Still treading water!

Nearly a week has gone by since my last post.  Unfortunately, I don't have any further news about what's been going on with my bonus or getting to complete Officer Basic.

When I went to work on Tuesday, I asked to speak with my Supervisor, Major Ruiz.  I explained all of the things that have gone wrong, since I joined the Army, and prior to that (I did not get orders until less than 2 weeks before I needed to report to Officer Basic).  Luckily, I already had an appointment with the Troop Commander, a Lieutenant Colonel, that afternoon.  MAJ Ruiz agreed to be there with me.  While waiting to meet with the Troop Commander, the Acting Company Commander struck up a conversation with me.  He's a Captain, prior ROTC, and is a nurse working on the Medical Floor at the hospital.  We went into his office and I gave him a brief summary of what's been going on.  Turns out that he is also feeling frustrated with the military and is looking to get out.  Believe it or not, he's looking for a job in Burlington, VT, which is near where my sister, Lori, lives!  Small world.  He ran into the Troop Commander before she came to meet with me and filled her in on what's been going on.  The two of them updated the Deputy Commander of Nursing.

So, to make this saga a little shorter, I have a Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel trying to get answers.  My recruiter still hasn't gotten the paperwork to me, despite getting a call from my Company Commander and the Troop Commander.  I'm still treading water, but at least I know some people have heard me and are looking into it.  That's all I can ask for right now!

On a good note, Ninette sent a couple of pictures from Shadow's stay with her and Sean.

Callie and Shadow-finally friends!

Check out the claws on this snapper!

I booked a ticket to fly home over 4th of July weekend!  I will leave El Paso on the 1st and have to come back on the 4th, but at least I'll get a chance to be home.  I cannot wait!

I went to a Spin Class yesterday.  The instructor was brutal!  His idea of "recovery" was at gear 5 (not very much resistance at all), but 100 RPM.  Crazy!  After 50 minutes of sweating my butt off, I went into a Yoga class.  It was the work-out kind of yoga, which is more like Pilates than the relaxing kind of Yoga.  That was another 50 minutes of sweating my butt off.  It was a great work-out, though.  I think I'm going to try and go to other sessions, on my days off.  I was able to do one really cool thing, though.  Imagine that you're squatting down, with your knees out like a frog and your palms flat on the floor in front of you.  As you point your hips towards the ceiling, you lift your legs off of the floor, so your weight is entirely supported by your arms.  It took me a few tries, but I was able to make it work.  It looks so cool!  If I get a chance to see any of you when I'm home, I'll try to remember to show you.  What an awesome power move!

Last night, I went to my first Dining In.  This is a formal dinner in the military that is steeped in tradition.  Only military members attend a Dining In (which is different than a Dining Out where significant others are invited).  I arrived 1 hour late, due to misinformation, but I still had a nice time.  It was my first opportunity to wear my Army Service Uniform (ASU), the dress blue uniform that has replaced the "Class A" uniform.

Yes, I look like a giant next to the other females!

Today is Father's Day.  I hope all of the Dads are having a nice day and that they've been told how much they are loved (even the Dads of furry kids, Sean)!  To those Dads who aren't with us anymore, you are still loved and missed every day.

Have a great day, everyone!

--DV