Ship Day MEPS Part 1

Hey y'all! I was just scrolling through, checking out my old posts when I saw the one I posted from Houston when I shipped out. Apparently, I said I was going to write about my MEPS experience that day. Well, now I'm going to try and remember it enough to do so. That day was a hard, crazy, jam-packed, emotional rollercoaster, so hang in there!

Alright, let's start out with that Monday, 5Nov12, when I was getting ready to head to my recruiter's office. My mom decided to come over about 6 am, and was helping me clean (of course that's what I was worried about). My husband went to work until about 11, then came home to take me to my recruiter's office at noon. It still didn't feel real at that point. Even when I told him bye. I wish I would've taken more time to tell him goodbye, since I didn't even have 5 minutes to at MEPS. Anyway, I wore some workout clothes there, since I planned on working out at the hotel gym. Then, I had a plastic bag I would put them in to give my husband to take home when I saw him at MEPS.

First thing we did when we got to Memphis was head to the MEPS. Not everyone will do this, though. My MEPS liked to have the shippers (if there were more than 5) come in the night before to go over paperwork to shorten the process, and have plenty of time to fix mistakes if applicable. I was there doing all of that for about 2-3 hours. Then we took a shuttle to the hotel to get ready for the night. Immediately, I went to the fitness room and set to work. I was in the same situation this time as last time with weight. So of course I hadn't eaten anything all day, and didn't plan to for the rest of the night. I spent as much time as possible on the phone with my husband, mom, sister, whoever. I think I may have Skyped my SIL this time, too. I went back and forth between my room, where I relaxed and talked on the phone, and the fitness room. Then we had a briefing around 2030ish, that was exactly like the first time.

After that, I spent a bit more time in the fitness room. Finally, I called it quits and went to my room for the evening. I actually lucked out and didn't have a roomie, woot! So, I made a sauna out of the bathroom and sat there for about 10-15 minutes before I gave up! Then, I Skyped DH one last time (and Ted was with him, of course!) and went to bed. I had my first alarm set for 0300, so that oh-so familiar foghorn went off and I was up! I decided to head down to the fitness room one last time (obsessive? Yes. I was trying to make sure I would ship!) then came back up and took a shower and got ready. I didn't bring my flat iron or blow dryer, since it seemed unnecessary. I really didn't care what my hair looked like! (I actually have several photos from that day…I may just post some for y'all to see how terrible I looked! Oh, I even have a before/after pic from the day I shipped, and the day I sepped.) Anyway, it was almost 0430 at this point, and I was packed and ready to go! I didn't want to leave my room just yet, so I called my mom. She's a bazillion (60) years old, and has all kinda of medical issues (including a million kinds/locations of arthritis) so she's up and down all night, and usually is up for the day between 0300-0400. So I called and told her how much I loved and appreciated her and couldn't wait to see her at the MEPS (her and DH came together). I ended the call and went to check out.

I was dressed in my jeans, plain black tee, and black fleece jacket with my Asics on. I was a hot mess. But, luckily I wasn't being judged (there) since everyone else (except the few Marines shipping) looked the same. Hooray for already falling into the military uniformity! Ha! So, after what seemed like for-ev-er waiting on the shuttle to the MEPS, it finally arrived and we set off. I still wasn't nervous or anything at this point -- mostly sad. I REALLY didn't want to leave DH, and I knew I was going to full on lose it when I saw my mom. The stories DH told me about their drive back home was heartbreaking. Anyway, MEPS stuff. Yeah. We got there at roughly 0600 (also, for future reference and to save you a good yelling, you pronounce it zero-six-hundred, not oh-six-hundred. I learned that the second night, and luckily the MTI I was talking to didn't scream. But, I heard plenty of trainees get reamed for it), and things started out just like the first time. We were kinda given priority over the DEPpers, since we had flight itineraries and such.

I think I'm going to break here, and start a new post for the rest. It'll probably (definitely) be super emotional, so have a tissue handy! Any time I think back to that day, I almost feel sick with sadness. I try very hard to just block it out. Which is why it's a little difficult to recall everything, since I've tried to wipe it from memory (at least the MEPS part -- I will never forget Zero Night, and I'm not sure how some people do!).

Have a great evening, and Aim High! I'll be back soon with Ship Day MEPS Part 2!

P.S.
I think I'm just going to have a whole post dedicated to my pictures, since I just saw how many I'd like to share!! =]

It's Our Time

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I'm currently sitting in my hotel room, waiting to head to a briefing, then come back and go to bed, then go to MEPS, then the airport, then to Lackland AFB! Haha. You get the picture.

Well, the last few days have been crazy! I've had 2 going away parties, one with my mom and family, the other with my in-laws. I got pretty emotional yesterday when I said goodbye to my in-laws. I've been a part of that family for almost 10 years. It's crazy. Knowing I wouldn't see my sweet, weirdo 18 month nephew for 4ish months almost killed me! I love that boy so much! It's hard saying goodbye, but it's for the better. In 24 hours, I'll either be arriving at Lackland, or well on my way. And then in 8 (hopefully short) weeks, I'll be an American Airman. Wow.

Also, this week my 11thers are graduating!!!!! Ahhhh!! I'm SO proud of them! Britt and Brandon: I can't believe it's already that time! I hope it goes by as fast for me, as it seemed to for y'all! Write me as much as possible, and let me know what jobs y'all ended up with!

Anyway. Tomorrow is going to be heart breaking. I have to tell my mom and husband goodbye. =[ Y'all already know how I feel about it. My hubby is my best friend in the entire world; not having him there with me is going to be torture. On top of that, I had to tell my children (cats) bye today! Poor Teddy Westside isn't going to know what to do! I already miss him bunches!

So my weight crept back on me these last few weeks. Boo. My max weight is 150, and the last several days, I've been a constant 143. But, my going away party yesterday killed it. I was almost 145 this morning! Eeeeekkkkk! I'm thinking I'm back down to 144, but hopefully less. I want to be at 142, which is what I weighed in at the first time to MEPS. But, if I get 143, I'll be happy! I haven't eaten alllllll day! And, it's 1930! I've been drinking water like nobody's business. Then, I'll have to have a repeat tomorrow of my first trip to MEPS: nothing. Not even water. I just got back from the hotel gym, where I ran for 20ish minutes. I'm about to head back down until our briefing at 2030, and possibly do the elliptical or bike. I've also done some push ups, sit ups, and jumping jacks in my room! Then, I'm going to make my own sauna in the bathroom when I get done. Hopefully I can sweat out some weight! Everyone keep your fingers crossed that I make it down to 143 at least tomorrow!

Well, I'm calling it quits tonight. I'll try and update tomorrow at the airport or something! It may just be a one-liner, but I'll get something out! Thanks so much for reading, and thinking of me as I go through this awesome journey! I can't wait to tell y'all what BMT was like, and soon Tech School! Have an AMAZING Air Force evening! <3

Picking My Own Brain...A Collage Of Random Thoughts

Hey guys! Today officially marks exactly 2 weeks until I'm stepping off of that bus, onto Lackland AFB! Ahhhhhhhhh. I'm still super pumped, but the nerves have definitely set in.

I'm starting to miss my September shipper friends more and more!! I wish that they could be here for me to talk to about all of this! We were all really good at keeping each other distracted when we wanted to be, or getting serious and talking about how we're feeling, or what's going on in our lives. I've been in contact with them via mail, though! I haven't talked to my soulmate, Brittany, though. I never saw her address posted on her Facebook page, so that makes me sad. =[ I sure could use a good laugh, or even just a nice convo with her about anything. Which reminds me....PLL premieres tonight! I swore to her that I would watch it and fill her in on all the juicy details, but alas I cannot. I may just make an entire post dedicated to it, though, that way she can read all about it when she gets out of BMT!!

Anyway, I've had several "Oh Shit!" moments lately. From walking down the Christmas aisle at the store, to just looking at my oldest nephew, I realize how much I'm going to miss everything and everyone. My husband nearly gave me a heart attack yesterday when he informed me he was going to have to do the taxes alone this year. =\ Yeah. NO. I'm praying to have a relatively short Tech School that way I can get back before April 15 (coincidentally my oldest nephew's birthday =]) and file those taxes! My poor husband is having to take on a lot while I'll be gone. I've always handled the bills, and most of them are in my name. I'm the one that calls to get stuff taken care of when a company messes up our bill, or anything like that. I'm the one that pays our property taxes and has our vehicles assessed and then gets our tags renewed. I'm the one that goes grocery shopping and actually makes a list, a budget, and sticks to both. I do not fear that he won't be able to do it. I have complete faith in him. He can do it, without a doubt. But, I just feel like since he has to do everything by himself, he may become overwhelmed. It's a good thing he has his mom and my mom close by to help him with everything. I'm sure my recruiter could also provide him with a considerable amount of advice, since he's done it himself, and has put many married recruits through.

Now, I'm down to picking out jobs and bases. This is the one thing I've been procrastinating on. Which is ridiculous, I know. But, I keep saying, "Oh, I have plenty of time for that!" Well, two weeks away, and still nada. I've enlisted the help of my friend Lee, (see Interview with an Airman, part 2) to sort things out. He's researching a few jobs I wasn't sure of. Bless his heart.

Tomorrow, I get to go to one of the nearby colleges with my recruiter for a career fair! I'm rather excited about it. However, I'm not excited about my 0430 wake up call. I have to be at his office approx. 0630. Yikes! We have to get to the college (roughly an hour or so drive), set up our little booth, and be ready to go at 0800. Craziness. But, I'm happy to do it. I legit have the best recruiter out there, and he's helped me out so much through this process, that this is the least I could do. I plan on making him take a picture with me before I leave. Hahahahaha. That's another reason I'm hoping to have a rather short Tech School. His contract is up next year, and he expects to be gone from this area by July. I graduate BMT the beginning of January, and most of the jobs I'm looking at have a Tech School length of 1-2.5 months (just in class days, so we could probably say 3-4 months to be safe). That would put me arriving back home for RAP in May-ish. Fingers crossed!

Alright, time to call it to a close. Gotta get back to my research on jobs and bases that my husband wouldn't mind. =] Have a lovely Air Force day recruits!

Say What?!

Holy cow! It's been almost a month since I've last posted! My deepest apologies to you all! I've just been crazy busy. Between PT, writing letters to my September Shippers, work, husband, family, everything! But, I finally quit my job! It's been weird to just sit around and not do anything really.

I only have 18 days left as a civilian! Whaaaaaaat?! It's so surreal. My last post was 42 days out, now I'm almost at 2 weeks. Holy moly. I'm completely packed, though! I'll post a picture, maybe even a video if I can get it to upload, later. I'm so pumped, but the nerves are setting in! My PT has improved tremendously. I can now run for a little over 20 minutes at a time. Andddddd 15 push ups! Woot! It's weird that 2 months ago, I couldn't do any. But, it goes to show that hard work pays off!

I had my last DEP call today. It wasn't our usual PT session. We had to meet the Flight Chief today! He just wanted to answer any questions we might have had, and get to know those of us leaving in the next month, and to make sure we're still qualified. Also to remind us of the ramifications if we did anything stupid. Haha! He was a pretty awesome guy. But, he meant business!

I did my background investigation a while ago, now. I haven't heard anything back from them, so I guess everything went well! It was a 2.5 hour long interview! Phew. It wasn't too bad, though. My interviewer guy was pretty cool. He had been in the Air Force a while back, then joined the National Guard, then was an FBI Agent. He was hardcore.

Anyway, I'll stop here for tonight. I assure you, there will be AT LEAST one more post before I'm off to Lackland! Watch out for my picture/video! Good night, all!

Manic Mondays

Well, I have had a crazy couple of weeks!!

Let's start with my DEP call a few weeks ago. Well, I was driving there, when one of my friends called. We usually do our DEP calls at a local "park", with a 2.5 mile path around the lake in the center. Haha. Anyway, my recruiter had decided to do it at a local high school track, so we could do our PT test. So, my friend calls me and tells me there's a football game going on, and there was no way we'd be able to PT out there. She called our recruiter and let him know, so we had to re-route to the park. Bummer. We didn't get to do the PT test, but don't think for a second we got out of it that easy, lol! Our RAPper showed us a little bit of what it was like to PT at SF Tech School. No bueno. My quads were literally sore for 5 days from doing so much stuff. Mostly squats. Lawd. After alllllll that mess, we ran around the lake. It was awful. Yet, my time was somehow almost 10 minutes better than the last time I ran it! I was completely okay with that!

So, that was basically it for DEP call. On to other news.

I received a call yesterday from someone wanting to do my background investigation. I missed the call, but he left a voicemail. I posted about it in my November BMT group, and they all told me to be careful. Apparently, there is some sort of scam related to this going around. So I'm going to head to my recruiter's office in a little bit and discuss it. He was on vacation last week, which sucked. Every time I have something to talk to him about something, he's always on vacation it seems like! But, he'll still reply to my texts and whatnot when he's gone, which I appreciate! It just always seems to happen when I actually stop by his office haha! I had to have a promissory note sent to him for my student loans, and I'm going to head over there to make sure he got it.

Anyway, I feel so lonely these days! All of my September shippers will be gone as of tomorrow. It's weird. I've gotten a bit closer to my November shippers, which I'm very thankful for! Most of the ones I talk to , however, all leave after I do. =[ So if any of you lovelies are leaving Nov 6, please go join our group! Just login to Facebook and search for "USAF BMT November 2012". I would love to get to know anyone and everyone I could be shipping with, or even have in my flight!

I suppose that's all for today. I just feel like I've been running around like a crazy person! I've actually been working a lot! I've decided that my last day will be Oct. 20, and that just can't come fast enough! I officially have 42 days until I step off the bus onto Lackland AFB. It's weird. But, I am so ready for it. My PT was slacking last week, but I'm getting back into this week, I have no option. I'm not about to get there and not be able to run my 1.5 mile. I want to be able to run it in 10 minutes flat by the time I graduate. I definitely think I can manage that. =]

Have an awesome Air Force day, everyone!

Surrealism.

Well, today I saw (metaphorically) off some of my friends for BMT. It kinda sucks. Of course, they're all members of my BMT group on Facebook. I actually got to meet one of them, though! He lives about an hour away from me, and we did a public swear in together a few weeks ago at a baseball game. I was SO excited to get to meet him!

I feel like one of those creepers that you see in the movies. Haha! But these guys have become some of my best friends, even if it's just over Facebook. One day, we'll all meet up. I know it! The Air Force isn't that big. =]

All day long I was just a ball of nerves. I honestly felt like I was going to MEPS, swearing in, waiting around at the airport, riding the bus and everything. They kept me, and our group, updated throughout their whole day. I was even up at 4 this morning!! I'm so happy for them, and excited. I know at this exact moment they're having their "Holy shit, what did I just get myself into?!" moments, but that'll fade within the next few days/weeks. These people, they've got what it takes. I have no doubt about that.

Now, it's a little past midnight, and they're all probably still playing pick 'em ups, or hearing their MTI's running into their dorms screaming at them to wake up and stand at attention. I'm actually hoping to receive a phone call tonight, or whenever they're allowed to make that first phone call, from one of the people in the group! I was more than willing to be their support system. Nobody should have to go through something like BMT and not have anyone to share their experiences with, or their fears. They didn't really want to call their family because they're not all too close by any means. They wanted to act like it was no big deal, which was actually quite believable. However, I can read people quite well! The call could come in 5 seconds from now, or at 2 a.m., or tomorrow morning. Who knows? Hopefully, I'll be awake to answer it, or at least hear my phone ringing in my sleep.

I'm down to 1 person in the September group that is one of my close friends. And she's leaving next week! We actually don't live too awfully far from each other, and were able to meet up this past weekend at an Air Show at our closest AFB! It was awesome! I feel like these next 2 months are just going to drag by so slow. I'm down to 55 days (54 til MEPS!). I'll get to speak with my 4thers for a few days before I leave, but the 11thers will be graduating the week I arrive. =[ It sucks so bad! I won't even get to talk to them before I leave! Of course we still have letter-writing, but still. No more awkward ooVoo sessions, no more random, ADD posts, no more dimple, no more cats, no more Batman. Nothing.

This all seems so weird to me! I had a "Holy Shit!" moment earlier today. I think it was due to the fact that my friends were all experiencing their ship day, after talking about it for months and months. They were actually at MEPS. They actually swore into Active Duty. They actually flew to San Antonio. They actually loaded onto a bus, and drove onto Lackland AFB where they're currently flipping out. This will be me in less than 2 months.

I don't really know how to react to it, honestly. I'm still 100% positive this is what I want to do. I'm meant to do it. No questions there. But, can I do it? Do I actually have what it takes to become an American Airman? I've always known it would be hard. I've always known that I'm going to have so many struggles along the way, but they really got put into perspective for me today. I'm not worried about the PT portion of BMT too much. I can definitely run like no one's business right now, so with another 55 days of prep, I'll be good to go. Push ups...meh. I can do 12 now, though!! Graduating standards are only 18, so if I can't come up with 6 more in 4 months, something's wrong there. I can do 32 sit ups. The only reason they're that low is because the last time I timed myself, I got incredibly tired for some reason around 22ish, and slowed wayyyy down. All of that will be a breeze. But it's the mind games. Not the ones played by the MTI's. I know what they're trying to accomplish with those. They must break you down, to build you back up as an Airman. Someone worthy of defending our great country. Someone that will not falter, and will not fail. Failure has never been an option for me. Now more than ever, I want to succeed. I must succeed.

I have a tendency to over think and over analyze everything. I'm also OCD. Not like, not able to function properly, but things must be a certain way. I must do them a certain way. It's weird. I've always been a very logical person, and I like to think I have more common sense than the average person. So, when I combine those two things, it gets bad. Well, in regards to BMT.

This is how I see it: A 22 year old, 5'2", 135 pound, Southern girl with no college education, got married at 19, has never been independent her whole adult life, is about to embark upon the toughest journey less than 1% of Americans take. Of that 1%, only .01% are Air Force (at least, so I've been told). She has 3 years worth of management experience under her belt, has dealt with enough stupid people to last anyone a lifetime, and has handled the stresses of young marriage, crazy work schedules, stalkers, debt, poverty, growing up without a father, being a full time student and employee at the same time, being the perfect housewife and all. So how does that relate to the Air Force? These things are definitely a symbol of an overcomer, but, can she overcome Basic Military Training? Where MTI's don't care who you are, who your parents are, what your feelings are, if you're tired, scared, have the sniffles, anything. Can she do it?

I guess that's my food for thought. It's probably what every DEPper has felt at some time or another, but it's still tough to deal with. I want this more than anything, and I hope that that kind of determination I have will be my light when it all seems so dark. It will guide me home.

"And the only solution was to stand and fight.
And my body was loose and I was set alight.
But, she came over me like some holy rite.
And although I was burning, you're the only light,
Only if for a night."
-Florence + The Machine "Only If For A Night"

September to Remember

This post is going to be dedicated to all of my September 11 Shippers. =]

Guys, I already posted in the group about how much I'll miss y'all, but figured I'd take the time to make a blog post just for y'all!!!

Brandon: I've already told you how you're my favorite and all, but for reals. You are my fave!! You're tons of fun, and don't take anything too seriously. We have the same attitude about mostly everything (especially creepers!), and I'm still going to send you letters written on pink, glittery paper =]

Brittany: Girl, you are my soul mate foreva. We've had some awesome laughs, and we know what's up when it comes to guys! Boobs > anything! I still wish I could sneak in your bag and camp out under your bunk for the next 55 days!! 

Callie: I've loved getting to know you the past several months, and am happy to have found another Southerner like myself!! You're going to kick BMT's ass! Don't ever let anyone hold you back!

Chris: Dimple. That's all that really needs to be said, but I'll say more =] I know you've worked incredibly hard to get to the point where you are now, and couldn't be any happier for you! The next 2 years are going to be the toughest you'll have to face, but you can make it through! You're a boss. I'm always going to be pulling for you!

Dari: Dear, sweet, Dari. I will miss your clever humor oh so much. You always get the group in a fantastic mood, and cheer everyone up when they're feeling down. I'm still going to creep your videos, also. =]

Jake: You're the Batman to my Catwoman. What else needs to be said?! =]

Matt: I've enjoyed getting to know you, and was pleasantly surprised by how much we have in common! It was nice having someone else who was married to talk to about it all! Just stay tough, and you'll be back home with the wifey soon!! =]

Michael: I'm so excited that we got to meet!! And angry that I somehow was deaf enough to not hear you yelling at me to take a picture!! We gotta represent for the Memphis area! Go in there, and show those MTI's what's up! Just be yourself: a badass.

For those I missed, I did not do it intentionally! I just read the names off the doc in the group, and spoke from my heart! I know I've gotten to know the other 11thers pretty well, and wish them all the best throughout their BMT/Tech School and Operational journey!! Always remember in your toughest, darkest times that what you're doing is so much greater than yourself. Think about everything you've sacrificed to get to the point that you're at, and use that as fuel. You only go through BMT once, so make it worth it!! When you're feeling down, remember that hundreds upon hundreds of trainees graduate every week, and if some of those dummies can do, y'all will have a walk in the park! Tonight and tomorrow are the last times we'll really get to speak (aside from letters, of course!). It's sad to think about, but I'll be there in 55 days, y'all!! Hopefully in the few days y'all will have left while I'm there, we'll spot each other! I absolutely cannot wait to serve our country alongside each and every one of you. You will all become great Airmen, and I'll see you on the other side of the Blue!