Howdy!
This is Allegra's friend Sam. We've been friends since we could crawl (even though I'm pretty sure neither of us really remembers the details of those days). Before she decided to join the Army, Allegra called me and asked what I thought about the military and what I would think if she decided to join one of the branches. I told her I thought that would be an amazing and exciting thing for her to do, and that I thought the life would suit her well. Her dad went to West Point and was in the military for some time, and I knew when she told me she wanted to follow in his footsteps that that was the right choice for her. I told her I thought it was the piece of the puzzle she had been so frustrated to not know for so long.
We chatted for a few days about how we had both had a serious interest in joining the military for a long time. Though I am currently driven to finish music school and trying to figure out next steps in my professional life as a musician, until she enlisted Allegra had been working to become a nurse and was beginning to feel miserable because she felt some element was still missing. So when she told me becoming a Combat Medic was something she wanted to do, I supported her 100% in pursuing that dream.
Now the day has come when my friend is going somewhere I cannot. Basic Training starts for her at Fort Sill today, and because her path is now so decidedly separate from my own I cannot be her Partner in Crime anymore. I can't be there to watch her transformation from civilian to soldier. I can't be there after Basic is over, to watch her back or to remind her when she's feeling down of all the people back home who love her. I can't help her heal the wounded or carry the bodies of the fallen off the battlefield. All I can do is support her from my dorm room in Nashville, and hope like all the rest of you who are reading this blog that she is successful and happy learning what her future will hold.
That future starts today.
Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, and send her some good energy and some good snail mail in the days ahead. Those things will keep her going even longer than the food and water she will consume to keep her body healthy; your support and love from afar will give her the spiritual strength to continue when others would be defeated. I know that for the next few years I will be telling her in every way I can that she will always be my friend, that I love and support her no matter what, and that I'm excited for her to be pursuing her dreams.
Thank you, PFC Ramirez, for your service to this country. Hooah!
Over and out.
-Sam
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
5 days
oh
my
goodness
!!
5DAYS!
It's right around the corner, i can see the starting line. it's right there. I can see it. This new adventure i am about to embark on is starting. Really starting, in 5 days. I know that the night before i ship out, i will probably not sleep. at all. I will be so incredibly nervous and excited, that i won't be able to sleep. This is so crazy, that we are finally hitting the destination.
You know, i have to say. I am really lucky. i have an amazing support system of amazing family, friends, and old co workers. I also feel so lucky that at the young age of 22 almost 23 all of my dreams are finally coming true. After putting off the army for so long, i've finally achieved it. And then i will get my nursing degree soon after that. Then...well. A couple other dreams of mine came true over the last few months as well.
There is so much that i want to talk about in this blog. I just don't know where to begin. So, instead i will just go on a rambling session. Which may i add, i am quite good at.
I didn't think that the day would ever come that i would finally be at the single digits. we are right there. right there. The next 4 years are probably going to change my life. And everyone keeps saying that the experience will change a part of me and that i will come back a changed person. So, we shall see about that one. And on some level i hope that it doesnt change me too much. Because overall, i do like who i am as a person. Which i have to say, is pretty amazing that i can say that. A lot of people in todays society can't say that.
And on another note. Even though i have been through a lot in my childhood, and had a bit of a rocky upbringing. My life has turned out pretty amazing. And i've turned into a decent person i would say. I don't smoke, i don't do drugs, i drink only occasionaly. Plus, i have amazing family and friends. What more could someone ask for?
Well, i think that is long enough of a ramble for today.
Allegra
"make a wish and place it in your heart, anything you want, everything you want. do you have it? good. now believe it can come true. , you never know where the next miracle can come from. the next smile. the next wish come true. but if you believe that its right around the corner, and if you open your heart and mind to the possiblilty of it. to the certainity to it. you just might get the thing you’re wishing for . the world is full of magic you just have to believe in it. so make your wish. do you have it? good. now believe in it, with all your heart."
my
goodness
!!
5DAYS!
It's right around the corner, i can see the starting line. it's right there. I can see it. This new adventure i am about to embark on is starting. Really starting, in 5 days. I know that the night before i ship out, i will probably not sleep. at all. I will be so incredibly nervous and excited, that i won't be able to sleep. This is so crazy, that we are finally hitting the destination.
You know, i have to say. I am really lucky. i have an amazing support system of amazing family, friends, and old co workers. I also feel so lucky that at the young age of 22 almost 23 all of my dreams are finally coming true. After putting off the army for so long, i've finally achieved it. And then i will get my nursing degree soon after that. Then...well. A couple other dreams of mine came true over the last few months as well.
There is so much that i want to talk about in this blog. I just don't know where to begin. So, instead i will just go on a rambling session. Which may i add, i am quite good at.
I didn't think that the day would ever come that i would finally be at the single digits. we are right there. right there. The next 4 years are probably going to change my life. And everyone keeps saying that the experience will change a part of me and that i will come back a changed person. So, we shall see about that one. And on some level i hope that it doesnt change me too much. Because overall, i do like who i am as a person. Which i have to say, is pretty amazing that i can say that. A lot of people in todays society can't say that.
And on another note. Even though i have been through a lot in my childhood, and had a bit of a rocky upbringing. My life has turned out pretty amazing. And i've turned into a decent person i would say. I don't smoke, i don't do drugs, i drink only occasionaly. Plus, i have amazing family and friends. What more could someone ask for?
Well, i think that is long enough of a ramble for today.
Allegra
"make a wish and place it in your heart, anything you want, everything you want. do you have it? good. now believe it can come true. , you never know where the next miracle can come from. the next smile. the next wish come true. but if you believe that its right around the corner, and if you open your heart and mind to the possiblilty of it. to the certainity to it. you just might get the thing you’re wishing for . the world is full of magic you just have to believe in it. so make your wish. do you have it? good. now believe in it, with all your heart."
Monday, March 11, 2013
7 days!
Hey all,
Oh mylanta! it's almost there. Crunch time! we are exactly one week away from when i ship off to basic training! So damn exciting, thrilling, nerve wracking, and a number of other things.
This last week i am dedicated to spending with friends, family and other loved ones. I have to say, i must be pretty lucky if i'm having to schedule people in to spend time with them before i leave, right? I'm one lucky gal i must say.
I have a lot of stuff to do this week. Sigh. Like selling my car. And transferring the title and all that jazz. it'll be a sad day. And packing up more stuff and all that good stuff. I'll be coming home for 2 weeks before i go to my first duty station. So, i should have some time to get that taken care of.
What else can i ramble about?
well, thats it for now.
Allegra
"When I hear the call, there is nothing that will stop me from my mission.
I will fight to your position, risking life and limb, and destroying any enemy crazy enough to think he is going to get between me and my objective.
Once there, I will do everything and anything to get you out of harm's way. I will never stop until I've done so, no matter the risk.
I'm going to keep you alive. I'm going to stop the bleeding. I'm going to dress your wounds. I'm going to dull your pain. I'm going to get you home or I'm going to die trying.
When I hear the call, before God, before Mom, they call for me.
Because I will come every time.
I am an Army Medic."
Oh mylanta! it's almost there. Crunch time! we are exactly one week away from when i ship off to basic training! So damn exciting, thrilling, nerve wracking, and a number of other things.
This last week i am dedicated to spending with friends, family and other loved ones. I have to say, i must be pretty lucky if i'm having to schedule people in to spend time with them before i leave, right? I'm one lucky gal i must say.
I have a lot of stuff to do this week. Sigh. Like selling my car. And transferring the title and all that jazz. it'll be a sad day. And packing up more stuff and all that good stuff. I'll be coming home for 2 weeks before i go to my first duty station. So, i should have some time to get that taken care of.
What else can i ramble about?
well, thats it for now.
Allegra
"When I hear the call, there is nothing that will stop me from my mission.
I will fight to your position, risking life and limb, and destroying any enemy crazy enough to think he is going to get between me and my objective.
Once there, I will do everything and anything to get you out of harm's way. I will never stop until I've done so, no matter the risk.
I'm going to keep you alive. I'm going to stop the bleeding. I'm going to dress your wounds. I'm going to dull your pain. I'm going to get you home or I'm going to die trying.
When I hear the call, before God, before Mom, they call for me.
Because I will come every time.
I am an Army Medic."
Sunday, March 10, 2013
8 days!
Oh my! tomorrow we are exactly one week away from the big day. I can't believe it's almost here. its exciting, thrilling, nerve wracking all at once. It feels like just yesterday it was 90 something days until i left. And now we are just a week away. I can't believe how fast time has flown by.
I seriously feel so lucky. i have the most supportive, friends and family someone could ask for. And the best.
I'm running out of things to say these days. I don't know what to say much anymore without rambling like an idiot.
I'm going to miss you all like crazy.
Well i no longer have to work, that's a good thing. And i am so glad to be done. So glad. I ran out of that place like a high schooler on graduation day.
Thats it for now.
Allegra
"The more things change, the more they stay the same. i’m not sure who the person was to say that, probably shakespeare or maybe sting. But at the moment its the sentence that best explains my tragic flaw. my inability to change. i dont think i’m alone in this. The more i get to know other people, the more i realize it’s everybody’s flaw. Staying exactly the same. For as long as possible. Standing perfectly still, it feels better somehow. And if you are suffering at least the pain is familiar. Because if you took that leap of faith, went outside the box, did something unexpected, who knows what other pain might be out there. Chances are it could be even worst. So you maintain the status quo. Choose the road already traveled and it doesn’t seem that bad. Not as far as flaws go. You’re not a drug addict, you’re not killing anyone except maybe yourself a little. When we finally do change, i don’t think it happens like an earthquake or an explosion where all of a sudden we’re this different person. I think it’s smaller than that. The type of thing people wouldn’t even notice unless they looked really close which thank god they never do. But you notice it. Inside you that change feels like a world of difference. And you hope that it is. That this is the person you get to be forever. That you’ll never have to change again."
I seriously feel so lucky. i have the most supportive, friends and family someone could ask for. And the best.
I'm running out of things to say these days. I don't know what to say much anymore without rambling like an idiot.
I'm going to miss you all like crazy.
Well i no longer have to work, that's a good thing. And i am so glad to be done. So glad. I ran out of that place like a high schooler on graduation day.
Thats it for now.
Allegra
"The more things change, the more they stay the same. i’m not sure who the person was to say that, probably shakespeare or maybe sting. But at the moment its the sentence that best explains my tragic flaw. my inability to change. i dont think i’m alone in this. The more i get to know other people, the more i realize it’s everybody’s flaw. Staying exactly the same. For as long as possible. Standing perfectly still, it feels better somehow. And if you are suffering at least the pain is familiar. Because if you took that leap of faith, went outside the box, did something unexpected, who knows what other pain might be out there. Chances are it could be even worst. So you maintain the status quo. Choose the road already traveled and it doesn’t seem that bad. Not as far as flaws go. You’re not a drug addict, you’re not killing anyone except maybe yourself a little. When we finally do change, i don’t think it happens like an earthquake or an explosion where all of a sudden we’re this different person. I think it’s smaller than that. The type of thing people wouldn’t even notice unless they looked really close which thank god they never do. But you notice it. Inside you that change feels like a world of difference. And you hope that it is. That this is the person you get to be forever. That you’ll never have to change again."
Sunday, March 3, 2013
15 Days.
15 days! 2 weeks and 1 day. Holy camoly!
I am so excited, for what is to come. I mean yes, i will miss everyone in AZ like crazy. Along with my friends in family in other parts of the country.
This is so wild. I can't believe March 18th is almost here. Only 2 odd weeks left as a civillian. In 15 days my transformation from Civillian to Soldier will begin. I know that this phase of my life will transform me in ways that i can't even imagine. I know that i will create all sorts of new friendships, i know that this will change my life. I've already created some friendships with some future soldiers. When i enlisted my recruiter set me up with a user ID for this Future Soldier website. So i've met people that i will be going to Basic Training with. And a lot of them i'll be going to my Advanced Training with as well. So, it makes it easier knowing that i will know some people going in. Ain't technology grand?
I really don't think that i will realize that i am actually leaving until i am in Oklahoma or even after Reception week is over.
You should check this video out. Reagan shows us some inspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuQ-3wxPCtM&list=PLuCr7fqyOHBt948tq7jN1fyU1EorBJizJ&index=7
Enjoy.
Allegra
"But even in dying, our life story doesn't just end. Each of us leaves behind a legacy of memories in the minds of those who survive us. As we live each day, we are building this legacy, through our words, our actions, and the choices we make. Each of us began life completely dependent on others for our survival. Over the course of our lifespan, others come to depend on us. It is those people whose lives we have touched in some way, whether for good or for ill, who will remember us. In this sense, the final chapter of our lives will be written not by us, but by those whose life stories have intersected with our own."
I am so excited, for what is to come. I mean yes, i will miss everyone in AZ like crazy. Along with my friends in family in other parts of the country.
This is so wild. I can't believe March 18th is almost here. Only 2 odd weeks left as a civillian. In 15 days my transformation from Civillian to Soldier will begin. I know that this phase of my life will transform me in ways that i can't even imagine. I know that i will create all sorts of new friendships, i know that this will change my life. I've already created some friendships with some future soldiers. When i enlisted my recruiter set me up with a user ID for this Future Soldier website. So i've met people that i will be going to Basic Training with. And a lot of them i'll be going to my Advanced Training with as well. So, it makes it easier knowing that i will know some people going in. Ain't technology grand?
I really don't think that i will realize that i am actually leaving until i am in Oklahoma or even after Reception week is over.
You should check this video out. Reagan shows us some inspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuQ-3wxPCtM&list=PLuCr7fqyOHBt948tq7jN1fyU1EorBJizJ&index=7
Enjoy.
Allegra
"But even in dying, our life story doesn't just end. Each of us leaves behind a legacy of memories in the minds of those who survive us. As we live each day, we are building this legacy, through our words, our actions, and the choices we make. Each of us began life completely dependent on others for our survival. Over the course of our lifespan, others come to depend on us. It is those people whose lives we have touched in some way, whether for good or for ill, who will remember us. In this sense, the final chapter of our lives will be written not by us, but by those whose life stories have intersected with our own."
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