The next morning we all had breakfast at the hall. It was good, we had hash browns, eggs and bacon. We then found out our temporary pods. Which was confusing because our new team leader was not there. We figured everything out then I we started the orientation called “in processing”. Very much like the “hurry up and wait four hours” thing. A lot of paper work and getting fitted for uniforms. After the long day we had dinner back at the hall for one final time. Same thing as the night before, still amazing. So at nightfall, Victor and myself took a trip to the village to go to the wolves den, didn’t realize it was like a mile away. The houses were pretty cool. I was wondering what it would be like to live their for a night. Little did I know I was about to the next night…
DANCES WITH WOLVES
Morning number two day three, Maryland is in the midst of receiving 36 inches of snow. We unofficially called it a snow day. We still did some things, we covered some small stuff that day but had the rest off. We started our first meals together. As a pod, we eat together. So ten people cook and eat breakfast and dinner together generally. So anyways, my roomates Jesse, Victor and myself decide to take a trip to the wolves den in the snow storm. The wolves den is basically the wolves units getaway area and computer lab. We chilled their for a long while. Right before we were about to leave we were told we can’t return to the dorms because the weather was just way too bad and the winds were blowing up to 50 mph. We had to stay with one of the wolves units houses. The difference between what I was used to is that the wolves live in houses when we ravens and badgers live in dorms. I thought this would be quite the experience. I stayed with some people who were pretty cool. We ate dinner then went a crossed the street to play apples to apples. I so happen to know someone from Saginaw MI that lives their so it was interesting. We played what felt like four hours. Then we watched fight club, we tried to finish it but it was already one in the morning and I had to get up early and head back to the dorms. So I danced with the wolves for a night.
In the morning, Thursday, I made it back in time to shower and eat breakfast. Then we ravens had a meeting together, it was good. We went over basic rules. Then as our team we took a little stroll to target in Bell Air. I didn’t get much but a water bottle and a hat. After that, we went to pandara to use the wifi. Pretty chill day it was.
On Friday we had to get up early and head to Omega in Delaware. Physicals… So excited! Not! We were there for about five hours. It was broken down into several sections. The hernia exam, urine exam, hearing test, vision test and the two injections. TB test and the Tetanus shot. I thought it was actually kind of fun because it reminded me of Armageddon when they all went for their shots. That’s kind of how the atmosphere was here.
On Saturday we had our orientation meeting from 9 am to 4 pm. It was pretty much just over the basics and covered everything for the fire fighting program. Really a long day for all that. We also finally got fitted for our road-mate boots too. Mine just fit just right. It was actually pretty funny that night because everyone was so anxious to break them in, everyone wore them with civilian clothing.
On Sunday we finally had an opportunity to receive some ISP hours. ISP hours are hours that you must complete on your own time. So almost everyone had a chance to go and so the advantage was taken. We all shoveled side walks out of four feet of snow in Perryville. We did that all morning and just chilled in the afternoon. Oh yeah, I forgot, it was valentines day.
Monday was a national federal government holiday, so we had the day off for the most part. We just had a short meeting for the units then we had to see our TB results. Everything went fine. Then a bunch of people and myself went to the movies that afternoon. Some saw Avitar, some saw Valentines day, some saw The Olympians and myself and a few others went to see the movie Wolfman. It was a disappointment in my book.
On Tuesday we had a briefing with the American Red Cross. A very looonng meeting! It was from 830 to 430 in the afternoon. Afterwards we had a potluck for our unit. For the next day we are getting our new permanent teams.
Wednesday was a big day. The day of the last of pods and the awaken of the permanent teams. I was pretty sad but deep inside kind of anxious. First though we had a meeting for disaster relief shelter stuff for most of the day. Then we went bzck to the dorms and started to clean because congress was coming on Thursday. Around five oclock we had a ceremony at the fire hall for our team reveal. The way we did it was pretty creative. We had to take a name from the box and find that person and give it to them. Like wise with yourself. Once we have done that there was a song title on the corner of the paper. Mine was “let it be”. But as soon as your song came on , you move to the center of the floor and whoever went there too was on your team. I was pretty excited to see that Rachael and Curtis were on my team. After we got back we had pancakes for dinner then off to clean my room for congress tomorrow.
Yeah, So we Today we got up at 4:50 A.M to get our rooms ready for congress and up for P.T. at six. P.T. wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. It was alright, not too harsh, After P.T we had training in Aberdeen with the red cross for shelter disaster relief training. We did several simulations which had some very intense debates in them as well. My role was to be in charge of feeding the clients. I have learned that it is much harder than it seems and this is just a simulation! We were their from 9-4 pm. Afterwards we had to clean our day room or what we call the “ravens nest”. Then had dinner with my brand new team which Beth made us Curry. Was pretty good. Now I’m sitting here in the wolves den typing this with my buddy Victor.
So just for a recap on a lot of things, I’m having a blast. I love this style of life so far. Everyone is so close its ridiculous. The crazy thing is we only have known each other for a little over a week. So far the best way to describe it here would be like, its like college without the homework. I will miss my pod very much. Which included Jessica, Kareem, Kevin, Mark, Andria, Rachael, Curtis, Kenny, Lia and our TL Beth. We all grown so attached but as part of the training they want us to get flexible and used to change, so we swichted and got our permanent teams. Although they say it might change again. It wouldn’t surprise me. As far as meals go, we eat everything in our raven six refrigerator and cabinet. Each person automatically adds $4.50 for food towards the team. With ten people it adds up so we eat pretty good. So far I had meals such as stir fry, chicken alfrado, curry, tacos, spaghetti, lasagna and pancakes. Generally we have a bunch of kitchens and two teams share a kitchen. Mines awesome because we are right here in front of the dinning room so we get a lot of attention. Well, sorry about the wait I hope I get a chance to update sooner this time. I will leave you with some pictures that I have gathered over the last week or so.
Catch ya later!
Someone used to much soap!
No comments:
Post a Comment