Haven't been around much lately, so here's my update. This was going to be a quickie ... but it didn't turn out that way. Sorry!!
As of Saturday afternoon, I finished fire academy!
I took my written for the state on Thursday, and I won't get the official results for a few weeks yet, but I'm confident I did well.
Friday, my GF convinced me to call in sick for a "mental health day." We grabbed the dog and went to Flagstaff for dog park fun, soccer registration, and strolling around town. The plan was to kick about for a few hours, then go home and study for the practicals.
Well, one of our last stops was a bar with a patio. Ulgh. Way too many beers and a touch of sunburn. Then we headed across town to check another place = more bevvies.
The short version is: I drank too much, I ate poorly (some pretzels at the bar, steak salad when I got home), and hardly got any studying done. I was terrified I wasn't going to pass my practicals.
Nonetheless, I guzzled water before bed and all morning. Cereal looked nauseating, so I chucked it, and choked down a Luna bar before driving to the testing site, an hour away.
During the Academy, we learned about 120 different skills. On testing day, there are 10 stations, and you do 5 of them. They keep you in the dark regarding what your stations are until the last minute. You just sit in a room, and try to prepare the best you can.
I was so nervous! Then the guy said they would be going alphabetically. My last name starts with A. Ackk!!
I had:
SCBA Threw my pack in 35 seconds, beating my usual by 10 seconds.
Inspecting and cleaning ladders (cake)
Setting up foam streams bungled through alright
Forcible entry Total wildcard! Hadn't studied that one, but managed.
Setting up scene lighting Was totally worried about starting the generator. I've had mixed luck starting anything with a pullcord. This one started easy-peasy - left-handed no less (possible stress fracture in my right)
I was stunned it was so painless! AND I was done so soon! I went with my other "A" classmate to B&N to putter around while waiting for our buds to finish. I got an iced latte (forgot to ask for skim) and a choc covered pretzel rod. *tsk*
When everyone was done, we went to Golden Corral (AKA starch & meat buffet). I won't recount exactly what I had, but I'll say I probably didn't make many "best" choices, not many "better" ones either.
We went our separate ways, and I met up with GF up in Jerome (an old mining town). Even saw some pronghorn along the way.
We had reservations at a cool historic hotel, moseyed around town, and ate (greasy and delicious Haunted Hamburger). My stomach still wasn't feeling too good, so I skipped the alcohol at least. The Jerome trip included way too many fries and some blueberry pie.
Sunday = shopping for an outfit for graduation and included a espresso smoothie. She made it way too sweet through, so I ended up tossing half of it in the trash.
I got a size 6 skirt! w00t! I think I had some pasta when I got home, and a B&J peace pop for dessert. ACK.
MAN, weekends are murder on my eating habits! And I didn't go to the gym all week. Admittedly, I was booked M W Th F. But I gained about 3 lbs. Grr.
So this week I need to get back on track. I had plans to go to the gym last night. I didn't go, but I did go for a run. Today, I went for a walk, and I'd like to get another one in, and hit the gym.
Eating hasn't been bad yet, but graduation and the ensuing party (in Jerome) is on Saturday. So I need to be on guard.
Then I'll need to plan for structured exercise. Fire Academy had me busting my rear for 16 hours a week. Now I'll have to do it on my own. At least I'll have soccer again on Sundays in a couple week. So that's *something*.
Anyhow, thanks for letting me blather.
__________________________ DUM SPIRO, SPERO Check up on me!: My Sparkpeople Log
Posts: 1427 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: March 11, 2004
[QUOTE]Originally posted by grrlscout: Hey thanks y'all!
It certainly has been a journey. At this point, I don't have any plans to be a full-timer. I'm content to be a Reserve, as long as they continue the Reserve program -- which is kind of up in the air, and what I was freaking out about last week. QUOTE]
I really hope they keep that program. I think you'd be great at it! Good luck on all of it.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4319 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
It certainly has been a journey. At this point, I don't have any plans to be a full-timer. I'm content to be a Reserve, as long as they continue the Reserve program -- which is kind of up in the air, and what I was freaking out about last week.
Plus, first and foremost, I'm a web designer. I love design and could never leave it behind. I have a half dozen potential new clients who have been waiting patiently while I've been in Academy, and I can't wait to get started on their projects.
But I also like helping people, and getting my ya-ya's out - which is where the FF/EMT stuff comes into play. I'm excited (and nervous) to take some shifts next month.
LOL - Jen! Last time I took a shift, I ended up doing the cooking. The guys requested nothing fried and no oil!
I made them baked lemon pepper chicken breasts, brown rice w/almonds, and steamed asparagus. They were stoked! I guess times are a-changin'.
BTW, some more good news: I just found out that my smoothie recipe was selected to be printed in the July / August issue of Her Sports magazine! It's no big deal, all I get is a visor, but it's still pretty cool.
I just got my first issue yesterday, and I really like it so far. Check it out at:
Wow, sounds like you had a hectic but fun weekend. I am in awe of your firewoman skills and am willing to bet that you'll get hired. Just make sure you don't eat like the firemen in kd's Firehouse episode and you'll be OK!
----------- Jen
Posts: 2868 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
quote:Originally posted by grrlscout: As of Saturday afternoon, I finished fire academy! [snip] I took my written for the state on Thursday, and I won't get the official results for a few weeks yet, but I'm confident I did well. [snip] I was stunned it was so painless! AND I was done so soon!
WOOHOO FOR YOU!!!!!!!! Way cool, girl!
Yea, okay, so not a great food (and, um, beverage) weekend (grin), but hey, you had some celebratin' to do, ya know?
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7313 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Blather away. I like reading about your weekends. Congratulations to you on finishing the fire academy. I'm sure that you did great on your written test and it sounds like the practical was no problem. My dh was a former firefighter/paramedic and my brother is currently a paid/on call firefighter in his town. I have the utmost respect and admiration for those of you who are willing to risk your lives in order to save others. My brother has some funny pictures of his class from the academy standing in front of a burning building. They are all smiling with "thumbs up". Anyone who is willing (and yes, even excited)to run into a burning building when everyone else is running out is a hero in my book. (and just a little nuts, too!!!)
90 day goal: 4 days of cardio, 3 days of strength training each week.
