Out of the Dorms

I finally did it.  I moved out of the dorms on base and into a duplex.  I just couldn't stand coming home to a single room, that wasn't that big, seeming like I am being confined, and being cut off from the world.  Don't get me wrong, the dorm room was nice and all the appliances were refurnished and brand new, but I was getting claustrophobic.  Not to mention, no one really talks with a lot of people.  If you're a freshman living in the dorms at college, everyone is walking around trying to meet people.  Here, not the case.  My neighbors were well into pilot training, and I haven't even started yet.  I was feeling extremely isolated.  I couldn't really invite anyone over either.  Where are they going to sit? There's no coffee table to read funny coasters.  So I told myself, its time to get out.   Am I actually considering living in the town of Del Rio, and moving off base? Yes.  A good friend of mine was going through the same situation: going crazy in the dorms.  So we talked and decided to be roommates.  

Well, it didn't go as planned.  A lot of my friends live in a nice apartment complex across town.  Most of the community there is military anyway.  However, there is this regulation that says unmarried officers must live on base to the fullest extent possible.  Wow, talk about slave tracker.  I guess because this is a training environment they want us to be focused, but the government doesn't want to fork out the BAH if possible.  So, I checked into on base housing, which a lot of it is being contracted out.  That was a negative as well.  So, the last resort, was a UOQ duplex.  The housing office said yes, as long as we do it at our own expense.  It was a big pain, but it was totally worth it. I got my furniture out of storage and changed addresses (again).

So how are the duplexes? It's a bit old, but it is ten times better than a dorm room.  Just having more than one room to go to is awesome.  Plus, the neighbors welcomed us right away when we pulled up.  I am totally loving the fact that I have a yard.  I am in the process of setting up this house to look like a real pilot hut.  In the mean time, putting together furniture and trying my hand as an interior decorator has keep me busy.  I get a lot of satisfaction about putting something together.  Either way, this will take another week, but a house warming party is coming...get ready! 

My life be like...

Well, I haven't updated my blog in quite some time so I figured it was time for a new entry.  

Today certainly marks a day in history.  We have a new commander in chief.  I am optimistic about the future.  I would like the new bossman to give us some new airplanes...just a thought!

Anyways, it is hard to believe I have now been in Del Rio for two months.  Already taking a trip home to visit the 'rents was a fun time.  I've never been so happy to see Kansas.  I've made lots of new friends out here and getting to know them has been a blast.  I've met some really cool people and I am thrilled that I mesh with these guys so well.  We got to go to San Antonio and Austin this weekend.  It was fun to get away and just be back in a college town where there wasn't much responsibility to worry about.   Everyone from the base seemed to go there.  I saw a bunch of my new comrades all over the place.  I honestly believe we owned the town that night.  We will visit Austin again.  They treated us well.  

On a side note, I like my casual job.  I'm also taking classes with Embry-Riddle to start the long process of getting my masters' degree taken care of.  I hope to "check the box" if you will.  The classes seem interesting so far and will definitely complement me in my flying experience.  I am pleased to report I have started swimming again.  I am trying to swim at least 5k meters a week.  That used to be an easy workout in one day at high school...where has the endurance gone.  I feel myself coming back.  I'd like to compete somewhere soon before pilot training starts, but we'll see.  Well, that's it for now.  Hopefully, it won't take me so long to write a new entry.  But, this is Del Rio, cut me some slack.  

In Full Swing

I doesn't seem like I've been here for about 3 weeks.  Having a full duty week really made things feel like I'm on active duty.  My casual job is ok.  I keep track of training data.  It's kinda interesting learning all these training requirements. 

I decided to start working on my masters degree.  There are classes from Embry-Riddle offered here on the base.  I figured I would start and knock some out before Phase I.  If I can fill in this square ASAP, my career path will be looking pretty good.  

On a lighter note, I did get the Del Rio club experience this weekend. I was not that impressed and I must say I miss the easy options in Lawrence.  It was easy to know which bar or club had the specials on any given night and go and have some fun.  The clubs here are a bit sketchy.  I left the first after there was a huge fight and 8 cops showed up.  The second club was nothing but mexican music and very little country.  Not exactly my element.  I actually miss hip hop and rap.  It's the officers club for me.  

Getting Settled In

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  It was my first real holiday being away from family.  I must say I missed being home and being with family.  My parents drove out to see me and see what's its like being stationed in Del Rio, TX.  It was nice having them here.  Had they not been here, Thanksgiving would have been real lonely.  They stayed in a TLF on the base, which was really great because they also brought my dog Shadow! My dad took my friends and I out to Thanksgiving dinner at Luby's.  He could tell we all missed being home.  At least we got to eat some turkey.  

My inprocessing is coming to a close.  I should be getting that first AF paycheck soon.  It is finally nice to be almost done with this checklist.  When Phase I gets here, I'll be back in the books and going through the rigors of flight school.  Until then, the last of inprocessing continues tomorrow.  I hope my stuff gets here soon.  Not having internet and cable is a real drag!

To top things out, my alma mater of Kansas beat Mizzou in the Border Showdown! Nothing is sweeter! I was thrilled I got to see it live.  It looked like it was freezing there.  Can't say the same for Del Rio, TX.  

Kansas 40

Mizzou 37

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!!

Active Duty

I must say in-processing is a huge pain.  But that's what active duty has been so far.  I arrived at Laughlin AFB around 17:30 last friday the 21st.  The base is smaller than I expected and everything is situated in a grid.  I drove into Del Rio to see what I would be doing for the next two years.  I will be the first to let you know that there is not much to do in this town.  There is no Hastings or Taco bell.  Surviving is going to take some effort.  I can see the lights of Mexico at night which reminds me how far south I am.  Topeka seems more interesting than Del Rio.  

I in-processed monday with a million questions that everyone else seemed to have.  Let me tell you that there has been lots and lots of paperwork, and I don't like paperwork.  However, things finally started going smoothly when I got my CAC (ID) card.  The things you can do with this little piece of plastic are amazing.  

I checked out of the base hotel this morning and am now getting ready to finish up checking in to the many stations on base.  I'll finish up at flight medicine and then move into my new dorm room.  It is furnished so I don't need furniture.  I now await my other belongings to be delivered, but it is Thanksgiving week so it is hard to get a lot done as I have a four day weekend.  

I believe Kansas plays Missouri this weekend.  Rock Chalk!  There is a Mizzou guy stationed here and I want to talk some trash!

Until then, happy thanksgiving!

Only hours left...

I decided to go back to Lawrence for one last night in the party atmosphere. Dusty just happened to be passing through and all the pilot-selects were going to be getting together at our favorite bar. It was great seeing my former roommates Dusty and Jared again. It brought back many memories of our shenanagins. Wow, were we crazy at times. I came back to Wichita on Sunday afternoon a little tired and a bit hungover. I don't think I'll miss the party scene that much after that feeling...
The movers came today. This gave me an official feeling that things are really starting up in my new career. My room is somewhat empty with all my things being shipped off down south, but I know I'll catch up with them later. I'm glad there was an air force base nearby. Everything seemed pretty painless. However, as long as nothing is broken, and I have 100% accountability of my belongings, I'll be extremely overjoyed.
It is funny to listen to my dad give me the countdown of civilian life. I remember being pretty upset that my active duty entry date was going to be a six month wait. But after looking at the situation over and realizing that I would get to have nothing but fun for the next six months. And the last six months have been a blast. From a drama filled summer at the pool to going to my last KU home game (at least for a while), it's been fun. Now the work begins.
I leave Thursday morning to drive my 11 hours to Del Rio. When I am finally settled in and inprocessing is done, I will be able to give a sigh of relief. But for now, I stare at the sky and dream. I can't wait to be up there...

Now to listen to The Final Countdown...

Preparing to Move

It was hard leaving Lawrence. I've invested a lot of time there. I have some great friends. Now I am spending my last two weeks with my parents in Wichita. It is nice to be home and not really have to do anything. My dad is having me go through all my old things and get rid of old junk. I don't like being a pack rat. However, it is fun to go through old memories and pictures and deciding what is worth keeping. I found a bunch of my newspaper clippings with many swimming victories. It seems like such a long time ago.
Today, I went to McConnell AFB and went to the Outbound Assignments office to talk to them about getting my "household goods" shipped down to Del Rio. It is strange actually getting ready to go through my first Permanent Change of Station (PCS). I still don't know if I am going to live on base or not. The word on the street is that I will have to find a place in town. Being six miles from the border of Mexico makes me a bit jumpy. Hopefully I can find a nice complex that is safe. Until then, the coundown begins...17 days until I enter active duty.