I had planned on running tonight on the treadmill, I should be outside doing it, since it is above zero right now (2*), and the previous few days it has been -35 to -40... did you know -40F is also -40 C, yep that was actually a jeopardy question or something, its called convergence... oh wait, actually it was who wants to be a millionaire.....or something... but yeah, now I'm thinking of going to the bike shop and dream shop... without my wallet of course. I guess i just need to bite the bullet and just get the info I need. i feel shy because I have no idea what I'm looking for, what I want or even what I need... it is crazy!

But, I am going to a movie, maybe alone maybe with S., it depends on his work schedule. I don't know, maybe I won't make it that late and just go home to bed.

Oh yeah, FINALLY got a tree up this morning, the kids decorated it before we left for school... it is kind of cute a huge portion at the top where they couldn't reach is bare, I told them to leave some ornaments off so i can fill in the upper part. And i don't like the way that the star looks on top... so I don't know... but i don't have the kids this christmas, so it really doesn't matter. I bet I can get an awesome deal on a tree topper on the 26th!

Have a good night!

I swam this morning:

with fins and kickboard:
right side kick
50: 1:09.87
50: 1:11.92
rest: 45.57
left side kick
50: 1:08.79
50: 1:09.86
rest: 45.61
mainstream kick
50: 1:08.64
50: 1:10.38
rest: 45.86

without fins or kickboard
1st 50: 1:30.76
rest: 45.49
2nd 50: 1:24.87
rest: 45.66
3rd 50: 1:26.47
rest: 45.42
4th 50: 1:29.45
rest: 45.16
5th 50: 1:30.72
rest: 50.65
6th 50: 1:34.63
rest: 45.25
7th 50: 1:26.84
rest: 45.88
8th 50: 1:36.90
rest: 45.26

1st 75: 2:22.48
rest: 49.61
2nd 75: 2:21.75

Total of 850 meters.

So, um yeah, it was 30 below zero this morning. AND I really didn't want to get out of bed, but I figured I was awake and I would be happier with myself if I would just go.
My swim bag had been packed a few days ago all ready to go, dry suit and whatnot, and I left it in my van.... so I had just a rinse for a shower this morning, because my cleansers were rock solid frozen, even after my swim... darnit!
I forgot my hair brush and deodorant! Man, what was I thinking..?
I took care of it by hunting up my son's deodorant when I went to their grandparents up to pick up my youngest to take her to school, she goes to a different school and it starts 30 minutes earlier, so I take her cuz its right across the way from the hospital, and the grandparents take the other two cuz their school is just around the corner from their house.
The kids were over tired, but It was my birthday last night and I went to a movie, and they called at 9 and asked if they could just spend the night. I said sure... now my youngest is wearing clothes that belong to my ex husband's wife's daughter from a previous relationship... and well, lets just say the two girls while only 3 weeks apart in age, have COMPLETELY different tastes in clothes... yes even at 5 them girls have their own style.
But I worked out, I'm done for the day, unless I feel motivated for a bonus workout tonight, but it will be a run on the treadmill.

Dorkness OUT!

20 min run for a whoppin 1.61 miles... after feeling horrible for a whole week. A whole slew of things went wrong, I can't say I had overtrained... but that 30/30/30 really did make me sore for a few days... I love that feeling.
I am going to go bike shopping this weekend, well sunday because I'm working Saturday... and I'm going with no money at all... that means I'm not taking anything home. I'm just scoping the scene to see what I need what fits, and if at all possible I can find the same thing online for cheaper... but I think I would rather get what I tried out at the store... and have it adjusted to me. My luck I will be one of those people who are hard to fit because I'm odd... maybe one leg is 4 inches longer than the other... I'm sure someone from MEPS would have mentioned it, but still. I'm not looking on sacrificing my kids' college educations (they'd better get scholarships anyway) on a bike! LOL!

Okay, obviously I have nothing much to say... off to watch the DV-R of biggest loser... the kids and I missed it on Tuesday, they because they were at their father's house and me because I was at S's house watching harry potter with my youngest and his boys. Funny thing is I had been giving him a hard time about never taking me, and he was feeling all bad about never taking me... then a few minutes into the movie we look at each other all confused because it was looking very familiar... after a LOT of thought we had forced our minds to remember we had in fact snuck off to see and didn't tell any of the kids... most of the 5 of them had seen it with other friends or relatives. Just rather hilarious that we BOTH forgot about it and were feeling bummed about it. While it was funny it was a bit of a let down since we weren't seeing something we had never seen before... oh well.

Dorkness OUT!

I had to give myself a pep talk last night, the one where you make a deal with yourself. Just go and do 10 minutes, if you still feel horrible, then you can quit, knowing you at least tried. I did 30 minutes of cardio, and some walking lunges. This morning was what the gym calles 30-30-30.... 30 minutes of pace for everyone, the we broke up in groups : my group did spinning for 30 minutes, then we did "boot camp" for 30 minutes. yeah, a lot more walking lunges and squats, and situps and pushups and leg lifts, and well anyway by the end of it, my quads were mush... so good job!
I was going to swim lap swim today too, but I forgot my bag. I will do it tomorrow, I guess.
have a christmas party tonight to go to, I'm not a big party person, but well, I'm going. I need a nap!

Swim workout this am.

right kick: 50 - 1:18.09
50 - 1:22.87
left kick: 50 - 1:20.51
50 - 1:24.00
straight k: 50 - 1:22.87
50 - 1:15.91
rest 1:04.47
1st 50: 1:36.87
rest: 1.00.66
2nd 50: 1:32.35
rest: 1:00.38
3rd 50: 1:35.36
rest: 1:19.38 got lost in thought! lol
4th 50: 1:40.26
rest: 1:02.75
5th 50: 1:32.74
rest: 51.15 decided I was running really late, so I cut my rest by 10 seconds
6th 50: 1:32.13
rest: 50.72
7th 50: 1:34.49

decided not to do the last 1-3 50's as I was really running late. I just need to get motivated earlier. Of course if I could swim faster, I could get through the workouts faster too! But as it was, it was less than 30 minutes, so I just need to wake up earlier, especially since these workouts aren't going to get any shorter! I need to build my endurance by quite a bit. I have decided to try to swim 5 mornings each week. I need a lot of work, and I have never had formal training, so whatever I can figure out will help. There is a drill that calls for holding a tennis ball under your chin to make sure you're rolling with proper form when you breathe, I think I will try that. I can't look any more like a fool than I already do! And I swim for me, not anyone else.
Spinning tonight for 60 minutes, and I did spinning last night for 60 minutes. So, I think I'm doing good.

Dorkness OUT!

Should be cleaning, should be doing homework, should be running, should be closer to my stove since I'm making some creamy pumpkin soup, but most of all, I should be sleeping! Why do I stay up so late, especially when i want to wake up early to go to the pool. I also want to go spinning tomorrow afternoon, but now I'm thinking I will be crunched for time. My son has a band concert at 7, and the class gets over at 630, hmmmm, well, he has to get dressed up, not me, some extra deodorant after the workout, a quick change in the gym bathroom, and some body spray and I should be alright, right? his grandparents can get him there, and I will be there before they start, I'm sure! There, problem solved and I will be able to do both workouts.
I'm going to have to start doing more cardio because there is now some boy scout yummy goodness popcorn that is going to tempt me! And you know folks, girl scout cookie sales are just around the corner, because they get delivered some time in march... start saving your pennies, so you can buy enough for the whole year.... marathon season begs for girl scout cookies... perfect pre during post race snack! maybe not, but they are very delicioso!

Dorkness OUT!

Some Privacy Please?

So, I'm in the military, and we had a party last night, the wing xmas party, so I shouldn't have been surprised when I got a notice for a UA this morning when I reported in. It was random, I'm pretty sure. I know some people think my naturally obnoxious bubbly personality must be narcotic induced, but really I'm cleaner than Mr. Clean's floor! But yeah, you get stared at during this wonderful treats.
But on a high note, I got promoted today. I'm officially not obviously the lowest ranking person. I have the same rank as others, but because they ranked up before me they're still technically higher ranking
But at the medical group holiday lunch today, we were told to line up from lowest to highest ranking person. We were all starving, but a bit shy to attack the table like the vulchers we knew we were. I gladly stepped in the front of the line... being the new kid has its perks sometimes.

In case anyone cares I am now a Senior Airman. It didn't seem like a big deal to me, but they made a big deal out of it, it was kind of fun.

Oh and I lost my ring, you know the one that goes on the left ring finger. I've had it since one of the J months in the summer, I'd be lying if i knew exactly what the date was on that... I'm not good at being a girl and military training when you do exactaly the same thing every day, its hard to remember one day from another.

I put the ring down on Saturday night, on my bed to put on nylons cuz i'm a bad girl and I can't put nylons on with a ring on without shredding the nylons (it still took two pairs). I left the house in a hurry, cuz i was already late, but I realized the ring wasn't on my finger so I turned around to grab it really quick, but IT WASN'T THERE!

My prime suspect, after i looked for 45 minutes, thus making myself even more late, and now crying uncontrollably and ruining my makeup, and praying I don't shred the last pair of nylons by tossing random clothes about. Right so about that suspect; the only other warm blooded moving being in my house was my dog... seriously would a dog eat someone's ring if the dog is mad at them? She gets moody when I don't bring my kids home... she doesn't understand they have to go to their dads' houses too... she looks at me, and at the van, when I take her outside, then back at me like "how dare you come home when no one else is getting out of that car? WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM, WOMAN?"

So i still can't find it, and I'm wondering if I should sift dog poo to see if I can find it? I'm thinking I need more evidence that she might be responsible for the missing ring before I play with poo off the clock. I don't even like doing it when i get paid for it at the LAB!

I didn't work out at all this weekend. My IT band is tight and I really don't want to start with that... so I stretched, and drank water and rested... and ATE way too much food. Lordy what am I going to do? Oh yeah, next week I exercise again... back to my training. I won't be swimming, but I plan on running before work, so I know I will have w workout in. I don't know if I will have daycare for the evening to do my after work workout. But I will make a tentative plan during the day and play it by ear. Tuesday, though I will swim in the AM and spin in the PM. I will come up with daycare for that!

Night all, I think I've rambled along
SrA dork signing off!

So the schedule called for 40 minutes easy biking. So a 60 minute spin class totally does that right?
I showed up super early, and felt like an idiot for being 30 minutes early for the class. But seriously, it took me about 20 minutes to get my feet clipped in the first time... then I realized I needed to pee before class started. Then I got clipped in again, and the owner came up to introduce herself to the new girls. There was another new member in the class too. Obviously it is a rather small gym... I didn't think I would like that, but I am thinking that I do. She adjusted my bike, which required me to unclip again... and she was so sweet saying that maybe the difficulty was that the bike pedal was stripped some. I assured her it was me, and it was my first time using the clips.
I can see how hard it would be to learn this method on a bike that can tip over! I have a few months to get prepared for the tippy bikes that actually move! LOL.
However, while I was waiting to get my shoes adjusted at the store the other day, I looked up over my head and saw a bike with a tag that said, sold layaway. Now, I have never put anything on layaway before. I always figured if I didn't have the money, I didn't need it. But this might be something to look into. I will have to ponder it out. It might get me a bike sooner? But if there are extra fees, I will just tuck away extra money into savings until I feel it is enough for a bike that will make it through whatever abuse I can give it... or will the abuse be targeted towards me?

Well, that was a very wordy post of nothing! HAha.
Now I will bow my head for someone who is very sick, I don't know them well, but they are the father of someone very dear to me. Please, if you're a prayer kind of a person. Shout one out for his speedy and full recovery. He is already on the upslope, lets hope it continues.

So, my swimming workout, I think was supposed to be easy. And it was, except when I swim, I feel like i'm suffocating myself. I just don't know how to get adequate oxygen.
But here was the master first swim workout (with myown new fins!)
50 x 2 left side kick
50 x 2 right side kick
50 x 2 mainstream kick
removed fins, ditched the kickboard

then it said 50 x 8 60"
so I interpreted that to be a minute rest between 50's? Who knows, but that was what I did. I had to breathe!

I forgot to time the first 2 50's
but then i have
3rd 50: 1:30.88
4th 50: 1:30.84
5th 50: 1:34.16
6th 50: 1:48.27
7th 50: 1:38.26
8th 50: 1:37.09

so, we can see I am an inefficient swimmer and had slower times as I went. Oh well, I know where I am at now, and I have loads of time to get to where I want to be by November.

I am looking forward to trying out my new shoes on the bike next. I need to find the schedule for group classes, then sign up for membership. I will do that on my lunch break. And get gas... always getting gas (for the car)!


Dorkness OUT!

I wish my templates had titles. I'm too lazy to pick out font and size for a title, then I would have to try to remember it. And well, that isn't going to happen today.
But I was reading some other blogs. and one referenced spin classes. She was revisiting spin classes, after a long hiatus. The reason for starting to spin was because she wanted to get into triathlons, but didn't have a bike... I am SOOOO glad I am not the only one!
BUT, I do have the shoes! HAHA! I got them today, along with the snuggliest biking top one could ever find! Performance material on the outside, and soft and fuzzy on the inside, but not bulky. Whoever comes up with this stuff, definately deserves a cut of the $90 I paid for it. I'm a material girl, not that i need stuff, but I am driven by texture. I love the feel of different fabrics. those toys you buy infants, with the satin part, the flannel part, the crinkley inside part, yeah, those things keep me busy for hours!

But alas, a gym membership is in my near future, and even nearer, my very first workout at the pool in the AM, so Off to sleepy-land for me!

Night everyone

Oh yeah, and I found a few triathlons in the state to "get my feet wet" with this summer. haha PUN totally intended. HAHAH, yeah, I must be tired... check out the awesome grammer... i keep saying it, but someday I will proofread and actually put down something worth reading, but like with the title, today isn't the day!

Dorkness OUT!

My First Spin Class

Yesterday was my first spin class... ever. It was good, dare I say, fun? I got to see how small my community really is. The couple who had invited me along to their gym were there, and the lady who got on the bike to my right worked with me, too. The couple work with me at the hospital. And I spied another hospital employee on my way into the classroom. It was really neat how they did it. The room is dark, painted dark gray, and a piece of chain linked fence up for decoration at the front of the room. NO Mirrors, my preference! And black lights. It seemed to take away inhibitions that everyone is staring at you. The instructor was, I think she was worried about me since it was such an advanced class for a beginner. But the lady who invited me has it in her head that I'm some kind of an athlete! HA! I wouldn't go that far, maybe a fitness enthusiast? My sit bones are hurting a bit, and today my quads feels like someone punched them into a cramp, but other than that, I feel really good. I'm glad to be back into training my own way. Tonight is the treadmill. It has been warm out, so I should be outside, but I'm afraid of the icy roads, and I don't know where all of my gear is, to be honest. Where are my yak trax? Darn it.
have a good day!
Dorkness OUT!

yay audrey is back! I am excited, i enjoy following her humerous and ambitious days.

I am feeling rather motivated mentally... I am thinking triathlon this year. I even called the pool at the army base to see what their lap swim hours were... yep, cuz i'm officially military (even if it is "part-time") i can get on base, and nothing beats free pool access!!!

I was going to do a 1/2 iron man this july, but alas, my plans were dashed when I realized I would be out of town that weekend, i have my military obligation... but since that obligation is taking me to hawaii, i won't cry over it too long!

I came up with a plan, i will start training immediately for a race in November that will require me to get on a plane. Sometimes living in alaska just isn't that awesome. I can't belive that I didn't take advantage of my time in the states... I guess not having my own car probably had something to do with it. It is hard to find someone awake, and if they're awake, sober early on a saturday or sunday morning... even the too young to drink crowd really weren't ready to wake up at o' dark 30.... oh well. A new adventure is on the horizon... a new bike needs to be soon. But since there is already snow on the ground I will have to make friends with a spinning class, me thinks.
And now a change to my background, this one seems kind of ugly to me now.

So yesterday I was flipping through the channels, we just got cable, trying to find something for my daughter to watch. I stumbled upon the telecast of Ironman Lake Pacid...! Wow! My daughter got huffy because that was NOT cartoons, and she walked away saying I could watch whatever I wanted she would find cartoons in my room. (thank you for the permission little one!) It was really kind of awesome to see people finish the race... holy cow and to look so strong at the end of an ironman! It truely has inspired me... I feel motivated once again. It is the first time I have felt motivated since I've come home from my training and oh does it show!

We have a local 1/2 ironman. I'm thinking of training for it... now all I've got to do is carve out the time for it.

I say nickel, you say back....
NICKEL

BACK!!!

Yeah thats right, what an awesome show, even from the cheap seats, i had an awesome time. My roomie and I went the other night. It was a lot of fun. I got a drink dumped on me, rather, it splashed up from the floor in the bathroom... don't let me forget the bathroom nazi... we will come back to that later.

I had nachos dumped on me... down my back. luckily I jumped when the girls behind me jumped so i wasn't leaning in my seat. caught most of the cheese with my hand... it smelled like vomit. I really hate the smell of cheese sauce. It was all okay because how do you make it through a show like that without getting something on you?
The show started off with Puddle of Mudd.... yay, another of my favorites... then eleventh finger, I think is what they're called. their music was good, but their stage presence needed work. you could tell they were ameteurs sandwiched between seasoned musicians. The nickleback show itself started with a bang... literally... hence the nachos down my back!

Lots of pyro, lots of lighttricks, and of course video streams.... a tribute to pantera's guitarist... and well, lots of my favorite songs. YAY!

I am just checking in... I'm good, I'm alive, I haven't been hit by any hurricaines yet, but there are still a few days left.

Bathroom nazi to come at a later time>

I am very frustrated right now. I am too far away from my family and it feels as if a rug has been pulled out from beneath me. I have no idea what is going on, and it seems as if no one is talking in thuths. I want to know what is next. That is all. Just what now? I am due to come home in less than 2 weeks and it seems that patience is wearing thin on all corners of the situation. Less than 2 weeks left, but almost 7 months of waiting has already been endured. Why now that it is so close to the end of this wait that everything is all falling apart.

wow, you'd never guess it, but it is pretty hot here. I am not particularly enjoying it, by the way. I am still on countdown to get home... it looks like 2 weeks-ish

So yeah, I kinda cut short the story about the washer, wait no, I didn't post that story it is saved....

it was me!



I did it, it was me, wait what did I do again? Oh yeah, first the fire alarm went off, and I didn't think anything about it, rumor of fire drills have been circulating... but during PT for the othe squadrons? Wow, so we go out side and the PT-ers who were trying to eval were cut short.... What did someone say the laundry room on the 1st floor caught fire, crap MY clothes are in there.... and my BDU's. So yeah okay, I overstuffed a washer. I didn't think anything about it, I've done it thousands of times before... I've been doing laundry for the past 20 years... and never have I had a problem before.

So the fire department responded, the building was evacuated, a PT was interrupted, during an eval... and now the rumor is that the medical folk, don't know how to do laundry... yep, that is me


So I get a talking to from one of the female MTL's theyre the "babysitters" of us all who live in the dorms of non prior service airmen

She says, well you did it right by putting it on extra large load, but you can't overstuff the washers. I know I tend to overload them a little bit when I'm at home... but you'll understand when you're a little older and have a place of your own, that you really have to take care of your stuff. This is considered destruction of government property and you'll have to pay for the damages.

So okay, this washer that may have been on its last leg anyway, happened to break with my stuff in it, and now I have to pay for it.... okay... we will see what the damage comes out too, and we will see if i get punished for it, too... we will see... I haven't heard anything back, but I will surely update you guys as soon as I hear news.

Audrey you have a password blocked on your site, and I miss reading it. You blocked while I was at basic... if I'm special enough to visit it, can you send me a private message with your password?

Another hot day here, I spend the day in labor and delivery.... not having any of my own, but damn playing with the cute babies really makes me want to have another. Just one more to round out the numbers. I am trying to figure out when that paperwork is going to come in for me to get my new vehicle... it is getting down to the time where I need to start packing up my stuff here. I am kind of excited about that. I am excited to get my things together and get the heck home. I haven't disliked my time here. I've kinda actually had fun during my military training. I've got loads of memories and stories to take back with me... I can say, "I've been there," to a few more areas of our country. Not saying I'd jump at the chance to come back, but, I've been here. We have our PT test in the morning... yep, you read me right, MORNING!!!! HOrray! So even though it will be eighty-some odd degrees out even at 0700, it is better than the heat index of 105degrees. After that test, I am going to try again, to push out some extra miles. I've got nothing to lose at this point. My instructor might get on me for crappy runs during PT, but what am i going to do? I might even start before them and get some miles in before we do our regular PT session.... that way he can see my before effort, so my during perceived effort will look less horridable.

I didn't see much at L&D which is a bummer, but I think i said that already

So, I'm not a girl, I'm a dork. I am still in wonderful Mississippi, still sweating. Things are still going good, my instructor indicated that I might have indimidated one of the preceptors. It wasn't physical, it was mental, or professional intimidation. So I guess I need to tone it down, or not, if you're going to teach the shit, you should be confident enough with what you're teaching to have the idea that no matter who goes through your mentoring, regardless of rank or past expericence, that you've got something to offer them.... would they be in school if they already knew everything? Um, no, actually, they wouldn't.

So it looks like I'm going to be UBER domesticated and I am buying a mini-van... Dodge caravan with stow and go seating... yay. I'm picking up my soccer mom decal at the end of the month (just kidding)! But I am excited because the financing is all in my name. I am a big girl now with big girl credit! And it is totally NEW!!!!!! whoo hoo... and they're UPSing the papers to me to sign, and then S. will drive it home... it is in the next town over and he happens to be there for a uh...haha... uhem, soccer tournament.

Yeah military life is good, my favorite color is still green, and I look sexy in my combat boots. And I can drive a mean IV.

Its been a while, hasn't it? I'm in the extrememly hot and humid state of Mississippi. On the coast, and well, it looks still just horridable. The hurricaine did very extensive damage, but haven't we been hearing about it all along for the past two years? Well, yeah, but to see it first hand, makes you wish you could do a little more. There have been leaps and bounds of improvements over the last two years. Depending on how you look at it, there has been a lot done, you can tell by checking out some pictures in the many books covering the subject in local bookstores, on the other hand, not nearly enough has been done when you see the shells of homes and signs spray painted on the side of their home that say, "We are home, no loot, will shoot." It makes you realize what a nightmare the permanent residences are wishing they could wake up from. Knowing that all of their worldly possessions are lost at sea or in a tree somewhere a few hundred miles north of here.... or some other random distance, I'm not sure how far north the storm reached. If you stand on the beach you can see some kids' toys roll up with the tide, covered with sea life indiciative of being held under the currents for quite some time.

Aside from the environment, all is good, I finished my schooling in texas a few weeks ago, and I'm in the midst of my clinical rotations... I have seen the most efficent pap smears of my life, it made me think i need a new doctor when i get back home! I worked 4 days in the ER, nothing traumatic occured, but still much was learned and apprecated. I stabbed countless children in the arm and legs in immunizations, gotta have them for day care and school. School in this community starts on the 8th, so I guess I landed here in good time. It was busy from the moment I walked in until I left at 3pm for a conference I needed to go to.

My running, I wish it was going better. I am sadly, considering not doing the marathon because it seems that it is near impossible to run long distances in the heat and humidity.

hanging out at the mini mall, trying to solidify my plans for the big move to mississippi for a whopping 6 weeks. It will be cool, I guess. I've come to terms with it and it is looking like even if I don't buy a house, I won't be homeless when I get home... gotta love my man :-) he always fixes things for me. I am looking forward to going home soooo badly! I hope you all are having a good time this summer... and jen it looks like I will get to see you on my way down. I will have a classmate along for the ride, should be fun!

some day i will get to leave this ungodly heat and humidity. I know it is just the beginning of this weather, too. It will get worse before it gets better. It is only 40% humidity and i'm dying. I really really am!
Ummm lets see what have I been up to? I passed my EMT registry test so now I am officially an EMT-Basic. Yipee... I almost got to show off my life saving skills because a small child was choking on some cantelope at an IHOP but he worked it out before I had to swoop in as a superman. I think more people should know what to do in case of a choking child. Actually I think all people who are expecting a child need to take a CPR class before the child is born. But where does the money come for that? But thank goodness the little one was okay, and the food at IHOP is good. We don't have those in Alaska. We don't have sonic either, and well, their mozzarella sticks are awesome! Yeah more fast food places should offer those on their menu. Not to mention all the frozen yummy stuff. Yeah, needless to say I gained weight when the kids came to visit. Oh yeah, I probably haven't mentioned that. The kids came down to see me for 10 whole days. We saw all kinds of cool storms while they were here. One went on for hours and we were under a tornado watch. We go on lock down when there is lightening within 5 nautical miles so at one time they were there, 5 steps from the door, I was outside ready to get in, but NOOOOO, i was forced back inside... but they let off the lockdown for 5 minutes until there was more lightening right up above me, i was already outside, thanks to a wingman of mine. Being in a leadership position everyone gets to hear about my kids, pretty much every time i open my mouth so the females in my hallway were all sad to see me come back inside the first time.... but they sprung me out in that narrow window of time and I am very greatful to them for making it happen. It was awesome to hang out with my kids watching a crazy active storm through the hotel windows with them!
I got to draw blood from my instructor the other day, it was a demo for the lab we were doing, on blood draws. I got to show off a bit, and that was cool.

Oh yeah, I started talking about the weather from here in texas.... yeah well I bet buloxi is just as bad if not worse, in the weather department.... and that is where I'm going next.

there is a small outbreak of a virus coming from basic training that has made it way to us. We are all using hand sanitizer and washing and lysoling and bleach wiping everything we can to try to prevent the spread. some of the "infected" people are on quarantine where they can't leave their rooms, their roommates have been ordered to move to new rooms and such. If we have sore throats we have to go to the clinic and get checked out... apparantly there is an individual that is still in basic training status in critical condition because of it. My heart goes out to his family ( i think it is a male airman) because those of us who have been there, we don't go to sick call unless you want out, or the ambulance took you there because there was no avoiding it. At the same time the only thing on your mind is get through it as fast as possible no matter what. Blisters, colds, flus, ankle sprains, and any other maladies that commonly strike are ignored and sometimes they get better sometimes they get worse, sometimes you can stick it out until you get to tech school and get it taken care of then. This virus isn't something to play around with.

As for my running, im ashamed to say i haven't done much outside of mandatory physical training.
Honestly i could make time for it, I really should. I think i am going to. But I cannot run outside in this freaking heat. I just can't.

Dorkness OUT!

96 baybee

Yep that is the score of my first Unit Test. 1 of 6, these are the ones that count for the GPA here, the little quizzes we take almost every day don't count for grade, just to keep you in the class.

I may or may not end up a student leader, it now depends on how well i can march, not myself, but how I direct a flight of no more than 38 people! So we'll see
everything else is good, tho. I start EMT training tomorrow, I'm doing CPR and life saving today, not like I'm not already certified, but I didn't think to bring my card with me and I'm too lazy to call home to get it sent.

Not much else to talk about, I keep busy, I don't get enough sleep and sometimes starburst jellybeans and goldfish crackers are considered a meal for me... sooooo yeah

Captain Dorkness OUT!

amanda goes shopping

I rode on a public bus not knowing if I was actually going to get to where i actually wanted to go. I was wearing my blues, so yeah, I kinda stuck out... along with the other 100+ people in the same outfit...er uniform.... I made it to the mall, and did I mention I was travelling alone... at least it was daylight out :-)
I spent money, like duh, what else do people do at the mall?

Oh hey, I don't have a lot of time so someone needs to remind me to tell y'all the story of the dude who hit on me on the bus, on the way home.... yeah totally oddness!

Okay, uh so whats goin on here... got good grades so far... the unoffical GPA as of now is a 97.5 but all the quizzes we have taken don't actually count for the GPA only the end of unit tests count.
I am in the process of applying for a student leadership position... it would be cool if I get it, but also goes against the rule to stay under the radar around the TI type people, although they're not called TI's here and they don't have the same responsibilities. But if anyone knows me, they know I tend not to fly under the radar. I'm more like that mosquito that flies right into your windshield, right where you need to look out to see the road, then you turn on your windshield wipers and apply ample amounts of washer fluid, and I don't go away, I'm still there, just smeared, and now you really can't see... in otherwords I'm in your face all the time, talking really fast!
Did I mention my MTL (kinda TI guy) is from Alaska, too? I was stoked, after he hunted me down and I found out I wasn't in trouble.
It was good.
I've done good so far, and I make my bed everyday, and I even vacuum with a dust buster hand held thingie.
Enough of this for now! Bye!
Captian Dorkness out - - yeah like that promotion I just gave myself, who knows maybe next week I'll be Major Dorkness, huah!

Man oh man, I need to update my pic! So much has happened since I left for basic. I am happy to announce I made it through, and on time. It is amazing how out of shape I was when I got to basic, and even more amazing, how much more IN-shape I was compared to a lot of females, and males, too I guess.
I'm chilling at the mini-mall, wingman-less because they all went out to the club tonight. We have to go everywhere in our BDU's so no clevage showing for them :-) I don't really to the whole dance clubbing thing so I'm here, alone. I am supposed to meet some other non-dancing females from my basic training flight at the day room to watch a movie in about 6 minutes, but since I just figured out how to make my computer work with the WI-FI here, I'm going to hang out a bit longer. I don't mind being alone in a crowd of people. As a matter of fact being in a large living area with 48 other females, isn't large enough no matter what the dimensions. It was pure craziness. I made friends and everything because they are the only ones with the same experience as me for the last 6 1/2 weeks. Even someone from a different flight, or squadron wouldn't quite understand what we went through.
The hardest part of basic training, for me, was going so long without communication and physical contact. The physical contact issue surprised me the most. We left church one Sunday, and several families where there with an airman who had just graduated the previous Friday, I wanted to hug this old man, just craved it... and he was grandpa-ish so nothing sexual was there. But I craved a hug from a male who wasn't in green, and wasn't looking to procreate. So yeah, weird. My little people and S. came down for my graduation. It was definately anti-climatic, the ceremony, not the visit from the fam.

I want to give a shout out to how much I love S. and my little people, and I think they are so very AWESOME for being by my side even though I am so far away and missing so much of their lives right now... but they keep on plugging away, and smiling and telling me they miss me, and Desi keeps telling me how she's saving candy for me everytime I hear she's eating some. So cute, and so untrue!

Things are good, I think I start actual school on Monday, and I slept in until 0930 this morning when one of my friends woke me up so I would go and do laundry with her.... I am the soap-keeper as we figured it would be more cost effective to share soap, and washers since we don't own enough clothes to warrant a whole load individually :-)

I'm down some weight, the scale doesn't say I've lost much, BUT those around me can't get over how much thinner I am.... so the pushups have buffed up my arms some, and my middle is smaller, and my bootie is also, thank goodness, smaller as well!

I have a roomate that I don't know, she's from a different squadron, she is alright so far, I think. I don't talk to her all that much, and she's not totally on top of her game so far, and she speaks spanish to her bf, I don't get to eavesdrop on her like she does me... but if I give her time, maybe she'll get her act together and I won't have to drop kick her out of a third story window.

We have a student leadership class here, as far as my rank goes, I'm expected to apply. I would welcome the added duties just so I have a good excuse to not go out. These females have a hard time just taking I made a promise to myself, my boyfriend, and my kids not to. I know they think I'm stupid, but I know I won't be the one waking up in the morning naked next to a strange ugly guy who's wearing my panties on his head, and don't remember how we got to where we were, or how to get home from there.... that maybe a bit extreme because there is such a thing as drinking responsibly, but I'm not taking any chances AT ALL!


Oh yeah for those of you who are current or prior service people, guess what one of my jobs was in basic? I was a road guard! One of the crappiest jobs you can get that isn't a leaderships position... I guess it IS better than chow runner :-) I didn't mind it and I think my improved run time in PT is because I did so much more sprinting than those who marched mid pack. Running in dress blues with dress shoes is not all that much fun, especially when you're low on deodorant and aren't sure when you'll have another opportunity to buy some more :-)

Kool my itunes is done downloading, YAY music... something else I desperately missed during basic.

I'll see about posting a new pic for y'all post basic training.

Luv ya!
Dorkness OUT!

6 days. I leave in 6 unbelievably short days. I wish I was more prepared physically, but no matter where I am in my fitness, I'll long for better. I will take what I have and do what I can. I've been doing pushups, 15 each hour. I'm up to 75 today... and I have more hours to go. My form isn't the best right now. I'm sure I can put more effort into better form... but man my arms are getting quite tired. But I bet sloppy pushups still have a benefit.

I ran on the treadmill the day before yesterday. I felt sick last night so I laid low. My tummy still hurts from vomiting yesterday, stress much? or food poisoning.... it shouldn't take 6 hours to eat chinese for breakfast/lunch/ almost dinner, too :-) it sat out at room temp all that time and my tummy was full, and I had a bad encounter with my mom on top of it. My tummy just couldn't handle it all. :-(

Dorkness out!

Yay! It isn't blocked anymore... the IT department here at work apparantly decided that I should spend my work time more wisely... I guess they must have realized I work harder than they do... I just do it better so I have more down time :-)

So now that I can post again, do I even have anything to say?

Lets see....hmmmm.... well I can do 15 pushups at one time, but of course I tested that after doing 8 sets of 10 yesterday to equal 80 pushups throughout the day... then I did something similar so over the course of several hours I had done 35 pushups... then tried to see how many I could do at one time...
so far today I've done 65 and it is around 4pm here.

My daughter is selling girl scout cookies for the very first time, so if anyone wants some cookies, let me know!

What else... man, it has been a while since I've posted, huh?

I have drill this weekend so I'll be getting my orders and out processing, which is really goofy since I'll have to re-inprocess once I return after school, but whatever, I'm getting paid regardless of what goofy shenanigans they have me do.

Uhmmmm what else... man, I'm boring.

Oh! I went and saw Rocky Balboa last night a.k.a. Rocky 6.... it was alright... one part made me think, and the rest, was well, predictable there just didn't seem to be much of a story. Just an athlete who still had something left in the basement and needed one more event to get it all out.

Well, okay, I guess that is about it.
Dorkness OUT!

Why did I think that masters swim teams were just for people over 40? Like you can only swim up to and through college, then hang out in lap swim until your 40th birthday? I realized today, because I'm a bit slow, that I've been reading about certain people's master swim workouts and such, and I realized that these people aren't over 40. They're dang better swimmers than me, but not old :-)
So I googled master swim teams for my area, and wouldn't you know it, they described themselves as being for people 18 and up. Their oldest member is in their 60's. And you don't have to be olypic elite either... so guess what I might be doing this week :-)

PMS Tri

---

I may have just thrown away 53 dollars :-)

I signed up for a triatlon the 6th annual Power Maiden Sprint Triathlon... it takes place June 16th 2007. So I have no idea if I'm going to be in Texas that month. I don't have a bike right now and I don't know if I'm going to buy one... can you rent for a few months? Maybe I can get some kind of a deal. I won't have a car, so I guess I'll have to rent one to drive there... oh and the whole thing of even leaving base. I'm not sure where my restrictions are. I'll have to apply for leave because I'll be more than 150 miles from base... and that's only if I'm in Texas. But you know what, I have something to look forward to while I'm gone. And that will occupy some time and thought, and if nothing else I can work up a sweat, and get all exhausted so I don't have the energy to wonder about my kids at home. So if I've wasted 53 bucks then so be it. I have a goal!

Oh yeah, and I said my estimated 300 meter time is going to be 20 minutes, because I honestly have no idea how long it should take me to swim that long... but it is in a pool so that will be friendly for a first timer :-)

Happy new year!

Since my new years resolution is to just make it through 2007 mentally and physically intact, knowing there are going to be a lot of hurdles to jump through, It only made sense that the first supposedly non-holiday day I go to the gym to find it closed until 9am. 9am is roughly an hour after I need to be at work :-( Oh well, can't I get some kudos for waking up early and peering through darkened windows, wistfully, wishing I had enough sense to check their holiday hours before dragging myself and my sister out at 530am?

So I feel as if I'm already behind for the year. I did do some pushups and situps last night, and I'm feeling it this morning. I'm so sad....

Happy new years to all!
Mine has actually started well, I got some extra time with my kids, and that is always a good thing... of course now I need to clean up the damage from all the extra trash and whatnot left in the wake of christmas. It has truely been a whirlwind of events that the kids haven't even opened their presents (unwrapped, but not disengaged from the store boxes)!
So that is on the agenda.

So next month it is, I go on an adventure that I will never forget. I am bracing myself to be strong for this. I was told by a very wise person yesterday that everything will be here for me when I get back. Nothing is ever going to change with my ex, or my kids... the mess, the chaos, and the unwavering love from my kids will be here when I get home, so don't worry about leaving. It is a drop in the bucket. I know that it is for the good of my family, and yes, my kids don't want me to go, and we are all sad over it, but in the end I'm the adult and I see the big picture better, so I need to be confident in my decision and just go. Make the most of it, and be the best that I can be. Then figure out the minor details as I go and follow my plans when I get home.
A house is definately in my future when I get home.