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.