So Long...Farewell...

Well, I had hoped to get to this post a little bit earlier, but my day yesterday didn't go quite as I planned.

I just wanted to say a quick goodbye to all of you.

This blog has been...the best thing ever. Of course, I'm not saying goodbye to it forever, but it is going to be tough not having this world to rant to at the end of the day.

I am about to embark on an incredible adventure and I cannot wait to return and tell you all about it. Things around here are going to get quite exciting!  I'll be redesigning and doing a complete blog over-haul. It's going to be awesome! You can expect some great things from me. Well, at least I hope you all think that they're pretty great!

Please, be sure to check out my guest posters. They are all so great and I'm very excited to have them.

My little sister Megan will be posting on my behalf and dealing with anything bloggy. If you wonder about me, would like to write, or whatever, feel free to email me at knay93@gmail.com She will be regulating that as well!

I have now removed all of my nail polish, packed my bag, collected all of my paper work, and I'm about to have my last meal with my family! 

I can't wait to return!

Goodbye!

An Indomitable Will

Tomorrow (okay...1 am so today...) is the day that I say goodbye...

I say goodbye to everything that I have known for the longest time.

I say good bye...

...to my wooby, my nice warm bed, and long restful nights.

...to blogging about my day when it's crappy.

...to making dinner for my family and dancing around the kitchen while I do it. 

...to my parents, my sisters, my cousins, my aunts and uncles... 

I say goodbye to everyone; to everything. 

My life has been packed up in boxes and I have finally reached the end of this chapter of my life. The chapter where I live with my parent and use my money to buy Cafe Rio every pay day...The chapter where I don't have to pay rent. The chapter where it's not my responsibility to be sure that there is food in the fridge. The chapter where I'm a kid. 

I'm leaving it behind and starting something bigger. And I'm scared.

I am scared to death and I only hope that I have the strength to get through this next step.

Okay, that's enough fragment sentences for one day. Don't you agree?

I have thought long and hard what I wanted to say tonight. So long, in fact, that I'm posting really late...It's crazy to think that this is amount my last posts! BUT! You guys have a lot to look forward to reading while I'm gone. I have some fantastic guest posters that I'm sure you will enjoy. I know that I have already. Their posts will be going live as a part of my "While I'm Away" Series starting on February 4th with Ashley from Ms. A. Bish.  I'm very excited to have some many great people posting for me and I hope you love them all as much as I do!

I also have quite a few stacked up in the archives that are scheduled to go live throughout my absence, but this is the last one that I'll be writing...in the moment, I suppose you could say.

But anyway... As I was saying. I thought about what I would write for a while and I finally decided. Here it goes. 

This journey...this trip through my life has not been easy, thus far. I wouldn't say that I've had it so much harder than most people though. I have two parents that love me. I have two sisters that I get along with very well. I have talents, brains (somedays...), ambitions, and a life that is truly so worth living. 

Plus...I'm cute right?

I know that we're all on this quest to be happy. We're all looking for what is going to complete our lives, but somehow, we find ourselves constantly disappointed. We discover that relying on what comes next to make us happy only makes us miserable. So we have to live in the present. 

Well maybe we all haven't realized that, but I certainly have. I spent too much time waiting on something to happen.  I've been waiting for my ship to come in...

Well let me tell you...

I have discovered that I can't just wait. I can't just allow time to pass and wish for a future with happiness in it. I have to chase after the things that you want in spite of everything...because of everything that is working against you. 

With that being said...It seems I have contradicted myself. But this is the part where I say something that creates a sort of cohesion and you begin to understand my crazy rambles...

I want to enjoy this next little chunk of my struggle. Instead of saying...when I'm all done with basic I will be happy I will fight for that title, whether they make me do it or not.  I'm going to deserve everything that is given to me, good and bad. I'm going to chase after every opportunity presented to me, and whether I achieve my goal or not, I will be happy. Why is that, you ask? Well, because I will be proud of whatever I do, whether the outcome is what I wanted or not. 

Have I begun to make sense?

I have concluded that my only option is to do my best and that is where my happiness will lie.

I am so ready to finally live this dream. And most of all...to prove to everyone who thought I couldn't do this that I can. 

With this, I leave you...

Hopefully you'll get one more post tomorrow. I was going to write it tonight...but I've already stayed up way past my bed time thinking too much. 

Happy Saturday/Sunday, friends. 

Fashionista I Am Not

I know that it's pretty dang cold just about everywhere this winter, well except in those southern and tropical places around the US...but yesterday was a day like no other.  We had freezing rain come out of our sky. You could literally skate across any outdoor surface in your tennis shoes. In fact, that was your best option. Unless you felt like falling down...Which I'm sure lots of people did. I heard on the radio this morning that in the Salt Lake area alone there were over 150 car accidents. Some of which included state troopers! 

Holy crap...I think everyone is about ready for this insane weather to stop so we can bust out our tank tops and short shorts...It's totally crazy that I'll leave here when it's about 20 degrees all the time, and when I come back, it will be about...102.

Kelly from Messy Dirty Hair | Lindsey from Peace Love Sequins

And now it's time for Fearless Fashion Friday! The basic idea of this link up is that you share some cool fashion trend that you would like to try, but you are too afraid to.  Last week I shared how I have morphed into a bit of a shopaholic after indulging in a little bit too much retail therapy. I showed some fashions that I used to be afraid of, but I am no longer. 

This week, I picked a few things that I am still afraid of. I planned on trying to use them in my outfit today, but I didn't go buy anything that I would have needed to pull it off. I've been too busy with last minute stuff I need to do to get ready to go. (but really, watching Doctor Who and reading blogs...) 

Source: amazon.com via Katie on Pinterest

Worn to be seen Underwear. It's so cute...I just don't really know how to do it. It's kind of hard with it being about 4 degrees lately, but still.  I really want to figure these out and wear them with confidence.

Source: instagram.com via Katie on Pinterest

And along those same lines, bralettes. However you spell that...by they, probably don't want to type that into a search engine. Sketchy. That's all I'm sayin'.

Source: nastygal.com via Katie on Pinterest

These skirts...for a long time, I couldn't decide how I felt about them, but I really think I need to try one out! Maybe after boot camp and I'm thirsting for some adorable new clothes...I'm acutally considering tossing out my entire wardrobe and starting from scratch. Crazy. But fun. :)

A fashionista I am not...but maybe I will be one day!

Don't forget about this killer giveaway I've got running. The winner will be picked 13 days from now and I will be long gone...

I got my orders and my flight itinerary yesterday and I'm all set to leave on Monday...This starting to get real folks!


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The Things We Leave Behind

Seems how I'm getting ready to go and leaving behind a whole lot of things, I thought I'd say a little bit about all those things that I've left so far.

In my life I have had many adventures.  I have seen many versions of myself and I have discovered the things that have been worth keeping around, things that haven't, and things that I miss now that they've been more or less, left in the dust. 

Sadly, it happens fairly often. Even the things that you love just seem to become less important. You don't make time for them anymore even if you still love them.

For example, reading. I used to read an entire book each day. It took me only a few hours to get through a book with 300 pages, sometimes more. I loved it. It was like you could have these fantastic adventures, feel the most painful heartbreaks, experience the best kind of joy, with out ever leaving the comfort of your home.  And I just...grew out of it. Can you imagine that? I grew out of being an avid reader.

I can't even remember all of the books that I have read. That's how many I have read. I also have quite the library fines...still unpaid. I know I'm such a rebel. 

Once upon time, I was a dancer. I danced jazz and ballet for years. Sometimes I really miss it.  This week, my high school drill team competed in Region and I felt so nostalgic looking at all of their region camp pictures. 

And I might never continue that...It's hard to have left it behind. I packed all of my dance shoes into a box last week. I sealed them up in a zip lock back along with a little bit of wishful thinking. Hoping that maybe one day, I'll continue with it. 

Believe it or not, I used to be one of those people who listened to screamo music. It was actually my favorite kind of music...But I can hardly remember the last time I chose to listen to it over something else. Not because I don't like it anymore, I've simply, moved on from it. 

It's amazing to me how my likes and dislikes have changed. How many things that I've all but forgotten about...What will change in the next few years? What will I leave behind? What will I keep around? I guess only time will tell...

The Facts of Me

When I saw this on Whitney's blog, I honestly could not resist. 

As bloggers, we think that everyone wants to know all about out. And can you blame us? We write about ourselves and our day to day life, you all leave comments, like our links, tweet @ us, and you reinforce the narcissism.  

So hold on to your keyboards friends, you're about to learn "The Facts of Me".

I love baseball caps, but I can't wear them the right way for very long. I always end up flipping them backwards.  Something I seem to have passed onto my lil' sissy.

When I sit at the dinner table I put my feet up on my chair. It makes my mother crazy, but I do it every time...

I read the TV guide menu deal in one glace and get annoyed when others don't. 

And while I'm talking about TV, I don't like commercials, but I really hate it when people flip back and forth between two shows. You always miss parts of both. Just watch the damn commercial!

I have a secret dream to be in a band like the Dixie Chicks. Except better, bigger, and not liberal.  We've already got the makings right here!

I talk...a lot. Seriously, think of your most chatty friend and times that by two and you have me.

I hate pants.  When I walk into my house, my pants come off with my shoes. It's the reason that I wear dresses all the time, in fact.

I used to be afraid of ants. Then when I got old enough to realize that they're barely a centimeter long...I learned how to burn them with a magnifying glass. (I promise I'm not a serial killer...just a pyro...)

Although I work hard to look seem very confident, I am pretending most of the time but...I whole heartedly believe in this:

I love roller coasters. Like love them. I would ride the loopey one in California Adventure a zillion times in a row if I could. 

I am...obsessed with Harry Potter. Yep. I'm one of those people. 

I want to be a bar tender. That's not my lifelong dream, just something I need to do and cross off the list. 

I think I'm really funny. And sometimes, I think it really is true, but some people don't seem to appreciate it. 

I always want things that I can't have. 

My backyard is I-15 and the train tracks. I wrote A song about how much I hate living next to both. 

And last but not least, I want you to enter my giveaway! (nice segue right?!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It only runs until next week, so be sure to get your name in the ring! 

Bitter Sweet

First and foremost! My giveaway is still running but it's winding down! Also, Military spouses, the military charms are soon to be discountinued! Get your order in before the January 31st to get your military charm lockets!

You can order by going to Tina Graham's Design Facebook Page and sending her an IM :)

You can win a free medium locket by entering this giveaway!

We're getting down to the wire! I'm leaving for basic training a week from today!  Are you guys going to miss me?! I hope so!

 Couple of days ago, I got word that my promotion came through! I am now going to be a PV2.

That still makes me a Private, but I dont' have to deal with a fuzzy little thing and having no rank insignia. I'm pretty happy about that!

But...It's my last day of work and I kind of want to cry.  Although work is occasionally annoying and there are things that frustrate me, I like it here. I've gotten quite good at my job and I'm sad I don't get to be a part of the next 6 months of growth this company is certain to experience. Luckily though, being a reservist, I get to come back to this lovely job. Hopefully by then, some of th big growing pains that made this job hard will be worked out.

There are a few things I will really miss about work.
I'm going to miss...

Standing in line for the microwave only to discover you ended up with the one that sets paper on fire, the vending machine that almost never delivers your treat to you, and walking in the breakroom to find that there is one person at each table and you have to choose who to be awkward with.




E-mails that tell us not to clip our nails, cut our hair, put our feet on our desk, or take too long to walk to the time clock..

Source: dumpaday.com via Katie on Pinterest

Drawing the little trampoline man on my hand and watching him jump for hours.

The horrified look on the face of a trainee when they take their first call.

Living on the edge and having food at my desk when we've been told "no food in your stations. Food is defined as any source of nourishment healthy or otherwise."

Taking secret pictures of things...


 The fear I feel when I go into the forbidden break room to buy a soda when they're all sold out downstairs.
Chatting with my co-workers and having both hilarious and intelligent conversations.

Leaving for work early enough for this to be the temperature


Wearing a most stylish headset and freezing my bum off.

Working really hard to avoid anyone seeing my terrible  badge picture.

Yup, my thumb is over my face for a reason...not cute.

 Running all over the center to find a working time clock.

Bundling up because it's like Antarctica in this place.

Having people repeatedly ask me why I'm dressed up and telling them "I just like dresses" on a a nearly daily basis.

and so many other things!

Today I brought cookies for everyone and I even got a hug someone who told me that cats are the only mamals he would even consider hugging. Ima call that a win.

But...

Source: imgspark.com via Katie on Pinterest

So here's to moving on to the next chapter in my life. A new adventure with new friends, new fears, new joys and a ridiculous amount of uncertainty.

I really hope that it's everything that I have ever dreamed of.

Fearless

 Today, I'm linking up with Peace Love Sequins and Messy. Dirty. Hair. to share with you my fearless fashions!

It has been a while since I've posted about fashion, and I have really been itching to, so I'm so excited about this new link up. I hope it's still going when I get back! 

This past...oh 3 months or so, I have really come out of my shell as far as fashion or style is concerned. 

After my ex-fiance and I broke up, I indulged in some serious retail therapy. You don't even want to know how much money I "threw away" on clothes. But really, it wasn't throwing money away at all, because my confidence was boosted by about 15 points and I started to actually feel good about myself. If you've ever gone through a really bad break up, you understand that you don't feel good about yourself at all. In fact, you feel bad. You feel like you aren't enough. Like you weren't pretty enough. Like you didn't call enough. You didn't do this right, you didn't do that right, you made too many mistakes. You aren't good enough. 

But there is just something about putting on that new pair of red high heels, running some red lipstick over your lips, and looking like you couldn't be happier to be free from that ol' ball and chain. No matter how much of a lie it is, you look damn good and you're proud of it. 

I guess that is one really good thing that came from getting dumped on my bum:

A fabulous wardrobe. 

That's not to say that I don't rock my jeans and t-shirts. My co-workers will tell you, I don't always look like I'm about to walk the cat walk...

So. With that being said, I tried a ton of things that I never would have before. 

One big thing I did, was start wearing colored tights.  I was so terrified to do this. I thought for sure that  I would look silly, but I really have grown to like them! They make it so that I can wear virtually any thing I want even though it's winter.  

I've also been adding socks to sort of, break the line a little bit and I'm totally in love with it. These are my favorite socks. I've got a thing with floral print...I always have, but, get this, I've been too scared to try it until now!

Another trend I was completely afraid of was lipstick. I'd worn it a little bit here and there, but every time I did, I felt all self conscious that someone was sitting in the break room judging me for it. Well, post break-up, I stopped giving a shit what random people though. Novel idea right? So, I started wearing all the lipstick that I wanted to!

This is the day of my ex-fiance's brother's wedding, where ex-fiance was in attendance. It was the first time I had seen him since we'd broken up, so it was hard to say the least, but let me tell you, I looked good. I wore the red high heels. The point is to make 'em watch you when you walk away. :)

I'm so excited to get back from basic, shed my camo and rock some new fashions that I just have to try. It's scary, but I know that it will be worth it. 

I haven't had a chance to take a picture of my "outfit of the day" today, but definitely keep an eye on IG to see todays...It's pretty bold. What can I say, this link up has inspired me!

EDIT:

Today's #ootd

Please excuse the dirty bathroom mirror...I'm embarrassed. :P

Don't Forget To Turn The Light On

Today's post was inspired by something that I posted on my personal Facebook page (Please, feel free to send me a friend request) last night. 

It might sound kind of silly to say that something you said about yourself inspired you, but honestly, it happens to me all the time. I am a thinker. I think everything to death. So after I put something on the internet, I read it a lot. I think about what I said, why I said it, and what it means to me. I won't lie though, sometimes I also giggle a little bit over what I say. I think I'm hilarious. 

But anyway, I'll try no to climb the whole mountain before I get to the point of the this post.

This particular post earned 29 likes (come on people! You couldn't give me 30?!) and a couple of comments. Lately, my facebook has been pretty active. Ever since I discovered twitter, I've sort of been neglecting Facebook, but I decided to split my attention a little bit. Ugh, I'm sorry, I'm hiking up the mountain again. 

My post said the following:

"Last winter, I was recovering from a surgery, tired of it being dark and cold, depressed that the person I loved was far away, and felt completely hopeless. Today, I have embraced this cold weather, I even sat in my car in which the heat does not work in 12 degree weather to finish listening to a song and I wasn't bothered. I am beyond recovered from my injury. I'm not terrified that a relationship is going to fall apart and I'm two weeks from fulfilling a major dream. Things seem pretty dark at times, but I think that I probably just forgot to turn the light on.."

I'm not sure what spurred the thought, I suppose I was simply reflecting, like I often do, on my situation and thinking about if I was happy or not with the way that things were going.

This is what I came up with:

Yesterday, I went out to lunch alone. I don't work on Tuesdays, but everyone else does...

But instead of being all depressed about it, I gathered together my multiple Cafe Rio card and ended up with a free meal! 

When I came out of Cafe Rio, I jumped in my car and drove away. Well, I didn't get very far because I had a flat tire. Of course, I was wearing dress so even if I did have a tire iron in the car, I couldn't change it myself. I had to call my daddy to come and rescue me.


Instead of letting that ruin my day, I took note that my daddy was wearing the hat I got him for Christmas, and he has been ever since.

I spent the day hanging out with my dad by accident. I guess that's pretty okay with me.

Then later, we went over to my sister's new place. As I've mentioned before, my big sister is pregnant. I'm going to be gone when she has the baby, so I'm putting together her baby shower for this weekend. Well, she just barely moved into this house and we've got to get it ready for a whole bunch of guest by Saturday. The first thing that we had to do, was get her new (well new to her) sectional down the stairs and into her family room...Well it was too big to fit, so my dad busted it up into pieces and he's working on putting it back together by Saturday...

It's sort of stressing me out. But we got to go over to her new place and have dinner.

Ever wonder how you check to see if the spaghetti noodles are done yet? You throw one at the fridge. Totally works, I swear. 

Then, my sisters and I watched one of our all time favorites, The Master of Disguise. Well, we made it through most of it before we fell asleep.  I guess in our old age we can't stay up late anymore...

My mom snapped this picture of us before she woke us up to brave the tundra outside to go home.  I'm really going to miss my sissies when I go...

So...Now you're like. Hmm...what the heck does this have to do with turning on the light. Well, today was not the best day ever. It was inconvenient to get a flat, but let's face it, flat tires are never convenient.  I had to eat lunch alone, but it was free!  And because I can't drive my car, I get to carpool with my dad. My van has heat! 

Basically, what I'm getting at, is that although there are something that happen throughout your day and throughout your life that don't seem to go as planned, things that simply just don't work out, sometimes, you just have to turn the light on. Watch the Master of Disguise and forget about the darkness. 

And while you're at it, enter this great giveaway I'm running until the first week in February! Win a free medium silver locket from Origami Owl.  Check out Tina's design Facebook page. Like it for your first entry and head over here to enter!

How Do You Explain BFE To Your Co-Workers?

Today...What do I say about today? 

Well, have you ever heard that Shania Twain song "Honey, I'm Home"?

Now you have.  Holy crap. That dancing and those outfits...too good. If the video doesn't work, go watch it. It's great.

But anyway, that pretty much explains how my day went. I woke up extremely late. Holy crap, the speed and intensity with which you get dressed when you are late could rival that of a Marine Corps Recruit...I would have made it on time to work, but I drove too aggressively and missed my exit.

Then I had to park in BFE (a term I had to explain at work in a group chat with 15+ people...how do you explain Bum F@#$ing Egypt in a professional way?) in 5 degree weather because I was late.

Then I had to kick someone out of my desk when I got to work...something I never enjoy doing. And we were in queue for almost an hour which means about 15 seconds between calls. If that long!

Seriously, it was the most ridiculous day...I also ended up having to look fairly homeless because I had to jump out of bed, but on a bra and run out the door.

It's my own fault. I slept in on Sunday morning, so I wasn't tired that night...I stayed up too late.

But that doesn't make it less crappy!

I'm also starting to get sad I'm leaving work. I have a really good time talking to all my co-workers and teaching my trainees how to do my job. It's fun, and I'm good at it.  Of course it will be a nice change of pace to leave and I'm so excited to get to live my dream, but there's a few things that I will definitely miss.

Today we discussed a road not taken that I am seriously considering jaunting down some day soon.  I've been watching the TV show Heartland on Netflix (It's about cowboys in Canada. Totally didn't even know Canada had cowboys and got to feel dumb when people explained the rodeo circuit up there to me) But anyway, I think I really want to try my hand with the horses...My dad is a cowboy. I've been around horses all my life. They don't scare me. I used to ride fairly well, and I bet that I could do it.

My list of things to do before I die just got a little bit longer because "become a cowgirl" just got added...

And if you're looking for an amazing song to listen to..."Merry Go 'Round" by Kacy Musgraves. You will not regret it.

[EDIT]
After writing this post, I learned the song, "Merry Go 'Round" given the day I have I look like a ho-bo, but I want to share it with you! It is on my crappy webcam...meaning not so good, but I'm pretty okay with it seems how I learned it barely over an hour ago...So, enjoy!

And now that I've gotten super random and written a blog post about absolutely nothing. Go enter my giveaway! Do it. I know you want to!

Sunday Social [Blogging Edition]

Hey there blog! It's pretty dang cold in Utah today...I'm sitting here at work, sipping my chai and all bundled up in a blanket! I hope you (yes you!) wherever you are, it's a little bit warmer and you aren't combatting with stupid drivers who don't understand snow driving, snow plows that are obviously confused, and cars that have frost on the inside. 

 It's been forever since I've done the Sunday Social, so I thought I might give it a shot today! I'm linking up with Neely & Ashley to tell you all about my bloggy!

1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging? 

My blog is called Camo-Colored Chaos. 

I have been blogging since March 2012! Almost an entire year now!!

2. Why do you blog?  
Blogging has been...amazing for me. It has been therapeutic, enjoyable, a way for me to write and get my words out there. I've been met with enormous support from all of my blog friends and I truly believe that my life has been changed by this blog and I hope that someday, my words have changed someone else's life. 

3. What is the first blog you ever followed? 
I don't remember! I followed a whole bunch of blogs at once when I started getting into blogging. I guess among the first were 

Ramblings Of a Marine Wife
My Marine and Me
&
Handling With Grace

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012? 
This is a very tough question! I had to go through a ton of posts to find ya'll my favorite one. 

I decided on one that isn't the most serious of posts, but I remember having a great time writing it and it really made me reflect on who I am and who I will be in the future. Give it a read:

If I ever have children, they may not survive

5. What are your blogging goals for 2013? Keep at it. Grow my blog. Get some more sponsors. 

6. Top 3 favorite blogs to follow?This is also a tough one...There are so many blogs that I enjoy reading, but there's a few that I almost always read:

 Taingamala (Jane has a rocking new design! Loving it!)
I Wore Yoga Pants (Whitney makes me laugh outloud while blogging in my cube at work...)
Mess. Dirty, Hair (Kelly inspires me in so many ways!)

Don't forget to check out my sponsor giveaway I'm running! You could win a free medium silver locket from Tina Graham, an independent designer from Origami Owl! I have a locket that I won through a giveaway and I looove it and I know you will too! Enter to win today!

So You Want To Be A Soldier

On my journey into the military, I've learned a few "dos & don'ts".  I was also given a lot of advice as to how to do it.  I have been approached by all kinds of people interested in the military asking me questions about it and wanting advice. So, I've compiled somewhat of a list about becoming a member of our armed services.  I have learned quite a bit from my experiences joining the Marines and then the Army Reserve and I would like to share that knowledge for the sake of other who might need a little bit of guidance 

Although I say "Soldier" I really mean pretty much any person who wants to be in the military.

Well, I've got a few words of advice for you. 

• Do your Homework. Before you make a decision to join a certain branch, talk to recruiters, read up on the branches and make an informed decision. Join the branch that best suits you. 
• Do study for the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery).  Despite what "they" say, that score does matter. I got a high score and qualified to do almost anything in the military. 
• Don't get talked into something you don't want to do. Recruiters are good at their jobs. Make sure that you are your own advocate. Don't get pushed around. 
• Do pay attention to the physical requirements of each branch! They are all different and you need to be sure that you meet them before you attempt to join. 
• Do pick a job that you will be interested in doing. Lots of people get in and end up feeling very stuck in the job they got pinned with. 
• Don't expect it to be the quickest process in the world. Joining the military can be messy!
• Do be honest with your recruiter. Tell them everything they need to know (i.e. medical history, law violations etc.)
• Do pin point the reasons that you want to join. It is so important to do it or the right reasons. It could also help you decide which branch is right for you. 

So there are a few Dos and Don'ts that you should know before joining. There are also a lot of things that I have learned since being in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) that I think that future service members should know. 

• Keep you paperwork in order. They give you so much crap that you need to keep...It's also a good idea to get copies of everything for your personal records. Don't rely on someone else to have it. 

• There's a bunch of knowledge (at least for the Army and Marines) that they want you to memorize. Do it! It's going to save you lots of headaches once you get to basic and will put you ahead of the game. 
• Stay on top of your game physically. Check out your PFT (Physical Fitness Test) requirements for you gender and age and work to meet them! Knowing that you can pass that test is going to give you some serious peace of mind. 
• 
• Find out about pre-basic promotion opportunities! I'm getting promoted before I leave so I will get to wear a chevron when I get to basic...I'm pretty proud of it!
• 
• Girls, if you have short hair, you might want it to be a pixie cut! You're going to hate having to gel back every little flyaway!  If you hair is long enough for a nice bun don't cut it! I was given this advice a while ago, and this was my last hair cut because of it. 

• Get everything squared away before you go. I've got 2 weeks left and lots of stuff to do. You don't need to be stressed out in your final days at home!
• Stay motivated.  Keep your head up and remind yourself exactly why you are doing what you're doing. It will help you more than you know! 
• If you are a reservist, attend your unit's drill weekends. You will learn a lot and get the chance to work with people that you'll be dealing with after basic. I'm so glad I went. 

But, I looked...terrible and don't wear nail polish in uniform! I took that off after I took the picture...

And now, I shall shamelessly plug my awesome giveaway I've got running!
Please, enter today to win an Origami Owl Living Locket today!
Tina is running some amazing promotions for this month for Valentines day! Check out her design page, tell her I sent you and get yourself some of the most adorable jewelry you have ever seen. 

Tina Graham: Origami Owl Independent designer