The evil mother
Is flying out to visit on Saturday.I had a long talk with my wife about my Mom and why our relationship is so fucked up. Ironically, not for the reasons many would think. Casa by the Sea was a symptom of the greater problem, the one we have had since I was about 6.When my Mom learned that my little sister had a learning disability, I got set on the back burner. I stopped receiving any attention. I stopped receiving encouragement, motivation, praise, and love. I motivated myself through school in order to learn what I know now. I remember my Dad, one time, telling me that he was proud of me in 7th grade. My Mom, I cannot remember a single time where she praised

There is a man ou...
There is a man out there. I will not name him, however I have known this guy for many years. By complete coincidence, I was at Fort Huachuca sitting in the internet cafe. This person walks in, and looks so familiar to me. He was in uniform, same as I. After looking at his name tag, I realize this man was at Casa by the Sea with me. I chat with him for a bit, turns out he was the second graduate from my time frame to enlist.Fast forward to Iraq. A classmate from Fort Huachuca came to Balad for a few days and I saw her for a little bit. She told me that one of my old Mexico friends was in her unit, the same man I saw years before. I asked her if he ever talked about Mexic

Why?
What made me so different than the others at Casa by the Sea? I have been struggling with this question for years. My good friend brought it up, he was talking about wanting to meet my mom. He said "something set you apart from the rest of the people in Mexico, something let you come out of there and be successful. You are going to become an officer and retire as a Colonel and never have a worry in the world. I want to see where that kind of determination came from."When I started "working" the program, I knew that it would be a lie. I made the conscious choice to become someone I was not for as long as it took. When I came home, I had to keep up that facade, t

You can only save those who are willing
So despite my efforts and the risk I put myself and my wife in, she allowed the abusive husband back into her house. She allowed him to manipulate her. The worst part, is that she knows she is being manipulated. She is scared.I heard her tone of voice and all I heard was myself back in Casa by the Sea. I heard the truth covered up by fear. I could feel him watching her, listening to her every word and preparing a manipulative lie to cover up what really happened. The same lies I had to vocalize while I was at Casa by the Sea. "Everything is going good here, the food could be better" when I wanted to say "PLEASE SAVE ME!!!" I know that I cannot save everyone, I

I am being retaliated against by the Army.
I received an e-mail yesterday from my platoon sergeant. This e-mail said that I have come down on orders.... to Korea. My report date is June of 2010. However there are a few problems with this.The Army has what is called an "AEA" code. This code determines if you are eligible for reassignment. About one month ago it was "W", meaning that I am not eligible for orders. I checked it on Friday and it was changed to "L", eligible for PCS.My current duty assignment is a 36 month tour. I have only been here for 18 months. Also, the end of my enlistment comes so soon after the report date on these orders that I could not go to Korea.Now comes the grand