2009 Has Begun...

It has been a long long time since I written on this thing. Last day of class at QC for 2008 was on the 16th of December. I finally completed my Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies but I still need to get the grades back from two art classes, hopefully sometime next week. In mid February, I can go pick up my diploma at QC. It is really strange that I am out of school and not going back in the Spring of 2009 semester in late January. The freedom and anxiety is somewhat worry to me. Especially getting a job in the media field is very slim. I still wonder, why I major in Media Studies in the first place? The sole reason, I thought it was fun and easy at the time I declare it.

Currently I am in the process on deciding going Active Army or New York Army National Guard as 68W (Medic/Health Care Specialist). The female Active/Reserve Army recruiter Eric set me up with is somewhat shady and trying to rush me to take the ASVAB and the Army physical/medical at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) the next day on the 19th. After the physical I will probably be force to sign the contract with a career counselor which James remember that will happen. I am glad James was there with me acting as my agent/consultant. Him being in IRR which end in early January and his four years of being active experience give me some glimpse what I will be expecting. Is funny that he wanted to join the National Guard for the one year trial period since he been out of the Army for four years. Well he did live through two IED attacks back in 2004 in Iraq and he willing to risk it again by joining National Guard.

I will try to delay the ASVAB and MEPS much as possible. Maybe I should go back to Taiwan for two weeks during the Lunar New Year and worry about it later. I spoke to Sergeant C and Eric about my dilemma since both of them are National Guard recruiter and both told me it is slightly a trap without knowing what I get my self into. So. I have to let the Active/Reserve recruiter know that I am not in a rush and they have to go my way. Perhaps I will ask Eric to go back with me to the recruiter station sometime on the weekdays in January. Few things I learned from when I stop by the recruiter station.
-Beside the enlistment bonus range from $10K to 40K or less or even nothing that I already know.
- $5K bonus from having my bachelor degree. (Glad I finish my B.A rather than dropout)
-Probably due to troops shortage and unable to fulfills recruitment. U.S military recently have a trial program let foreign students with students VISA or foreigners with working VISA to join the military it is called MAVNI (Military Accessions Vital To National Interest). The dilemma for the foreign students and foreigners with working VISA is that they must be in the U.S for at least two years and the VISA is still valid. (I think it is somewhat scary and sad at both end, and it might be pose a threat in National Security or what not). But the foreigners are only allow to have none secret clearance jobs but still. Plus U.S Army, was hoping to get highly skilled soldiers with medical or technical skill such as IT etc. Is a win win situation for MAVNI candidates that exchange military service and U.S government give you U.S Citizenship.

Personally. I feel that all U.S citizens should served that include the permanent resident (like myself). A choice of National Service either work in the government agency or in the military. I remember I read an article from Time magazine from late 2007 having an article about National Service or National Service Academy similar to any of the military academies propose by Hilliary and Obama. In the society today, the newer generation's ideology is about me me me as a narcissist . Is never about us or we as a group changing or helping the world there are some but not enough. It is sad how military industrialization might possibility lead to U.S government's demise.

My plans so far, after four years contract are up with the Active Army then I will probably work on my 2nd degree, this time in Physician Assistant with some prerequisite need to be complete for the Army's Physician Assistant Grade Program in the National Guard or Reserve . Hopefully everything will work out okay. That is if I survived a tour of duty in Afghanistan or Iraq, I see it as inevitable and bound to happen if I go active.

One event I glad I attended in 2008 was Urban Sun and Trombone Shorty - Funk Fest 08' at Sullivan Hall on the 30th of December recommended by Abigail from drawing class. She also sing as a unofficial back up singer for Urban Sun.

You can see Abigail as the backup singer behind the keyboardist. My head is among the crowd as one of the black silhouettes. I love Urban Sun version of I Just Want to Celebrate by Rare Earth.



Christmas of 2008 and the New Year seem slightly unreal. Christmas doesn't feel like it is actually Christmas, maybe due to lack of snow or the economic recession. Maybe because I didn't stop by Manhattan for the elaborate widows display of any department stores and the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Maybe I should convert to a Christian to feel more of a Christmas spirit instead of being an atheist. As for New Year eve, I went to Jane's party at her friend Milla's apartment on York Av. between 70th and 71st Street on the Eastside of Manhattan . Man. I haven't see Jane since junior high since our graduation in 1997 and according to her I haven't change in appearance. She is doing real well with her job in fiance and living it up. The party was swell and somewhat fun.

As for New Year Resolution, I haven't think of any things yet. Maybe stop spending so much money and save it up. Eventually I can or I will pay back all my credit cards debts from the money I earned from Basic and AIT. By then it would be November or December. Lets see what happened then.

Any suggestions from any readers out there? Currently I am worry about the ASVAB since most of the stuff are from high school I barely remember, I only have problems with the math sections. I guess few weeks of reviews and study I will be okay.