Perplexed

Well as you know it, we are preparing for Black History Month. While sitting at my desk today at work I received an e-mail that I found interesting. The title read Essay contest. I immediately opened the attachment to find the details. As I read on, the essay requirements did not seem very difficult (for someone who enjoys writing). The requirements are that "all participants will write a four to five page paper on a topic dealing with this years African American Heritage Committee Theme: The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas" (as well as some minor details). I am eager to start this educational project, however I do not quite comprehend the subject matter. "The Quest for Black Citizenship", what does that mean? I guess literally one could say they were searching on ways to become black. Although I am pretty sure that is not the thesis I want to pursue for this contest. Perhaps it is referring to the civil rights journey traveled by black people. Their quest for citizenship could mean the same as their quest for equality. I thought that people who are born in the United States are United States citizens. Even if you did not receive the same civil rights, would you not still be a citizen? Or does citizenship come with rights? I am going to continue pondering my thesis for this essay. What do you think about this topic? Is it as perplexing as I say or is it really a simple topic that I am over analyzing (like I typically do).

Intangible?

Have you ever heard the saying "living the good life"? What does that really mean? Has society painted a scewed picture of this so called good life? Is there a standard to which one must meet before becoming eligible to live the "good life"? Or is it what we make of it?

I do believe that we (humans) can be very easily entertained, and manipulated, open eyed and subliminally. Could this mean that we are at fault for the ridiculous attention, money, and gifts that some athletes, so called musicians, actors and actresses receive? I believe so. If not us then who, or what?

It is similar to supply and demand, is it not? If they only made 100 new video game systems to sell at a local electronic entertainment store and 101 people want one, then the demand is higher than the supply. Thus letting the seller know that their product is wanted and that they need to distribute more to sell. Not only to meet the demands but to make more money, more profit etc. If when they shot the first Austin Powers and the audience did not care Mike Myers that much the movie probably would have not received that great of ratings. Thus more than likely ending the idea of a trilogy. However, the movie was a hit. They even made two others to follow in its footsteps. Mike Myers and his cast were famous. Many people saw it in theaters (contributing to the movie), bought it on DVD (contributing to the movie), bought Austin Powers Halloween costumes, knick knacks etc. I am guilty of it. I love the movies. In turn these actors and actresses make thousands, hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars. Why?

What about these so called musicians? I was in band throughout my Junior High and High School career. I played the tuba. When was the last time you heard of a tuba player that made buku money for his talent, or even an orchestra? Many musicians are independent and go gig by gig. Even my band teacher in school had to play gigs here and there and she was pretty awesome at playing the clarinet. Yet you have these people go on stage and "sing" or rap or talk about sex, weed that, and killing for fun. What is that? They go and do that and make millions upon millions of dollars. Why?

We have sports players that make more money than I will probably ever see in my lifetime. To play a game? One of my old colleagues explained to me that they had to have those massive paying contracts because their jobs aren't secure. They could get hurt and be out for many games and what not. So does that mean that if I chose to go out and play a game that people love to worship and am good at it that I could possibly make more money than I could imagine and be set for life after only a few years? These players even get upset when they fell that certain amounts are not enough for them. Shoot, why worry about becoming a doctor, lawyer, or anything else for that matter? I am majoring in professional sports...just kidding of course.

Why do so many people want that? Why do we consider that the "good life"? Is it because of the money, the cars, the houses, what is it? Personally I think the "good life" is living your life happy. We only have one life after all, why waste it? Why can't a Teacher, Policeman, Firefighter, EMT, or Service member just to name a few, live the "good life" as well? I think of the "good life" as having friends and family there that will support and be there for you when you are going through the times. Somebody to keep you accountable of your actions from time to time. As well as people who will make you smile and laugh. I gauge life and living more on experiences, not age. Just because someone is 30, 40, 50, etc. does not mean that they have much life experience. I am 21 years old and have lived in 3 states and 2 Countries. I've seen more of the States as well. Did you know that there are infants and elementary students that can more than double that?

In conclusion, I sort of got off track and became easily distracted. So I am going to say that is life. Just going out there and live it. Make of it what you will. Life is a journey or more so a picture album (one with the little lines next to the pictures so that you can write something memorable next to it). What kind of a story do you want to write and leave behind someday for your children, grand children etc.?

So just do what it is that you do, study hard, and live your life.

Coincidence or Not?

So it all started by accident. Or was it knowing the right people at the right time? Let me start about 15 years or so back. My father had just got out of the Marine Corps and we moved back to Texas when I was about 4 years of age. We were in Arlington, TX for a while as went to kindergarten. Then we moved to the H-E-B area, where I would finish the first through twelfth grades. I had a young girl named Elizabeth. We were friends in elementary, after all you're stuck with the same kids in your class year after year.

When Junior High started Elizabeth and had band together. We were still just friends. She was dating one of the other tuba players anyway. Well one day I sent her an instant message like I usually did except this time something different happened. Elizabeth did not reply. A young girl named Katie replied in place of Elizabeth. So Katie and I were talking for a few minutes, until Elizabeth returned.

At this point I was intrigued by this Katie girl. So I decided to call Elizabeth's house. The two girls got on the phone and we were talking for a while. Well we spoke for hours actually. I was throwing everything I had out there. Trying to make this girl laugh, and become more and more interested in me. I was trying to woo her. I had received her phone number and needless to say we spoke on the telephone several times there after.

One day I was at my friend Alex's house. He was off and on with Elizabeth at the time and she wanted to go to the movies. Well to my surprise Katie was at Elizabeth's house. Seeing that I had never met this girl before we quickly decided that I was spending the night at Alex's house, and Katie would stay at Elizabeth's house and we would go out to the cinema. Things went really well. I think I got one of those pity hugs at the end of the "date" kind of saying something to the effect of "well it was nice to meet you even though you were too shy to talk to me...". We went our separate ways and continued to call each other pretty much everyday.

That was our Freshman year of Junior High/ High School. That summer my Mom took us (Keep in mind I was 15 so I had not obtained my driver's license yet) to a Starbucks and that is where I officially asked Katie out. Our status had gone from dating to going out. Which in the mind of a Freshman is a big deal.

When Sophomore year started I was going to a Public School and she was attending a Private School. I was busy with Marching Band, and Concert Band. She had Competitive Figure Skating. We still had some weekends together. She came to every football game to hear me in the band and watch the half time shows. I went to her skating competitions.

By our Junior year I had talked my Mom into letting me attend the Private School that Katie was at. Now we had every class together, for the most part. Plus our class was only 23 students strong. Our relationship kept growing and growing. We had talked about me joining the Military here and there.

By our Senior year I had enlisted in the Marine Corps, only to find out that the job I wanted was handled by the Navy. So I went to the Navy, and they could not give me the job I wanted either. I decided to go College after graduation. So I signed up for all kinds of classes. I was interested in the medical field. I was doing alright in school, yet I still wanted the Military. After my first semester I went to the Air Force recruiter to discuss my options and found out that they were not accepting medical positions in that area at that time. So I signed for a second semester of College. Once again, I was doing well in school and still wanting the Military. I had gone back to the Air Force recruiter to see if anything had changed. Nothing had changed at all.

I decided to change my career, or reevaluate what it was that I was interested in. Upon completion of my medical examination at the Military Entrance Processing Center I learned that I was colorblind. This obviously limited me in my selection of jobs with the U.S. Military. I decided that going into Human Resources/ Personnel would be a fine choice for me.

Now Katie and I had been together for almost 5 years now. Her parents had been wanting to take a vacation before I left. A last hoora if you will. So we went on a cruise. Well to go back a little bit. A few weeks before the cruise I had spoken to her parents and asked her father for her hand in Marriage. He said it would be fine if we waited to get married for a little while though. Fast forward, we were on the cruise just living it up like royalty. There was one night in particular where dinner was formal. I wore a suit and Katie wore a dress. I gave the ring to her brother to hold so she would not notice it on me. After dinner but before desert the head dining room gentleman came over with the microphone and told everybody that I had an announcement. I got proceeded to get on one knee and told Katie " I want to grow old with you, will you marry me?". She said yes twice. It was an even more momentous cruise from that moment on.

Well that was in November of 2007 and I left Basic Military Training in December of 2007. I missed Christmas and New Years. Then I was in Technical School for Valentines day. By my second week in Tech School I had received my first assignment. I knew where I would stationed for the first time. I was so excited to find out after all of this time. When I heard my Instructor say Kunsan, my left eyebrow jolted in the upward motion. Then it hit me. I was going to Korea. To top it off this was a remote assignment so if I was married my spouse would not be able to join me. The killer is that this assignment is a whole year.

Katie and I decided that we would have to do something within the next few weeks, for i would be on my way to Korea in six weeks. We moved the wedding date up to the week of my Technical School graduation. This way she would be able to come and visit me, and we could get her on my Permanent Change of Station Orders when I was to leave Korea. She already knew what colors and the theme of the wedding was going to be. It was finding the prefect venue and videographer/ photographer, caterer etc. Well she with the help of some family of course got it all done in four weeks.

I graduated Technical School on a Tuesday, came home Wednesday had the Wedding rehearsal on Friday and got married on Saturday. We had Sunday then had a few days together before I had started Recruiter's Assistance Program and then departed to Korea. Alot to take in during such a short period of time. I have been in Korea ever since. Katie came to visit me for a little while, then I came home for Christmas. I had a grand old time. We are very excited to be together again soon. And start living like a normal married couple.

So is it a coincidence that Katie just happened to be at Elizabeth's house at the right time and we met by accident? Or did God place Elizabeth in my life early on so that we would develop a friendship. Which would later on allow me to meet the love of my life, my Wife.

Well to make a short story long, there you have it. The story told from my perspective. The Mrs. might remember a few details I forgot.