A Naval Academy Checklist

 "Success Depends on Previous Preparation."--Confucius

I have officially received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. While I will surely write a post on what exactly that means to me in the near future--I would like to take the time to write out everything that I absolutely must complete prior to Induction Day--which is July 1 this year. This list will be fluid and many things will be added and hopefully everything will be crossed off by the end of June. Without further ado,

         Skills That Need Development:
  • Develop Habit of Making Bed Each Day (The Correct Way) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMYZhdC-6jA
  • Learn and Develop the skill of Ironing :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq7tIqVFw
  • Swimming: 500 Yard Test
  • Distance Running: http://www.physicalculturestore.com/default.asp
  • PRT MAX: http://www.usna.org/handbook/prtstandards.html 
  • Memorization: Map of Naval Academy, Schedule, Reef Points, Mission Statement, The Administrative Chain of Command, The First Three General Orders of a Sentry (Note To Self Practice Memorizing Menus)
  • Military Knowledge: SEE ABOVE
  • The Correct Way to tie a Military Tie
          Academic Advancement:
  • The Core Topics Review: Geometry, Algebra, Pre-Calc Calculus, Chemistry, US Government, Naval History, Arabic
  • Use Daily Calendar
          MISC.:
  • Passport Updated
  • Letters 
  • Continue Reading and Writing


         Helpful Links:
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Back with this Blog Thing

Have you ever just sat down and felt like time was flying by? I recently found myself in this exact situation. I stopped writing blog posts one day and as I began to write my next post—this very one—it felt like the next day, but in actuality it is 4 months later.
While these past months in my life have been filled with news—mostly wonderful news—I can't help but be amazed by how crazy this thing we call time is. Time, I mean it's one of the few things that no matter what—no matter the money or effort—we can never have back—not even a single second. It can be a little depressing to think about, but it doesn’t have to be. Because like Victor Frankl, in his profound work Man’s Search For Meaning, said:"Everything cn be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." Given that we have the ability to “choose our own way” I think it is imperative that we take advantage of this gift. To just go through the motions and let others pave your road, or, perhaps more accurately pummel you into a road they have envisioned, is both unacceptable and unnecessary. Make up your mind to raise your standards and begin choosing your own way. It doesn't matter your age or your current situation—the only thing that matters is what you do. It’s about what you do today, tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that. Because, eventually, your legacy will be dependent upon just how you spent those minutes, hours, days, and weeks. 
          And it’s never too late to change your reality. Just look at Abraham Lincoln: at age 28 he went to buy a bed but was too poor to afford one. The store’s owner, Joshua Speed, offered him a bunk upstairs for free and the two became great friends. But, seriously, think about that for a second—Abraham Lincoln—who we know as the “Great Emancipator” was so broke at age 28 that he had to share a bunk with another grown man for 4 years. If Lincoln, who reasonably had every excuse to give up, was still able to march on and become the President of the United States nineteen years later, then how is it too late for you? What’s your excuse?
Don't get me wrong: you don’t have to turn out to be the next Lincoln, because that’s not who you turn out to be.  Ultimately, you turn out to be the next you. So dial in, hit the pavement, and make it happen. 

Thanks for reading. JG

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