Good Teeth

It is the little things that make my day. Today was a pretty regular day. Nothing too exciting. I was pretty excited to go to the dentist today though. I always enjoy the dentist. I have had the same dentist throughout my lifetime and he is so cute and nice and I emphatically LOVE my hygienist Jody. I used to have a different hygienist but she quit when I was like 8 or so b/c she had a kid. Enter Jody.... she always remembers everything about my life ( I think they take notes). She knows the name of the company I work for, the boys in my life, EVERYTHING.

Well boys & girls.... lately my teeth have not been feeling right and I could not put off going to the dentist until December when I go home again so I made a dentist appointment up here in Utah. I found a dentist who graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio so he seemed like a winner. As I came in they needed to take x-rays of my teeth. As the hygienist walked back I heard her co-worker offer assistance. "Do you need 8?"
"No, I only need 4. That girl has REALLY NICE TEETH." That made me feel really good.

So... she does her thing and waits for the dentist to come check me out and he was like WOW. You have really nice teeth!

Don't ask me why this makes me feel so good. My REAL dentist always told me how nice and naturally white my teeth were but...yeah. Seriously folks, teeth are not a big deal but it's nice to have people say nice things about you.

"A Few Good Men" In My Life

"Why do you like them so much?"
"Because they stand on a wall and say don't worry about it. Nothing is going to hurt you tonight. NOT ON MY WATCH."
- A few good men

So there have been a lot of things that I have wanted to post I just haven't found a way to form the words eloquently and organized enough to give them what they deserve so I haven't really posted. There have been dozens of events and quotes that have made me really search deep inside my soul lately to consider the full meaning and beauty of it all. I have made a list but I don't know that I will post them until they have been fully formed.

In the meantime something to keep you going is a thought that is quite often on my mind. Recently I have realized that I know a lot more people in the military than the average bear. The majority of these people are officers. They did not just join the military as an afterthought, or out of boredom, or as a spontaneous effort to improve their economic status. They have spent years of training to achieve this goal. I have friends in all three major military academies. This requires hard work, leadership, competitiveness, congressional nominations, and most importantly determination and self discipline to continue to be treated like crap for four years. For most, 18-24 is a time in your life when you get to be selfish. Most kids are out having fun, going to college, partying, sleeping in, skipping class, and just basically being retarded in a path to grow, learn and find out who you are. While I was doing that, I had friends in the academies that have severe restriction, must prove physical and mental stamina, and have their every move controlled by the U.S Government via the academy. I couldn't wait to move out when my parents had a curfew on me when I was 18. My friends moved out knowingly to rules such as not being able to leave campus on the weekends, and not only that they would have to be on duty. The few weekends they get to leave they have to be in uniform and can only go a few miles from the academy. Each year they get more liberty but they must first prove themself. They wake up early, go to bed late and know that there is no sleeping in. Of them is demanded everything and they willingly do it. They do it b/c they know they are being trained to be some of the nation's best.

I have a few other friends that don't go to the academies. Rather I have several friends that are in Iraq and a few that are on their second tour of Iraq.

I cannot begin to tell you how often I feel so indebted to them. I have the utmost respect for the men and women that serve our country. The caliber of the men and women that put their lives on the line to represent us, to fight for a cause whether good or bad. They are told to fight and they don't ask questions. They just do it. I am not worried about our nation. With leaders like them, I know our country is in good hands.



Mike Kobiljak, now on his second tour of Iraq at age 23.
Chris Curd, Adam Sezate, and Tyler Struzinski. All Firsties (Seniors) at the United States Naval Academy.
Tyler again since he likes to pull his face for most of his pictures.
The Jackson twins. Christian and Christopher.Christian is a graduate of West Point and Christopher is a firstie.

Jesse Palmer. Currently in Iraq.Randy Beck. Graduate of the University of Utah ROTC and currently in officer training school. To be fair here is a cooler picture of him since his eyes are closed above.
There are many many more of my friends I don't have pictures of. I respect them greatly. Words cannot express the gratitude, respect, and devotion I feel for them.

EC

A shout out to my sissy "EC pie poo!" Twenty six years ago eh hem SORRY!! I FORGOT ...."TWENTY TWO" years ago...(plus four) she was brought into this world! Marie has been a strength and an example to me throughout my entire life. While most older sisters don't want anything to do with their younger siblings, especially one that is three YEARS younger, Marie always wanted me to hang out with her friends. Whether she was 10,15, 18, or 21+ she not only invited but often coerced me to go out/hang out with her and her friends. It was always made a point to let me know I was wanted. She often encouraged me to do more, be more, and to become more. Anyone who is around Marie knows why she is so awesome. Her laugh, (how can that be a REAL laugh? TEE HEE? HEE HEE HEE- yes she really laughs like that) is contagious and heard often. She is such a hard worker, a great sister, and an amazing aunt! She has a heart made of gold and I am so grateful she is in my life! I <3 you Sissy Duckling!

Jail House Rock

OK I AM GIVING IN!! Sheesh people, I seriously never post this much but I have been really "talkative?" lately. I wanted to post this the other day but figured three was enough and after seeing this on Christina's list I gave in. For those of you who didn't get to see this online or on the David Letterman show... here it is. Seriously one of the funniest interviews I have ever seen!! Enjoy!