Jacob's Journeying
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Hey friends, I know it's been quite awhile since I've published a new blog.
Studying and work has really made this blogging thing take a backseat but do not despair! I have not left this blog in a corner to gather dust...
Today I'm going to type a good blog that I hope you read to the end. It's nothing fitness or motivational either it's just going to be about my thoughts and what's been going on in my life lately.
So without further to do... let's get started!
September 1st I made it to my 25th birthday and here I sit now October 22nd wondering where the time has gone. I go back in my mind to the beginning of 2016 which I remember very well but more around April when my New Year's Resolution was being tested. Or at least for me. That was also when I transferred to a new base. A new start yet again. Each day can be a new start if you so choose to frame it that way in your mind. But that's a side note, I'm trailing to the side here let me get back on track.
About mid September things we're just busy and fast paced like usual. I put in for leave and it was approved then sometime later I ran the Marine Corps Half Marathon. What an experience. That's the second Half Marathon I've done and turned out pretty well. Thing is I barely prepared for it. No carb loading, infrequent hydrating the days prior, etc. It sucks but at least I finished. That is always my goal for any of these endurance events. My first goal is to complete it (not there to compete or set a record) and my second one is to never stop. By that I mean never coming to a complete stop to relax during the race. At the end I got my medal and there were snacks AND drinks for recovery. And there was free beer (good marketing). Needless to say, I had a beer and it was refreshing to lay on the grass in the shade around a bunch of other people who suffered through the run just like me. (I love that feeling.) I walked home after to my room among rooms, the cold concrete box I live in. My legs fried and body sunburned I plopped down on my bed to begin recuperation.
Anyways, I flew home to take a generous amount of leave at the end of September. Primarily, to get my truck back from Ohio and also see family. After about 5 months of bumming rides and "hiking" on base I had enough. It just wasn't very practical. You see, in Okinawa the base I was stationed at had taxis and everything within walking distance plus it was hard to get command approval of POV's. This new base is huge and since it's in the States there's no problem with having one.
Having to walk around everywhere in the blazing heat and humidity and carrying your own supplies from the store sure gives you a new found appreciation for the automobile.
Being home was great. Having little to actually do for awhile is even greater.
Somehow I always seem busy though.
It seems there is so much to do whenever I am home. Making the most of a sliver of time by cramming it with as much as possible must be what makes it seem busy. Visiting friends, taking care of daily chores, going for a run or going to a new gym, going places, whatever.
It's always something. And then leaving.
Leaving is the hardest part.
Sometimes it's not so much the thought of going back to "work" (tough shit) but it's the saying bye (better to say "until next time") to those you just poured your heart and soul out to because you don't know if you'll ever see 'em again.
While home I go places that seem new (old, menial for most) and see new faces in stores. It's weird, and you meet your family and see the young ones have grown up taller. I try to go everywhere and try something new or say hi to people that you won't see or remember ever again. I operate out of that idea. I sometime go driving through the cemetery to burn some time looking for sentiment and then go to the reservoir.
Back and forth, back and forth between spots hoping peace of mind will be attained.
Looking for that special place that gives me a feeling of solace.
(Back when I was younger it was easier but now it's not so easily found because to find it I first must escape what's in my mind.)
Before I left Van Wert I went to a couple local Haunted Houses too. Wow, that is so unlike me but at least I had a friend to go with.
So one night after eating dinner and saying bye to my folks I started on my trek back to the coast. Taking periodic stops to refuel and rest of course. I gave myself 2.5 days. Ample time for a 12 hour trip. I love driving and all the places seen while on the way. All the people you see and wondering where the people came from and where they're going. It gives me a sense of freedom seeing them living out their life with smiling families. But that's just the surface of what I see.
And then you see sooo many stores, gas stations, fast food restaurants, etc. Stuff you never even considered because you've never seen to think before.
At least I take note of it... just the sheer amount of everything out there. I think about it so because it brings to mind unsustainability. Can we do this forever? And then what? The amount of cars and trucks driving down the highways. Like I think of all the drinks and snacks inside the stores and all the trucks constantly delivering them. The infrastructure of it all is insane. And then to think about how easily it can all be disrupted bringing about chaos.
On my way through West Virginia I stopped at a few K-Marts that were going out of business too.
Literally everything was 20% off and the inside of the store looked like it had been looted. I went in to witness a store in the phase of death and see what remnants were left. Empty shelves and an air of hopelessness. It's just take, take, take. Even if you don't need it just because it's been illuminated in value by the sale. Not saying that in a bad way but it's quite the feeling that I take heart to because I think it unveils something. Thinking about all the stuff there and the clothes and who made them and how their labors had been cheapened. Yeah, I bought a few things and I could easily allow myself to indulge in materialism but I didn't.
Whatever.
Towards the end I ran into a traffic jam from an overturned truck. That took forever to get through and finally I had the path I was supposed to take blocked off by police blockades and raging waters left by Hurricane Matthew. Literally all diagonal pathways to base were cut off except for one and so I had to back track. Using my own information gathering and navigating skills I was able to find the last detour to where I needed to go. Thank goodness for GPS making things easier! Did I forget mention I like driving? Except for when your thighs start to cramp and go numb.
Anyways, I found the road that was a direct shot and once I was on it all stress started to dissipate. It was just a matter of time at that point.
Fast forward and it's already almost November.
Life is still fast paced but a little better now that I have my own transportation. Now I can go to the 24 hour gym no problem. Wow, isn't that just great. No but really I look back and think about the year going by so fast. And then I look forward thinking about Christmas and New Years already on the horizon. Can't wait. Oh and the election in November. We'll see how that effects things. Nobody can say with certainty what will happen. Last time I checked nobody has been able to predict the future 100%.
There are a lot of goals I hope to accomplish and things I want to let go of.
Time will only tell as it unfolds down the pathway.
Studying and work has really made this blogging thing take a backseat but do not despair! I have not left this blog in a corner to gather dust...
Today I'm going to type a good blog that I hope you read to the end. It's nothing fitness or motivational either it's just going to be about my thoughts and what's been going on in my life lately.
So without further to do... let's get started!
September 1st I made it to my 25th birthday and here I sit now October 22nd wondering where the time has gone. I go back in my mind to the beginning of 2016 which I remember very well but more around April when my New Year's Resolution was being tested. Or at least for me. That was also when I transferred to a new base. A new start yet again. Each day can be a new start if you so choose to frame it that way in your mind. But that's a side note, I'm trailing to the side here let me get back on track.
About mid September things we're just busy and fast paced like usual. I put in for leave and it was approved then sometime later I ran the Marine Corps Half Marathon. What an experience. That's the second Half Marathon I've done and turned out pretty well. Thing is I barely prepared for it. No carb loading, infrequent hydrating the days prior, etc. It sucks but at least I finished. That is always my goal for any of these endurance events. My first goal is to complete it (not there to compete or set a record) and my second one is to never stop. By that I mean never coming to a complete stop to relax during the race. At the end I got my medal and there were snacks AND drinks for recovery. And there was free beer (good marketing). Needless to say, I had a beer and it was refreshing to lay on the grass in the shade around a bunch of other people who suffered through the run just like me. (I love that feeling.) I walked home after to my room among rooms, the cold concrete box I live in. My legs fried and body sunburned I plopped down on my bed to begin recuperation.
Anyways, I flew home to take a generous amount of leave at the end of September. Primarily, to get my truck back from Ohio and also see family. After about 5 months of bumming rides and "hiking" on base I had enough. It just wasn't very practical. You see, in Okinawa the base I was stationed at had taxis and everything within walking distance plus it was hard to get command approval of POV's. This new base is huge and since it's in the States there's no problem with having one.
Having to walk around everywhere in the blazing heat and humidity and carrying your own supplies from the store sure gives you a new found appreciation for the automobile.
Being home was great. Having little to actually do for awhile is even greater.
Somehow I always seem busy though.
It seems there is so much to do whenever I am home. Making the most of a sliver of time by cramming it with as much as possible must be what makes it seem busy. Visiting friends, taking care of daily chores, going for a run or going to a new gym, going places, whatever.
It's always something. And then leaving.
Leaving is the hardest part.
Sometimes it's not so much the thought of going back to "work" (tough shit) but it's the saying bye (better to say "until next time") to those you just poured your heart and soul out to because you don't know if you'll ever see 'em again.
While home I go places that seem new (old, menial for most) and see new faces in stores. It's weird, and you meet your family and see the young ones have grown up taller. I try to go everywhere and try something new or say hi to people that you won't see or remember ever again. I operate out of that idea. I sometime go driving through the cemetery to burn some time looking for sentiment and then go to the reservoir.
Back and forth, back and forth between spots hoping peace of mind will be attained.
Looking for that special place that gives me a feeling of solace.
(Back when I was younger it was easier but now it's not so easily found because to find it I first must escape what's in my mind.)
Before I left Van Wert I went to a couple local Haunted Houses too. Wow, that is so unlike me but at least I had a friend to go with.
So one night after eating dinner and saying bye to my folks I started on my trek back to the coast. Taking periodic stops to refuel and rest of course. I gave myself 2.5 days. Ample time for a 12 hour trip. I love driving and all the places seen while on the way. All the people you see and wondering where the people came from and where they're going. It gives me a sense of freedom seeing them living out their life with smiling families. But that's just the surface of what I see.
And then you see sooo many stores, gas stations, fast food restaurants, etc. Stuff you never even considered because you've never seen to think before.
At least I take note of it... just the sheer amount of everything out there. I think about it so because it brings to mind unsustainability. Can we do this forever? And then what? The amount of cars and trucks driving down the highways. Like I think of all the drinks and snacks inside the stores and all the trucks constantly delivering them. The infrastructure of it all is insane. And then to think about how easily it can all be disrupted bringing about chaos.
On my way through West Virginia I stopped at a few K-Marts that were going out of business too.
Literally everything was 20% off and the inside of the store looked like it had been looted. I went in to witness a store in the phase of death and see what remnants were left. Empty shelves and an air of hopelessness. It's just take, take, take. Even if you don't need it just because it's been illuminated in value by the sale. Not saying that in a bad way but it's quite the feeling that I take heart to because I think it unveils something. Thinking about all the stuff there and the clothes and who made them and how their labors had been cheapened. Yeah, I bought a few things and I could easily allow myself to indulge in materialism but I didn't.
Whatever.
Towards the end I ran into a traffic jam from an overturned truck. That took forever to get through and finally I had the path I was supposed to take blocked off by police blockades and raging waters left by Hurricane Matthew. Literally all diagonal pathways to base were cut off except for one and so I had to back track. Using my own information gathering and navigating skills I was able to find the last detour to where I needed to go. Thank goodness for GPS making things easier! Did I forget mention I like driving? Except for when your thighs start to cramp and go numb.
Anyways, I found the road that was a direct shot and once I was on it all stress started to dissipate. It was just a matter of time at that point.
Fast forward and it's already almost November.
Life is still fast paced but a little better now that I have my own transportation. Now I can go to the 24 hour gym no problem. Wow, isn't that just great. No but really I look back and think about the year going by so fast. And then I look forward thinking about Christmas and New Years already on the horizon. Can't wait. Oh and the election in November. We'll see how that effects things. Nobody can say with certainty what will happen. Last time I checked nobody has been able to predict the future 100%.
There are a lot of goals I hope to accomplish and things I want to let go of.
Time will only tell as it unfolds down the pathway.
- PRIMITUS
- BLOG 1 : PATHWAYS
- BEGINNER WORKOUT PROGRAM
- BLOG 2 : LEAVING FOOTPRINTS
- BLOG 3 : THE SPICE OF LIFE
- BLOG 4 : 4 REASONS TO RETHINK FACEBOOK USAGE
- BLOG 5 : MOTIVATION
- BLOG 6 : THE CASE FOR CAFFEINE
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 1
- BLOG 7 : FIGHT CLUB
- BLOG 8 : FREE FALLING
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 2
- BLOG 9 : BRANCHING OUT
- BLOG 10 : BLAST FROM THE PAST
- BLOG 12 : PATHWAYS PART 2
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 3
- BLOG 13 : PATHWAYS PART 3
- BLOG 14 : ARMAMENT
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 4
- PERSPECTIVE REDEFINED
- BLOG 15 : BREAK DOWN
- THE COLONEL SANDERS STORY
- BLOG 16 : WRECK
- BLOG 17 : NIGHT VISIONS
- BLOG 18 : CHANGES AHEAD
- BLOG 19 : PATHWAYS PART 4
- MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES PART 5
- BLOG 20 : PATHWAYS PART 5
- 3 MILITARY SKILLS TO LEARN
- BLOG 21 : ROAD TRIP PART 1
- QUOTATION COMPILATION
- BLOG 22 : THOUGHTS