Hey everyone!
I am hoping that my parents or my sister will be able to
keep this blog updated. Maybe that way you guys will be able to see what I’ve
been up to at Basic Training. For those of you that don’t know, my name is
Jannalyn Farley and I am a Private in the Oregon Army National Guard. I’ll be
attending Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for the summer.
The drive up to Salem was pretty easy, albeit looooong. 11
hours! However, my parents showed me a new way to drive up to Oregon that
shaved an hour off of the drive time. We pretty much just blasted Country music
the whole time while I conversed with my parents between bouts of belting out “How
Country Feels” and “The Only Way I Know”.
We stopped in Grants Pass to eat a late lunch/early dinner
at Shari’s with my college buddies Ken Johnson and Tyler Reuther. I was SO
happy to see them! I hadn’t been able to hang out with them since the last week
in April! We had a good long talk and they made me feel better about Basic.
They both even said they would write me lots of letters. Ken threatened to put
lots of stickers on the envelopes to make me do tons of pushups. Thanks Ken.
Then we made it to Salem where I introduced my parents to
Buffalo Wild Wings. It’s safe to say that they loved it. I must say, though, it
was a little sad staying at the Howard Johnson when my college was literally
just down the street. I hadn’t realized I would miss Corban University so much.
That night, another one of my college friends, Jonny Nelson,
drove 30 minutes in the late evening just to come see me. I was very excited to
spend time with him before leaving for 3 months. I hope he knows how much I
enjoyed our brief time together!
This morning, I met with Mr. Heaton and SFC Carver to
receive my shipping packet, paperwork, and flight itinerary. I fly out tomorrow
morning at 0600. I’ll fly from Portland to Dallas, then from Dallas to St.
Louis. After arriving at St. Louis, I will have a 2 hour bus drive to Fort
Leonard Wood MO where I will begin my reception battalion before heading off to
Red Phase.
I must say, the more nervous I get, the more excited I become.
I can’t wait just to get it over with. 3 months is a very long time, but I think
the adventure will be worth it in the end.
We met with my Battle Buddy from Drill, Brandee Dudzic, at
the Swinging Door (a comfort food restaurant) tonight in Portland. It was
really awesome getting to see her and visit one more time before we shipped off
to our respective forts (she is heading to Jackson in a week). I’m not sure
what I’m going to do without her by my side. She keeps me sane!
I’m so ready for this journey. I’m ready to go and get SO
shredded and gorgeous. I’m ready to learn lots of new and useful things and I am
so ready to make my family proud. Ya, sometimes I wish I could just laze around
all summer and spend lots of time with my family, but then I remember that this
is the kind of life I will be leading for the rest of my life: being a warrior
that saves her fellow people.
I have my new running shoes and my new Bible and a lineup of
things I’m going to treat myself to when I get back. Every time I’m getting
smoked, I’ll just keep thinking “I’m gonna look so hot” or “After Boot Camp, I’ll
get my tattoo. I’ll get my tattoo”.
It will be really hard being so far from home and all my
support systems, but I already know what it’s like to be away from home…and
that it just takes a little courage to journey into the unknown. I have never
been one for change, but God has led me down this path for a reason. I am ready
to pass this test.
Honestly, I am really excited for all the people who are
going to write me letters! I LOVE letters and it will be SO cool to hear from
people in such an intimate way. The letters will be my ONLY form of
communication to the outside world, so I am hoping EVERYONE will write me. It
will be wonderful!
Okay, well enough babbling. I think I’m ready. Thank you
everyone for all the love, support, and prayers you’ve sent my way. I couldn’t
do it without you. I really couldn’t.
I’m going to Skype my siblings so I can see their faces one
more time, and then I am off to bed. 0400 comes fast.
When you write me, feel free to send lots of pictures. I
love you all.
Much Love,
Jannalyn Farley (Private Farley)
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