conquering hills

So, I'm half way done with week 3 training of my half marathon training plan. Let me say that this week's runs have been all hills! I truly hate hills, partial inclines or anything that more than flat! However, I can tell I'm getting faster each time and the smaller hills which I thought were mountains are becoming small inclines to me. I'm not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing.

I will also say that if you are avid runner here at West Point, you will be able to leave from here as an accomplished hill runner because everything is a giant hill here!

I'm really excited that I joined Knight Runners. Meeting these great ladies each morning motivates me to get up out of bed. I really hate hearing my alarm go off at 0500 each morning, but I know I'm doing something good for my body.

I am definately getting the run part of my fitness and health down, but I have not figured out all the other components.

I want to be able to lift at least 3 times a week in order to drop more body fat. I also have yet to spend some serious time on my piano or learn on my new guitar! My poor guitar sits in the corner and it calls to me.

Hopefully before the school year ends I'll be able to rock out! I also hope to be able to speak some basic spanish sentences as well. I hired a house keeper who comes in every other week. She is amazing and cleans my house so well! The only issue is, I can't communicate with her because I can't speak spanish. I keep telling myself I need to learn. I am hoping now that I really need to know it might motiviate me into actually spending time.

The days at work are decent and every day is something new. The school year hasn't even started but I can't wait!

West Point fortification tour

Today I had the opportunity to tour West Point from the historical stand point. The department of History at USMA provided the tour guides. Our journey began this morning on a boat off of the Hudson River. We traveled across the river to Constitution Island.

The tour was given in chronlogical order and the events of history were covered in detail. It was nice to hear how West Point came about and why was the more important question.

Each stop during the tour explained a portion of what events and actions that took place that included the famouse traitor of all times, Benedict Arnold.

The tour took us all over the island and the main portion of West Point as well. The hisotrical lesson was well worth the time!

I also have to point out the weather was perfect! Bright, sunny, warm with a nice breeze!

The tour lasted longer than I anticipated but the information was worth listening to.

A quick lesson in history but a lot of great information for this public affairs officer!

Figuring out the dogs' schedule

So, since moving here to West Point, the dogs have been really bad. For some reason they think the kitchen and back porch is their bathroom playground! I think they are doing this to spite us and are mad at us from moving them from their dream playland in Austin.

These dogs are driving me crazy! So I'm hoping that if I add a quick walk in the morning and a long walk in the evening, they will stop being so silly! They whine all day long because for their punishment of thinking the kitchen is their waste playground; they are now in their kennels all day long. I hate the fact they are in them, but I don't know what else to do!

Besides having these great issues with the dogs, integration into the academy seems to go well. I have figured out my work schedule for the most part too include my morning runs. The part I need to figure out is my lift schedule. My timeline is getting shorter and shorter. I plan on helping out with cadet sports which means I will be committed to their practices from 4pm until 6pm. I still need to get home and make dinner for Lawrence.

Speaking of making dinner, I usually hate being in the kitchen. So far the past 2 weeks, I have managed to be in the kitchen 75 percent of the time and have made a meal. I'm not Julia Childs yet but I'm managing.

Anyone have any ideas for the dogs?

Once over USMA

Today all of the new faculty members at USMA were required to attend an all day welcome brief. It sounds tedious, but the presentations were decent. Since I wasn't a graduate of the academy it was nice to learn things about the academy that wasn't obvious to me. Also, it was important to learn these things because part of my job requires me to brief the one over the world of the academy to very important people.

The more interesting part was finding out who I did or did not know at the academy. I was surprised to see quite a few people from my past. After the formal portion was done we were able to mingle.

This one over USMA is a 2 day affair. I look forward the small group discussions we will have.

Each day that passes I find that I truly enjoy my job even more. I also find that the job is complex, diverse and fun. I am also excited to see what sports or clubs I will be able to get involve in to help mentor cadets.

Surviving the firing squad

Today was my first brief that I performed as a Public Affairs Officer for the United States Military Academy. The brief was given to various officials from various countries across the world. The brief provides an overview of West Point.

The brief went well and lasted about 35 minutes. After the brief was given the questions kept coming! I expected the questions to be easy and relative to the basic curiosity one might have the academy. However, the questions that I received were quite deep and required quite a bit of thought.

It was interesting I thought that I was able to provide a response for all but 1 question. Since I did not attend West Point, my knowledge base is currently minimal. I hope to change that quickly and know and understand West Point that the brief I give can be given without my notes.

The question and answer period lasted over 30 minutes alone! I think I did well in answering the officials questions but I know I could have done better.

I think this job is going to be extremely rewarding and I can't wait to see what else in store.

Starting my stride

Today was my first day in my training plan for the 1/2 Marathon in OCT. I only ran 3 miles this morning, but the humidity and lack of running last week really kicked my butt! The good thing from this morning run it started my day early and got me going for this new week at the academy.

I was able to update slides today for tomorrow's big brief to some very important people here at the academy. I have been rehearsing them all night and I am still very nervous in giving the presentation tomorrow. I hope all goes well tomorrow and the number of questions is minimal.

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I am smoked and the only thing I can think about is my tempurpedic bed! I'm so excited to go lay down and rest my eyes! I'm also excited that tomorrow is a day off from running, my feet aren't happy with me. However, Wednesday the training picks right back up!

I've started my second week of work and so far things are going great. I have met numerous officers and leaders that have so much to give to the academy. I am excited to be working with these great leaders to learn from them and to pass my lessons learned to the cadets.

With the number of hours that I'm going to put in with the office and training/mentoring with cadets, I have deceided that I'm getting a maid! I think a maid once a week is worth it! Now, if only I could find someone to wash my dogs and my car!

My social calendar is getting full and I have weekends with friends visiting until OCT already! I'm so excited that so many of our friends want to come visit us.

Now I just need to find time in my work and social calendar to read my novels, play the piano and actually learn to play the guitar! I'm still looking for a karaoke crew to hang with! Any singers in the West Point area?

Another great week has started! Go Army, Beat Navy!

So far at USMA

So far my job at USMA here has been going well. I am still getting to know the various offices and people associated with each. I will admit, its all very dizzy and overwhelming trying to remember the hundred of faces that I have met so far.

I am excited so far about all this new job has to offer. I am more than excited to start mentoring cadets later this year. It seems each day my calendar grows more and more packed with activites and commitments to help the CORPS!

Each day I have decided to ride my bike into work to save on trying to fight for a parking spot. The exercise is great, but I hate showing up to work soaked in sweat! Yuck! I guess I can't complain too much.

Today, a board of visitors stopped by to get an update on all the happenings at West Point. As the incoming public affiars officer I was able to observe the board of visitors and their activities today.

One of those activities took us to the qualification range. While at the range the senior cadets briefed the board of visitors about their progression of leadership and their requirements. I was very impressed with the level of maturity and ease in which these cadets displayed. I was also very impressed with the leadership presence they already seem to have and show.

Just only one week in at the Academy and I can say this, The United States Military Academy is by far the best institution for developing tomorrow's leaders. I cannot wait as my job progresses and the invovlement that I will have.

This assignment is truly and opportunity of a lifetime, a great way to help mentor, develop and shape the next generation of America's leaders!
Go Army, Beat Navy!