Busy...

Well it has been a while since my last post.  Classes are keeping me busy with an average of about 3 hours of study and homework time.  It is a great deal of fun to learn all about the tool of my craft.  I have been putting a lot of extra hours in the sim and it feels like it is paying off.  I am flying steady glide slopes and getting some nice landings as a result.  I am starting to feel more comfortable and confident in my instrument scan patterns.  Got to experience radio communication with ground and tower this past week and I am glad we get to practice before our first actual flight which is scheduled for next week - chopchop :)

The first day!

Well it was an exciting day and I am having a blast.  I just did a couple hours of homework and found that all the reading I have done already made it go smoothly.  I have my first sim ride scheduled for Friday.  I learned that we are allowed to use the sims any time if nobody is on the schedule.  I think I'll try to live there!  I am also going to try to get a job at Guidance - I am sure there is a lot to learn, just from proximity. I got my first piece of mail and I loved it :)

AWESOME!

I had an amazing day at orientation.  The excitement is so strong I can taste it!  I learned all about the program and got to know many of the instructors and of course the other students.  My class consist of 19 VA students and 2 civilians (me being one).  We had the patch night and BBQ - good stuff!  I gave up my helicopter ride to a older lady, I figured I will get many opportunities soon!
    My fighter pilot friends have been a great source of good advise!  I want to share some of it and hope the guys won't mind.

"Cockpit layouts are very good to chairfly and to train your crosscheck. I always have a boldface next to the toilet so i have something to look at. It will be a lot of information at the beginning and it will probably seem overwhelming. If it is to much start with what you need to survive just the next day and if there is more brain capacity available study ahead. DO NOT sacrifice sleep to study if you have to fly!!!!! It is not worth it.
You are motivated and its what you really want, so most of the stuff will be fun for you anyway and studying/flying will be easy. Be aware of the emotional roller coaster were one day you think you are the best pilot in the world and the next day you think you can never make. It will happen. Just keep on going and when times are rough just think about the thousands of loosers that are not half as good as you are but still made it!"


"Be receptive! Guys who think they have it all figured out, usually have trouble!"




I will post some pics and videos when I am done shopping for school supplies.

Awesome!

Well I have managed to make it past the one week mark without any problems and am happy to be smoke free! I have purchased all my dorm room supplies and am ready and excited for school.  I get my own room which is awesome.  Personally I have been feeling great, it has been a while since I have felt so balanced, happy, calm, and excited at the same time.  I have also had some pleasant and uplifting exchanges with people who are dear to me which makes life even better.
    I received my flight jacket, a couple days ago and am very surprised at the quality.  I like it a lot and hope my boots will be just as good.  It is always hard to tell when you have to order online.  Here are some pics.

 

Feeling like a college kid

I went to Target this morning looking for special sized sheets for my college dorm bed, felt pretty funny.  They are the only people who carry them unless you order them online.  Online price $150, Target price $15!   I guess I better make myself a list of all the little things I am going to need to bring.  I have a room assignment now, but still don't know if I am sharing with anyone.  I am going to call to find out so I know if I can bring any furniture of my own.  I received the invite for the orientation and was excited to see that it will be followed by a "patch" ceremony/ BBQ.  This will be a good way to meet the instructors and classmates, I am looking forward to it.

Still smoke free on day 5!!!

4 days

Smoke free for 4 days I am over the hump!  I got my loan approved and verified from my school, so all is well.  Tomorrow I will get my dorm room assignment, so it looks like I got in just in time, since they are doing all assignments tomorrow.

2 days

Doing good on the no smoking, the strange thing is my throat hurt all night and still does! Had a great relaxing evening and slept like a baby despite the sore throat. Woke up feeling much better without cigarettes!

Hello 2011

I am glad to see you! It is a cold crisp morning and due to a new rule at the Biltmore, I am not able to go to work as planned, until my owner wakes and confirms that I may enter - lol.  Well until then, I decided to get a cup of coffee nearby and write a little.

     I have been pondering patterns a bit and while  they seem to be useful to organize and categories when it comes to things, they seem to have a more negative connotation, when it comes to behavior of people.
    I have patterns, many of which I intend to break, some which I already have broken.  My mind likes patterns and organization, so I will stick to finding patterns when organizing spaces, learning new information (like becoming a pilot), but I will no longer apply this search for patterns, when it comes to people.  I don't want to categories people.  We have the ability to change, and I find that in the past, I have often tried to understand people based on their patterns - including myself!  This is a big mistake and didn't allow me to see them, and get to know them.  I will test my theory on myself.  Today is the start of breaking the smoking habit - 9 hrs 34 minutes now - not much, but it is a start.

     The other thing my mind enjoys, is critical thinking, which implies being -critical, -evaluating, -maybe even judgmental.  Again, this skill may be good for becoming a pilot, when evaluating flight conditions, responding to emergencies, along with looking for patterns and learning checklists, but it is a detriment when it comes to people.  People are not machines.  Being critical is about the quickest way to keep people from feeling the love you hold for them.  

     What does all this mean? To me it means it is time to break patterns, and stop being critical of people, including myself, and understand that most of us are always trying their best, at any given time.  

     Being a pilot will allow me to use the critical thinking and looking-for-pattern skills, were they are a positive. The rest of my energy will go to being happy and loving me and those that hold a place in my heart without judgment.

Word for today: nonjudgmental:refraining from making judgments especially ones based on personal opinions or standards; "sympathetic and nonjudgmental"