Something of my time left

As I write this post, I have about 3 months left before I leave for BMT.  (81 Days!!!!) 

Some thoughts running through my head:

Gosh people must be sick of me talking about the Air Force.

Too bad.  All I want to do is talk about the Air Force.

Oh look- groups of people going into the Air Force who want to talk about the Air Force!

** serious note time**

It struck me that I have an "expiration date" on my current life.  How scary/exciting to think about- I'm literally closing one chapter and beginning an entirely new one, maybe even a new book.  I'm moving out of an apartment, without having a forwarding address (well, ok, my parents'), keeping only what I absolutely want to keep, saying good bye to dear friends and loved ones, and everyone elses' life will go on as normal and I won't be as much a part of their lives any more.

I'm not disappearing from the face of the planet, I know that, but even in college I experienced the sensation of not really being involved.  During that time I had breaks and holidays to come home and visit with friends.  In the Air Force, I shall be (hopefully- knock on wood) in tech school for over a year without the opportunity to come home as often.  Any relationship I currently have shall be reduced to letters, texting, phone calls, and Facebook.  I'm left wondering who will go that extra mile and stay connected with me... and vice versa. 

I went shopping yesterday- I texted a photo of what I was trying on to my sister (as I usually do- she's brilliant with opinions).  The reply: "Cute!  but why are you buying stuff now?" 

Kind of a smack in the face.  My life isn't ending, people.  It's adapting.  It's changing.  Not ending.  Yes, I'll be getting rid of many many items that I will no longer need or want,; but there are certain things I'll still need or want and those I will keep, some I'll have shipped to me.  To another end, buying things/shopping/doing adds a normalcy to my life that is harder to grasp since being in DEP.  I'm not going to be stuck wearing my uniform forever!  In Tech school I'll be able to wear civvies :)  After Tech school, I'll have a life again, albeit a military one, during which I can wear civvies as well.  I'll still be the same cute Kristi (oh so humble) with the same fashion sense.  My life isn't being put on hold; there will be no pause button; and while somethings are changing now (like working out more often), I'm still me. 

    

Stop Saying "Sorry!"

There are a few things that I need to change in my vocabulary to adapt to the military way of speaking- or so I hear (and take advice from) my former-military friends and websites I view (Kyle Gott's awesome videos and AimHighErin to name a couple).  Without further ado, my list of necessary changes:

1) Sorry doesn't exist in the service.  Instead, say, "I apologize."  My Navy friend likes to poke fun at me/give me a hard time about this one.  Just trying to help me out!  (I say sorry a lot... especially in the place of excuse me.) 

2) Bathroom. Ladies/Gents. Restroom.  Any form thereof- it's a LATRINE now!  I hope I won't be Latrine Queen...

3) Sir sandwiches- Sir, yes Sir!- big no no!  Reporting statements and Yes/No Sir/Ma'am only.  Prepare for the wrath if you call someone the incorrect gender...

4) Yep. Ok. Yeah. I already have issues with this when I'm on the phone and have been trying to correct myself for 2-3 years...  I'm sure the MTI's won't have such a problem. 

5) Hats shall be called "covers."

6) Smiling/laughing shall be no more!  Military bearing will be instilled in me from Day 1- This, I think, will be tough, as I like to encourage those around me with smiles.  I'm sure we will come up with other signals and such.

7) I'll learn a whole new language of acronyms and military phrases as noted in this article about someone's twin daughters graduating from BMT. 

This all starts the day/night I arrive:

The music is so calming in the beginning... :)

 

What else?  Am I missing anything so far? (Let's be honest, the list is pretty small so far!)  Please comment below and share the wealth!  

Cup of Joe

Send a cup of coffee to the troops!  As a coffee lover, I think this is phenomenal.  Check it out!  Green Beans Coffee lets you buy a cup of joe for random military members overseas (there's advanced logarithms involved- yay math!), or you can send a Green Beans Coffee Card (gift card) to a dear friend or loved one you know is serving.  :)  You can visit the website to see where they are located. 

Send a Cup of Joe and then read the stories :)

(enjoy the random pictures of coffee now :)