“It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.”
– Frederick Douglass
Month August 2019
Long Day
Today has been a long day…well my day is still going. It has been one of the more physically challenging days at work I’ve had in a long time. Getting back into the gym to work on my strength and body mechanics sure has helped me since I pulled my back. Wearing my back brace helps a whole lot too. EMS is one of the most backbreaking lines of work out there, its ranked in the top 5 and I can see why. If you don’t take care of your body, your body won’t be able to take care of you. I just wanted to maybe vent a little, remind everyone to take care of themselves. ♡
August 21st 2019
“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”
–William S. Burroughs
August 20th 2019
“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
August 19th 2019
“So many books, so little time.”
– Frank Zappa
August 18th 2019
. “I can’t expect loyalty from the army if I do not give it.”
–General George C. Marshall
August 17th 2019
“Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.”
– Mary Roach
Well all my lovely people! Today is my “break” away from the civilian world. It’s time for another drill weekend. This is my time I usually get caught up with all military knowledge and training that I missed out on and catch up on some work that I haven’t been able to do. I hope everyone has a safe, fun and relaxing weekend!
August 16th 2019
You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.
– William Faulkner
Military Benefits For National Parks
America The Beautiful: The Annual Pass
Who would have thought something in the military was easy? The military has a bunch of benefits that I wasn’t aware of because 1) Nobody told me about them and 2) I didn’t know the right questions to ask. I wondered about military deals on National Parks when I was stationed back in Virginia a few years ago. I wanted to go on a Park road trip but then I kind of forgot about it after a while and never looked into it. Last weekend I went on my Yosemite trip with one of my friends and I had forgotten all about the FREE annual pass for military until I got up to the entrance gate. I wondered if I could just get in with the show of an ID? I pulled up to the front gate and asked the ranger…”Hi…I have no idea if this is how you do it but I have my military ID.” She was full of energy and really sweet she said “all I need to do is make sure its valid” (looks at my ID) rummages through the desk and pulls out an annual pass card. She asked me to sign it and then gave me a park map and the pass…I looked at her dumbfounded. “That’s it?” I asked her. “That’s all there is to it. Its good for one year.” she said. I told her “Thank you! I never imagined it would be that easy!” She smiled and waved me through. I was shocked! I couldn’t believe I actually was able to do something like that. I forgot that benefit was even a thing! Active duty and their dependents, Active Reservists and their dependents and Disabled Veterans all rate this free annual pass. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and to be curious. You’ll never know what you can do until you think about it and answer your question.
Where To Find The Information
There are a few easy sites to find more info and more detail about these passes. I had my friend look on Military.com for a quick minute before I got to the front gate.
- Military.com (you do have to sign up-its free though)
- Disabled Vets Annual Pass
- Common Questions Answered
- Additional Info On Military Annual Pass
What about Veterans you may ask? Unfortunately as a Veteran we do not qualify for the pass unless we are Disabled with a VA rating. However, on Veterans day park entrance fees will be waived.
August 15th 2019
“My story, I feel like it’s amazing, because it shows people no matter where you come from, no matter what your lifestyle is, your dreams could still come true if you believe in yourself and push hard to do what you want to do.”
-Shanice Williams
My story is filled with constant change, mistakes, dreams, failures and achievements. If I stopped trying, and I stopped pushing, I would not be the woman I am today. Don’t stop, push until you reach your goal. No matter how long it takes. Believe in yourself.