Blog 27 Finishing College and Partying for awhile, joining the Navy

( Get back, girl! I saw him first!!!)

(Leaving St Edwards in Austin, moving to Colorado for my second semester and its debacle, making up my freshmen year in the summer and more)

I need to apologize about leaving my last blog in talking about my sex life. But, the rest of this series changes and I wanted to start this Blog at its beginning. My grades made me want to get serious about studies, as well. I made my FIRST C ever. It was devastating. Since my scholarship ended, I moved up to Colorado early enough to claim residency so I could go to Colorado State in Boulder. I could live with my Sister and Brother-in-Law to save money and stay away from the party people. And I began going back to church.

My classes were to finish the second semester of what I took in Austin. Biology 2 with lab, Computer Math, English 2, swimming. (12 credit hours) My classes were spread out very weirdly. I had Biology lab every Monday morning. Computer math, English 2 were on Tuesday and Thursday. Swimming was Every Wednesday and Friday in the morning. Finally, Biology was a 3 hour night class on Wednesday. This made a long day on Wednesday and only Swimming on Friday.

In my second week, I realized that I was doing the same work in Biology and English as I did in Austin. I showed the counselors and they dropped me and I lost an entire semester. So, I became a lead manager at a Jack-in the Box to make money because I met a beautiful green eyed, redhead at church. She was 17 and I was 18, turning 19. My Brother-in-Law and sister were the leaders of the youth group at their church. My first weekend in Colorado, the youth were going up in the mountains to snow tube. I went, also.

I talked to this girl all through dinner, Friday night. I definitely was not prepared to sleep in the cold, so I tried to to stay up all night in the main room with a few of the youth, including this girl. I did not have enough energy to stay awake, and I fell asleep. I started freezing. By morning, though, I was very warm. I awoke to having my head in her lap and about 6 blankets covering me. She had stayed up all night making sure I was comfortable and warm. It was love at first night!

By late spring, I was offered a medical job as an allergy technologist back in Dallas making twice the money and I could go to Eastfield Community College in the summer and catch my credits back up. I gave the girl a promise ring for when she graduated. But, like most long distance relationships, she sent back my ring. The bad news was that, feeling rejected again, I got plastered and went where I knew I would be accepted. The good news was that I took four summer classes and got all A’s. This ended my freshmen year with an A- total. What was funny was that Vanessa ended up in two of my classes unplanned.( Economics 1 & 2)

With my job and getting my brother, Darrell, to be my roommate, enabled me to move into an apartment. I had money to party with Steve and my other friends a lot. Our new hangout was the Don Carter’s All-night bowling center off of Central Expressway. What trouble we got ourselves into when we were there? However, I felt my life going backwards. I realized that I was never going to afford becoming a doctor by working in the day and taking night classes.

(Making Decisions)

When I told this to my friend, Tommy, he began telling me how if I joined the Navy, they would pay my way through school, pay me while going to school, then I would pay it off by staying enlisted for a certain number of years still with pay. We went to the recruiting office to talk about my options. I asked many times that the course he offered would help me to becoming a doctor. Tommy and he assured me I could. So, I signed my application.

I wanted to join as soon as possible so that I could not change my mind. I wanted to spend my birthday, March 29th, at home. Therefore, my active date was April 13, 1981. Now to tell my parents!

My Dad hit the roof. I thought he was ready to kill me. Mom just spoke up a few times trying to make it sound so bad. I told them it was too late, but I wanted them to take me to the station that morning. Nothing was said for a few moments, then began telling me things to expect when I went in.

The day came quickly and we left early morning for downtown Dallas. My mom cried the entire way and my Dad said nothing. When we got to the Enlisting Office, Dad pulled the car over and stopped. He turned to me in the backseat and said, “Son, it is not to late to change my mind because the Oath was not given to me yet.” Mother finally said that I was making a mistake. I leaned forward and kissed my dad on his forehead. I got out of the car and went to my mother’s window I gave her a hug and kiss then said, “Both of you knew that I wanted to be a doctor since second grade but never offered a penny to save for my college. Things could have been very different if you had showed that you cared for my future. Now, I am making the decision myself.” I told them that I loved them, turned around and walked into the station without turning back.

Volume II: In the Navy (continued 0n Blog 28)