Day 130--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Things with Karlee and I are going great. I love her as my new roommate. It's like a sleep over 24/7 and I always have someone to talk to.
It dumped a few inches of snow on us the other day but its all gone now, besides the huge piles they made clearing snow from the roads.
I'm doing well in my Driver's Ed class. I think some of the required paperwork is a little excessive, but what can you do?
Time goes by here so slowly. Every day is the same damn thing and I want so badly to be out of here. But I want to leave with a life. So what I really want is for it to be 2012 already. Life is so uneventful, after three days of not posting a blog, I STILL have nothing to write about. Does anyone have a remedy for this nonsense?
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Shopping / Change of Plans
Day 127------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I went on my first clothing trip today. Every 3 months they are supposed to give us 100 dollars to spend of clothes at Walmart or Fred Meyer. They were a little late in giving me and my ICL* group our shopping trip because of Christmas Break, but it's good we finally got the chance. We ended up going to Walmart and I bought a whole bunch of camo stuff. Just some cool shirts, a couple of hats, and a pair of insulated sweatpants. They are SO warm. Other than that I didn't get much. I hate buying clothes at Walmart so I only spent $60 total, the other $40 will carry over for my next trip. Hopefully we'll go to Fred Meyer next time and I can get some quality clothing.
As for the change of plans, Karlee is moving in tonight in about 15 minutes when she get back from dinner. They already have someone lined up to take her bed so she's moving sooner than we thought. I kind of liked being alone, I am an only child after all, but at least she likes country music. :-)
*ICL - Introduction to Center Life, for those of you who may have forgotten
-Oh my goodness, I just looked outside the window and it's freaking snowing again. Gosh darn it.
I went on my first clothing trip today. Every 3 months they are supposed to give us 100 dollars to spend of clothes at Walmart or Fred Meyer. They were a little late in giving me and my ICL* group our shopping trip because of Christmas Break, but it's good we finally got the chance. We ended up going to Walmart and I bought a whole bunch of camo stuff. Just some cool shirts, a couple of hats, and a pair of insulated sweatpants. They are SO warm. Other than that I didn't get much. I hate buying clothes at Walmart so I only spent $60 total, the other $40 will carry over for my next trip. Hopefully we'll go to Fred Meyer next time and I can get some quality clothing.
As for the change of plans, Karlee is moving in tonight in about 15 minutes when she get back from dinner. They already have someone lined up to take her bed so she's moving sooner than we thought. I kind of liked being alone, I am an only child after all, but at least she likes country music. :-)
*ICL - Introduction to Center Life, for those of you who may have forgotten
-Oh my goodness, I just looked outside the window and it's freaking snowing again. Gosh darn it.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Moving In
Day 126----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I went and got my permit today. I hate how the camera adds like 10 lbs (At least I hope that's what it was... *Damn Christmas cookies*). I start my Driver's Ed training on Thursday.
Karlee is moving into my room on Saturday because her roommate is graduating. I'm glad. Her room is SO COLD. It's only like 50 degrees in there. I hope it works out though, this new arrangement. I hope it doesn't turn into one of those "too much of a good thing" kind of situations. I really don't think it will, in fact it'll be refreshing to live with someone I am 100% comfortable with.
I went and got my permit today. I hate how the camera adds like 10 lbs (At least I hope that's what it was... *Damn Christmas cookies*). I start my Driver's Ed training on Thursday.
Karlee is moving into my room on Saturday because her roommate is graduating. I'm glad. Her room is SO COLD. It's only like 50 degrees in there. I hope it works out though, this new arrangement. I hope it doesn't turn into one of those "too much of a good thing" kind of situations. I really don't think it will, in fact it'll be refreshing to live with someone I am 100% comfortable with.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
New News
Day 125---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you ever put something in a special place where you were sure you wouldn't lose it, and then forget where you put it? Well I did, and I found that stuff that I was "missing". Kind of embarrasing when I had to tell my dorm staff that I'd found it all. She just laughed and rolled her eyes. I really need to start writing stuff down.
It started snowing this morning. Now we have about three inches. Okay, I can handle this much, but apparently everything east of the Cascades is on a winter storm warning. Official weather reports said to 'Please plan accordingly and be proactive by taking care of errands now and stock an extra supply of food'. Yikes! Must be serious. Not looking forward to it.
My roommate, Michelle, moved out just about an hour ago because she was promoted to Assistant Dorm Chief. I'm pretty excited but I didn't tell her that. As much as I liked her, I am SO glad that I can do whatever I want now. I've been promoted to Bay Leader* so I'm top dog in the living situation now. I have to make sure my baymates to their bay jobs every morning but other than that I don't have a huge responsibility, which I am grateful of. I don't have to worry about waking Michelle up because I like to wake up between 0530 and 0600 and she likes to sleep until 0715 (we have to be out of the dorm by 0745, she likes to push it). I think the one thing I'm most looking forward to though is sleeping without music playing and never having to listen to another pop or rap song. She hates country so I could never play it when she was around, and that's the only thing I like. Now I can listen to whatever I want!
I'm going to get my permit tomorrow! I'm very excited. I have to have it for six months before I can get my Intermediate License. I did the math and hopefully I'll be able to drive by the time I come home for summer break. Hey, Grandpa? I think I'll need to borrow your truck.* ;-)
*A bay is two rooms and the bathroom that connects them
*Don't worry, we'll talk about it when I get home. I already know, no friends, no loud music, and no reckless driving or showing off. We can work out the details. :)
Have you ever put something in a special place where you were sure you wouldn't lose it, and then forget where you put it? Well I did, and I found that stuff that I was "missing". Kind of embarrasing when I had to tell my dorm staff that I'd found it all. She just laughed and rolled her eyes. I really need to start writing stuff down.
It started snowing this morning. Now we have about three inches. Okay, I can handle this much, but apparently everything east of the Cascades is on a winter storm warning. Official weather reports said to 'Please plan accordingly and be proactive by taking care of errands now and stock an extra supply of food'. Yikes! Must be serious. Not looking forward to it.
My roommate, Michelle, moved out just about an hour ago because she was promoted to Assistant Dorm Chief. I'm pretty excited but I didn't tell her that. As much as I liked her, I am SO glad that I can do whatever I want now. I've been promoted to Bay Leader* so I'm top dog in the living situation now. I have to make sure my baymates to their bay jobs every morning but other than that I don't have a huge responsibility, which I am grateful of. I don't have to worry about waking Michelle up because I like to wake up between 0530 and 0600 and she likes to sleep until 0715 (we have to be out of the dorm by 0745, she likes to push it). I think the one thing I'm most looking forward to though is sleeping without music playing and never having to listen to another pop or rap song. She hates country so I could never play it when she was around, and that's the only thing I like. Now I can listen to whatever I want!
I'm going to get my permit tomorrow! I'm very excited. I have to have it for six months before I can get my Intermediate License. I did the math and hopefully I'll be able to drive by the time I come home for summer break. Hey, Grandpa? I think I'll need to borrow your truck.* ;-)
*A bay is two rooms and the bathroom that connects them
*Don't worry, we'll talk about it when I get home. I already know, no friends, no loud music, and no reckless driving or showing off. We can work out the details. :)
Friday, January 7, 2011
Tool Safety
Day 123, 13th Vocational Trade Day -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was thinking about the man made machinery I've been working on and I suppose they did get at least one thing right; they are definitely durable enough to maneuver and manipulate all kinds of material for over half a century!
Anyway, my dad sent me a new pair of welding gloves the other day, and I got to use them for the first time on a saw horse we're making. They're REALLY nice, fit perfectly, and my instructor said he was jealous. :-) Of course I don't know anything about brands of work gear but apparently Daddy does. Whoo, go Daddy!
There wasn't a whole lot going on in trade because we were waiting for parts. We had a "tool safety" class earlier in the day for Heavy Equip Rep, Heavy Equip Op, Carpentry, and Brick Masonry. A Hilti Coperation sales representative came and did a presentation for the students and instructors on Hilti tools. Boring at first, then he started to bust out some really impressive products. The statistics he spat out VS other companies were very convincing, and the instructors who have had experiences with other models were obviously sold. They were asking about prices and availability and catalogues. One of the Carpentry instructors even bought a tool right there on the spot. I personally was impressed, but because I haven't any experience with other models, or even very many tools in general, I can't say I hold an opinion.
Other than that we didn't really do much. Jamie, McGee, and I spent about 3 hours "sweeping". Mostly BS-ing but there was some sweeping involved. Hey, what can I say? We had to extend it somehow so we wouldn't get bored. :-)
I was thinking about the man made machinery I've been working on and I suppose they did get at least one thing right; they are definitely durable enough to maneuver and manipulate all kinds of material for over half a century!
Anyway, my dad sent me a new pair of welding gloves the other day, and I got to use them for the first time on a saw horse we're making. They're REALLY nice, fit perfectly, and my instructor said he was jealous. :-) Of course I don't know anything about brands of work gear but apparently Daddy does. Whoo, go Daddy!
There wasn't a whole lot going on in trade because we were waiting for parts. We had a "tool safety" class earlier in the day for Heavy Equip Rep, Heavy Equip Op, Carpentry, and Brick Masonry. A Hilti Coperation sales representative came and did a presentation for the students and instructors on Hilti tools. Boring at first, then he started to bust out some really impressive products. The statistics he spat out VS other companies were very convincing, and the instructors who have had experiences with other models were obviously sold. They were asking about prices and availability and catalogues. One of the Carpentry instructors even bought a tool right there on the spot. I personally was impressed, but because I haven't any experience with other models, or even very many tools in general, I can't say I hold an opinion.
Other than that we didn't really do much. Jamie, McGee, and I spent about 3 hours "sweeping". Mostly BS-ing but there was some sweeping involved. Hey, what can I say? We had to extend it somehow so we wouldn't get bored. :-)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Machinery Confusion
Day 122, 12th Vocational Trade Day----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just finished installing the hydraulic control valve and the hydraulic filter in the Grove crane, with help from some of the boys of course. This crane was built somewhere in the 1960's and it still surprises me how it still runs. Another thing that I am astonished by is not only how extremely complicated and inefficient it is to work on these machines, but also that through out the years, no one has come up with a better idea on how they should be manufactured. Not to mention that not one piece of machinery is exactly like another. A friend told me that these machines were built to be easily assembled, not to easily maintained. It doesn't seem to be very logical, but then again, they were man made. :-)
Other than that things are going alright. I'm learning A LOT and one of the counselors even said that I was very bright and she hopes to see me enroll in the Job Corps College Program. I've been considering it. Maybe I will do that after advanced training and get my AA degree. Then if I still want to, I can go into the coast guard and become an officer. :-) I think I'd do well in college.
P.S.
My social life is a little rocky right now in case any of you were wondering. But I'm doing my best to work things out. And if I'm careful and considerate, things might turn out the way I hoped after all.
I just finished installing the hydraulic control valve and the hydraulic filter in the Grove crane, with help from some of the boys of course. This crane was built somewhere in the 1960's and it still surprises me how it still runs. Another thing that I am astonished by is not only how extremely complicated and inefficient it is to work on these machines, but also that through out the years, no one has come up with a better idea on how they should be manufactured. Not to mention that not one piece of machinery is exactly like another. A friend told me that these machines were built to be easily assembled, not to easily maintained. It doesn't seem to be very logical, but then again, they were man made. :-)
Other than that things are going alright. I'm learning A LOT and one of the counselors even said that I was very bright and she hopes to see me enroll in the Job Corps College Program. I've been considering it. Maybe I will do that after advanced training and get my AA degree. Then if I still want to, I can go into the coast guard and become an officer. :-) I think I'd do well in college.
P.S.
My social life is a little rocky right now in case any of you were wondering. But I'm doing my best to work things out. And if I'm careful and considerate, things might turn out the way I hoped after all.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Home sweet... Job Corps?
Day 119--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So I'm finally back at Job Corps. And first thing I realized once I started unpacking is that some clothes were missing from the ones I left here. Some Sequim sweatpants, my football sweatshirt, double kneed carhartts, Mom's snowflake pj's she sent me a while back, and some assorted sports/ work out clothing. A little bummed but I'll have to live.
I'm almost kind of relieved to be back. At home I struggled to find a purpose to my life. Like there was nothing for me to want, need, or pursue. I moped around on the couch most of the time and I didn't get to see all the people I wanted to see which I'm a little disappointed but that's what happens when you can't drive legally. At least here at Job Corps, I don't have to find something to do to be busy. I just always have something that needs to be done, even if I'm at a constant high stress level. I need to find a median...
I must have been a pretty different person when I came home. Mom, her caregiver, and even my friends noticed a change. Whether it's good or bad I'm not sure. But hopefully I've brought a little bit of the home me back into my life to stay because for a minute there I almost completely lost myself. I don't like the person I become here; anxious, high strung, and pessimistic, just to name a few. I just keep prayin for a little bit more strength.
It was good to be home but it didn't really feel like my home anymore. I felt like I was staying as a guest in my mom's house. Everything is different. The house is remodeled, there are new hardwood floors, my room has new furniture, the chickens aren't even the ones I raised (all but one was eaten and mom got new ones). All these things are good changes. And I'm happy for Mom because I know that she's very excited about it. But it's different for me. Then again, I never really knew the house anyway. We'd moved in April, so I only lived there like 4 or 5 months before I came to Job Corps.
Not only the house, but my friends and even town itself is different. My stepsister Mikayla is living with her boyfriend, Ryan moved, Zach lives with Jeremy, Monica is back in Sequim while her husband, Nathan, is in texas doing Airforce stuff. There's a new Taco Bell, and Ross is comin in along with Bargain Market. They built all new buildings right downtown and they've added an entirely new apartment complex between 101 Diner and Walgreens. I was only gone 3 1/2 months! All different from the Sequim I called home...
So for now I kind of feel like I'm floating around, waiting for my place in this world to be known to me so I may feel right again. I guess that's what happens when you grow up. You can't really appreciate all the warmth and comfort and security your childhood brought until it's not there anymore. I wish that I could go back sometimes. Maybe to the second or third grade, when you're so busy enjoying living that you don't have time to worry if you're living the right way.
The last weekend before coming back to Job Corps, I decided to go visit Jamie in Ellensburg. I'd had enough playing house and I was anxious to be back with a friendly face (sorry Mom, I love you, but you don't count). The Greyhound sucked, I hate the city and the bus was an hour late. I was nervous because I'd never ridden Greayhound before and I've heard some bad stories, but I met some nice people from Tennesee and they helped me out and gave me some coaching. I ended up getting to Ellensburg with me and my bags in one piece.
So Jamie and I spent the last three days... well, doing pretty much nothing, but at least I was doing nothing with someone. I got Jamie a new sweatshirt and some Caterpillar keys for Christmas. Now before you ask or wonder, the answer is no, he didn't get me anything. I don't really mind because that's not what Christmas is about. Besides, I had a good amount of money and nothing really to spend it on, so I spent most of it on gifts for my friends and family.
We didn't do anything for the New Year, just stayed up watching movies and watched some fireworks from the window. I do have New Year's Resolutions though. It's to relax, believe in myself and others, and not worry about so much all the time. It seems I'm going to have to write it on my forehead and stick it to my back so people can remind me what they are. I've only been here a few hours and I'm already stressin' out. I have a hard time remembering that even if things don't turn out they way I carefully and painstakingly planned, it's not the end of the world and the sky will not fall. I'm always worried I'm going to bother the people around me because I'm such a pessimist, but maybe if I didn't worry about it so much, people wouldn't think I was pessimistic. Funny how a cycle like that is so easy to start, and so much harder to break. Good news is, they go hand in hand and if you get rid of one negetivity, you'll get rid of the other.
Anyway, Jamie and I made it on the bus to head back here at 1530 today and ironically, it was the shortest bus ride of my life. When you think about it, I wasn't leaving anything behind. My old life is already gone.
So I'm finally back at Job Corps. And first thing I realized once I started unpacking is that some clothes were missing from the ones I left here. Some Sequim sweatpants, my football sweatshirt, double kneed carhartts, Mom's snowflake pj's she sent me a while back, and some assorted sports/ work out clothing. A little bummed but I'll have to live.
I'm almost kind of relieved to be back. At home I struggled to find a purpose to my life. Like there was nothing for me to want, need, or pursue. I moped around on the couch most of the time and I didn't get to see all the people I wanted to see which I'm a little disappointed but that's what happens when you can't drive legally. At least here at Job Corps, I don't have to find something to do to be busy. I just always have something that needs to be done, even if I'm at a constant high stress level. I need to find a median...
I must have been a pretty different person when I came home. Mom, her caregiver, and even my friends noticed a change. Whether it's good or bad I'm not sure. But hopefully I've brought a little bit of the home me back into my life to stay because for a minute there I almost completely lost myself. I don't like the person I become here; anxious, high strung, and pessimistic, just to name a few. I just keep prayin for a little bit more strength.
It was good to be home but it didn't really feel like my home anymore. I felt like I was staying as a guest in my mom's house. Everything is different. The house is remodeled, there are new hardwood floors, my room has new furniture, the chickens aren't even the ones I raised (all but one was eaten and mom got new ones). All these things are good changes. And I'm happy for Mom because I know that she's very excited about it. But it's different for me. Then again, I never really knew the house anyway. We'd moved in April, so I only lived there like 4 or 5 months before I came to Job Corps.
Not only the house, but my friends and even town itself is different. My stepsister Mikayla is living with her boyfriend, Ryan moved, Zach lives with Jeremy, Monica is back in Sequim while her husband, Nathan, is in texas doing Airforce stuff. There's a new Taco Bell, and Ross is comin in along with Bargain Market. They built all new buildings right downtown and they've added an entirely new apartment complex between 101 Diner and Walgreens. I was only gone 3 1/2 months! All different from the Sequim I called home...
So for now I kind of feel like I'm floating around, waiting for my place in this world to be known to me so I may feel right again. I guess that's what happens when you grow up. You can't really appreciate all the warmth and comfort and security your childhood brought until it's not there anymore. I wish that I could go back sometimes. Maybe to the second or third grade, when you're so busy enjoying living that you don't have time to worry if you're living the right way.
The last weekend before coming back to Job Corps, I decided to go visit Jamie in Ellensburg. I'd had enough playing house and I was anxious to be back with a friendly face (sorry Mom, I love you, but you don't count). The Greyhound sucked, I hate the city and the bus was an hour late. I was nervous because I'd never ridden Greayhound before and I've heard some bad stories, but I met some nice people from Tennesee and they helped me out and gave me some coaching. I ended up getting to Ellensburg with me and my bags in one piece.
So Jamie and I spent the last three days... well, doing pretty much nothing, but at least I was doing nothing with someone. I got Jamie a new sweatshirt and some Caterpillar keys for Christmas. Now before you ask or wonder, the answer is no, he didn't get me anything. I don't really mind because that's not what Christmas is about. Besides, I had a good amount of money and nothing really to spend it on, so I spent most of it on gifts for my friends and family.
We didn't do anything for the New Year, just stayed up watching movies and watched some fireworks from the window. I do have New Year's Resolutions though. It's to relax, believe in myself and others, and not worry about so much all the time. It seems I'm going to have to write it on my forehead and stick it to my back so people can remind me what they are. I've only been here a few hours and I'm already stressin' out. I have a hard time remembering that even if things don't turn out they way I carefully and painstakingly planned, it's not the end of the world and the sky will not fall. I'm always worried I'm going to bother the people around me because I'm such a pessimist, but maybe if I didn't worry about it so much, people wouldn't think I was pessimistic. Funny how a cycle like that is so easy to start, and so much harder to break. Good news is, they go hand in hand and if you get rid of one negetivity, you'll get rid of the other.
Anyway, Jamie and I made it on the bus to head back here at 1530 today and ironically, it was the shortest bus ride of my life. When you think about it, I wasn't leaving anything behind. My old life is already gone.
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