Overjoyed!

That's how I was feeling this morning after a phone call from Defence Force Recruiting, congratulating me, and giving the news that I am now 'Class 1 Medically Fit' for the Defence Forces (Army Reserves). At first, I was just relieved, because if anything was going to go wrong, it would have been in this area. Even though I was given the verbal okay by the specialists, you never know what else the Defence Force is going to want from you. Thankfully, they were finally satisfied!


I felt a huge sense of relief, because as those of you who have been following my army enlistment journey know - it's been a long and laborious process to get this far. I had my pathology test today (HIV, Hep A & Hep B), and was supposed to get a phone call today to organise the enlistment day ceremony details, and my pre-enlistment fitness test. I didn't get a call, but no doubt will get one on Tuesday, which is running it a bit fine, but I know what to expect anyway, so it's no biggie. If I don't get a phone call by lunchtime Tuesday, I will be calling them. They do all their PFA's on Thursdays - that I do know. It's all a bit of rush now to get everything finalised by Saturday 13th June, which I have been advised is my 'Army Enlistment Day' and makes me official...as she sings.."I'm in the army...I'm in the army".

It's been really exciting, setting the goal for Army Reserves. I looked back on my blog entries, and the date I made the decision and 'put it out there' was Monday, October 6, 2008. So, it's been 8 long months of dreaming, persistence, patience (the hardest part), yearning, hoping, and lots of hard work to prepare me physically. An acquaintance asked me the other day..."so why the Army? It's obviously not for the money". No...it was never about the money, even though it's tax-free dollars I get. It was always about doing something I've wanted to do for a long time, but more importantly, it's about doing different. Why do something ordinary, when you can do something extraordinary?

For me, I don't see this as a job. I see this as a way of expressing my creativity, and fulfilling my highest potential, by doing something ...a) worthwhile, which allows me to give back to my community and my country ; b) physically demanding, and hence retaining my fitness; c) that gives me employment skills I can use out in the civilian world; d) which offers variety, excitement, travel, and adventure, if I want it; e) that offers me flexibility between part-time/full-time employment as my needs change; f) that adds to my current skills and confidence, in the way of military and leadership training; g) which allows me the flexibility to raise a young family without compromising quality of family life; h) which allows and encourages me to pursue my own health and fitness goals...plus...plus...plus...I really feel blessed that I will have all these wonderful things and get paid for it, and still retain a balanced and fulfulling life...what more could I want?

I have to admit though, that this whole week I've experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. After writing my post Failing Forward, I'd realised that I hadn't actually planned to fail in my pursuit of the Army Reserve enlistment. As close as yesterday, I decided to come to terms with the possibility that I may not get in, so I started to get my head around that, just in case I had to eat my words (i.e. failed). I had even started looking in the 'jobs classifieds', just-in-case. I discussed it with AW, and he asked "would it really be that devastating?"...to which I replied..."YES!". He added..."you just don't like the thought of having to get a real job". I had to laugh at this comment, because you know what...he's right on the money! A real job for me now seems so...mundane...lol...and that's not belittling anyone out there who works in a 9-5 job. It's just not me anymore, that's all! It's just not what I want to do, and I've always pursued things that I've wanted to do.



I also realise how fortunate I am, because reading a few blogs of late, and thinking especially about Magda's blog entry about dealing with disappointment - I knew what she meant about having a dream, and wanting it so bad. That's how I felt, and I hadn't honestly entertained the idea about not getting in (the Reserves). Though I know, like Magda, I may have been dealing with disappointment too.

The rollercoaster of emotions wasn't just about my dream of being in the army - it was also about the extra money I would bring into the household. It hasn't been easy living on one income for the last 3 years, and expenses have just been going up (especially my food and supplements), and I know they will continue to increase. The extra income will not only be helping to pay for those increases, but it also give us a little more in the way of money for recreation. It is also how I'm going to be able to afford to start training at Crossfit, as well as start back martial arts training. So there's been alot riding on my successful entry!

Well that's about it for this week. Thanks everyone for your encouragement and support...it really is wonderful to receive it and I'm always appreciative. My fellow bloggers...you are a special bunch of people!

I hope you all have a fantastic long weekend, leading into a fantastic week!

Ciao for now...Kerry :)