2008-2009: Michelle Austin

I know, it has been forever!

I feel really bad because I haven't posted anything since before spring break. Things have been super hectic around campus because of junior ring, and finals, and the infamous drill team tab.

Spring Break was relaxing. I just worked on the homework my teacher gave me when I was in the airport for 16 hours and spent time with my family. Although now that its been almost 5 weeks into the second half, I am starting to miss home for once.

Once we got back I knew that it was going to be a challenging few weeks. But in the end I can say that I am apart of the Norwich University Drill Team. It was an amazing feeling. Not to long ago, my rook cousins from band and cavalry got their liars and sabers as well. Provisional Battalion feels complete now. And that, it awesome.

After everything settled down and we got into our own routines after recognition, alot of my time was focused on my school work. I get really lazy this time of year because i just want it to be summer time and go to CORTRAMID for the Navy! But my work has been piling up and I am glad my grades are still doing well.

It is so nice being recognized let me tell you! Getting to hang out with other people and eat whenever I want feels awesome. I feel....oh whats the word....NORMAL.

I have the rest of my issue for CORTRAMID and I leave May 28th to Norfolk and won't be back until June 27th. But its with the Navy....how can I NOT be excited?!

Other than that things are going well here. Junior Ring Weekend starts today and I am proud of all my cadre that are getting their rings. They have worked hard...along with all the other juniors getting their rings. I can't wait to get mine. It will be so so awesome. Then the dance is tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited for that! I just wanna dance. No joke.

Anyways, off to my Calc class. Next year I have Calc 2. That is going to be rough, but my schedule next year sucks so it wouldn't be far off from the rest of my classes.

Peace out!

So alot has happened....

I know its been forever since I posted and I apologize but so much has happened! I don't know where to begin.

How about me being sick for 2 weeks. I went to the infirmary and it was getting ridiculous. Even my Drill Sgt thought I was dying. After staying overnight in the infirmary I didn'tfeel any better. My SSGT was kind of fed up with me being sick so he took me to the hospital. I considered him my savior that night. I went to the hospital with my rook brother because he was really sick too. Turns out I had an extremely bad sinus infection. And I wouldn't have been as bad if I had the right antibiotics. But besides that...I also found out I had a cracked rib. OH GREAT. Needless to say, I got the right medication and I am feeling much better....except for my rib.

Which brings me to my next story. Last weekend was kind of sketchy but we all knew it was coming. Saturday was an academic day. Okay...we have done that before...but Sunday we got woken up at 0630 to banging and screaming to get in Boots and Utes. We get outside and boom everyone is out there. IT WAS HAPPENING! Recognition! HOLY COW! AHH! I couldn't run with the regiment which sucked so me and my other rook sister went back and waited. They came back and all of a sudden we had to choose a guide (leader) and it was my rook brother Butler. He came back and the Regiment had given us a mission. To clear the middle section of the UP of snow. Ok it didn't seem that bad. We had 400 kids and 5 hours. Well I was feeling good so were taking trashcans and everything else we can find to get this snow off of the UP. Knowing my dumb luck, I slipped and fell on my side and I needed help up. The medic came over and it was hurting to breathe. We came to the conclusion I cracked my rib further so I was out for the count an hour into clearing the snow. Regardless we finished the mission and we got dressed into out Super Winter B's and we got yelled out by the CSM's and then ate chow. We got back to the barrack and at 2000 we were told to get into out B's and get outside. This was it! We formed up outside and waited. The drum started playing and it was a slow cadence as we marched to Plumley. We marched down there and we enter and it was dark with all our upperclassman on the track. It was remarkable. They make the speech and we did some push ups. Although my side was hurting so badly, I did them anyways. It was my recognition, nothing was stopping me. Next thing I know, my Drill Sgt is taking off my Recruit ranks (he took my cardboard though =() and my staff Sgt and my other ssgt put my Private ranks on and shook my hand. It was....indescribable. Awesome to say the least. Out chain of command came up to use and told us congrats and we were Cadets. I AM A CADET! After 196 days I finally made it. 2012 got recognized!

We got back to the barracks and screamed  in the hallways, played our music loud and just had a good time hanging out with everyone.  I went to bed early though...I still had classes!

My midterms were alright. All A's and C. Now I finally made it to spring break. February wasn't that bad. But we made it this far. Im just excited I can use my shoulder strap on my bag now and talk outside and cross the UP and be a person!

But right now I am on stand-by for going home. I've been at the airport since 1300 and it is now 2323. I still have 7 more hours till I leave. My side hurts alot so I can't sleep =(

Did I mention I can wear civi clothes on deck after the flag goes down? EVEN BETTER!

Anyways, going to try to get some shut eye. Have a safe break Norwich!

Happy Belated Birthday Kim!

Rookie Plague!!!! Tulane? Oh and 3.5 more weeks

I know the title seems like there is a lot going on but truth be told...there is.

A huge epidemic broke out at Norwich. Sickness wise. We have pink eye, the flu, and bronchitis going around. Me being so luck...I caught bronchitis. Needless to say...I don't feel very good. Although I finally mustered up the courage to get a pink sleep, I can't stop going to classes or anything. I still go to formation and but I can sleep through PT. Having this sickness sucks...so drink your OJ and take multivitamins.

But other than the whole "Norwich is sick" thing, our shock platoon, however, left for Tulane University today. If you don;t know where that is...it in Louisiana, during Mardi Gras. 6 of my rook brothers got to go with shock platoon to person. And I am so proud of them. I wish I could go though! I know they are going to do amazing and they will bring home to trophy.

The weeks are flying by...its hard to believe that it already Wednesday. It is kinda nice. I keep remembering those first days when I got here and I never thought I would make it this far. It is crazy to think I couldn't use pronouns or walk normally outside. But now, I'm at ease in the chow hall, I can walk around normally. Its amazing at the progress we've all made. Its crazy to think were going to become apart of the Corps of Cadets in less than 60 days!

Anyways, Off to my math class...

~Michelle

GOOD LUCK SHOCK PLATOON!

Week 5 down, 3 to go....and Rookie Depression

So I just finished up my 5th week here out of the long,grueling 8 until spring break. Things have been going alright but 19 credits are starting to wear on me. I know I'll get through it but I always keep getting doubts in the back of my head. There is a thing here called "Rookie Depression" and its basically that time of year where its cold, snowy, and it feel miserable all the time. So some of us feel a little down. Hopefully I'll bounce back.

Candidacy is going alright. Were in the middle of learning the routine and its tough but We just need to pull together and make it work.

I seem to get tired a lot faster and a lot easier. I just wish I could sleep in for one day....oh how great that would be. TO sleep.

There are about 60 days until Junior Ring Ceremony. Which mean less than 60 days, the class of 2012 will finally be recognized. Holy Cow.

I've been in a slew of bad days recently and I don't like it very much. I hate feeling this way but I'm so tired and overwhelmed with school that I can't find happiness right now. Hopefully the weekend will help if things go right.

21 days until Spring Break!

<3 my family lots and lots. Thank you for the support =)

~Michelle

Almost half way done?!

Were almost halfway through till spring break that's crazy!

Things have been awesome here as of late. Last weekend rocked with our Green Mountain Experience. Basically, we all got to go skiing for free for the day! I really love skiing now ha ha.

Things have just been flowing pretty smoothly now. Instead of corporal cadre, we moved to recruit cadre so now my rook brothers and sisters are going to be in charge.

This weekend Im doing the Penguin Plunge. Its gonna be so cold but Im really excited! Then we have Navy Mess night that night after it.

February is going to be so busy gah I love it!

Ill fill you guys in on how my weekend goes!

Sorry its short but I've been super busy.

Happy Birthday RCT Cuervo!

~Michelle

2 weeks down, 6 to go.

It seems like this semester is flying by.  And I love it. Were already down to double digits for Junior Ring Ceremony! And there are less than 40 days until spring break! SO awesome.

Last week was pretty easygoing. Just the normal routine. The weekend was interesting though. We did so much PT on Saturday morning. And instead of dreading it like I usually do, it was actually kind of fun. After that we did cold weather training and I got to go inside a snow igloo. It was pretty cool to learn how to make one of those. After Chow we went ice skating and that was just so funny watching people who couldn't ice skate. It was just fun overall. Then we watched a movie in the barracks.

My classes are going well but I see to be having trouble with testing. I should go talk to my professors about that....

I am planning on taking summer classes to get some credits out of the way so I wont be so overloaded next year.

I know this is short but I have to go to American Politics!

<3 Michelle

Walking in a Winter Norwichland

Hello all. As many of you may or may not know. Last week was super super cold. I never went above 15 degrees I don't think. We hit a low of -29 degrees. I've never felt that before. Needless to say it wasn't fun. Being sick all week hasn't helped either. The first week back went by very smoothly though which is always a plus side to everything.

This upcoming week is very exciting however. We're in the 20's all week! Thats so nice! And part of me is surprised that I can think below freezing is deemed "nice" weather. Although...it was been snowing since Saturday night. Were suppose to get quite alot of snow this next few days. Ha yayyyy....ehhh. But seriously. There's alot of snow here.

My classes are pretty sweet. I have EN102, American Politics, Calculus I, Naval Science, and French. I manged to get ahead on my HW so my days here are pretty easy going with the homework aspect. I can take my time doing it rather than rushing through my HW. Lets hope I can keep it up.

We now have Corporal Cadre. They are in training to be cadre for next year. I like the concept but it seems weird that these strangers are now experiencing how we were taught and they get to lead us rather than our cadre. In a sense I like it and in the other sense I don't. Its just something we all have to get use to.

But this week should be normal. However, on Tuesday we are getting a new president of the United States. Its odd. This is the first president I will remember because I didn't know much about politics when Bush was president until the end of his term. It will be a hard adjustment for me because big changed in leadership like that scare me. I hope he does a good job. He is my new boss after all. When I graduate college, he will be my Commander in Chief or a new guy will. Who knows.

And with that, I have to get ready for chow =)

Peace out ~Michelle

Back in town and snow is all around

I figured rhyming a bit could start things off =D. Anyways. Im back at Norwich and it seemed like I never left the place once I cleaned my room and unpacked. It was a good and much needed vacation. But somehow I feel like I've been put into a setback. At first I was really.....really lazy. But then classes started up and I was okay again. My classes are good so far. Very happy with the times. I like the new change. Eating breakfast seems to keep me very alert. But heres how my break went:

I flew home and spent the whole first week visiting people and saying hello. I went to my JROTC unit (ANNAPOLIS!) and inspected them with one of m rook brothers. It was fun to talk about my school. Lets me focus on the great things about this place. Once the first week ended, I started up work again. I worked for only 2 weeks and made about $400 which is decent cash in my pocket. I worked mornings and it was so much fun to see everyone at work again. However, the sad part about work is that they had to let me go due to the economic crisis and whatnot. It was sad. Ive worked there for 2 years then POOF...Im gone. But other than working I spent alot of the time just hanging out and catching up with my friends. Nothing too crazy. It was relaxing.

I managed to mess up my knee while I was running. Lets hope it stays better and I don't re-injure it =/

I think the best experience was coming back to Norwich...not the train ride or anything )because that got boring), but the train dropped us off behind Norwich. Needless to say there was about 500 yards and 2 feet of snow in our way. So were in our Tunics trekking through the snow at 9 at night going back to our barracks. I got to my room and couldn't feel my hands and my shoulder was killing me. We had our luggage as well. Mine was about 80lbs probably. Good exercise to say "Welcome back". It was nice seeing everyone again. Except for my roommate. I don't see her until Tuesday =( We only had one not return....

Im taking 19 credits this semester and between French and Calculus I, I hope I can manage it even with candidacy. I can do it...Im over half way done. 95 more day...max. Candidacy is the same. This semester there will be big changes and I couldn't be more excited. Recognition only seemed like a dream until now.

Anyways, it was nice to see my family and my Christmas was awesome. New Years was really fun too. Now its the final push to the end. I didn't come this far to not get my tab or get recognized. It'll be worth it.

Over break I seemed to have a new thought about everything. Like, Optimistically wise. And it feels awesome.

I am also become more random =D

Got to go to chow. Much love!

~Michelle

Winter Break....so....close....

Ok so this is my second time writing this because the website I type it on like to delete things for fun.

And I don't feel like typing it all out again. So here are key point that were made.

1) Its really cold here...and its only going to get worse. ::shakes head and begins to cry::

2) Finals week = Boring, I get to sleep in, PT, and ONE exam....

3) Yay I get to go home! After being here for like 3 weeks if that....

4) Im gonna go home and work and hangout with my friends. oh....and PT of course

That was about it.

Have a good holiday Drill Co. and the rest of the regiment!

Happy Birthday to my Grandma!!!!

Happy Birthday to my buddy Ian!!!!

Spring 2009....bring it on!

Back at the Wick....and yet....I'm okay with it.

Well Im back and im actually happier than I was when I was home. Sorry Marylanders...

So Thanksgiving Break:

I managed to get pink eye.

Barley saw my friends.

I worked about 25 hours but I didn't mind it. Working on Thanksgiving was actually fun to me. Busy, but fun.

Thanksgiving was good though. Good food, great seeing my family too.

I took a train back a day early on Saturday. 13 hours. You would think that it would suck marjory but honestly, it was nice. I saw one of my rook brothers and we hung out. But I mainly watched "Two and a half men" and played the Sims. I did my french paper too. It was cool to go through all the cities and talk to my friends though. I got back and knowing Drill Co, there were already like 6 of them back ha. We all got in around 7, the kids on the train go tin around 9. We all walked to the Subway in town and got dinner. Then we headed back and watched movies for a bit. Sunday we all woke up early and got breakfast in town which was really good. Then waited for everyone else to show up. For some reason I was super happy when everyone came back. These people are my best friends/family. Of course Im happy to see them.

And now were here....on Monday....I had morning calls and didn't mind it. I feel so much more relaxed than I was before break. This is my life style, im use to it by now. Im okay with it. Only what...2 more weeks till I leave again

Even then im not going straight home....im visiting a friend at RIT. Anyways, I woke up awakeand alert, PTed, feels good to be back.

Did I mention Im allowed out of the gutter and look around outside? and even eat at ease!?! No more rook covers. I.....I can even use pronouns. ME WE SHE HE US I. mwhahahah. I love it.

Im gonna go get coffee with my nice new mug I brought from home.

~Michelle

PS...I told you guys that we pwned at Cornell right? First place overall. Freshman color guard came in first overall for CG. Hollerrrrrr

DRILL CO!

 Me at work on Thanksgiving :)