Blue Breeze

March 15, 2007

Rules for Surviving Army Basic Training

Filed under: Uncategorized — bruce @ 1:33 am

There are many men and women waiting to leave for Army Basic Training who spend their time going through catalogs looking at Blackhawk tactical gear or Fobus Holsters that were designed for the Israeli Security Services. There is no question that Blackhawk tactical gear is some of the best military and security equipment on the market, but you need to get through basic training and the rest of your army training first.The modern army has changed a bit from what you might have seen in some old movies, or even how the Marine Corps still conducts basic training, but that does not mean that it is going to be a cinch to get through it. There are a few basic rules that apply and will help you.

The first rule is “be in shape.” Basic training is going to make physical and mental demands on a person that usually surpass anything they have ever experienced. Much of the early part of your training will involve physical conditioning, but that doesn’t mean you should arrive in poor physical condition. One of the best preparations you can make is to begin a regime of physical activity. This should include running. It would not hurt to go to bed early at night and get up early in the morning either. You can also reduce the amount of junk food that you eat, and replace it with a healthy and well balanced diet. There are some people who think the time before they leave for Basic Training is party time. They feel they should indulge themselves as much as they can before their “ordeal” begins. If you adapt this way of thinking you will pay for it in your first weeks of training. If, however, you arrive in good condition and ready, you will be way ahead from the start. The second rule is to understand the nature and purpose of Basic Training, and do not take it personal. It is fairly common for new trainees to feel that the entire purpose of army training is to humiliate and punish them. This is not true. The drill instructor does not hate you and it is your success that everyone is really interested in and not your failure. The Army has always known that it is necessary to “condition” new recruits. In some ways, the idea is to break down the bad habits of the civilian and replace them with the good habits of the soldier. Many recruits are not very used to the concept of authority and discipline. It is important that every soldier understand these ideas. Remember, they are not really out to get you.

A third rule that will help you to survive is to stay focused on the end. No matter how hard basic training may seem, millions of men and women have completed it. They look back on it with fond memories many times. It is a time of testing and showing your maturity. It truly separates the men from the boys and the women from the girls. Keep this in mind. If you determine to do your very best and to give everything that you have to give, it will start your Army experience in the best possible way. You will reap the benefits of your best effort for the rest of your Army career, and even the rest of your life.

March 12, 2007

Gardens and Patios: Expanding the Beauty of your Home Outdoors.

Filed under: Garden — bruce @ 11:06 pm

Much time and careful effort is given by homeowners to ensure that their home looks beautiful on the inside. The style and design of your home speaks volumes about your lifestyle and your personality. Wise homeowners will not stop with interior decorating but rather work to expand the beauty of their home by carefully designing the outdoor areas of their property. Creating areas in the backyard of your home where you can entertain guests and enjoy meals outdoors will benefit your entire family and increase the value of your property. Some simple additions to your front yard can dramatically change the way your home is viewed by your visitors.After all, the front yard and driveway are the first things visitors see when they approach your home. For a classy, elegant look, interlocking pavers can be used in both the driveway and walkways. They will help create a unified appearance when entering your property.

But concrete brick pavers do not need to only be used in the driveway. Creating a patio can transform your backyard into a place for relaxing and entertaining. You can pick the pattern of the pavers to complement that design and color of your home. Concrete pavers are relatively cool to the touch, even in sunlight, so they can be extended from your patio to your poolside area. Using pavers in the front of your home and then carrying the look into the backyard in a patio will help unify the look of your outdoor living space.

A garden will help further enhance the beauty of your home. Gardens can be practical, as many homeowners enjoy growing fresh produce in small vegetable gardens. Many gardens serve aesthetic purposes, filling the area around your home with fragrance and color. Even a small garden can be a focal point in your landscape design. When planning a garden, don’t forget to surround it with vinyl fencing. Vinyl fences come in a variety of colors and they are easy to maintain. Not only are they durable, but they come in different styles which are sure to add to the overall attractiveness of your garden area. Vinyl fence can also help protect your garden from pests as well as helping to ensure privacy.

By simply adding a garden and patio to your existing landscaping, you can make a dramatic impact on the value and appearance of your home. The good news is that both are a lot more affordable than you might think and can be done quickly.

March 8, 2007

The Myths and Facts about Pet Health Insurance

Filed under: Pets — bruce @ 3:11 pm

We have all seen the heart wrenching ads on TV with the injured pet clinging to life and the family making the heartbreaking decision to let him go- because they can’t pay for treatment. As much as pet health insurance may seem to be a viable option for pet owners, there are certain myths and facts about it that should be dispelled. Ultimately, it should be up to the owner to decide whether or not pet health insurance is right for them.A widely misconceived myth about pet health insurance is that they work just like human insurance policies. The fact is, unlike many common policies human individuals hold, most pet insurance policies will cover any veterinary care at any clinic throughout the nation. However, human and pet policies are alike in some ways. For example, they will cover everything from emergencies to routine check ups and vaccinations. Depending on the insurance provider you choose, you may pay a co-pay or you may not. Many other individuals that are considering pet health insurance question whether or not it is right for them. They think that their indoor cat or dog has little chance of breaking a bone or contracting a serious disease. Unfortunately, no matter if your dog lives inside or out, they have almost a completely similar chance of getting ill or in an accident. Pet health insurance is not just for outdoor critters.

Pet owners often mistakenly wait until their pet ‘grows up’ before purchasing pet insurance. A common myth is that puppies and kittens don’t need insurance. However, young pets are just like babies and toddlers. They tend to lack coordination and can find themselves in troubling situations just as easily as grown animals. Additionally, there is often many upfront veterinary costs when you adopt a young animal. Remember that emergency pet care can be just as costly as emergency care for humans.

In the unfortunate event that your beloved pet passes away, pet insurance can be helpful in covering some of the costs of the death- just as if they were a loved human. As with human insurance, some pet insurance companies will offer assistance in paying for the cremation or burial of a pet. With so many Memorial Pet Urns and Pet Cremation urns available, you are sure to be able to keep your sweet pet’s memory alive for all time.

Regardless of the superior health or financial stability of your family, it is important to weigh all of the myths and facts about pet health insurance before deciding whether or not it is right for you. In the unfortunate event that your beloved pet passes away, pet insurance can be helpful in covering some of the costs, such as Pet Cremation urns or wood pet urns, of the death- just as if they were a loved human.

March 4, 2007

A Brief History of Nursing Education

Filed under: Education — bruce @ 5:35 pm

When people think of the history of nursing education many immediately think of Florence Nightingale. However, nursing goes back even further than that. In fact, during the 18th century a slave named James Derham was able to buy his own freedom from the money he earned as a nurse. Nobody knew back then that a nursing education could be obtained in any other way than simply hands on through an apprenticeship. But, today there are many ways to study and learn more about nursing. Great examples of these are online nursing education and nursing continuing education.But, it took a long time for these nursing programs to develop. And, they are descendents of the first nursing program that was established in the 1850s in London. Japan’s first nursing institute was established in 1885 and the first nursing institute for blacks in the United States followed the next year. The field of nursing was growing rapidly with the influences of individuals like Florence Nightingale and Claray Barton who established the Red Cross.

In the late 1800s the idea of visiting nursing was established by Lillian Wald and she began teaching a home nursing class. The American Nurses Association held its first meeting and the topics discussed helped further nursing education. Nurses began to be regulated on a national basis by New Zealand in 1901 and then other countries around the world began to follow suit.

The first nursing education that was established in the United States on the basis of education rather than the needs of hospitals was at Yale University in 1923. The Yale School of Nursing had its own curriculum and students were required to meet the educational standards of the university in order to graduate. This really set the stage for the future of education and since then universities across the nation have developed nursing programs of their own. Then, in the 1950s Colombia University offered a master’s in nursing and was the first university to do so. This really changed the nursing environment and allowed for nursing continuing education and nurses to grow in their chosen profession.

Now, more than 80 years later, a nursing education is available at college campuses, via online courses, and even through nursing continuing education. Men and women who want to become nurses can do so around their schedule and take advantage of all the study options for this amazing profession. There are many choices when it comes to an online nursing education and prospective nurses should really compare all of the programs to ensure they are studying from the best online university and are learning as much about nursing as possible.

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