I have officially become the worst blogger ever. Just a total lack of care for writing one I guess. I see that my last post was March 31st so sorry for not keeping you up on the times.
I guess I'll just start at the beginning of the month. So we had Rapid Deployment which was at the shooting range. Doing room clearing and approach techniques with the M-16. On this day Squad Alpha Jaw was born. This stupid nickname I've been given was applied to our squad. All of my best friends here were in it. We are basically the group of people that everyone hates because we get "into" everything we do. Making fun of how easy the PT sessions are and being really tactical with our actions everywhere. I guess people find it annoying. As a class we have really grown apart and are dissolving fast. Good thing we are almost done here. People may start killing each other soon. Easter weekend was nothing special. Sucked being away from home and I didn't really do anything fun with the 4 day weekend.
After Easter we did the Field Sobriety Testing stuff. Easy if you ask me. Then after that we did our rifle qualification. We had to shoot reduced targets from the 50 yard line which simulates a 100 yard target. I shot 4 30/30 qualifiers which felt good.
The next week we did mainly Woodland Operations. Which is just like, navigating with a compass and playing in the woods. After that we had our patrol skills practicals. These are tough. Just really stressful couple of days. I did fine thanks to my friend Robert Toler. He is really good at them and helped me get through them successfully.
This week we had our courtroom testimony day. Basically had to take one of our Patrol Skills tickets and present it as a court case. I did fine with that but sitting on a wooden bench for the other 7.5 hours was pretty sucky. Yesterday was our last PT session. We had two groups. One did a 1.5 mile run (losers) and the rest of us (9) ran a 3.5 mile course that we call the winners circle. It has one of the longest and steepest hills I've ever seen. About 3 times the height of Reids Hill south of Frankfort for those that know where and what that is. We ran it at a faster pace than normal too and finished it with a 200yd sprint. Felt pretty good honestly. I am amazed that I could hardly run a mile without keeling over before all this and now I volunteer for a 3.5 mile run and tell the leader to sprint the last part. This place has at least let me know that I can do more than I think I can and that is a bonus I suppose.
Our 5th exam was cancelled for tomorrow and so now the only test I have left is the final. Super stressed about that one. Tomorrow we only have the 3rd PEB which is the one that counts. I found out today that the school here doesn't do the fitness award. So I've been killing myself with PT for no real reason. I really wanted that sheet of paper which is stupid but I wanted to "show" my accomplishment. So we'll see how hard I try tomorrow since I can't bring any proof home.
After tomorrow we only have 2 class days left. Monday and Tuesday are our Park Practical days. Then just a final and once I complete the final, I will be so excited that I won't be able to sleep at all.
This will probably be my last blog since not much else will happen until I'm home. Thanks for those who read this and thanks for your thoughts throughout my whole ordeal here. It's been a long ride. I can't wait to tell the funny and sometimes sad or stressful stories.
See you all very soon!!!!
-Zach
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
My Apologies
Sorry, I know I haven't "Blogged" in a long time. I'm only doing it now because I woke up from a dream/nightmare and now can't sleep so I figured I'll make something quick to let you know I'm still alive in a way.
So we did the pistol qualifying stuff for about a week and a half. I did pretty good with all that. No problems passing anything. After that, I scraped by another test. Passed but cut it close, yet again.
My parents and sisters came down to see me for spring break and that was awesome. They were here when I got pepper sprayed and tasered, pepper spray being the most painful thing I have ever endured and overcome physically so I guess that's an accomplishment. We had our "red man" fighting drill the next day. Where we do a bunch of physical things to get "tired out" and then have to fight our 4th or 5th degree, can't remember which, black belt instructor who just beats the crap out of you while saying that he's going to kill you and that you are weak and pushes you past where you thought you go. So all that was fun that week.
Now we are driving, which I am pretty good at. I don't think I'm the best driver in the world, but I knew before I came here that I was pretty decent, and my driving scores prove that so yay for me I guess.
I know it's a short one but like I said, just woke up and just need to do something to get my mind off things. I'll try and "blog" more often but there is only a little over 4 weeks left here. Still excited to come home, but now the feelings are both excited and terrified. Hope this next month is a blur and it's all over soon.
-Zach
So we did the pistol qualifying stuff for about a week and a half. I did pretty good with all that. No problems passing anything. After that, I scraped by another test. Passed but cut it close, yet again.
My parents and sisters came down to see me for spring break and that was awesome. They were here when I got pepper sprayed and tasered, pepper spray being the most painful thing I have ever endured and overcome physically so I guess that's an accomplishment. We had our "red man" fighting drill the next day. Where we do a bunch of physical things to get "tired out" and then have to fight our 4th or 5th degree, can't remember which, black belt instructor who just beats the crap out of you while saying that he's going to kill you and that you are weak and pushes you past where you thought you go. So all that was fun that week.
Now we are driving, which I am pretty good at. I don't think I'm the best driver in the world, but I knew before I came here that I was pretty decent, and my driving scores prove that so yay for me I guess.
I know it's a short one but like I said, just woke up and just need to do something to get my mind off things. I'll try and "blog" more often but there is only a little over 4 weeks left here. Still excited to come home, but now the feelings are both excited and terrified. Hope this next month is a blur and it's all over soon.
-Zach
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Boots 'n Cats
So today I didn't have to go to class. We have two Wednesdays off this month in case of bad weather aka snow or ice, but it hasn't happened yet so we just get the day off anyways. Sleeping in felt so good. Even though the past weeks have not been stressful, I'm still a heavy and long sleeper at heart. I finally got caught up with my laundry and got everything washed and folded perfectly. Vacuumed my car and leather treated the seats. Vacuumed the house and just watched Arrested Development for like 12 hours haha. Amazing really.
According to my calender I only have 43 training days left before I get to come home. This is not including weekends or days off. But it's like 57 days till I will be in my parents driveway. I'm really looking forward to the drive home because I bought an FM transmitter for my car and it has been amazing. No more burning CD's and it sounds really good. Having an iPod will help for sure.
The last few weeks have been pretty fun. We started doing firearms and have had a lot more free time throughout the days. More down time I should say. It helps me stay somewhat stress free. My mind feels much more at ease lately and I think having some time throughout the day to stop and just breathe has helped. I'm also hanging out with people in class outside of class and some other people I have met in the town. I like being with my new "friends" here outside of class. We went bowling last night and it was really fun. Not a huge group, just my class Sargent Robert, our class "Doc" Nathan, Emily, Mark Spain (Who is awesome), and Issac (who is gay but whatever he doesn't creep me out all the time). I would say that those people, minus Issac, are my closest friends here. The bowling alley is also where the local "younger" crowd hangs out so it's nice seeing people my own age and not just my class.
My roommate Sean, who is an active reserve marine, got called two days ago and found out that he was promoted to Captain and he is really excited and I'm happy for him. He is going to Africa to train a group of soldiers for something over there and he's really happy with all of this. This comes with a pay increase so he's also happy about that.
We got permission to use the hot tub that belongs to one of the other cabins so that is going to be nice after long workouts. I like having Sean's fiance here. She cooks very well, and the place is always clean. I feel bad but she seems like she enjoys taking care of us so I'll let her. They have an awesome dog that I love and he's super nice.
Other than that, not much has happened. Haven't gone hiking since the weather is rainy or cold here lately. It's supposed to warm up and I hope to hike again soon.
Hope you all are doing well who are reading this.
Thanks for your thoughts and time,
Zach
According to my calender I only have 43 training days left before I get to come home. This is not including weekends or days off. But it's like 57 days till I will be in my parents driveway. I'm really looking forward to the drive home because I bought an FM transmitter for my car and it has been amazing. No more burning CD's and it sounds really good. Having an iPod will help for sure.
The last few weeks have been pretty fun. We started doing firearms and have had a lot more free time throughout the days. More down time I should say. It helps me stay somewhat stress free. My mind feels much more at ease lately and I think having some time throughout the day to stop and just breathe has helped. I'm also hanging out with people in class outside of class and some other people I have met in the town. I like being with my new "friends" here outside of class. We went bowling last night and it was really fun. Not a huge group, just my class Sargent Robert, our class "Doc" Nathan, Emily, Mark Spain (Who is awesome), and Issac (who is gay but whatever he doesn't creep me out all the time). I would say that those people, minus Issac, are my closest friends here. The bowling alley is also where the local "younger" crowd hangs out so it's nice seeing people my own age and not just my class.
My roommate Sean, who is an active reserve marine, got called two days ago and found out that he was promoted to Captain and he is really excited and I'm happy for him. He is going to Africa to train a group of soldiers for something over there and he's really happy with all of this. This comes with a pay increase so he's also happy about that.
We got permission to use the hot tub that belongs to one of the other cabins so that is going to be nice after long workouts. I like having Sean's fiance here. She cooks very well, and the place is always clean. I feel bad but she seems like she enjoys taking care of us so I'll let her. They have an awesome dog that I love and he's super nice.
Other than that, not much has happened. Haven't gone hiking since the weather is rainy or cold here lately. It's supposed to warm up and I hope to hike again soon.
Hope you all are doing well who are reading this.
Thanks for your thoughts and time,
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Feeling of success
So this week we had exam 3. Having to retake exam 2 was rough because I had to study for that all week and not prepare at all for exam 3. After passing the second exam, I felt pretty good and got right to studying for exam 3 for two days. I must say that last week was the most stressful week of my life. I can't even describe it to you because you wouldn't understand. But I did prevail over the exam. Which is a great feeling. I came into exam 3 pretty terrified, since I no longer have a retake to fall back on. Luckily I got out of it with an 83%. Passing two exams of this caliber, within 2 days of each other felt really good. We also had our Basic Tactics (SWAT) exam on the Monday before exam 3, which I did really well on so I actually passed 3 exams in 3 days.
This week was really long. We had the two exams on Monday and Tuesday, then we started basically a two day hell. We did 29 hours of Combat training in two days. Started with weapon retention and take-downs on Tuesday. How to frisk people and how to assess threats was also on Tuesday. Wednesday was the longest day, going till 10:30pm and starting at 7:45am. We did ground defense, judo, punching, kicking, gun retention, knife defense and assessment, basically everything with how to take a weapon from someone or how to dominate someone. I have never sweat so much in my life. We have a mat room which is about a 1/3 the size of a basketball court, with 8 foot ceilings and they won't open a door or anything for air movement. We raised the thermostat from 65 to 82 yesterday. 25 people doing all the stuff we had to do there was no way we wouldn't sweat. Also we were only allowed to take a sip of water every two hours, so we are all dehydrated now haha. We got to use partners and hit them while they held a pad to their chest. I quickly chose our class Sargent as my partner. He is an ex-marine and he is the one who pranked me by poking a hole in the top of my energy drink so that when I went to take a sip, it spilled on me. I told people I'd get him back. So for two days, I got to just rock his world with punches, heel palms strikes, kicks, hammers, or anything else I wanted to use on him. He kept having to put the bag down and take a break. I was destroying him. Best stress reliever in the world in my mind. My favorite exercise was high knee kicks to the chest. He held the bag to his chest, bent over, while I was told to grab the neck and arm and throw knees to the chest all the way down the room and back. He weighs 195 and every time I threw a knee, he came off the ground. I got to do this for an entire lap of the room. It felt so good. It was sad though that no one else wanted to be my partner for the exercises bahahahaha.
Today some people got together for some Chinese. Sargent showed up and said he has never been so sore. haha. Payback is nice. I'm nice to him now, he just knows not to mess with me.
Since we did so much the last two days they gave us today off. So tomorrow all I have to do is some firearms lecture and then I'm free for my 3 day weekend. I can't wait to relax to the max all weekend. Maybe do some hiking or something. I can't believe February is almost over. Although it's been a long month, it feels like a big week or something.
I'm hoping my body holds together long enough to make it though the rest of the time. My ankle still really bothers me, and I hyper extended my knee while doing Mule Kicks on Wednesday. Although I'm in decent shape, it doesn't make me invincible. I don't know how some people are still here, physically. Oh, well.
The next weeks are pretty firearm heavy and some driving will start soon. So some more fun to come!!
Still surviving,
Zach
This week was really long. We had the two exams on Monday and Tuesday, then we started basically a two day hell. We did 29 hours of Combat training in two days. Started with weapon retention and take-downs on Tuesday. How to frisk people and how to assess threats was also on Tuesday. Wednesday was the longest day, going till 10:30pm and starting at 7:45am. We did ground defense, judo, punching, kicking, gun retention, knife defense and assessment, basically everything with how to take a weapon from someone or how to dominate someone. I have never sweat so much in my life. We have a mat room which is about a 1/3 the size of a basketball court, with 8 foot ceilings and they won't open a door or anything for air movement. We raised the thermostat from 65 to 82 yesterday. 25 people doing all the stuff we had to do there was no way we wouldn't sweat. Also we were only allowed to take a sip of water every two hours, so we are all dehydrated now haha. We got to use partners and hit them while they held a pad to their chest. I quickly chose our class Sargent as my partner. He is an ex-marine and he is the one who pranked me by poking a hole in the top of my energy drink so that when I went to take a sip, it spilled on me. I told people I'd get him back. So for two days, I got to just rock his world with punches, heel palms strikes, kicks, hammers, or anything else I wanted to use on him. He kept having to put the bag down and take a break. I was destroying him. Best stress reliever in the world in my mind. My favorite exercise was high knee kicks to the chest. He held the bag to his chest, bent over, while I was told to grab the neck and arm and throw knees to the chest all the way down the room and back. He weighs 195 and every time I threw a knee, he came off the ground. I got to do this for an entire lap of the room. It felt so good. It was sad though that no one else wanted to be my partner for the exercises bahahahaha.
Today some people got together for some Chinese. Sargent showed up and said he has never been so sore. haha. Payback is nice. I'm nice to him now, he just knows not to mess with me.
Since we did so much the last two days they gave us today off. So tomorrow all I have to do is some firearms lecture and then I'm free for my 3 day weekend. I can't wait to relax to the max all weekend. Maybe do some hiking or something. I can't believe February is almost over. Although it's been a long month, it feels like a big week or something.
I'm hoping my body holds together long enough to make it though the rest of the time. My ankle still really bothers me, and I hyper extended my knee while doing Mule Kicks on Wednesday. Although I'm in decent shape, it doesn't make me invincible. I don't know how some people are still here, physically. Oh, well.
The next weeks are pretty firearm heavy and some driving will start soon. So some more fun to come!!
Still surviving,
Zach
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Barely made it.....
So I don't know what I talked about last so I'll just start talking. So I failed to meet the passing grade for test 2 on the 4th, 5th, 6th Amendments, Courtroom Procedures and Policies, Courtroom Evidence, Report Writing, and Federal Courts. A 70 is required for passing and myself along with my roommate and one other all got 69's. The test that FLETC writes for us are just retarded. Written by 5 year olds apparently. Horrible grammar and 5-6 questions didn't even make sense. The whole class complained and we asked FLETC to consider throwing a question out. After 2 days they informed our instructors that they threw out question 35. My roommate Shaun and the other guy Austin, had their scores raised from a 69 to a 71. I did not get this luxury. Unfair? Yes. Life? Yes. I've learned to not expect anything from people. Just a bunch of crap in my mind. So since we only get 1 retake, I already used mine up. I had to retake the test on Friday the 17th. Luckily I passed with a 78 which was above the class average. This test was hard and poorly written. As far as stress goes, this was the worst week of my life. What sucks now is that every test from here on out, 4 more, I will be in the same stressful state, since if I fail to make a 70 I just pack up and go home. Plus if I don't get a 70 I don't get my college degree. So that doesn't help with stress.
We had another physical test last week, which was a standard test for physical fitness. The fail time was anything past 7:30, I did it in 4:04 so I think I'm ok with that.
We started doing our outdoor Lab stuff this week. We did Basic Tactics Friday and Saturday of this last week. I really enjoyed it. Friday we went over the different shooting positions and how to engage threats, which was fun. We did building breaching, room clearing, building clearing, building entry, threat assessment, clearing strategies, and cover/concealment tactics on Saturday. This was really fun. We used a dark firehouse where they train firefighters by lighting fires and smoking the building out. Really cool building. While we were waiting for other groups to get through the building we were practicing some techniques out in the training area around the building. Myself and a fellow classmate were practicing two man cover/advance techniques and I was carrying a M-4 Carbine (Practice Rifle) during this exercise. As I was advancing from a large cover object to a small one, I sprinted from cover, slid on one knee, then dove behind the propane tank into a prone or laying down on my stomach position. As I did this I busted my elbow on a concrete slab that I didn't see. I just went with it and continued the exercise. When we finished, we walked back to the building. Someone said, Zach you're bleeding. I looked down and my elbow was gushing blood. I said,"Cool" and just continued to prepare for my building clearing turn. The class EMT made me wash it out and then put a gauze patch on it. Apparently my instructor was watching from the top of the building with some other classmates. I did not know this. I guess he looked at my classmates and said, "If that was on purpose, that was really cool." Felt good to get recognized by someone like Mr.Boudrot who is maybe the most insane man I've ever met. He has done martial arts since he was 7, and became an instructor for martial arts in High School. He is a SWAT team trainer and participant and is just a super hardcore dude. So for him to say that about me, made me feel kinda special. I wasn't going for that, but it's just a bonus. My classmates said I looked the part of a SWAT member because I had my Under Armour black gloves on, an M-4 Carbine, tactical flashlight, and accidentally got some carbon on my face from the building that they set on fire. All of the training that day reminded me of playing paintball and airsoft so I just tried to have fun with it.
We are hopefully done with classroom lectures for a while. I like the practical stuff alot better and I'm better at it as well.
I got a Valentine package from my parents with a bunch of Clif Bars in it, which is a major part of my diet, so that was an awesome surprise. I also got a card from Katrina and that was funny and really nice to get. Helps me feel connected to all the people back home.
I'm still counting down the days till I can come home and can't wait for my first week back to see and hang out with all my friends. Graduating from college will be nice too I guess haha.
Today, my only day off in two weeks, it decided to rain all day so that was depressing. Watching movies and studying all day has been sorta relaxing though.
Miss you all,
Zach
We had another physical test last week, which was a standard test for physical fitness. The fail time was anything past 7:30, I did it in 4:04 so I think I'm ok with that.
We started doing our outdoor Lab stuff this week. We did Basic Tactics Friday and Saturday of this last week. I really enjoyed it. Friday we went over the different shooting positions and how to engage threats, which was fun. We did building breaching, room clearing, building clearing, building entry, threat assessment, clearing strategies, and cover/concealment tactics on Saturday. This was really fun. We used a dark firehouse where they train firefighters by lighting fires and smoking the building out. Really cool building. While we were waiting for other groups to get through the building we were practicing some techniques out in the training area around the building. Myself and a fellow classmate were practicing two man cover/advance techniques and I was carrying a M-4 Carbine (Practice Rifle) during this exercise. As I was advancing from a large cover object to a small one, I sprinted from cover, slid on one knee, then dove behind the propane tank into a prone or laying down on my stomach position. As I did this I busted my elbow on a concrete slab that I didn't see. I just went with it and continued the exercise. When we finished, we walked back to the building. Someone said, Zach you're bleeding. I looked down and my elbow was gushing blood. I said,"Cool" and just continued to prepare for my building clearing turn. The class EMT made me wash it out and then put a gauze patch on it. Apparently my instructor was watching from the top of the building with some other classmates. I did not know this. I guess he looked at my classmates and said, "If that was on purpose, that was really cool." Felt good to get recognized by someone like Mr.Boudrot who is maybe the most insane man I've ever met. He has done martial arts since he was 7, and became an instructor for martial arts in High School. He is a SWAT team trainer and participant and is just a super hardcore dude. So for him to say that about me, made me feel kinda special. I wasn't going for that, but it's just a bonus. My classmates said I looked the part of a SWAT member because I had my Under Armour black gloves on, an M-4 Carbine, tactical flashlight, and accidentally got some carbon on my face from the building that they set on fire. All of the training that day reminded me of playing paintball and airsoft so I just tried to have fun with it.
We are hopefully done with classroom lectures for a while. I like the practical stuff alot better and I'm better at it as well.
I got a Valentine package from my parents with a bunch of Clif Bars in it, which is a major part of my diet, so that was an awesome surprise. I also got a card from Katrina and that was funny and really nice to get. Helps me feel connected to all the people back home.
I'm still counting down the days till I can come home and can't wait for my first week back to see and hang out with all my friends. Graduating from college will be nice too I guess haha.
Today, my only day off in two weeks, it decided to rain all day so that was depressing. Watching movies and studying all day has been sorta relaxing though.
Miss you all,
Zach
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I am machine.....
I have adapted to all surroundings and to all aspects of my life here. Today concluded our 20 hour lecture over the 4th amendment and I must say, it's time to take a breath. We have gone for 3, 8 hour days in a row in the same room, no windows, sitting up straight, no slouching. Only a week and a half more of the law and policies and then we start the really fun stuff. The stuff that will make me a force, beyond what I ever thought I could be. The tools necessary for me to take on whatever life throws at me, both mentally and physically. I am paranoid. We are paranoid. Constantly checking our surroundings, constantly knowing everything that is going on around us. Constantly being tested on our situational awareness. At any given moment we can be asked, "how many people were in the hall" or "what was the medic wearing". Constant. I can't look at anyone without assessing size, potential weapons, methods of escape, methods of take-down, methods of death. It is becoming sub-conscience. It is pretty awesome really. Not that I think I am some perfect being or some perfect person who can't be defeated, but we are taught to think that way. If we take away all of the enemies advantages, we will prevail.
Yesterday was our third Physical Training day. We ran 6.2 miles, up the biggest hills and steepest mountains. After doing research and listening to a friend on breathing, I know now what I'm capable of. Arms at my side and a constant, slow, breathing in.......and out. I didn't even sweat until mile 3. I don't talk, I don't look around, I don't do anything but put one foot in front of the other. People said I looked constipated, I laughed inside as they fell behind and struggled to keep up while gasping for air. I end the runs and don't remember where we went. I couldn't recreate the route if I tried. I ignore the pain in my ankle best I can, even though flashes of sharp, stinging pain rush through my brain. It feels like a group of thumbtacks in the bottom of my shoe. All I can do is ice it. Ice it and ignore. As we returned back towards the school, the stupid, Masters degree know it all girl, cuts me off to try and "impress?" I guess. Oh my, this, made me so mad. Tazer day will be oh so sweet. As cruel as that sounds. It will be funny seeing her get tazed.
I'm not sure if it's becoming routine, or if I am becoming a machine out here. I wake up, go to class and cram as much information as I can in 8 hours. Then come home and read till I can't think anymore. Then I work out till I can't lift my arms or even sit up. Then I shower and go to bed. I honestly feel amazing. Today I drank over 2 gallons of water. Yesterday over a gallon. Honestly I am looking forward to hopefully getting to get back to Manhattan in time for one last dodgeball go. People won't know what happened. It will be slaughter. Already my body is transformed. Molded by self-motivation and a drive and want to be better than everybody else. I hope to be in the 90th percentile of fitness by PEB #3 in April. There is also a fitness award that I want, really bad. It'd be rad to grab that. Others are fit yes, but few can do every exercise well. I judge my progress by the veins in my arms. Every day they are more and more prominent and every day I feel better and better. I've learned that diet is a big part of how you "feel". I eat just enough to support my "lifestyle". It consists of mostly protein crap. Tuna sandwiches and fruit is my main consumed food. I've eaten fast food once or twice and only 1 pop in the 3 weeks of being here, only because I passed the first exam. I had to celebrate somehow.
This is basically a blog about how I feel good about myself I guess. Lame yes, stupid...yes.
I definitely feel myself changing. Somehow, I don't know how to put it in words, except that I am changing. Slowly but surely. Yay emo sentence. LOL JK
Still can't wait to come home!
More to come-
Zach
Yesterday was our third Physical Training day. We ran 6.2 miles, up the biggest hills and steepest mountains. After doing research and listening to a friend on breathing, I know now what I'm capable of. Arms at my side and a constant, slow, breathing in.......and out. I didn't even sweat until mile 3. I don't talk, I don't look around, I don't do anything but put one foot in front of the other. People said I looked constipated, I laughed inside as they fell behind and struggled to keep up while gasping for air. I end the runs and don't remember where we went. I couldn't recreate the route if I tried. I ignore the pain in my ankle best I can, even though flashes of sharp, stinging pain rush through my brain. It feels like a group of thumbtacks in the bottom of my shoe. All I can do is ice it. Ice it and ignore. As we returned back towards the school, the stupid, Masters degree know it all girl, cuts me off to try and "impress?" I guess. Oh my, this, made me so mad. Tazer day will be oh so sweet. As cruel as that sounds. It will be funny seeing her get tazed.
I'm not sure if it's becoming routine, or if I am becoming a machine out here. I wake up, go to class and cram as much information as I can in 8 hours. Then come home and read till I can't think anymore. Then I work out till I can't lift my arms or even sit up. Then I shower and go to bed. I honestly feel amazing. Today I drank over 2 gallons of water. Yesterday over a gallon. Honestly I am looking forward to hopefully getting to get back to Manhattan in time for one last dodgeball go. People won't know what happened. It will be slaughter. Already my body is transformed. Molded by self-motivation and a drive and want to be better than everybody else. I hope to be in the 90th percentile of fitness by PEB #3 in April. There is also a fitness award that I want, really bad. It'd be rad to grab that. Others are fit yes, but few can do every exercise well. I judge my progress by the veins in my arms. Every day they are more and more prominent and every day I feel better and better. I've learned that diet is a big part of how you "feel". I eat just enough to support my "lifestyle". It consists of mostly protein crap. Tuna sandwiches and fruit is my main consumed food. I've eaten fast food once or twice and only 1 pop in the 3 weeks of being here, only because I passed the first exam. I had to celebrate somehow.
This is basically a blog about how I feel good about myself I guess. Lame yes, stupid...yes.
I definitely feel myself changing. Somehow, I don't know how to put it in words, except that I am changing. Slowly but surely. Yay emo sentence. LOL JK
Still can't wait to come home!
More to come-
Zach
Friday, February 3, 2012
Exam 1
Well my second week here is done. I have never been so ready for a weekend. We have been lectured for 8 hours a day, all week. I am so mentally drained. My stress levels have been dangerously high this week also because we had our first exam this morning. The exam was over all the laws and regulations that we have to know, so it was a bit of a chore. We had one guy who didn't pass so he has to retake it Monday. Poor guy.
Honestly this week feels like one day, I can't differentiate between the days. We had PT on Monday, which consisted of a 5 mile run through the mountains. I couldn't believe I ran that far. I have never ran that far in my life. My ankle started acting up after mile 3ish and the steep hills and descents didn't help. I finished just behind the instructor so I feel good about that. After returning to the school as a group, (the group I was in because there are some slow people) the people that did return sooner, myself included, we had to do shoulder torture basically. We had to hold our arms straight out to the side, with fingers up, and do small circles, for 5 minutes. Sounds easy, but trust me, it's not. We had to do it till everyone got back so we could stretch. I don't see why we have to be punished for being in shape, oh well, it's only helping me get stronger. We also had PT yesterday, Thursday, and that was only a 2.2 mile run. The ankle held up and I was clipping at Mr. Boudrot's heels the whole time. The guy is a running freak. He doesn't sweat ever. I think he could run 50 miles. Even after the 5 mile run he looked like he had ran up a flight of stairs, just breathing a little hard. INSANE!!
This weekend I'm going to try and explore some, and get some cool pictures of this place. Having a 2 day weekend is going to be so nice. I can't even tell you how tired I am, physically and mentally. Exhausted doesn't even cut it. I'm going to lay around and not feel bad about it. I'm super excited to play ultimate Frisbee on sunday, then going to watch the super bowl with classmates. Should be an "OK" weekend in my books.
Wish I had a gun here, some classmates are going to the shooting range next weekend.
New development!!! I just won a $200 gift card to an awesome outdoors store here in Franklin. I have never won anything like this ever. I shall be going there tomorrow to pick it up and probably purchase some sweet stuff. All winter gear is half off so it will be a good day!!
-That's all for now,
Zach
Honestly this week feels like one day, I can't differentiate between the days. We had PT on Monday, which consisted of a 5 mile run through the mountains. I couldn't believe I ran that far. I have never ran that far in my life. My ankle started acting up after mile 3ish and the steep hills and descents didn't help. I finished just behind the instructor so I feel good about that. After returning to the school as a group, (the group I was in because there are some slow people) the people that did return sooner, myself included, we had to do shoulder torture basically. We had to hold our arms straight out to the side, with fingers up, and do small circles, for 5 minutes. Sounds easy, but trust me, it's not. We had to do it till everyone got back so we could stretch. I don't see why we have to be punished for being in shape, oh well, it's only helping me get stronger. We also had PT yesterday, Thursday, and that was only a 2.2 mile run. The ankle held up and I was clipping at Mr. Boudrot's heels the whole time. The guy is a running freak. He doesn't sweat ever. I think he could run 50 miles. Even after the 5 mile run he looked like he had ran up a flight of stairs, just breathing a little hard. INSANE!!
This weekend I'm going to try and explore some, and get some cool pictures of this place. Having a 2 day weekend is going to be so nice. I can't even tell you how tired I am, physically and mentally. Exhausted doesn't even cut it. I'm going to lay around and not feel bad about it. I'm super excited to play ultimate Frisbee on sunday, then going to watch the super bowl with classmates. Should be an "OK" weekend in my books.
Wish I had a gun here, some classmates are going to the shooting range next weekend.
New development!!! I just won a $200 gift card to an awesome outdoors store here in Franklin. I have never won anything like this ever. I shall be going there tomorrow to pick it up and probably purchase some sweet stuff. All winter gear is half off so it will be a good day!!
-That's all for now,
Zach
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