2/24/15: Free-writing Post #21

I am so far behind in my assigned reading for The Heart and the Fist. I try and try to get to read my book some more, but I just haven’t had time. I have been dealing with so much everywhere else currently, that school work has got so far behind. My daughter has been so sick over the last two weeks, and were getting hardly any sleep. She is also getting her first tooth currently, so she has been very clingy and fussy. Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with double ear infections, double pink eye, and an upper respiratory infection. Last week she was diagnosed with RSV. She was given steroids for 5 days, and we were supposed to follow up with her pediatrician on Friday. When we went on Friday, her wheezing wasn’t any better, so he wanted her to start breathing treatments. He filled out paperwork for her to have her own nebulizer, and gave her one at the office. We have to give her 3 breathing treatments a day for a week to help get her breathing under control. At first we tried to use the regular breathing treatment mask, but it didn’t work well at all. She would fight us and scream her head off. She kicked and writhed around wanting to get out from the mask. I think the problem was that she doesn’t like to be restricted, and we had to restrict her to give her the treatment. Her nebulizer came with a spacer that could be used when she was older, but we decided to give that a try. We were desperate to try something else that might work for her to still get her breathing treatment without all the trouble. We tried the spacer and she would either “chew” on it or keep it by her mouth. She would fuss a little for the beginning of the treatment, and would settle down right after. We have been doing the treatments like this for a few days now, and it is working wonderfully. She hardly fusses now, and is able to get her treatments done much easier.

Word Count: 356 words

2/23/15: Free-writing Blog # 20

Navy SEALS:

Navy SEALS are a unique breed of warrior who conduct special operations in any environment, but who are uniquely trained and equipped to operate from, around, and in maritime areas. SEALS take their name from the environments in which they are trained to operate: sea, air and land. Their small highly trained teams usually work quietly at night conducting some of the nation’s most important missions. SEALS are constantly deployed throughout the world to protect national interests.

Navy SEALS and their high speed boat driving counterparts, Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman, form the operational arms of the Naval Special Warfare community, which is headed by the Naval Special Warfare Command. NSW acts both as the Navy’s special operations force as well as the Navy component of the U.S. Special Operations Command, which is responsible for all U.S. special operations forces.

NSW training and preparation stresses an enduring commitment to individual initiative, personal responsibility and mission accomplishment. Naval Special Warfare goes to great lengths to ensure that its forces are capable and prepared.

http://www.sealswcc.com/navy-seals-overview.html#.VOqUpPnF8fg

A career as a Navy SEAL provides intangible and tangible benefits. SEALs work closely with their teammates to innovatively accomplish missions important to national security. They constantly learn and push their physical and mental limits, living an unconventional and out-of-the-cubicle lifestyle.

-Starting pay of up of $60,000

-Qualification and re-enlistment bonuses

-Possible repayment of college loans

-Extra pay for diving, parachuting and demolitions

-30 days’ vacation per year

-Medical and dental benefits

-Retirement after 20 years

-Tax free pay in combat zones

-Tax free allowances for housing and food

Navy SEALs operate at the forefront of America’s national security efforts by conducting direct action missions against bomb making networks and, to finding, fixing and finishing high value terrorist cells. SEALs have provided security for key officials, taught foreign military and special operations personnel how to combat terrorism in their own countries, and prevented environmental sabotage. Wherever they are assigned, Navy SEALs make a difference by supporting their teammates, serving their country and protecting both U.S. and global citizens.

Word Count: 343 words

2/22/15: Free-writing Post #19

I thought it would be a good idea if I learned a little bit about the author while reading more of the book. I thought it might help me understand the background of the story more.

Eric Greitens:

                -Born and raised in Missouri

                -was an Angier B. Duke Scholar at Duke University

                -At Duke University he studied ethics, philosophy, and public policy

                -Attended University of Oxford as a Truman Scholar

                -Earned a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. at Oxford

                -served as a Navy SEAL officer

                -deployed 4 times during the war on terrorism to Afghanistan, Southeast Asia, Horn of Africa, and Iraq

                -Commander of a Mark V Special Operations Craft Detachment

                -Commander of a Joint Special Operations Task Unit

                -Commander of an al Qaeda Targeting Cell

                -Was appointed as a White House fellow in 2005

                -Became Navy Reserve Junior Line Officer of the Year in 2011

                -Military awards received:

                                -Combat Action Ribbon

                                -Purple Heart

                                -Bronze Star

                -Founded The Mission Continues

                                -national nonprofit organization

                                -challenges veterans to serve in communities across America

                -Recognized as one of the most effective leaders in America

                -TIME magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2013

                -Was recognized as one of the 50 greatest leaders in the world by Fortune magazine

                -Is a photographer

                -Is a writer, and has wrote 3 books

                -Teaches as a Senior Fellow at the Truman School of Public Affairs

                -Books

                                -The Heart and the Fist

                                                -Published April 2011

                                                -New York Times Best Seller

                                -Resilience

                                                -Published March 2015                                                 

                                                -Letters regarding war between Eric and a friend

                                -Strength & Compassion

                                                -Published October 2008

                                                -Collection of humanitarian photographs that Eric took along with essays

                                -The Warrior’s Heart

                                                -Published October 2012

                                                -Teen version of Heart and the Fist

                                                -teaches Character Education curriculum including (integrity, courage, compassion, perseverance, leadership, global issues, overcoming fear, service learning, unity/teambuilding

                                                -think critically about values and how you would respond to difficult situations

                                               

http://www.ericgreitens.com

               

 Word Count: 321 words

2/21/15: Free-writing Post #18

I have read a chapter so far of our book for class, and I think it is going to be a very good book. It seems to be very interesting and informative about what happens when you are a Navy SEAL. It is an addicting read and is a quick page turner.

So far we have met 10 identified people as well as 2 unidentified marines and Iraqi soldiers. It appears that the main character is the author, Eric Greitens.

The next main character so far has been his SEAL buddy, Joel.

Everyone else that has been identified has had a little bit of an appearance.

I am curious to see who are the main characters are in the next chapters.

3 places have been visited so far, with Iraq being the most discussed. Washington, DC and Doylestown, PA have both been mentioned.

So far the book has been very clean, and has only had 1 cuss word involved. I thought there would be more cuss words so far, especially for a military related book, so I am surprised.

We get to experience a bit of Eric’s SEAL training in regards to using whistles. We learn what 1 whistle, 2 whistles, and 3 whistles mean.

In the first chapter there were three words that I was unfamiliar with the meanings of.

                -Insurgent: risking in active revolt, a rebel or revolutionary

                -Minaret: a tall slender tower, typically part of a mosque, with a balcony from which a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer.

                               

- Muezzin: a man who calls Muslims to prayer

            -Motley: incongruously varied in appearance or character, disparate

                               

-Incongruously: not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something

My favorite quote from this chapter was: “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” (Page 10)

I liked how Eric discussed courageous people, peace, and a good life. These are all good things to discuss and that will help others greatly regardless of their situation.

Word Count: 341 words

2/20/15: Free-writing Post #17

Preface page xv

Part 1: Mind and Fist pages 3-46

Part 2: Heart and Mind pages 47-130

Part 3: Heart and Fist pages 131-284

Epilogue pages 285-298

Afterword pages 299-302

Note from Author pages 303-306

Notes pages 307-313

Book is 313 pages

Chapter 1: Iraq

Characters: Joel, Eric, Staff Sergeant Big Sexy Francis, Mike Marise, Lieutenant Colonel Fisher, Travis Manion, two unidentified marines, Iraqi soldiers, Tom Manion, Janet Manion, Ryan, Dave

Places: Iraq; Washington DC (Eric’s apartment); Doylestown, PA;

Cuss words said: ass

Seal training:

                1 whistle: drop to mud with hands over ears, feet crossed

                2 whistles: begin to crawl

                3 whistles: push to feet and run

                Whistle, drop, whistle, crawl, whistle, up and run

Summary: Mortar attack; suicide truck explodes; Joel got hit in the back of the head from shrapnel in truck bomb, major brain/head injury; Travis died a month after suicide attack; Travis was welcomed home as a soldier (roads lined with people saluting or holding hands over hearts, American flag flew from fire truck ladders, 300 care procession to gravesite); Travis’ family wasn’t consumed by bitterness, rage, despair-they wanted to honor his life; Eric and Joel wanted to do everything possible to honor Travis’ life.

Unfamiliar words: insurgent, minaret, motley

Travis Manion: recent graduate of Naval Academy; was an outstanding wrestler; tough, walked with a smile on his face; first lieutenant; killed in line of duty; received Silver Star; student of Greek history

Joel: bunked on western wall of barrack; Intel officer; worked closely with Iraqi troops in Fallujah; jovial, level headed; smokes; is a father of a boy

Eric: bunked on western wall of barrack; had traveled to Bosnia, Rwanda, and Cambodia;

Mike Marise: F-18 fighter pilot in Marine Corps

Tom Manion: Travis’ father

Janet Manion: Travis’ mother

Ryan: Travis’ sister

Dave: Travis’ brother in law

Quotes I liked:

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” –quote from page 10

Courageous people lived with compassion in midst of tremendous hardship, turned pain into wisdom, and suffering into strength (pg 11)

People made their own actions and lives into a memorial that honored people they had lost (pg 11)

Peace is more than the absence of war; peace can only be where we ask ourselves and each other to be more than just good, and better than just strong (pg 11)

A good life entails more than the absence of suffering; a good life can only be where we do more than live for ourselves (pg 11)

Word count: 426 words

2/19/15: Free-writing Post #16

Due to being sick, as well as my daughter being sick, I am just now starting to read The Heart and the Fist. I have a lot to read already since I am already behind, but I can only do so much. Regardless of what things I have to do, my family and children are top priority. When they are sick, they get every second of my spare time. When they are sick, they need more time with mommy and more cuddle time since they don’t feel good.

I think the book will be a good read, especially with the topic. I am pretty interested in Navy Seals right now since seeing American Sniper a few weeks ago. Navy Seals would be an interesting field of the military to be in due to the work you do. Being in the military is only for certain people, and I am not one of them. I am not physically strong enough or emotionally strong either. I would not be able to handle it.

In American Sniper, Chris has a hard time turning off the military, so to speak, when he goes home to his family. It seems that he has a type of post-traumatic stress disorder, and can’t calm down when he is not in the war field. He was so determined on saving his country, he couldn’t quit going on tours, and soon became the best sniper in military history.

I am curious as to what exactly The Heart and the Fist will be about, as to what path he decided to go down in his book.

I also cross my fingers, hoping that my health will stay well, and also that my family’s health would stay well. My daughter is currently getting over her sickness, as well as my son and I. This weather makes it so hard to stay healthy though. We will just have to cross our fingers and make sure we stay healthy.

Word Count: 326 words

2/18/15: Free-writing Post #15

I am currently sitting on my couch, home from work. Yesterday and the day before I had the stomach bug that has been going around. Today my stomach is still a bit nauseous and yucky feeling, but much better than it had been before. The only plus side to this is that I might be able to catch up on some of my assignments since I’m not at work currently. I wish I felt better though. Out of the 3 classes that I am taking this semester, this is the only class that I am unsure of my grade. Since we have hardly any grades back so far, I don’t know what my grade is. My other two classes return grades pretty quickly. In those classes I have a 96% and a 91%.  I wish the 91% was higher, but it dropped some because of a test. I have awful test anxiety and forget everything I have learned when it comes to tests. I got an 87% on the test, and it made my overall percentage drop quite a bit. My grade had been 95 or 96% prior to the test. I wish I didn’t have test anxiety. I would do so much better on my tests, and get a better grade in the class. What irritates me the most is that I know how to do the work, but doing badly on tests makes the teacher think that I don’t. I know how to do my assignments and get the answers correct, but I forget things when I have a test in front of me. Maybe as I continue through school my test anxiety will decrease. I don’t know anything to do to try to make it better either. I try my hardest to be calm and relaxed, but it doesn’t help on the test. Maybe I will come up with more ideas to try to help cure my test anxiety.

Word Count: 322 words