August 20, 2006, Sunday:
The Hotel:
Today is the day I go to the hotel for MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). Holy ****! I am scared to death. I have to do this though . . .for my country, for myself, for our future, for a lot of reasons. I have been a little bothered because Sgt. P [I have a new recruiter because I am going Active instead of Guards] was trying to get me to do things to loose a few extra pounds before going to MEPS. Anyway, I read this morning, we ate at Denny's after we walked and came home for a few hours to relax. I rechecked my bag and showered. I am so scared, but I WILL DO THIS! I cannot fail, I will not fail, for me or Mike! Well, I am going to check my email and go to the hotel. I'll tell you about it all on Monday. Wish me luck, courage and strength:)
continued . . .
Okay, so Mike and I left, went to Walgreens to get me an indulgence bar for dinner. Then we headed to Indianapolis, the Hilton on Shadeland. Anyway, we get down there and I asked Mike to wait in the lobby because I wanted to check in by myself. [This may sound stupid, but to me it meant a lot because I usually hide behind my husband when it comes to dealing with other people, in uncomfortable situations]. I went up to Room 254 Washington Suite and knocked on the door. A black man answered the door and I sat in a very plush leather chair in front of his desk as he signed me in, then another recruit walked in (Army Reserve) and check in. After he checked in the ex-Navy MEPS employee briefed us on rules and then I went and dropped my bag off in my room and chose my bed (far from door and by the window). I then went down and walked around with Mike. We walked down and sat on a chaise and talked for a few. We then went into the fitness center and dis some upper body exercises, then we were walking upto the front desk and I heard Sgt. B. [my old recruiters voice]. We did a quick turn to avoid him, not because of any reason than awkwardness, he was a good recruiter, but he doesn't work with Active Army. Mike went up to the front desk to get a paper & Pen and we sat by the phones and wrote out the duty stations we wanted in case I needed it tomorrow. Then he hugged me goodbye and I just wanted to cry. This is the first time in 5 years that I am leaving him and staying somewhere else [other than when we got married]. I was already missing him and scared.
I went upto my room and he left. I changed into my swimsuit and went down to swim. I swam for 30 minutes and relaxed for about 5 min. I then went up to my room and did my neck exercises and showered. There was not really hot water, but oh well. I then ironed my shirt because it was wet from my swimsuit and I needed to dry it. I then watched the last of 50 First Dates (Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore), did 4 push-ups, walked the hotel, and then went into the MEPS Suite and watched Along Came Polly (Jennifer Aniston & Ben Stiller) with 2 re-enlisting recruits. I asked them if they were shipping Monday and both were. The one was an ex-marine (11B-Infantry) re-enlisting Active Army as (13F-Fire Support, E-5 Ran) has a 10 yr. old and a 6 yr. old daughters. He was really cool. The other was a 2 year National Guardsman (11B-Infantry) changing to Active Army with the same MOS.
After some talking and getting more information from them, we had our 9:00pm meeting and then I went to my room. I was told just 2 minutes ago that I was the only girl going to MEPS and while I am changing in the bathroom someone is trying to come into my room. I have to hurry and get dressed to unlock the latch. I apologized for it being locked and explained that I was just told there were no other girls on the floor. She apologized for coming in so late and that she was suppose to be here sooner and they must have assumed she was a no show.
My roommates name was Amanda, MOS-Supplies, BCT (Basic Combat Training) Ft. Jackson, SC, AIT (Advanced Individual Training) Ft. Lee, VA, 21 yrs. old, divorced. [You'll start to notice a pattern here: whenever you encounter someone in the military you get the basics-Name, Rank, Branch, MOS. Anything beyond that is just extra information] . Anyway, Amanda ships tomorrow. We talked about everything military. She was suppose to ship last Friday, but has strep throat. I cannot believe how relaxed she is. I would be more nervous shipping than I am just doing the physical/enlistment. I don't know, maybe she is just tired from being sick.
I tried to fall asleep at 10:30pm. I really never fell asleep, it was more like a nap where your falling asleep, but you are still aware of things around you. The room never really cooled down. I set it on High (the AC) and it felt like 70 the whole time. ARGH!!! At 2:55am I just laid there staring at the clock. The alarm went off at 3:23am, I hit every button possible to stop it. Then it went off again about 3:45am. I decided to get in the shower. The water was warmer this morning. I then got dressed and packed and was ready by 4:10am. [At least I am use to getting showered and ready within 25 minutes:)]. I sat on the floor and did quiet stretches as Amanda was still asleep. I tried meditating and preparing for the day mentally!
To Be Continued . . .
The Hotel:
Today is the day I go to the hotel for MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). Holy ****! I am scared to death. I have to do this though . . .for my country, for myself, for our future, for a lot of reasons. I have been a little bothered because Sgt. P [I have a new recruiter because I am going Active instead of Guards] was trying to get me to do things to loose a few extra pounds before going to MEPS. Anyway, I read this morning, we ate at Denny's after we walked and came home for a few hours to relax. I rechecked my bag and showered. I am so scared, but I WILL DO THIS! I cannot fail, I will not fail, for me or Mike! Well, I am going to check my email and go to the hotel. I'll tell you about it all on Monday. Wish me luck, courage and strength:)
continued . . .
Okay, so Mike and I left, went to Walgreens to get me an indulgence bar for dinner. Then we headed to Indianapolis, the Hilton on Shadeland. Anyway, we get down there and I asked Mike to wait in the lobby because I wanted to check in by myself. [This may sound stupid, but to me it meant a lot because I usually hide behind my husband when it comes to dealing with other people, in uncomfortable situations]. I went up to Room 254 Washington Suite and knocked on the door. A black man answered the door and I sat in a very plush leather chair in front of his desk as he signed me in, then another recruit walked in (Army Reserve) and check in. After he checked in the ex-Navy MEPS employee briefed us on rules and then I went and dropped my bag off in my room and chose my bed (far from door and by the window). I then went down and walked around with Mike. We walked down and sat on a chaise and talked for a few. We then went into the fitness center and dis some upper body exercises, then we were walking upto the front desk and I heard Sgt. B. [my old recruiters voice]. We did a quick turn to avoid him, not because of any reason than awkwardness, he was a good recruiter, but he doesn't work with Active Army. Mike went up to the front desk to get a paper & Pen and we sat by the phones and wrote out the duty stations we wanted in case I needed it tomorrow. Then he hugged me goodbye and I just wanted to cry. This is the first time in 5 years that I am leaving him and staying somewhere else [other than when we got married]. I was already missing him and scared.
I went upto my room and he left. I changed into my swimsuit and went down to swim. I swam for 30 minutes and relaxed for about 5 min. I then went up to my room and did my neck exercises and showered. There was not really hot water, but oh well. I then ironed my shirt because it was wet from my swimsuit and I needed to dry it. I then watched the last of 50 First Dates (Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore), did 4 push-ups, walked the hotel, and then went into the MEPS Suite and watched Along Came Polly (Jennifer Aniston & Ben Stiller) with 2 re-enlisting recruits. I asked them if they were shipping Monday and both were. The one was an ex-marine (11B-Infantry) re-enlisting Active Army as (13F-Fire Support, E-5 Ran) has a 10 yr. old and a 6 yr. old daughters. He was really cool. The other was a 2 year National Guardsman (11B-Infantry) changing to Active Army with the same MOS.
After some talking and getting more information from them, we had our 9:00pm meeting and then I went to my room. I was told just 2 minutes ago that I was the only girl going to MEPS and while I am changing in the bathroom someone is trying to come into my room. I have to hurry and get dressed to unlock the latch. I apologized for it being locked and explained that I was just told there were no other girls on the floor. She apologized for coming in so late and that she was suppose to be here sooner and they must have assumed she was a no show.
My roommates name was Amanda, MOS-Supplies, BCT (Basic Combat Training) Ft. Jackson, SC, AIT (Advanced Individual Training) Ft. Lee, VA, 21 yrs. old, divorced. [You'll start to notice a pattern here: whenever you encounter someone in the military you get the basics-Name, Rank, Branch, MOS. Anything beyond that is just extra information] . Anyway, Amanda ships tomorrow. We talked about everything military. She was suppose to ship last Friday, but has strep throat. I cannot believe how relaxed she is. I would be more nervous shipping than I am just doing the physical/enlistment. I don't know, maybe she is just tired from being sick.
I tried to fall asleep at 10:30pm. I really never fell asleep, it was more like a nap where your falling asleep, but you are still aware of things around you. The room never really cooled down. I set it on High (the AC) and it felt like 70 the whole time. ARGH!!! At 2:55am I just laid there staring at the clock. The alarm went off at 3:23am, I hit every button possible to stop it. Then it went off again about 3:45am. I decided to get in the shower. The water was warmer this morning. I then got dressed and packed and was ready by 4:10am. [At least I am use to getting showered and ready within 25 minutes:)]. I sat on the floor and did quiet stretches as Amanda was still asleep. I tried meditating and preparing for the day mentally!
To Be Continued . . .
posted by Laura | 7:37 AM
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