Ok....So it has been Forever

I am still alive so no one has to worry. The internet has not been the most available commodity in the past month. Anyway I am back at the 338th squadron and not mixed in with all of the other jobs. School is going really well. When we went back to school I started in block 5 of 10 and now we are going into block 8 on monday and friday we will be starting the infamous make/break block 9. I have really put myself into high gear for the past two blocks as far as studying and concentration goes. Tech school is different from any other learning environment I have been in. In high school it was about knowing the info for the test to pass the course and not much more. Whereas here in tech school it is about knowing how to do your job and being the most well rounded in your skills as possible. People are depending on you to know the info. Working the teams like we do on certain exercises building & configuring computer networks the communication is key. Just working with the people I am with prompts me to do better even when I get discouraged which happens very often.

My grandfather passed away this earlier this week. I saw him often growing up but for the most part he and my grandmother lived in Florida. As a teenager I had only seen him a few times...only a few times to pick up on how he really was. He had cancer and was a heavy smoker and drinker. After joining the military though I understand certain things about him more so than I did before. I remember when I saw him last he asked me "are you proud of who you are," I was unsure of where he was going and somewhat puzzled but I remember nodding my head and he said "than stand up straight and dont slouch." He told me about things I would learn while in the military or more specifically basic training.
"You'll always be hungry in basic training....you'll be proud of who you are...it doesnt matter color they are, what they like to do, or where they're from. When their in your platoon you are family and thats it. You dont need to like 'em yuou just need to go to war with 'em" Although in the USAF we don't have platoons; I totally understand what he meant. People will be around that you may not like or that u may not get along with but when something needs to be done you need to be able to get it done with them. And thats it.

I may be going home before my grad date for his funeral and service but I hope it will be held off until around thanksgiving. That way I will be able graduate with my current class and be home for thanksgiving with my full family on both sides. If that sounds selfish I am sorry but that is just how I hope it turns out. The sooner I am out of here the better and being able to going home only once and paying my respects will be easier than going home for 48 hours, coming back to MS than heading back in 2-3 weeks.

Things are happening as they always do. Next time I can grab an internet connection I will document the things that resonate in my mind @ that particular time. Until then god bless all of you.