Update on the 'sailor boy' 3/27/09

[Coyote]

Wow, it's hard to believe over a year has passed since my son left for boot camp. It has just flown by these past months. We've learned to communicate in a multitude of ways including facebook, skype, webcam, sprint phone cards, and of course email. We have certainly had a few bumps and bruises along the way, but I'm happy to report that his injuries have healed and he has settled into life on base in Japan very well. He's learned some things the hard way...but who doesn't. He has advanced to petty officer (see earlier posting if you missed it) and he takes great pride in what he does for the navy and his country. We are very proud of him.

His most recent accomplishment has taken us all by surprise. He entered the "__insert town name here___ Idol" (sorry for the blanks, trying to keep everything PC) contest a couple of weeks ago. He managed to make it through the auditions by singing "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra. He is the only navy personnel on the base to be selected to compete. They narrowed the search to 15, and last week he made it through the first cut with "Beyond The Sea" by Bobby Darin. He sang his song in his dress blues, earning him the titled nickname "Sailor Boy." This week (tomorrow) is the next round--the 70's -- if you didn't figure it out they have a theme each week, just like the real idol, and it is decades...he is going to sing 'Sweet Home Alabama'. Now you may wonder why I would say this has taken us by suprise...it's because we haven't heard him sing a single note since he was 11, and was 2nd lead in an elementary musical -- and even then he was usually singing duets. After that he clammed up and we haven't heard him sing in the car, the shower or as much as sing along with a commercial on T.V. He reunited with this musical interest while at A-school in Pensacola singing Karoke...he continued this in Japan...and now he's in a contest...who knew??

It's been quite awhile since I posted anything and thought it was time. I hope this finds all my navy mom friends doing well. I miss you TX moms and hope that we can meet again soon. KK

[Jill I]

What fun!