Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past, you must fight just to keep them alive. - Survivor, Eye Of The Tiger

As I rest my head against the wall of the plane and gaze out on the horizon, I find myself reflecting back on the past few days of leave. I do this every flight back to DC and my life in the navy. Usually, I have a point in my last day in Texas that I have to fight back the tears and this time even let a few get past me while sitting in Red Robin with my parents. I'm not really crying for having to leave or that I don't like my life or job back here in DC. Quite the contrary. I have this strange feeling that I believe only people in the military can understand. I live two lives.

Life back home. I dream of this life. Buying a house. Getting married. Having family and friends close by. This is a life where I can settle. But, I don't want to settle. I feel comfortable here.

The Navy life. Surprising. I don't know where I'll be or who I will meet. I have met various people. I can see differences and similarities. People in the military seem to get along with other people better. We may not agree with some people, but so far I haven't had the drama, and we all understand we have our differences. I feel free here.

It's especially nice to fly into the city and see all the monuments and symbols of independence when we are taxiing in. Even if I decide to get out after my 4 years, this has been the best decision for me. There is no other experience like having to move off, away from home and learn to live on your own. There are def worse places the Navy could have sent me. Well, actually, I don't know about that. The navy bases all happen to be at really fun places. That's one of the reasons why I chose this branch.

Anywho, it's like I live 2 lives. I visit the first one every few months or so. It's nice for a couple days. I catch up with old friends. Find out about a LOT of stuff that I missed while I was gone. Get my mom's cooking. Drive around Arlington late at night and sit in familiar parking lots. Visit Rusty's pool hall (where Jeff is now a regular at) and play on the same tables I played on when I was 18. Laid around my game room and had some good late night talks. And relive my life back at the high school age.

Then, I come back and have to face reality. A job. The military. The uniform. The apartment. The bills.

And yet....along with more responsibility, comes more fun! With no school, my free time is mine. No homework. No answering to parents. No drama. No age limits. No being broke. I have time to chill with the roommate and drink wine. I'm going snowboarding again tomorrow. 5th time this season. :) Got to go to a movie with Tanya. Got to ride the metro and enjoy my ipod.

Damn, it feels good. Just like this blog has seemed very back and forth, that's how I feel when I go on leave. It's this cycle. It's interesting, and I'm just starting to get used to the drill.

Okay, I have to mention the wedding real fast. Courtney and Adam had a wonderful ceremony! I had a great time with Courtney, Shelley, and Erin setting it all up and putting it together. I loved some of the special touches that they did to the wedding. There was dancing! That's the important part, right? haha.

Good times were had by all...