Songs

Some of my Favourite songs in the WORLD!!

The Revelation Song
Victory
Everything
Blessed Be Your Name
Amazing Grace
Our God Is An Awesome God
Dance Like David Danced
What Kind of Church Is This?
This is the Day
There was Joy in the House
He Touched Me
-J

EEP! A new Post!!

Well, Hello all! I am alive. And kicking. Looking through my blog, I realized a couple things, (besides not blogging forEVER) I never said what happened at Camp Meeting and I also want to say a few things about some people in my life...after I tell what happened at Camp Meeting.

Kay so, it started out with the six hour drive that was pretty fun... We took my car, which, for those who don't know, it's a two door Cavalier...pretty small for fitting four people in it. I was driving most of the way...not that I don't mind, but if any of you have ever been in the same vehicle as Rach and Kyle, it's pretty special.

ANYWAY. So we (Mom, me, Rach) were sharing a room with Auntie Darla and children. Hmm, fun times...haha So now for the services...Completely amazing! The best thing in the world and it was a good thing to hear after not for two years! God knows, for anyone who doubts ever, trust me, God know EXACTLY what you need, want, can use, can handle and how to help you grow...DUH.....he is God, after all. The services were amazing and I thank God I was able to go to Camp Meeting. It was good, then I had the experience of watching one of my friends, Larissa get the Holy Ghost!! And it was just a constant thing of being in the Holy Ghost.
And of course that was about the time when my best friend stopped talking to me.. Growing up is lame. haha

Anyway, now I want to say some kind things about some people. I have tons of friends that I love and they help me and we are almost siblings close. There are poeple in my life that are absolutely amazing and I'd like to say some things about them.
My Mommy (Laura)- she be the best one out there...sorry for all the people who think their mom is good, you just haven't meant mine. She is amazing AND she knows God!! She is kind, funny, goofy, lovable, amazing. She is always there for me and is always kind. Me and her are alot alike...haha anyway....lol
My Dad (Shannon)-He is one of the strongest people I know. He never changes and is always there for me. He is serious...only until you get to know him and then you realise where I get my crazy humour from... I wouldn't be quite as responsible as I am now, without him. I love him!
My Sis (Rachel)- She is one of the bestest people in the world. Not a whole lot of people understand her, but I do and I love her. She has wisdom and she keeps me on track...
My Best Friend (Jenn)- I haven't had a funny moment without her... I never will. Us together is scary...lol We get alone great and have some pretty crazy adventures. She knows what I am thinking and most of the time, thinks the same thing.
My Church Family- I have grown up with them, they have seen me in bad moods, in good moods and they have prayed with and for me. They are my support.
My Family- My blood extended family is the best! I am completely blessed to be apart of them and absolutely love them to death! Sometimes, no one but family can truly understand our humour, our thoughts and when we are hyper...uh oh...haha
My Cadet Family in S'toon- There are soo many stories that cna be told, but I don't think anyone but cdts would understand. Grayson, my lil bro and us together...you better watch out! haha we get into crazy adventures. And when you add Sean, Andrew, Rachel, Avery, Sean, David, Devon, Alyssa, and Adam, you get CRAZINESS! We come up with sledding parties, scavenger hunts, caroling at -35C out, (cuz we are cdts and are tough) skiing in crazy weather, weird games...haha but I wouldn't be quite as weird as I am today with them.
My Cadet Family out of S'toon- Thee most amazing people in the planet. My reasoning as to why we aren't in the same city is because one place simply cannot handle that many amazing people. Megan, Steve, Crackers, Tyler, Scott, Dustin, Natalie, James, Mike, Mackenzie, ...oh my. I can go on and on, but they are the most amazing people in the world. We have so many memories and I know I can go to anyone of them for anything. Whether it's for a laugh, a cry, to beat someone up for me, for an escort for something. They will be there no matter what. I love them!!
My friends- Katie, Caleigh, Kody, Karlee, Chelsee...once agian, I can go on and on, but these people are super. We have laughs, get boyfriends for each other, and sing!! haha We are all crazy!
Anyway, I know soo many amazing people who help me, laugh with me, get mad with me, cry wiht me, let me spend the night, pray with me, or even when I ask for prayer. I would have a very boring life without them and I thank them for being amazing!
BUT.. Most of all, God has allowed me to have these amazing people in my life and I would be nothing with out him. He is my all!
God Bless!
I love you all!
SMILE, God loves you!
-J

Tagged??

Rules:

1. Link the person that tagged you.

2. Mention the rules on your own blog

3. List 6 unspectacular things about you or your group.

4. Taggify 6 other blogger

So someone was brilliant and came up with this....nice. Anyway, my wonderful mother. yay moms!...oh, I mean, my wonderful mother tagged me with this...

Anyway, six things about me? What if I can't count that high?? I'll try but don't expect too much.

1). My motto is "open mouth, insert foot" I like to follow this diligently because I believe that practice makes perfect....haha

2). I am left handed and ambidextrous

3). I got my car before my licence, paid off my car in just over a year, and got into a car accident within a month of me driving by myself. (oh dear) And I drove in Calgary by myself within six months of having my licence.

4). I've never been on a date, am one of the few girls in the world who doesn't want to wear make up, and was home schooled for eight years

5). I want to become a Police Officer

6). I am very stubbo--wait, you already know that. sigh. I love singing with all my heart, but can't carry a tune to save my life, the song Amazing Grace played by bagpipes brings me to tears, I stand at attention any time singing "Oh Canada" and I actually SING it.

And I tag Jenn P, Gary F, Rachel P (seeing as she still hasn't done this yet.), and I don't know any other bloggers that haven't done this. Sorry....not lol

Anyway, have a good day, smile, laugh, pray, sing, dance, and...and.....go for a run!

-J

....

Pslams.51
[1] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. [5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. [6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. [9] Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. [12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. [13] Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. [14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. [15] O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. [16] For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. [17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. [18] Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. [19] Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

WOW. This chapter in the Bible makes me cry. It shows just how merciful Jesus is, that not matter how far you stray for him, he is there to take you back, time doesn't matter, age doesn't matter, circumstances don't matter. Being saved does.
So this weekend, Bro David Holmes preached because Pastor Dehod was away, and he said a few things that grabbed me.
-God always wins.
-You can never outrun, outdetemind, outdistance God (paraphrasing)
-Once you are saved, his light follows you
-Other people don't understand.
-Jesus loves you no matter what.

God Bless.
-J

God Alone

Well, here I am again. And once again, I'm in the writing mood. Imagine that..lol Anyway, here are some things that I wanted to share with you.

My favourite Scripture in the Bible:

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." ISAIAH 40:31

Something that I came up with:

God Alone

If you don't know, Ask

If you are scared, Hugs

If you are alone, Pray

If you are happy, Sing

If you love someone, Tell

If you are weak, Faith

If you are angry, Help

If you are discouraged, Smile

If you are smiling, Laugh

If you are sad, Cry

If you are all or one of these things, Go to God.

God Bless and remember someone loves you, no matter where are you, what you have done, how you have acted, or how you look.

A friend told me, one day, that you can only be you, you can't change you (your special personalities), you can only be you. You can't act like someone else, you can only do you best. You can only be you best, and no one else can be you.

-J

Away!

Well, Hello all!

Yes, it has been months since I have last written. Well, I have my reasons, some of them being, I haven't had time (whoever made the 24-hour-day, didn't realize that it wasn't enough time in a day. Pity they aren't alive now to see for themselves) anyway, and the biggest reason is simply because I haven't had anything to write. I mean, I had topics, but I always felt like I really didn't want the whole world to know, or they already did (you see, I have this theory, that if you have a problem with something, and the more people you talk to about it, the better you feel. So when I had a problem, the whole world knew....is this unusual?? lol). Anyway, then, tonight, I was being really bored, and trying to see if I had the guts to try and learn something new, without help, and I had the STRANGEST urge to write. So here I am. Writing for the first time in forever and it actually feels like it's time again. I guess I just needed a break?? lol Maybe..

So, with my life, lately, I have been going through some pretty wonderful stuff (please note sarcasm.) and me thinks that is why I haven't written. I find that when I write, it makes me look at things more logically and I get through my thoughts better. Only I haven't been writing since, oh about early Aug. And, to be honest (this is always a good thing.) that is probably when things started...

Lets see, in the month of August, I had several things happen to me, and I can even list them..lol

1). My best friend got into TONS of trouble-uh oh.

2). My sis and I and some other people, the next week, got into TONS of trouble...bigger uh oh.

3). My best friend stops talking to me. crack! (yes, that was my heart)

4). I start grade 12 and find out that I have one friend in my school. wow. I'm impressed.

5). Then, through out this whole time, I have the regular fights, nasty attitudes, speeding tickets and other fun things.

So, August wasn't much fun, and come to think of it, neither was September. Oh dear. Now what? Good question. If you have an answer, please let me know...lol

I have spent several hours, days, and several days worrying, praying, talking and getting mad (which, while it doesn't solve a thing, if you are in trust worthy company, helps) while trying to sort myself out. Now, I feel like I can't do anything about anything, except control myself....on occasion. And that doesn't particularly sit well with me.

And, right now, nothing has changed, I still have things to do, not enough time, problems that are on my head, and people to....deal with. But inside me, I think something is happening. Something is stirring and maybe will come to light soon. But something is different in maybe my heart? hmm.

You know, actually you don't, but before, I felt awkward trying to write a blog post, and now, I don't, so I think that is the biggest thing. (I guess when one's best friend quits that role, then self confidence goes WAYY down.) And, another thing, since I don't have one anymore, I have started to think about God being the one and True Best Friend. And, I don't really think people can say that, unless they have experienced a loss that causes them to turn back to God as the most reliable friend of all. And maybe that's why I have had to go through that loss, to realize that God is good.

Hmm, thinking and writing at the same time causes a very confusing blog post. Oh well, I'm sure you can figure it out. :)

ANyway, I'm going to depart to my bed and let you read this. Have a good night, God bless and remember to smile and laugh. Because the Lord is AMAZING!

-J

Away

Hi, so I am away in Washington for a week. It's lots of fun. My family and I try and go every year, but last year, we weren't able to go because of cadets. Once I go here, I realized how much I had missed this huge city and how much everything has changed. You know, because I thought that I was the only one who was allowed to change in a year, and no one else is allowed too...lol Anyway, I love it here, Seattle is huge and super kewl and Bro. Bow's church is amazing. We went shopping today, and then, tonight, we went to the Space Needle. Now, that is cool. It's 600 ft. high and amazing. The only scary part was the elevator that goes 10 mph and goes up and down 600 ft. in 46 sec. My heart was in my throat and I am cured of going on any elevators for the rest of my life. Like actually....lol. Super scary. Before that, we had toured downtown Seattle, (I wanted to drive, but alas, Dad wouldn't let me...lol) and made fun of the people. I love the big city and all the "happenings" but I would never want to live down here. It's nice once a year...lol.

Anyway, I just wanted to ketch you guys up on my life. Oh, Mark got a flat tire while we were in Seattle and no one was able to help him, so he had to leave the car on the highway...opps. :)

God Bless from Seattle, Washington.

-J

Growing up?

Hello all. I can faithfully report that this past week has been one of the busiest weeks of my life...that I can remember, anyway. I was working two jobs, plus hanging out with great friends (Gary, Kyle, Bo, Rach, Steph, Larissa, Mitch, Becca...etc.). It's been crazy. But fun. I haven't been that tired in a long time...BUT thank God it's done! Now, the really exciting part, is that I am going to Calgary all next week for the Canadian Plains District Conference. I am SO excited! Honestly, I haven't been in TWO years and I am kinda nervous because I haven't seen so many people on a long time. It's going to be really good.

Now, for my blog post. My thoughts haven't been organised. Well, some people would say they never are, but they really are when it comes to writing. Lately, in my life, I am confused and it reflects in my writing, causing it to not make sense. Like now. I have realized that now that I am not taking my creatative writing class anymore, it's harder to write and it to make sense. I don't have an actual topic, like my other postes, but kinda want to write my confudulled thoughts, which I'm not use to doing.

ANYWAY, back to my confusedness. Right now, I am going through some growing up...or maybe I am being put to a test. I don't know. But I do know, that I fail more times then I actually do something right. Like this morning.

EX1:

Last night, five of my friends above mentioned and I went to Martinsville and had kinda some fun (I will get back to the kinda later) and on the way there and back, we used my car. I am grounded from using my car other than work because I like to speed and my parents are kind. So, I had gas in it and I offered it. Then we get home, and go to bed...well, it's a lil' more complicated, but that's the gist. Then I wake up to go to work at 0715. Only to find, as I also find I'm going to be late for work, that my car keys are missing. So, I get mad. I have this nasty temper that will be the death of me. And that resulted in me phoning Dad to tell him I was going to be late for work, Rachel hanging up on him because she isn't quite a morning person. And her throwing the phone in my direction, me getting mad again (actually I hadn't stopped getting mad) and throwing another phone at her, hitting her head, creating a very large bump.

So, Fail Number Three Hundred Thousand and Ten.

Last night was Fail Number Three Hundred Thousand and One-Nine.

My point:

I struggle to do right, to control my temper, to simply know when to do the right thing. And I am tired of it. But, I find myself doing the right thing and everything when it hurts me the most. Like when people around me are going crazy and I'm not and I could because I was wronged. But then I fall. I often feel like I am going through something that is so hard for me to get, then I finally get it, and the next thing starts. Like, I get something my parents try to get me to get, then I don't get the next thing. Then I just want to go back. But.

This is where it gets not clear. me.

I have a huge temper that I am not afraid to stand up if I think it's right. My problem is that the right isn't always right. And I am very stubborn. To me, I just want to find the right thing and stand by it and do everything for it and all that. But.

Most times, I feel like a little child still who doesn't know, who doesn't understand, who get confused and who wonders without answers. I have people come to me and tell me things that I have to help them, but I am inadequate to. And I don't understand why people come to me, who doesn't experience the things they need help with.

Anyway, God Bless

-J

Hmmmm,

Well, long time no blog, I know. That's okay though, because I have been working on, well, work and I pretty much don't have a life anymore...lol. This is what work does to you.

Advise for the week: wait to get a job if you don't have to...babysitting counts....lol

Anyway,through out the summer, I have come to some conclusion that have helped clear some things up (now, that wasn't vague at all) and life is....err, was good. Now, I am once again, confused. Life is strange and I don't like it at the monent, but I can't say that it's dull and I am bored. I simply don't understand. And, to be honest, I really don't think I ever will understand. Which sucks.
Anyway, My life is full of work, free running, and, and confusion....more on that later...
Well, have a good day. And smile?
lol
-J

Enjoy People

Hi,
Well, today, I was about to call one of my really good friends and tell him something, and as I considered the idea, I thought I could also blog about it too. So, this goes back to a conversation that I had with my dad yesterday. I was talking to my dad and we were talking about a relative of ours and (for the sake of this post, I will refer to this person as Bob) my dad commented on how Bob should join this program because it is a super program and Bob would learn things from it. But as we continued to talk, Dad said that Bob was too intense and he wouldn't be able to handle the problems. Then, my dad said something that really was amazing. He said that Bob just needed to enjoy people. (now, go back and reread it, and think about it) My first thought was yes, of course Bob needs to enjoy people. How could you not enjoy people? But the thought stuck with me. People have problems, and 98% of the time, we are completely consumed with them. We try and figure them out, solve them, try and live with them, and lose friends over them. Well, if you stop and think back to the last time you just had fun. You didn't worry about poeple and everything that goes alone with them, you just simply enjoyed them. Have fun, laugh, don't be stupid, enjoy the moment.
Now, where I come in. I haven't enjoyed people in a long time. And I really need to. I just need to relax and remember why I have people as friends.
The hard part (haven't you ever noticed that there is always a hard part to things?) is that if you don't like a person that you are hanging out with.
Solution: It takes lots of practice, but use self control and deal with it. I am the perfect example. I have over 800 issues with people and am reminded of it daily. So, I need to shut my mouth and pray through. To me, this is super, super hard and I need to work on it, almost every time I hang out the a group of people.
This is what I think, if I don't get along with someone completely, then I need to either not be around them, deal with it, or have a split personality and like them. This is why I need to pray through alot.
But, if you are just being picky and winny and don't like the person, then deal with it. Enjoy your friends, cherish moments, laugh, and be real.
-J




NOTE: Just a note on the BE REAL, I will blog about that later in more detail.

First Storm of 2008!

Time to blog again. Hey guys. Well, I'm hard pressed to find a topic. I could ask you if you wanted to leave a suggestion, but that would take too long. So, there are a tons of things that I want to write about, but they are too short to make much of a blog post, and my thoughts aren't in order yet.

Anyway, I started this post couple of days ago, but once again, I didn't have time to complete it. But it worked out, because in the days that I haven't had time to complete it, I came up with a topic...so, it's all good.

Anyway, so, last night, my sister had a photo shot to do for Carlee. So I asked if I could tag along and carry the bag or something. It turned out, that I only was there for ummm, well, I didn't really do anything useful, but that is okay, because I managed to get some pictures of me, that I really like. (You have to understand that this is highly unusual.) So, I got pictures of me out of that, then after we were done with the pictures, we all headed back to our house to upload Carlee's and for me to relax..lol.

Then, the next time I looked out, was when Rach and Carlee were about to head to the store, and we all looked outside. WOW! Was it scary. The wind was crazy! And the clouds were blowing in so fast and it was going to be a thunder storm. The first one of the year too!

So, by the time 2130 rolled around, it was raining hard and blowing harder. And, to my surprise, there was even lighting and thunder. I was impressed. I absolutely love thunder storms. Lighting is the best, but if there is no thunder, then it is pointless, and there was a lil' bit of thunder...lol.

Carlee phoned her dad to ask about the weather (because her dad is in charge of emergency natural disasters and knows this type of thing) and he said that he had thought that this storm would hit dead on, but had varied to the NW and we caught the tail end of it, and he also said that there was another on about a hour behind and he wasn't sure if it would hit us or not. But I don't think it did.

Anyway, I really love thunder storms and would really consider moving to a place that got them. Because I know in Sask, we don't get really bad ones, and I want to see some purdy sights...hehe. But, I am willing to settle for extreme temperatures for now.

Anyway, to finish the story, when Carlee, Rachel, Gary and I were sitting by the window watching the storm, I thought of Vernon, BC, because Vernon had horrible storms that I heard about and experienced. Well, as this flashed through my head, I thought of a time that my sis had told me about two years ago when she was on her 6-week course. Then the phone rang. Carlee answered it, in a rather unique way, and the person on the other end didn't quite know what to do. So whatever, we got it sorted out, and it was my buddy calling to talk to me, and as soon as I heard it was him, I connected the dots and asked him if this storm reminded him of Vernon. And to top it off, he was even thinking of the same scenario that I had been just a moment ago. It was pretty funny and we ended the conversation.

And by then, the storm looked like it was going to end by the morning. LOL.

So, that was my first storm of 2008, and I almost counted the number of lighting flashes, but not quite...lol.

-J

Show Support!!

Well, my excuse is finals...and other junk. So, what I want to write about. The Military. One of my favourite subjects. I am a strong supporter of any Military who is fighting. I know there is a lot of controversy involving the subject, and that's okay.
So, if we look at the fighting over seas, in Afghanistan, a lot of people believe that the Military shout not be there, and fighting, what seems to be a "dumb" and pointless cause. Well, my fellow citizens, I don't see you out there, working for your life, trying to save others. You may be right, the reason they are there may be wrong, but they are there, and there isn't anything they can do about it. you just need to stand proud and let them know that you support them, with all your heart. I will support any troops that fight. They are risking their lives, other lives and barely living. I think this is reason enough to support troops.
Thankfully there are ways to show support to troops.
1). You can join.
2). You can vocally support
3). You can send letters to troops, more then one, there is information everywhere about it.
4). You can buy stickers
5). You can pray for them, if you know a specific person, or just everyone in the military.
6). Never not show support.

This is one of the two things that I support without question. I know that the reasons aren't always the best, BUT you cannot blame the workers.

There are lots of songs for support too.
~I'm already there
~American Soldier
~I'm Proud to be an American
~Travelin' Soldier
~Letters from War
~Letters from Home
~Canadian Soldier
And there are more.

I am proud to be Canadian, where I can do what I need to, where I have protection, where I can believe what I want, where I can say what I want and support who I want. Praying for any troops and support them.
God Bless
-J

Opinion

So, the reason I haven't been blogging lately, is because I don't have time. I don't have time to try and write something, and make it nice and neat. I am the type of person who has to try and not be offencive....well, some of the things I want to write about are, and I don't have time to try and be nice about it. And to me, opinion is great. So great in fact, that I really don't want to hear it. (you see why I haven't blogged in a while) there are some things that I feel about that I really don't want to hear what people have to say about it, and whether they agree with me or not. Now, I like hearing about how people agree with me, but if you don't I really don't care. It's an opinion and I don't want to hear it.

Now, this is why I haven't blogged in a while, cuz I don't have time and somethings I just want to say and not have to worry about whose not going to like what and all that. But my mom says that when I get like this, I'm not being open minded....well, I don't care. For 95% of everything I do, I try to be open minded, well, I'm getting just a little tired of being so open minded that my brains are falling out. And now, I will appear dumb because I don't have any brains because I tried to be open minded.

There, I said it. Now I can see who really has an opinion.

If you didn't like this post, I don't really want to hear it, if you did, you can leave a comment.

Have a nice day.

-J

Lesson Learned

She came to me,
told me,
how he hurt her.
She started to
cry.
I gave her a hug.
Told her,
He may not have
ment it.
She agreed.
But the hurt remain,
The broken trust lay
between them
like a mountain.

I crossed it.

I found him.
He didn't remember
I reminded him
He said,
he didn't mean to
hurt her,
it had been instinct.
I warned him,
to be careful
He had a responsibility
to fulfill

She was only twelve.

She was smiling,
eager to help.
I reminded her
not to forget
and to be careful.

Lesson Learned.

-J

Transfer

The air was heavy and oppressive; the sun barely past the red colored dunes that littered the base. The silence was shattered with the strong, clipped voice of Master Corporal Ricky Macintyre of the 38th Light Infantry Brigade of the Canadian Military, as he woke up the males in their barracks; the din of men getting ready filled the air.
“Excuse me, MCpl Macintyre, but the Captain has left a message at the Office for you. He said it was urgent.” The young, almost squeaky voice of Private Kim Smith was filled with the urgency of one who had to go to the washroom. The young Private was new to the base, just arriving from Saskatchewan. The daily routine had yet to affect him and he was still eager to impress the first higher rank that he saw. Ricky nodded his thanks as he continued to watch and supervise the morning activity. He turned his head just in time to see the base’s troublemaker pour his grey water out on the ground, in front of the mess hall.
“Hey! Corporal! What do you think you are doing?”
“MCpl—“
“You know the standards concerning water and gray water. What makes you think you are exempt from it?”
“I wasn’t—“
“Do not let me see you doing that again or I will take your canteen and empty it during training. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master Corporal.” Cpl Manning had all the contempt of a 12 year-old talking to his parents.
Ricky couldn’t stand to see anything go to waste, especially water. Also, he, could never understand why it was so hard to follow rules, especially when you enlist in the military. That’s all the Officers did was make up more rules and procedures to follow.
“Excuse me, MCpl—“
“Yes, I’m coming now.”
The relieved look on Pte Smith’s face was comical and Risky wished he waited longer, just so he could see it again.
The hard packed dirt that marked the way up to the Admin building was littered with garbage. By the end of the day, Ricky knew that he was going to end up organizing a garbage sweep. Still the base was the cleanest he had yet to be posted at. He had only been at the base three months. The last base he had been posted at, the politics had taken over.
The Admin building was the coolest building on base. With its brand new air conditioning, nearly everyone invented some complaint they needed to file, in the Admin building. Ricky was sure he was the only one who actually hated the building. The building itself was unimpressive, and the grouchy officers and the dim lighting gave a sickly air to the front desk area.
Ricky stepped into the building and saluted, causing the people inside to look up.
“Excuse me, Ma’am, but Capt Belington left a message for me, and I was told it was urgent.”
The Lieutenant at the desk didn’t look up, “You and everyone else here too. Don’t you have duties somewhere outside?”
Ricky involuntarily tightened his fists. He had run-ins with this lady before and he couldn’t stand her. She was the perfect example how not to act. The first time he met her was during intake, and she was a newly promoted lieutenant. She was stressed because she was anxious to show off her leadership skills in the office world. It back fired big time and she blamed Ricky for it. There wasn’t anything he could do. It happened during his transfer process and it was ridiculous.
The silence was loud in the crowded parking lot, where the troops were formed up, waiting for intake. They had traveled all night and day, arriving just before the sun went down. The air was a nice change from the stifling, humid air on the bus. The trip down to the ‘Base’ had been a long, boring, horribly cramped trip, but Ricky wasn’t complaining, much. The PMQ he was heading for was said to be much better than the one that he had been posted at. Politics had nearly shut down the base and put everyone out of a job. His only true friend, Sergeant Genessa Packs had warned and advised him to fill out a Request of Transfer form two months before the fireworks started. It was the wisest move he ever made. He received the signed approval before anyone had started on theirs.
On the bus, he had been stuck beside a lady Corporal that would have given a witch a run for her money. She knew more vulgar words then English and showed it off the entire trip. He hadn’t seen her since he arrived, much to his relief.
The Lieutenant stomped out of the Office, yelling for the next victim. She was progressively grouchier as the last few people were cleared. Ricky was the last one out there, and he was dead on his feet. He tried to think of the last time he had slept but couldn’t remember exactly.
The lieutenant, who had the unpronounceable name of Lt Glouchest, came out of the disgraceful building they called the Office and yelled at him to hurry up and stop wasting her time. Ricky knew that by the time she was completed his intake, she would be in an even worse mood. He had to talk to the Commanding Officer about the Request of Leave form he had and knew that Lt Glouchest wouldn’t be all too pleased about it. The complication wouldn’t take that long, but because the Lieutenant didn’t know what was going on, and was too proud to ask Ricky, she struggled to understand the problem. Finally, the Admin O came out, wondering what was going on. Ricky calmly explained what needed to be done and all he needed to do was to talk to the CO before he could go off base. He explained that he needed to go off base regularly because of religious reasons and the CO needed to sign the form. The Admin O then took the form, promising to have it back to Ricky by the end of the week. The problem was solved, but for the little attitude problem in the front desk.
Now, every time Ricky had to talk to her, he became the last one to be admitted. Even the other troops would say something like, “Ma’am, he was here before me.” And she still would not get over herself.
Ricky didn’t have time to wait for all ten people in the waiting area to go before him, so he left, and as he turned around, and walked through the door, he realized he forgot to salute. But he kept going. The morning was too good to be ruin by grouchy, unreasonable officers. Just as he reached the Mess hall and pushed open the door, Capt Belington stepped out of the Officers Mess.
“MCpl Macintyre! I need to speak with you.”
“Sir,” Ricky saluted. “How can I help you?”
“Did you receive my message?”
“No, Sir.”
“Okay, here is the deal. I have three troops that are transferring here in the next day or so, and they are behind in training. I need you to take them in your section, brief them on the Enemy Force and get them started on the M and ATL course. They are a little behind on training because the transfer is so late in the training year, but this is where you come in. I need you to take them in and train them.”
“When do they arrive?”
“In two days.”
“Okay.”
“I have the folder in my office now, and I’ll get it to you by lunch. I will leave it in the Admin building for you.”
Ricky had a bad feeling about it, but he said nothing beyond, “Yes, Sir.”
Capt Belington nodded his thanks and walked away. Ricky knew that his chances of getting the information just decreased to slim. There was no way Lt Glouchest was going to actually give him the information. Well, there wasn’t much he could do about it. He was going to have to make it up once again.
Ricky walked into the Mess Hall, and was intent on enjoying he breakfast until he saw the notices on the bulletin board. The postings had just been put up for the morning and Ricky knew that his name was supposed to be on there for the transfer. He wouldn’t get paid until his name was on the nominal roll. He looked and sighed. His name was there. Thank God.
The day was nice and he had a lot to do. He needed to get his section to go through the training package that had been handed out last night. The idea of the package was to start the familiarization of M SCI 303 Military Science and Advanced Tactical Leadership (3). The training took three months to complete and it was probably the most fun the troops would have until the next M and ATL course. The training was complex, but lots of fun and it was truly a test of courage to complete it.
He took out his FMP and wrote: Two Section, meeting in the Common Area at 0800 hrs for next training schedule. And tacked it to the bulletin board. His troops would come in and be able to find it easily. He strolled out to the common area and looked around. The area was quiet except for the few on battalion extras. Ricky realized that he probably should have put Cpl Manning on it. It was too late now, but next time he would.
Ricky looked at his watch and sighed. He walked quickly to his barracks and checked around. There was no-one there. Good. He walked back out and looked at his watch. Time to go. He stepped outside and saw most of his section already on the Common Area.
“Alright troops, this is what is going on.”
As Ricky explained the process, he noticed Lt Glouchest storm out of the Admin building and head in his direction. He wrapped up what he was saying.
“Okay, I want you to go get your equipment and meet back here ASAP.” They all nodded and went on their way.
Ricky watched the Lieutenant. She wasn’t in a good moo—
“MCpl Macintyre!”
Ricky started. “Yes, Ma’am? How can I help you?”
She snarled, “It’s not how you can help me. I was told to give these papers to you.” And stormed away.
“Um, thank you, Ma’am.”
His troops came back. “Alright. We are going to head up to the training area now. The Sergeant in charge there will brief you and take over. Any questions?”
There were none. They headed up and met Sergeant Campbell. Ricky watched the training, and wished he had been able to do this when he was a Private. It was too late now, and the training always changed with the new technology. Well, he was having fun as it was and couldn’t really complain.
As the day wore on, Ricky noted the level of improvement of his troops. They loved this training. It was good. Finally they could go down to eat. Today had just been a theory part of it, and after tomorrow, they would be sleeping outside. As they headed down, the troops talked about the day.
“Man that was really fun. I—“
“I know! I wish we started this before all the other theory part. But I’m glad that we have this now. I can’t wait until tomorrow because I think we are going to be sleeping outside.”
“Fun. Man, I don’t know if anyone else is going to be doing this. It’s going to be so much fun.”
“Yah, I know. It’s fun.”
They reached the base and Ricky stopped them.
“Okay guys, what’s going to happen after supper, you have that package to fill out, and then you are on free time. I just want that package completed for tomorrow. Any questions?”
After they were dismissed, Ricky walked back up to the training grounds.
“Excuse me, Sergeant?”
She turned around. “Yes? Oh, hello Macintyre. How are you?”
“I’m okay, but I was wondering, can I borrow the land phone that’s up here? I have a phone card, and the lines are out of order down on base.”
She looked startled. Then the understanding came. “Oh, I get it. You don’t have anything else now? No more duties?”
“No.”
“Okay then, I think I have to clean the range, because your section left more of a mess then I thought. I will be there.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Ricky walked to the phone booth that was located in the main building. He quickly dialed the 10 digit number and activated his phone card. Finally, he got a ring.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is Sergeant Pasks there please?”
“Sgt Pasks? No, she is on a FXT right now and won’t be back until next Monday. If you want, I can leave a message for her.”
“No, that is okay. Thank you.”
He hung up. The guy was lying. Genessa never was away for the weekend and this was a two week ex. She would be able to go off base for some of it. Genessa had been hinting at some messed up politics at his old base, but she had always made it seem almost unimportant. Now he knew it wasn’t true.
*****
Sergeant Genessa Pasks stood rigidly at attention, waiting for the Reviewing Officer to come and inspect her troops. The parade was taking way too long and she wished it was over already. She didn’t like parades were the CO just had them for fun. There were too many as it was, and she had had enough. The tension was making her shoulders bunch up, and she could feel a headache forming. The RO stopped in front of her and stared stupidly. She saluted; he was slow to return the gesture.
“Hello Sir, there are 33 Non-Commissioned Members in ranks, on parade. Permission to carry on with inspection?”
“Carry on.” Lieutenant Colonel Kim Young was an old officer and was biased. He had never inspected Genessa’s platoon before, but because of the rumors that spread faster than a fire, he thought he had an idea about her. She wasn’t too impressed about that, but once again, there wasn’t anything she could do about it.
Lt. Col. Young was slow and took his time going through the inspection. The sun was hot and Genessa wanted the whole thing to be over already. Finally, he was done. She cut him off, “Are there any comments or questions?”
“No.”
“Permission to carry on?”
“Permission granted.”
She saluted and carried on.
Finally, the entire parade was over. She was glad, now she could go and get ready for the interview that she had with the CO about her transfer. She didn’t really know how it was going to go because the last time she asked, the CO made up some excuse about how her leadership was needed and the base couldn’t afford to let her transfer. It was bull and everyone knew it. Now, a year later, she was ready to try again and she was actually getting desperate. But she couldn’t let anyone know, because that’s not how things worked on this base.
As she entered her barracks, she saw the Battalion’s Orderly Officer (BOO) shut her own locker. Genessa just stopped and stared. What now? Captain James Luis wasn’t supposed to even be in the female barracks, unless the CO was with him.
“Uh, Sir?”
“Capt Luis turned sharply around.
“Sgt Pasks! Wha—You have other duties elsewhere!”
“Sir?”
“Sgt Pasks, you heard me! If you don’t attend to your other duties now, you will not have that transfer you have been hoping for!”
“Uh, yes Sir!”
Genessa saw red and walked out of the barracks. She stopped. What was she going to do now? What did that mean, him going into her locker? She knew that combinations were in a cabinet and only the female officers were allowed to have access to them with the CO’s permission only. What was she going to do now? As she stood there, the DCO walked by, and Genessa snapped to attention and with a startled look on his face, he returned the salute.
“Excuse me, Sir, but—“
“Not now, Sergeant.”
Once again she watched him walk away. She needed to find a payphone fast. Where was the nearest one? There. She walked quickly over to it and stepped inside the booth.
The phone rang. And rang. Oh please answer. Someone picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is Sgt Richard Macintyre there, please?”
The person on the other line paused. “Uh, he cannot come to—oh, wait.” There was a muffled conversation on the other side. “Hello? Sorry about the interruption. Here he is.”
The warm voice of the man she hadn’t seen in six months came over the line. “Hello?”
“Hi Rick.”
“Oh! Genessa! How are you? What are you going calling now? Aren’t you on training hours now? Like I am?”
“Something came up, and I got a little freaked out. Do you remember Capt Luis? The really larg—“
As she continued talking, she noticed the basics come back from their 13k rucksack march…and saw who was with them.
She cut herself off. “Oh. Rick, I have to go. The dorkface is right there. I don’t know when I’m going to get to talk to you anytime soon. I don’t know what to do though and I’m getting scared. If something doesn’t change, I may have to consider going to the Lieutenant Colonel.”
“Okay, listen. If it gets so bad that you are scared for your life, call this number. Don’t write it down anywhere just memorize it. Okay? It’s the number to a friend of mine that owes me a couple favors and this person lives in your area.”
“Okay, what’s the number?”
As he told her the number, the platoon came closer and the Warrant Officer that was marching them gave her an evil grin. Well, she was going to have fun.
“Rick, I wish I could talk longer. I real—well, I have to go now. Have fun and I’m praying for you.”
“Gen, okay, be careful and if you can, write me, okay? Talk to you later and lots of love.”
He hung up. She stood there for a moment. How she missed him and his advice. Why did she ever want him to transfer? She knew the answer, because she couldn’t live with herself if something ever happened to him. Time to get ready for the interview.
*****
The next day, Ricky was back up to the training grounds, but he wasn’t paying attention. He got his 2IC to take control over the group while he thought of a while. But it wasn’t like he hadn’t thought all night anyway. He wasn’t getting anywhere. I should just take a leave of absence for a couple of days and go and see her, before I regret not. His best friend, mentor, and everything else was in trouble and once again he couldn’t do anything about it. The worst part was the he was half way across the country from her and that was a little far. What could he do? He was getting tired of this. He loved the military but not when it affected his friends dangerously on the inside of things.

****
Genessa once again entered her barracks and hesitantly walked to her bunk. As she got ready, she thought about what she knew about the situation on base. The CO changed just after Ricky had transferred and the daily life, and politics got worse. The daily activities were limited to who was the favorite, the training was made up, the base didn’t take anymore new recruits and officers were involved with shady business that Genessa knew about.
She found out by accident and it scared her. She caught a few of the other Sergeants and Officers right in what appeared to be a meeting about it. The one person she thought was her friend she had hasn’t talked to her in weeks because she was there. There had been rumors about the underhandness of the officers and NCOs but it was nothing. Until that night. After that, Genessa had done research on illegal immigrants that the military approved of before the border knew they existed. She talked to a couple of old Warrant Officers who were straight and they proved some answers for her.
The whole deal involved more then five bases and the new one that had opened up was a direct result of the money. She found out that the base had been involve with this for over 10 years and was successfully growing.
The problem is that she accidentally let on that she knew about the deals of the base and she was in trouble now. She remembered that Ricky always told her that she would get into trouble by her mouth. Now she was. She didn’t know what to do…she knew some officer acquaintances in Ontario and she had been trying to get a hold of them for the past month and so far she had been unsuccessful. She didn’t know what to do and it was getting harder and harder not to say something. She needed to go these officers and give them some of the information that she managed to collect and make copies of. The originals she kept on base somewhere and the place was written down in her locker. Now her best option was to move everything and give them to the friend that Ricky had mentioned to her.
She was done. As she walked to the CO’s office, she pondered what to do if she didn’t get the transfer. She knew that eventually she would have to go the Det. and somehow tell them about this mess.

(This isn't finished.)
-J

P.S.
Please Comment

Hard Things

What is the hardest thing you ever had to do? Maybe say no to the best guy/girl in the world. Maybe walk away and leave in in God's hands and let him handle it cause no one else can. Maybe stand up for your beliefs. Maybe stepping back from a situation and taking a good long look at it, when all you want to do is get closer. Maybe obaying without knowing full well what's going on. Maybe trusting.

Each and every hard thing anyone has to do, is just a little harder then the last one. Just a little more complex. Just a little more faith, trust and determiation is needed to get past it. Just a little more. Always. Until you are able to look back, and realize the mountain, the hill, the valley you just came through, still alive, still pushing, still determinded.

Have you ever realized anything that needs to be acomplished needs FAITH. Anything. Whether or not you are going for a drivers test, teaching a lesson, taking a hard test, or you are caught between a rock and a hard place. you need faith in your abilities, someone elses abilities, the unknown, or what you do know. Anything you do, you need some sort of faith.

What can you do if you don't have it? Go back to the begining. Always. Evaluate everything. Find out if it's impportand enough, big enough, or just small enough that you can't let go. (and this is why I have God)Hard things just keep getting harder and harder. They never get easier. Nor, do they really go away, even if you think you have solved it. THAT is the frustrating part about hard things.

Faith helps.

-J

9 Things to Avoid

1. Remorse over yesterday’s mistakes
2. Anxiety over today’s problems
3. Worry about tomorrows uncertainties
4. Procrastination over today’s duties
5. Resentment over others successes
6. Critism of others imperfections
7. Impatience with those who aren’t on the same level
as you are
8. Skepticism over the future

9. Unbelief in God’s providence

Jenn and Jenna- Stories

Hi, so Jenn and I decided to blog about dumb people together.

So subject #1=Dumb People Driving

Once, when we were in the car together, we were coming on to the University Bridge-merging. And this dumb lady decided to drive in the BIKE LANE. She thought it would be a GRAND idea to try to budge in front of us, behind the bus that was in front of us. We thought differently. So, we inch along, 3inches from the bus, and this wonderful lady KEPT driving in the bike lane. So we kept glancing at her, to make sure she was for real. And she was. So she was glaring at me and Jenn, and I was like, "Um, Hello there. Yes, we are here, and no, we aren't moving." But she didn't get it. So as we move along, and there is no more room for BOTH of us. She starts writing down my licence number. And I just about had a conniption. And Jenn was like, "Um Lady, what are you doing?" So we keep moving forward, so that there is absolutely no way she can get in front of us. And I was like, "Lady you can either pay for a new side of my car, or WAIT." So she chose to wait. And the funny part was, NO ONE else let her in until it was clear for her to go....lol.

Subject #2=Interns

Interns are a waste of our education. Why should we have to endanger our education to futher theirs? No one has answered this yet. Interns are dumb. Enough said.

Subject #3=Stupid People in SCHOOL

So there are these kids in this class that ask, "What's a cloud?"

Another. Lets go get stoned just before 4th. Because the teachers wont notice. (Well, some wont)

Subject #4=Uncontrolled Climate in School

You know how you can go to first period, and be FREEZING COLD! and then go get a sweater, and go to second period, sit down, and start sweating! (having a hot flash!) THEN! its break time, so you walk around the short way outside, and its raining, so you get wet (but at least it doesn't smell cause all the smokers are afraid of the rain!) and then you go inside and take off your sweater and go to third, where the climate is just marvelous, for about half the class. then you start dying from heat exhaustion! so lunch time rolls around, and now its sunny and boiling hot out, or maybe its snowing by this time, either way its a nice change of pace... you get back to the school and go to fourth where its hot hot hot. then in fifth, its that temperature that makes you wanna sleep, so you're sitting there with your book and you fall asleep! and this is all in may, BEFORE it even gets hot out. I mean c'mon people, we need some climate control here, stop using all your hairspray and axe body spray, you're killing the atmosphere and in turn killin' us ( and by the atmosphere, i mean the one that controls the school temperature) so please, no one wants to walk by you and smell only your super-glued-hair-sprayed hair! or your body odor that is covered up by body spray, its called a shower people!

Subject #5=The Spirit Days NO ONE Participates In

Our school has some really great ideas for spirit days, except only 5 or so people participate in them. and they are usually on SRC and they have WAY too much enthusiasm, but they get swallowed up in the 1500 other people that go to the school. Now I mean some of the days there is lots of participation in and I think there would probably be more if they were advertised more.... but they just kinda slap a poster here and there where they think people look.. like really, we're all just trying to get to class, who wanders around and looks at the walls? besides the self concious people, in which case the posters should be on the floors rather than the walls. They should maybe y'know, TALK about it.. cause people like to hear things, not read them, cause reading is like, schoolwork, and unless you CHOOSE to read something, who wants to be reminded of schoolwork and the fact that finals are coming soon and we should probably be studying rather than reading these stupid posters (or typing this blog post... :P)

continued on jenn's blog at a later date

www.lifes-roses.blogspot.com

-J+J

For my friends-problems

Hi, so this post is for my friends, Megan and Jenn, and me.
We all have the same problem. This problem is that we have the strangest guys liking us. I mean, Megan and Jenn, they are amazing, I can see why guys just fall in love with them. But EVERYONE of the guys needs to understand that if they or I aren't returning the interest, then we aren't INTERESTED. Serious.
Okay, we are pretty much the same, and we don't try and get people to like us. We just have fun. But if someone starts liking us, then that's fine...kinda. But just don't become obsessive. I mean, I assure you, this is the sure fire way to get us to go in the OPPOSITE direction. It's like, when it gets like that, this person enters the room, and we leave. Promise. It's happened. Just watch. And if you aren't involved, you can enjoy a good laugh. All of my friends have. But they also feel sorry for me, that I have to continually do this.
Jenn and I have thought of some pretty creative ideas how to get away from people like this and I promise, we are successful. It's kinda funny in a hopelessness kinda way.
Here is a list of some things we don't want:
~No, we don't want you to come with us
~No, we don't want you to be there...all the time, I know you exist, you don't have to remind me of it. I'm aware.
~No, I don't date
~No, you can't
~Yes, we are nice..somewhat...but we are also blunt
~Yes, I have brothers, I ask them if they want to be.
~Yes, we are too nice
~If you are a buddy, leave it at that.
These are just a few. There are more that aren't so polite. And I assure you, these ARE polite. The only thing I can say about it, well actually I can say TONS, but for now, it that everyone is a CHARACTER BUILDING exercise and the faster I pass it, the faster it leaves. Please.
Have a good day, remember to pray, smile and laugh...not at me though..lol
-J

How True

How true…

The most destructive habit....Worry

The greatest Joy....Giving

The greatest loss....Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work....Helping others

The ugliest personality trait....Selfishness

The most endangered species....Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource....Our youth

The greatest "shot in the arm"....Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome....Fear

The most effective sleeping pill....Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease....Excuses

The most powerful force in life....Love

The most dangerous pariah....A gossiper

The world's most incredible computer....The brain

The worst thing to be without....Hope

The deadliest weapon....The tongue

The two most power-filled words...."I Can"

The greatest asset....Faith

The most worthless emotion....Self-pity

The most beautiful attire....SMILE!

The most prized possession....Integrity

The most powerful channel of communication....Prayer

The most contagious spirit....Enthusiasm

-J

Keep On

Keep On
Go toward the future, but don't forget the past.

Remember that all the good you do will last.

Ask only of others what you too, would do.

Do more than is ever required of you.

Understand others by listening more.

Always forgive and never keep score.

Thank God each day for the privilege of living.

Enjoy every moment-and keep on giving!

-J

Creation VS. Evolution

God created the world.

-J

The Saddest day of my Life-RC 2007

What happened before I left camp: it was the saddest thing I have ever had to go through. It was kind of hanging over our heads all day, actually the realization that we were leaving started at the beginning of the week. Then all day Friday, everyone was getting packed, doing stuff, moving bunks and getting their luggage to Coy-lines. Amanda, Shepley, Crackers, Falkner and I where leaving right after sunset.
We didn’t start crying until we were on the sports field for the last time, in uniform waiting to march on. Megan and I had kind of planned to go to the washroom before parade, so we did. We had lots of time so we didn’t hurry. We go, and then we saw Shepley and Racquet so we stopped and talked to them. (I had given notes out to the people who I thought would appreciate them) I had give one to both of them, and earlier Shepley had read it, didn’t expect it, and cried, which made me almost cry hearing it. So I asked Zack if he had read his, and he said yes, but when he said it, he looked down, swallowed, then blinked a couple of times, then was like,
“Yeah, I read it.”
I was like, “Oh no, he may start crying to and if he does, I’m gonna lose it.”
He almost did…like there were tears in his eyes then he was like, “I don’t wanna leave.”
We agreed with him then he mentioned Crackers. (Because Megan and Crackers had been dating for a couple of weeks now) then we talked for a little longer (like 20 seconds) then we talked away and started crying. Megan was like, “Man, I’m gonna miss then/him so much.” And I couldn’t believe that I had almost made Zack cry with my note.
We got back to our platoon and Udsen was like, “Are you guys crying already?”
And I said, “Oh, be quiet because I have a reason to cry.”
We formed back up, and then I think we were still crying when Shepley and Zack came back and Racquet finally started crying. Then Amanda started, but she had sunglasses on so you couldn’t really see it. Those guys started laughing at us, and then they noticed Amanda’s sunglasses and that she was crying but it wasn’t as noticeable. Then I mentioned that I wanted some too so I could hide the fact that I was bawling. So Irvine, Don handed me his glasses. I tried them on and I got Amanda laughing because I looked ridiculous so I took them off.
Sometime during this, Zack told us, or mumbled that he just didn’t want to leave…and that was saying a lot for him.
So we stopped, or more correctly, calmed down enough to start getting more ready for the parade. We march on and we had been telling Megan how she totally deserved the medal that she got. Our plan was to cheer as loud as possible when she went up. So we did. It was the best and Cote made himself proud with how loud he was cheering.
But before this, Chase had passed out. I mean, I heard something and looked and I thought it was Forrester at first because it looked like him, but it was Chase. I think Forrester was holding him up and that’s why it looked like he had passed out, then I saw Wah standing almost out of ranks and then it was bad. Chase went to the MIR tent and when I called him later, he said that he heard us cheering for Megan.
Then we did everything fir the final last time. I was proud to be a part of the parade, so because of this, I didn’t think too much on how I was leaving on a couple of hours.
When they played Amazing Grace with the P&D band, it was so good. I cried during this and I didn’t think I actually would...And I almost started crying when Megan went up to get her medal. Amazing Grace was amazing. I don’t know if I will ever hear that sound again and it will have the same affect on me. Then singing “Oh Canada” as loud as we can then “God save the Queen”, after learning most of the words simply be singing them over and over. And thinking about how the national anthem is almost like a prayer and it was amazing.
Then we did the final march pass and then we marched off. The march off was so cool because the officers held out their swords over top of our heads as we marched by. When we march off, the band plays “Blackbear” and three times during the song, we (the battalion) yells out “Oi!” We do it until we cannot hear the band anymore. That is probably the funniest part of the parade.
After we march off, we go to Sicily and wait for the final words of the CO. it is the best part of the pareade. On the way there, WO Schleppe called cadence then for the last time, CLI Rifle Coach called their cadence for the last time. It was amazing. When we called it, Natalie’s voice cracked, and she was like, “I’m gonna miss you guys.” Only, I didn’t hear that and it started most of the guys crying. It was so sad. It was heart breaking actually. It feels like your heart is staying with these people and it is, really.
We broke ranks and started saying good-bye. I saw Forrester crying and then what really tugged my heart was seeing Chase bawling. So I went up to all the guys that I wrote notes to, because in these notes, I asked if they wanted to be my brother. I asked Chase first, and gave him a hug. Then I can’t remember what happened next. I know I gave almost everyone a hug good-bye because I was scared that I wan’t going to get to see them after I had to sign out. I gave Wah a hug and he was bawling too.
Then we had to do a shoulder dressing and I was between Carson and Okatoks, when Natalie tapped on my shoulder and handed me her necklace: I lost it. The necklace was an angel that her grandpa gave her two days before he died at Christmas. Then I really started crying and I couldn’t stop. Carson was a little scared because he asked me if I was going to be okay and I didn’t answer. He put his arm around me. Okatoks kept looking at me asking me if I was going to be okay. Then he put his arm around me. After about ten minutes I looked at Natalie and she smiled and she wasn’t even crying. A few moments later, she taps me and says, “It’s because you touched my heart.” (I started crying harder and McLellen put his arm around me again.
Racquet was crying his eyes out and so was Shepley (he was the least likely to see after camp because he was going in to the PPCLI) and Falkner was trying not to cry but he started to. For some reason we had to move over by the band and was we were going, Amanda was called to go on her flight. It hurts my heart thinking about how Don was like, “Amanda, they called you.” And Amanda turning around and yelling out, “Sir!”.
So we moved and before Amanda was called, so was Shepley. And I gave everyone a hug again and Crackers because he was getting a PPU that night.
I was getting worried because I didn’t know when I was signing out and whether or not I was going to get to say good-bye again. So I went up to Schleppe and asked him but he didn’t know what to do. So I had to go and ask to officers that where getting the first serial ready to go. They didn’t know but I got to give Amanda, Shepley and Falkner another hug. I went with Schleppe to Coy-lines and somehow managed to run into Mom and Dad, but not before I saw Cossey and gave him a hug, he had been crying from saying good-bye to Rachel and some of his cadets.
When Schleppe was walking me to Coy-lines, he said, “Man, I’m gonna start crying now. I managed not to before.” I said, “It’s because Rifle Coach is amazing.”
I was still crying when we met Mom and Dad and they got to met Schleppe.

NOTE: I'm not finished.

-J

Questions--at school

Hey, so I'm blogging again, at school..oops. Did I say that out loud? lol, no, I'm supposed to be doing creative writing, and to me, this classifies as creative writing and a chance to get some ideas to write about...lol

Anyway, I'm going to ask some questions, and if you read my blog, you should really answer. And I will answer them too. (You see what happens when I am drawing a blank...lol)

1). What is your favourite color? Blue

2). What is the worse thing that has happened to you in the past two days? I got my car stereo taken away.

3). What made you laugh so hard that you were almost crying, in the past year? On Friday night, when Jenn, Gary, Rachel, Sean, Katie, Robert and Kyle were all at my house and we pretty much lost control. IE: snorting coke, swallowing a tbl spoon of Cinnamon, dressing on the cheek and hair, and laughing out of control.

4). The last time God answered your prayer? A couple days ago.

5). The best part of friends? The fun times, stupid moments, uniqueness.

6). Favourite animal? Horses and dogs!

7). Best time of the day? Morning, when I can actually get up and feel good, if not, then late at night.

8). Best book? Worse book? B= The Bible, W= any fantasy book

9). Farthest place you have been to? The longest you have ever been away from home? FP=California, or Oregon, or LA, I don't actually know which is father. Longest=6 weeks in BC, the best place in the world!

10). The last time you wrote a letter? A couple weeks ago.

Thanks, if you want, fill it out, and post it. Have fun..lol. And I better go before the bell rings...lol

-J

My God

Hey. How's it going out there? Good? Have you smiled today? Well, you should. Cuz smiling is fun and there are about ten other reasons why you should smile but that's not what I'm writing about now. Anyway, so I have been thinking lately (don't fall on the ground)about being a witness. Now, I don't want people to take this the wrong way, but I have a God and I like to share him. I really don't care what people think about me but as long as they find God, then I'm happy...which would explain why I'm not happy sometimes. It's been coming to me alot lately that it really doesn't matter what people think about me. Let me explain.

So, I understand were I have to be will to adapt to people's personality, kinda, but if someone is getting mad at me because of my 'religion' then I really am not crying too much over it. I mean, I care, but in the end, when I get to heaven, all the people getting mad and me, and me moving on isn't going to matter. All that I really need to worry about is getting to heaven. And when I am doing this, everything else will come up and be worked out. IE: my attitude, the way I handle things, being a witness.

Because I know alot of people in very different circumstances, I have to remind myself that I really don't have to kinda mold into the person they expect me to be. And I do this alot, try and be versatile(?) I think that's the word and sometimes it just doesn't work. And I find myself super stressed out because something isn't working out and really, I don't need to be. I don't need to be, because 1) I have God to turn to for help, 2) I wasn't really involved with the situation to begin with, and 3) I've learnt that the person doesn't really to much care if I help.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say, is that all the things I have to go through with people, doesn't matter. In the end, it's going to be worth every bit of it. And this world is only temporary and I'm going home some day and it doesn't matter what happens down here. Whatever I have to go through on earth will be worth in when I get to Heaven. I don't have to worry, I can just give everything to God and He can take care of it.

(Wow, I do have to admit that I sound like 90yr-old.)

-J

Cadets

Hi All. So I'm at it again. Well, this time, I want to write about Army Cadets. Now, if anyone knows me, they have to know that I am deeply involved with cadets. The thing I love, promote, and everything in cadets is the leadership they teach. You can't not be in cadets and learn how to be a leader. To me, I think this is extremely important because leadership makes you confident, able to have a better choice of friends and generally be more relaxed in situations. This helps when you are a teenager and you have to handle some pretty wonderful situations. The part, in cadets, that is bad, is the fact that it is controlled by humans, and they tend to make some pretty wicked mistakes. And sometimes this with cost a person....but it doesn't happen very often. Anther thing, like everywhere, you have a super awesome amazing person who joins cadets. Then the fun begins. Because humans control cadets, things get messed up and it isn't good. Say that person who joins is good, then the Officers will be like, well this person is amazing. So lets push this person through as much as possible....and in the meanwhile, this amazing person doesn't get the chance to learn the things they need to, and misses out on some really good experiences.

On the flip side, you have a yahoo who joins and once again, the Officers of the unit are like, this person is dumb. We will let them go through cadets normally. And this creates a problem, a big one. Because situations, learning experiences are missed, and not handled and that person, the amazing or bad cadet misses out.

I understand where the Officers from a unit come from, their reasoning for things. But like the rest of the world, politics ends up taking over. Now, call me dumb, but I honestly DO NOT understand politics. At all. I don't get the idea, the only thing that I can associate with it, is that dumb things happen when it walks in the room. So, you have cadets that is run by humans and they get political. And I don't even really know what that saying means, I just know that someone get jipped out of something and bad things happen when people start making changes that, THEY say is helping, or the right decisions. Well, welcome to behind the scenes, it's not. In fact, you just crushed that person, and you look like an idiot. And this is What happens in cadets. It doesn't happen all the time, but it happens enough, that when the same person makes the dumb decisions, cadets start to lose faith in their ability to lead properly.

Personally, I think that if there isn't anyone to fill a position or get something and meet the acquirement's, don't have it, don't put it in, don't do anything with it. If you do something and give someone who doesn't deserve it, the small 12 year-olds are looking at that and thinking, oh we don't have to have that, or do that or we are allowed to act that way, do that. And it's pretty much the opposite of the whole idea. Young people are very impressionable, therefore you have to be careful what you do in cadets. You have to be am example at all times. Because, basically we are teaching young children how to act normally and if you do it wrong, then you have a gigantic mess on your hands.

Now, I love cadets, I've said this before. The program is good, the people in the program can be not so good, and that is what you have to deal with. You have to learn how and it's not fun. But in the end, but the time you age out, you will have learnt a TON more then you would have if you just stayed home and watched TV. And like everything, there are problems, and somethings they are extreme, but you have to remember the important reason why you are in cadets. If it's good enough, then stay, if the problem is too big, then you have to choice of quiting.

Another big thing in cadets for me, is the friends I have made. They are the best, and I couldn't live without them. Friends are sometime the only reason why I stay in cadets.

So think about it. Cadets is a good program, but there are problems just like the world.

-J

Fun

Well, time to blog again, as I was reminded that it has been a total of 9 days since my last blog. I've been just a little busy. This last weekend, I was on a Field Training Exercise (FTX) and it was fun. Lots of fun. And hard work. I have some funny stories about that. But anyway, so this weekend and kinda everything leading up to it has been kinda really CRAZY! I had to deal with wonderful people, who if I wasn't in cadets, wouldn't even look at for someone that I would associate with. Actually there about a few people in cadets that if it weren't for cadets, I won't have anything to do with them. Sigh. I love life. So anyway, I have a little rant to get off my chest. It's about leadership. I love leadership. I like to help people with things, to teach them, to watch them grow on how I taught them. But, the flip side, some people say that the qualities of a leader include:
Lead by Example
Self Confident
Strong Willed
Knowledgeable
Willing to be corrected
Just to name a few. Now the ones that some people that I know take to the EXTREME are Self Confident, knowledgeable, strong willed and NOT WILLING TO BE CORRECTED. To me, when you are a leader, and are very self confident, that is okay, but to be self confident to the point of ARROGANCE is too far. You do not need to be arrogant to be a good leader. Having confidants is fine, but when you make a couple of mistakes every three years, it shows the people you are leading that you are human!! Also if you make mistakes, you are not as harsh on other HUMANS who make mistakes. It is all about trying. Another one, lead by example. Okay, so I'm in cadets, I am a leader. The biggest thing I have going for me as a leader is that I try my best to LEAD BY EXAMPLE. I don't want to be arrogant, I want to be approachable when I make a mistake. But most of all, I don't want the people under me thinking that being a leader is only being Self Confident, Strong Willed and Not willing to be Corrected. Sometimes, I think, that some people get carried away and they PROMOTE this. Ahh! No! Don't! We don't want people coming out of cadets with the only life skill of being confident and not being about to lead by example. Do people know what I am talking about when I say lead by example? It means when you are tasking someone to do something, you should be helping in whatever you can, besides just giving direction. You should not be an idiot and think you are Super-Human. Cuz, the Lord has this wonderful way of making you not so Super-Human. And everyone around you enjoys a good laugh. It's true. I speak from experience...lol.
Anyway, this is my rant on leadership. Lead by Example. You will get further in life then just being Self Confident. Promise. Anyway, dont' get mad at me....lol. God Bless and have a good day!
-J