the test, and they arent supposed to let
people in late. I was only 5 minutes late, but its the principle of the
thing with the military. The guy let me in anyways. I figure, if I wasnt
supposed to be doing this, the whole process would have stopped right there.
'Sorry, you're late, go home.' But he let me take the test. I ended up with
a near perfect score of 94 percent. Thats like a 33 on the ACT. Im
academically qualified for every position the Air Force has to offer. I was
told that theres a good chance I could become an officer. When I was 12,
and out in Colorado visiting with my grandparents, we drove by the Air Force
Academy. I told them that was where I wanted to go to college. Maybe I will,
after all. Thats where I would go to become an officer, if I choose that
path. I've also lost 20 pounds since I moved out here. Thats another place
that this whole process could have stagnated. It could have taken awhile to
lose the wieght, but it didnt. I think this is part of the reason I felt so
compelled to come to Washington. Had I not, the military would never have
crossed my mind.
But I want people to know something. This is my decision. I'm not doing this
for shock value, or to impress people. This is for me. I'll get the
education I need, and a very high quality one at that. I'll be well paid for
someone of my age without a college education, and I'll be moving my life
forwards, rather than trying to pay for school myself making $8.50/hr, and
going nowhere fast. I'll see parts of the world that I wouldnt have seen
otherwise. And I'm not talking about the middle east.
Hopefully, I'll do well in basic training. Because if I do, Ill have 2 weeks
between basic and tech school, which I plan on using to come home to
Illinois. I wont be the same as when I left, but I'm not the same person
now, either. I'll be more mature, but I'll still be me. I'll still want to
go out and have fun, and I still wont take life too seriously. If anything,
I feel as if I'll be more humble, but more confident in myself. I plan on
keeping 2 cards with me at all times. One for my goals (i.e. whay I'm in the
Air Force), and one for who I am. I wont lose sight of myself. I like most
of who I am, but a little more maturity and confidence couldnt hurt.
All in all, I know that this will be a good decision for me. I dont think it
will be even remotely easy, especially basic, but I do feel it will be worth
it.
Life in general is going just fine. My job is a job. I wash dishes, which
isnt all that spectacular, but I do a good job. I should become a server
soon, so that's a step towards a better income. I'll make a dollar less per
hour, but with tips added in, I think I can more than make up the
difference. I'm starting to make friends with people at work, which is good.
I ws invited to go bowling with them on friday, but then it got really busy,
and we all just wanted to go home and go to bed. Such is working in a
restaurant.
Well, thats about it...
Until next time,
~Josh
Well. I've come to a decision. I'm going to join the Air Force. I've prayed
about it, thought about it, talked to people about it, and this is where all
that has led me. I've gotten some big slap-in-the-face signs too. I took my
aptitude test a week ago (ASVAB). I was late for the bus to get there, but
the bus came late as well, it pulled in right behind me as I got to the
stop. I ended up being late for the test, and they arent supposed to let
people in late. I was only 5 minutes late, but its the principle of the
thing with the military. The guy let me in anyways. I figure, if I wasnt
supposed to be doing this, the whole process would have stopped right there.
'Sorry, you're late, go home.' But he let me take the test. I ended up with
a near perfect score of 94 percent. Thats like a 33 on the ACT. Im
academically qualified for every position the Air Force has to offer. I was
told that theres a good chance I could become an officer. When I was 12,
and out in Colorado visiting with my grandparents, we drove by the Air Force
Academy. I told them that was where I wanted to go to college. Maybe I will,
after all. Thats where I would go to become an officer, if I choose that
path. I've also lost 20 pounds since I moved out here. Thats another place
that this whole process could have stagnated. It could have taken awhile to
lose the wieght, but it didnt. I think this is part of the reason I felt so
compelled to come to Washington. Had I not, the military would never have
crossed my mind.
But I want people to know something. This is my decision. I'm not doing this
for shock value, or to impress people. This is for me. I'll get the
education I need, and a very high quality one at that. I'll be well paid for
someone of my age without a college education, and I'll be moving my life
forwards, rather than trying to pay for school myself making $8.50/hr, and
going nowhere fast. I'll see parts of the world that I wouldnt have seen
otherwise. And I'm not talking about the middle east.
Hopefully, I'll do well in basic training. Because if I do, Ill have 2 weeks
between basic and tech school, which I plan on using to come home to
Illinois. I wont be the same as when I left, but I'm not the same person
now, either. I'll be more mature, but I'll still be me. I'll still want to
go out and have fun, and I still wont take life too seriously. If anything,
I feel as if I'll be more humble, but more confident in myself. I plan on
keeping 2 cards with me at all times. One for my goals (i.e. whay I'm in the
Air Force), and one for who I am. I wont lose sight of myself. I like most
of who I am, but a little more maturity and confidence couldnt hurt.
All in all, I know that this will be a good decision for me. I dont think it
will be even remotely easy, especially basic, but I do feel it will be worth
it.
Life in general is going just fine. My job is a job. I wash dishes, which
isnt all that spectacular, but I do a good job. I should become a server
soon, so that's a step towards a better income. I'll make a dollar less per
hour, but with tips added in, I think I can more than make up the
difference. I'm starting to make friends with people at work, which is good.
I ws invited to go bowling with them on friday, but then it got really busy,
and we all just wanted to go home and go to bed. Such is working in a
restaurant.
Well, thats about it...
Until next time,
~Josh