Marathon Training

The last 3 weeks have been very tough for me. I've been training for a marathon out in May. This is race is called the Rock 'n Roll Marathon out in San Diego California. I've seen the race before when I was stationed out there. For the last 2 years or so, I have been running. I've done 2 half marathons but never a full. So this race will be the longest run in miles I've done in my whole life. 26 miles! I'm pretty excited about it. One thing about what I've been doing has inspired a few people at work to want to run as well. The same race is also raced in San Jose California. And because of that, I've got a couple of people at work to want to run that marathon, I have Eugenia wanting to do the half marathon walk for that race. It's been good. So I'll hopefully get some pictures of me while training and for the race when race day comes around. Until then, cheers.

Texas City Fire Dept

This is the Texas City Fire Dept. pictures that I could muster. Shortly after the Navy, I joined the fire academy and became a fire fighter for the City of Texas City. Firefighting is truely a calling rather than a job. To be a firefighter, you have to be willing to risk your life to help save another.
One of my best memories in the fire dept was Christmas 2005. I went on call for a CPR in progress. At this time, I was in paramedic school and the duty paramedic let me run the call. By the time we got the patient to the hospital, I was able to get a pulse on her. The idea of knowing you brought someone back is unreal. I remember almost crying after the fact that I saved a life. And of all days, it happen to be on Christmas morning. Aside from serving the country, firefighting has been an awesome experience.
Above is a picture of Staion 1 in Texas City. Everyone hated to be assigned to staion 1. On my shift, I had a Captain named Captain Ebert. He was always tough on me and always gave me a lot of crap. But he did it to make me a better firefighter. I was his trouble case. I seemed to always get into trouble with him. No matter how much I probably bugged him, he always made sure I did it right on the fire ground. He was probably one of my best captains.

This is a picture of our ladder truck. Ladder 18. Funny story on this truck. One time, a captain from another station asked me if I could drive the truck. (I thought he meant by backing up the truck, parking the truck, etc) So I said "Yea" He told me to drive Ladder 18 to another staion. So I thought to myself, "Oh shit!" (I was still a rookie at the time and rooks are not allowed to drive these trucks by themselves) So as I was driving, the alignment was off and I actually started driving on the sidewalk. When I finally got to the staion, guess who was waiting for me. CAPT EBERT! Did I get in trouble!!

This is Engine 21. This truck has a reputation of being the fastest in the dept.

This is Engine 33. This was the newest truck in the dept before I left. I guess when new fire trucks come in, they have their kinks like any other thing. We got a call for a house fire. Right when we all got in the truck, the driver put it in drive and the truck just shut off. I don't know why. But it did.

And this last picture is of the station's dog Ranger. He died a few months back. He was about 13 years old. After every call, he would always get up to greet us. He was always bored around the station but loved going to the vet. He loved you when you were in your uniform but would damn near tear your ass up as soon as you got out of uniform. Behind Ranger is a friend of mine Larry who is still currently in the dept. He is a cool dude.

Greatest Past Time

On November 31, 1999, I signed up for the US Navy. I was 17 years old. On July 13, 2000, I was deployed to Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. By March of 2001, I received orders to one of the oldest Landing Transport Docks in the Navy. The USS Cleveland (LPD-7)

Life on board the Cleveland was tough. At 19 years old, I learned to grow up fast. I've been so many places. From ports all up and down the west coast to Sicily. During Operation Enduring Freedom, we brought one of the first waves of Marines along with 6 other ships to Kuwait for the Iraqi Invasion. I heard that our amphibious landing was the largest landing of servicemen since D-Day.

I've met so many people. My good friend Ben stood in my wedding. He and I were buddies on board the ship and we still keep in contact till today. I was inspired to serve our country by seeing how both grandpas served during WWII. After hearing stories and seeing their pictures, I knew I would serve. (I knew since I was a boy) Serving our Country has been the greatest honor for me. And if I could do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat.

The Two Greats

These are the two people who make my day. My wife Eugenia is so supportive of anything I do. Her and I are in love and are best friends. We always laugh and make jokes. And she is with me knowing that I have only 2 good toe nails left from atheletes foot. (Most girls would have kicked me aside long ago)

Next is my son Kyle. He's 7 monts now and such a fun boy. There are 2 times with him that really make my day. #1- I usually work late so when I come home, he's asleep and I love to walk into his room and just watch him for a minute or two.
#2- I love just hanging out with him while Eugenia is at work. Sometimes, he gets a little fussy but that comes with babies. 90% of the time, he's mellow and loves attention.
Eugenia and I are so lucky to have him.

Without these two, I am nothing. They make me function. About a month or two ago, this picture was taken before they left for Sacramento. At first I was all happy to have some alone time. After 2-3 hours by myself, I found myself calling her almost every few hours to say 'hi'.

Where Do I Start?

I'm really not sure how these blogs get started. So that is why I titled this post as "Where do start?" I just turned 27 and have already been through a lot in my time here in earth. From joining the navy and seeing the world, bringing my first person from the dead to life when I was in the fire dept, to now being married with a 7 month old son. I've done and seen so much. I like to think that my life is somewhat of Forrest Gump.

I don't take life for granted. Every day is such an awesome gift. Although sometimes, I am very lazy, there's not a day that I can remember where I have had any regrets. Although sometimes I question myself if leaving the fire dept was the right thing to do. But that is another story of how I came to California and my name is Robert the Texan.