My bittersweet week

Tuesday morning at 07:30 we had our final fitness test. This was pass or fail and if we failed we were sent home and fired. Sounds harsh I know, but we have spent the last 12 weeks preparing for this event. I'm happy to report that we all passed and will graduate next week. The obstacle course was easier than ever and only took me a minute and 15 seconds, but it was the mile and a half that had my stomach in knots. I started out strong and prayed to God that I could keep up the pace I had set and he answered my prayers. I completed the run in 13 minutes and 5 seconds which is a personal best for me. I had never been more proud and happy. I crossed the finish line with a huge smile and of course the instructors thought I was losing it!

After the fitness test was our last exam that covered material that we have been learning over the last 12 weeks. Everyone was nervous and some people thought that they did a lot worse than they actually had. We all scored an 80% and above which meant that graduation from this program was a sure thing.

Wednesday I was in my own personal hell with all of the activities they had planned for us. There wasn't anything that we could fail so it took the pressure off of having to be perfect, but the physical requirements of the day were rough. I can't tell you on this blog the specifics, but I will gladly tell you all in person when I get home. We concluded the day with watery eyes and burning faces. Again another experience that will get lost in translation by reading it here. It's a much better story with a cocktail to enjoy!

Thursday was my last dinner with the Texan before he left.

Friday is the bittersweet part of the week. I woke up at 4 am to say good bye to my Texan and spend a short half an hour with him before the bus picked him up to head for the airport. It's never easy saying good bye to someone you are close to. Needless to say, I will miss him until we get to see each other again. So, after a hot shower and hitting my mental reset button, I was off to class. The sweet part of the day was packing up my books and notes so they could be mailed back to the office. It felt great to have an empty desk knowing that it was all over and that in 5 short weeks I will be home. Never in a million years did I think that I could do any of this. The mental and physical strength it took was sometimes overwhelming, but never did I want to give up. I amazed myself by never missing a day of training in any of the departments and keeping up with the boys even if it meant a few extra bruises at the end of the day.

Well, that's it for today. I hope all is well where you are and I will see you soon.

xoxo