A little bit of what's going on (in bullets)

• My dad apologized for pushing me too hard, but still thinks that I have a lot of growing up to do.  I know he's worried about me because I am the oldest child and the first one to leave "the nest", so I can sort of understand where he's coming from.  He just wants me to be successful, and wants me to show more initiative and responsibility. I am going to start training with this guy from our gym once a week for leg-work and running, which is a small start.
• Yesterday I received an abrupt phone call from my recruiter informing me of a job opening in the mechanical field, HOWEVER the ship date is August 14th, despite my contract stating that the earliest I could leave would be October.  When I declined the job offer he called me in for a face to face meeting and tried to convince me to take it.  His commanding officer was there and he was a bit... overzealous.  As someone once put it, military recruiters are the best used car salesmen around, and they will use every tactic in and outside of the book to fill their quotas.  They made me feel guilty, selfish, and all around an awful person for trying to decline the early ship date and even tried to turn my family against me.
• After a lot of discussing with friends and family (and a little bit of stress crying from me) I decided to turn down the August 14th ship date.  No matter what anyone says, I do not feel mentally or physically prepared to enter basic training in less than a month.  My contract states that the earliest I can leave is in October, so in no way am I being penalized for not taking this opportunity.  When I called in today to tell the recruiter my decision he was more understanding and even a bit apologetic for the misplaced "passion" his boss had for the Air Force.  If I wanted to feel guilty for saying the word "no" I'd go live with my mother.  I would like to make a career out of the Air Force and forcing me to take a job that I don't want is pointless.  I understand that the needs of the Air Force come first,  which is why I want to be around longer than four years.  I want to enjoy my job and take pride in serving my country.
• All of the aforementioned earned me a lecture from my dad about how I need to start thinking and acting like an adult, and less like a teenager.  I understand where he's coming from.  I do need to be more responsible.  I do need to re-prioritize my life.  I am entering a new world full of consequences and disappointment.  I'm used to working hard and having rewards for doing so, and the realization that hard work won't always be rewarded is a tough concept for me to understand.  My dad made it very clear to me that I now live under his roof with an expiration date that coincides with my ship date (whenever it is).  I don't take any of this for granted.  It still sucks to hear it, but it's the truth.
• And finally, I have to re-iterate how thankful I am to all of you for reading and supporting me.  As silly as it sounds, I share more on here than I do in real life.  As an introvert it's easier for me to communicate through this medium.  I appreciate all of you guys so much for being here for me.