After I survive this boring week, I may very seldom blog. Regardless, I will look back and be reminded of this summer, or simply be humored by my elementary level composition. This summer has been long, short, boring, and successful all at the same time.
States covered: Illinois (duh), Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Mississippi, Louisiana…
-->June 2 through June 17, I had the opportunity to go on a PDT, Professional Development Training, through the AFROTC program. Fellow cadets from my Detachment were traveling to places such as Germany, England, Japan, and South Korea. I wouldn’t get to leave the country for my adventure. Needless to say, my hopes were very low when I departed for Biloxi, Mississippi. The humidity immediately choked me as I stepped outside. Keesler Air Force Base would be my home for the next 15 days. ROTC cadets tend to cover every end of the personality spectrum. I was certain the cadets sharing this experience with me were going to be strange, to say the least. To my surprise, the majority weren’t nerdy or socially awkward. I enjoyed the company of genuine, hard working, and laid back cadets. They came from near and far including the University of Central Florida, Michigan Tech, Purdue, Embry Riddle, Westchester University, Angelo State, Virginia Military Institute, and Texas A&M.
Daily, I had the opportunity to shadow nurses and doctors at Keesler’s Medical Center. In labor/delivery I got to assist in delivering a baby. One day was spent watching surgeries in the OR. I thoroughly enjoyed my front row seat to a day in the life of a surgeon. The most interesting case I witnessed involved a right mastectomy, attachment of the mammary artery elsewhere, and finally, a replacement of the missing right breast with the patient’s own stomach fat. This surgery, although I was not present for its entirety, was approximately 10 hours long. While shadowing on the post surgery floor a couple days later, I got to see the same patients I had seen in the OR. I am so thankful for this opportunity to take a sneak peak into the medical profession. Many people will never get to enjoy such a unique experience.
Weekends and down time were spent playing sand volleyball, checking out the Marina, going to the beach, and even road tripping to New Orleans, better known as “N’awlins.” Most nights included dinner at the chow hall followed by a movie and cards in someone’s room. I treasure the time I got to spend in the humidity capital of the world, a.k.a. Biloxi, Mississippi. Not only did I learn what it felt like to be drenched in sweat from just stepping outside, I also learned to play Euchre like a champ. Midwest heat has nothing on the dirty south. I hope to run into my new friends somewhere down the road.
-->My 4th of July weekend was spent in good old Wisconsin. I had gone a month and a half without seeing the Brew Crew. Ha, somehow I survived?! This “family reunion” included a stop at Summerfest, DMB concert at Alpine Valley, Lake Geneva swimming and boating, rapist tubing, extreme spoons, and relaxation to the max. The first place trophy belongs to this weekend.
-->About 50% of my summer days were spent in P-town. Eileen, Amie, Carlos and I would see movies, go out to dinner, and/or drive around. We were living the life of a P-town gangsta, to say the least. One night following a great dinner at Jalapenos, we sat in Eileen’s car and chatted for hours. The outside temperature was close to 100 degrees. No one died of heat exhaustion because every 20 seconds Eileen had to drive to a new parking spot to maintain some air circulation. Umpteen degree weather plus a car full of chatty Cathys didn’t mesh well. If I wasn’t “driving around,” you could usually find me on Eileen’s back porch, enjoying the summer breeze and a Polar Pop. Without my softball glove in hand, I had more free time than I knew what to do with.
-->Oh the joys of family vacation. Due to my brothers’ hell week schedules, we were left with less vacation time than usual. The family, minus James, made a trip to Lake Erie on the Ohio/Michigan border. We hit up Cedar Point. I was impressed with my bravery, as I actually went on all of the “badass” rides. My only regret, which is always the case, was not keeping my eyes open. Parasailing, Cedar Point, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, and Comerica Park all made for a great getaway. I was reminded of how much I appreciated sleeping in my own room. The nightly serenation by snoring family members was not appreciated.
-->How could I have such an enjoyable weekend in Wisconsin without making a reappearance? An August weekend was spent familiarizing with small town Wisco life. The Brew Crew and I attended the Slinger Slamfest. The world’s fastest quarter mile track put on an excellent show. Events included the gauntlet, stunt shows, school bus races, figure 8's, team cruisers, trailer race, roller derby, chain race, and others. My next investment will be an old school bus. School bus figure eights…here I come!
-->After making two hauls up North, the crew decided to check out Peoria. A majority of their visit was spent in STL where we attended a Brewer vs. Cardinals game. I was outnumbered in the Cardinal’s stadium. There is nothing right about that. Post game we went to the University City Loop. Located just outside Washington University’s campus, this was major Hippieville. We explored rad shops, stared at goofy people, and even learned what urine cleanser would be most effective for our druggy lifestyles ;) Next time you’re in STL, be sure to eat at Blueberry Hill in the University City Loop! You won’t be disappointed.
Farewell Summer 2010. Relaxation switch will be turned off. Study switch…on.
