Sunday, November 8, 2009

Police & Fire Academy Photos

I graduated Thursday night from the City of Euless's Citizen Police and Fire Academy. This will allow me to do volunteer work for the Police and Fire Departments. Nothing dangerous just helping to deliver cold water on a hot day and/or aiding them in some charity events. They took pictures of us doing various tasks that the real public servants perform. Here is the link to the rest of the pictures.

Monday, November 2, 2009

What a Week


So this past week has been choked full of many things. I've had everything from recovering from my surgery, taking an exam in school after missing classes because of surgery, getting hired to a new job, and finally piloting a Falcon 200ex over Memphis (from takeoff to landing). It has definitely been a busy, productive, and exhilarating week. What can this week hold? I do not know but I don't think it can top this one. However, before I cross this week I had better explain what occurred above.

My surgery went well and I have been up and moving around quite well. Some pain issues around the incision site, but otherwise no real problems. I did have my post op visit today with the Doctor and he has cleared me to return to light duty with a return to hockey on 11/28. I will start a stationary bike routine this week to slowly get me back up to speed. By the way, my theory on hernia surgery is that it is a real pain but still better than shoulder surgery.

Due to the effects of the narcotic pain pills I was given I was not able to study for my Anatomy and Physiology class very much. This made it tough to remember anything for my exam. In the end, I did quite well on my exam and made a solid B on it.

I am completing all of the pre-hire paperwork and background checks to join Bell Partners. I will be managing Derby Park apartments in Grand Prairie for them. I am looking forward to getting back to work and to working with so many of my former co-workers. A couple of years ago my old company UDR sold many of its properties to Bell and when this occurred many of my co-workers left to go work for Bell. Being hired by Bell is like having a homecoming even though I will be working for a new company. It feels very strange to say the least.

Becky decided to surprise me Friday night with the experience of a lifetime. She arranged for me to fly a Falcon 200ex. Though my first landing ended in a fiery crash, my second landing was more successful. Becky’s co-workers husband works for a company that trains pilots and he was able to get us into one of the flight simulator trainers. This was awesome to experience what it is like to fly a regional jet with such realism. I don’t ever plan to really fly an airplane so this will be the closest I ever get. Knowing that pilots can receive all of the training they need on these trainers and can go directly into flying from here made me extremely impressed by it all. Why did we fly around Memphis? I’m not sure why. I guess because Elvis is there and it is good to be the King.

Update on Becky. Just when I thought the nausea was gone, it came back. I hope its return is short lived. Other than that, she is doing quite well.

Finally, I wanted to let everyone know that November 11th will be Johnathon’s 2nd birthday. In celebration, Becky and I are having his birthday party this weekend for him. It will be the same as last year as we will be going to church on Sunday 11/8 @ 11:00am, lunch at 12:15pm at Main Street Bar-B-Que, and then cupcakes and decorating at his gravesite. If you are able to make it to any of the festivities, we would love to have you there.