Wendie Ent:
CLASS OF 1976
Dunedin High SchoolClass of 1976
Dunedin, FL
Brigham Young UniversityClass of 1981
Provo, UT
St. Petersburg Junior CollegeClass of 1978
Clearwater, FL
Northeast High SchoolClass of 1976
St. petersburg, FL
Riviera Junior High SchoolClass of 1973
St. petersburg, FL
Wendie's Story
Life
The list of where I've worked, gone to school and lived pretty much serves as an outline of my life since graduating from High School in 1976.
I love hearing from people that I used to know, even those whom I barely knew. (Is that correct grammar?)
Seems like life was a series of hellos and goodbyes - that started in childhood when I was an Air Force Brat. Yet, when I run into old friends and collegues, we often pick up where we left off (even if we stay in contact for only short periods of time because of "life interruptions" ).
In my 20s and 30s, I was so busy trying to "catch up" or "get ahead" that I really ended up "going no where fast" and I didn't take the opportunity to nurture the relationships or connections I had with a lot of great people. That was dumb. Learn from my mistake and don't do that. Seems like the people I knew that came out ahead in the long run, are the ones who took time to smell the roses...had a theme similar to "Don't worry, be happy," and are/were human beings rather than human do-ers.
My 40s have been spent "starting over" and I still have workaholic tendencies because I'm still playing "catch up" eventhough I "know better". It is not always easy to practice what one teaches.
On the brink of 50, I know who I am and I like me. You know that old Fritz Perls Gestallt prayer...
I do my thing and you do your thing
I am not in this world to
live up to your expectations,
and you are not in this world to
live up to mine.
You are you
and I am I
and if by chance we find each other,
it's beautiful.
If not, it can't be helped.
....................................................
Maybe I was born a decade too late... I'm really a hippie.
:)
School
I consider myself to have been pretty shy when I was in school. I went to 7 different schools from 1 - 12th grade. That's not too bad considering my father was in the Air Force.
Military
I used to love singing to the "jodies" or "cadence calls" - especially back in the days of Basic Training with B Co, 1st Bn under Drill Sgt Virginia Villareal in Ft McClellan, Al. She was a wondeful woman with an incredible voice for calling "jodies".
Take off your hats, here come the WACS... just marchin' along, and singing our song... whoa... you get the idea.
B-1-2 graduated the day that the Women's Auxiliary Corps was officially disbanded and General Myrna Williamson (I think it was her anyway) received a star (I think it was her 2nd).
I have many great memories of that short period of time in Army Career.
All war stories begin with "No shxxxt there I was" and I wanted to use it for dramati...Expand for more
c effect but I guess it had "inappropriate language" (which is ironic since I am such a stickler for not cursing anyway).
No fooling there I was.... out "CAMPING" for my first time in the Army in a little "PUP" tent that my buddy and I put together out of something called "shelter halves". I was asleep and I guess it was the footsteps of the person pulling perimeter defense that pulled me from a deep sleep after a busy day which included a 14 mile hike with my ruck sack... whatever it was that woke me infiltered my dream and I woke up screaming. My PUPtent mate tried to wake me from the altered state I was in by holding onto my neck and trying to shake me awake... making it worse!!!! I think I scared her more than anything else cause I started fighting back!!! I stayed awake for quite awhile after that thinking I'd be discharged for being crazy. Fortunately, I wasn't.
From Basic, I remember Valerie Reilly, Boatswaim, Tussaid, Hare, Cissy Ferguson, Evans (several Texans in my platoon), Endicott, Mayberry, "Rainey" Lanieri and her buddy from Michigan (her name is on the tip of my tongue), Barbara "Carter"? and Durrick (our 17 year old platoon leader selected by Drill Sgt V). I can visualize many of the people but the names currently escape me. My journal from this time is in storage... I've been saving them for when someone runs for political office (just kidding :)).
After Basic Training was AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Littlecreek Naval Amphibious Station where the Navy School of Music opened its doors to Sailors, Marines and Soldiers. Also known as "Band School" and the "SOM (School of Music)". There were something like 7 or 8 women that arrived at the SOM that day and I tell you, it was quite the experience. When the van pulled up to that primarily male inhabited environment, we were all treated like celebrities or even beauty queens. I recall wondering if something incredible had happened to us on the flight from Alabama to Virginia. I remember that in addition to Valerie Reilly (clarinet) and I (flute), there was also Jamie Van Buskirk (clarinet), Viola Woodward (clarinet), Alison Hackett (?), Diane?? Buryea (baritone?)and Donna Plummer (flute). I don't recall who else arrived that day. I specifically remember that a slew of men greeted us.. including Chris Dodrill a trumpet player from Las Vegas.
The SOM was a wonderful experience. Imagine being paid to practice your instrument for 6 months!!! And, there were many other payoffs for being there. :) It was fun.
I'm wordy and had many adventures in the military. There just is not enough room to write enough.
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