We're going on a hump...

I've had five years to reflect my short tenure in the Marine Corps, and I miss it terribly. A lot of the girls that I went to Parris Island are still in, and some have been out for a little bit. I always felt my time in the Corps was sort of robbed from me. I never really wanted out the way I did. Sometimes, I reflect my decisions that were made, and sometimes I wish that things might have been different. But, either way, I can't change the past. I am who I am today, because of yesterday. So, I am jumping a bit in time to my experiences from the final phase of bootcamp.

I graduated from bootcamp in October 2004, and I didn't come out of Parris Island unscathed. I had an injury from the Crucible that should've kept me on the island to recooperate. However, I had enough of the island, and I was desperate to graduate and get off. I had injured my foot during a long six mile hike carrying an Alice pack full of filled ammo cans. I sucked it up with my back wrenching in pain, and kept going. The following day, I noticed that my foot was making a clicking sound, and I just kept marching on. During the final hump, I limped. I was just so excited to be finished. I remember hiking by 4th Bn, and sighing a sound of relief, just to be forced to keep marching on. I knew that the other recruits had the feeling of disappointment, because we weren't finished. It wasn't too long that we looped back, and the Warrior breakfast that awaited us, was wonderful. I remember the other recruits scarfing their faces with the cake that was provided, and ultimately got sick. I could barely eat, and I was just plain exhausted. I was in a daze, and I couldn't believe that I really hiked over 50 miles in just a couple of days. Defeat was not an option, not when I was exhausted, hungry, or injured-- I could taste graduation in the air, and my ticket off the island.

"Mama, Mama can't you see? What the Marine Corps' done to me?
 I used to drive a Cadillac, now I am humping with a pack..
Mama, Mama can't you see? What the Marine Corps' done to me?
I used to wear Maybelline, now I am wearing cammie green..
Mama, Mama Cant you see?
What the Marine Corps’ done to me...
I'm walkin tall and feeling good,
I'm doing things I never thought I could."

(There are so many variations to this marching cadence..)

Oh Pumpkin!

I find the need to laugh, and I've seen some funny/cool carved pumpkin images lately. I thought I'd share!

Strangest dreams this past week..

What I shouldn't be dreaming about...

1. Getting stomach cancer. Dreaming that my stomach is trying to turn into mush and vomiting... yucky.
2. Dead tapeworms around the steak I am about to eat.
3. Having a dream about a friend announcing that her husband is not coming home from a deployment. That dream was completely random and sad, and I am pretty sure I cried in my sleep.

Hmm... I keep dreaming about dead things. It is probably the month I am in.. yep, that must be it. :/

Thai Pumpkin Soup

For some crazy reason, I completely indulge in the fall foods. I tend to gain that unwanted 10 pounds. {ahem, like I did last fall..} So, I am on a Weight Watcher recipe quest to keep my cravings in check. I know I am allotted 29 plus points, so this should be easy. I also decided to devote 2 weeks straight to providing healthy cooked meals for my family. That means no eating out, Starbucks, nada. Trust me, a part of me wants to go to the Mc Donalds right up the road and play the Monopoly game.. so tempting. I should go walk around the block a few times just to rid myself of the thoughts of a 10 piece chicken nugget, large french fry, and a medium Power Aide. {Really Mc Donald's? I love how you pick and choose what game pieces come on what products, ha! You think you had us fooled..}

Okay, so now that I already made my soup today, I will delightfully share the recipe. 3/4 of a cup gives you 2 points, btw.

{Weight Watcher's Thai Pumpkin Soup}

Image from food.com

2 tablespoons red curry paste

1 (13.5-ounce) can light coconut milk

1 cup water

1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened pumpkin

2 tablespoons fish sauce

1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional and highly recommended by me)

Lime wedges (optional and highly recommended)

1. Place curry paste in a medium saucepan. Add coconut milk, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Stir in 1 cup water and pumpkin; cook over medium heat 8 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat; stir in fish sauce.

2. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges, if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

Fat: 3.4 grams Cal: 74

Enjoy! Be sure to check out my recipes every day for the next two weeks! :)