Reading majic's journal

It's hard to define life. It's hard to say why we are here. I can't answer these questions but there are some answers that I've recently found. I'm here to be a good father to my very beautiful daughter Shelby. I'm here to be a good faithful husband to my wife Melinda. I'm here to support my family and lend my skills to my country ( www.army.mil ) and to my God ( www.pittmangrove.org ). There isn't much that I do understand about this life but those few things I do. Its taken lots of sweat and yes tears to realize it. I have a long way to go and I still have an amazing amount to learn.

Being 10 - 12 thousand miles from home is a very hard thing to do. It becomes painfully obvious what matters in ones life. Maintaining some sense of sanity is extremely challenging. Today my wife sends me a picture of my daughter. It was taken after I left and its left my jaw hanging on the floor. I simply cannot understand how God has blessed me. He has given me a beautiful perfect little girl that is simply the best thing to be around. She has a giggle that will honestly make you tear up. Her eyes are so big and her personality is to die for. She likes to hold her daddies hand while walking. This is what being a father is all about. To honor and cherish and to provide love to another human that you helped create is simple the best gift that God could have ever given me.

All I have to say is WOW. It makes me wanna come home right now. I can't do that and that creates a very strong pain in my heart. I have unlimited time to get in touch with myself, my feelings, my God and every molecule that makes me who I am. I am learning valuable lessons by doing this. I took for granted my family when I was at home. I took for granted my 2 dogs. I took for granted everything in my life and I simply cannot let this happen any longer. Life is fragile and it is what we make it. For me life is my wife and my daughter who I am working everyday to see. Everyday is one step closer to being with my family again. Its not about new things, money, cars, jewelry, objects and material wealth. Its about flesh, feelings, love and emotions. Its about connecting with another human, hopefully more than one. Its about learning and growing and realizing that life is about loving, teaching and guiding. It may seem unmanlike to talk about things like this and so be it. I'm coming to grips that I as a man need love and right now I'm fighting everyday to get back to those that I love and to those that love me.

I hope that by writing this I can convince others that our families, friends and loved ones are what matters most. Please if you read this grab your loved one and give them a hug. Tell them that you love them and that they mean the world to you. Give them a kiss. Do something nice for them. Life is a fragile, delicate thing and if you don't do this today you might not get to tomorrow. Cherish each and every person you meet. God's children are all equal and all need love.

God Bless this World and the Netalive family!

This post was edited by majic on Nov 12, 2003.

My name means 'Gods Gift'....hehe

'A man is not old until regret takes the place of his dreams' -John Barrymore

My name means 'Gods Gift'....hehe

Your real name or your NAO nickname? If your real name could you let us know what it is?

Thanks. Take care.

Wondering if u saw "Joint Security Area", this excellent korean film on the DMZ and f'ship between North and South korean soldiers. Your photos just reminded me of the film.

"Constantly talking isn't necessarily communicating." --Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

I've heard of the film. One of my friends watched it last week. I haven't seen it. Yes I went to the JSA about 2 weeks ago. Was rather eerie. Its kinda sobering when you're driving on a road and see at both sides signs for mine fields. Makes you open your eyes!
And think damn this shit is real.

Its kinda sobering when you're driving on a road and see at both sides signs for mine fields. Makes you open your eyes!
And think damn this shit is real.

Yes, wow, I can imagine! I intend to go over to Korea towards the end of 2004-5, as soon as I mastered Korean. Can tourists travel along this stretch of road flanked by mine fields that u r talking about, or is it only meant for army personel like yourself? I would love to see it for myself now and hopefully to go back again when North and South Korea finally reunite (I hope I can see this within my lifetime!). After watching JSA, it struck me how terrible it is for a country to be divided. I was too young to witness the union of East-West Germany, not financially independent enough to fly to HK to witness the handover, but finally now it is right time for me to see history in the making.

"Constantly talking isn't necessarily communicating." --Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Can tourists travel along this stretch of road flanked by mine fields that u r talking about, or is it only meant for army personel like yourself?

Yes I believe tourists can. However I did not see any when I was there. I'm not sure where the tourists can go. On my trip we went to some places that civilians cannot go. Its a real treat to be able to say I have photo's where most people cannot venture. The picture I have of the bridge of no return is one of those places that civilians cannot go. Its inside the JSA and if you got in there you'd have alot of explaining to do, or otherwise get shot.

After watching JSA, it struck me how terrible it is for a country to be divided.

I haven't seen JSA (I want too) however you are correct. Its extremely disheartening for countries to be divided. Its kinda silly if you look at it. This division is most likely the product of just a handful of people who brainwash others into believing their rhetoric. I'm sure most North Korean and South Korean civilians would live peacefully together and not mind a reunification. One can only pray for that day to come. Hopefully within our lifetimes.

I was too young to witness the union of East-West Germany,

I was 14. I was young, dumb and naive. I had no idea what was going on. I saw this wall coming down and I had no clue as to what it meant. Fuck I'm still naive in many respects. I'm sure some of our German friends here could tell us some stories and how awesome it must have been to reunify and be free.

but finally now it is right time for me to see history in the making.

Quick grab a digital camera and start shooting pictures of everything. Isn't this an extrodinary time to live in? History is being written each and every day. WOW... Its amazing!

Take care...