The Latest Letter

Amanda,

Monday night the 22nd. 10 minutes before taps. My flight went to CBRNE today (the gas chamber). Yes, that kind of gas chamber--sort of. They go so they know what it feels like. It's the same idea as being sprayed with pepper spray during those classes police departments sometimes offer. They also had their midterm PT test. I say "they" because I didn't do either of those things. After being sick last week with a "viral infection" and spending 2 days on bedrest, I thought I'd have a lot of energy for today's PT test. Wrong! Soon after we started the exercises I started wheezing and coughing uncontrollably. Back to sick call we go!

This time, the verdict was strep. Great timing. So now I have to make up 2 classes, my PT test, AND CBRNE. I can only hope that I'm well enough to complete the obstacle course tomorrow. I'm actually pretty excited about it. He called me last week after this had been written, and he was able to participate in the obstacle course, and he did have fun doing it.

I got a letter from you today. The hallmark card with the circular coloring letter. Enjoyed it very much, as I do every letter. I just wish I had more time to read them and more room to store them.

Anyway, more tomorrow. 4 AM wake up tomorrow, meaning TSGT Radosevich will start yelling around 3:15. Love you.

Thursday June 25
I debated whether or not I should write tonight. We have 4 AM early wakeup tomorrow, again, But then I haven't written in three days. What have I done in those days? Well, I'm getting over my strep. Went to various classes. Finished most (not all) of my TS processing. I'm pretty sure this means filling out the paperwork for his security clearance. He said it's something like 30 pages. Fun! I wasn't able to reach my family, so I still need a bit of info. I'm going back Monday to take care of it. It was good to sneak in a few words with you. His phone call last week. He called for processing info, but spent a little time small-talking with me.

I'm sorry I haven't been able to call you yet. As if it's all his fault. I hope he doesn't think I hold him responsible! I can do that whenever the TI gives us either some base liberty or a "patio break." There's like 15 payphones outside of our squadron in a small area known as the patio. Vending machines and tables too. TIs use this as incentive. Most flights see their first patio break during the 2nd week. We're finishing up 4th and still haven't had one. Odd. Now that is frustrating!

Some of our flight are performing for graduation tomorrow. I'm not, because I'm terrible at baritone. When he said that before, I thought he was exaggerating. Maybe not. I bet the ones performing have a lot more experience than he does. I think it's been at least 10 years since he's touched an instrument. The others are probably band geeks straight out of school! I'll wait until 7th week to do that.

Tomorrow we have weapons evaluations. Gotta tear down my M16 trainer weapon to base parts in 2 minutes and then put it back together in 2 minutes. Surprisingly, it's not that hard. The things have a few really small parts, but it's not hard to keep track of them. It takes me about 60 seconds to disassemble and 75 to reassemble, so I'll be fine.

Have to take a break again. Long day tomorrow. If only time passed as quickly as it seems to in my letters. Love you.

Saturday night. 35 minutes BEFORE lights out. I can hardly believe it. We never get this much free time. Too bad they couldn't have had a patio break instead! I passed my M16 performance check today. It wasn't really what I expected. Instead of us doing it in small groups with a bunch of TIs, we ALL did it at once in the day room with TSgt Radosevich timing us. There were only 4 people that didn't pass, and they got in some fairly serious trouble. Much like I will if I don't pass the make-up PT test he tells me I'm talking tomorrow.

Those who didn't perform in the band went to the parade field today for crowd control and other various details. Got to see ten flights graduate. I actually met with one of our service missionaries coincidentally while I was directing others.

I'm trying to branch out and talk to people a little more. Getting more comfortable with most of the other trainees. Granted a lot of the stuff I hate still happens every day (examples: vying for leadership, eagerly correcting others, petty arguments), but you know, it's okay. Some people haven't been away from home for ten years like me. In the end we'll all be airmen.

Closing up for the week. Usually only about 4 pages will fit in an envelope. Hope you are enjoying life over in Houston. Texas is HOT! While Texas is always hot, we actually are in a heat wave and drought right now. Yesterday I heard newspeople talking about weather on Fox. They mentioned that the heat wave had pretty much broken, and that the only state they were worried about was...you guessed it, Texas! Why oh why can't we be in Cali right now? I don't like it. Anyway give Wen and your family my best. I love you.

Nathan

He never did say how he did on his PT test. That has been a struggle for him, so I am DYING to know. Now, I may have to wait a week. Joy.