~Mushroom Hunting~
Recently, I RSVP'd that I'd be there to walk across the stage at my own graduation. It was then that I learned that graduation is on the week of the 13th of May. That's when it hit me. Wow. I graduate in a month and a half. In a little over six weeks, I'll be done with college. Somehow, I remember there being a lot more fanfare surrounding this when I was a senior in high school. Then again, I cruised through my senior year of high school. I felt like I was on autopilot most of the time.
That's kind of what's happening now. I don't really care about my classes or what grades I make so long as I pass. I still do the work though, so it's not completely full-blown senioritis. However, I do find that I'm enjoying myself a lot more. I'm excited to graduate. I'm ready to go and get out of here already.
In Navy news, I found out that I don't qualify for the Nuclear program. It turns out that I needed to take a year of advanced physics here at UTD before I would have qualified. I thought my AP credit would suffice, but apparently not. This is the first time I've ever heard of AP credit actually hindering me instead of helping me. Oh well. It's probably for the best. I'm three years removed from Multivariable Calculus and four years removed from Calculus-based Physics. The interviewers at DC probably would have eaten me alive.
That leaves three options for me to apply for: Aviation, Surface Warfare, and Intelligence. Any of those three postings would be awesome, so it's really up to me as far as how I do on the ASTB. I ordered two study books off of amazon.com to prepare for the exam; they should get here any day now and I can start preparing for this thing in earnest. Verbal and Math I'm not too concerned about, it's the sections that actually have to do with Aviation and Nautical information that are worrying me to no end. However, one of the study books devotes a section to that sort of information. I just need to learn it, memorize it, and love it.
My physical preparations are coming along nicely. I've been following a workout plan by an ex-Navy SEAL that's supposed to bust my ass from pathetic to outstanding physical fitness in eight weeks. After three days of this, my body's ready to capitulate. I've done 200 pushups, 150 situps, 300 squats, and more jumping jacks than I care to count. I've also swimmed 1000 meters and ran 2.5 miles. However, despite being massively sore all over, I feel great. All those pushups and situps have basically shocked my body back into the shape it was in last spring semester. I still have a long way to go before I can run with the SEALs, but I feel like I'm getting there. I'm just glad today's a day off. Phew.
Working my way through the application, I came across the entry field for "date available to report to officer training." I got held up here. I've been kicking around dates in my head. Should I leave in August? August 1st? 15th? 30th? Should I leave earlier than that so I can salvage what I can of the summer sun for training in Rhode Island? But I should still leave enough time for me to get around and take care of my business and affairs before I leave, as well as saying goodbye to everyone. Not goodbye. See you later.
I'll think about it some more.
That's kind of what's happening now. I don't really care about my classes or what grades I make so long as I pass. I still do the work though, so it's not completely full-blown senioritis. However, I do find that I'm enjoying myself a lot more. I'm excited to graduate. I'm ready to go and get out of here already.
In Navy news, I found out that I don't qualify for the Nuclear program. It turns out that I needed to take a year of advanced physics here at UTD before I would have qualified. I thought my AP credit would suffice, but apparently not. This is the first time I've ever heard of AP credit actually hindering me instead of helping me. Oh well. It's probably for the best. I'm three years removed from Multivariable Calculus and four years removed from Calculus-based Physics. The interviewers at DC probably would have eaten me alive.
That leaves three options for me to apply for: Aviation, Surface Warfare, and Intelligence. Any of those three postings would be awesome, so it's really up to me as far as how I do on the ASTB. I ordered two study books off of amazon.com to prepare for the exam; they should get here any day now and I can start preparing for this thing in earnest. Verbal and Math I'm not too concerned about, it's the sections that actually have to do with Aviation and Nautical information that are worrying me to no end. However, one of the study books devotes a section to that sort of information. I just need to learn it, memorize it, and love it.
My physical preparations are coming along nicely. I've been following a workout plan by an ex-Navy SEAL that's supposed to bust my ass from pathetic to outstanding physical fitness in eight weeks. After three days of this, my body's ready to capitulate. I've done 200 pushups, 150 situps, 300 squats, and more jumping jacks than I care to count. I've also swimmed 1000 meters and ran 2.5 miles. However, despite being massively sore all over, I feel great. All those pushups and situps have basically shocked my body back into the shape it was in last spring semester. I still have a long way to go before I can run with the SEALs, but I feel like I'm getting there. I'm just glad today's a day off. Phew.
Working my way through the application, I came across the entry field for "date available to report to officer training." I got held up here. I've been kicking around dates in my head. Should I leave in August? August 1st? 15th? 30th? Should I leave earlier than that so I can salvage what I can of the summer sun for training in Rhode Island? But I should still leave enough time for me to get around and take care of my business and affairs before I leave, as well as saying goodbye to everyone. Not goodbye. See you later.
I'll think about it some more.