The One About Trying to Join the Navy Reserve

A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved.  He inspires the power and energy to get it done.
~Ralph Nader

I guess in my last post I mentioned something about Navy standards for the 1.5 mile run, sit-ups and push-ups.  You were probably wondering what I was talking about.

I have decided to pursue a Navy Reserve Officer commission.  I’m trying to get a Public Affairs Officer position, but my second choice is Intelligence.  It’s not going to be easy.  I was told they normally take one or two people out of about 2,400 applicants each year.  This year (FY 2009, which starts Oct 1), they are taking 20-24.  So my chances go from one in 2,400 to one in 100… pretty good odds.  Still hard, but I look at it as though I have 20 times more of a chance this year.

If I was granted this commission, I’d go for two weeks of training to learn military protocol (including how to put on military uniforms and press them).  Of course, there would be PT (physical training) during that time as well.  Afterward, I’d do the one weekend a month and two weeks a year thing.

I have a lot of things to do to get ready for trying to get the commission. I have to find people to give me excellent letters of recommendation and there are tons of forms and papers to fill out.  Then I have to be interviewed by two Navy Officers where they will ask me hard questions, off-the-wall questions, questions about the Navy and definitely questions about current events.

I have to show that I’m a leader, that I can inspire people and guide them to do great things.  I know I am a leader… I just have to prove it.  Wish me luck!

The One About the Baseline Start

Runners just do it–they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first.
~Author Unknown

Well, I just did a baseline test for my sit-ups, push-ups and 1 mile run.  I’m soo out of shape.  The Navy standards go from probationary to satisfactory to good to excellent to outstanding with low, medium and high within each category (ie good low, good medium, good high).  You HAVE to have satisfactory low to even pass, but I’m shooting for good low to good high for each of mine.

I can’t do a proper push-up.  Not at all.  I need to do 19-30 sit-ups to be in the good range for a female my age.

I didn’t get a good baseline for my sit-ups because B pissed me off by making comments about my red face so that I stopped and didn’t feel like doing them in front of him anymore.  I need 54-75 sit-ups for the good range.

I did a one mile in 13 minutes, 45 seconds (I haven’t done a mile run for 12 years).  On that pace, I’m set to do a 17 minute, 15 second 1.5 mile run.  I need a 14 minute, 53 second to a 14 minute flat 1.5 mile run to be in the good range.

I have a loooooooooooot of work to do.

The One About Getting Ready to Start

If it weren’t for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn’t get any exercise at all.
~Joey Adams

Well,  B and I are getting ready to start our exercising. I just might start on Sunday because I’m that eager.

Last night, I went to Target and bought a cardio watch that will allow me to count down the times that I need for the exercise program and will also tell me what my heart rate is.  This will help me keep it within the target zones.

I’m really excited to start!

Friday Fill-ins: 2nd Edition

Never do anything that you wouldn’t want to explain to the paramedics.
~Author Unknown

It’s time for…  Friday Fill-ins!

1. Changing leaves and starting to get in shape are some of the things I’m most looking forward to in October.
2. Sometimes I drink soda or lemonade straight from the container and put it back.
3. I never thought the military would be for me but now I’m considering joining the Air Force Reserves or Navy Reserves and that’s why there’s the saying, “Never say never.”
4. When I’m down I like to lay in bed and read a book with one, two or all three of my dogs cuddling with me… and sometimes one or two cats!
5. At work or doing things around my house is where you’ll find me most often.
6. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going to bed early, tomorrow my plans include having to work for a few hours to do a newspaper interview and Sunday, I want to start my exercise routine.

The One About Thursday Thirteens- 28th Edition

Find a job you like and you add five days to every week.
~H. Jackson Browne

It’s time for the Thursday Thirteen again. If you have a Thursday Thirteen of your own, leave your website in the comments section and I’ll try my darndest to visit it

Because I’m looking for a second job, I thought this would be an appropriate topic.

Thirteen Jobs I’ve Considered In My Lifetime (and haven’t done, or haven’t yet done):

1. Pediatrician.  I think this was my first dream in life when I was really little.
2. Teacher.  I love teaching… but I’m not sure I could put up with kids today and their lack of discipline in general.
3. Nurse.  I love taking care of people.  I don’t love science.  But I’d be way better off if I did!
4. Journalist/reporter. I actually went to college thinking this is what I was going to do.  I switched majors late in my freshman year, but still am only 3 credits away from a major in journalism.
5. Ranch hand.  Seriously, I’d love this.  I also dreamed of marrying a cowboy so I could live in the country the rest of my life.
6. Photographer. I’ve never had formal training, but I think I could be good at it if I did.
7. Race horse masseuse.  I thought I had made this up when I was younger (thinking the rich people who race horses would pay big money for a horse masseuse to work on their prized animals)… but I recently found out it really is a job.
8. Veterinarian.  I would 100% love this job.  But again, I 100% hate science classes.
9. Vet tech.  I think it would be a fun job.  But it doesn’t pay anymore than what I do now, so there’s no reason to go back to school for it.
10. Manager/owner of a camp for children with life-threatening diseases.  Yup, still want to do this and the plan is in my head… I just don’t think it’ll ever come to fruition.
11. Dog/cat “bed and biscuit” business owner.  I’d love to take care of animals for a living and get paid.  People would come back time and time again to board their beloved pets with me because they’d receive such good care.  Alas, I don’t have the capital for that.
12. Jockey/horse exerciser.  You can see where my passion is, right?  Animals!  At least I get to exercise horses now, though I’m not paid (ooops… did I let the cat out of the bag?).
13. Navy Reserve Officer.  This may or may not be something I’m thinking of pursuing right now.

So what jobs have you thought about in your lifetime but never done?

The One About Being Fit in 14 Weeks

Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.
~Edward Stanley

I admit it… I’m not the best at exercising.  Mostly because until I was 22 or so, I didn’t need to.  I was one of those girls in high school who could eat anything she wanted and still barely fill out a size 2.

At the end of college, I was a size 10.  I lost weight a few years ago and returned to a healthy 4/6.  Then last year, I fell ill and had to take steroids and other nasty stuff and now I’m back up to a 10.  I want to get back down to a healthier weight for me.

But now I’m finding that it is necessary and I can always find ways to avoid it: gym memberships are too expensive, working out for an hour plus the commute to the gym takes too much time, I feel like I have no one to push me on, etc.

This time, though, I think I have devised a way to fix that.  But I want to create an online group of people who are struggling to do the same thing.  I think it would help everyone out and we could all do our healthy thing together.

The exercise plan is just that… a plan. I have to admit that I didn’t make it up–it’s a 14-week plan put together by the military for people who are getting themselves ready to go to boot camp.  But don’t worry, it’s all self-discipline, just like any other exercise program.  And I took a look at it and thought… hey, I can do that.  It’s a great gradual increase and I think that we could all do it if we wanted to.  I hate running.  I can’t run 1/4 mile without getting winded… but I think I can do this.

Now, there is nothing saying that you can’t repeat a week if you aren’t ready for the next week.  And of course you can add in exercises if you want to.

Here’s the plan (each one completed in one session 3-5 times a week):

The One About Wordless Wednesdays- 28th Edition

If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them.
~Phil Pastoret

It’s Wordless Wednesday again!

My favorite photo of Lulu

Click below to get linked!

Friday Fill-ins: 1st Edition

It’s frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
~Author Unknown

Well, I’m going to try a new thing… Friday Fill-ins.  I read it on Just a Blog and thought it might be fun.  So here we go!
1. There is no need for elections to go on this long.  I believe Europeans have 30 days for election hype and it works just fine.

2. Where in the heck did the last five years go?  How am I 26?  How did my little brother turn 23 yesterday?

3. Some days, just hanging on and trying to stay on the ride is all I managed to do.

4. Prospects for job opportunities are slim to none right now.

5. Love is the message.

6. Simplicity and tranquility are things we should all strive for.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to spending some time with B and baking a cake, tomorrow my plans include horse back riding for hours on end and Sunday, I want to get some winterizing stuff done around the house like caulking!

The One About Personalities

I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart.  I am.  I am.  I am.
~Sylvia Plath

I found this personality test and thought it was interesting.  Try your own… what does it say about you?

Results

Your answers suggest you are a Provider

The four aspects that make up this personality type are:

Summary of Providers

• Warm, caring people who value order and tradition
• Loyal workers who follow through on commitments
• Think of themselves as sympathetic, easy-going and steady
• They don’t feel comfortable with radical change

More about Providers

Providers like to make plans with other people and then to work with them towards achievable goals in a fun, harmonious environment. They support people that are important to them and respect their individuality.

Providers have traditional values and support order and responsible behaviour. They enjoy social events, particularly family celebrations, and often help plan them. Providers work hard to avoid conflict, but they will state their beliefs when they think it is suitable.

In situations where they can’t use their talents or are unappreciated, Providers may doubt their abilities and focus solely on the needs of other people. Under extreme stress, Providers may withdraw completely and become excessively critical of themselves and others.

Providers prefer warm, face-to-face communication and often express their ideas by telling stories from their own lives.

Provider Careers

Providers are often drawn to jobs in education, health care or religion.

It’s important to remember that no survey can predict personality type with 100 percent accuracy. Experts say that we should use personality type to better understand ourselves and others, but shouldn’t feel restricted by our results.

The One About Thursday Thirteens- 27th Edition

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~Albert Camus

It’s time for the Thursday Thirteen again. If you have a Thursday Thirteen of your own, leave your website in the comments section and I’ll try my darndest to visit it

Thirteen Things Reasons I’m Looking Forward to Autumn

1. The leaves changing.  Leaves in Michigan are 1.000 different variations of 1,000 different colors.  Absolutely. Gorgeous.
2. Being able to wear sweaters again.  I love sweaters.
3. Warm days and cool nights.
4. Sleeping in during those cool nights.
5. Crisp fall air.
6. No mosquitoes!
7. No horseflys to annoy… horses (again, story coming soon… keep checking!)
8. Dogs being able to go outside for extended periods of time.
9. Dogs being able to run to their hearts content without me flipping out about heatstroke possibilities.
10. Not having to brave the sauna called my car after work.
11. The sun not waking me up on weekends at 5 a.m.
12. Freshly harvested apples and other goodies.
13. A mug of hot cocoa (with marshmallows!) while I curl up in front of the fire.