Bitten, thrice

It is 35 past midnight and once again the insomia bug has bitten. So has the reminisence bug and the blogging bug apparently because this is post #4 of the night.

Reading back on my past posts, I am disappointed that I didn't add a Cultural Immersion, Part 2. The pics post was okay, though I didn't blog as much as I should have. There really was a lot to take in at NZ, but I didn't want to sit at a PC too often either. Whatever. I will try harder and do better on the next trip, whenever that'll be.

It seems that I have abandoned my other blog, The Miniscule Entity. I've done this in the past before and I shouldn't keep doing that. Seems rather juvenile to say "We'll see how long this one lasts...". However, the tone does change, as life and priorities change, so perhaps the diversion of attention to this blog is appropriate. Does this mean TME will go to the dogs? I don't know and I'm not worried.

100 Miles

Okay, this is offically the 100 Miles Post!

Start: 13 August 2009

End: 11 December 2009. This is the end of a 18 c.h. semester and 7 classes. I think 100 miles in 4 months sounds reasonable with the kind of schedule loomin' ahead.

I did 8 miles last week and I am not going to throw those away.

92 miles to go.

New "developments"

My OCD side requires me to create a separate post from other posts even if they all describe updates. Since I graduated the N9 course, Physical Therapy Speciality, I've been essentially on "leave" for nearly a month and settling back into civilian life (as in, leaving my hair any way I want, not overheating in a uniform, and not waking up at "o'dark-30" in the morning). It's actually unnerving. I do miss a structured day, being busy in a clinic, getting paid active-duty pay at about $1,500 a month, and generally keeping my mind preoccupied with all things physical therapy. Right now, I wake up late at 0800, I can actually CHOOSE to go work out, and I'm cooking/baking a lot more often, which means I'm also gaining a bit of flab. Why this concerns me, I will get to in a little bit.

Getting back on track, the new developments include several things.

• I changed my major to athletic training and have no intentions whatsoever to change it again. This means that I'll have to start at ground zero, as in 4 more years of undergrad, but I see this as something I will be doing in five, ten years down the road because it leads into the next "development"...
• I think I have found my niche in the world of physical therapy. I love it. I want to get into Army-Baylor's Doctorate in Physical Therapy program. I want to become a physical therapist.
• I got promoted to E-4 Specialist, and I'm looking at E-5 Sergeant already. Doesn't hurt to shoot for the next goal early on, does it? The earliest I can promote is after 4 months since my last promotion (which was 2 May), and 18 months TIS, time in service (which was back in July). I just need promotion points. All this is considered the "secondary zone" comprised of exceptional performers.
• I am running more often, maybe with a bit more wisdom than pre-Army life, but I am quite slow with a test pace of 8 minute miles and a comfortable pace of 10 minute miles (which is considered sad to the gung-ho soldier).
• And I might as well declare my goal of running 100 miles.

Why this insane idea? Well, 1) I do want to maintain Army fitness standards and as an NCO I must lead by example, 2) as a physical therapy tech and an athletic training major it shouldn't be a surprise, and 3) I never see "bulky" female military physical therapists. Yes, call me shallow, but it does concern me if I ever have to worry about weighing in for entrance qualifications. Oh, and 4) I am not a natural runner, but I would love to take a stab at that "runners' high" and apparent addiction one gets when they can go distances and not feel like dying. The flab comment earlier relates to having too much additional weight while running- just think of those knees! Do I think running will transform this stocky island girl into a slim, PT machine? Not really. I just really want to not feel like dying everytime I need to up my pace on the run, increase my metabolism, and decrease my BF%. Because currently, quite frankly, I just suck.

Re: The final countdown

See: The final countdown post
Dangit. I should've done my "after" post when I actually finished training, which was nearly a month ago. Oh well, here are the very current stats:

Before: LAZY ASS. 118.6 lbs, 25% body fat. Little to no knowledge of physical therapy. (I weighed in at 116 lbs at MEPS!)

After: Lazy-ass-that-can-run-somewhat. 130lbs, 23.5% body fat percentage? 9 months worth of knowledge in physical therapy.

(The Tanita body composition scale I used gave me an "athlete" and "adult" mode, which reported 21% and 26% body fat respectively, hence the 23.5%. I don't know if I truly qualify as an athlete - yes, I know I run more and I actually do minimal weight lifting but that does not in any way tell me what my true BF% is! I consider myself midway between athlete and "adult" for that Tanita scale, hence the given percentage.)

...

Still alive.

Relevance

Been writing about anything else but New Zealand and I think I'll come back to it for a bit. I was hungry for some new tunes or something I hadn't listened to for awhile and I came across Brooke Fraser again. From what I know of her, I really respect her and her work- she's not only a musician for music but she really uses her influence and talent to help others. She's both prolific in sound and action, having gone to Africa to not just visit but to become changed as a person and to give a part of herself to those in need. I'm glad I haven't heard of her in gossip tabloids or anything like such. She's very humble.

It makes me think how stagnant I've been as a lay Catholic living in today's world. I wish to give to the world or somebody. Hopefully I will become a good medic or doctor and be able to attend humanitarian missions. That's my dream if I become an officer, to be able to use my influence and skills and distribute what are actions of God's love.

The final countdown

Cue intro.

Well, only exactly a week to ship-out and I'm workin' on waking early since the time-zone's going to be an hour's difference. Not a big deal, right? It never hurts to be prepared. But I've been a lazy ass with waking late and bumming around the house, only hitting the gym and eating food outside staying in my room. My ideal self will call me a total "knot-head", but my realistic self is just plain frickin pathetic.

I don't care about letting people know that the time is counting down. So why do I post this? Just for my own frivolous reason to mark history- kinda out of the way from the physical world so that not many will know that I'm counting down, though I'm sure they assume it anyway.

I should do a before-after thing.

Before: LAZY ASS. 118.6 lbs, 25% body fat. Little to no knowledge of physical therapy.

After: (TBA)



Random note: I like blogging/journaling because it's like talking to myself without anyone else thinking you're truly crazy in person.

One time, at MEPS...

(Military Entrance Processing Station) Do realise that if anyone reads this online, that means they have access to the search engines and are able to look up the meaning of the many military acronyms that are and will be mentioned in this blog.

0500. 4 January 2008. I'm up and ready to head out. I cleaned my ears with peroxide, I wore clean-clean-CLEAN clothes, and I have all my necessary paperwork in an organized, filed manner. I'm actually waiting on time for my recruiter to pick me up, but he's running a minute or two late. Don't worry. I'm not his drill sergeant.

After -0600-and-too-lazy-to-remember-details. Got to MEPS, signed in with 60+ applicants waiting for a full physical exam. For many of those folks, it was the first time experiencing "real" military life. No, it doesn't start with basic training/boot camp. It starts in MEPS. (No, it doesn't start with your recruiter's office either- you know it's nice and pretty to seduce you ;).

MEPS with females can be so...time consuming, at least in my experience. If it's cold and you're standing there in your underwear with 10 other females who like to joke because they're clearly uncomfortable, you will definitely be there waiting for someone to finish unchanging and laughing or doing weird versions of the "chicken dance/squat" and thereby standing by cold and annoyed because you do want to get this uncomfortable event over and done with even if you yourself aren't embarrassed about standing there in your underwear with 10 other females for a pre-enlistment physical exam to make sure all your fingers, toes, and limbs are working, that you're in your right mind, and that you aren't a druggy or some felon trying to take advantage of the System.

We checked our vision, hearing, got our blood drawn and did piss in cups. Man I feel weird writing that out- but it's the truth. As for me, I'm completely healthy and drug-free.

Then we went to pick our jobs. Well, I got mine guaranteed so I didn't have to pick mine, per se, but I did have to spend a lot of time making sure I got my incentives and my pay-grade accordingly.

I waited to see a "counselor" to discuss my benefits, my contracts, and sign more stuff.

Then I "finally waited" for an officer to schedule a swear-in.

Then I swore in.

So now I cut my hair above the shoulders, to symbolise the fact that I'm no longer just a civilian- and to make it easy on myself when I go to BCT.

The Initiation Cut

At least that's what I call the transition of a civilian's anything-goes hair-do to a male's high-and-tight or a female's tight-bun or above-the-shoulders-and-in-regs hairstyle.

I raised my right hand, swore to defend the Constitution of the USA, defend the US from enemies both foreign and domestic, etc. plus signed those papers. 6 years. I'll be about 28 when I have to decide to re-enlist...

Leaving 28 May, shippin' out 6 June; don't graduate from all sorts of training until a whole year later...making that around June-ish '09. I will be an Army Reservist with the 5501st US Army Hospital. (Yes, yes...Weekend Warrior. hooah.)

I'm going to try and keep this blog updated on the goings-on with my Basic Combat Training (BCT), Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and special training for physical therapist technicians. And by a month or two down the road, at least 5% of my compositions will be in acronyms without explanations.

And if you wonder "why the Army?": Air Force didn't guarantee me the job i wanted; Marines don't have medics; I don't want to test my swimming abilities nor go on a Navy/Coast Guard ship; and the Army National Guard didn't attract my attention fast enough. Plus, I did get my $20k cash bonus, my $20k student loan repayment program, my Select Reserve GI Bill and GI Bill Kicker (aka more free money, if you're in the Reserves), a guaranteed foot in the door to a weekday job, and I did actually read all 6 signed contracts of all aforementioned incentives and I have a good reason to join the military besides get an education (and to "shoot guns" as a job).

The expectancy of a Baby Medic

I got it: 68W/N9 contract, with the Army Reserves. Estimated ship out date: 28 May. Hah, my birthday.

Reception should take about 10 days for me. Then it's off to Basic Combat Training (BCT) for about 9 weeks - or 10, with all these new programs for basic coming out. Advanced Individual Training (AIT) is 20ish weeks, and my specialty school for physical therapy specialists/technicians is a whoppin' 22 weeks and 6 days. Altogether, I'll be in training for a good year before I graduate and officially start working as a Weekend Warrior with the 5501st- hooah! Yes, I do lack the pride of active duty personnel.

Physical therapy. I'm happy about this move in my career plan so far. It's guaranteed, it's structured. I'm not new to the military. I should be good to go. Finally, I can get on with my life and stop being in career limbo.

If all goes well, I go in as an E-3, Private First Class (PFC). I visit MEPS this Friday and may sign 6 years of my life away to seal the deal. God willing, things will work out smoothly for the better.

I had hopes of making this blog a travel journal for myself and I think I can carry on with that intention.

However, there won't be stories of exotic places, far-off lands and extraordinary cultures.

Well, maybe the military should be considered a separate culture. Yes, I'll be doing some traveling- but first to Army basic combat training. Happiness and friggin joy.

(No, I haven't signed the contract yet, but I did take the ASVAB, got a decent score of 95, and am pursing an Army Reserves contract of 68W/ N9 (Health Care Specialist with the Physical Therapy Technician- a/k/a PT Assistant- specialty track. And yeah, I will become a Weekend Warrior- but whatever.)

So, more news to come. Someday I'll change the whole "Remey goes to New Zealand" thing, though maybe not. I'll probably keep the kiwi theme going just because I like how it is and even if New Zealand's patriotic colours and logo have nothing to do with the US Army.

Heh.

It's almost a year (sort of ) since I got back from NZ, and I'm wanting to update this blog...for some reason. Closure? Why do I need closure? Because I need to conclude the story of my trip? Because it will give me the feeling of satisfaction? Whatever it is, I'm meaning to do it. Life hasn't been very encouraging for me to go back and write about the past but it will sometime, eventually, soon perhaps who knows. I'll have to break out my written journal and post some of the stuff there. Blah, I'm rambling and making it obvious that I'm rambling and going to now publish this fact...

Visual indulgence

Kiwi Holiday

Finally found time to edit and caption the photos so here they are. Whether or not this is necessary, I'd like to request that you excuse the lack of interesting photos. There was so much to see and shoot, but being a first-timer to NZ, I had to take the chance to gawk around first. (I still haven't gotten round to Part II of Cultural Immersion yet; that'll come...eventually.)

Cultural immersion, part 1

Kia ora. Currently in NZ now. The weather's being too wintery for a summer (50ish currently). I hope it picks up soon for swimming; I want to break in my new boardies. Praying that this sun at the moment will last us until Marlborough Sounds.

This is a part 1 because 1, I need to leave soon for grocery shopping and 2, I don't want to sit here blogging in a small hostel office with Blogger's unrestrained glory displayed on a 19" monitor. Yes, I'm conscious like that. Did write a few entries in my paper journal, so I'll probably digitise it in the coming weeks.

All in all, I am well. I've survived Britishy food (quite missing my Japanese gourmet, oy) and I'm honestly missing people back home. It's probably homesickness; it is. But I should appreciate both (or all) worlds. At least there isn't a language barrier...um, sort of. :P Will explain that later.

Part 2 to come. Pictures later as well.

ADD

So many things rush through the brain. Scattered mental notes peeping out of half-opened mental file cabinets. All organised as neatly as a tornado could put them. Speaking of weather, I hope I can plan my wardrobe accordingly. Transitioning from winter to summer is going to be interesting. Either I risk a heavy load or suffer the cold. But how cold does it get in Taipei? I've heard a 'very cold' from some sources. Does it compare to Okinawa? Only 11 days until I leave. So busy. Hair appointment, testing, Christmas Day, work, clean, pack, clean, Christmas tree, clean. My room's a distraction; organised folders of unorganised thoughts. What to do on the airplane; in the airport. I hope I can shower in Sydney; I hope it won't be hard to find a place for privacy, and I hope I don't get mugged or cheated. What else, what else...Got my Japanese gift snacks. Check. Need to bring a number of books to peruse through though. I hope I don't go through over the baggage weight limit. What a 10-hour layover. What to do. Such long waits. I wish I could bring a friend. I think God wants to prepare me with 24 straight hours of travelling.

Tempus fugit, et cetera

So far, I've managed to avoid counting down the days. It's already December. The more I think about this trip, the more I get used to the idea- and I don't want to. It's much less fun to not anticapte the excitment because you've become bored of it.

Shopping for a travel laptop bag is frustrating. I think it's because I'm packing too much. Yes, I've decided to bring my laptop for my long layovers and to upload my pics after I've stuffed my memory card. I expect to make a few videos if possible. I won't have it during the retreat though; at least I plan not to use it during it. I expect to be busy enough that I won't even think about it. I pre-packed my new bag to see how things would fit, and it made me look like a turtle. A longer bag might be good, but I'm a bit impatient to take the time to shop around all over the island.

I've over $1,700 gone from my bank account. That's just airfare alone. Okay, think good thoughts now...

So, life's okay right now. It's a bit of a limbo for me, but I am not disatisfied with it.

Going, going...

I bought my SYD-AKL tickets. Definitely going now.

However, I'm waiting on a better flight departure time before I buy my OKA-SYD tickets. I did make a reservation to depart, but if I buy that now, I'll have a layover of 10 hours. What am I going to do for 10 straight hours in the wee airport of Taipei? Sure, go out and explore, but I don't have the extra money to do that and I can't quite risk getting into some sort of predicament. I thought about reading several books, pouring over Sudoku puzzles, maybe napping somewhere safe, but let's just pray that the better flight out opens up for me. I'd really like to go to Mass in the afternoon before my flight out, or at least attend an early morning Mass, if possible.

EDIT: Unfortunately, something bugged me to buy the early flight out, so I will have that 10 hour layover in Taipei. No worries; God provides.

It must sound almost plain silly to be writing about every, little detail or thought that comes up concerning this trip, but I do have to ease and remind myself that this is a rather big thing for me no matter what others might think of the situation. I need to let these bottled thoughts out in the most comfortable way I can.

I'd been ringing travel agents for two months already, and that thought of "what if the prices go down? Should I wait to buy the tickets then?" keeps popping up everytime I hear $1500 to $1600 quoted. It's November now. I gave a call yesterday and they quoted me a good fare- but then said that the seats were full for the flight crucial for my arriving in NZ on time. I'm praying God will allow a seat to open up for me, provide some way, or lead me in another direction (i.e. maybe skip the pre-Hearts roadtrip to Christchurch and just fly into Christchurch the day of HA). So this has been the worrisome anticipation of late. With over a year and a half of looking forward to this trip, plus a lot of planning and booking for post-arrival activities, it's going to hurt big time if I don't get to go this year. Please, God, provide a way for me. Thank you, Lord. (see above post)

Budget plan, thus far

The goal is to still keep under US$2,500.

Airfare, roundtrip: ~$1500
Travel insurance: $100
Visa processing: $20
Hotel in transit: ~$60
Airport fees: ~$90
NZ departure fee: $30
--------------------
$1800


Hearts Aflame fee: NZ$390
--------------------
~$270


Cook Strait ferry: NZ$195
Petrol: ~NZ$100
Accommodation: ~NZ$110
Food, misc.: ~NZ$60
Horseback riding: ~NZ$50
--------------------
NZ$515 (~US$335)


Total: ~$2405

$2500
-2405
====
$95

I was hoping to have over $100 left over for extra miscellaneous money and gifts to send home but hopefully some of my over-estimation would contribute to that.

Recent shopping excursion, update

I cringed at the $57 reciept; I know, silly of me, but I did get some good stuff and things I needed.

Bought myself a cool, hard-back, hemp string-bound journal and more ink gel pens (^_^). Believe it or not, it took me 15 minutes to decide which journal to get as there were a few others that caught my eye. I finally settled on a hand-sized one with a replica of Chinese scroll art called "Listening to the Bamboo," by Wen Cheng-ming (you're wondering how I knew that; it conveniently said so on the back cover page). I liked the Chinese concept of "virtues" of the bamboo: "resilience, humility, and uprightness; a spirit that can be bent by circumstance but never broken". So it was this one over a hand-sized, scarlet imitation leather bound one with a magnetic clip or a standard-sized one with a replication of medevial art conveying the four Gospels. I decided on something more simple-looking but I was still really attracted to the others. I should think this will be put to good use.

Oh, and I'm reading Gulliver's Travels again. It's probably that cosmopolitan spirit influencing me to pick up such a book, but it's nice to have another read through something you read when you were younger. However, it's this time round that I finally picked up on some of the insanely strange things Swift wrote about...of which I won't go into detail.

I never told anyone this, but I finally fixed my favourite rosary with hemp string. A good thing to have on a 24+ hour trip.

Update: Still haven't heard back from those off-base agents. Maybe they're still finding some deals for me, I'm hoping in good faith. I was told to still check out the American travel agent on base (one that I had a relatively negative experience with), but I fortunately know someone who is good friends with someone that works there who might be compassionate towards this poor working student and not make me feel like a total idiot. Going to check them out tomorrow.

Also, I asked Dad about my going to NZ, and he conveyed the following message without clearly saying "yes": he wasn't going to object but as long as I'm footing the bill 100%, he is inclining toward the okay zone. Cue sigh of knowing that that's how my father is.