So the news...
Zell came out here in October for a few days. It was really awesome to be with her for that time and just take a mini break from everything and see a familiar (and beautiful) face. I showed her around the base, places like where I work and places I usually go. She really liked the housing (well, the newer ones) and how everything is really convenient and right on base, everything from the grocery store to the hospital is pretty much within a 5 minute drive. We also drove to Boise a few times, went around the city, to the mall and such. My friend was nice enough to let me use his truck a few times, which saved me a few hundred dollars in renting a vehicle. We also went for a drive up into the mountains, just kind of a random trip and we ended up seeing a lot of really awesome views. We sort of stumbled upon this canyon/gorge and it was breathtaking. It's nice knowing that a 20 minute drive from base will get me to some really beautiful places. We got some really good pictures up there in the mountains. It was tough to send Zell home after a few days of a lot of fun, but hopefully I will be coming home soon for a bit.
Work has been going well. Knock on wood nothing bad has happened. I have been learning quite a bit and taking some lead roles on some operations lately. I was moved to swing shift (afternoon/night shift) about 2 months ago and I like working the night shift a lot. It's a bit busier than day shift and I have to go out and do a lot of things on my own which I learn a lot more from being out there by myself. I also need to be a lot more careful, but its a better learning experience for me I think.
I recently completed my first set of CDC's (career development courses), there are two sets of three books, they're kind of like a college course for my job and I need to read the books, fill out some answers in the books, take some pre-tests, interviews with my chain of command and then finally take the test. I finished 3 books in about 6 weeks and we're allotted 6 months for 3 books. The interviews went well. I was pretty nervous for the interview with my squadron commander but it was pretty quick and painless. The test was easier than the interviews. I got a 94 and my supervisors we're pretty pleased with that. So now I'm just waiting for my next set of books to come in so I can start working on those ASAP and get those out of the way. After I completely finish my CDC's I can start upgrading my skill level from an apprentice to a journeyman, which pretty much just means more responsibility.
I sold my truck that I had for a month last week too. I'm really glad I got rid of that thing. It was a bad decision to buy that thing from the start (mainly because it was a piece of junk). So again I'm without wheels, so I'm saving up for something nice in the future. No more crappy cars for me.
Now for the big news...I'm sure some of you have heard I will be going overseas. I can't publicly say where/when but all I can say is I will be safe and not in harm's way. I'm excited about it on one hand, I can't wait to see another part of the world and a different culture and to really put my knowledge and skills to work, but on the other hand I'd really like to go home for Christmas before I go. I know that sounds a bit arrogant because I know that a lot of servicemen and women overseas haven't been home and seen and been with their loved ones in over a year and for me it's just been a measly 5 months. So I if I do get to go home I will be extremely thankful and lucky. If not, then I understand and will be still happy to do my job and serve. Either way I joined the military and I have to do what I'm told, this is what I signed up for.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. I know a few in my family served proudly and they are one of the most influential reasons why I joined. So my hat is off to them.
Hopefully see you all soon...
