Random Thoughts

Usually my blog entries form coherent thoughts or at least provide some sort of message. Not this one. This entry lives up to its title, but gives a glimpse into many of my thoughts of late...

A Pentagon Report came on the AFN television network the other night (the military tv out here) stating that an Army General was getting reports that Iran was instrumental in attacks on U.S. troops, that Iran was helping to supply Iraqi insurgents with weapons to be used against Coalition forces, and that Iran was also helping to train Iraqi insurgents. My first thought was: "It's time to get the hell out of here".

While I was booking my vacation flight last night with an Orbitz rep in New Dheli, India I was asked, "What are your thoughts on this war?" To be honest, I believe that while we have done some good out here, I don't believe a democracy will ever work in a country whose belief structure is based on completely different fundamentals than our own.

I have really been craving Italian food lately. After a nice Grey Goose Martini and an appetizer plate consisting of Bruschetta, Steamed Mussels in Garlic and White Wine and some fresh Mozarella, Basil and Tomatoes, I'd have a glass of Chianti with my fresh baked Italian bread that I'd be dipping in Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Dinner would be a trio of Shrimp Scampi with whole cloves of garlic over Angel Hair pasta, Chicken Picatta and Ravioli stuffed with Lobster in a Portabella Mushroom Cream sauce. With my Frangellico straight up and Expresso on the side I'd savor every bite of my Zabaglione, my Tiramisu and my fresh Cannoli. Damm I can't wait to eat real food again!

I miss talking to a friend of mine in Hawaii. We used to be close but now we don't talk anymore. This might for the best at this moment in time, but I wonder if we'll ever be friends again and I pray every day that we will.

52 days to go seems like a drop in the hat compared to my starting number of 210.

I am so excited about my new apartment in Waikiki, I can't wait to move my things in and make it my own.

I can't wait to go on vacation with my buddy Victor to Mexico, then to visit my friend Josh in Phoenix, then to visit some more friends in Los Angeles after that. Then I fly back to Hawaii and it's Thanksgiving week! (I don't have any plans and if nothing comes up, I'll cook a big dinner for myself and love it.) After that I'll fly home in December to see my family in VA and in PA for the holidays. My niece Kiera has gotten so big since I've last seen her and my nephew Ryan too. I can't wait to spend time with them, my sister and my mom. And now that Jan is in Philly I'll get to spend some time catching up with her as well!

I learned how the Navy promotion system works. The Navy Fiscal year begins in October and ends in September. At the beginning of the year they announce who will be promoted during the year. Each person listed gets a number. About 5% of the people get promoted per month until the last few months when everyone else gets promoted. Lowest numbers get promoted first, higher numbers last. Of almost 300 people, I was #220 (or something close), so I figure I'll actually get promoted next summer sometime. Nevertheless, the promotion from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander is a good one. People will start calling me Commander Matyas instead of Lieutenant Matyas, which has a pretty nice ring to it (the Lieutenant gets dropped when they say your name, i.e., instead of Lieutenant Commander Matyas they just say Commander Matyas). Pretty cool.

It's still very hot here. Summer is far from over.

I've been seeing a lot of my Marines here prepare to return to their families and it makes me wonder. I wonder when I'll have a family of my own. I wonder how many children I'll have. I wonder when I'll get married. I wonder if I'll ever open up the restaurant I've always dreamed of opening up. I wonder if I'll ever go to culinary school. An exciting future lies in front of me, and a past to be proud of lies behind me, for this I feel blessed.

This is the longest I've gone without since I turned 18 and when I go back I'm going to have lots of it! Beer, of course I'm talking about beer. Yeah, beer.

And that about sums up my random thoughts. The creature has left the building and hasn't bothered me since last I wrote of it. Jan is happily moved into her new apartment in Philly and is looking for a job (good luck J.C.!). My family is well and my friends are anxious for my return.

52.