I can finally write letters. It's my tenth day in training. It's lights out right now and I'm sitting on the floor with a flash light. I haven't been homesick. I have no idea how I have been doing so well. Okay, so I wish I could tell you everything but I can't cause I would be up all night writing letters!
It isn't as bad as I thought, I just march around a lot. Make beds a lot. Fold clothes a lot. Hopefully if all goes well I'll graduate in seven weeks from today! I can't wait! I think about it all the time. I can't wait to have freedom back. We literally are on their time. I'm always tired. I think the average night of sleep is about 5 hours. I've started to come down with a cold. But, hopefully I'll hold up okay! I have received about 6 shots. It was crazy - I got 2 at one time in opposite arms! Oh and shower time isn't that bad. It's just a big party. We don't have time to even think about each other being naked.
PT (physical training) sucks when we have to do a bunch of push ups and sit ups. I can't even hold my arms above my head cause they are so tired. Running isn't that bad. Basic is all about team work. I run with this girl named Jenny Lankford. She is married and from Illinois. Our motto is never leave an airman behind. So, I run with her and push her to keep going. I'm all about team work. It really doesn't suck that bad. As long as you do what you are told...it's a little easier. We have already lost 2 girls from the past 10 days. One girl actually went to the bathroom and was going to make an attempt to take her life. I mean there have been moments I want to go home...but I wouldn't ever dream of that being a way out. Like I said though, I'm doing pretty good. Just taking it one day at a time.
For my birthday since it was Sunday we get to choose any church to go to. I went to the Wicca service. It was interesting. A good break from basic. We were all lined up in a huge circle. There must have been almost 200 trainees there. This Sunday it's some service thing and we get to drink juice and eat Nilla wafers! I'm eating healthy. Lots of fruit.
I have a really nice MTI (military training instructor). His name is Staff Sargeant Bell. He is from Georgia...at least I think he is from Georgia. I have many instructors. I'm really lucky to have him. Like I said, it hasn't been that bad. It has moments of pure hell and then there will be days we sit in class and learn. I need to work on my push ups and sit ups. I'll have a million stories to share. I feel overwhelmed now cause I have been waiting 10 days to communicate. I just wanted to write a letter. That's all I have been wanting to do! I am so happy to get letters. I hope I'll get to write more often now.
Like I said, I haven't broken down yet... I'm not intimidated by their yelling. I think they are stupid. I haven't screwed up royally. Just minor stuff...like...my feet won't be at a 45 degree angle. My shoulders aren't all the way back at the position of attention...blah...blah. I can't wait for the next seven weeks to go by!
Man, life is crazy. I'm glad I'm older and more mature than most of the girls. There are a lot of 18-20 year olds. They also laugh and freak out when I tell them I'm 25. I'm not the oldest. There are a few late 20s and one 35 year old Air Reserve of Air Guard. I haven't regretted my decision. It has been easier than I thought and harder too. As long as you look like you are trying that's all that matters.
So the other day we got fake rifles. M16A2 It doesn't work, but it's a real gun. I have been making a few friends. We all have jobs to do everyday. DETAIL! Woot! I hate detail. Cause we have so much time to do stuff in. I'm a bed tightener. I worked with my wingman Elisabeth Mitchell. She is from Illinois too... or something like that. I'm so excited that I get to write. It's about time!
Oh...back to Wicca. So, it's all about balance and harmony with the 5 elements. Earth, air, water, fire and spirit. I love off the wall stuff. So the lady leading our class was corky to say the least. She told us to imagine a place where you find yourself. Where you feel balanced. For me that place would be the beach. I love the beach. I love walking on the beach at night and looking at the stars!
So, there hasn't been a day yet that I haven't started to fall asleep without notice. It's crazy! I'll be reading and my eyes are crazy heavy. Our ABUs and combat boots make me hot! So I tend to get sleepy. I almost fell asleep standing up today doing drill exercises. I have never been this tired in my life. I don't even know how I'm writing other than adrenaline!
Gotta wrap it up so I can get in bed. Thanks for writing. I really appreciate it!
Kristi
