Happy New Year!!!

To All:

Can one truly be inspired by a single kind word or thoughtful gesture? You bet your bottom dollar they can! I say thank you to so many! To Peter B: you have taught me so much and been such a wonderful friend, boss man, and teacher. I thank you for allowing me to meet your beautiful wife and family. You are such a fantastic and exceptional person. I can honestly say you remind me of no one for you are that unique! Pete: I took up golf and am getting rather good (I have a personal coach). Be prepared if we meet in good weather for I am bringing my clubs.

Reaching back into the memory bag, Vinny was a later addition to my adventure. I am so excited to have such awesomeness. And of course, Vinny, you never cease to amaze me! I will be visiting my sister up in Bainbridge Island sometime in the early summer so keep your calendar open. Let it be known that I am inviting myself to meet your family – to include your little Chihuahua. 

Any way you slice it, knowing the adventurous Steve-O has been anything but ordinary. The laughter that always follows a conversation with you, Steve is something I miss. You are definitely one person that never fails to enjoy every minute of every day! I saw the pictures from Thanksgiving and WOW…I can only imagine you and your brother in the same room. Miss you!

Virtually every day, a person is blessed with new people. Some enter and some exit your life before you are ready. I had one heck of a year with you guys. I wish at times that my marriage had succeeded but then I talk to one of you and learn something new about myself. I lost a lot of what I used to be over the past few years while married to someone. What would start out as an opinion I had would eventually turn to whatever he wanted. Each and every time I did such, I lost a piece of myself; turning into something that I did not want to be. And a place I did not want to go.

Each one of you has given me the opportunity and knowledge to go forward. T-hoe: what can I say? You saw me at my lowest point and handled it rather well. Thank you for being a mentor and a friend. You have taught me so much and I know I will learn more from you.

Reaching back into the forgotten me has been so much fun! I have friends for life from my first duty station, made friends into family while in Korea, and am making some good ones here in Illinois. I may not have mentioned you by name but you all know who you are. Thank you, thank you, and thank you! 2008 was a rollercoaster ride for me. 2009 will be one of adventure, new things, and a familiar name. Go back through my words, look at the first letter of the first work of each paragraph, and you will learn my new name. To be changed after a TDY in February so prepare for a new me with a little of the old me…the good thing: you all know me as me. I was never anything different but I will grow. Have a wonderful New Year celebration and I look forward to many more fun-filled events over the course of 2009!!!! Love you and miss you all!!!!

Have a Safe New Year

Myspace Graphics, New Year Graphics at WishAFriend.com

Merry Christmas

Well I guess it's that time of the year..I though I would take this opportunity BEFORE Christmas day to send out this Christmas, Holiday Wish to you all..

I would like to start with a couple things.

First.. Lets not forget the Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors that will not have this opportunity this year to celebrate with their family. Some of you on this e-mail, I KNOW right now, have BROTHERS & SISTERS deployed and that they MEAN THE WORLD to you. I know they are thinking of you right now. So SMILE and thank the lord for our FREEDOM that they protect. I know that YOU ARE first on their mind and they would do ANYTHING to be there with you as much as you with them..

Second.. To you all my FAMILY.. You know we would love to be able to spend this time of the year with you all but we too SERVE and protect the FREEDOM we all enjoy. We love and miss you all a bunch

Third..our FRIENDS (to include the extra special C..K..G & BFF) you all know how much you mean to me, I obviously wouldn't be me with you..THANK YOU again for allowing me the chance to be in part of your life.

Last for EVERYONE...Happy Holidays, be safe, be thankful because I am for YOU..

So from your Friend, Son, Nephew, cousin
We the T-hoe family LOVE and Miss you all a bunch and hope you all have a GREAT DAY !!!

My Apologies...

Peoples from all over! Hello.

It has been a whirlwind of a year filled with great things and not so great things. But always remember that tough times never last, people do. With that being said, I say Happy Christmas!

Ooops, I am getting ahead of myself. Thanksgiving - yes a tad late - but I'm still awesome! :) When I first arrived here in Illinois, I did not know anyone. Maybe a few people I recognized from one place or another but no true friends. I set out making some and I was fortunate enough to fall into a great bunch. A perfect follow-up of friends from Korea. Although, they will never be as AWESOME as all of you but they are a good fit. With that being said, they were kind enough to invite me to their family holiday dinner. This dinner had over ten adults, six kids, and lots of mischief.

Two good friends - brother and sister - Elyssa & Eric, are the most I have connected with. Their parents were in town and wanted me to meet them. I love parents! With the exception of one less child, they are just like my family. Loving, honest, sarcastic, adventurous, smart, and proud. It was the closest I felt to being home with my Mom since before I left for Korea. Felt like crying the entire morning but good tears.

Dorothia is a wonderful woman. She worries for her son in the military and that is just natural. I did not eat as much as I should have but for wonderful reasons: great conversation and laughter!

Even went out that night with the "younger" crowd where - excitedly - two individuals learned to play BullMoose. These two have been deemed worthy of the game. One of the two - Tim - does not do so well. The simplest of rules completely elude him which is awesome for I do not even have to keep an eye on him. I know when I glance at him, his beer will be in the wrong hand. HA!

T-hoe thanksgiving

The T-hoe family had a relaxing day.. Tyler, Zach and I started the morning out with a local 5K..(maybe a new tradition ??), we had and early Turkey lunch and then we had a very awesome C..K..G gathering at Steve O's house...

Steve O's (LITTLE) brother was also in town just before Thanksgiving.. I said Little Brother..I am thinking Steve O is the Little one LOL

SO. What did you do for Thanksgiving? The Vargas 4 had a nice quiet dinner and relaxed for a bit. Everyone was stuffed. To include the dog. Poor Chico. He went from being a Chihuahua before the meal, but ended up looking like a pillow with legs when it was all said and done. Then to top off the evening, we rocked out with Rock Band. That game is way too addicting. But a good way to burn off some calories. At least, thats what we told each other. So that was our evening. Hope all is well with everyone and your holiday was a pleasent one.

Great new for you C..K..G Moscato LOVERS

I went to get a bottle of our Favorite California (itialian) wine, but there was NONE.. But there was a bottle from BAREFOOT wineries.. Guess what  GALLO Families bought BAREFOOT and the Moscato is the SAME...

   ENJOY !!!

Click here ---> Barefoot Moscato
Click here ---> for your GALLO Favorite

Myspace Graphics, Thanksgiving Graphics at WishAFriend.com

A year older and Thanksgiving

Well Well.... It's been a while since anyone has written so I I figured I would drop a couple sentences down. I may EDIT this numerous times this week so read it more than once to see  :-)

Where do I start... another year older... Do I feel like it... NOPE... YUP... MAYBE.. Who knows

Thanksgiving....What are we thankful for this year....

I am thankful for a GREAT healthy family
I am thankful in these time to have a SECURE job
I am thankful to have made AWESOME friends
I am thankful that everything , everyday, everyone, every experiance that has made me ME

There is so many things I could put down here that I am thankful for but I would BLAB BLAB and BLAB as you all know I can...

So I will take this chance ONE more time to say THANK YOU to all of you for being part of my life, for listening when needed and for allowing me to listen to you when you didn't want anyone to say anything..
THANK YOU Again for being such great friends and for joining my family...

THANK YOU...THANK YOU....THANK YOU...

Very Good one

This one is from the little gadget above..

ENJOY

"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart."
Marcus Aurelius

Bullmoose

So there we were

all decked out in our combat best

carrying water guns

wearing camo

there were BEvERages consumed

by one 

and

by all

to include Wolf

well...let's just say

in true 

RED DEVIL fashion

we "bullmoosed" him from the other side of the hangar.

This one goes out to Rockey and T-hoe.

Missin' you all.

on another note.

i am one short farewell away from my own.

the day

we all wait for

will soon

be upon 

me.

One for you ALL

   I took a trip back home for my Sisters's wedding this past weekend and I had to make sure I did something for YOU ALL

ENJOY..

 

  

 

what the hell happened?

so i'm sitting here, right now

i'm fully clothed...that's good.

my breath smells of alcohol and korean food

oh

my tongue, i can't feel

both because i scalded it on ridiculously hot soup and because i drank way too much last night

did i mention i still have my jeans on?

and

i just woke up.

my eyeballs hurt...so i must've cried last night.

which translates into krazie being crazy drunk.

my head is a little congested.

i still have all the money in my purse

i remember losing an earring at the hooch.

no problem...they'd find it when the cleaned up

the other should be in my pocket, but it's not.

so i'll be questing to find that amidst the bedsheets

definitely just found the tissue i used last night from said crying.

oh dear

i just sniffled and i thought my head was going to explode

oh thank god

i don't have to work today.

i don't even know how i can type right now.

but these are my first thoughts.  

my alarm must've gone off, but i'm sure i slept right through that piece of crap.

speaking of crap....

i feel like shit.

thank god birthdays come once a year.

sniffled again...same results.

really i just wanna know where my earrings went now.  

oh jesus...

just went potty...washing my hands looked in the mirror.

thank the heavens i slept alone.

and dammit

i got stuff on my new birthday shirt.

hopefully it comes out.

man alive.

i remember having a cake and taking it to the hooch.

WTF happened?

holy carp...

that too, but holy crap.

thank god my fingers work, because brains aren't.

ouch.

i'm done.

Giddy New Single Woman!

While I remain in a stressful place I am not stressed. My cousin said to me the other day, “Tough times never last, tough people do.” And is he so right!

I went out last week with some new friends. It was a group “date” and I was very nervous. I haven’t been nervous when going out with new friends in years! But it was the best time I had since I arrived in Illinois. How interesting it is to be single and “out there” in that scene. In our younger years, it was different to be single and looking for whatever came along. Now that I have gained a few years, I see so much more now.

I played pool – horribly – and hung out. Of course, we were at a sports bar so I wore my awesome NY Yankee jersey. To my delight – and surprise – one gentleman in our group is a die hard cubs fan. What fun it was to NOT be a hater and enjoy the friendly banter of sports talk.

I for course, say thank you to Rockey for “educating” me on sports. We even spoke of the hockey game in October of which the Detroit Red Wings will be coming to St. Louis. That should be an interesting and fun adventure.

Adam, you will be ecstatic to know my new friends are EOD. So, of course, I will be coming to you for words of wisdom and warning. HA!

Two Weeks

Well it's been two weeks.. I am slowly getting back into the swing of life, but I guess that really won't be finished until I Officially sign in at Hurlburt.. This next week Tammy and I are going back to Mass for my sisters wedding then I will report the day after we return.
It's Saturday afternoon here and yes another Bug Shop Saturday gone..It's funny how things contrast each other soo MUCH.. Just a few weeks ago, I was going through the WEEK of LASTs(and firsts..like PUMPKIN DUCK and SUSHI)..But now I go through the weeks remembering what I would have been doing on Wed (free pizza), Thurs(M & M), Fri (free dinner) and then OF COURSE Sat (the Bug Shop) Sun(get ready for another week).. Yea NO there are no M&M nights or free pizza nights but we have Tues & Thurs night football games..
Haven't had ONE bit of Korean Food since I have been home..I thought I would NEVER miss it, but because of YOU, I acutally DO... Beef on a Leaf in the univeristy district, Bulgogi & Yaki on Sundays and of course who could ever forget the VERY first & last time at Pumpkin Duck..
So yes I still KNOW who you all are..I thought since it has been 2 weeks and I haven't added anything on here to see how many times people read it that I would give you a quick T-hoe update..
I am going to attempt to start updating the family blog and I will start right after I POST this..

Keep it real over there..
Always in my heart
J T-hoe

Well Said

Lt, Holy crap! Well said. What a tear jerker. I can't stop reading it. I am very grateful that I've gotten the chance to get to know each and everyone of you. Ya'll are some incredible people!

Peace,
Steve O

WoW.. You've done it again

Thankyou for EVERYTHING all of you..

If the post below this isn't enough clarification for anyone, I think it's PERFECT...OUTSTANDING..not sure how many times I can read tonight but VERY NICE....

THANK YOU AGAIN for being such special people and touching me sooo deeply..
See my other post here ---->  Jason's Jaunt 

Always in my heart and YOUR FRIEND, BROTHER

Jason

And then there were three

Do you cry because it's over?

or

Do you smile because it happened?

Well dammit

I think today

I'm gonna do both

With every hug

memories of the past 

run through my mind

like a flash of lightning

through the night sky

I close my eyes 

and 

there we are

and 

there we were

You'd think with each goodbye

(and there have been a few)

it would get 

easier

because they make us stronger

because we know we are that much closer

to our own goodbyes

i sit here with a strange feeling

the desire to leave so badly

to get back to the "real world"

but this place has this power to pull at my heartstrings

just a little bit

just enough

this place changes people

this place has changed me

my eyes have been opened to some of the most amazing things

and 

it's because of you all

i can see so clearly

i am grateful everyday

for

everything we've shared

everything we've accomplished

as co-workers

as peers

as friends

i count myself lucky

to have had the time

(no matter how brief)

to know each of you

and look forward to the day we meet again

now remains only three

but in the words of someone somewhere

and

(i hope they are right)

the best...

it's yet to be.

peacelovehope to you all

always

there is a puddle in my entryway...

T-hoe...you want to explain that one?

New Honoraries

Last night, the couple of us that are left decided to have an offline discussion and decided that maybe we should have done this earlier but after NOT MUCH debate and or DISCUSSION it was very easy to see that these two personnel should be HONORARY C..K..G members...

So Adam Ginett  & Ben Carlson  you my friends are now  (H)C..K..G

Thank you

So.. I know I already said MOST of what I needed in my last post...BUT... How do I thank you for this past weekend ????

  I don't have a good answer..We had a great time..You all made this weekend and AWESOME time for the 3 of us...You all got together to make me an AWESOME jersey..and now I am at a loss for words..

  I have soooo much on my mind right now..I have so much I want to say to all of you but it's just a jumbled mess of emotions..  Rockey left last night, Vinny leaves tonight and Leasa, JC, Joe are already gone..I knew I wanted to say some things, I know I wanted to say a HUGE thankyou to all of you on Saturday but I am not sure if any of it came out the way it should have..

  So I will try it again...
1st..Steve O...Like I said before, I wouldn't have wanted to have the cookout ANYWHERE else..Thank you for opening your shop and your heart to all of us..!!
2nd..Vinny & Calvin...Thank you for preparing everything..Thank you both for being YOU...You guys both are awesome
3rd...Rockey..You're probably the FIRST person to notice when I started to loosen up..I am sorry that I didn't get out earlier..
4th..Nicki.. Thank you for everything...for going out of you way to work the logistics for the Jersey..You too are awesome and one of a kind
5th..Leasa, I know you weren't here but WE ALL KNEW you were here in spirit...Thank you for being a great friend..GOOD luck in your every new step and adventure..We are all ALWAYS thinking of you !!
6th...To all of you (the C..K..G)...You may have put FOUNDER on my Jersey, but it wasn't I..We all just kind of JELLED..We all kind of knew how to listen to each other and WE all knew how to make each other LAUGH...and the BEST part is WE all knew, whether it was professional or not, how to assist each other to get things done...What a GREAT team !!...

 So now I am left with my last thought..I never like to feel like I OWE people anything and that is not where I am going.. I wanted you all to have a FD coin, but there were none... I wanted you all to have something but I have left you all empty handed. Then I thought..I have a LIFETIME for that BUT..Probably the biggest thing I could have given you all was my TRUE friendship and a funny as some may think (THIS BLOG).. 

 I already miss you all a bunch, but like Rockey said yesterday and this weekend, 

IT's TIME TO GO HOME...

Remember you ALL have a place with T-hoe anytime..

Education and Direction

As I sit here on my first REAL Friday night since arriving in Illinois, I have no plans. And surprisingly enough that is AWESOME! I only say such because I bought a new book today and I am enjoying the read. This may seem extremely dorky to many but for me…I need to work on me FIRST. This means enjoying some much need hot chocolate (laced with bailey’s) while curled up with my Yankees blanket (:-D), and reading.
As most of you know, I am working towards my degree in English/Literature with a focus on education and management. This will allow me to work in the field of education in most forms; from teacher to superintendant. After conducting a lot of research on where I want to go within and outside the Air Force, my major has changed. It is still within the same realm but a different focus. My new major is Marketing and Management with a double minor of Literature and Education.
I am excited at something new that will present more opportunities and doors for my future goals; both inside and outside the military. Personal circumstances have caused me to “pause” certain adventures and entertainment I want to do. This is my first step towards something amazing…the first of many steps yet to come.
I write all of this to inform those I care about and those that have been the best of friends of my new direction. There are more changes, excitement, adventure, and travel that will be throughout the next few months. Things are progressing “nicely” or as nicely as possible regarding my divorce. I wish I could say that I hate him but I don’t. What I do feel in regards to him is sadness; sad that he will never change and that I did not want to admit to such. It took five years of my life to realize that and I KNOW I will not make that mistake again. I have lost TOO much of myself and I am working on getting that back!
I also say all of this with a smile because there is a going away party about to commence for three outstanding individuals! Wish I could be there but know that I am there in spirit! Miss you all and see you in the future…do not know exactly when but it will happen!

Why do they call him Technical Orders

LOL...OMG... are you kidding me ???

So we're sitting there eating dinner and one of the CGO's actually asked another, why do they call him Techinical Orders..  LOL... It's not T.O....It's   T-hoe

To the C...K...G

T-Hoe, thanks for the kind words. Just know that I've really enjoyed hanging out with all the C...K...G and I'm looking forward to another great time this weekend filled with unforgettable memories. I will miss every single one of you when it is your time to say good bye. I promise all of you that CMFJ, LTB, and myself will keep this thing going as long as we are here together at Kunsan.


Peace,
Steve O

Well I guess now is a good time

Hmmm.... I sit here in my room (so often I ALMOST called home), waiting for the packers to arrive and I think to myself.. How many emotions are going to fly this weekend.

We have 3 more CKG leaving and that will leave just Steve O, Calvin & LT B to keep the name up maybe invite some honorary's but it will be just you three until the last one of you leaves !!

Wow.. i don't know where to start, yea I will probably send an I LOVE YOU ( LOL ) e-mail this next week sometime but I figure here is a good time..

So to all the CKG..Steve O, Calvin, Leasa, Vinny, Nicki (Lt B), Pete, JC & Joe...I know I said it a couple times but I am sorry i waited so long to come out and hang out.. You 8 people are some awesome individuals and where ever you go ( i know some are already gone Leasa, JC & Joe), what ever trials & tribulations you go through, where ever you end up, know that you always have a place with T-hoe.

Steve O, although I not giving you ALLLLLL the credit you get some of it for bringing this group together, where else can you go on a Saturday afternoon, hang out with friend (AT KUNSAN) and just hang out, learn about each other, talk to each other and have a GREAT time..Well WE all know that YOU Opened the Bug Shop and you open the miniture Golf course to what has now become the CKG and a bunch of CKG wanna bees LOL..

I said when Pickett left that if you want to see a grown man cry then JOIN the Air Force, now although I did pretty well at the Hail & farewell I can't promise that I won't shed a tear or two this weekend. After 18 yrs in the Air Force only the last 4 probably have I made the BEST friends of my life and you all are some of them. I will say it again as I always do.. Leave your family and leaving your GOOD friends never seems to get easier JUST Harder..

It is SOOOO Dammm amazing how KUNSAN, as busy, stressfull and little as it is, brings people together, are there for each other at the best and worst (hardest)times. I am sooo glad I came here instead of OSAN and if ( I said IF) I ever have to do this again, I will ONLY COME HERE..Maybe get a car next time LOL, but only HERE...This is one of those places that ONLY those that have been here would understand, and the funny part is, you just can't explain it..

So on to the end, I guess we all got little pre cursors when ONE at a time left..Like Joe, JC & Leasa.. but now we get to have a going away cookout and watch 3 leave together, WoW if that isn't going to be a sight. I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you.. you have been the best, you will always be the best. I wish all of you Good Luck and God Speed..

Oh and you know Steve O, I & the families will be hanging out sometime around Thanksgiving so give us a shout in Florida.. !! :-)

So before I am really done, i will answer your question, I wrote this now just in case I can't find a way to tell of you this weekend..YOU ALL ROCK..but it's time for T-hoe to get home to the family...I will tell you this.. the T-hoe family would LOVE each and everyone of you.. !!!!

T-hoe Out

Wine night

(S) Sgt ......We are pre gaming for the announcement LEASA !!

This post has been AMMENDED..  The Pre-gaming worked, even though CK LMW wasn't here to celebrate, we all DID    LOL.

Congratulation SSgt Williams..Yup in a COUPLE days you will be, so get that stuff sewed on nOW !!

From the rest of the GANG... CONGRATS ...

" UNO and You"

Ok so you had to be there.. but  it was friggin HILARIOUS .

" UNO and You"

Is that really what you were trying to say ??

ROTFL

Still adding photos

I am still adding photos... If you have some COOL kid photos you want in the slide show let me know or some individual shots since I may not have many ..  I am still working it out.. please be patient !!

T

Please HOLD the Applause

As most of you know I am not a technologically savvy individual. This attempt at ?blogging? as it is called can be quite a daunting experience. Without further wait I give you?ME!

Over the past two years, events have transpired that have lead to life altering decisions. I have just recently arrived at Scott AFB outside of St. Louis and I am ecstatic to be here! Regardless of the excess baggage I have dropped along the way, life is still adventurous. I want to say THANK YOU to certain, select few that have been OUTSTANDING friends, listeners, and in one short word: family. I have learned so much from each of you mere words cannot describe.

Guilt has a funny way to lingering when you least expect it too. I have a few ?skeletons? in the closet and done things I am not proud of ? but NOT once have I ever wished I could go back. Although, we may not always be proud of the decisions we make they are the foundation of who we are to become. I do not know what the future holds for me but, I do know that I will tackle it with my head held high!

I have learned that it is okay to wake up in the morning, fear the unknown, and tell yourself you are awesome! Because that is exactly what I am because of the friendship and love you all have shown me. L To learn so much from such beautiful and wise people has given me new light into what I am capable of. For that, I say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, and THANK YOU!

This new adventure is what I NEED! Each one of you has shown something different with each difference being something grand! There are many wants in life but never have I felt the NEED before now because of the little things you all say and do. And I have to say with a huge smile and a wink in my eye:

It?s LEASA TIME! Go me, go me, go me! :-D

Latest from Jason's Jaunt

My latest post



Well That's It !!

WOW thanks

You know it kinds of says a lot about and to a person when NEVER before have I spoken about being a Shirt, and when the conversation comes up in a crowd your name is the first one everyone yells out..  Really   THANK YOU.... That in itself says a lot about what you think about me, my friendship and my heart..  I really appreciate it..



Cool Kids ROCK !!

ALL Cool Kid Rules apply

BULLMOOSE Rules

First time for everything

So I dont normally do this sort of thing, but I thought "What the hell." You meet some awesome, bitchin', and down right COOL kids when your out and about doing the Air Force's deeds. So here's to all those who I have met. (Raiseing beer now) I hope everyone keeps in touch. Thanks to T Hoe for setting this up.
V

The VERY first ONE

Well this is the first installment of the CKG blog... Some of us have already left but some are still here to start this NEW way to passing info about ALL of us..  LOL...  This isn't the first BLOG i have used to keep in touch with friends, it's the second but it's such a COOL idea.. WHY.. becauase it's JUST FOR YOU... I know e-mail works too. but this is another cool way to post photos, news, updates or just BLOG what's going on and everyone gets to see it at their leisure.



So my first project is to collect pictures of all the COOL KIDS and some how make a collage for the title block..



This is NO way has to continue, if you all don't think is will work let me know and I will delete it.  But right now. it's up and running..!!



Enjoy

T-hoe