#last90days Update

Alright, so I blew it in terms of throwing updates here and there on my progress. Actually, after running a PFT back in late April and pretty much already being at my goals I lost all motivation to continue with the goal. I hit 87 crunches in 2:00 min (horrible, 13 under my goal... tip: pace yourself and you will succeed), 24 pull-ups, and an 18:37 three mile run time. I'm not up in arms about not hitting my goal for the crunches or the three mile time: first, last week there was a partial IST held at the recruiting station in which I cranked out 137 crunches in 2:00 min (told you, it's about how you pace yourself); second, that three mile time is coming off of very little base (endurance) so with several months of 20-30 mi/week of running I should see that time drop significantly.

Here are my goals before shipping to boot camp:
150+ crunches in 2:00 min
30+ pull-ups
17:00 min three mile time (I'm at 4600ft elevation for any runners who may be reading this)

The plan:
Finish out last year of college. Graduate. Enlist with the Marine Corps. Ship to boot camp (hopefully May 2016). Be badass enough to be considered for Recon. Attend BRC, become 0321, then go for Raiders (MARSOC). If not Recon then I'll serve in the Infantry for a little bit before looking into a lateral move to Human Counter-Intelligence, but Raiders is still the ultimate end goal in the military for me.

Why military? Why Marines? Well, I've always been drawn to the military; either for biological or evolutionary reasons. I couldn't give a straight answer if I wanted to. I just feel a pull... a calling. Marines because their Principles and Values resemble that of the Samurai and Spartans the most; those two cultures have been major influences on the development of my person. Warrior cultures. Serving others. Live and die by the sword. Come back with your shield or on it. Loyalty. Honor. Courage. Commitment... Physically, I'll be ready. Mentally, I honestly can't say I'll be ready or not. All I can say is that waiting nearly a year for all this to happen will be torture for several reasons. But I'm incredibly motivated right now. Every day I'm investing in myself in the hopes of becoming a better person. We shall see if it pays off.

For anyone who may be reading this...
If I am ever some sort of influence let it be this: never give up. In life we all get knocked down, we all make mistakes, we all have those moments in which we feel like complete failures; that maybe we should just throw our hands up and quit. Don't. Don't ever give up! It's all about your mentality; the perspective you use to look at life. Continue striving. Continue to better yourself. Help others so that they may be inspired in the same way and then return the favor to yet more people. Live with purpose. Make your dreams a reality.

#last90days Goals Defined

Today is just a defining of my goals for the next ninety days (now 89 I guess). Posting is merely a means of attributing a greater responsibility towards these goals in the hopes of increasing the drive towards actual completion.

For the fitness goals, I figured since I'll be enlisting with the Marines I should make a perfect PFT (Physical Fitness Test) score a priority right off the bat. I've included another goal just for kicks. These goals are:

• 20+ pull-ups
• at least an 18 min 3mi run
• 100 sit-ups in 2 min. 
• 100 yd walking handstand without stopping (just for kicks)

In regards to my reading goal, I'm looking to read 100 pages a day; this can be fulfilled by books I check out, textbooks for class, scholarly articles, informative PDF's (i.e. if I'm reading to increase my knowledge in some area such as Track and Field, Strength Conditioning, Endurance Training, etc.), etc.

For updates, I'm not exactly sure what to post or how often I will post, yet. But time will tell.

#last90days

Scholarship Writing

Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it influenced your development.

           

            I had an orientation leader at Butte College who was one of those eccentric folk you couldn’t possibly forget. Most would characterize his appearance as “hippie” – long beard, old loose fitting clothes, and he was all about peace and love. Even if it was just orientation I wouldn’t have forgotten him, but it just so happened that he was in my first college class too. We spoke often and even had study groups with up to four other classmates. The inspiring part was how he talked to people and how he attacked a subject.

            This guy would not give up on something if he couldn’t understand it. In dialogues, he’s like Socrates but less antagonistic. With subjects/books, he was relentless; sparking dialogues with others who have dealt with the subject and methodically reading every word of every page in a book. My favorite part, though, was our discussions. It was never a mere “what do you believe” and just agreeing or nodding his head to confirm he heard me; rather, he asked questions and drew comparisons. “Why do you believe that?” “Your belief is similar to this.” And it was incredible.

            He was and is my mentor. It was because of him that my interest in education (obtaining knowledge) has skyrocketed, that I don’t just acknowledge I hear people but that I care about what they have to say and wish to fully understand them. He influenced me to love more than I ever had and to share it with everyone. It isn’t any particular experience but the experience of being around him that influenced me.

Describe your most meaningful achievements (drawing from recent work, leadership and volunteer experiences) and how they relate to your field of study and future goals.

            I’ve always wanted to build things with my hands; from scratch with no instructions or pre-made materials. My dad, who was in construction for twentyseven years, had this influence on me. He often took me to the work sight and I loved watching how a lot of land went from dirt to a completed building – the flattening of the ground, the laying of the foundation, the putting up of the outline, then the walls and the roof, and finally finishing touches.

            This last summer, for the first time I was able to really build something of my own; a cabinet. It has four drawers on the lower half, and three shelves for books on the upper half. I used the wood from another over-sized cabinet we had, and cut it to the size I wanted. Most of what I did to build it were things I have never done before, and so it was a completely new experience for me. I learned how important exact measurements are, knowing how much material you have, and the time, focus, and dedication it takes to finish it nicely.

            I am also a track and field coach for a high school. It’s one of the most meaningful if not the most meaningful things I have done in my life thus far. I come out every day trying to influence the student-athletes to better themselves. For the most part, they think we, the coaches, are only concerned with their times or marks or winning meets and championships. Personally, I’m there for them and them only – to see them grow, to achieve, to be the best that they can be, and to transfer the right mentality over into the “real” life as well. Ultimately, it’s about their happiness and making their dreams become reality.

A Worthy Investment

There is one person in this world who has been with you through all things: seen your downfalls, your achievements, gave you the courage to ask that guy/girl out, struck fear in your heart when you knew you shouldn't have been doing something, motivated you, stopped you in your tracks, loved you, hated you (more like frustrated though), but ultimately wished the best for you in all conditions and circumstances. That person is you.

While it may seem selfish it's quite wise to invest your time and money in that person; it's tough living with them at times but you can never leave yourself; don't even try to escape - it's cowardly and impossible. Make that person happy and do your best with what comes your way - always with a smile on your face and determination in your heart.

Here's how you invest: if you want to learn another language then take classes, read books, travel to the native country, actually use what you learn; if you wish to be more social then go to a club or coffeehouse or library, join a group, create a group, spark conversations with strangers; if you want to design and build something then draw it, research similar projects, get the materials, play with trial and error, build it and learn from it then tweak it. There is a difference, though, between being picky and doing your research - pickiness stalls progress in vain while research shows caution in the midst of a storm (life isn't a peach).

Now there are good and bad investments, but I cannot possibly say what they may be; vague and biased opinions are the best I can give. The difference between the two, however, are nothing like blurred lines; you'll know.

In the end, however, share this person with the rest of the world. Neither hold this person exclusively to yourself nor purely give them to others; the former allows for no growth while the latter gives no time for one to find themselves. I guarantee that if you make good investments, this person needs to be shared with the world. Not only do they thrive in the world but so do they inspire others to make the same investments.

Spark change. Fuel drives. Live to love. And love to live.

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs