Another turn, another challange

Well, these past few days have been hecktic. I've just finished the selection for the Telemark Batalion, Norways "ultimate" enlisted batalion. According to the soldier who had responsebility for us and who graded us, I can relax and kick my feet up, and just wait for the order to join the batalion.
But I can't.
Why?
Because its such a big change in my life. I'll hav a very very very well paid job, I'll earn more than my father, almost as much as both my parents put together, and I'll have almost no spare time. I'll have to keep training monday, wednesday, friday and the weekends. As they so neatly put it; Being a soldier is sacreficeing the comforts and pleasures of life, your spare time, and maybe your sanity, friends or life.
Am I willing to do this for someone I don't know? For a cause I don't always support? Well. As long as someone is in need and I can do something abou it, I'm there to help.
I've applied for a position as a gunner on the Leo2a4 tank. I just love 'em. They're beautiful, aren't they?I'll be sitting deep inside it, with over a meter thick layer of classefied armor plateing, so I should be fairly safe. As long as no one's cooking a moltovian cocktail. Then Im in trouble. As we say in Norwegian, "Den tid, den sorg"(You could translate it as; its tomorrows problem, or; when it comes, it comes, deal with it).
If I do get in, I'll sign a 3 year contract, as a grenader, but with the possibility to advance to sargent after a year and start moving through the ranks after that. But I think I'll wait until I've finished my first contract. For experiences sake. I wouldn't want anyone dying just because I wanted to wear three V's on my chest instead of one.
Except a few ribs half broken and my knee still being a bitch, Im still in one piece, considering the beat I got from the stress test. I had to be beaten up, willingly, and then exhaust my self until I almost fainted, and then I was sent to fight seven guys, with an order to take down three of them in a specific order and conduct. It was...tough. Almost broke my ribs during it, but it was worth it. After that they tried to fuck with my mind even more, but I passed, as the top contestant of the people who applied for Leo2. Guess Im rather proud of myself right now. I'll TRY to stop gloating now.
Congratualtions to all the graduates from Utah and Malibu. Im proud of ya, and I'd 'a given you a hug if I'd been there.
one last thing..if they do accept me..I wont be able to go to America...I'll have to spend the summer training and prepareing:(

'till then

Loves
Eagle

My brain works in mysterious ways

A picture I love. The way things in life seems to freeze in perfect positure

Time passes way to quickly right now, don't you think? I do. Everyone I talk to nowdays seems to agree. Its scary. It doesn't seem like its been almost a year since I joined the armed forces. Not only that, but my spanish exam managed to creep up on me and I ended up taking the oral exam last monday. Christ. At least I passed, plus, my hearts still beating and Im breathing, so all is well. Now remains the written exam. I'll fail that elegantly. Also, I've gotten through the first part of the election for the Telemark Batalion. Near 500 applied for the 45 positions that they are offering, and now we're down to 100-150. The next phase is the 25th of may, which is waaay too early. Why? I'll tell you why, you nosy bastard. I fucked up my knee(pardon my french). I ran 3miles with 13kg in a backpack on a highway...it turned out to be a big mistake. So Im limping my way through these hectic days. The 20th of may is the written spanish exam...so. We'll see if I'll be still alive to come and visit you guys in the summer:P

I found out that my name, Ravndal, or Ravendale, is not allowed to use as a surname unless you've been born or wedded into the family name. I found that rather remarkable and felt a little bit more proud of it. Funny how that is. Its like the last chocolate pice on a tray is the one everyone feels is the most delecious one, and they just have to have it. So now, because its rare, Im never gonna take it away. Ever. Don't even try to pursway me.

I read the other day about this monkey, Travis, in America, who'd attacked and ripped off a womans face and arms before being shot by the police. For some reason the article, or at least case, facinated me, so I started investegating. In America there are over 17000 families who have monkeys of all sorts as pets. Why? Ok, Im just jelous. Hell if I'd want a big chimpansee or anything in that size. We're not allowed to have monkeys as pets here in Norway. I mean..how cool would it be to have a bud like that who'd climb everywhere, who'd watch tv with you and shut up, instead of commenting on EVERYTHING(like certain people who live in mariannes and my apartment). Plus, they're human like and can do most of the things we do. For some reason, after reading that article, I also ended up reading and researching for 2 hours on face transplantation(first sucess was in 2005, France)At the end of the day, I sat reading up on cats and their history. Historical cats and sorts. No cat in history is as awesome as Sir. Gulliver or Mr. Smee of course;) One of the most famous and personal favorites are Trim and Mrs. Chippy(who was actually a male...!)

You might conclude that I was bored that day, and yes, you are entierly correct Sir. Gulliver is now over 10 years old