My Life as I Remember

My Life as I Remember

A college education was something I wanted, but never in a rush to achieve it. Life is full of experiences and choices; these influences help shape a person in many ways. In this essay, I will describe a few of my life experiences and choices that have made me the person I am today. I will also discuss my personal, professional, and academic goals.

My parents are Mark and Debbie Pablo. They are still married to one another, and live on the island of Oahu. My mother, six years younger, dated my father while in high school. She was 18 years old, and married to my father, when I was born on April 29, 1980. I am the oldest son of four children, two brothers and one sister. My father graduated with a college degree, and my mother has some college education, but no degree.

When I was 10 years old, my father received a promotion, and my parents decide to move the family out of Waianae to a community called Hale Ola located in Pearl City, HI. It was a new beginning for me and my family. I attended a new school, made new friends, and was afforded different opportunities. One of the many opportunities that I participated in was football. I started playing football at the young age of 11 and all the way through high school. I also participated in a summer basketball league during my high school years.

After football season, during my senior year in high school, at 17 years old, I held my first job. I worked for a company named Consolidated Theatres Kam Drive Inn located in Pearl Ridge across the street from the shopping mall. I worked there for less than six months selling popcorn and soft drinks. Due to the downsizing of the company, I was relieved of my position and the drive inn closed for business.

Prior to graduation, I got my second job at Wendy's, working fast food. I flipped burgers, cooked french fries and chicken nuggets, even took customers' orders. My time working at Wendy's was an interesting experience but only lasted about four or five months. I gave my two-week notification in November 1998, so I could spend time with family and friends. It was time for me to relax and enjoy life because I enlisted in the Delayed Enlisted Program for the Air Force, and would be leaving my family and friends at the end of February 1999.

In early December I received a call from my recruiter, I was about to start my third job, which I now call a career. He told I would be leaving for Basic Training on January 5, 1999. I gave up my Michael Jackson concert tickets, packed my bag, and left my family and friends behind to serve my country. I do not regret a single day that has passed since I vowed to protect my country against foreign and domestic enemies.

Basic training was my first hurdle in the Air Force. An experience that is truly unforgettable. The instructor's intentions were to break me down only to mold me into an Airman. He constantly yelled at me until I conformed to Air Force standards from sunrise through all hours of the night. He continued to raise the bar of expectations as each day passed, and this continued for six weeks straight. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were never a relaxing moment. Walking near the Snake Pit (instructors' seating area) with my meal was nerve racking as thoughts ran wild, hoping they would not question or yell at me. Each meal I would have to eat everything and finish three glasses of water before the table seated before me was finished with their meal.

The instructor would even do surprise inspections in the middle of the night, depriving me of much needed sleep; only to start the day yelling, screaming and making me march for hours in-between meals. It was a stressful time for me but after experiencing different situations, and challenges every single minute of every hour of each day, gave me a can-do-attitude that is more than willing to accept, and accomplish any challenge, or obstacle set in front of me.

While serving in the military I have been stationed at Nellis AFB, Nevada (1999 - 2001); Osan AB, Republic of South Korea (2001 - 2002); Spangdahlem AB, Germany (2002 - 2006); and back to Nellis AFB (2006 - present). I have been on several deployments (Kuwait; Qatar; Lithuania; and Turkey) and many mini vacations to explore different countries like Italy (Rome, Pisa, Florence,), France (Paris), Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands (Amsterdam), Egypt (Cairo), and Poland (Krakow). I met people from all over the world; been exposed to different cultures; and made