George's Essay

Today is the day that George will be participating in a wreath presentation ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetary. I wanted to share the essay he wrote for the contest that won him a spot in the presentation.

What America is to Me

America…. there really isn’t one word to describe America. To me, America is everything. It is not just everything to me, but the whole world. America is pride, honor, and bravery. America is friendship, trust, and most of all, working together.

America also has an ugly side. This ugly side is about fighting. Not just regular fighting, but fighting to the death. This fighting is war. This ugly side goes deep. It affects the people we know and love, our soldiers. Now if you think about how ugly war can be, next time don’t think about the guns and fighting. Next time think about the people who are going out there to fight for us. They put their lives on the line for us. That’s what America is really all about. It is about bravery and strength in numbers, our soldiers.

Our military shows who America really is and what America is about. The military are a big part of what America is, but they are not the only people. It is the stay at home mom, the hard working family, and the child that goes to school to learn. America is education. Without education who knows how our country would be. America gives opportunities to have a great life.

So far I have talked about what America is now. Without the brave people of America’s past the world would be a different place. If women didn’t have the courage and strength to protest against not voting, women today would still not be able to. If Harriet Tubman didn’t have the courage to free slaves, there would still be people wanting freedom.

Which brings me to my next point, America is freedom. Men, women, and children are free to go to school and have a job. Our nation wouldn’t be so great if it wasn’t the land of the free. America gives the people of our nation many opportunities.

America is a friend. It is inviting and is friends with many countries. This means that America is about peace. America is all for having peace with the world and every person in it.

For myself, I love America. America provides me many things. It provides for my education and life. America is a helping kind of country. It is also a providing country.

It is a country with benefits. America is an opportunity country. Where ever I go I see opportunities for jobs, a new home, and a great car. America gives you a great life. I can’t imagine living in another place. Or at least I could imagine leaving some place else to go and live in the United States of America.

America is everything. I truly believe there is not one tiny word that stands for America. America is the sidewalks we walk on. America is the buildings we see. America is the kindness we spread by giving someone a hug, or a wave, or even just a smile. America is the soldiers fighting the war. Its opportunity, it is the reason children go to school, and parents go to work. Freedom is the reason why people can live in a home and have a family. America is the reason we wake up in the morning and have something to look forward to. America is the flag we pledge allegiance to EVERY SINGLE MORNING.

Every morning when I say the pledge I think about all of these things. Most importantly, I thank the people that go to other countries so I can live my life. Those people are our United States Military. They put their lives on the line so we can go to school. They go out and fight for us so we can play outside freely. Our military’s soldiers die for us so we can get to that next level on a video game. Even as funny as that sounds, it’s true. They are the bravest and strongest people I know. I love my country, but I don’t think I could ever put my life on the line for it. Our soldiers have so much devotion and respect for our country that they would be willing to die at any second for it. Without them we wouldn’t be able to wake up tomorrow without worry. Our military allows us to be free and enjoy our lives.

All of these descriptions of America are the reasons why I feel so blessed to live here. I look forward to growing up and continuing to live in this great country. It gives me a never ending list of opportunities. Overall, America allows me to be me.

You Tube Tuesday #67

Tomorrow is the big day for George and the other kids that won the essay contest at school. I found this clip of some kids that had the same honor last year.

I am so excited for my son. I know how honored he feels and tomorrow should be a huge day for him. I have seen the changing of the guard but I have not seen the wreath presentation ceremony before.

Enjoy.

Weekend Weeview

George is off to DC. His flight was scheduled to leave at around 10:30pm Friday but ended up leaving LAX at 1:25am! He called us Saturday morning to let us know he got there and was ready to go.

“Did you sleep like we suggested or was it a ‘slumber party in the skies?’”

“I watched the ‘what to do in the event of an emergency’ video and then I was out! I slept really good and am ready to go!”

Jasmine and I were worried about that but the kid will sleep standing up if he has too so all should be good. We have not heard from him since which tells me he is having a good time. They only call when things are not so good I have found.

Saturday morn I left Weight Watchers with an enlightened sense of myself. I realized that I am in a destructive place. I spent a lot of the week shoveling “Robin’s Egg’s” into my mouth and eating any pastry that was brought into my office. The last two weeks have gained and have not cared much. This week was only a 0.4lb gain so I did not gain a bunch BUT I recognized that I chose to gain. I honestly did and I will explore the reason why later on. I do not have the energy this morning.

Saturday afternoon we attended the wedding of two very good friends of ours. Joel is the guitar player in the band I am in and he was married to his long time girlfriend Shelly who is amazing! They are a great couple and we are excited to see what their future holds.

Yesterday was a total chill out day. Since the wedding was out of town, I was able to sleep in which was needed.

I was very edgy all weekend and frankly still am. I am sure this goes along with the Self Sabotaging of my weight loss and general health lately but again, I do not have the energy to figure that out just yet.

Not sure if I want to really.

20 Pounds Extra

Shirts, shoes, socks, underwear, pants, shoes, belt, tie, toiletries, jacket, beanie, scarf, and other stuff I can not even remember. It’s all packed up in a rolling duffel bag ready for departure.

George leaves tonight for his big trip to Washington DC.

Last night we went through everything and used these awesome compression bags to maximize space. We also weighed the bag to make sure it was below the 50 lbs. We came in at 30 so we are doing well. It turns out his little butt as compared to my fat ass takes up a lot less room! It works out well so he has some room to bring back souvenirs which I am sure he will. We triple checked his packing list and I believe we are good to go.

He got a bunch of Target (pronounced Tar-zjay) gift cards as Easter gifts to use for his trip so that took the financial burden off of us since the trip itself was a small fortune. We love the Target because you can get so much done in one place although the clothes are not nearly as “cool” as they could be apparently.

George went to Pacific Sunwear and got the “coolest belt ever." I saw it and said, “So that is the belt? You are going to wear that all over DC? Really?” My wife assured me that flannel shirts and torn jeans are not as cool as in the grunge days and that George is a very hip kid. I will admit that if a funky belt is all the concern I have with him, we are really doing okay.

I will try and get some pictures tonight from the school before the bus leaves to share with you all. I passed along all the kind words from all of you when I posted about him winning that writing contest so I know he would love it if I shared those pics with you.

When George was very little I asked him to always do his best and that with that, he would always make me proud.

He has.

There's a New Doc in Town

This morning I met with my brand new doctor. My appointment was at 7:40 so there not many people in the waiting room. The receptionist was very kind and had me fill out all sorts of paperwork. The family history one is always depressing. With diabetes, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure on the list of family ailments, it makes for a gloomy future.

Soon after filling out all the info I was called into the office. After the weigh in I headed into the examining room. The nurse was very nice and laughed at my lame jokes which I always appreciate. She put down her clipboard and told me to wait for the Doctor.

I did not even get through the magazine I was looking through when he waked in. He introduced himself, passed the handshake test with flying colors, and sat down to talk to me about me!

I told him all about my father’s early death and how I did not want to follow in those footsteps. He agreed and said that he was a very aggressive when treating issues. He explained that since I have diabetes, he would rather have me on the lower end of the threshold as opposed to being on the high end of the numbers as far as cholesterol and blood pressure goes.

I asked him about seeing an Endo and he agreed. He wrote up a referral to the Endo I have been wanting to see! He asked about the last time I had my eyes checked. I realized it has been a year so he wrote a referral for that. He asked when the last time I had blood work done. I explained that its been 6 months so he said “well lets do that too.” He asked if I was fasting.

“Not by choice but yeah, I am.” I replied

He sent his nurse in to draw my blood right there in the room. I have never had a doctor do that. They always send me to a lab somewhere. Anyhow, it was a really good first visit. I am excited to schedule these appointment with these new doctors especially the Endo!

Did I mention, not one F bomb!