Last blog!

I actually looked forward to blogging and some of the stories that would come from doing it. Not only from me, but from other students, did some really good stories come to life. That was definitely not a con of blogging. Some really good reads.

As for continuing to post blog’s I cannot say one way or the other. I imagine I will post something from time to time, but probably not on a weekly basis. I will definitely have more free time to do so after this semester is over.

I enjoyed the overall experience. It’s a great outlet for getting stories shared and pushing ideas for the big topics of today. I do not think I will venture for from this medium going forward.

I also want to say that I enjoyed everyone’s blog. Just writing those blog’s and the sometimes, personal assignments that had to be shared, says a lot about a person to me. So, thank you to everyone for sharing your stories! You are the reasons the semester was a much more enjoyable experience than anticipated. Thank You!

Australia

                It was harder than I thought when I sat down and tried to figure out a day that was fun and exciting that I would remember going forward. I’ve had the luxury of having many of these days to choose from. So I am going with the time I spent in Australia as one of those times.  

                While I was serving in the Navy, my ship visited the port of Darwin, Australia. Many of the old salts on board would tell stories of Australia and how it is a paradise of sorts for American sailors.  I heard everything you could imagine to hype the eventual port call more than what it already was.  Upon landing in Darwin, my shipmates and I started the trip off with a visit to one of the local watering holes. Reputation did apply for the locals. Once word got out that we were from the U.S. navy frigate in port, beer was continually bought for us and we were not allowed to return the favor. Australians can drink beer! I thought this was awesome because they were doing this because of the history of their country and their deep involvement with the U.S. Navy during WWII. Australians hold the U.S. Navy in very high regard. It felt very nice to go someplace other than the good old US-of-A and feel and be treated better than at home. Amazing!

                Later that day I ate kangaroo for the first and only time in my life. I can honestly say that it does not taste like chicken. It was actually quite tasty. This meal was at the “Hogs Breath Saloon” in Darwin. I also remember my first experience with an Aboriginal was during this same meal. The local native walked up to our table, asked for a cigarette, one was provided and then asked for a beer. My friend smiled and offered him his newly arrived pint. The aboriginal then took the beer and went bottoms up. The beer was gone in a blink. The local said, “Thanks mate!” and proceeded down the street. We all looked at each other and started to laugh. What the hell just happened there?

                I was later told that giving the local native the beer was very bad. The Aborigines natives are very much like our North American Native American’s, their tolerance for alcohol is very low and has other mental side-effects. The overall Aborigines experience is another essay all together.

                Moving back toward the story, our day eventually took us back to the hotel where we found out our neighbors in the other rooms were Portuguese paratroopers. If memory serves me right, they too, like to drink beer. So, with that common shared interest, we initiated diplomatic relations as ambassadors of the United States and drank with our Portuguese counter-parts. It was a great time! However, the paratroopers had some real bad BO. It’s one of those European things I guess. They don’t believe in deodorant?

                The night finally took us to a local club where all of us were eager to see if the Australian women were the sexual animals that you heard them to be after the various stories you heard from various sailors, far and wide. I still can’t tell you one way or the other. That night we all met a group of ladies from Europe who were on “holiday” for the year in Australia. Was I devastated by this change in events?

I can say that this day and the other days I spent in Australia will never be forgotten. I look forward to the day I can actually return. “No worries” is the social mantra of Darwin. While I was there I had absolutely none.  

Three people in my life

                The first person to probably hold the most influence and meaning on me as a person would be my grandfather, Leonard C. Snider. He stood in at 5’6” tall and probably weighed 135 lbs soaking wet. The thing about my grandpa was that his presence was bigger than his stature. He was also a lot stronger than he looked. Tattoos from his Army days covered his arms and told stories of a man who had been to war (Korea) and was proud to say so. My grandfather left a lasting memory on me because he taught me to be proud of who I am and to never underestimate yourself. He taught me to never listen to the critics and never drink your own kool-aid, because, everyday you have something new to prove.  

                His daughter, my Aunt Toni, would have to be second on my list. She was definitely my adopted mother when I was born into this world and to this day she still considers me one of her own. My aunt is in her early 50’s now and has had two children of her own. She lives in NW Missouri and still makes frequent trips back to the St. Louis area. My aunt carries herself with a self-confidence that completely conveys her life approach. She provided the encouragement for me to want something better for myself. My aunt was definitely a leader and someone who led by example. A trait she shared with her father and one that I share as well. My aunt and my grandfather were definitely leaders and not followers with their actions providing the proof. They really helped shaped my self-confidence which would bring me full circle to the third person(s) on my list.

                I know my children are two people, but I cannot have one without the other. My son, Tyler, and my daughter, Iris, have really brought all of the things I learned from my grandfather and my aunt, along with everyone else who exceed the three person limit for this exercise into practice. My kids have instilled a new sense of confidence inside me. They provide me with motivation, determination and an endless amount of love that only your kids can provide. My son is 8 years old and my daughter is 3 years old. My son is Japanese-American while my daughter’s heritage is Mexican-American. They have showed me that everything truly comes full-circle. The things I was taught and learned from my grandpa and aunt have helped me be a better person but also a better father. By teaching my children the things they taught me, I can keep their spirit and their love alive long after they, and even myself, have left this world.  

FFN Summary

The book, Fast Food Nation, has definitely changed my overall view of the fast food industry as a whole. This change of view has gone from one of non-importance to one that will have me making some lifestyle choices in regard to eating out. The stories that the author chose to highlight the negative impacts of fast food really struck some nerves with me.  The blatant disregard of public health and the motivation to simply make a buck made the fast food industry look completely irresponsible and hazardous to public health.

Some of the things that the book made me think extra hard on was our governments' involvement, or lack there-of, in regard to public health and enforcement of violations. It is quite apparent that money drives all things within this country and government is no different.  I find it very maddening that the people elected to protect us, at times, go out of their way to harm us, because of fast food special interest. The book only shows what is a growing problem in our country. The lack of public involvement and action. This book reinforced my belief that if anything is to truly change with the people of this country it has to begin with the individual. The lack of education and involvement by consumers can only go to hurt the individual in the long run. Fast Food Nation made me realize that if I wait for my government or the fast food industry to do right by me, then I will ultimately be disappointed.   

Truth/The School Experience

My truth from last weeks’ blog is that I have O+ blood. #4

This current semester at Oxnard has by far, been the hardest and most challenging yet. It will be my last full-time semester before I transfer. Some of the challenges that I faced were very tough at times. The most challenging aspect has been doing the majority of my schooling while raising my daughter alone, while her mother served over-seas. I was in the military for nearly nine years and I never truly appreciated the stay-at-home parent or single parents in general. After this experience, my appreciation and opinion of those who raise children alone, has been changed drastically. I only had to deal with this challenge for nine months when others deal with it their whole life. Doing school and raising my 3 year old daughter has by far, been more challenging than any of the years that I served in the military.

Overall, the school experience has been a great one. I do enjoy the challenge of academics and the new things that I learn from those challenges. I also have been able to meet some very interesting people, both students and faculty. Going back to school has been an experience that I will always remember because I did it later than most do. It makes me appreciate the experience all the more.

However, I do have some things that I do not enjoy about my return to school. One is that some of the instructors are full-time high school teachers. This, in of itself, is not bad. When these instructors decide to treat their college level students like their high school counterparts, is where I have the problem. I just feel that when one enters college, the hand holding is over and accountability must be first and foremost. The micro-management by some instructors is counter-productive.

Another aspect of school this semester has been the workload that I have. I have noticed a trend with some instructors that they seem to think that their class is the ONLY one you are taking that semester. This is obvious by the workload handed out by some of these instructors. I know multitasking, time management and a “get er’ done” attitude is needed to meet these obligations and that expectations are raised when we transition to the next level. However, some instructors pile on the work that at times, serving no purpose to educate, but to simply apply the teaching technique that some of my friends call, “BS busy work.” I agree.

My motivation through all of this is my 3 year old I mentioned earlier. She is why I get up, go to school and work my butt of to be someone she can be proud of and look up to. I want to set certain goals for her, that will eventually, exceed mine. If you cannot get motivated by your children, then nothing ever will. School has been something that I am very pleased to have stepped up and accepted the challenge that it gave. In the end, it can only make me a more grounded and enlightened person.   

5 LIES - ONE TRUTH

1) I was in the Air Force

2) I was raised in southern California

3) I'm 29 years old

4) I have O+ blood

5) Last week I won a $100 with a lottery ticket

6) I drive a Chevy vehicle

POEM - "Eternity"

I have a ship on the sea

Her name is Eternity

The sails are up high

I can feel her fly

The horizon is far but clear

The songs of love and life

Are the songs that I hear

I am sailing to that far away shore

My ship will take me there

The ocean winds will make her soar

My journey begins at the bottom of Heavens stairs

I now realized that my life was not fair

But, no since living in the past

My ship has made me free at last

I am on my ship and see lights all around me

The lights are like Angel eyes

Able to take me far up into the skies

Atlas, I set sail on my ship Eternity