2009-2010: Holly Black

Junior Ring & farewell

Hi everyone,

These last few weeks, especially the few days leading up to Junior Ring absolutely FLEW by.  Although I've waited nearly 3 years to get my class ring, the whole thing still seems surreal.  On Friday (April 23) before the ceremony, a couple of my rook buddies & I drove to Killington to meet the property manager for the house that we had rented for the weekend & to check the place out.  It was absolutely gorgeous!  We had a ton of bedrooms with just as many bathrooms, a hot tub, a beautiful view of Mt. Killington, a 2nd level deck for grilling, 2 kitchens, etc.  This made for a relaxing place to stay for the weekend, which has been much needed with all the stress that occurs at a semester’s end!

After that, we headed back to campus to get ready for the ceremony.  The juniors lined up on the side of the UP while the rest of the Corps marched on in honor of our class.  There were many friends and alumni on campus as well – including my Platoon Sergeant from freshman year who we designated to march us down to the ceremony.  Once at the ceremony, actually acquiring our rings was drawn out.  There was a guest speaker, dinner, coffee, a social period, and playing of our 2007 rook video.  Then, they brought forth the rings!  The rings come in a wooden box that has the receiving cadet’s name on it and company.  Inside are the ring(s), neck tabs for dress blues, and a challenge coin.

After the ceremony, company photos were taken and we headed back to the UP where the rest of the Corps and guests were awaiting our return.  My rook buddies & I did some push-ups with our PSG and everyone was snapping pictures.  Then it was time to change & head back to Killington!  Friday night was spent in the hot tub, playing cards, and intermittently staring at my hand.

Saturday morning we had a BBQ at the house and then headed back to campus to get ready for the ball.  There was a social hour before the ball and the juniors were lined up to go through the arc of swords.  The ball was a great time and flew by.  “Goodnight Saigon” was especially memorable for my rook buddies who were there.

After a night of dancing, my feet were hurting!  Thus, I jumped right in the hot tub when we got back to Killington.  The rest of the night was R&R and before we knew it—the weekend was over!  We made breakfast for all of us at the house and had a group clean-up before heading back to Norwich.

Since then?  I’ve had exams, finished my final project for Medical Ethics, had my last clinical of the semester...and now I am eager for final exams!

This summer I will be at Naval Air Station Jacksonville for the month of June working at the hospital there for my 1^st class MIDN training.  I am really excited about seeing Navy nursing in the works!

This has been a great year and I am looking forward to the next.  It is scary to think that I will be a college SENIOR!  Didn’t I just get here?  Next year I will serve as a Platoon Leader for freshmen and as a section head in the Naval Battalion.  Nursing will keep me busy as well and of course, I will need to start preparing for the NCLEX examination very soon.

Thank you to all of my readers, especially those who have followed me all 3 years that I have been on here.

Thank you to my Mom & Dad for being my biggest supporters.  Inside my Norwich field ring reads “GIVE IT HELL” which my Dad has been telling me all along.  I live by that each and every day.

To the class of 2013 (especially those of 09-3-2), you did a great job this year.  I am so happy that I had the opportunity to serve as SSG cadre.

To the future class of 2014 – I’ll see you in August!

Very respectfully,
Holly

 

Original Foxtrot Company - Class of 2011

Nursing juniors (minus one!)

 

At the Ball with the 09-3-2 freshmen girls
 
 

Navy FEX

Hi everyone,

Although I was dreading the Navy FEX last weekend, it turned out to be a pretty good time!  We did a lot better training than last year and the group of Mass Maritime students who acted as our group guides were awesome.  We left campus at 1600 on Friday and returned at 1600 on Sunday.  The worst part of the weekend was passing by my home exit on I-93 on the way down!  I called my parents and jokingly 'waved' at them.

While we were there, we slept on their training vessel, had PT on Saturday morning, did various stations all-day Saturday, had study hall, and woke up very early on Sunday morning to do the leadership reaction course and obstacle course at Camp Edwards.  I revisited my fear of heights at the obstacle course.  I have no problem rapelling, climbing, etc - with a harness, but without one?  That's a different story.  I was able to get up the obstacles, but coming down was an issue that took some coaxing from my peers to overcome.

The FEX left me with no down time for the weekend, so starting off the week with a day of clinical was pretty lousy.  I've been tired ever since!  I am also doing a make-up clinical tomorrow, which will make 3 days of clinical this week.

But it's okay..........because there are 8 days until Junior Ring Ceremony!!!

Until next time,
Holly

Where have I been?!

Hi all,

Okay....so I haven't written in a REALLY long time.  However, I HAVE NOOO IDEA WHERE TIME HAS GONE!  This has to be the fastest semester ever.  I have been so busy that I often forget what day of the week it is, etc.

Spring break came and went.  It was pretty awful though:  I had my wisdom teeth pulled and subsequently laid in bed all week.  I slept a lot and watched TV alongside ice packs.

I just finished my OB rotation and I will begin Mental Health/Psych on Monday.  I am excited.  While OB was great to experience, I am glad it is over & I know that I definitely don't want to be an OB nurse.

The freshmen had their culminating event this past week and got all of their privileges.  Congratulations, class of 2013!  You deserve it, but use your privileges - don't abuse them. =)

Junior Ring is quickly approaching.  I am home this weekend for Easter and I really need to buy a dress.  I am going shopping tonight, so hopefully I find one that I really like!  Dress shopping gets to be stressful.  Plus, because it's MY Junior Ring - I want it to be perfect!

That's about it!  I definitely need to get back on here sooner...

Until next time,
Holly

Ring try-ons

Hi everyone,

Last Wednesday/Thursday was very exciting for the juniors - we got to try on our rings that we will be getting 58 days from today!  It was a tease because of course, we had to give them back.  Now I'm really excited. =)

The weekend prior was Navy Dining In.  It was a great time with a lot of laughs, but unfortunately I felt very congested that night.  Actually, I felt like I got hit by a truck and ending up sleeping a lot afterwards.  Luckily, [knock on wood] I did not end up getting really sick.  The Command Master Chief from Norfolk was our guest speaker and, in my opinion, was the best we have had in my three years here.  He talked a lot about leadership and how to learn from senior enlisted.  He also has a great sense of humor and explained why he loves midshipmen so much.

I finished my pediatric rotation last week and began maternity clinical yesterday.  It was nice to be back at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.  However, I can already tell you that I do not want to be a labor & delivery nurse - but of course, I have to learn it.  As my dad would say "Different strokes for different folks."

It started snowing after PT this morning and now it's REALLY coming down.  We haven't seen snow in a long time, nor has there been really cold weather either [again, knock on wood].

This past weekend I went home for my great niece's christening.  It was nice to spend some time with family and of course, see the little one in her cute dress!  I felt bad because she was hungry and wanted a nap - but everyone wanted to take lots and lots of pictures. =)

Until next time,
Holly

February at the Wick

Hi everyone,

There was a question on my last blog as to what platoon I am with:  09-3-2.

It's been a while since I last posted and I apologize for that.  Time is flying, despite the fact that February always feels like the longest month at the Wick because A) it's cold and snowy and B) not much else goes on besides the weather.

Classes are going well.  I enjoy Medical Ethics because most of the class is discussion, rather than lecture.  It gets really old sitting in a classroom and listening to a professor talk, talk, talk - so it's a good change.

I am currently doing my Pediatrics rotation for nursing.  I really like the class and did well on the last exam.  However, I am really bummed that we have not had a lot of clinical experience thus far.  The first day of clinical was a complete disaster because paperwork/communication got lost somewhere between Fletcher Allen and the NU Nursing Department, so we pretty much wasted 1 of the 5 days we have there.  Day 2 was better, but a very slow one on the unit - so again, not much.  This past week clinical ended up being cancelled, so it will have to be made up at some point.  I hope the kinks get worked out before it is time to switch to the next rotation. 

The freshmen had a lot of fun yesterday on the ‘Green Mountain Experience.’  It is an annual ski/snowboard trip to Sugarbush, thus the barracks were really quiet.  I took the time to relax, get some work done, and do laundry.

Currently there is cadre training for the sophomores (corporals).  Similar to last year, it consists of two-week rotations shadowing First Sergeants, Platoon Sergeants, and Staff Sergeants.  I think it would be more beneficial to conduct this training earlier in the year when the freshmen are really locked on into Rookdom, but hey – it is still training.

The Officer Selection list came out last week and boards are being conducted this week to determine positions for next year’s seniors (myself included).  My board is on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, I will be getting my wisdom teeth pulled over Spring break.  I’m not looking forward to it, but they are starting to move and it is making my gums sore.

Junior Ring is 75 days away and ring try-ons are right around the corner!

That’s about it for now…

Until next time,
Holly

Snowy start

Back to the Wick...

We did not have much snow while I was home.  However, now I'm back in Vermont and we all know what this state does best:  snow!  It started snowing on Sunday night a couple of hours after I got back here, into yesterday, and now today.

I had my first class of the semester today, Medical Ethics.  Yesterday was the start for most students, but like I mentioned before, Monday/Wednesday/Friday is set aside for clinical rotations.

The fun begins!  Note:  53 days until Spring Break & 93 days until Junior Ring. =)

Until next time,
Holly

Another beginning

Hi everyone,

Finals went well and I certainly enjoyed spending time with my family for Christmas!  I finished the semester with a 3.35 GPA.  After the Med/Surg II final, I headed home to do lots and lots of cooking because we had 20+ guests at my house for the holiday.  We served dinner buffet-style and had turkey, prime rib, manicotti, and lots of sides.  For dessert, there were cookies and cakes.  There is nothing like a home-cooked meal. =)

Following the race to get ready for Christmas, it was time for a break.  But, as we know, breaks don't last for long.  Today UPS delivered my books for next semester, so I will soon be looking through them in preparation.  This coming semester is going to be a lot different:  3 separate clinical rotations!

I will be taking Medical Ethics, Mental Health (Psychiatric) Nursing, and Maternal-Child Nursing.  The two nursing-specific courses are split into 3 sections:  Psych, OB, and Pedi.  Each rotation (and course) will run for 5 weeks.  This will be A LOT of material crammed into small blocks of time.  It also means 3 different units at 2 different hospitals!

I am really excited to get a feel for the OB and Pedi fields, as at this point--I want to be a Family Nurse Practitioner someday.  And, with the addition of Nicolas Robert to the family, I can say that I love little ones!

It snowed a bit today.  We are having some people over for Chinese tonight to bring in the New Year.

GOODBYE 2009! =)

Until next time,
Holly

Aunt Holly & baby Nicolas (25 days old) ~ Christmas Day 2009

Reading Day

Hello,

My apologies for not updating this sooner, but I have been extremely busy with exams, preparing a presentation, and writing papers!  Today is Reading Day, a day set aside for studying prior to final exams which commence tomorrow morning.

This semester I have two finals:  Pathophysiology on Friday & Med/Surg II next Monday (Org. Psych was a final project due last week).  Luckily, a lot of the material overlaps for these exams that should help with studying because there is A LOT of material.

Other than that, not much has changed.  My platoon surprised us the other night by decorating our hallway and posting "stockings" on our doors with our names written in glitter glue.  They used boot socks to make them, so it was both creative and funny at the same time.

When I get home, it will be time to help cook!  We have so many people coming over for Christmas dinner that we are serving buffet-style.

I hope to write again before the year is out.  Otherwise, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Until next time,
Holly

Thanksgiving break

Hello,

Last week was Thanksgiving break, which was much needed.  However, as soon as I got home I had to write my Med/Surg paper that was due by midnight on Nov. 22nd!  After 25+ hours of work over a weekend, the paper was finished, submitted, and I proceeded to relax for the remainder of the week.

When I go home, I enjoy low-key activities such as walking my dogs and cooking with mom.  Being Thanksgiving, much time was spent making pies and cutting up vegetables.  Dinner on Thursday was delicious.  =)

Soon enough, it was time to head back to Norwich.  Soooo...here I am!  With less than 3 weeks until Christmas break, it is the typical crunch time in the semester.  I have a few papers left, a presentation, 2 finals, and a few other loose ends.

I am also pleased to announce that I am an aunt [again!]  My sister-in-law gave birth to a beautiful baby boy just a few hours ago!  We are waiting the final decision on a name, so until then:  Welcome, baby!

Until next time,
Holly

Rook Recognition

Hi everyone,

I planned on writing a blog last weekend, but it was difficult to write about pre-recognition events when I know that a lot of the freshmen (including my own) read what I post.

Anyhow, last weekend was reversed.  Typically, Saturday is a training day and Sunday is a day of rest (academic day).  Because of the impending recognition ceremony for the freshmen, Friday & Saturday were study days.

While the freshmen conducted study hall on Friday afternoon, 3rd Battalion staff had an OPORD brief to explain what the plan of the weekend would be.  We also got to ask a lot of questions about upcoming training for the freshmen & how the rest of the year should turn out.

Saturday was the last football marchdown of the year for the conference championship that Norwich won.  Congratulations to the football team!

Sunday started early.  At 0615, there was a Regimental room inspection for all of the freshmen & cadre staff.  At 1100, we stepped off for a 9.9K ruck march up Dole Hill, and administered a Rook Knowledge Test thereafter.  At this point, the freshmen were really pumped up and because of the "rumor mill," they thought Sunday night was recognition night.  Well, it wasn't - but we pretended!

Most cadre staffs had a "fake recognition" wherein we got each platoon on the wall in Super B uniform and gave speeches on how far they've come.  From there, we told them to go to bed.  Sure, it may sound cruel - but it was necessary to deter the rumors about when recognition ceremony would take place.

Recognition was, in fact, on Monday night.  When I returned from clinical, I went through my nightly routine of asking my freshmen how their days were and so on.  At 2155, while our Platoon Sergeant was conducting nightly passdown (letting the freshmen know what's going on the next day), Artillery fired the cannons and we quickly got the freshmen into Super B's for the ceremony.

Not to give too many details away, but we marched all the rooks down to Plumley Armory & the ceremony commenced from there.  Afterwards, we marched back to the barracks and gave them a speech about how far they've come & what needs to be accomplished now.  Now that the freshmen have learned how to follow, they can begin learning how to lead.

Because recognition was so early in the year, few privileges were awarded with their rank of Private.  They still have white nametags, so they're not upperclassmen yet!  In the words of our Battalion Commander:  "It only gets harder from here."  The real test has yet to come.

So for that, congratulations on your acceptance into the Corps of Cadets - Class of 2013.

As for me?  Being in the cadre role of the recognition ceremony was nothing like what I expected it to be.  I actually got kind of nervous.  I felt really proud to be changing the rank on my squad's uniforms.  That's a once in a lifetime experience I am glad I got to take part in.

That's it for now!  It's Thursday & as I said before, I do not have any classes on Friday.  That means Thanksgiving break starts today for me!  I'm headed home.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Until next time,
Holly