Adjusting and Pushing Ahead

Wow, it’s been awhile. A very long while, and so very much has happened…

I’ve settled back into a rhythm, and it’s suits me more than I thought it could. While living with Mel and Scott isn’t ideal, I’m making the best of it, and just trying to remind myself that it’s only short-term. This has helped keep the world in perspective for me, as I adjust to this shocking change in lifestyle that roommates can be. Some days I feel like I’ve given up so much, but there are other days when I know I am blessed to have friends that would take me in – even if it’s less than convenient for them.

I bought a new truck. Brand new. 2011 Ford F-150, SuperCab, 4x4. Gunmetal gray metallic with a gray interior. I love it – granted the monthly payment every month makes me cringe, but it’s worth it. Her name is Betty.

I also joined a new gym. It is by far the best thing I’ve ever done. CrossFit is the best workout I’ve ever had – it’s like an entire day of Basic Training physical misery crammed into a 1hour class. I’ve been doing it for over two weeks, and I’m still sore every day. And the results are great. In those two weeks, I’ve already dropped the eight pounds I’ve gained since I got home from Fort Leonardwood. Its wonderful. I’m going to miss it the next two weeks while I’m on vacation.

But, I’m going on vacation, so I’m not that crushed about missing the gym, LOL… I leave Tuesday, and I’m driving home to see family. I can’t wait to see my 9-month old baby niece, Charlotte, and the rest of my colorful family.

And, the biggest news – or what I consider to be the biggest news, at any rate – I got a tattoo J I got it done at Good and Evil in State College. Tony did an awesome job on it. It’s a Celtic knot –the Trinity - with a sunflower blossom above it, with the stem of the sunflower woven in as part of the knot. He did all the outline and shading, and in about a month I’ll go back and have the color added. The knot is going to stay in grayscale, but the flower is going to be in color. It already looks awesome… but when he adds the color it, it’s going to look even better.

My parents are a little distressed about the ink. Well, that’s probably putting it mildly. They see it as defiling my body. I clearly don’t agree with them, or I wouldn’t have gotten it done. It means something to me – more than just a pretty piece of art. You see, the knot is for my Celtic roots – the Scotch-Irish heritage I hold so dear. The Trinity has many meanings, depending on what area you happen to be in, but on my skin, it represents strength. The Sunflower is my favorite flower, but in addition to that, it has a great deal of symbolism as well. In the 60’s it stood for happiness. The Native Americans used it as a symbol of friendship. The Mayans used it as a symbol of growth and agricultural prosperity. So… what do these two things together symbolize for me? The tattoo is to remind me where I came from -- rich Celtic heritage and country roots – but to have the strength to always reach for more – like the sunflower reaches for the sun.

I’m already designing my next tattoo. I won’t get it until after I get back from deployment, but it will be something to represent my time away. It took me two years to design the one I have, so I’m sure it will take at least that long to design my next one. It will give me something to do to keep my mind occupied while I’m over playing in the sandbox.

In other news, work is the same as always. Nothing really changes there in the grand scheme. I’m ready to find something else. But with this deployment coming up, my hands are sort of tied in that department. So, I wait. I’ll find start filling out applications a few months before I return stateside, and hopefully will have something better to come back to. I want out of prison. I’ll apply at the State Police, and some of the townships. Maybe drop a few federal apps if I can make some connections while I’m abroad. Time will tell…