National Academy Week #10 - Aug. 31 to Sept.4, 1998

Week #10 Aug. 31 - Sept. 4 Saturday, 8/29/98 and Sunday, 8/3o/98
Saturday dawned sunny and warm. So, off to the beach (just about 75 yards away from the motel) after breakfast. Nice breeze, plenty of ....sun. Yeah, that's it - sun! Boogie boarded a little in the surf. It was a little rough, the leftovers of the storm, but no big problem. Special K and I walked the Boardwalk about half of the afternoon. Roomy took a nap. Dinner was AYCE buffet. Went to a club called "Secrets". What a jumping place. Highly recommended. And, whatever you hear, I will deny to the death that I danced Saturday night! Never happened, no one has pictures! Sunday, Special K and I got up and watched the sunrise, I took some pictures. We'll see how they turn out. Out of OC by about 11AM. Too bad. Back at "Club FED" around 3:30PM. Showed people around the place, out to dinner and sent people on their way around 6:45PM. Heard from Mom and Dad. They are Uncle Jim's in Illinois. Probably be there until Wednesday and then start out for Maryland. Down to the CBT to check all the mail, update the pages. Don't forget to check out Week #9's page.

Monday, 8/31/98
What a wierd day. A little laid back. Budget class was canceled this morning because ole Vern had an In-service class. Did PT at 10AM. Went to the pool. Afer some water safety tips and such, we played water polo. Had a rough time getting all those horses in the pool! I played goalie for the "2"s. Some Captain from NC (No names, Al!) kept trying to move me out of the area. Finally saved a goal that would have won the game in OT for the other side. We won 7-6. Free time after lunch and then Ab Behavior. We had a Carl sighting at lunch. He has threatened us with his presence on Thursday for a final review. Speech completed for Wednesday, complete with PowerPoint presentation. Do the web page here and then up to study for Forensics final tomorrow. 10 days and a wake up, but who's counting? Yellow Brick Road tomorrow. Be glad to get it over with. Dinner at Eff Comm instructor's double wide down in Spotsylvania County. Says he needs to have some lap siding put on.

Tuesday, 9/1/98
Welcome to September! Up and at 'em at the regular time - 6:20AM. 3 S's, dressed and out for a wholesome breakfast by 7AM. Bowl of Oatmeal, bowl of raisin bran, 1/2 grapefruit, glass of grapefruit juice and a cup of coffee will set me right for the start of the day. Forensics final first thing. Not too bad. Some parts were fairly easy, some not even close. Next was our chance to evaluate the program. Now THAT was interesting. I had my Budget class from 1-3, couldn't miss Uncle Harry! YBR last thing this afternoon. Some started running around 12:30PM. It wasn't a pretty sight, but I started running and finished running. Probably should have gone out and gone through the course a couple times before today, but never really seemed to find the time. We all know how that goes. After all the running, whooping and hollering were over, those of us in Jim Vance's classes were invited down for a cookout. The man not only is a silver tongued devil, he can cook, too. Great time, great people, great food. Back here to La-La Land for a final thought or two for the page and then off to the room to study for the Budget final and Speech tomorrow. All in all, a good day. We got the Yellow Brick Road over and done with, one final out of the way - life is getting better. Now, what do you say Chief about waiving the PT for me for the Tac Team? Yet another school when I complete the NA. 3-week tactical school back at the hometown. Oohrah!

Wednesday, 9/2/98
Left the CBT last night, walked by the Forensics room and saw the final exam scores and Final Grade. AN A! can you imagine how good that felt?! I was leary of the final exam, but all for naught. So.....added pressure. Now, do I take the final exam in Uncle Harry's class or what? Let's shoot the works. Go for the exam and see if we can get out of the class alive. Take the exam, go to his office, he grades it and - VIOLA! Another A for a final grade! Okay, we're two for two. Speech class is next. Let's do the speech, see what's happening. Speech goes well, although I did forget to run my PowerPoint presentation with the speech. That's okay, I had handouts! Worked okay. Speech felt comfortable. Day's going okay, PT 1st thing in the afternoon. Bingo! Got my Brick, my Challenge Tee-Shirt, and all the tickets I needed for graduation! The Lord is smiling on me today. Life is good! I'm one happy camper! No finals tomorrow, Chemical Agents at 7AM. Going out and crank off a little "gas"! Then some reviews in Legal and Abnormal Behavior. Do our body fat stuff tomorrow, also. Check out the Pictures page for a new picture of the Sea Turtles, our group that swam 300 MILES!! AnneMarie will complete 100 miles on her own today. Congrats!!!

Thursday, 9/3/98
Another beautiful day so far. Out on the rifle deck shortly after 6:30 AM. Monty had already been out there. All of the "Hardware" was just begging to be capped off. Some really neat stuff, everything was inert, so no one got gassed. Behavior after that, took the final exam at the end of the class. Another A, no doubt. Lunch and then down for PT. Final weigh in, body fat, waist measurement and blood pressure. Gained 5 pounds, waist stayed the same, lost 2.6% body fat and the blood pressure dropped a few points down to 118/72. Not bad for an old fart! Looks like I gained some muscle mass. Legal was just a review. That's the only class that I have left to take a final exam. Instructor is supposed to be in New Mexico testifying, final won't be until next week. Talked to Mom and Dad last night. They were outside Columbus, OH, so they will be at my house today. I'll see them tomorrow. Be good to see everybody. NEWS FLASH!!! ALIEN SPOTTED AT THE NA!!! CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES!!! Went out to dinner with Igor and Hans. Coffee afterwards. Helped Jeff R set up his web pages.

Check out his new pages at: http://geocities.datacellar.net/Heartland/Village/3687

Friday, 9/4/98
Friday at last! Looked at the schedule and what do you know? Eff Comm first thing then - - NOTHING. Well, Behavior at 1PM but, if you had already taken the final, would you be here for that? I rest my case. I'm out of here at 10AM and on the way to C-land. Got up home around 1PM, went to PH and got my check from last week, talked to the Chief for a couple of minutes, then home. Mom and Dad are at the house. Good to be home again. My neighbor, Bill, mowed my grass again. Looks like another meal. To the bank, Post Office, pick up Brenton, back home. Gee, it FEELS like I'm already out of the Academy! And to think this time next week, it'll all be over except the screamin' and shoutin'.

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