ROK update - Feb

Hey everyone, I am checking in to let you know that every thing here is fine. I just got back from Physical Training (PT). We have PT 3 times a week for about an hour a day. I am lifting weights so I can gain some weight. Jess and I are in competition for gaining/losing weight. For everyone pound she loses, I have to gain a pound. So, I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 175.2 pounds. Jess is going to kick my butt because there is no way that I can gain weight at the rate she is losing it. However, I am glad we started this competition after she lost 30 pounds. Can you imagine me at 205? I am sure Jess would love me at 205. Anyway, we are making this public so we are both held accountable and this will help us to stay motivated. I think she will post her lost weight in here soon so that we can keep track.

I tested for Technical Sergeant this past week, but there is no way that I made it. I knew more than I thought, but going to school has been my priority. I will be finished with 2 more classes in a couple of weeks and I get to celebrate it with Jessica in Hawaii. I am looking forward to the warm weather and sandy beaches. It will be a nice break from 20 degree weather.

Well, I hope everyone is doing well. I have exactly 130 days left in Korea and I can't wait to finally go home. Talk to you soon.

Love, Brent

At least I can make fun of myself...

Taken from Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by A.K. Rosenthal

"Busy"

How have you been?
Busy.

How's work?
Busy.

How was your week?
Good. Busy.

You name the question, "Busy" is the answer. Yes, yes, I know we are all terribly busy doing terribly important things. But I think more often than not, "Busy" is simply the most acceptable knee-jerk response.

Certainly there are more interesting, more original, and more accurate ways to answer the question how are you? How about: I'm hungry for a waffle; I'm envious of my best friend;...I'm itchy.

Yet, busy stands as the easiest way of summarizing all that you do and all that you are. I am busy is the short way of saying - suggesting - my time is filled, my phone does not stop ringing, and you (therefore) should think well of me.

Have people always been this busy? Did cavemen think they were busy, too? This week is crazy - I've got about ten caves to draw on. Can I meet you by the fire next week?...

As kids, our stock answer to most every question was nothing. What did you do at school today? Nothing. What's new? Nothing. Then, somewhere on the way to adulthood...we cashed in our nothing for busy.

I'm starting to think that, like youth, the word nothing is wasted on the young. Maybe we should try reintroducing it into our grown-up vernacular. Nothing. I say it a few times and I can feel myself becoming more quiet, decaffeinated. Nothing. Now I'm picturing emptiness, a white blacket, a couple ducks gliding on a still pond. Nothing. Nothing...How did we get so far from it?

-- Love - Jess

a song

the song that is sustaining me...Water Falls by Jami Smith

(verse)
i need a hand to hold
one that won't pull away from me
and i need a smile
one that won't turn down on me
cause i need a reason
to put my feet on the floor
and i just want security,
given for all eternity

(chorus)
you said you'd stay,
one too many promises
that you made in vain
no offense but
there is only one
there is only one,
only one to depend upon

so take me where the water falls
down on me and washes me
take me where the water falls
down on me and lead me to where i'm free

my freedom is in God (repeat)

(verse)
cause His love is forever
it's unlike anything that we know
how high, how low, how wide
how deep, how rich, how true, how strong

Happy Friday

Friday advice:

Don't judge people by their relatives.

Talk slowly but think quickly.

Have a great weekend! Love - Jess

Which Muppet am I?

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know.You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems.Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green.Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

my memory returns

Today I was reminded of what I disliked about working as an SLP in a school. Many of you can understand I'm sure...without going into detail, just know that I was screaming inside "JUST LET ME DO MY JOB! YOU DO YOURS AND I'LL DO MINE!."

I will write more later.
Love - Jess