50 miles east of Puerto Rico lies the US Virgin Islands, nestled amongst the warm and tropical Caribbean Sea. I had always thought vacationing in a spot like this would cost a fortune. That is, until a co-worker of mine just returned from there. Believe it or not, he actually camped right on the beach. I would have never thought that such a resort island would have camping. But they do, and I actually believe it would make for an even better experience than staying at a hotel... not to mention all the money you save. Well, I was pretty excited about this, as I'm sure you can tell, and just had to share it with everyone.

The campground is located in Cinnamon Bay, which is the center northern section of the island St. John. You would fly into St. Thomas (STT) and then take a ferry over to St. John. Both islands are part of the US, so no need for a passport and you can use your driver's license in case you'd like to rent a car. The nice thing about St. John is the island is very remote and only built up around town. Over 3/4's of the island is made up of national park, including over 20 excellent beach sights. Cinnamon Bay is a short 5-mile drive from the ferry dock and has an amazing beach with incredible snorkeling.

Cinnamon Bay campground offers bare tent sights, or the option to rent a sight with their own tent and linens. You can also splurge on a cottage if you really feel like getting pampered. They also offer a store with basic amenities, restaurant, and multiple bathroom/shower facilities. The best sights are actually the bare tent sights, with many located just off the beach with an unobstructed view of the ocean. The picture just above is the view from one of the tent sights; there's not a hotel in the world that can beat that. I think every morning I would wake up and jump into the 80 degree crystal clear water. The below map shows just some of the wonderful beaches surrounding St. John island. Cinnamon Bay is number 8.

The SHOCK of your life

Right now it's 6:51 in the morning. As everyone else in the normal world is getting up for another workday, I am updating my blog before going to bed. I'm not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow, since it is my first of three days off. I was thinking of going to an hour long defensive tactics training class... and then maybe going for a 2-3 mile jog. After that, I would probably round out the workout with 8-minute abs and 8-minute arms. Don't laugh! Ya, I know those 8-minute workout videos are so "old school". But wow, do they burn.

Speaking of burning, today... well, I guess it was actually yesterday... I had my taser certification. Yep, that means I got to "ride the lighting" or as others say, "ride the buffalo". So, after my brief two second nightmare with 50,000 volts coursing through my body, I have come up with three conclusion. ONE: Ouch! TWO: If anyone ever points one of those things at me, I will shoot them right where they stand. THREE: I will never volunteer to have that done to me again.

It is very hard to explain what it feels like. The device is actually made to disturb both the sensory and muscular nerves. It creates arcs, disturbing those nerves, at an extreme rate, which basically renders your entire body useless. For my "ride", I was on my knees with two other officers holding each arm to break my fall. The instructor told me to try and stand up. As I started to get up, I knew it was coming, but that didn't help. Immediately my body tensed, my head jerked back and apparently, I made a pitiful grown. My right knee buckled and the left leg went intensely straight. I would have fallen to the ground had it not been for the two officers holding me up. I remember this intense pain and wishing that it would stop. Hard to believe it barely lasted two seconds. The only good news is, unlike pepper spray, it has no lasting effects.

So here is a great clip of a taser deployment. I can't believe this guy. He continues to argue, and each time gets to enjoy a little more of that tingly feeling. If it were me... well, I would have done anything the trooper wanted after the first five second ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzTUQ1afSF8

Hosting Dad and Mom

So, my parents came to visit this past week. We had a great time and ate like kings. It's great to have some good old fashioned home cookin'! On the second day I made french toast for breakfast... of course, with honey butter. Later, we had an early dinner, consisting of a fabulous stew, southern cheese biscuits and a very yummy apple pie for dessert. Everything was made from scratch and it was delicious! After supper, we headed down to Seattle to experience a Mariners game at Safeco Field.

On the way there, I smelled something strange in the car as we sat in traffic. Thinking it was just another car, I ignored it at first. Then I smelled it again while we were stopped at the next light. I started to worry a little because my car is my baby and I take such good care of it. I would hate for it to break down or have something go wrong with the engine. I was trying to figure out what the smell was, and after my mom and I went through a couple of guesses, we ended up on radiator fluid. At that point, I saw a small amount of smoke coming out of the side of my hood. Oh no!!! I quickly drove off the road and turned into a Schucks Auto Supply. My dad and I checked the engine and I found a small leak in the primary radiator hose. It was actually a very tiny leak, but the pressure had sent radiator fluid squirting upwards onto the hood, which then was leaking down onto the engine and creating steam... and that disgusting smell. A quick fix with some special tape, and we were off again to the game.

Safeco Field is an incredible venue, and we had some great seats right behind the Mariner's dugout. Even though they lost, we still had a great time. We did see a lot of runs scored as the score ended up being 10-6 in favor of the LA Angels. After the game, it was pouring down rain, so we ran all the way back to the car and headed back home.

Getting back to the car... don't worry, I had the hose replaced the following day. I have to take good care of her, cause I'm hoping to get at least 400,000 miles... and at just past 166,000 miles, the car is doing just great.

Anyways, the next day was a fabulous opportunity for both me and my parents. I was able to have both my dad and mom ride along with me while I worked as a police officer to keep the streets of Monroe safe. They each rode for three hours, with my dad going first... and probably stealing most of the action. During his time we had a hold up alarm at a bank (which turned out to be false), a warrant arrest, and another arrest for a case I had been working on. Sadly, mom only got a couple of traffic stops, but at least she did get to experience running code to a call.

All in all, it was a great time and I am so thankful they were able to come up north and visit. It was especially good for me since I've been going through some interesting and difficult times lately. Especially on Thursday! What a day that was. I won't go into detail, but it's very encouraging to know I have many people out there praying for me. I hope everyone has a fabulous Memorial Day weekend. As you celebrate this weekend, remember those who have died for this country and pray for those who serve it now. In a nation with ever growing animosity towards its military, many have forgotten, or just plain don't understand, that without our great military, the United States of America would have never existed.

The guys

I'm almost off to work for another 12-hour shift. At least it's not pouring down rain today... well, at least not yet. Some of those clouds up there definitely give it the potential. This weekend is supposed to be fantastic though... I think sunny and mid-70's! Sadly, the rain will be back on Monday, which is when my parents are coming into town. Maybe that rain can hold back for a day or two.

Sadly, no pictures have been taken. I know, I know! I need to get that camera out. I'll do that this weekend, and also when my parents are here... which means lots of new blog entries and pictures next week. Yipee! But today we're going back into the old files again. I thought these two pics were pretty good... so I wanted to share them.

Let's see, this one is of Carl, me and Dan (left to right). These were my best buds in the Air Force and we hung out all the time. Can anyone say cribbage? Which reminds me, if anyone out there knows how to play cribbage, you need to come and visit me. Anyway, Carl is now in Chicago going to school and Dan is living with his wife in Salt Lake City. He is also going to school and working full time.

This next one is of... well, I'm not sure if it even needs a description. I always wondered how it would be feel to be a Green Bay Packers fan. Those crazy cheese-heads!

Alright, that's it for now. I have to get ready for work. Have a great day everyone!

Good ol' high school days

I was going through all my old photos and found a few from back in high school. It's weird... high school doesn't seem like that long ago, but next month it will have been 11 years! I guess the time since then has just flown by.

This one is from senior year during one of the varsity basketball games. I'm not sure which German high school we are playing, but I do know we never had a home court at Black Forest Academy until the year after I graduated because the "new" gym wasn't completed until just after my final basketball season. To inaugurate the court, the school did put on a 3 on 3 tournament which was probably the most fun tourney I've ever played in. It came down to my team and David's team (the 6' 8" center for our varsity team). I remember David and I playing each other very hard and making impossible shots over each other. In the end... guess you'll have to ask me if you want to find out who won.

This shot is from the summer between my junior and senior year. The four of us are laying down in the center of Moscow, Russia. Yes, silly American tourists. Always getting into trouble! Actually, the large metal emblem that our heads are lying on represents the exact middle of the city. But if you happen to be in Moscow, don't use this as your meeting point. Instead, have everyone meet back at the big McDonald's. You know, the one that used to be the largest McDonald's in the world... that is until China had to do one better. See, if you meet up there, you get some really tasty food and you get to meet the classy hot girls of Russia. Seriously, the grub at McDonald's in Moscow is WAY better than in the States, and only the classy girls can afford it. But don't tell anyone you heard it from me... it's an insider secret.

Last but not least, we have the big event of the year... the junior/senior banquet. The American equivalent of prom... but without all the dancing, drinking and... well, you know. Pretty much without all the stuff that ruins high school and most relationships. Anyway, this is me and my roommate, Chris. Were in front of a gorgeous BMW that one of our RA's (resident assistant) had rented to bring his date in. I don't remember much about that night but I know I did have a lot of fun. Behind us is Haus Bad Riedlingen (aka HBR) which is the dorm I lived in while I attended BFA. Oh, in case you were wondering, BFA is a missionary school in Kandern, Germany.

Hope you enjoyed this short trip into my past. Remember that each person we meet in life will affect us in some way or another. But those who we let in our lives will change us forever. The people in these photos certainly did just that.

Back to school... hopefully

So this last week... well, actually the last two weeks, I have been able to get out and do much. The weather is typical Washington spring... which means rain and lots of it. Work has been pretty fun and my big project lately was applying to the University of Washington (Bothell campus). The degree I'm applying for is a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on Society, Ethics and Human Behavior. I had to write an essay on why I want to study this degree. With some help from mom, I think it turned out pretty good. In case you wanted to read it, I'll post it here:

Some might say I have taken the long road in obtaining my educational goals. I believe my life experiences have been instrumental in preparing me for higher education. This will serve dividends while completing a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on society, ethics and human behavior. In addition, life experience will enhance application of the content of classes and interaction with fellow students. Educational, personal, and employment experience have each played a significant role to influence my desire in finishing this degree.

My college education includes associate degrees in both Financial Management and Criminal Justice. In regards to the finance degree, one area I would enjoy studying is the vast difference in which each society values money and the reasons behind that behavior. The degree in Criminal Justice was a stepping-stone into my current field of work as a police officer. While taking courses for this profession, I was trained to interact with multiple types of human behavior. However, this training did not cover the reasons behind these actions. Completing a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies would allow me to broaden my view of human behavior as it pertains to policing.

All but three years of my pre-college education has been outside of the United States, in Indonesia, Russia, and Germany. Even though the academic courses were taught in English, the indigenous cultures were evident within the institutions. Attending these schools and interacting daily with the culture of different countries has molded my life. These rich experiences have imparted both knowledge and a hunger to learn more about the world.

At the age of three, my family moved to a remote village on the island of Borneo, Indonesia. I grew up in a society completely foreign to most in the United States. During the eight years I spent living there, I lived in a developing world culture while still keeping the ethical values my parents taught. Each time I returned to America was like seeing our nation through the view of an outsider. Items that we consider normal and everyday, like our incredible freeway system and the multitude of choices at the local grocery market, were awe-inspiring and, at times, overwhelming. As I look back on these differences now, I realize how even the smallest items in each society can drastically change our lives and behavior.

At the age of fourteen, I moved again, but this time to Moscow, Russia, one of the largest cities in the world. As much as the skyscraper landscape contrasted from the bamboo hut village life, the greatest contrasts were in people’s lives. It was difficult to adapt to such a culture change. One element of the Russian society, which contrasted from that of Indonesia, was religion. While the latter was primarily Muslim, the Russian culture was predominantly atheistic and Russian Orthodox. The aspect of how religious values or lack of them can shape the lives of people, and in some cases entire countries, is a further element I wish to explore while studying my degree at the University of Washington.

A few years after high school, I enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving six years on active duty. I followed, led, and supervised a diverse group of people from all walks of life. Although challenging, I succeeded on every front and learned many important lessons, especially pertaining to leadership. These lessons trained me to become a fair and respected supervisor, regardless of differing lifestyles or ethical beliefs. After an honorable discharge, I began my current career in law enforcement.

I have had the privilege of serving as a police officer in the State of Washington over the past two years. I have seen first hand the vast differences in human behavior. More importantly, in working within a diverse community I desire to learn the driving force behind what motivates a human being to where they are in life. In essence, my work is the ultimate reason why I have chosen this program. I believe that a study of our society, ethical values, and human behavior can have a great impact on my development as a police officer.

Being a better police officer is obviously not my only aspiration in life. If the University of Washington grants me the opportunity to complete my degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, I would join the Washington State National Guard as an officer. This leadership role would allow me to guide young members of the armed forces in the right direction while they begin their own path in life’s journey. This degree would also aid my career in becoming a detective, or even a sergeant within the police force. This position would offer multiple opportunities to better the community in which I serve. And that, after all, is what many of us strive to create.

Two generations of fighter jets

I though some of you might enjoy this picture. On the left is a F-22 Raptor flying tandem with a F-15 over the landing strip of Tyndall AFB, FL. It was taken during the inaugural flight of the Raptor at Tyndall, which would later become its new training base. Of course now, the F-22 is not looking too good with all the budget cuts and I wouldn't be surprised if it is completely phased out over the next few years.