2007-2008: Holly Black

Thanksgiving Break

Hey everyone,

I hope all my readers enjoyed their Thanksgiving!  I'm sorry I didn't get to post over break, but I kept pretty busy with friends, family, and some much needed sleep.

Going home and spending more than a weekend there was a culture shock in its own.  After being at Norwich, watching TV wasn't on my top list of priorities--nor was staying up late or using the computer.  I also didn't sleep in much.  During high school, I slept until mid-afternoon during school breaks.  The latest I slept all week as 10:00AM and I truly felt lazy when I did so.

However, my love for music is hard to deal with here as a rook.  As soon as I got in the car to go home I begged for the radio to be on.  I listened to music pretty much all week--in the car, while walking the dog, and the radio was on during the day echoing through the house.

On Monday I gave a presentation at my school about Norwich.  I don't come from a large "military output" town, so I only had a handful of students that were interested.  I did learn one thing though--I really do enjoy talking about this place.  I might not think about it all the time, but I do like it here.  Sure, the little things are annoying, but in the end it's all fun and good.  I am a true believer that Norwich is what you make of it.

That's about it.  The new countdown has begun:  Christmas break.  A month away from school to relax and unwind will be pretty sweet.  I can't wait for our Christmas tree, Christmas cookies, Christmas songs, and--just about everything about Christmas.

Until then--there are many papers to write, presentations to give, tests to take, miles to run, push-ups to do, and the cold weather has just begun.  Ahhhh, NORWICH!

Til next time,
Holly

Rookie Basic & Open House

Hi all,

We're coming down to the wire here at Norwich.  Everyone is getting anxious about going home.

Tuesday was a pleasant surprise as the Cadet Colonel gave us several privileges culminating the end of phase I of rookdom, Rookie Basic Training.  Now, we can begin Advanced Leadership Training, phase II.  The little things such as eating at ease and being able to walk off campus on Sundays make things a lot better.

Last week was spent doing a lot of studying, as I had 3 tests on Friday.  We had a Veteran's Day parade on Friday afternoon, which was really nice.  My hands were very cold though.  Sure enough, it is Vermont and the temperatures have been dipping a little bit lower each day.

Friday night/Saturday was the Corps of Cadets Open House.  I had a prospective student stay with me and then I gave a campus tour on Saturday.  This is part of what the group Maroon & Gold Key does, opens houses and tours.  It's a lot of fun because you get to meet some cool people and gives an opportunity to talk and be at ease.

Well, that's about it.  I'm pushing through until Friday when I can say goodbye to Norwich for a whole week.  I can't wait to see my family, celebrate my sister's birthday, and eat Thanksgiving dinner!

Until next time,
Holly

Navy/Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Hi all,

The last week wasn't too busy.  However, it was a good weekend.  Friday night the rooks had a bunch of competition events.  The Cadet Colonel said it was, "part of the end of rookie basic."  There is still a long way to go, but rookdom is progressing despite what the long days here make us feel.

Following the competition, our cadre said we were being motivating, so they actually joked around with us at dinner & then we got a privilege.  Thus, it was a pretty good night.

Saturday morning we had company PT and as an accident-prone individual, I fell outside of the fieldhouse after tripping on a rock.  My knee is still sore and I have a pretty good scab on it.  We had a marchdown for the last home football game of the season.  The rooks didn't have to do much at the game.  I'm assuming it was because it was cold.

The Navy/Marine Corps Birthday Ball was on Saturday night and it was fantastic.  The ceremony was really nice, the food was good, and of course--music.  That's one thing I hate about rookdom, no music.  My family will tell anyone that I'm always listening to music.  My mom complains that it's too loud, but I'm stubborn and tell her that it sounds better that way.

Anyway, the ceremony consisted of video messages from the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, a march on of the state flags, a cake cutting, a reinactment of the Marines posting of the American flag at Iwo Jima, a guest speaker, and NROTC Shock Platoon performance.

We're all getting a little antzy as we try to stay motivated for the next 11 days.  I enjoy most of my days here, but I really want to go home.  I want to sleep in my own bed, drive my car, and eat my mom's cooking.  Sodexho isn't bad, but it's not my mom's kitchen by any means.

Until next time,
Holly