How to: Life

Sometimes I wish I could go to Barnes and Noble and pick up a book titled 'Dave's Ideal Life-Here You Go Dummy'. It would make my life so much easier! Just think: I would never make a mistake again, never take the wrong college course, never make a bad career move, never miss out on good opportunities, always be happy, confident, and successful! I would never have to make a tough decision again. Sometimes I think I'd pay a small fortune just to have a quick peek at that book. 

Then I grudgingly remember that life isn't so much about where you are going as much as how you get there. I know that has been said much more eloquently, by people much more educated than I, but the fact that I consider that every so often when I make a bad decision or lose sight of my goals is incredibly comforting for some reason. Remembering that making mistakes is a big part of how I learn can be somewhat depressing at times and downright daunting at others. 

I tend to be much more hard on myself, much less forgiving of my mistakes, than anyone else in my life and that makes things difficult at times. Forgiving myself for my mistakes is something I never really learned how to do and that includes even the littlest things. When I learn to accept the fact that I will make mistakes and learn to let go of some of my pride and ego I know I will be much better off in this life. 

  

Where to Begin?

Ok, I know I said I was going to try to keep this blog thing going and I really meant it, I did! Problem was I didn't have the means to keep it going. I've been held back by a few small issues like...not having a computer, not having a camera, going to school and working full time, and getting deployed.

I know, excuses excuses, but I love them and they really are valid, for the most part. Now, as of yesterday, all of those excuses are invalid and the first thing I am doing is blogging so that should show my commitment was/IS for real, right? 

Updates are expected, naturally. Well here you are!

1) The big update! I'm back from Afghanistan!! I am back at Kadena and loving life, everything is so GREEN! I really had no idea how much I was going to miss the people and places, but the hardest part by far was missing Beth. I know we were lucky it was so short but it doesn't matter, no one should have to go through that.

View from the apartment!

2) Beth and I now have a camera and a computer that aren't ancient and actually work like they are supposed to! We bought an iMac yesterday after much consideration. I have to say we have been extremely impressed with the simplicity of Apple and its operating system! We have very high expectations and are pretty sure we made the right decision. It is a one piece computer so everything is built into the flat panel monitor so its a great space/clutter saver! I absolutely hate Microsoft and Windows and everything to do with that whole system and finally was fed up with it enough to do something about it.   

This is the iMac, its a 20" screen and you can see the CD/DVD drive on the side. The speakers are on the very bottom, and that is really all there is to it. The bottom picture is our iMac. 

3) My finger is doing better every day, it still doesn't have much feeling and I don't have full range of motion in it, but it is definitely healing up! I would post a picture of that too but I will refrain because not everyone wants to see that I'm sure. If you would like to see it I'd be happy to email you a picture, just let me know.

Thats all I can think of right now but I will be able to do this more regularly now so check back soon! I have a week off(last week didn't count because it was considered work time for in-processing) so that should give me plenty of time to get real bored with not working.  

Thankful Thursday(on a Tuesday!)

Have to toss out a thank you to my friends here on Okinawa. When I left my last base I thought I would never meet people I could connect with as well as I did there. I was wrong! I have met some incredible people in the year and a half I have been here! Also I have to say thank you for sushi, I love it more than life itself...almost!

The crew: from back left; Bala, Caz, Fusaro, me, Fergie Ferg, Hodgie, Mason, Frank(somehow Masons had a knee spasm at this exact moment...), a girl who's name I cannot pronounce, and Yuri(Caz's girl friend).

Caz is leaving us this weekend for a year tour in Korea but he will be returning here next September! We will miss him!

Daniels Burgers

Azra loves Daniels Burgers!


My brother-in-law just happens to have invented the worlds tastiest burger! Not only did he invent it, he was nice enough to put the recipe up here, http://sgtandmrshub.blogspot.com/2007/03/hamburger-helper.html
for everyone to enjoy! I make them on a regular basis for my friends and "family" here on Okinawa and they are definitely a hit! You don't even know how many phone calls I have gotten that go something like this: "Hey Lambchops! What's up man?! Hey, we're having a party this weekend and I was wondering if you would mind cookin up your bro-in-laws burgers?" Everybody usually just grills up the pre-packaged, pre-formed, and and pre-ruined junk you can buy at the grocery store, so when they get a taste of Daniels Burgers they can't believe how good they are! Needless to say its been a bit of an ego boost for me! Even Azra, my good friends Mike and DDs daughter(the pickiest eater ever!), tears them up! Bottom line, go make the burgers and don't be surprised if you never look at a burger the same after this!

Some random stuff

Just thought I would give my car a shout out! She has been so wonderful to me for the year and a half I have been on Okinawa. When I first got here I went looking for cars and she caught my eye immediately. I didn't even care how much it cost or anything I just knew it was the car for Dave! Believe it or not it is a 1996 Nissan Gloria(you can only get them in Japan) which is the predecessor of the Infinity M45! I have had only a few little problems with her but nothing major and it has been SO nice! I'm really rough on my cars(I tend to follow the saying "drive it like you stole" sometimes depending on my music selection) so I am very thankful that she is holding together!

Thankful Thursday!!

I am thankful for many things in life:

For my family, ya'll keep me afloat( while keeping my ego in check, haha)

For my health, I take it for granted most times but I'm doing much better!!

For the paycheck I get every two weeks, I take that for granted to much as well.

But mostly I am thankful for my best friend, Kalen keeps me going when all I want to do is give up. Her randomness puts a smile on my face and always keep me guessing. She has been my rock since the day I met her and I know she supports me unconditionally( and I you!). Thank you for the faith you have in me, it means more to me than you could ever imagine. Hang in there Kalen and don't stop believin'!

There's much more but thats all the time I have.

For all of you who don't know...




...THIS is my happy face:)

I hope ya'll are having a happy day!