"Top 8 Excuses for Not Prepping"

Check this article out.  Really lays out some great defenses for prepping.

Top 8 Excuses for Not Prepping

Life is a tree

It's branches spread out before me

paths too numerous to count

each leading me to the same destination

but a different story along the way

which should I take?

which is the way to go?

I walk blindly

not with sight,

but with my heart

my heart in my God

who places footprints before me

and I but step into them

but I'm to a crossroads

Which way should I go?

Where will I be taken?

If I have 3 things with me

I believe I don't much care

If I'm at my God's side, 

shes at my right,

and my brethren to my left

Then I'll get through

No matter what happens

or where I go

I'll be happy.

Take the reigns,

show me the way

I give my way to you

at the end of the day.

It's official... I'm no longer a subservient to the Government.  The US Army or PA National Guard no longer have the chains on my life.  With whim or force I can effect change within my destiny, or allow God to do it for me.  If I want to move from the country, or travel the world, I have to but do it.

This is the last full semester of college for me.  A transition like none I've come across lies ahead.  It's intimidating, to be honest, but exciting at the same time.  I will miss many parts of it, and be glad its done as well.  There's 2 classes yet I'll finish in the summer semester, then I'll have my associates in General Studies.  I know, cop-out...  So be it.  It's time to get working full time; finally.  Lets move on towards the next chapter in my life.  

I aim to get working full time, and save up enough money to eventually get a loan and buy some property to either buy a house or build one.  My decisions in this area are not my own, but dependent on 2 others decision, so naturally it's challenging for me.  My roommate, Jeryl, is looking to buy a house and property within the month, and he's offering a room for me there if he gets it.  It'll be a change, but that's often what causes growth, so it should be a good thing.  He's offering me acreage there as well, which could be a great opportunity. 

I want to fast-forward at times, truthfully.  This is the hardest point in my life, by far.  This last year has been the most challenging yet rewarding time in my life.  Truthfully it's been harder than Iraq.  But I've grown so much, learned a ton, had incredible growth in areas I never thought I could, and have cultivated relationships too deeper levels than I've had.  I've met the woman I wish to be with for my life, and have to only be patient and focus on doing what's right, growing, and attaining stability.  But I suppose if I just jumped ahead I'd miss out on all the good things that are going on, and look back regrettably.  Instead I'll make the best of what I have, while staying focused ahead.
What does my future hold?  I hope the following are inclusive, Lord willing.

A wife.  :)

A stable, great full-time job.

Increased Spiritual growth.

A house.

10+ Acres.

A small farm.

Deeper friendships.

Hope.

Love.

Happiness.

Simplicity.

Family.

etc.

I understand that asking for such amazing things seems selfish, and rather unrealistic.  But If I don't aim high I'll never hit my mark.  I have a passion, zeal, and heart to get somewhere and do something to get these things, but I need more than that.

If your reading this, I humbly ask for prayers, support, and love.  What more can I ask for?  I know that my life and future is so interdependent on God's grace, and without him I have nothing.  I want to be able to give back to God for all that hes done for me, and all that he may do for me in the future.  I also want to give back to all those who have shown me so much love.  I'm aware the impact it has on them, and yearn to be able to ease suffering and repay in whatever way I can.  For those who have been supportive to me as of late, and have given me ear or shoulder, I am eternally grateful.  Without your help and support, I doubt I could have got to where I am now, or made it through various struggles and decisions.  Thanks so much for being there, listening, giving advice, caring, and showing me love.

For those who don't much care about my future or disagree with parts of it, please feel free to share your thoughts with me.  I'm open to suggestion and wisdom, so long as it's done out of love, not envy, strive, anger, and the like.  I feel at times those forces drive others against me, but know that it won't deter me.  I know some don't exactly agree with my choice for a woman, but my mind isn't going to change, so showing me conditional love sure won't do any good.  God will guide me and love will conquer all.  I only hope that we can all one day be together in heaven, and get past this stuff that slows us down from attaining that goal.

These things are what drives me each day...  Without them I'd be done, without her I'd be dead, and without him I'd be nothing.

Faith.  

Love.  

Patience.  

Passion.  

Hiking Pennsylvania's Best

Often times in life I find some of the best information from simple conversation.  Amidst a casual conversation between My 1SG & me, I came to find that he also truly enjoys Hiking, although specifically the outdoors.  He's a big hunter & Outdoors-man, so naturally we got to this subject rather quickly.  He told me of a great spot up from South Mountain, so I figured on going to check it out.  He's a local of the town, so all the local spots he knows like the back of his hand.

I figure we'll hike up the trail round 2:00pm this Saturday, the 23. Apparently this Shaffer Rock has a huge rock face, so I'm considering bringing my rappelling/climbing stuff. I figure we'll climb for a while, do chow up there, have a Devo, & some classes on survival, camping, nature, edible wild food, etc. Hike back down & be out by Dusk or whenever we feel like it.

Sunset is 7:55pm, so we have 4-5 hours to play with. It'll be 70 F.  There may be a thunderstorm in the afternoon, so you can optionally bring a poncho or something.

"Shaffer Rock", aka "The Hermitage"

(Click above link for more info, if needed)

Coming from the east or west on 30, one will want to find 233 running through Caledonia State Park and intersecting 30 there. Take 233 south to South Mountain Restoration Center. Go through SMRC until Old Forge Road is on your right. Take this several miles to after the AT crossses the road you will see Swift Run Road on your right (dirt). Take this up hill for a short period till there is a large pull off on a sharp left turn. Follow the blue blazes for 20 to 30 yards and break left to the ledge of the main face. 

New Boots

I'm considering getting some new boots for the winter.  The ones I have now are by far unsatisfactory.  I decided I wanted a 6" height, waterproof, either dark brown or black, & 11.5"  I have to decide between 1 of these boots, but I can't.  :(
That's where you come in.  Help me out, & give me some other perspectives.

Helly-Hansen-Norse-Winter-Black

Smith & Wesson Men's Defender 6" Side Zip Duty Boot

Rocky Duty Men's Alpha Force 6" Swat Boot

Oakley Men's Tactical Six Hiking Boot

Magnum Men's Stealth Force 6.0 Wp Boot

Parade - CHABA

This is a song that I heard about a year ago while in Iraq.  It was used as an ending for the Anime, Naruto.  It's actually an incredibly awesome anime that is paired with an equally incredible song.  I really like the old school sound to it.  I listen to almost all kinds of music from many places, and Japanese music really has a special place in my heart.  (Especially since I can speak a decent amount)

It's called  "Parade"  by  "Chaba"
Here is the Youtube vid:



Here are the Lyrics:  (Full URL here: http://www.kiwi-musume.com/lyrics/chaba/parade.html )
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The wind blows and it hurts, my love won’t go away
What should I take with me? There’s only one
It’ll never come again, never come again, it’d be stupid to throw it away
That innocent image
Surely won’t end…

Set your heart in love on fire, cross through a thousand dreams
Run right and left, through the world you hold in your hand
The clouds scatter and the sun goes down again
And the one-person parade begins to move
An adventure, a lucky day, heartbeat rising, light and darkness, an encounter, life, mutual love

If you say something, the words make me
Smell your hair, inhale it, and cuddle up closer
I don’t know, I don’t know, I won’t know just from appearance
So I want, I want to get deeper
It’s like a dream…

Set your heart in love on fire, cross through a thousand dreams
Run right and left, through the miracle of meeting
The clouds scatter and the sun goes down again
And two parades melt into the night sky

There’s a night everyone’s waiting for, deep in their pockets
I hope you’ve found someone who lights you up, swims to you when you hold out your arms
With the same scenery as you

Set your heart in love on fire, cross through a thousand dreams
Run right and left, through the world you hold in your hand
The clouds scatter and the sun goes down again
This incomplete parade moves everywhere
Mikansei no pareedo de doko made mo
An adventure, a lucky day, heartbeat rising, light and darkness, an encounter, life, mutual love...

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