Well, if you haven't heard...Sean had to go to the emergency room on Tuesday. It wasn't something life threatening and he is ok. He just had a doctors appointment that day to discuss some symptoms he's been having. Throwing up for no apparent reason, feeling cold, teeth hurting. At first we attributed it to not eating enough at dinner, going to sleep on an empty stomach and it upsetting his stomach. Then, it seemed to happen quite a bit from sweet foods...so we thought that might have something to do with it. And finally, thought stress might be the culprit (he's always been easily stressed out).
Well, turns out these symptoms are a possible (but unlikely) link to a brain tumor. Yeah, that's pretty nuts. He has some appointments coming up to test his stomach first (seems they are looking for possible acid reflux disease or whatever). Then, he will be scheduled for a MRI. Due to his age, he'll be sedated and will have to spend the night (German hospitals require parents to stay in the same room as their child so I'll be there with him).
I'm not letting it bother me, maybe I'm just blocking my emotions. I won't let this get to me until I know for sure. Because honestly...when you say brain tumor you think death and I'm not prepared for that.
Prayer is always helpful, keep you posted.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Extra Duties
You know, in the military when you sign up for extra duties you usually have 1 of 2 things in mind. 1) This will look awesome on my fitness report (evaluation) or 2) I really enjoy this and am having fun. Well, I guess you could think both really.
Since I have arrived at AFRICOM I have volunteered for everything under the sun. Whether it be lifting tables and chairs to cooking burgers and dogs. Wanna know why? Because I hate my job. I really do. It's at a place where I can affect national policy....but, I don't care. You know what I like doing? I like lifting tables and chairs and getting dirty. I like cooking burgers and dogs. I like doing things where I don't have to use my brain. Do I occassionally get a kick out of something at work? Sure, but it's extremely rare. I love being in Germany but hate what I'm doing here. Don't get me wrong, I think AFRICOM is a great unit and it's missions on the continent are something I hope are achieved and help the people of Africa. I....just....don't....like....my.....job. It's a day filled with super excitement like the following: Decide what I want for lunch, check my email, drink some water, look at watch and hope lunch is soon, upload some files (actual work), look at FFB sites, check email, go to lunch and then repeat all that other bullcrap. Of course, there are some meetings in there somewhere but I'd rather not dwell on those....I want to stab my eyes out during every meeting.
Meetings at AFRICOM consist of a bunch of officers and/or civilians talking about something like they are actually interested in it. I can't stand the PC bullcrap and the absolute kiss ass attitude in a joint command like this. It eats away at me every day, thankfully I have Jesus Christ to fill my soul when it's emptied by utter nonsense.
Which brings me back to my original point (you forgot it, didn't you?). Extra duties. One of the many things I've volunteered for is Sports Council Representative. Basically, I manage all the sports for my unit. It's not a hard job, but it's not always a walk in the park either. Due to my passion and being outspoken...I've earned sort of a rep in this world. Because I ask people to do their damn job, they dislike me. Because I ask people for information on sports, they dislike me. Because I ask people to respond to my questions in a timely manner, they dislike me. Guess what, the Sergeant Major told me to keep trucking along. So, I must be doing something right. That something right is acting like a Marine. Anyone else would just roll over and die. Anyone else would just say it doesn't matter. Anyone else would say, "I'm not getting paid for this crap". Sorry, that's not me. I will fight, for the right....to party! Ok, sorry off subject. I will fight when I believe I've been wronged. These people (people that work for Morale, Welfare and Recreation) don't give a crap about anything other than themselves. They want to make a name for themselves, they want to earn bonuses, they want to be popular. I just ask for people to be fair. If you are going to answer one persons emails, answer mine. If you are going to allow a rule for one team, allow it for all teams.
I know a lot of this doesn't make sense to someone just reading it without knowing the background but I think you can get something out of it. I just needed to get it off my chest. Although, my whole command pretty much knows where I stand on things and it's not much of a secret....so, I guess I've gotten off my chest already.
Since I have arrived at AFRICOM I have volunteered for everything under the sun. Whether it be lifting tables and chairs to cooking burgers and dogs. Wanna know why? Because I hate my job. I really do. It's at a place where I can affect national policy....but, I don't care. You know what I like doing? I like lifting tables and chairs and getting dirty. I like cooking burgers and dogs. I like doing things where I don't have to use my brain. Do I occassionally get a kick out of something at work? Sure, but it's extremely rare. I love being in Germany but hate what I'm doing here. Don't get me wrong, I think AFRICOM is a great unit and it's missions on the continent are something I hope are achieved and help the people of Africa. I....just....don't....like....my.....job. It's a day filled with super excitement like the following: Decide what I want for lunch, check my email, drink some water, look at watch and hope lunch is soon, upload some files (actual work), look at FFB sites, check email, go to lunch and then repeat all that other bullcrap. Of course, there are some meetings in there somewhere but I'd rather not dwell on those....I want to stab my eyes out during every meeting.
Meetings at AFRICOM consist of a bunch of officers and/or civilians talking about something like they are actually interested in it. I can't stand the PC bullcrap and the absolute kiss ass attitude in a joint command like this. It eats away at me every day, thankfully I have Jesus Christ to fill my soul when it's emptied by utter nonsense.
Which brings me back to my original point (you forgot it, didn't you?). Extra duties. One of the many things I've volunteered for is Sports Council Representative. Basically, I manage all the sports for my unit. It's not a hard job, but it's not always a walk in the park either. Due to my passion and being outspoken...I've earned sort of a rep in this world. Because I ask people to do their damn job, they dislike me. Because I ask people for information on sports, they dislike me. Because I ask people to respond to my questions in a timely manner, they dislike me. Guess what, the Sergeant Major told me to keep trucking along. So, I must be doing something right. That something right is acting like a Marine. Anyone else would just roll over and die. Anyone else would just say it doesn't matter. Anyone else would say, "I'm not getting paid for this crap". Sorry, that's not me. I will fight, for the right....to party! Ok, sorry off subject. I will fight when I believe I've been wronged. These people (people that work for Morale, Welfare and Recreation) don't give a crap about anything other than themselves. They want to make a name for themselves, they want to earn bonuses, they want to be popular. I just ask for people to be fair. If you are going to answer one persons emails, answer mine. If you are going to allow a rule for one team, allow it for all teams.
I know a lot of this doesn't make sense to someone just reading it without knowing the background but I think you can get something out of it. I just needed to get it off my chest. Although, my whole command pretty much knows where I stand on things and it's not much of a secret....so, I guess I've gotten off my chest already.
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