Can you say Physical Readiness Test??

Today was the bi-annual 1 and 1/2 mile run of the sailors in Norfolk, Virginia. This involuntary event ensures that your tax dollars are being used only to support military members that stay below a specific bodyfat percentage (somewhere around 22-25%). In addition to meeting the bodyfat requirements, sailors are required to do push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1 and 1/2 mile run, a 12 minute bike or a 12 minute elliptical. The bike and elliptical are new ways of testing in the Navy and have only been around for a year or so.

For the first time in my naval career I decided to do something besides the run to test my physical readiness. I normally run the mile and a half in 10 minutes or so. I've always enjoyed cycling and, as some of you know, I've been known to ride 10-20 miles a day on my trusty R600 Cannondale Road Bike. When we moved to Virginia and were forced to rent a townhouse, due to nominal military pay and high home prices, so I ended up storing my Cannondale outside and let nature take over. Nature essentially destroyed my trusty bicycle. This means that it has been over a year since I've gone on a good, long ride and I miss it more than you can imagine. I've wanted to start running and get into shape again, but I ran into a road block. In August I cut off half of the top part of my thumb (pictures coming soon) with a miter saw. It took a while to mostly heal, and now I'm able to work out once again. Who knows when it will be completely healed? Okay, back to my story..... I decided to try the bike test and in 12 minutes I burned 135 calories, which equates to running the mile and a half in approximately 12 minutes and change. Choosing the bike kept me out of the cold, but I was disappointed with my test overall. In the end it really doesn't matter as long as I passed. It did renew my passion for cycling, so I guess it is time to suck it up, buy a new bike, and hit the road with my newly shaved legs.....

Let's Get It Started!!!!

Where do I start? I'll assume anyone reading this knows our family already....... I (Jason) am still in the Navy, 15 years total service in February. I am a Culinary Specialist and just finished a two month stint working in Rear Admiral Goodwin's house, The New Hampshire House, on Admiral's Row in Norfolk, Virginia. It is a historical home built in 1907 for the Jamestown Expedition. My real job is to feed the Admiral and his staff at the office, which is known as COMNAVAIRLANT or Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. I am also currently attending Regent University, majoring in Christian Studies.

Laura is a Master Hair Stylist at the Naval Air Station Oceana Beauty Shop, specializing in hair color. When it comes to hair, makeup, or style in general.........Laura rocks out loud!!! I am trying to convince her to drop her current shop and open one of her own....only the future will tell.

Below is Laura and her peeps, Steph in the middle, and Fluff on the right.

We have three children, two of which are human; the third is cotton (what does that mean?). Our oldest son is Tristan and he is 7 years old and in 2nd grade. He is currently playing soccer in the NYSL Virginia Beach U-8 league. Megan is our beautiful daughter; 5 years old and in Kindergarten. She participates in tumbling/gymnastics at Gymstrada.

Our youngest and newest member is a Coton de Tulear named Hunter "Benson" Cascio.....the "Benson" is Megan's addition, which she pulled from iCarly technical engineer Freddie Benson on Nickelodeon (5pm/6pm Central)...LOL.

We'll try to keep you updated as life flies by. I don't know if we'll be as witty or clever as many of you are on your blogs, but I'm sure, at a minimum, we'll keep you entertained. At least I hope so...........see ya!