2008-2009: Michelle Austin

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