Put Put Champion of the World

First off, happy birthday to my mom. I think today is the first time I can remember not being home for her birthday. My family, in particular my mom, have truly become my best friends over the years. Mom your one of my closest friends and you are the first person I want to call when I find something out. I will never call you because I have dry hands or other weird reasons like a certain sister of mine has done though... but I do know that you are my biggest source of strength some days. I'm sorry that I couldn't talk to you longer than just a little bit this morning. But know that all day you were on my mind, even as I was frantically studying. I love you, momma.

Second off... hello there from glorious Fort Huachuca where it hasn't been so glorious. This week is basically hell week for 35M students. We are in our final days before IPT, Interrogation Performance Test. In essence, it's a horrible combination of the SAT, ACT, and the most important interview for the job you always wanted. It's nerve wracking and this week we have a couple of days to really practice what we need to work on before Friday.

On Friday, we will be on lock down as three different groups head into the booth. First booth, that's me, heads up to the school houst at about 6:15 AM. Until noon that day, we will not be able to talk to anyone but the detainee we are interrogating and we will silently write our reports. Then my group is released back to the company where we will sit silently, not discussing the iteration. The second group will head in at about 8:15 AM. And the third will head in at about 11:15.

Usually we find out the results of the iteration as soon as we have completed the interrogation, however lucky for us they will hold the scores until Monday so that we can freak out until that morning. However, as my sergreant put it... he will know and he can laugh as he pictures us freaking out... he's a friendly guy I tell ya...

Friday determines wether we continue on in the course. If we fail, we have one chance to redeem ourselves before we are recycled or have to start from square one.... all the way back to death by powerpoint. Something I wouldn't wish on anyone... however at least 5 people from each class (6 classes of 30 students each) is expected to not make it. That's 30 people gone just like that. This weekend will be spent preparing for the next iteration in case we failed... so we are on lock down again. But they might let us off for saturday night and sunday.

So, in preperation of a long and boring week of studying late into the wee hours of the night, I went put putting with a few people from my class. I am sad to report that while I talked the talk, even going as far as to say I was the put put champion of the world... I did not walk the walk. And I have suffered from it every single day. But it was nice to get away for a little bit from glorious Fort Huachuca.

I love you guys, and I'm sorry that I've been so busy this last week. Next week, hopefully I'll be able to write and tell you I passed and worried for nothing.

<3 me.