Week in the Field

Well, I did it!!! I managed to get my ass in gear and work through the most grueling, scariest, most nerve wracking weeks of my life... I passed my final assessment in this damn course I'm on. The week started on Monday with the departure for the "field"... basically we packed up our rucksacks, got on a bus, drove into the woods and hunkered down for a week of hell. We were up at 5, running 3 hours taskings(missions) for 2 days in preparation for the assessment taskings starting on Wednesday, eating random things out of these god awful things called IMPs - individual meal packs... stuff made 4 years ago and vacuum packed into foil packets.. with some extras like fruit drink crystals, chocolate bars (in the lunches), compacted bread, peanut butter and cookies or crackers... so I pretty much ate chocolate bars, crackers and canned fruit for the entire week.... then it was off to bed nearish midnight. After were were all asleep and recovering from our long long day we got to do this wonderful thing called a "stand - to" where someone (people caleld Fed Platoon who attack us during our taskings) comes and attacks your camp with crazy amounts of blank ammo and the ENTIRE camp has to get up and defend it for an hour or so... it was great! (I'm only being half sarcastic)

Wednesday came and our assessments began - we had 16 members in our group and each one had a 3 hour task to lead. Fun thing was that we had to create a complete set (15 steps) of written orders (that were marked) to support our leadership and get briefed from the Officer in Command - this was also very scary and realistic! So Wednesday came and went, 7 members got their turn to lead and I became a lackey for the day, I shot when I was told to, screamed "Yes IC (stands for in charge, that's what we refered to them as) a lot... and then ran around the woods attacking people, looking for downed pilots, conducting reconnaissance missions, setting up camp security, setting up observation posts etc etc etc... it was tough work. Then it was Thursday and it was my turn (you didn't know it was your turn until 2 hours prior). My mission was search and rescue and I was scared to hell that I could fail and then get kicked off the course... as this was it, your entire military career hinged on this one bloody task... anyhoo, I managed to draw a really funny assessor and got through it with a really good mark... After me we had about 6 more missions left plus 2 re- tests, and 1 re-re-test (if you failed they gave you 2 more chances to pass). Needless to say with 3 hours of sleep (if we were lucky) and crazy amounts of running around in full gear with rifles and helmets shooting at people all day we were all quite tired.

Yesterday (Saturday) came and we were on our 13km rucksack march. Now for those of you who don't know what a rucksack is... it is a giant backpack full of gear that has several things strapped to it... like an air mattress and a bag containing 2 sleeping bags, a ground sheet, a bivy bag (the waterproof bag that your sleeping bags go into) and a wash basin shoved into it. In any case, it weighs a lot.. like 40-50 lbs and we had to wear this, and our combats plus webbing (a belt thingy that has several packs attached and a set of cutlery and your magazine pouches(think bullets) and your water bottle) and your helmet and your rifle (the picture to the left is the rucksack without the sleeping bag and air mattess attachement which would be on the underside of it)... while wearing combat boots. The march started at 6 am and ended about 8:26... I was within the front 12 people for the entire thing and was ridiculously, even deliriously happy when I finished... my feet took quite a beating but I can still walk and am still smiling.... so I guess it isn't all bad!

Graduation parade is next Saturday and my mom and sister plus some others are on their way out to see me receive my Queen's Commission... I can't hardly WAIT!!!

I'll be home at the end of July so we'll all have to celebrate then!!!

DEATH FORCE 5000

I just got back from the field and have decided that I am in no way cut out for the ARMY. Good thing I joined the NAVY!!! The field is like bare bones camping without any fun. We get up at 5 and go to bed at 11 or 1 am. We work non stop and eat cold, prepackaged IMP meals that were made 4 years ago and look and taste like dog food. We never have any time to brush our hair, or bath so we use baby wipes to keep clean and our fire team partner is with us at all times... our Hootchies (basic tent - think 2 tarps attached together to form a small, small triangle tent) are awful and cold and we spend the entire week outside without any fire to keep warm.

You will all have to excuse me for my grammar as my mind has melted from the stress and lack of sleep. I'll try to list off what happened to us in the field so you can all understand...

Monday we arrived in the field. It was cold, and wet - alternating between raining and pouring all day - we worked hard doing all sorts of missions until about 1 am, meaning we had been awake and running around for 20 hours. It was COLD and we were all on the verge of hypothermia... it sucked big time... Tuesday was better weather wise, I had my assessment for my mission, which I passed - thank god!!!! But we worked hard all day and when we finally went to bed at 11:30 we were woken up at 12:30 with a fake fire alarm and the "bad guys" shooting at everyone in the camp... we all had to jump out of bed, get dressed in full combats with helmet, webbing, rifle etc and try to defend our camp.. then we were hauled out onto the road and screamed at for not doing well enough... GREAT TIMES!!! Wednesday was better still, we had a long day but luckily there was no raid in the night and we had a moment to nap in the afternoon. Thursday was stressful as the people who didn't pass their first attempt had to try again and it was tough to be enthusiastic and energetic as we were all quite worn out. Friday was the 7km rucksack march and obstacle course (affectionately names the DEATH FORCE 5000). The march was awful. The rucksacks were heavy, our boots were giving us blisters and the pace was fast, plus my rifle is getting rather tiresome to carry around... The obstacle course was suppose to be fun. Last week when we ran it we did so with only our combats and helmets, this time we had our rifle and webbing (belt type thing that goes around our waist and holds all sorts of goodies like magazine (think bullets) and canteen etc). Needless to say most of us were injured as it was hard to navigate 10 foot walls and 2 story cargo nets with all the equipment on us. I fell from a 12 foot wall and didn't hurt myself too much, I went over the cargo net and bruised the bejeezes out of my arms and legs, and also managed to slink along a rope suspended 20 ft in the air all without too much trouble.... However, when it came to doing the Tarzan rope I caught my heels on the 4 ft wall and fell on my ankle so I am now hobbling around like an idiot... My entire platoon is wondering who beat me up and my entire body is covered with enormous bruises that are quite disgusting... GREAT TIMES!!!

Now we are all running loose in Victoria trying to relax and prepare for the next phase... scary stuff I tell you!!!!

Alright, I know none of that made any sense but I'll try to re-iterate it sometime when my brain is not shut off.

Thanks for the good thoughts and letters.. As I am back at the base for a week I'll try to write back to everyone that sent letters..

Love you all!!!!

Naval Cadet Spencer (AKA Lady Spencer, aka Linda!!!)

HOLA!!!

I scammed more internet!!! YEAH!!!!

Lots of fun stuff is going on here... I learned that I can shoot a rifle quite well and that it isn't much fun... I also learned that I can now get dressed in full combats including boots and full fighting order (rifle, helmet, webbing, ammo etc... ) in less than 3 minutes... good times for all!!!

I've also met a kazillion new friends. most people here are wonderful, and we hang out 24/7 so that's a really good thing. Like Eleni posted I go in the field next week and that should be somewhat interesting... we'll see how I survive. But I should run, I've gotta run some errands. No pics as of yet, we JUST got our cameras back... bastards!!! anyhoo, love you all, we'll chat soon!!!!

LINDA ALERT!

Hey everyone.. I've been busy lately... lots of things going on in my life... but I got an e-mail from Linda that I needed to share!!

I"M HERE!!!!! I scammed internet for 1 minute so here I am...... basic is going well..... it's tough... I carry a rifle everywhere I go - even to the loo!!!! And I've discovered that I can shoot things form far away quite well....Next week we have war games in the bush.. should be fun cause I hate camping... miss you all oodles... YEAH!!!!!!

THANKS A MILLION LOVE, ME!!!!!

I'll share again if I hear more news!

Blog....

Hey guys.. I don't really have a Linda update. I'm not sure if anyone is even reading this...

Anyway.. I SUCK at blogging.. so, bear with me if you want to hear updates on Linda. I have lost her schedule... (or temporarily misplaced)... so I'm not really sure what she's been up to!! Yikes.. she's so going to kick me when she comes back.

If you want to send her mail at the base.. write a comment on here and I will e-mail you her mailing address.

Take care Linda fans!

E$

LINDA ALERT!!

Good afternoon everyone!

It has been a few days so I decided to update you all on Ms. Spencer. Linda had a rather quick sendoff, as rumour has it that she slept in for the airport!! She made it to Victoria on time though and is locked up in basic training!

She sent some texts out two nights ago saying that her phone was about to be taken away.. however last night she sent another text that no one was allowed to send her food. I am not quite sure if Linda just kept her cell phone.. or if they were not taken away... but she's maintained a link to the outside world!!

I will have to consult her schedule to let you all know what she is up to... but I'm sure she's very busy and having a great time! That's all for now!

E$

The end

Well ladies and gentlemen, this is the end - temporarily. I'm sitting in bed - in an empty room, in an empty apartment (except for Heather's things) exhausted, sad and nervous. Today was pretty awful, packing up my beloved Kensington Palace, saying goodbye to my friends - not fun.

I've had a few meltdowns, mostly while saying goodbye to people (I HATE goodbyes... they are horrifically awful!) and looking at my lovely Palace for the last time (see I'm getting teary eyed again... ) but I am getting through it and I will be okay, eventually. I know you must all think that I am quite the lunatic for being so upset about an apartment and a 3 month hiatus from my friends. But the fact of the matter is that this apartment, apart from being beautiful, perfectly located and renovated is what it represents to me - my Independence. Previous to being here I had a rough time and this apartment sort of proved to myself that I could do it alone and do it well. Now like anything, this apartment has it's faults... it floods a lot, it is COLD, it is expensive... but it is Kensington Palace and to quote several people "this is the end of an era". Not to mention the fact that Heather and I will no longer be roommates. I've tried really hard not to think about that one as it causes instant tears but I really can't ignore it any longer.

Heather and I, although roommates for almost 2 years, rarely spend any time together as we are always so busy. But when we do see each other we talk for hours and laugh a lot. It will be so different not to wonder when she'll be home next, or what funny stories she has to tell about her latest pairing... wow, this is quite the depressing post isn't it??? I don't really want to go on as this is pretty sad, but to say the least, I will miss her and as our schedules will continue to be busy I doubt we will have many 3 hour talk marathons in the future.

So that's it kids, I am done for a while. I am not sure that I will have access to this blog at all on base, but Eleni, I am sure, will be diligent in her posting and keeping you all informed on my activities.

Alright, I'm going to dry my eyes now and try to get some sleep. 5 am isn't far off!

LONG LONG overdue

So.. waaaaay back on the 12th of April (saturday) I had a very busy day. I started the day off very tired as the night before was Jamie's birthday celebration at Murietta's. I got to wear a sparkly dress, mingle with fun people and wish my new MBFF a very Happy Birthday! (pictures to follow).

The next day however I was up bright and early to attend some more Small Party Tasking stuff at the unit. I think it went well - I learned new leadership techniques, got paid for running around in the snow... had lunch with some of the guys (and Jamie) - good times.

After that though it was a race to get showered, get makeuped, do my hair in some sort of fashionable style, find an outfit for the ceremony and race over to the Palliser hotel. I arrived with plenty of time, got to sit in the lobby and look pretty and then got to take part in my very first Iranian Wedding Ceremony. The whole thing was in Farsi - a language I do not know save for a few phrases - but it was easy to understand the jyst of everything. After the amazing ceremony, Nazy looked heavenly by the way, I zipped home again to change for the reception. As the reception itself was to take place at the Palliser (my favourite hotel in Calgary), I needed a costume change. Back on went the dress from the night before (a faux pas I know, but meh... I can't be buying dresses for every day of the week now can I?). I also tried to redo the haior slightly and the makeup so as to be appropriate for the evening's festivites. My "date" (not really a date, but a friend) picked me up and we were off to wish the newlyweds well. Upon our arrival caused a bit of commotion as we descended the steps from the mezanine level to the foyer as my "date" was actually a Naval Officer in full dress uniform - and yes he had the hat with him. We said our hellos to the parents of the bride and to some others who I knew then took our seats for dinner. Dinner and speeches ensued and The whole evening was fun, we schmoozed, drank, and partied it up Persian style.

Later on after desert and dancing we jetted off to join our fellow Naval Comrades at the Mess dinner. When we got there they had been drinking for several hours so it was pretty fun once we arrived. We continued to party there and then it was time for home. My "date" drove me home and I went to bed exhausted, but ready for sunday morning.

So there we go, not a very good run down about Snoop's wedding but I am not doing so well with the writing this week... which I am sure you have all figured out.

K, gotta run and pack.. CIAO!

PS - pics to follow... I didn't take any so I need to steal some from facebook.

Hot damn... a party!!!

Hello everyone!!

It's COMBAT PARTY day!! Woo-hoo! I hope you can all dig yourselves out of your respective homes to join in the festivities! Remember... dress up and come out to have fun!

This is E-Money signing out...

PEACE!

HOT DAMN!!!

I just got a call from my unit and apparently the course that I was to do after Basic, the one where I get to hang out on a ship for a while has been changed and I now get to come home early!!!!

As it stood I was to have a week off in between IAP / BOTC and NETPO but now that week is gone and I get to come home a week early.....wicked!!!!!!

So look for me back in town the last week of July - I am so happy!!!

Book of the Week / Last Friday

So today is my very very last day at Job #1 - FNF Canada. it's sad, in a way, but great in a different way. I will be pleased to leave certain aspects of this job, as well as some people (can't be friends with everyone, can I?) but the worst part is that I have some friends that are really close to me and it will be awful not to see them everyday. Guest blogger E$ is one of them, Lanster is another, Scott and Crystal as well - what will I do without them I wonder?

I will also miss my desk... situated beside the beautiful window, with all that glorious sunshine... well not TODAY as it is snowing, but most days. Plus I do think I will also miss the fully stocked kitchen and Fat Friday celebrations.. and maybe even the witty banter that passes between the cubicles in the office... wow, that makes me quite sad. Well, that and the fact that I will be in Victoria in less than a week... YIKES!!!!

Ughhh, now I am feeling the stress.. OK - enough of that, onto the book...

Today I've picked a book I read a while ago, then I gave to Heather to take to S. America and read, which I assume she did... but anyhoo it's a good book, it's historical (of course), set in France (of course), and features strong female characters.. (of course). Basically it's right up my alley. The book itself is titled "Labyrith" and it is written by Kate Mosse. She also just released another one called "Sepulchre" which is along the same lines at the first book - but not connected so you may read them independently.

Here's what the Publishers have to say about it:
When Dr Alice Tanner discovers two skeletons during an archaeological dig in southern France, she unearths a link with a horrific and brutal past. But it's not just the sight of the shattered bones that makes her uneasy; there's an overwhelming sense of evil in the tomb that Alice finds hard to shake off, even in the bright French sunshine. Puzzled by the words carved inside the chamber, Alice has an uneasy feeling that she has disturbed something which was meant to remain hidden...Eight hundred …+ read more
When Dr Alice Tanner discovers two skeletons during an archaeological dig in southern France, she unearths a link with a horrific and brutal past. But it's not just the sight of the shattered bones that makes her uneasy; there's an overwhelming sense of evil in the tomb that Alice finds hard to shake off, even in the bright French sunshine. Puzzled by the words carved inside the chamber, Alice has an uneasy feeling that she has disturbed something which was meant to remain hidden...

Eight hundred years ago, on the night before a brutal civil war ripped apart Languedoc, a book was entrusted to Alais, a young herbalist and healer. Although she cannot understand the symbols and diagrams the book contains, Alais knows her destiny lies in protecting their secret, at all costs.
Skilfully blending the lives of two women divided by centuries but united by a common destiny, LABYRINTH is a powerful story steeped in the atmosphere and history of southern France.

Happy Reading!

Guest Blogger!

Well hello again Linda Spencer fans! :0)

E-Money is signing in. I have received some fun information today from the lady herself... She has obtained a daily schedule of what she will be going through this summer. I will keep you all up to date on the daily events of our beloved Naval Officer!

It seems as though Linda is in for some crazy 'fun' out there in Victoria! We all know she can do it.. and will kick butt!!

Two more days at FNF... it's really sad. Linda brought me to FNF... so it will be a bit weird without her there. Anyway.. it'll be a fun couple of days... SECOND GUESS THURSDAY and I DON'T CARE FRIDAY!! Woo-hoo

Anyway.. I'm off to blog some more..
TheGreekCowgirl.Blogspot.Com

Take care all ;0)

GEN. HILLIER'S FINAL FAREWELL STATEMENT

Message from the Chief of the Defence Staff to the Canadian Forces


OTTAWA – I have chosen to retire from the Canadian Forces and end my tenure as your Chief of the Defence Staff in July of this year.



I accepted the leadership of the Canadian Forces in February 2005. My goal was to set the conditions for our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen to succeed in our critical and often dangerous tasks in defence of Canada, Canadians, and Canadian interests and values.



We have achieved those key objectives, and reached the critical milestones I originally set out for us to reach by the end of my time as CDS. We have moulded our culture to one which recognizes that operations are our raison d’être; that our efforts, all of them, must concentrate on achieving the missions and tasks given to us by the Government of Canada, on behalf of all Canadians.



We have transformed how we recruit, train, equip, command, deploy, employ, bring home, recognize and care for our operational forces and our families, focused on achieving a strategic effect for Canada. We have done so while growing the Canadian Forces, re-equipping it, and while carrying out intense combat and peace support operations overseas and demanding, essential security tasks here at home.



We have remembered how to grieve; to never forget our comrades and dear friends who have died in the service of Canada. Their sacrifice, and that of their families, deserves our unwavering commitment to ensure their loss is not in vain.



We have been strengthened, immensely, by the vocal and visible support of millions of Canadians who have demonstrated that they recognize, understand and honour your service, and the sacrifice of your families.



Leadership in the Canadian Forces is not the role of one single person; it is the responsibility of all who wear the Canadian Forces uniform. I believe you will now be best served by the invigoration of new leadership, with the vision, energy, and strength to lead you through the challenges that will lie ahead. For we have not finished evolving. We must continue to adapt, and improve our Forces to accomplish the tasks Canadians need us to perform in the complex, dangerous security environment before us.



It is with great confidence that I await the selection of the senior leader who will take my place. I will continue to serve as your CDS until relieved of my duties by my successor, to be named in due course by our Prime Minister.



My wife Joyce and I thank you for the rewarding years we have shared with you, and look forward to many years ahead as part of the Canadian Forces family.



You are Canada’s greatest credentials, our national treasures, and I am so very proud of you. It has been my honour and privilege to be your Chief of the Defence Staff.

US Navy vs Canada

Some Naval humour for you this fine Wednesday morning.

This is the transcript of the ACTUAL radioconversation of a U.S. naval ship with the Canadianauthorities off the coast of Newfoundland October 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations10-10-95.

Canadians: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the Southto avoid a collision.

Americans: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to theNorth.

Canadians: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again,divert YOUR course.

Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

Americans: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN. THESECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES ATLANTICFLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, I SAY AGAIN,THAT'S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.

Canadians: We are a lighthouse, your call.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Alright everyone - military training aside, today is a special day... it is the BIRTHDAY of my good friend Cynthia!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Hope your day is super special... kiss my cutie Sam for me... and a big hug for Aaron as well

Guest Blogger!!

Good Morning!!

Guest blogger in the hiz-ouse!! Haha... anyway.. I just felt like signing in and letting you know that I will be 'taking over' for Linda in less than two weeks! Our girl is leaving us!

I hope I will see you all at the COMBAT PARTY!!

Take care!

E$

Hmmmmm

So I've been packing most of the day, apart from taking a small shopping trip to get my outfit for the Combat Party - which by the way I expect to be a gongshow. Anyhoo, so I've packed the car - pulled apart the kitchen, ripped apart the hall closet and pulled up the living room rug. Now I'm contemplating what to get for dinner and as I have no groceries I guess that means that I am ordering in... Vietnamese perhaps. I also think I should make a trip down to the south and empty the car, but I'm sitting here in my outfit for the aforementioned party and I don't think that wondering around in public is a good idea just now. I look rather military-esque and I might get some interesting glances. Tomorrow I think, will be the night to tackle my bedroom and rid it of any unnecessary clothing, which means most of it as I only have 12 days left... holy hell - that's not very much time is it...

I guess the point of this post, is that I am getting rather sad that my poor beautiful apartment is going to be lost to me very soon. Well, that and the fact that I cannot wait for the party! YEAH!!

Things to help me procrastinate with

After reading a friends blog, I've decided to also take the Meyer's Briggs Personality Test and see how I change after Basic. These are my results as of today:

Your Type is
ENFJ

Extraverted	Intuitive	Feeling	Judging
Strength of the preferences %
44	12	25	78

ENFJ type description by D.Keirsey
ENFJ Career Choices by Jung Career Indicator™
ENFJ type description by J. Butt and M.M. Heiss


Qualitative analysis of your type formula
You are:

• moderately expressed extravert
  
• slightly expressed intuitive personality
  
• moderately expressed feeling personality
  
• very expressed judging personality

Funny thing is that I was trying to convince my wedding date last night (At Snoop's Wedding... more about that later) that I was shy, painfully so.. I guess I was wrong.

Book of the Week

Alright so I had a huge plan to do Victoria Beckham's Book - "That Extra Half and Inch" as tonight is Jamie's (my new MBFF) Birthday Party, aptly named "Farewell to Feminity". Sadly I've discovered that I already featured that book in a previous Book of the Week. So now I'm stuck thinking about another book.

Oooh, just got an idea. As I mentioned, it was Jamie's birthday on Wednesday and her present was a book (of course) - so because I can't think of another Feminine type book to post I'll do the exact opposite... but really, knowing Jamie and I, it fits!

The book is "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.

Here is what the publishers have to say:

Widely regarded as "The Oldest Military Treatise in the World," this landmark work covers principles of strategy, tactics, maneuvering, communication, and supplies; the use of terrain, fire, and the seasons of the year; the classification and utilization of spies; the treatment of soldiers, including captives, all have a modern ring to them.

And now from Wikipedia:

The Art of War is one of the oldest books on military strategy in the world. It is the first and one of the most successful works on strategy and has had a huge influence on Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, and beyond. Sun Tzu was the first to recognize the importance of positioning in strategy and that position is affected both by objective conditions in the physical environment and the subjective opinions of competitive actors in that environment. He taught that strategy was not planning in the sense of working through a to-do list, but rather that it requires quickly responding appropriately to changing conditions. Planning works in a controlled but competitive environment, and competing plans collide, creating situations that no one planned for.

Desperate Housewives

Guest Blogger???

So I'm leaving in 16 days and I although I do get my cell phone back after a few weeks I will probably be incommunicado as far as this blog goes... I am bringing my computer with me but because it is a Mac and it only takes wireless Internet, I might be SOL as far as email access goes.. plus I wouldn't be able to upload any pics at all. What to do, what to do....

So I've come up with a solution. I think you would all be entertained with the ramblings of one E Money (aka E$, aka Eleni). She's ridiculously funny, and I should know - I sit across from her at the office and she always entertains me! So there we go, she will be taking over for me while I am away, but I am sure she will post for you in case you have something you want to contribute... I'll let her do her own introduction when I go, but be sure to check back often.. you won't be disappointed!

Days like these

It's days like the one I am having thus far that make me very happy that I only have 10 more working days at Job #1. I really dislike 1/2 of my job - the requisitioning of funds - and lucky for me today I am being bogged down with problems... fun!

What makes it even better is the fact that this morning's run, despite still having trouble walking from Thursday's and Friday's workouts, was AWESOME! Basically it was 1 minute fast run, 1 minute fast walk - repeat x30 minutes. I was dreading this one big time but it turns out that it was pretty fun. I did have my finger on the darn button to change the speed for most of the run, but it went relatively quickly and it wasn't too difficult - unlike Thursday's run which I barely made it through.

Oh, I wanted to say something else about the weekend before I get to engrossed in my workout regime - as I know you all enjoy reading about my running schedule so much! Anyways, Saturday was my last Saturday at job #2. The whole gang was there and it was really quite fun - except for the unbendable legs thing. Saturday night however was the Flames last regular season game and we had a work function at Schanks south to celebrate. I got there at about 8 and the party was well under way. The game itself was awesome to watch as we destroyed the Cannucks 7-1 and our beloved Iggy got his 50th goal!!!! I left around 11:30 and collapsed into bed, ready for last day at job #2

Sunday - Last day at Job #2!!!! I normally hate working Sundays because the whole day is crap. Customers are usually awful, coworkers are no fun, the manager is pretty lame, and I generally spend the day thinking of all of the things I need to get done before Monday comes. This Sunday did not disappoint! It was pretty horrendous - the only saving grace was that one of my regular Saturday girls was working with me on Sunday so I got to chat a bit with her. After I extracted myself from there I popped over to see my Aunt and Grandma. They are always so much fun and they always feed me such yummy dinner that I can never turn down the offer. They did not disappoint.

I guess that just leaves the Junos. It was the first time that I have ever watched them, and really the only reason I did was to see Russell Peters - who doesn't love him? The show wasn't that bad, I thought it was a bit weird that they had a different awards night the evening before and awarded some big name categories, but meh - it went well and I was entertained, what more could I have asked for?

Happy Birthday / Book of the Week

So, being April 4th I think it is about time that I wish Crystal a very Happy 25th Birthday!

Yeah for your birthday!!!

Okay, back to business... this week's book is actually 3 books. It's referred to as the Josephine B Trilogy and encompasses 3 different parts of Josephine Bonaparte's life. I read it last year upon recommendation from the manager at the Chapters on MacLeod trail and I was really quite delighted. As we all know historical anything is up my alley and the fact that she played, or rather her husband played such an integral role in the formation of the France we all know and love today, not to mention the magnitude of influence Napolean has had on the world in general. The book is written in journal form and details the happenings of her life from her childhood in the Caribbean to her death in France.

From the Publisher
The Josephine B. Trilogy comprises three acclaimed,bestselling novels that draw the reader into the delicate yet passionate relationship between Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte: The Many Lives& Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.; Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe;and The Last Great Dance on Earth. Together in this omnibus edition, they form an irresistible epic, tracing Josephine’s transformation from impressionable young girl to canny and compassionate wife, to confidant temptress and one of the most sophisticated and powerful women in history.
Adored by readers of historical fiction, the Josephine novels are a sweeping tale of love and loss, political intrigue and revolution during one of the most tumultuous periods in European history.

Happy Reading!

Relief

Every time I go for my weekly Tecumseh meeting, I always leave feeling much more re-assured and relaxed about leaving (23 days). After our evening of training the other JOUTS (Junior Officers) and I all meet up in the wardroom for our social time and just end up chatting until usually around midnight. Last night was no exception and as we had a few new faces in the group it was the perfect time to say hi and get to know them. During the course of conversation Jamie and I learned that in the Basic for Naval Officers there are different "running groups" for the morning PT (physical training). Apparently we are sorted into the "slow" "medium" or "fast" running group so that the kids whose legs aren't sky high (like me) aren't left in the dust or killing themselves to keep up to all the 6'5" guys running next to them. This brings quite a bit of relief to me as I have been rather worried about the running aspect. Not that I am a horrible runner, but I am not uber fast and was scared that I was going to be that girl, in the back... looking like a chump. Now I am pleased that if there are other peeps like me who can go in the medium , or heaven forbid, slow group.

Having said that though I am still training and going faster every time I run. I'll be back at the gym tonight after 3 days off nursing a pulled groin (yikes!) muscle - but I plan on trying a 6.3 on the treadmill adding .1 in speed and a few minutes to time each and every time I run. The day before I leave I am trying to be at at least a 7.0 and up to 50 minutes straight of running plus some sprints (at 10.0) and some hills... wish me luck!

Weekend Update

Ok, so I know it is Tuesday and I should have explained yesterday about the weekends events, but I was busy.. so here it is...

Friday night - was sick, went dress shopping with my mom, went to the gym and had a great workout

Saturday - Had a First Aid course at Tecumseh... spent the entire day being groped (I was the only girl) whilst practising chest compressions... yeah! and trying not to fall asleep as I learned all about first aid techniques. The evening was quite a bit more exciting though. The Lanster and I went to a birthday party for her friend Sam at Japanese Village. I have never been there and it was really something different. The chefs were all hilarious, the food was amazing and the night was just plain fun! I definitely recommend going there for a special night, or just cause it's Tuesday.. it's really that good!

Sunday - more First Aid at Tecumseh.. This time I was trussed up like a goose with splints on my "open fractured leg" and carried around the place on a makeshift stretcher... great times! and then it was home for a crappy run.

Monday - picked up my UNIFORM at the ASU... everything but my tunic fit so I got to take most of my dress gear home. Funny thing is though, my pants fit so snugly that if I do happen to gain one ounce they will not fit at all... yikes!!! Let's hope I go down a size during training. Also when I was playing dress up last night and showing my mom all of my goodies she actually cried when I had the whole outfit on - I think it was the hat. Anyhoo, after work I met Jamie who if you remember from previous posts she is my new MBFF and is coming with to Esquimalt for the training. We met up downtown last night and hit up Stephen Ave for some dress shopping - we found nothing so we went down to Chinook and tried on no less than 20 dresses.. I am not kidding at all.. We did end up at Zara and I did find a very cute dress... I won't tell you what it looks like until I post the pics from the wedding.

Ok, I think that's all for now.. tonight I'm at Job #2 and then Wednesday it's Job #3 - in uniform this time! and Thursday it's time to clean house as the house-sitting peeps come home on Saturday!

Just think.. 24 days left before I go!

JabbaWockeez-America's Best Dance Crew-Episode 5

Very very awesome

Why Sundays suck

I'll update tomorrow on what I did this weekend but i just wanted to post something about how mad I am... at today...

It seems as though every time I run on a Sunday, the entire run is crap.. most likely it is purely psychological and not the fact that it is Sunday, but I can't help but wonder WTF?

Tonight after I got home I attempted to run.. now originally I planned Sundays as my long run days so I could get up to an hour - needless to say this did not happen today. What did happen was I got an ENORMOUS stitch in my side, for the entire 20 minutes (I know, I know.. it was only 20 minutes) of my run (plus 5 minutes warm up)... but it was AWFUL... I felt like I was going to keel over at any moment. Plus my pants were falling off.. and no I was not at the gym... I was in a basement so it was ok. But seriously, I have not lost a significant amount of weight or inches since buying these pants 3 weeks ago but I was holding them up, holding my side, holding my iPod, the entire run! As Maya would say, the whole situation was just Pants! If that wasn't enough, since Friday my thighs were screaming pain as well, and I have no idea why, but I did strech A LOT and I am now going to slather them in muscle cream

Conclusion from all of this : Sundays should now be reserved for my long walks and saturday is now long run day....

Post Workout High

As I mentioned earlier I am, or rather was feeling quite sick this morning. Not really lay in bed and feel like death sick, but a really crappy cold sick... especially my sinuses. Most people know that I usually do not take a sick day, especially as these days I am taking time off left, right and centre to get all my military stuff taken care of before I take off.

Anyways the point of this post is mainly to tell you all that tonight after a monstrous day at the office, I went dress shopping with my Mom at Chinook. I tried on a few dresses at Zara and Bellisima - the other stores were pretty awful but I was feeling quite happy with what I did find. Sadly my favourite dress (2 sizes smaller than normal!) was $250 and I can't really justify that, so I'll be heading to Winners to see what I can find for a better price. I did see something at Zara, but it was knee length and I think I want floor length as the wedding is at the Palliser and I feel like I should step it up notch in the fashion department. During our shopping escapades we stopped by the food court, my Mom had a snack, I opted to wait until I was home as food court fare normally doe snot jive with my nutrition plan... so as we sat I almost fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion, notice I said almost. We finished up the shopping and set out for home. When I got home I decided that I felt much much better (probably due to the energy drink I had, and the lovely cold drugs that Eleni gave me) and thought I should make sure to hit the gym before bed.. so I went. Probably not the smartest thing to do seeing how I was sick, but I did feel up to it so off I went.

Tonight's workout was lower body plus abs (as always) and a run, longer and faster (as always) than before. The great thing is that I managed to get it all done, and I felt great, and I still feel great... those endorphins are wicked! I think I'll do my sets of push ups and jump into bed though because I have CPR all weekend long at Tecumseh - yeah!

Alright, enough of the update, I've got to go to sleep, or Eleni will scold me... YIKES!

Book of the Week

I almost forgot to post this again.. oops!

Anyways, today, because I am sick and miserable, I thought we could read a book about a plague-town in England. The premise of the book is mainly about one women's struggles to get through one specific year in which a good portion of the towns folk fall victim to the Plague. If I'm not very coherent here I apologize as my brain is muddled with sickness...

In any case, it's a good read, very inspiring although somewhat sad.

This is what the editors have to say:

When an infected bolt of cloth carries plague from London to an isolated village, a housemaid named Anna Frith emerges as an unlikely heroine and healer. Through Anna''s eyes we follow the story of the fateful year of 1666, as she and her fellow villagers confront the spread of disease and superstition. As death reaches into every household and villagers turn from prayers to murderous witch-hunting, Anna must find the strength to confront the disintegration of her community and the lure of illicit love. As she struggles to survive and grow, a year of catastrophe becomes instead annus mirabilis, a "year of wonders."
Inspired by the true story of Eyam, a village in the rugged hill country of England, Year of Wonders is a richly detailed evocation of a singular moment in history. Written with stunning emotional intelligence and introducing "an inspiring heroine" (The Wall Street Journal), Books blends love and learning, loss and renewal into a spellbinding and unforgettable read.

In other news I found out this morning that I have a pinched nerve in my right foot.. hence why my foot goes numb when I run... which is always fun... yeah!

What, so SOON????

Yikes!! it looks as though I am leaving rather quickly (28 days, 23 hours, 42 minutes and 3 seconds ). I just got a message about my room being rented to someone starting the 24th of April... so I guess I'll be outta there on the 23rd. Not like I wasn't expecting this but it is all very sudden it seems and I can't believe I will be saying goodbye to Kensington Palace so soon. I really do love my apartment, it is so pretty and I love living there, but I do not love the winters with frozen hardwood and ridiculously expensive heating bills.... but my kitchen is soooo pretty and I love my arched doorways... and my southern exposed living room, and my fake fireplace, and my perfect location, and oh.... I am sad now.. :(

I was also thinking that I should really take that last week off of work so I can a) pack and b) get all my ducks in a row paperwork / banking wise. So, wow, I have 3 weeks of work left... scary stuff...

On a more positive note, I am feeling more and more confident about the whole making it through basic business. Each time I spend my Wednesday night with the crew at the ship I get more insight as to exactly what will go on, and I feel like this will be in fact like Summer Camp but with Guns! Fitness wise, I did not make it to the gym tonight cause I was dead tired, but tomorrow I shall do a good run, Saturday will be reserved for an 8 km fast walk and Sunday for a long run... I can't hardly wait!!

Now with that I should get back to work and clean up this desk of mine so I won't feel so guilty taking off for 3 months...

Weights first

Last Wednesday I went to a presentation by one of the fitness coordinators of the Canadian Forces and one of the key points that I took away from the whole thing was that you need to cross the Anaerobic Threshold to get to the Aerobic Threshold - and this takes about 20 minutes. So in theory I should be doing my weights first for about 20 minutes and then switch to my cardio which is of course an aerobic exercise. The reason she gave us as to why she cites this method is the plain fact that the first 10-15 minutes of the run are usually crap-tastic and make me want to die, therefore do some activity first to help you get closer to that threshold - hence the weights.

So I've tested the theory 3 times now and it does help, or maybe it's just that I think it helps. In any case my runs have been both longer and faster than before and I like it.

This morning for example, I got up, got to the gym at 6, did upper body weight stuff plus abs then switched over to my running. This to me is monumental as my morning runs are usually awful and I can't push through that "wall" very well - but this morning I did go faster than ever and for 3 minutes longer than normal so an improvement in both areas! The last 5 minutes were awful, but I took that as a sign that I was doing well and at an appropriate level to progress more. When I got home I did have a thought though about the entire workout regime that U have gone through since January - why is it that my bra size has gone down a cup, but my ass seems to be the same size - even after I kick boxed and ran my way through 3 months of hell??? Is that fair??? WTF???

Whatevs - as long as I can get through IAP / BOTC I am happy. Yeah for running!!!!

It's been awhile

I guess I am all out of ideas for Book of the Week and therefore forgot to post on Friday - or any day of the weekend... wow, that sucks.

I suppose I should go through what I've been up to the last few days so we can all be caught up with my boring life.

Friday - tried on Lanster's pixie sized dresses for Snoop's upcoming wedding.. and no they did not fit so we went for brunch to cheer ourselves up. Got home, went for a long long run - 6 miles, not all at once mind you, but in total. Then I got dressed up and had drinks with friends at Limericks until 1:30 in the morning... fun times!

Saturday - drove to Olds with Amy, Anthony and Brian - decided not to pay $150 for a box of paintballs, drove to Shooting range to play with real guns, the boys got tired of waiting so they went to play pool and I went home - and stayed home... a rarity for me these days.. I even watched a movie in bed! It was called "Across the Universe" and I had heard the soundtrack a billion times at Job #2 so I was attune to the whole 60s vibe that was going on. It turned out to be pretty decent and I even got to sleep early - another rarity for me these days.

Sunday - had to work at Job #2 - and it sucked... I am getting rather tired of it and am very happy that I only have 3 weeks left. After dealing with customers I got home and attempted anther run - it was a dismal failure and I ended up walking half the way but came home to do push ups instead.

Monday - back at Job #1, no Easter Monday holiday for me! Talked to some lenders, chatted with the co-workers.. pretended to be hard at work - no just joking, I actually got a lot accomplished... said goodbye to a co-worker (it was his last day... we are laying off again I guess... thanks to the crappy American economy) then it was home to run again. This time it was awesome, I mean it sucked, I am not a happy runner, but I went hard and fast so I was pleased with myself - plus I did my leg workout first so I was extra proud of myself. Now all hard work deserves a reward so I honed in on the dinner party going on at the Bowman's house (I was running on their treadmill) and ate delicious yummy dinner and had some fun conversation... great times!

Tuesday - still at my desk - doing my best to clean up the stuff in my drawers so my replacement can have an easier go of it... For a company that is more than likely laying me off when I come back from basic I'm far too nice. Tonight is a real treat though, I get to go back to Job #2 and smile to all the silly customers... yeah!

Wednesday - More Tecumseh stuff.. should be fun, I do always enjoy my Wednesday nights - however stressful they are.

Thursday - Back to Tecumseh to help plan the skit they need to do for the Mess Dinner, which I am missing for Snoop's Wedding...

Friday - Podiatrist appointment, followed by Doctor's Appointment.. followed by a long run...

Sat and Sun - CPR qualifications at Tecumseh - I can't seem to get away from that place!

Ok, I'm out of ideas to share. I'll post again soon. Adios!

A Cute Email

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE
1920s, 30s 40s, 50s, 60s and 70's !! (I would like to add that even though I grew up in the 80s - this applies to me too!)

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and drank while
they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos.



They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, tuna from a can, and didn't get
tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.



Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright
colored lead-based paints.



We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets

and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets or shoes,

not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking.



As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.



We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.



Take away food was limited to fish and chips - no pizza shops,
McDonalds, KFC,or Subway.

Even though all the shops closed at5.30pm and didn't open on the
weekends, somehow we didn't starve to death!

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE
actually died from this.


We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soft drinks
with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because......

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE-PLAYING!!


We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we
were back when the streetlights came on.



No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.



We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride
down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We built tree
houses and cubby houses and played in ditches with matchbox cars.



We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at
all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound,
no mobile phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms.

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!



We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
Lawsuits from these accidents.


Only girls had pierced ears!


We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live
in us forever.



We were given airguns and sling shots for our 10th birthdays,


We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or
rang the bell, or just yelled for them!


Mum didn't have to go to work to help dad make ends meet!


Footy had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had
to learn to deal with disappointment.

Imagine that!!


Our teachers used to belt us with big sticks and leather staps and
bullies ruled the playground at school.


The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard
of.They actually sided with the law!


Our parents got married before they had children and didn't invent
stupid names for their kids like 'Kiora' and 'Blade'

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem
solvers and inventors ever!



The past 70 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.



We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned
HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

Catch Up

That is what I feel like I've been playing all week. Catch up on security forms, catch up on house cleaning, catch up on fitness, catch up at work. And after all of the I am thoroughly exhausted.

I have however, been given the information with which to decide my activities for the fall. As it turns out there is no chance of training in the fall for my given trade.... great! Funny thing is though that this was the perfect time for me to go away for a year and do some training - plus I would have been promoted faster, gained more marketable skills, had fun in Quebec City etc etc... Needless to say I am not pleased... and when I asked to be put into my chosen trade (IE: the one I really want to do and not the one that was open when I applied) they told me that I could maybe, but it would take a year and then of course I still wouldn't be able to go training in the fall. The part that is even better in all of this drama is the fact that I will effectively be laid off once I return to Calgary.. yeah for my garbage company!!!! They don't seem to have any sort of respect for those serving in the Canadian Forces and are therefore in my bad books... yah, I've had a great week!

But.... I did have some fun this week...

Monday - St Patty's Day - did some navy stuff with my MBF Jamie, ended up chatting until wel after midnight...

Tuesday - Worked at Job #2, gave notice that I was going away for training

Wednesday - Went for a run, felt pretty good about it, spent 2 hours at the ASU learning about Anaerobic and Aerobic Activity... lesson learned: do weights for 20 minutes before running so you are already in the Aerobic zone... also I (and by I, I mean the public in general) must be doing an hour of activity 5-7 times PER WEEK! I do anyways, but it's crap that that it is now spelled out for me... After the ASU stuff we got back to the Unit with 15 minutes left in the evening and were asked to play a communication game - which we rocked at... we figured out the puzzle in 5 minutes flat - a record thus far! The balance of the evening was spent in the wardroom chatting about life and mostly what Jamie and I will have to do at basic, which apparently is fun so we feel much much better!

Now I'm at my desk.. trying to get everything done so whomever steals my job away from me can be in a good position... yeah.. I'm such a sucker! Tonight though is my awards banquet for my kickboxing course... and I am praying that my before and after picture is NOT flashed up on the screen.... no, seriously - that would be AWFUL, but the way the week is going I bet that is exactly what is going to happen...

Book of the Week / Top O The Morning to Ya!

Oops, I seem to have forgotten to post a Book of the Week so without further ado, I give you:

A History Of The World In Six Glasses

From the Publisher:

Whatever your favourite tipple, when you pour yourself a drink, you have the past in a glass.

You can likely find them all in your own kitchen — beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, cola. Line them up on the counter, and there you have it: thousands of years of human history in six drinks.

Tom Standage opens a window onto the past in this tour of six beverages that remain essentials today. En route he makes fascinating forays into the byways of western culture: Why were ancient Egyptians buried with beer? Why was wine considered a “classier” drink than beer by the Romans? How did rum grog help the British navy defeat Napoleon? What is the relationship between coffee and revolution? And how did Coca-Cola become the number one poster-product for globalization decades before the term was even coined?



I was going to try to do something James Joyce -esque, but really... This sums of the spirit of St. Paddy's Day as historically this is the busiest day of the year for the pubs!



Cheers!

Final Evaluation

Ok Boys and Girls. Today, apart from being Ronnalie's Birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

It also happens to be final evaluation day for the UBC course... all in all I improved in every area. Stretching was not as good as I wanted, but that's okay - Weight was down another 5 lbs.. not bad... waist was down as well - but the area I am most proud of is the pus ups / sit ups part. This time I did 57 push ups and 58 sit ups in a minute (each one). I felt a lot better than my military fitness test on Wednesday, although I did feel slimmer then. I guess it doesn't really matter in the end because no matter what I am getting stronger and I am starting to think that I'll actually make it through Basic.

Now I'm off to celebrate with the UBC crew at Schanks and then off to celebrate the Birthday of the Fabulous Mrs Inglis!

I think I'll treat myself with some M&Ms... I deserve it !

Well, thank you!

I am currently playing hooky from Job #2 - although in true Spencer fashion its because I feel like complete garbage. I can handle pain, lots of pain, but when my stomach hurts I turn into a complete baby - hence why Job #2 sent me home. Instead of working I am chillin' with my good cat friend Buddy (I started House-sitting tonight) and trying to unpack 3 weeks of supplies.

In the news department I had another night at Tecumseh. This time I was given an actual tour, complete with my very own helper to explain everything to me - and by everything I mean we went through ranks, security forms, shoe shining, ironing, training schedules, saluting, etc etc etc. It was quite refreshing to actually have someone telling me what was going on and what I need to do next - unlike the recruiting process.... I did however get in trouble for chillin' in the NCM's mess, but in my defense I was invited so it wasn't technically my fault. One guess who got mad at me... yes it was my recruiter - he's so pleasant! The remainder of the evening was spent hanging in my proper mess, aka the Wardroom with my other fellow Junior Officers. It was so nice to socialize and meet the rest of the group who weren't there last week. During the socializing we did however get assigned some homework - yeah! But at least this should be fun, in theory! It turns out we must do a 10-12 minute power-point presentation on whatever country we feel passionately about. 2 guesses which country I think I'll pick...

Oh, I guess I should also give a run down about yesterday morning. I was scheduled for my Expres Test (read Fitness Evaluation) so that meant a 20m shuttle run (aka HELL) which I did pass, in fact I more than passed I made it to the incentive level so I'm good there. Then we did the hand grip test - I did well, I think though I was a bit weaker than I was in January but who cares... I passed. Then it was onto push ups. As the fitness evaluator is lovingly referred to as the Push Ups Nazi and she did her name justice! I made the limit, barely but she did not count several of what was in my opinion fully acceptable push ups! Oh well, it's done and I am glad for it. Sit ups were next, and as I am the sit ups queen I was in my element! I beat everyone there - even with the Nazi counting a few (she is such a stickler for exact technique), but sadly did not make it to my record - I guess that's what Saturday is for!

Expres Test aside and finished I was off to the Clothing Store for my dress uniform fitting. Lucky for me I had a chorus of construction workers there to help me decide which size was the most appropriate, but it all turned out well. In fact during the fitting for my tunic I was trying t find one that fit my arms, but still fit my torso (I didn't want to look like a large box, but rather still keep my figure, somewhat) anyways I asked for a smaller torso size and tried the one given but it was a wee bit tight. My fitter even dared to say "Well, your rather busty so I think we should get a larger size" to which I replied " True enough, but I am wearing a sports bra, so when I wear a normal bra it will be far too small" He smiled and grabbed a different jacket - it was a good size.

After my stop to get my dress uniform I zipped over to the MPs office for my Military ID. Chatted with the guys there for a while, was informed that I should be in Intel and not Logistics and promised to get me in contact with someone who could help me transfer.

All in all, it was quite the productive afternoon. I had to take the day off to get everything accomplished, but it did the trick.

Alright, I am going to bed - maybe if I can muster up enough energy I'll stop by the gym for a run in the morning. Wish me luck!

Small Party Tasking

Last night was my first real experience with the Naval Reserve Unit. In preperation for my upcoming IAP / BOTP course we did a practice Small Party Tasking where we set up, planned and executed a search and recovery of "water and rations" that had been supposedly attacked en route to our location. It was a lot of standing around and wondering WTF, but then once we got going, despite the unorganized nature of who used to be my recruiting officer, the plan went off without a hitch. Regardless of how new I was I thought I kept up pretty well, and I think that in April when we do another practice run it will be even better.

After the tasking my new NBF and I went for drinks at Moxies and chatted until late into the night. The great thing was that her and I get along so well and I am so thankful that she is coming on course with me. It makes it much easier to think about knowing that I have a friend there already. We swapped stories about why we joined, what we think about current situations and what we are doing to get ready for "BASIC". In any case it was a great evening and tomorrow night should be fun as well (I hope).

Oh, one more quick thing - tomorrow I have yet another fitness test - shuttle run, push ups, sit ups and hand grip. I know I will pass but I get nervous at the thought of not doing well so make sure you all think strong thought for me at 10 am (Calgary time) tomorrow! After that I get to have a fun uniform fitting and after that a military ID appointment - good times for sure!

Alright, I'm off to my massage - hasta mañana!

Sobering Thoughts for a Sunday Afternoon

I promised a recap of Wednesday Evening's events and here it is, but I am tired and can't seem to get a grasp on the ability to formulate proper sentences, so it's in list form.

1. Came home from CIBC Spring Focus Meeting (very boring)
2. Did resistance exercises toute seule as I was skipping out on class due to the ceremony
3. Curled hair, re-did makeup, changed into appropriate swearing in outfit
4. Ate dinner
5. Spoke to Rachel on phone cause she was stuck at work and couldn't come to ceremony
6. Left for Ceremony
7. Arrived early (as per usual) felt really silly being all dolled up for a military ceremony, met up with Amy, Mom and Anthony - laughed a lot (as per usual)
8. Met up with Ronnalie, took pictures
9. Walked into Tecumseh, signed in, felt really silly with an entourage
10. Met up with MS Morgan (my recruiting officer)
11. Sat and waited for an hour while the aforementioned MS took his time arranging stuff, also filled in countless forms, the Bowmans also arrived in this hour
12. Moved into Ward Room, waited for Commanding Officer to arrive
13. *** FUN PART*** Stood nervously and listened to Lt Commander Shirely speak about the importance of what I was doing, how happy and honoured I should be, how happy he was that I had people there to witness what I was doing (felt better about my posse), and then I repeated my vow to "bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and all her lawful heirs and successors, so help me God"
    
14. Breathed a huge sigh of relief as it was a done deal and I was in
15. Shook hands with Commanding Officer, smiled a lot, thanked him a lot
16. Took many pictures with posse
17. Said bye bye to entourage
18. Was paraded up and down halls meeting people whose names I have no recollection of, smiled a lot again, filled out more paperwork
19. Met my new NBF (naval best friend), found out that I will be away for much longer than anticipated - going into August now... yikes! as well as learning my Monday nights are much busier, as well as weekends - including Snoops Wedding Weekend....
    
20. Had drinks with the rest of the Junior Officers in Ward room until 11:45
21. Drove home, made chili for the next day's lunch and collapsed into bed

So there we go... the evening's wrap up in a nice tidy list... it was nerve racking, stressful, fun, meaningful and quite the proud moment in this Naval Cadet's career.

Now onto the "Sobering Thoughts" part of my title.

• I have less than 7 weeks left.
  
• I am away for over 3 months,
  
• I may not have a job when I come back - so I may elect to take my occupation training directly after my other 3 courses so I won't have to do it next summer... my new NBF is doing it this way....
• I went to the gym this morning, ran, did some upper body stuff and stretched - didn't feel that my cardio or strength has improved much in the last 9 weeks... especially the push ups!
  
• Came home and opened email from Ronnalie, with pictures of the previously recounted evening, decided that my pictures do not reflect my hard work since January - boo-urns! reinforces sad feelings from gym performance
• Resolved to run tomorrow morning
• Realized that I have another scary military fitness test Wednesday morning...and then a fun uniform fitting..
  
• Realized that I also have another fitness course evaluation on Saturday morning...
• Realized that I have to go to Tecumseh (Job #3)twice this week... and Job # 2 twice... and I housesit for 3 1/2 weeks starting Thursday
• Realized that I have no f-ing clue how I will make it through until august... but I will I promise!
  

K, I gotta clean the house and go to work... and do some pushups...

Swearing allegiance to my favourite Monarch by taking my oath, and yes that is the Bible I am holding.

Ronnalie and I after the Ceremony
With part of my Entourage... doesn't my Mom look happy?

Book of the Week

Oops... I kind of forgot to post this as my day has been pretty hectic. I also promise to post, with pictures, about my Wednesday evening ceremony.

Without further ado, and because I am going places, I thought this week's entry should be a classic... Oh The Place You'll Go, by our beloved Dr. Seuss

From the Publisher:

"Don''t be fooled by the title of this seriocomic ode to success; it''s not ''Climb Every Mountain,'' kid version. All journeys face perils, whether from indecision, from loneliness, or worst of all, from too much waiting. Seuss'' familiar pajama-clad hero is up to the challenge, and his odyssey is captured vividly in busy two-page spreads evoking both the good times (grinning purple elephants, floating golden castles) and the bad (deep blue wells of confusion). Seuss'' message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ''Great Balancing Act,'' but through it all ''There''s fun to be done.''"

Balancing act indeed. I just found out that I have one more course to do this summer, so I'll be away until August. Plus I need to do a lot more paperwork and fitness tests and security clearances and uniform fittings and military ID appointments, and training days (including Mondays and Saturdays, and yes it is the same day that Snoop has her wedding.. darn it!), and CPR courses before I go, which PS is in less than 50 days as the course starts the 27 th April so I need to be there a day or two early... yikes!

I am exhausted just thinking about it..... no worries though, I'll make it through!

Happy Weekend!

In the Navy

As sung to me this morning by my favourite little sister....

In the NAVY - The Village People

you have it all wrong
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

If you like adventure
Don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate
There is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
Maybe you are too young
To join up today
But don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be
Always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

Who me?

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

But, but, but I'm afraid of water.
Hey, hey look
Man, I get seasick even watchin' it on TV!

They want you, they want you in the navy

Oh my goodness.
What am I gonna do in a submarine?

They want you, they want you in the navy

WTF

I have no clue what is going on with me these days - I think I may be training too much...

For example: yesterday afternoon I was ridiculously tired to the point where I wanted to lay my head down on my desk and sleep. I somehow made it through the afternoon, then decided to zip over to the gym and run for a bit. Instead of running I actually had to use the elliptical as all of the treadmills were occupied, but I got past that and managed 3 miles before my feet went numb (not sure why... as my shoes were loose). After that I stretched and stretched and stretched (I need to be more flexible) and set on my way to go home.

That drive home however was the worst thing I have been made to live through. I was fighting so hard to stay awake the entire ride, it was awful! I made it home, stumbled into my house, decided that I needed to take a small nap, laid down, slept. The fact that I actually took a nap is crazy, but how long I slept was the most bizarre part... it ended up being 5 hours! Yep, woke up at 11:15! It was very very dark in my house and I was still wearing gym gear, hadn't eaten dinner, hadn't made lunch for today... nothing... so I quickly got up, showered, made lunch for today, drank some milk, and went back to bed and slept the entire night - didn't even wake up to go to the gym this morning. Oops... I guess I should be a bit more relaxed in the future.

Today should be more exciting and therefore less tiring as yesterday - I get to skip off to a meeting this afternoon and basically day dream for 3 hours and then I'm off to be inducted into the military.... my last few hours as a civilian.. good times!

Monday Blues

and by blues I am referring to the hue of my fingers as I type this... My office is very chilly this morning, I've got a sweater and my jacket on and I am still cold, as is the rest of my co-workers so I'm not losing it.

Anyways, onto the weekend update. Friday night was Denise's Birthday party, with a special Jack FM cake. There was a lot of laughing and fun.. as per usual...

Saturday, worked, then went out for another birthday party. This time it was at Schanks and we played Mini Olympics... it was fun, we cheated a lot on the scoring, but the birthday girl was on my team so we were allowed.

Sunday was eat what you want Sunday and I did it up well! First was brunch - bacon and more bacon, plus waffles and a nanaimo bar, then later on I ate some peanut butter oreos and some tea.. plus it was movie day - the rest of the Band of Brothers Ron Livingston Video Diaries and So I Married an Axe Murderer, both were great, of course... After that I had to go to work - again - and had a hamburger (yes with more bacon) for dinner... it was nice, but I was not pleased about working both weekend days. I did some grocery shopping last night after work, then cleaned up the house and packed my stuff up to move back home.

That was my weekend... jam packed as usual.. and now I off to training tonight and hopefully a run after that.. we'll see how tired I am I guess.

Other than that my life is quite monotonous... run, eat, work, eat, work, eat, train, eat, prepare more food for the next day... yeah for me!

PS - DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!

Nicely Done

I don't know if it was because yesterday was a magical day, or what but I felt quite good last night with my lower body resistance, and then this morning although I nearly slept in, my crescent kicks were pretty decent. I even surprised myself with my jab, cross burnout combination.... needless to say right now I am EXHAUSTED, but content.

On the other hand it could have been the JACK FM Matt and Eric Cake that we had for dessert last night for Denise's 8th Birthday... a small piece, but delicious nonetheless!

I am not looking forward to today's stint at Job #2, I am sure I will be moving in slow motion the entire time, but meh - nothing could spoil my mood today!