When I joined the Navy I had a list of things that I wanted to accomplish.  First and foremost was I wanted to serve my country and when I go to work everyday, or go out to sea I'm am accomplishing that.  Another thing that I wanted to do was to see the world, see places that I would possibly never see otherwise.  This last surge deployment let me do that, I will never forget going to Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, or even Hawaii.  These are places that I was unlikely to go to on my own.  Sure I may have gone to Hawaii at some point, but its not very likely. 

Another major thing that I wanted to accomplish during my time in the Navy was to further my education, and today I took the first step in accomplishing that goal.  I enrolled at Columbia College.  Columbia is based out of Columbia, Missouri and has satilite campuses all over the country, mainly at military bases.  I have about 1 1/2 years left on my degree, and do plan on earning it, Finally.

I spent 3 semesters at WIU, and looking back on it I loved it, i didn't always see it that way at the time.  I was struggling to stay afloat finacially, scholastically and emotionally.  Most of which I failed at.  My time at WIU was a struggle at times.  I went through a few emotional breakdowns, and couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with my life, after I decided that I didn't want to be a teacher.  Not to mention that I went some $20k in debt.  So things weren't going well for me but i made it though and ultimatley became stronger.  I made many friends at WIU, many of which I still have, and the friends that I followed down there we only became stronger friends.

Now I'm a Columbia Cougar, Ok so i'm really a Talon from VFA115, but I will always be a Leatherneck at heart.  When I finally do graduate from College I will have a degree from somewhere else but WIU will always be the school i identify myself with