A very depressing, yet exciting day...

[Lupo22]

Today was my last day at work. After 9 years of landscaping in South Florida, today I laid down my shovel at 3:10 and sat down by the irrigation pipe I'd just fixed and looked at the hole I filled in.

I shed some tears. It's all I've known since I was in high school. The drive home was just me and my diesel truck, no radio, no music, no phone. Just me and my truck.

I'm so excited to leave on monday and start my new life in the Corps! But I'm going to miss so much back here. I guess I'll learn to cope. I won't have time to miss it I'm sure, but man, it's going to be strange.

Sorry, I just felt like getting that off my chest. It's so hard to think of what I'm leaving behind in order to venture off into the unknown. But thats what seperates the men from boys!

Take care ya'll...and take everyday you have as a civi in the DEP for everything its worth. Hug your parents, your brothers and sisters, enjoy your job. Enjoy school. And when you get to the Corps, love the hell out of It!!!

[Capital M]

Good luck bro

[Wes40138]

That was some good stuff! Good luck to you :thumbup:

[Perkins91]

Good luck

[Frankf5]

thanks bro, good luck man.

[chrizzle17]

Awesome! Thats motivating. Can you believe Sunday is only three days away? When you get to Jville my last name is Marley. Ill see you there.

[sbombard15]

good luck and I look forward to hearing back from you when you graduate.:thumbup:

[boblasek]

Good luck to both of you guys going in this coming week. Can't wait to hear from you when you get back.

I know for me too it will be kinda hard leaving work for the last time. I've built many good relationships with the people and management and even customers. But I am giving myself 3 weeks off instead of just a few days to relax and mingle more with family before I depart.

[chrizzle17]

Boblasek, Thanks a lot. Its going to be a hard journey, but I am going to just try and remain focused on my goal of graduating. I know how you feel about leaving friends and family. A lot of my friends are graduating from FSU and moving on this summer. The girl I was talking to is going to be long gone when i get back. It wasn't anything serious but its still pretty weird. Im going to miss all the going away parties, but somehow i think becoming a Marine is a little more important. Good luck with your goals, you will be leaving right when I get back, hope all goes well for you.

[futurepoole08]

My buddy will be shipping with ya. Last name's Langworthy. Just say you know butterbean. Though I'll doubt their will be any time for chitchat hahah. Good luck bro.

[JWG]

We all go through the same thing, bro. Don't ever feel alone. You are in this Journey to the Title TOGETHER with your future brothers and sisters. Focus on helping those around you and instill that in your fellow recruits. That way you all hold each other up.

Bond with them, and find the support from amongst the platoon. You'll be fine, just stay mentally sharp and the body will do it's job. GET SOME!!

[Marine84]

Be afraid..............be verrrrrrrry afraid.

[meallen07]

Good luck, remember you have a lot of people at home I'm sure are supporting, and of course we will all be thinking about you. Best of luck!!!

[Lupo22]

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. Its just hard I guess. I've been doing this job since I was 14. I'd work till 8pm everyday after school. It's all I know as far as a career. And I work with my dad...pretty much the only time I get to spend with him. And he is avidly against me joining the Marines.

Chrizzle: I fly out of Miami. Orlando is the cut off spot for buses so I'll see you at the Depot. My last names Lupo...thats what everyone has called me my whole life. Most my friends don't even know my first name lol

Thanks guys. Look forward to helping any of you out after I've achieved my goal.

[Wrestler135]

Good Luck Poolees...

[JoeInVille]

Wait, love the Corps and every second of it? Kinda moto, gets my bloodd pumping

[JonH]

Man I know what you mean... I ship off June 1st, and I just got back now from having a few brewskies with my pals. I'm going to miss beer, and having facial hair- it took me so long to finally grow some :(...

Lately whenever I hang out now with my friends or even when I'm just alone chilling out enjoying the down time I get a little sad and noticeably quiet thinking about what I'm about to give up and the risks involved in my choice- but then I remember what I'm about to earn instead and I get happy again. Just knowing that no matter what happens I'm about to have a chance at being part of the greatest fraternity of warriors since the Spartans cheers me up and makes me anxious. Hell, right now I can't wait for P.I!!

I know a Marine is going to reply soon and totally bring me down to earth and cruel reality pretty soon lol

[KawiGunny]

But I'm going to miss so much back here. I guess I'll learn to cope. I won't have time to miss it I'm sure, but man, it's going to be strange.

It's so hard to think of what I'm leaving behind in order to venture off into the unknown.

Gotta look at it this way..... Sure you will always miss the things you have done in the past. Doesn't matter if you did it for a few days or a few years. Thats just life. But you have to understand and tell yourself that you aren't really leaving anything behind..... you are getting a chance at a promotion. That stuff will always be back there if and when you decide to get out and go back. The excitement of attempting to become one of the few should by far outweigh the feelings of leaving. I know it did for me when I shipped off for bootcamp. And when I went home on leave after bootcamp, I took a stroll around the farm and told myself that this is not for me anymore. To this day I still miss life before the Corps but I never looked back and after over 20yrs, I have never regretted my decission to join.

Good luck to you in hell. Slap the devil for me. And when you return, post a pic to show us you made it.

[Lupo22]

Gotta look at it this way..... Sure you will always miss the things you have done in the past. Doesn't matter if you did it for a few days or a few years. Thats just life. But you have to understand and tell yourself that you aren't really leaving anything behind..... you are getting a chance at a promotion. That stuff will always be back there if and when you decide to get out and go back. The excitement of attempting to become one of the few should by far outweigh the feelings of leaving. I know it did for me when I shipped off for bootcamp. And when I went home on leave after bootcamp, I took a stroll around the farm and told myself that this is not for me anymore. To this day I still miss life before the Corps but I never looked back and after over 20yrs, I have never regretted my decission to join.

Good luck to you in hell. Slap the devil for me. And when you return, post a pic to show us you made it.


Aww Gunny, you sure brought a smile to my face with that. Sometimes its easier knowing other people felt the same way and how the overcame it.

It's not just my job...its my 3 year old niece thats been living with me the last two years, taking her to school every morning and the stuff we'd talk about. And my little nephew who's 1st birthday I will miss. Little things like that. They're like my own kids, except when I'm at my duty station, they won't be with me like my own kids would be.

I still can't wait! I'm getting really nervous about what lies ahead though. And going 03xx is just adding to that anxiety I guess. Lot of "what if" thoughts about returning to see my nieces and nephews...

[chrizzle17]

Nice Lupo not only are we going to be at recruit training together, we might end up at SOI together. Whatever happens, Ill be happy to stand beside you on the yellow footprints.

[Lupo22]

Nice Lupo not only are we going to be at recruit training together, we might end up at SOI together. Whatever happens, Ill be happy to stand beside you on the yellow footprints.

I second that! Just make sure you find me...I'll be the tall skinny old guy with a receeding hair line that out run 1/2 the platoon of guys 7 years younger than me hahaha

[Pandza03]

Best of luck to you man, earn the title and let us know how your journey was. I'm sure you won't regret a thing.

[Petz]

good luck lupo... see you on the other side... semper good luck

[Marine84]

A poem by Dr. Seuss, titled “Oh, the Places You’ll Go…”
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.
You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right…
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don’t.
Because, sometimes, they won’t.
I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike
and I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Dr. Seuss

OHHH! The places you're gonna go!

[chrizzle17]

Well, I Never knew Dr. Seuss was so inspiring. Thanks for that. Lupo Ill look for you in Jax.

[chrizzle17]

Edit:

[BigAlHolmes165]

Kim, I gots a headamecake just reading your great post.

So tell me, what what was the question?


I just watched one of the new James Bond movies. Can anyone tell me what Bond is ordering?

It was 3 of this and one of that and some of this with a splash of that, all shaken, not stirred.

What are the ingredients?

[Alisium]

Today was my last day at work. After 9 years of landscaping in South Florida, today I laid down my shovel at 3:10 and sat down by the irrigation pipe I'd just fixed and looked at the hole I filled in.

I shed some tears. It's all I've known since I was in high school. The drive home was just me and my diesel truck, no radio, no music, no phone. Just me and my truck.

I'm so excited to leave on monday and start my new life in the Corps! But I'm going to miss so much back here. I guess I'll learn to cope. I won't have time to miss it I'm sure, but man, it's going to be strange.

Sorry, I just felt like getting that off my chest. It's so hard to think of what I'm leaving behind in order to venture off into the unknown. But thats what seperates the men from boys!

Take care ya'll...and take everyday you have as a civi in the DEP for everything its worth. Hug your parents, your brothers and sisters, enjoy your job. Enjoy school. And when you get to the Corps, love the hell out of It!!!


Well look at it this way. You will, at some time in your career, end up doing some landscaping in the Marine Corps.

Good luck on your journey.

[Lupo22]

Well look at it this way. You will, at some time in your career, end up doing some landscaping in the Marine Corps.

Good luck on your journey.

I'm EXCELLENT at digging holes lol. Just not with those tiny little chicken sh*t shovels they give you! lol

[Petz]

haha, how about in soil that has more rocks than soil?

[Lupo22]

haha, how about in soil that has more rocks than soil?

Here in south Florida, they use dug out fill from man made lakes to make our house pads, therefore, they are primarily chunked limestone with a little soil.

I've broken many many expensive root pruning shovels (designed to dig through rock and cut thick roots of trees being dug out). They're $80 a pop!

I got big callouses on my hands from diggin so that shouldn't be a problem :)

[echo3oscar1833]

I'm EXCELLENT at digging holes lol. Just not with those tiny little chicken sh*t shovels they give you! lol


Chicken Shi$ shovel my a$$ you'll learn real quick that you can Fuc$ someone up with one of those things. Plus they have many other universal uses.

[SGT7477]

Today was my last day at work. After 9 years of landscaping in South Florida, today I laid down my shovel at 3:10 and sat down by the irrigation pipe I'd just fixed and looked at the hole I filled in.

I shed some tears. It's all I've known since I was in high school. The drive home was just me and my diesel truck, no radio, no music, no phone. Just me and my truck.

I'm so excited to leave on monday and start my new life in the Corps! But I'm going to miss so much back here. I guess I'll learn to cope. I won't have time to miss it I'm sure, but man, it's going to be strange.

Sorry, I just felt like getting that off my chest. It's so hard to think of what I'm leaving behind in order to venture off into the unknown. But thats what seperates the men from boys!

Take care ya'll...and take everyday you have as a civi in the DEP for everything its worth. Hug your parents, your brothers and sisters, enjoy your job. Enjoy school. And when you get to the Corps, love the hell out of It!!!
It can get worse like having a girlfriend running with Jody when you are gone, Good Luck on earning OUR TITLE.:flag:

[Lupo22]

It can get worse like having a girlfriend running with Jody when you are gone, Good Luck on earning OUR TITLE.:flag:

Hahaha just had to throw Jody into the mix before I left didn't ya? My buddy is home from Iraq last night...we went out last night as my last night out and he kept reminding me that "Jody's got my girl" I'll be alright. if jody grabs her, oh well, she wasn't a keeper than.

Chicken sh*t shovel for digging holes, yes, but I do know that thing can be one hell of a weapon!

[Petz]

well... by the time you read this you'll probably be at the hotel.... good luck Lupo... don't let me down.

[SGT7477]

Hahaha just had to throw Jody into the mix before I left didn't ya? My buddy is home from Iraq last night...we went out last night as my last night out and he kept reminding me that "Jody's got my girl" I'll be alright. if jody grabs her, oh well, she wasn't a keeper than.

Chicken sh*t shovel for digging holes, yes, but I do know that thing can be one hell of a weapon!
The DI's will remind you of Jody, Never Forget, Good Luck.:flag:

[Lupo22]

well... by the time you read this you'll probably be at the hotel.... good luck Lupo... don't let me down.


No way in hell SSgt...I will not come home without that Eagle Globe and Anchor.

I'm waiting for my recruiter to pick me up as we speak. Yesterday was rough. Never seen my old man cry.

Well, see ya'll in July!!