Korean Air

I’m writing this blog from the plane, and the plan is to post it as soon as I get some Internet connection in the hotel…

Whew! Talk about a crazy day! Kissing my son goodbye for an entire year has got to be one for THE hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. Of course, with him only being 13months, he doesn’t understand the situation. He was so happy and carefree this morning. I turned his car seat from rear-facing to front-facing this morning so I could see my baby looking like a big boy before I left. He looked so excited. I didn’t cry as hard as I thought I would (moreso for fear of embarrassment…you know, the ugly cry face) but my heart still hurts. I’m sure the intermittent crying spells will continue for a while. But thank God for Skype! I called my mom as soon as I got to Atlanta for my connecting flight. She told me that when she dropped him off at daycare, he just started walking around saying “Mama, mama, mama, mama.” That truly made me smile.

Since I was rushing so much this morning to take care of more last minute things, I forgot my coat and some other essential items. Mind you, it’s just a measly 33 degrees in Korea! Thank God I had money to buy $36 Puma sweatshirt in the airport. Total robbery, but I’ll be warm until I can find something better. I’ve got 6hrs left on this 16hr flight and I’ve probably slept a total of 3-4hrs. I’m trying to beat jetlag. Lol. I’ve got a lot on my mind, but I’m not sure if this is the platform to reflect. You know, you can’t tell ALL your business!!

But I WILL say this. I’m looking forward to a change. Korea is going to be a new experience but this is going to be my first time as a single adult with no responsibility. I don’t plan on getting loose and forgetting my morals and values. I plan to do more growing and maturing. You have to find the positive in all situations.

I planned to use this time on the plane to write more poetry, but I’ve got so much on my mind that I can’t get a clear thought out. I don’t know how many poets read my blog, but have you ever had so many situations that are sooo good to write about that you can’t pick just one? That’s me right now. I could write for days on each subject and it would give me such release, but I just can’t seem to pick one.

*********RANDOM MOMENT*********

The lady at the checkout desk was nice enough to switch my seat from a middle seat, to a window seat J. Luckily for me (due to my extreme need for personal space), there’s nobody in the seat next to me. However, the older man that’s sitting on the outside creeps me out a little…he keeps looking over here at my computer. Sir…could you please pay attention to the movie that you have playing and stop trying to see what I’m doing? It’s making me totally uncomfortable. Smiles like it’s time for food. Since I packed my laptop charger in my suitcase, I have to conserve the full battery that I have. Tata for now!

I sure do wish I could tweet! KoreanAir, PLEASE get inflight Wi-Fi!

Promised Promotion

 

I know that I said I'd have this posted yesterday, but I got home late from my celebratory dinner.

Yesterday, I went to the promotion board. Now, I could take the time out and try to explain how the Army works, in terms of promotion, but that would make this post entirely too long. So if you have questions, then leave a comment. I'll try my best to break this down as simple as possible.

The promotion board generally consists of approximately 4 higher ranking personnel that sit on a board/panel and ask you tons of questions to test your knowledge in different areas (i.e. Army History, Army Regulations, First Aid...etc..). There is always one President of the board and that is person that you report to when you first enter the room. After you report, then you have to go through a series of facing movements (left face, right face, about face...) so that the board members can inspect your uniform. They may also tell you to recite one of the many Creeds before telling you to take a seat. Once you sit, you will sit at the position of attention and proceed to answer the questions that you are asked. There is a 321 page Study Guide that I had to study because they could have asked anything from that entire book. Here is a short little video on what a board is like. It may give you a better idea. It's only 3mins and then I'll tell you my story...

 

So, the President of my board was the CSM (Command Sergeant Major). Everyone's board experience is different, so I'll skip on the details. However, I will say that everything went well on the board! My hard work, dedication, and studying really paid off. I knew that it had to have been nobody but GOD!

So now, I am promotable. I am hoping to get promoted by the beginning of March. We shall see! In the mean time, I am packing my bags and getting ready to head to Korea in less than a week. :-(. My promotion was promised!