US President George W. Bush Childhood to mid-life

George Walker Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut at Grace-New Haven Hospital (now Yale – New Haven Hospital), on July 6, 1946, the first child of George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush (née Pierce). He was raised in Midland and Houston, Texas, with four siblings, Jeb, Neil, Marvin and Dorothy. Another younger sister, Robin, died from leukemia at the age of three in 1953. Bush's grandfather, Prescott Bush, was a U.S. Senator from Connecticut. Bush's father, George H. W. Bush, served as U.S. Vice President from 1981 to 1989 and U.S. President from 1989 to 1993. Bush has primarily English descent and also more distant German, Dutch, Welsh, Irish, French and Scottish ancestry.

Education

Bush attended public schools in Midland, Texas until the family moved to Houston after he completed seventh grade. He then went to The Kinkaid School, a prep school in Houston, for two years.

Bush finished high school at Phillips Academy, a boarding school (then all-male) in Andover, Massachusetts, where he played baseball and during his senior year was the head cheerleader. Bush attended Yale University from 1964 to 1968, graduating with an A.B. in history. During this time, he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, being elected the fraternity's president during his senior year. Bush also became a member of the Skull and Bones society as a senior. Bush was a keen rugby union player, and was on Yale's 1st XV. He characterized himself as an average student.

Beginning in the fall of 1973, Bush attended the Harvard Business School, where he earned a Master of Business Administration. He is the only U.S. President to have earned an M.B.A.

Texas Air National Guard

Lt. George W. Bush while in the Texas Air National Guard.

In May 1968, Bush was commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard. After two years of active-duty service while training, he was assigned to Houston, flying Convair F-102s with the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group out of Ellington Air Force Base. Critics, including former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, have alleged that Bush was favorably treated due to his father's political standing, citing his selection as a pilot despite his low pilot aptitude test scores and his irregular attendance. In June 2005, the United States Department of Defense released all the records of Bush's Texas Air National Guard service, which remain in its official archives.

In late 1972 and early 1973, he drilled with the 187th Tactical Reconnaissance Group of the Alabama Air National Guard, having moved to Montgomery, Alabama to work on the unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign of Republican Winton M. Blount. In October 1973, Bush was discharged from the Texas Air National Guard and transferred to inactive duty in the Air Force Reserve. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve on November 21, 1974.

Marriage, family, and personal life

George and Laura Bush with their daughters Jenna and Barbara, 1990

At a backyard barbecue in 1977, friends introduced him to Laura Welch, a school teacher and librarian. Bush proposed to her after a three-month courtship, and they married on November 5 of that year. The couple settled in Midland, Texas. Bush left his family's Episcopal Church to join his wife's United Methodist Church. In 1981, Laura Bush gave birth to fraternal twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara; they graduated from high school in 2000 and from the University of Texas at Austin and Yale University, respectively, in 2004.

Prior to his marriage, Bush had multiple episodes of alcohol abuse. In one instance, on September 4, 1976, he was arrested near his family's summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, for driving under the influence of alcohol. He pleaded guilty, was fined $150 and had his Maine driver's license suspended until 1978. Bush's alleged drug usage is less clear; when asked about alleged past illicit drug use, Bush has consistently refused to answer. He defended his refusal to answer in a publicized casual conversation with a friend, saying that he feared setting a bad example for the younger generation.

Bush says his wife has had a stabilizing effect on his life, and attributes to her influence his 1986 decision to give up alcohol. While Governor of Texas, Bush said of his wife, "I saw an elegant, beautiful woman who turned out not only to be elegant and beautiful, but very smart and willing to put up with my rough edges, and I must confess has smoothed them off over time."

Bush mostly reads "serious historical nonfiction" for pleasure. During his time as president, Bush read 14 Lincoln biographies and, during the last three years of his presidency, he reportedly read 186 books. A reporter recalls seeing "books by John Fowles, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, and Gore Vidal lying about, as well as biographies of Willa Cather and Queen Victoria" in his home when Bush was a Texas oilman. Other hobbies include cigar smoking and golf.

Sunday Zodiac October 9

You are concerned with preserving the usual and are stable and methodical in your ways of keeping everything the same. You resist change and may have trouble initiating change--once on the move--you are indomitable. A kind of romantic thinking characterizes your approach to life now. This could mean a longing for a soul mate or a yearning to save the world. Community or family concerns may hold your interest this afternoon. There is an interest in bringing people together. This could mean that you become involved in developing communications between neighbors, friends or family--healing. Others want to help you in whatever you decide your quest is--you will find all the support or help you need is available.

Making peace with the past is essential now, and it's the only way you can get to the future you want. Ignore this and the questions about the past will never go away. People who cannot help themselves pay a bigger role in your life now: do unto others. Meditation brings self-awareness, and that can set you free from being a prisoner of your own plan. Sometimes lazy and perhaps a bit absent-minded, you would benefit from making a list of your goals . . . long-term and short-term. This will bring some focus into your day as well as recognizing progress. Make it a point to mark off at least two of the most important things on your list. This is a day where you can get your personal needs met and much can be accomplished--emotionally and physically.

Your happiest times all month are the days, like this day, when you spend time with friends in group activities. Spiritual practices and some charity work may be involved in making this a rewarding time. You may find yourself being put to good use by your friends and this should go rather smoothly. You have quick answers, great wit and a surplus of insights and solutions today. This is a good time to write and communicate with real originality. Inventions and breakthroughs are possible. Everything conspires to value and to bring out your unique and unusual qualities. You may find that someone close to you understands and is supportive of your eccentricities. You could feel loving and warm to those around you and you are appreciative of your own life.

This may be a challenging day where you can use your skills and expertise to solve problems and feel successful. You may be teaching in a religious setting or you could be working with a few co-workers to help you on this day. You may find that your personal growth depends on how you can handle some very sensitive psychological material coming up now. Perhaps the people you are communicating with today have plenty of questions for you--regardless of what job you are undertaking. You can take control and rise above whatever stress you experience at this time. You will benefit from investigative insights and getting to the heart of things. Enjoy a sunset or, if possible, get away from the city lights this evening, perhaps with a loved one.

This Sunday may be challenging, but it is quite gratifying when you look back to see the accomplishments you make in such a short time. This could mean that some project is completed successfully or you help a friend install the border around a vegetable garden. Whatever the case, you seem to have the energy and enthusiasm to keep up with the requirements of the day. Time away from regular responsibilities this afternoon gives you new insight and renewed appreciation of just where you are in your life?s path at this time. Opinions and beliefs of different cultures have an appeal for you. There is an urge to study religious, cultural or philosophical controversies: crusades that have a way of stirring your blood.

If you need a loan, the first of next week brings high probabilities of being granted a loan. Get the necessary papers together now, especially if this is something you want at the beginning of next week. Social affairs are wonderful ways in which to network. Accept the invitations that will be coming now and through the end of this month. Neighbors or relatives, brothers or sisters in particular, can be subjects for concern on the home front today. It may take some effort and patience on your part to keep things on an even keel. Remember that there is a tendency to be out of touch or uncommunicative just now; listen to your conversations and be your own judge as to how you want to improve your communication skills in order to be most clear. Hugs are healing.

Independence, a need for freedom and an interest in trying new and different things may take hold of you now. You may behave in unusual or unconventional ways. You could also have an interest in the exotic or in eccentric friends. Breaking away and upsetting the trend of the moment may be the name of the game. A much more adventurous you will emerge. However, be careful that you do not become some sort of a speed demon. This urge to speed may be at your command for a good long time. The thrill of the chase, the smell of the greasepaint or the roar of the crowd is what gets your juices flowing now that you have entered a new cycle. To be appreciated, to be admired--adored, even--is what you desire. Make your passions positive.

Deeper levels of consciousness open up for you now. You may be a bit quiet because you are especially impressionable. You are psychically aware of the deepest inner feelings of others. A soul-mate experience--or the yearning for one--can change your whole approach to relationships. There is a tendency to see someone as though he or she were on a pedestal and to measure him or her against an ideal. If you put people on pedestals, they are bound to fall and you could experience some disappointments. This is not the most practical time to get into a close partnership, regardless of how alluring the prospect. Dive into some activities this afternoon with your friends. Short or long trips bring wonderful adventures your way.

This whole month gives you the opportunity to work on focus and understanding. Understand your feelings and take responsibility for them--you will jump ahead in the game of life many, many steps. You can demonstrate great understanding and sensitivity to the needs of others just now. You are in a good position to communicate concerning groups and society in general. You could be most persuasive with others and moving in speech and communication. The situation is a natural for self-expression and lends itself to your particular thinking. You may find yourself in charge of a sports team or teaching manners to young people. A good conversation with those you love is possible. You might enjoy updating the photo album this evening.

Friends may take control of most of your day today--you do not mind. You love a social life--friends and relationships play a major role in your makeup. You draw emotional sustenance and a sense of security from ideals, friends and social involvement. You love to communicate and discuss ideas with other people. Your ideas are always fair and impartial, especially when it comes to helping others and perhaps in helping further charity organizations. You are at your mental best when you are communicating with others. This evening you are highly motivated when it comes to a particular romantic relationship and you may find yourself showing off your best attire for a special event. Keep grounded with your own emotions, perhaps gardening.

Confidence and conviction are keynotes of a new phase you have begun. There is power behind your ideas and the way you gain attention for your viewpoint. Religious, cultural or philosophical controversies and crusades have a way of stirring your blood. Travel and adventure are compelling temptations as you dare to test your character and stretch your horizons. Sympathy and understanding are emotional qualities that take on a greater importance. You have plenty of enthusiasm and warm up to people quickly. You have an inner self-confidence that burns with its own light. Your taste in art and appreciation in general are heightened today and you may find yourself creating or enjoying a visit to an art show this day.

Communicating and getting your message across to others is at a high just now. Your timing should be perfect and those around you should find you most spontaneous. Romance, recreation and creativity take on an inspirational and perhaps wildly idealized quality now. Such experiences can be truly soul-stirring. Someone you care about--a child or lover perhaps--may have difficulty distinguishing fantasy and reality. Experimenting with different types of music may help you to unveil the different types of moods. Music can be enchanting but some music can be quite grounding. You have real vision and insight into the unity that ties this world together. You find new ways to bring people together--to unify situations.