A MEPS Date

I know you were thinking of giving up on me. (Gee, 3 months? Where's she been?) I've been doing paperwork for 3 months. It's been 'round and 'round trying to get all of the records I need to go down to MEPS. Every time I thought I had everything I needed, there'd be something else that would pop up.

Anyway, I'm heading down to MEPS in January, so I'll be sure to take copious notes and let you know what happened. ;)

Between now and then, there are a few things I need to do:
1) Study for the ASVAB
2) Maintain my Weight
3) Keep my Part Time Job

The End is a Beginning

So I reached my weight goal yesterday! YAY! I hopped in the car and went straight to the recruiter's office. Turns out, however, that they didn't get my high school transcript yet. Grrr.... So tomorrow I'll send another request, this one overnight and requiring a signature. I head to the recruiter's office on Monday to fill out more paperwork. Hopefully I'll head to MEPS next week.

60/60

Exercise

So I started walking and doing jumping jacks to help get rid of the last few pounds and now I'm down to 3. :)

However, I have a suspicion that there will be a snag in my plan. The recruiter told me they can't start the processing for the waivers until after I go to MEPS. That seems weird to me, since I researched it myself and I already know which waivers I will need. It seems unnecessary for me to make 2 trips. I guess I'll have to adjust to the "military" way of doing things. ;)

The cold front that blew in today encouraged many people to get out and look at the new fall stuff the stores have in and I was one of them. I got 4 cute long sleeve tops and actually had fun trying them on. In fact, I ended up getting everything I tried on! Amazing!

And I have a job interview on Tuesday that looks promising. I really hope I get it more than the others I have applied for because I won't have to talk to customers and it's more active, which will help with getting in shape. I think the odds are pretty good since they already had me fill out all of the hiring paperwork. The process feels like a funnel, not a filter. The guy on the phone even told me all about what would happen after the interview and how long it would be before I would get started. I'm so excited. I'd really like to have a job again. I've never had such a hard time getting a job; I blame the economy. ;)

57/60

Tick Tock

Not much has happened since my last post. The weight loss has pretty much stopped. I think stress about not having a job yet has a lot to do with it. I've started exercising to hopefully kick-start the weight loss again.

I sit here at home most of the day because I don't have the money to go anywhere and I don't have a job. I've been on a few interviews, but it seems nobody wants to hire me. It's detrimental to my self-esteem. Seriously, I'm feelin' it. Hopefully the substitute job pans out. Otherwise, my job prospects are limited. I wouldn't even be concerned about it except that it's probably going to be months until I can ship out and eventually I'm going to run out of stuff to sell.

I have a bad feeling that my plans will get derailed.

53/60

The Recruiter

I went to visit the recruiter today. It was mainly to check in and get started on any paperwork that needs to be processed before I go to MEPS. She gave me a security questionnaire. She verified that she got 2 of the college transcripts I had mailed her way and turns out I need 1 more college transcript and my high school transcript, too. That's one I've never had to get. I did some internet research and it turns out that stuff is stored and maintained by the county/parish school board. I did some more digging and found a form I can fill in and mail to get my high school transcript to my recruiter. I suspect I got one when I graduated, but I looked thoroughly through the papers the high school gave me and it's not in there. I have one from the 11th grade, but not a complete one.

When I was waiting to talk to my recruiter, she was talking to someone else and mentioned a GPA requirement for nukes. I asked her about it later and she said there wasn't one, but I'd need a waiver for any math or science classes I had failed, which I have, so that's 2 waivers now. Also, did I tell you I ordered a copy of my complete driving history? Well, I did. :) But it came in the mail and only had 1 speeding ticket on it. I know for a fact I've had more than 1. I don't know what to make of that. Does that mean that I don't need a waiver because only one is still in the system? My recruiter didn't think so. She said they will fingerprint me at MEPS and go by whatever comes up there. I'd really not have to go to MEPS twice. This is the whole reason I'm already asking about this stuff. Whatever. If I have to go to MEPS twice to join the Navy, I'll do it. Bureaucracy. Woohoo.

I took my birth certificate and my social security card with me to the recruiter's office today. Turns out that was a good move, cause she made copies. I got my birth certificate when I applied for my passport. I contacted the people at the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics. It was really easy. I just printed the form, filled it in, and mailed it. Then they mailed me the document.

Anyway, now I have to lose the last 10 pounds, finish the security questionnaire, get the high school transcript, and the last college transcript, and then head back to the recruiter to set a date to go to MEPS.

I hope I get a job soon. I hate being out in the wind and not having a steady income, one reason I'm joining the Navy. I figure if I don't have one in another week or two then I'll cast a wider net. That means I'll go apply at some of those dreaded retail places of which I worked so hard to get out. Urgh. I hope I don't have to do that. I don't like some crazy soccer mom yelling at me because her precious bottle of Gatorade fell over. Dammit lady. If it's that big of a deal to you, I'll wrap it in bubble wrap and gift wrap it! I also had some old lady try to tip me once. I worked at a grocery store that wouldn't allow us to take tips. Me? I'm the kind of person who wouldn't take tips under the table. That lady chased me around in circles trying to put a $5 bill in my back pocket. Even if I could take tips, I wouldn't want some strange old lady's hand that close to my butt.

Goals for the next 2 weeks:
Lose 10 pounds
Get last College Transcript
Get High School Transcript
Fill in Security Questionnaire
Study for ASVAB
GET A JOB

50/60

Update

I don't have much to say right now. I just wanted to give a weight update. :)

47/60

Stuff

When I decided to join the Navy, I realized just how much stuff I have. Moving about the same time probably had something to do with it too. Anyway, lately I've been selling some stuff to clear up space and pay the bills while I look for a job. It would be really cool if I could buy and resell stuff to pay bills while I'm in DEP. I don't know if I could keep it up for 9 months though. I figure I'll keep looking for a job while I'm selling stuff. I prefer to have a "guaranteed" income. But I do want to have my own business some day. Right now I'm thinking a CPA firm, but I may end up one of those creepy old ladies hanging out at the flea market.

In the spirit of stuff, here's George Carlin's "Stuff" routine:

A List

I was searching for reliable cars the other day and JD Power says the most reliable car brand is Porche. My next search was for the most affordable reliable cars.

My mother asked me the other day why I want to join the Navy and I didn't really know what to tell her. I mean, I know, generally, why I want to join. It just seems like the right think to do from every angle. Anyway, I got bored, so I sat down and made a list.

I want to join the Navy to:
gain self esteem
gain structure in my life
get direction in my career and my life
have discipline
learn teamwork
be part of a group
travel
learn new things
meet new people
get fit
jumpstart me career
be less "all about me"

Some of these do overlap. And I don't necessarily want all of them, but I do know they would be good for me anyway.:)

41/59

Reading is Fun-damental!

I've recently started reading "The Good Earth" for the third time. I know I know. But just because most people are made to read it in high school is no reason to avoid it. In most cases it is reason, but not this time, I swear! I enjoy it because I don't have to struggle to concentrate on the story and the imagery. I get completely engrossed in the book. It's about a Chinese farmer and what he goes through during his life, such as getting married, having kids, having a surplus of food, nearly starving to death, then bouncing back. Excluding children's books, this book is the one I've read the most times and I plan to read it many more. Three times is a lot for me to read a book. I usually just read it once and never pick it up again, which I think is terrible of me, but there are just too many more books out there that need my attention.

Confession Time: I have a compulsion to buy books. If anybody knows of a fancy-sounding word for this, please let me know; I'd like to use it. ;) I have bookshelves in my room full of books on most topics. I want my collection to be like a library, something for everyone. Even if everyone is just me. One day I will get a notion to read a book and I want to have a variety of choices available. Every book for every mood.

Another Confession: I read strategy guides cover to cover. Yep. Weird, huh? If you've ever read one like you would a novel, you know what I'm talking about. If you only use them to look up something specific, you'll miss out on all of the tidbits in the middle.

I've always wanted one of those libraries like the ones you see in the mansions in old movies. You know, where the bookshelves are built into the walls of the room and all of the books look like they were printed in a set.

I'm going to fantasize some more about my future library. :)

41/59

20!

I finally got down to 176 today! Yoohoo! Only 20 lbs to go! Then the ball can start rolling. I have decided to cut cheese out of my diet. So now I'm eating 1 chicken tender and 1/2 can of vegetables for each meal. I should find something better to eat for breakfast. I think eggs still make me nauseous. I think I'll give them a try tomorrow.

39/59

Patience, Grasshopper

My weight loss has slowed down considerably. I've only lost 1 lb since my last post, over a week ago. It's really frustrating. I have so much I want to do, but I can't even get started until I finish losing all of this weight. Urgh. I've gone down to one chicken tender a meal and some green beans with no salt added. It's actually tasty. I switch out the green beans for black beans once or twice a weeks. I figure next I'll cut out the shredded cheese I put on the chicken. It's reduced fat! My mother keeps pestering me to run. I know it will help; I just don't want to run at this point in the process. I need to gather some motivation to run. You'd think I'd have that in spades. Apparently not...

I bought the Bluejacket's Manual last week and it came in the mail yesterday. I was very surprised since the website said they mailed it media mail. I was expecting it sometime next week. Also in mail news, I have to go to the post office tomorrow and ship a pair of headphones I sold. YAY! I love getting money for stuff that's just taking up space. :)

I haven't mentioned this before, but I was on unemployment benefits after I lost my job, about the time I started writing this blog. I only mention it now because they took away my benefits and they are making me pay back the money they already gave me. I've spoken with some other people and they've never heard of anything like it. Oh well. Now I have to get a job to pay my bills until I go to basic training. But don't get excited. I don't plan on talking much about whatever crap job I get; I'll probably hate it enough without bitching about it in my blog every day. :) Anyway, this blog is about going forward, not backward!

38/59

Donuts

I've got donuts on the brain. Specifically Krispy Kreme donuts. I tried some at my last job and it was like biting into sweet, sugary air. Mmmm.....

This picture is really more for me than you.

37/59

Learning Things

I was bored and decided to learn the phonetic alphabet, since I'll need to know it in basic training anyway. So, here it is:

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Julliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

If I get the nuclear program, I'll be treading water in the DEP(Delayed Entry Program) for about 9 months. How lame. That Means I'll have to get a job so I can pay my bills.

I hit 179 today, so that means I only have 23 lbs left to lose! :) Then I'll spend a couple weeks studying for the ASVAB, then head to MEPS.

36/59

The Bigger the Hair...

Sometimes I really hate the internet. There is always conflicting information and it drives me crazy. Of course, I'm going to verify all of this stuff with my recruiter when I hit my goal weight, but I'd prefer not to be blindsided. That's why I keep doing this internet research.

So anyway, it turns out I have to cut my hair. That's ok for me. It's just that there are so many different styles to choose from.

I also read that there isn't a physical fitness requirement you have to complete until the 6th week of basic training.

Urgh...

33/59

FINALLY!!

I finally made it over the 30 pound hurdle. It took 5 days, but it's done. Whew. So now I've lost 32 lbs and I have 27 left. The loss has definately been slowing down since about 20, but it's still chugging along. I figure after I hit my goal of 156, I'll move on to phase 2 since I'll only need 5-10 more lbs. Then I'll feel comfortable going to MEPS.

I've been reading on the internets about what to do with my hair. I've been thinking up until now that I would just get it cut short so I wouldn't have to worry about it. Also, cutting my hair short isn't a huge issue for me. Then, while I was searching for medium length haircuts online, I found a couple of articles that were about how to keep your long hair and I was intrigued. They advise to put your hair in a bun, which is ok. I think, with some practice, I could swing that. But I don't know if I would worry too much about the bun falling down. Does our hair have to stay in regulation while we are doing PT? I'm still on the cutting the hair side of the fence, but now I have some doubts.

32/59

Nuclear or Accounting

I want to join the Nuclear program. If I don't qualify though, I think Accounting will be my backup, but I'm not sure about that. I think I'd prefer something a little more exciting.

29/59

29 Pounds

So far I've lost 29 lbs! That means I'm half way through! To celebrate, my mother and I went shopping. I bought some new, cute panties and some jewelry. Oh! And a really awesome scarf. It's orange and pink.

29/59

Picture. Yum.

I'm testing out the picture uploading. This is what's on my mind....

Cravings

This is ridiculous. All I can think about is bread and sweets. And I don't even usually like sweets that much. I've been thinking about going to phase 2, but it's really hard to justify it when I'm losing about a pound a day on phase 1. I don't know what I should do to stop the cravings, but I'm sure as hell not going to eat something I'm not supposed to. I've decided this time I'm going to concentrate ALL of my stubbornness to not cheating on this. And dammit, I'm going to do it right! GRRR!!!!

21/59

First Recruiter Visit

I went to see the recruiter. It was pretty good. I need a 35 on the ASVAB to enlist and I made an 80 on the practice test. heh

They also said they're looking for females for the nuclear field, but I think I should take that with a grain of salt. A good thing I learned is if I don't make the score I want, I can take the ASVAB again 30 days later. I thought it was 2 years.

The max weight limit is 156. I've got 42 left to go. The recruiter said I should be able to do it in a month, but I have serious doubts. I give me 2 months. ;)

I also got a list of documents I need, including but not limited to official transcripts from all the colleges I've ever attended. Grrr...

Surprisingly, I've got the other ones I need. :)

18/59

Meh

I started classes a couple of days ago and I've been doing pretty good. Actually, I'm not eating enough. But I don't want to eat! :P

I called the recruiter today and I have an appointment for tomorrow.

16/55

ASVAB

The ASVAB is total crap. Did yo know when you take one of those practice tests it's impossible to calculate your score? I wish I had known that before I bought the book. Oh well. By the number of questions I got right, it seems there's some studying that can be done. :)

I'll call the recruiter on Tuesday since there's a holiday on Monday. I figure I'll make an appointment for Friday.

Still chugging along on phase 1. I got really sick of black beans and it'll probably be another week before I can eat them without feeling nauseous.

13/55

10

I got a good deal on some used books for my classes. They're guaranteed to be here by 2 days after classes start. That's ok with me. :)

I've decided I'm going to stay on phase 1 for a while longer than 14 days. That way I'll lose weight faster than if I was on phase 2.

10/55

Update

I figure I have about 1 weeks left on phase 1 and I'll start on phase 2 on June 1st. That'll be the same time I'm starting classes at the local community college. I'm taking a couple of core classes that I failed the first time around so I can improve my GPA. Plus, I need something to do between eating and exercising.

8/55

Weight

I've moved back into my mother's house since I don't have a job and wasn't able to pay for the apartment my boyfriend and I had. It really sucked because I broke up with him at the same time. I won't really get into that here though.

I found out I need to lose at least 55 lbs. That sounds like a lot, but I think I can do it. My goal is to lose the weight by Oct. 1st. I'm doing the South Beach Diet and I've been on it about a week so far.

5/55

Getting Fit

I got a free stationary bicycle and I have started riding it 2-3 times a day for 15-30 minutes at a time. I have a long way to go to get fit, but I have every faith I can do it. :)

I also plan on running, but I don't really know where to go. I think I'll contact my uncle about that. He's a really fit person so he may know. I need to be able to run 2 miles in 13 minutes, among other things like memorizing stuff and doing sit-ups and push-ups.

US Military

I've been thinking about joining the military recently, but I was doing research online and it turns out I'm too fat. huh. Really? I didn't think I was that overweight. I really think the military would be good for me so the current plan is to get a job and get financially stable again, then try to lose the weight so I can get in. Then I'll look into the possibility some more before enlisting.

Unemployment

I applied for unemployment today. Even though it was online, it was still really embarrassing. I wouldn't even do it if I didn't need the money. Anyway, I hope to have another job within the next week or two. Then I'll have to concentrate on regaining financial stability.

Job Search

Sending more resumes today for crappy jobs. I really don't know what I want to do. Pretty much all of it sounds good and I don't know if I'll like it until I try t for a year or so. I guess that's why I'm having so much trouble choosing a career/major. I really want to go back to school, but I need direction first. That's why I took a break in the first place.

Just One Life

There's so much I want to do with my life. There are so many lives I want to live. How will I ever do it all or compromise my interests and goals? Psychology, law, writing, accounting, travel, teaching, cooking...

I need direction. I need goals.

First, I have to get a job. One that will help me achieve whatever it is I want to do with my life. I think the fastest way to do this is to start substitute teaching. Not only will this be a job I can start almost immediately, it's pretty much guaranteed; schools always need substitute teachers.