Well, here it is... just two days from a new beginning. A new year to start fresh and change history from repeating itself. I'd like to just give a small insight to what my mind is like... after everything that's happened, then go into the events of the most difficult year I've ever had - 2011. I went through a hellish year in 2011 where I lost my best friend and the only woman I've ever committed 100 percent of whom I am to Nina Oksanen. I won't go into many details, as I respect her far too greatly and even still love her after the events of what's happened - and I won't make a villain of her either.

I've always been one to overcome obstacles - I've conquered fears of heights, drowning, and darkness - to what is left is merely being alone. Many people know I grew up in a single parent house-hold where it was just my mom and I. I'd often spend many hours alone, in the dark resting or even reading books until I started working. I worked hard for a lot of the things I have achieved in my time. I earned an Eagle Scout award, I became a black belt in martial arts, and most importantly earned the right to lead my peers and soldiers through hard work - all earned through countless hours of dedication, sweat, tears, and blood in some cases. Each thing making me stronger and a better man. A man raised with firm values and believes that man and woman are equal - and thus should be treated as such. Each value of interest being integrity, honesty, and loyalty to oneself and one's beliefs and not accepting anything less. I'm not saying I'm a saint. I have done things wrong in my life, but I do not regret them - I accept them and step forward to become a better man and grow as a person.

Now that many of you know my background, I'd like to discuss the year - the year 2011. The year began with an amazing start. I had spent my New Year with the person I loved most - more than anything there is in this world that matters to me. I had also been awarded my first degree in taekwondo - a goal I had worked hard for my entire life, for those that know it - the martial arts are a HUGE factor in my life. One of the most important next to my military career. I had conquered many of my fears by facing them head-on and without mercy and telling myself "You can do this. You're not a coward." and often I would think of the people that mattered most in my life - Nina, my best friends Tadd and Jedd, my mom and dad, Sabumnim, and lastly Major James Holder - and it was as if I'd have the strength to take on the world - to essentially split the heavens and the earth if needed. It was...inhuman to me to have such strength and confidence... but all of that was stripped away at the end of the year. Everything I had come to love had been a lie for a year... My best friend betrayed me, and like that - she was gone. She left me at a bottomless pit of a lot of hurt and more questions than answers - but beyond that, I changed. I went from being less of a coward to more...neutral with things in life. I searched deep down and all around the world around me finding a purpose and drive. I found it once again in taekwondo - taking on new challenges to become stronger than I had before. To gain techniques unrivaled by anyone (which I'm currently still attempting) to become like my sabumnim or master. That was late October...

Since then, I've made some poor decisions and some very wise decisions - each having their own weight on my heart and mind. I've made new friends, and some friends I learned I was nothing more than a stepping stone in their lives. I had committed to people and yet again, ended up being just "second best" - or not even that, just a man - nothing more. I was once told by the man that Nina harmed me with that... "You've been hurt the worst you can possibly ever be hurt - no one can ever cause you anymore grief or suffering... and she has lost the one person that truly loved her more than himself" and he was right. I had lost friends I had gained so easy for various reasons - and I do not hate them. I don't even feel angry at them at all. Two of them have found happiness - or I hope they will. Both of these women have been kind in their own way, and I'll always be grateful for the time spent. To me, the value of time is the most important thing you can share. Once given, it cannot be taken away - yet... that's really all anyone can give someone, and that is time. One caused a great deal of healing that she'll never truly understand. Gifted me confidence and removed a since of "scum" and "lowness" that Nina had left. In fact, I had only really learned the truth from Nina just a few days after Christmas and have placed the note away... never to see the light of day with other items that she had sent to me. Seeing them only reminds me of what I had lost in my younger, more selfish ways - yet...I'll always keep them as a source of strength from when she truly did love me as the man I am - and be that source of strength when overcoming an obstacle I feel unbreakable or unachievable. I learned that taking all that love, all the hate, and all the sorrow from those times can turn a man into an incredible individual - but only if their will is strong.

At the beginning of the new year - I'll be focusing on taekwondo, preparing for Special Forces Selection, and working once I find a stable job. It doesn't mean I won't spend time with the people that matter, which - there are people that matter. I'll include them in the tags below... Since I was a child, I've always wanted to be a Marine or a Green Beret. I had always looked up to people like Michael Jordan and Bruce Lee for their amazing skill and determination. It's not that I'm not satisfied with where I am in life - I merely want my life to have some meaning, to do something with my life that one day I can look back on and tell my children or my grand-children that I did this, that I did this for them, that I did this for their children, that I did this for the people I love, and most importantly, I did this for myself. Being a soldier is not something you honestly do for yourself - but you do for those that are weak and unable to defend themselves. You do it for the women and children and the men that are not able to stand up and fight - and fighting is something I've done all my life. I've fought for friendships, for loving someone, and for wanting to matter and make my mark in this world and be known as a good man. I don't care if I die trying to achieve those goals, but dammit - that is my choice, and my decision alone to make. I have always put the needs of others before my own. I have always placed many peoples' needs and sacrificed sleep, food, and time for someone else - even Nina would tell you I have done this for the benefit of others, even some friends that dislike me.

It's only my goal to take my fears and make them my strength - to have the courage to be "first on, last off" and provide for my friends and family and the people I honestly give a shit about. To those people that have inspired me to become a better leader and friend, and to one day be a father. If you have any doubts or any negative commentary - you can freely go fuck yourself - seriously. I am tired of listening of all the bullshit of "you can't do this" or "you're not good enough" or "I don't want you" and all the negativity. Seriously - think of the things I'd sacrifice for you? Thing of all the things I would do or have done for you? Are you that selfish that things don't matter? If the question is some sort of reply - perhaps you need to seriously re-evaluate your life.

Anyway, I think I've said enough to offend many people - perhaps gain respect and lose respect from others. Feel free to comment, send a message - whatever you feel like doing. Whatever makes you happy, please feel free to share memories of yourself and I as friends or at times where I was an ass. Freely - go ahead.

By the way - if you've been tagged, it means I give a shit and have learned a great deal of wonderful lessons from you on how to grow and develop in a stronger individual. If you've been tagged, you're a motivating factor on how I've overcome a lot of difficulties in tough circumstances and frankly, I'd probably take just a few bullets for you - or gladly take some terminal illness for you. Whichever - because some of you, are worth having around because you make hell of amazing friends and I don't know where I'd be without some of you. Thank you all for giving me something to fight for - even if you have pissed me off, it doesn't matter... you're still a friend and I don't abandon my friends, ever.