The Journey's end

The last time I posted a blog, was in the year 2010, the year of my High School Graduation. I talked about what I've done in the post year, and what I've got my eyes set on. At some points, I thought it would be the impossible dream, but now that dream has become a reality. Last Thursday, I took my ASVAB test to see if I could get into the United States Navy, and let me tell you it was the longest test of my life. The Test Practitioner was expecting 10-15 people that day, because that what he always has on average, but instead there was about 26-27 of us there. So the original starting time of the test was delayed until around 10:15 am instead of 9:40. But once it started, I took my time to answer each question as best as I could, and on the ones I didn't know the answer to, I went with my gut. Now the test itself was split into many separate sections, all accumulating with a combined time of 2 and 1/2 hours. And after those two and a half hours were up, and the test was finished, I got the worse headache of my life, but it was worth it. After the test was over, I waited a few days, anxiously awaiting my score. There were some points where I believed that I just barely passed the test, and other points where I believed that I failed it overall do to my history with written tests. Just when I thought that I would have to wait a little while longer, my Navy Recruiter called me today, and I couldn't believe the what he had to tell me. He told me that I passed the Asvab with a score of 57. I couldn't believe it. All of my hard work finally payed off. And now, all I have to do is finishing filling out a bit of paper work, choose my career and finish anything else they need me to do.

But as for now, I'm enjoying the moment as it is, because I can finally say this...............................................I'VE FINALLY PASSED THE ASVAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next time, I'm Andrew Wright, and I thank you for reading this blog.

Post High School Graduation

Man I still can't believe that earlier this year I graduated from High School. Though each year had its difficulties, I gotta say each one created memories. But as hard as each year was I got through them and now the next question is: Where do I go from here? I've asked myself this question a few times and came down to a few options. Either A) Join the Military or B) Go into a Junior College then transfer to a regular four year. As nice as a J.C sounded I've come to the conclusion that I will tr to get into the military first and if that doesn't work, then I'll get my education. But before I can join the military I need to lose weight. Though this road is gonna be tough, I know that I have the tools, the drive and determination to succeed. Not only that, but I also have the support to do it as well. And now as one door closes, another one must open, but it's up to me to not only find that door and open it but also get to that door as well. So until next time everyone. USA!

WEC 46: Varner vs Henderson

World Extreme Cage fighting, aka WEC is basically like the UFC, with them having the same rules and having a 155 lb division as well. But what seperates them from the UFC is that they focus on the lighter weight classes from 155 and down. And their stars were on display on Sunday 1/11/10 with a lightweight title bout between reigning champion Jamie Varner and #1 contender Ben Henderson. This event also featured the return of former WEC Featherweight (145 lbs) Champion Urijah Faber as he took on Rapheal Assuncao. The battle in the first round between Faber and Assuncao was back and forth, but the second round belonged to Faber after he scored with a huge hit that sent Assuncao down to the mat. Faber then controlled Assuncao with his superior wrestling and cardio. In the third round, Faber utilized his superior speed to gain takedowns and land strikes as well. And one over hand right sent Assuncao down again, and seconds later, Faber scored the victory via rear naked choke around 3:50 of the third round. With his victory, the Arco Arena errupted and now Faber is expected to face current Featherweight CHampion Jose Aldo Jr in mid 2010. Now to the main event: Varner vs Henderson for the lightweight belt. This match happened after Varner was taken out of the lightweight scene after his last bout ended with him getting the victory over Donald Cerrone, via illegal knee to the face and thus he was out for a year. During his time off, Ben Henderson rose through the ranks, defeating foe after foe, and fought Donald Cerrone for the interim lightweight belt. He defeated Cerrone via unanimous decision (48-47). Now with these two meeting, no one knew what to expect. The beginning of the fight was basically a feeling out process, with Varner gaining the round using his wrestling. The same would go for the second round, but it was more action packed, even so though Varner won the round using his wrestling again. Around the half way mark in the third round though, Henderson read Varner's wrestling game plan like an open book and caught him with a guillotine choke and thus won not only the fight, but the lightweight title as well. And that pretty much wraps up WEC 46.

Semester 1

I believe that the first semester of my Senior year was my best so far. It started out as me and some of my friends coming back as top dogs this year, and the school was our playground. But with every new year, you get new teachers and so far, I like the ones I got. Though I have some from last year, I've seen some new faces that I've not seen before. Now as to which class I like the most so far, I think it's a six way tie between all of them. In English I get read a be quiet for a little longer, and I don't like to start off my day loud and noisy. Next is my government Econ class. Ms. Mehl is one of the craziest and best teachers I've had in awhile just for the fact that she's really loose and hang back. Then next up to bat, is my Art 2 class with Mr. Thompson. What I like about that class is that our assignments, though he tells what needs to be the predominant and what it needs to include as well, allow us to be open minded about our choices, just as long as we follow his simple guidelines. In Weight Training, I've got Buch and he's a cool laid back guy that, if he needs to tell you something he'll say it straight to your face and be real about it. Fifth period is my Animation 1 class with Mr. Muzzy and what's cool about that class is we get to create our own ideas and try to bring them to life, such as creating brand new characters. And last but definately not least I've got cooking with Ms Klug. Now some people say she's weird and that they took cooking just to get an easy A, but the reason why I took it is because I like to cook and I always try to say on my teacher's good side. But with all the good things that have happened, there's still one thing I'm thinking about and the beginning and end of second semester and the rest of my life. I don't know what my future holds, but I know one thing and it's only time can tell, and he isn't going to tell me anything.

My Senior Year

I can't believe that I'm already a senior! It felt like it was just last month when I stepped through the doors of BHS as a new freshmen. And it also feels like last week was the beginning of my junior year. High School has given me a load of memories both good and bad, from my first couple of years on the football team, and having my grades rise above a 3.6 GPA this year. But as for my future outside of high school, I plan to either go to a Junior colloege and get my education or go join the military and then transfer to a four year college. And I know that when I'm out of high school, I will have a whole new set of adventures and challenges ahead of me. But if there is one thing that BHS has tought me, it's to meet your challenges head on with your head heald high, and to never give up. But as for now I will do what I can to realize the day of when I walk down that isle to receive my diploma and graduate from bhs. GO CLASS OF 2010!

My Junior Year

My Junior year has been one to remember for myself for multiple reasons. One of those reasons is that I was able to just overall have a whole lot more fun then I did my freshmen and sophmore years here at BHS. Another reason is that I was able to get over a 3.0 GPA this year and just focus on school and anything else rather than football itself. But one thing that was wierd for me this year was not being a part of the football team because for the past couple of years, I was on the football team and worked just as hard as the other members of my team. But me not being a part of the football team this year allowed me to focus on my school work and my grades as well. Plus this year, I've made a couple of more friends but now it's going to be all about senior year next year and my final High School days. Something for me to look forward to this coming Senior year is that I will be testing for my second degree black belt in October or September. But as for now, I will enjoy these last few days at High School as a Junior and I will try to get ready for my senior year that's coming up. CLASS OF 2010 ROCKS!

The Things they Carried Essay by Andrew Wright

There are many reasons as to a soldier would join the army and go to war. One of them is fear of not being seen as an equal or an outsider because he or she simply didn’t join the army and fight in the war. This is the main reason as to why Tim O’Brien calls himself a coward for going to war because he was afraid of not being seen as an equal, but as an outsider. When some people hear about war, and the people that go to war, think that they are just going to war just to defend their country and the people that they love when in fact that is only one of the reasons why a person would join the army during a war. As O’Brien pointed out, some people might go to war because of fear of being a called a pussy or not being seen as a true American in the eyes of the American people. I can see someone joining the army as an act of cowardice because of fear of not being seen as an equal or an outsider because he or she simply didn’t join the army and fight in the war.


As far as O’Brien’s meaning of “courage”, I think it might be willing to stand up for one’s own beliefs, even against the fear of adversity among his or her peers. Another possible definition he might’ve thought of the meaning of the word “courage” is to take on any and all challenges, no matter how hard they might seem. These are just a few possible definitions of what the word “courage” means to Tim O’Brien. But as far as my definition goes, the first definition actually matches mine because that’s what I believe is courage from a certain stand if not all stand points. I believe this because if you are willing to stand up for what your believes against anyone and anytime you feel that those beliefs are being violated, then you truly have some sort of courage.

To some people one of their beliefs is that if you don’t go to war and fight for your country, then you are not a true American. I disagree with that because no one can make you go to war, and if you don’t then that choice alone doesn’t make you an un-American. Plus I believe that going to war is more of a choice rather than a something you have to do. I can see someone joining a war as an act of cowardice because of simple fear as not being seen as an equal and not being treated as an equal as well. One of the facts that could support this is when O’Brien made his choice to join the war, he decided to join the war because he was scared of not being seen as a man but rather as a coward. This is a huge factor because it’s not just fear of being seen as a coward in the eyes of one person, it could be seen in the eyes of all of the people in the U.S. I see that as a deciding factor because people would being treated as a piece of trash for not serving the country if that person didn’t go to war.

Another reason why a soldier would join the war, though not as an act of cowardice, is to protect the people that they love and care about. That is a driving factor to some soldiers because for some, they are trying to protect their family and their friends. I belive this to be true because if you didn't want to lose someone because of a war, then that person would fight to protect the people he or she loves. As far as Tim O'Brien is concerned, him wanting to protect his family might've have also pushed him into going to the army because at one point he is trying to prove himself to his dad and show him that there is more to an army rather than just a bunch of guys fighting. But, instead of telling us all of his motives to going to the war, he only tells us the main reason as to why he made the decision to go.

There are many factors as to why a person would join the army and go to war and leave the people and the places they know. But one of the main factors is that a person will go because of fear of being seen as a coward for not fighting for your own country. And fear of not being seen as an american because he or she didn't go to war. People that see others going to war think "Man, he's got some courage." In reality though, this is just one form of the word courage and believe me, there are quite a few meanings of the word. But O'Brien's meaning of the word courage is being able to stand up for ones own beliefs and ethics. And if someone stands up to another person that's going against those beliefs, he or she isn't a coward. But I do agree that if someone joins the army out of fear, it is an act of cowardice because that person isn't making the choice based on their own free will, but on a possible opinion that other people have about that person.