Such a busy Spring thus far!

Hi again everyone!

I'm excited to be back blogging about recent happenings and life updates. First, I'd like to give a big "HURRRAAYYYY!" as I'm so close to graduating and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from PLU. I have exactly 2 months left, and this can't come any sooner.

Also, last week was a very eventful week. I was really busy with Army stuff as my girlfriend Jayden (who's also a soldier), came to visit and we had to visit Ft. Lewis everyday from Thursday through Friday.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we did a lot of Army aviation related activities. Wednesday was an aviation visit to the 66th Theater Aviation Command on Ft. Lewis. We learned a lot about aviation in the Washington Army National Guard, aircrafts they fly, and even the parts and avionics that make them work. We got to crawl around the inside of a Blackhawk and Chinook which was really fun. Below are some pictures from the visit!

Myself and CDT Potter in a Blackhawk

The Cadets!

Myself and CDT Lee (my girlfriend) with a Blackhawk

Wednesday was fun, but Thursday was even better! On Thursday, Jayden and myself returned to the 66th Theater Aviation Command and actually got to fly in a Blackhawk, all around the Puget Sound for 2 hours!

We flew across the Tacoma Narrows bridge, around Gig Harbor, up to Seattle and got really close to CenturyLink Field. It was definitely an awesome and beautiful experience.  The weather was fantastic last Thursday and we even got to watch Medical Evacuation operations conducted by the crew flying us around.

Myself and Jayden flying!

For Spring break starting today, I'm going to head off to Carbondale in Illinois and hang out with Jayden for about a week! I'm really excited and can't wait to kick this break off! I hope that everyone reading this has a wonderful week as well.

Take care and until next time!

Joel Goh

IPA Trips to Downtown Tacoma & Crystal Mountain

Hi everyone,

I hope you all have been enjoying your classes and burdensome assignments. Those assignments are surely nutritious for our brain and mental strengthening. If you are stressed, not a good sign, it means you need some fun activities to refresh (and go back to study with refreshed mind). 

Because I was stressed during the first and second week of this semester, although I am more stressed now, I went to Downtown Tacoma and Crystal Mountain Ski trips. I had so much fun in both trips, and I would like to share the stories with you. 

For the first ISS trip, we went the Museum of Glass. We watched glass blowing and glass arts. The glass sculptures were so beautiful that I really wished to have those. The weather was good, clean, and chill, so we spent most of time inside. On the way to the Ruston street for the lunch, we took some photos and moved very quickly (Ruston is well-known place to Tacomans for a good restaurant district and the fourth of July celebration place). Ruston street is also highly recommended to go.

On February 17, we went to the Crystal Mountain to ski and snowboard. We were scared a little bit because our van slipped a little on the snowy road. Later we found the tire chains, so we could have a safe drive home. It was stormy day that many skiers and snowboarders got hurt by the snow particles. The little snow particles literally slapping my face. The powder condition, though, was good. Snowboarding for an hour and coming back to the lounge to have some noodles, my body started melting, and a dew under my nostril. After having a quick lunch and snowboarding one-two hours, the time was up to go back. We struggled with using tire chains, and it took much time and energy from us, but I was so much appreciated by that everyone helped to get over the severe situation. A trip always takes us somewhere that creates memories whether good or bad, but it becomes a fun memory eventually. 

 Resting is good and necessary just like the steak becomes more delicious after resting it. I think it is fun to have a break with friends at the fabulous trips of IPA-ISS. Make memories and experience new things.

Don't be normal, but delicious!

Cheong Wun Cho