Yeah, I am excited. Yesterday I just received all of the dates and locations for our annual training for the military. We picked up Italy this year and I know I will be going. I guess it is in Northern Italy (darn, too far from Rome), but it is close to Venice. I just can't wait. The good thing also is that it is in December when I have a break from school so I will not be putting any classes off to go. I am just so darn excited. I've been to Germany a few times, have no desire to go to Japan or Korea, so this will definitely be a good vacation...I mean mission.
Haven't watched any new movies yet. Probably pick some up tonight or tomorrow to take with us when we leave tomorrow evening to head to the FIL's for the 4th. It'll be fun, I am sure. Nothing else more exciting than finding out about Italy. Still waiting on my final grade for my Literature class. I am currently taking Business Ethics. It seems ok so far. At least the book is nowhere as thick as my Literature book was.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Remember Me
What a great title. Better yet, what a great movie. REMEMBER ME stars Robert Pattinson from TWILIGHT and Pierce Brosnan. I don't want to go into too much detail about the movie, but everyone should watch it. I took it to my sister's house and watched it Saturday. I came home Sunday night and watched it again with my wife. It is a tear jerker near the end, but over all is a great movie. I also watched THE VISITOR and SHE'S OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE. The latter one was pretty good, the first was a little slow.
Stayed at the sis's house this weekend. We took the kids to an aquatic park and had a good time. It was nice as it was like a smaller version of a water park and easier to keep track of the kids. Plus the cost, although the sister paid, was more reasonable than what waterparks want. Stayed Saturday night and returned Sunday afternoon. Came home to a check in the mail, which was good because I was expecting it last week (must have came on Saturday) and I was able to pay electric and water bill so I wouldn't get shut off today.
I'll be leaving Thursday night after work to head up to the FIL's for the 4th of July weekend. I will be returning on Monday the 5th. We'll see if I can survive that many days up there. We will be doing fireworks and stuff. Although it is illegal in the state of Arizona, he somehow gets away with it. I don't mean firecrackers and sparklers, i'm talking the big fireworks up in the sky. It is kind of funny because people in town usually say his firework display is better than the one the town does.
I finish up my Literature class today. Still have 5 more pages to write on my final paper. Right now I have a 98%, so I am sure I will finish this class with another good grade. I thought I only had 9 classes to go, but I rechecked and realized I have 16 classes to go so that is about another 80 weeks to go which is almost another year and a half. So I will probably graduate in early 2012. We'll see if all of this actually pays off in the end.
Stayed at the sis's house this weekend. We took the kids to an aquatic park and had a good time. It was nice as it was like a smaller version of a water park and easier to keep track of the kids. Plus the cost, although the sister paid, was more reasonable than what waterparks want. Stayed Saturday night and returned Sunday afternoon. Came home to a check in the mail, which was good because I was expecting it last week (must have came on Saturday) and I was able to pay electric and water bill so I wouldn't get shut off today.
I'll be leaving Thursday night after work to head up to the FIL's for the 4th of July weekend. I will be returning on Monday the 5th. We'll see if I can survive that many days up there. We will be doing fireworks and stuff. Although it is illegal in the state of Arizona, he somehow gets away with it. I don't mean firecrackers and sparklers, i'm talking the big fireworks up in the sky. It is kind of funny because people in town usually say his firework display is better than the one the town does.
I finish up my Literature class today. Still have 5 more pages to write on my final paper. Right now I have a 98%, so I am sure I will finish this class with another good grade. I thought I only had 9 classes to go, but I rechecked and realized I have 16 classes to go so that is about another 80 weeks to go which is almost another year and a half. So I will probably graduate in early 2012. We'll see if all of this actually pays off in the end.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
OMG...Am I stupid or intelligent?
So....I received my SAT scores today. Yeah, my niece did better on hers. And rightly so as she just completed High School. I went into this test without studying, without practicing, without anything. I just figured that either you know it or you don't and went in and took it. Now that I have justified myself enough and made myself feel a little better, here is what you want to know...1480. . Oh, well, the only reason I took this test was for Direct Commission, which I only needed 850. That is the only reason I took this test. I didn't need it for college as I am already in and only need 46 credits to finish my Bachelor's Degree. (Still trying to convince myself I am not stupid). So here is the breakdown in the scores:
Reading-500-49%
Math-440-26%
Writing-540-66%
Now, let me also explain the reason for the low scores. For every question you answer correctly, you get one point. If you leave a question blank, you do not get a point or a point taken away. However, for every question you answer incorrectly, you are deducted .25. I answered everything. Here was my philosophy on it. If I guessed on 20 and got 12 wrong, that is -3 points meaning I recieved 5 points for guessing. Maybe I shouldn't have convinced myself of this after looking at my math score. Well, enough about the SAT's. Go ahead and laugh and make fun, but I got out of it what I needed.
Watched GREEN ZONE last night with Matt Damon. It was ok, but not spectacular. I also have REMEMBER ME to watch. I was upset they didn't have SHE'S OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE at Blockbuster at all. It was just released Tuesday. They informed me they have 177 copies they are still waiting to receive. I guess I'll try again next week. I'll be going to the Sis's this weekend as my wife will be staying with her mother, so it will be just me and the kids. Well, that's all I got today.
Reading-500-49%
Math-440-26%
Writing-540-66%
Now, let me also explain the reason for the low scores. For every question you answer correctly, you get one point. If you leave a question blank, you do not get a point or a point taken away. However, for every question you answer incorrectly, you are deducted .25. I answered everything. Here was my philosophy on it. If I guessed on 20 and got 12 wrong, that is -3 points meaning I recieved 5 points for guessing. Maybe I shouldn't have convinced myself of this after looking at my math score. Well, enough about the SAT's. Go ahead and laugh and make fun, but I got out of it what I needed.
Watched GREEN ZONE last night with Matt Damon. It was ok, but not spectacular. I also have REMEMBER ME to watch. I was upset they didn't have SHE'S OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE at Blockbuster at all. It was just released Tuesday. They informed me they have 177 copies they are still waiting to receive. I guess I'll try again next week. I'll be going to the Sis's this weekend as my wife will be staying with her mother, so it will be just me and the kids. Well, that's all I got today.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Father's Day weekend
Well, this holiday weekend is over now. Rented some movies and watched them over the weekend. Saw WHEN IN ROME, which was a pretty good movie. THE STOLEN which was different, but interesting. YOUTH IN REVOLT which was hilarious, but is not recommended for children or those adults with virgin ears. THE SHUTTER. Wow, this movie was really good and I was not able to predict what was happening. It was definately a good thriller movie.
Saturday morning, I got up and took my boys on a hike on the mountains by our house. After that they said they did not want to do that again. I guess because it was not paved and it was extremely steep in some areas. It was probably about 2-2.5 mile hike. Not too hot as early as we went. I then went to Phoenix to drop one of their friends off at home that stayed with us all week. Then I took my kids to my Sis's house to have her watch them while I went to a wedding for a Soldier. It was supposed to start at 5, but ended up starting at 6 as we had to first wait for the bride and groom to show up, which they did at about 5:15-5:20, we then had to wait for the best man and another groomsman to show up, which they did at about 5:45-not yet dressed. So after the wedding, my parents married them by the way, we did not stay for the reception as it was sandwiches and chips. So the parents, wife and I went out for dinner. We went to Lonestar where we received terrible service.
First, it took 45 minutes to receive our order. There were two tables that came in after us and had already eaten and left before we were given our food and/or bill. The steak tasted like it had already been cooked and then thrown back on the grill to be reheated. We had emptied our glasses three times without them coming to refill in time. When we were getting ready to pay the bill I asked about military discount-no. Senior citizen discount-no. Then my parents asked what about a discount for bringing our meal to us 45 minutes after ordering-no. The waitress then proceeded to tell us they do not do any type of discounts. I asked 'Oh, so no employee discount?' she responded saying oh yes we do, thank goodness and walks away. Yeah, I don't think I will go to Lonestar ever again. And yeah, it was at I-17 and Peoria in Phoenix, AZ.
So we ended up asking the Sis if the kids could stay the night Saturday night so i didn't have to drive to her house and then back to mine. We still had to pack the boys clothes as they were staying with their grandmother (MIL) from Sunday-Wednesday. So the wife and I went home. Sunday morning we head to the Sis's for Father's Day and had some pretty good and thick Porterhouse steaks. The Sis bet I couldn't eat all of it, which I am sure I could have. The BIL shared some of his with his son. The Stepfather shared with my mother. I ate about 3/4 of mine and couldn't eat anymore. So I told them to wrap it up and gave it to my mother to take to my Brother since he couldn't be there. Just wanted to let him know what he missed out on. They do plan on making it a tradition now to have Porterhouse steaks for the Fathers on Father's Day.
So we now begin a new week and the next holiday is 04 July. I will be heading to the FIL's so we will see how that turns out.
Saturday morning, I got up and took my boys on a hike on the mountains by our house. After that they said they did not want to do that again. I guess because it was not paved and it was extremely steep in some areas. It was probably about 2-2.5 mile hike. Not too hot as early as we went. I then went to Phoenix to drop one of their friends off at home that stayed with us all week. Then I took my kids to my Sis's house to have her watch them while I went to a wedding for a Soldier. It was supposed to start at 5, but ended up starting at 6 as we had to first wait for the bride and groom to show up, which they did at about 5:15-5:20, we then had to wait for the best man and another groomsman to show up, which they did at about 5:45-not yet dressed. So after the wedding, my parents married them by the way, we did not stay for the reception as it was sandwiches and chips. So the parents, wife and I went out for dinner. We went to Lonestar where we received terrible service.
First, it took 45 minutes to receive our order. There were two tables that came in after us and had already eaten and left before we were given our food and/or bill. The steak tasted like it had already been cooked and then thrown back on the grill to be reheated. We had emptied our glasses three times without them coming to refill in time. When we were getting ready to pay the bill I asked about military discount-no. Senior citizen discount-no. Then my parents asked what about a discount for bringing our meal to us 45 minutes after ordering-no. The waitress then proceeded to tell us they do not do any type of discounts. I asked 'Oh, so no employee discount?' she responded saying oh yes we do, thank goodness and walks away. Yeah, I don't think I will go to Lonestar ever again. And yeah, it was at I-17 and Peoria in Phoenix, AZ.
So we ended up asking the Sis if the kids could stay the night Saturday night so i didn't have to drive to her house and then back to mine. We still had to pack the boys clothes as they were staying with their grandmother (MIL) from Sunday-Wednesday. So the wife and I went home. Sunday morning we head to the Sis's for Father's Day and had some pretty good and thick Porterhouse steaks. The Sis bet I couldn't eat all of it, which I am sure I could have. The BIL shared some of his with his son. The Stepfather shared with my mother. I ate about 3/4 of mine and couldn't eat anymore. So I told them to wrap it up and gave it to my mother to take to my Brother since he couldn't be there. Just wanted to let him know what he missed out on. They do plan on making it a tradition now to have Porterhouse steaks for the Fathers on Father's Day.
So we now begin a new week and the next holiday is 04 July. I will be heading to the FIL's so we will see how that turns out.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Still waiting...
Still waiting for my SAT scores. I believe I am supposed to get them around Jun 24. Called my school today to see when they were going to disperse the remainder of my Pell grant. I was kind of disappointed when they told me only half would be dispersed, the other half would come to me when the next TA is paid. It is frustrating because the TA still needs to pay for three classes, which means I have to wait for those payments to be made before they are sent out to me. So instead of counting on the full amount, I only get half when they send the check out. The good news out of all that is at least I know I'll have money coming every now and then.
I may go pick up movies tonight to watch this weekend. Not sure what is out right now that I haven't seen yet. I hate this time of the year after all of the season finales and waiting for new seasons to start. Plan on going shopping tonight to pick up groceries and then I have to get back home and finish some homework that is due today.
Nothing going on since the last time I blogged. Still have Father's Day coming up. Still have bills to pay.
I may go pick up movies tonight to watch this weekend. Not sure what is out right now that I haven't seen yet. I hate this time of the year after all of the season finales and waiting for new seasons to start. Plan on going shopping tonight to pick up groceries and then I have to get back home and finish some homework that is due today.
Nothing going on since the last time I blogged. Still have Father's Day coming up. Still have bills to pay.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Derka Derka Jihad
What? Just in that kind of mood. Been busy for the past couple of weeks, but I finally told full time staff in CA to stop calling me and doing their jobs, send it to the person that is supposed to do it. Yes, when someone is gone, I am more than happy to assist them, but my job is to take care of the Soldiers at my location. So since then, I have realized I have less to do now than I have for the past 4-5 weeks. I am not complaining, it gives me time to focus on taking care of my Soldiers as well as taking care of school work.
Ah, school. Just finished week 3 of this Literature class and I still have a 98%. 2 more weeks to go. I received an e-mail today that I made the Dean's List for Spring 2010. I looked at the requisites and you have to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. I am currently at a 3.95 GPA and I only have 49 credits to go for my degree. The main thing I am happy about, none of this is coming out of my pocket. With the military paying the Tuition Assistance, which is the exact amount for each class, and I receive the GIBILL chapter 1607, I am actually getting paid to go to school. On top of that, I am also receiving the PELL grant. So all of this has actually been helping as far as bills as well.
Haven't watched any movies recently. Will be going to the Sis' house on Sunday for Father's Day, then I will be dropping off my boys at the MIL's to stay with her for a few days. She will then drive out to drop them off and pick up my daughter, then we will have to go out there to pick her up. After I pick her up, my wife will be staying the weekend with her mother and I will take the kids and stay the night at the Sis' house.
Plans for the 4th are to go up to the FIL's for the celebration. Probably have some fireworks to set off and eat plenty of steak. That's about all that is going on right now.
Ah, school. Just finished week 3 of this Literature class and I still have a 98%. 2 more weeks to go. I received an e-mail today that I made the Dean's List for Spring 2010. I looked at the requisites and you have to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. I am currently at a 3.95 GPA and I only have 49 credits to go for my degree. The main thing I am happy about, none of this is coming out of my pocket. With the military paying the Tuition Assistance, which is the exact amount for each class, and I receive the GIBILL chapter 1607, I am actually getting paid to go to school. On top of that, I am also receiving the PELL grant. So all of this has actually been helping as far as bills as well.
Haven't watched any movies recently. Will be going to the Sis' house on Sunday for Father's Day, then I will be dropping off my boys at the MIL's to stay with her for a few days. She will then drive out to drop them off and pick up my daughter, then we will have to go out there to pick her up. After I pick her up, my wife will be staying the weekend with her mother and I will take the kids and stay the night at the Sis' house.
Plans for the 4th are to go up to the FIL's for the celebration. Probably have some fireworks to set off and eat plenty of steak. That's about all that is going on right now.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Another June day
It is hard to believe that we are two weeks into June and it has not been too bad as far as heat. Yeah, we have had a few days of over 100, but it has not been as bad as in the past several years...so far. Tomorrow it is supposed to be a high of 90. That is a good thing as we have drill this weekend and I will be taking a PT test tomorrow and after that we are doing a 5 mile road march.
Watched a couple of movies over the past couple of days. First I watched THE 41 YEAR OLD VIRGIN THAT KNOCKED UP SARAH MARSHALL AND FELT SUPERBAD ABOUT IT. It was a hilarious movie, but it is not for RM or kids to watch. There is plenty of foul language and nudity in the movie with a lot of adult humor. I also watched ALICE IN WONDERLAND and was actually surprised that it was a pretty good movie.
School is still going well and I only have 2 1/2 weeks left for this class. The way things are going, I am scheduled to complete my degree by March 2012, but it could be a couple of months early after speaking with my academic advisor. I'll have to wait and see. That's all I have for now.
Watched a couple of movies over the past couple of days. First I watched THE 41 YEAR OLD VIRGIN THAT KNOCKED UP SARAH MARSHALL AND FELT SUPERBAD ABOUT IT. It was a hilarious movie, but it is not for RM or kids to watch. There is plenty of foul language and nudity in the movie with a lot of adult humor. I also watched ALICE IN WONDERLAND and was actually surprised that it was a pretty good movie.
School is still going well and I only have 2 1/2 weeks left for this class. The way things are going, I am scheduled to complete my degree by March 2012, but it could be a couple of months early after speaking with my academic advisor. I'll have to wait and see. That's all I have for now.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Where did all the cowboys go?
I know, not a title meaning anything, but that is how my day is going. It is like I know I am supposed to do something and then random things just come to mind. It has been a slow day today compared to the last several weeks. Had the FIL stay last night since he had to pick up his stepdaughter from the airport and he headed back up North today. Been at work all day twiddling my thumbs. I did check out IMDB and looked up Will Smith. He has 28 possible upcoming movies to include I AM LEGEND prequel, I, ROBOT 2, INDEPENDENCE DAY 2, INDEPENDENCE DAY 3, and HANCOCK 2, among many others. I also see they will be remaking THE NEVERENDING STORY and Leonardo Dicaprio is in talks on that as well as in AQUAMAN. Ryan Reynolds will be playing in another X-men movie titled DEADPOOL as well as play GREEN LANTERN. I know, busy day.
Got my grades back for week 2 and I am still at a 98% for this Literature class. 3 more weeks to go. I am just hoping I can keep up all this school stuff as my personal and work life are busy and then slow, busy and then slow. It is kind of starting to burn me out. I found out that I won't get the results from my SATs until near the end of the month. If I post it, I feel I did good enough. If I don't, oh, well, it was just a test. I tell you what, though, I don't feel like going through that again. I was the oldest person there. Even older than the administrator that gave the exam. Should have done this years ago, but who would have thought I would have needed it back then. Heck, I never even planned on going back to school years ago.
Watched THE WOLFMAN last night. Wasn't really too interested in it. Maybe pick up some more movies tonight and maybe I can get ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Nothing big planned for the week except for drill this weekend. I will be getting up at 2am Saturday morning to head in and take a PT test. I should pass. We are only required to take 2 a year, but this will be my 4th. After that, we will be doing a roadmarch, which is more like a hike on a trail in the mountains, so I will be getting plenty of exercise on Saturday.
Got my grades back for week 2 and I am still at a 98% for this Literature class. 3 more weeks to go. I am just hoping I can keep up all this school stuff as my personal and work life are busy and then slow, busy and then slow. It is kind of starting to burn me out. I found out that I won't get the results from my SATs until near the end of the month. If I post it, I feel I did good enough. If I don't, oh, well, it was just a test. I tell you what, though, I don't feel like going through that again. I was the oldest person there. Even older than the administrator that gave the exam. Should have done this years ago, but who would have thought I would have needed it back then. Heck, I never even planned on going back to school years ago.
Watched THE WOLFMAN last night. Wasn't really too interested in it. Maybe pick up some more movies tonight and maybe I can get ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Nothing big planned for the week except for drill this weekend. I will be getting up at 2am Saturday morning to head in and take a PT test. I should pass. We are only required to take 2 a year, but this will be my 4th. After that, we will be doing a roadmarch, which is more like a hike on a trail in the mountains, so I will be getting plenty of exercise on Saturday.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
What to do
Yeah, I am bored. It just seems like I have been so busy for so long, that all of a sudden I actually have a day with nothing to do. Yesterday I went and took my SATs. Don't know how long it takes to get the results back. We also were given a new bed frame from one of our neighbors that were moving, so I could put that together today. I have a few movies to watch as well, but nothing worth talking about now. Tomorrow my FIL will be here staying the night with us. His wife's daughter is flying in tomorrow night so he is coming down to pick her up and then they will stay the night with us. I am looking at going up to his place for the 4th of July. Probably will spend 4 days up there and come back.
Well, I ain't got nothing else to write about right now.
Well, I ain't got nothing else to write about right now.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Another Day
Well Memorial Day has came and gone. We had fun at the Sister's place. They all got started eating before we got there, but I was running a little late. Watched VALENTINE'S DAY and DEAR JOHN while we were there. Over the weekend, I watched STATEN ISLAND which really wasn't that good. Also watched THE SPY NEXT DOOR, which was similar to THE PACIFIER, but with a twist and was a good family film. I also rented TAKING CHANCE since my brother and sister said it was a great movie and I would cry. I didn't. Not even get teary eyed. The movie is based on actual events of a Marine LTCOL that asks to escort a Marine PFC's body home from Dover to Wyoming. It was an educational movie that shows the whole process from the time it arrives in the states to the funeral. I believe the movie was more focused on how the LTCOL's eyes were opened and saw that there were many civilians that pay their respects for the military along the way. It was a great movie, don't get me wrong, but I didn't shed any tears.
Not too much else is going on. Trying to get my car taken care of. Just extended my registration for 30 days so I can get that dang check engine light turned off and get it into emissions so I can renew it. I finally got my grade back for my last class and got a 98%. After finishing week one in this class, it's not as bad as I thought it would be, so far anyways. Well, that's all I got for today.
Not too much else is going on. Trying to get my car taken care of. Just extended my registration for 30 days so I can get that dang check engine light turned off and get it into emissions so I can renew it. I finally got my grade back for my last class and got a 98%. After finishing week one in this class, it's not as bad as I thought it would be, so far anyways. Well, that's all I got for today.
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