Day 5 & the first weekend!

WE ARE DONE WITH WEEK 1! I don't know if I can say the same for J, but that week flew for me! Friday, day number 5, seemed to be a real inspirational day for the cadets. They spent their day finishing up setting up their laptops, then got their first LD (Learning Domain). The Captain was leading the lecture and was talking about things like integrity, and how becoming a CHP officer is not just a job you apply for, but a calling. Towards the end of the day, they all gathered in the gym, and started watching numerous videos and video clips. J noticed that on the last video, they turned the volume WAY up, and he was thinking that the staff officers would come in after and start yelling at them to get them ready for week 2. When the video was done, the Captain started talking and re- emphasizing that the CHP is a family, and that everyone there has their back. As he was saying this, he gestured to the back of the gym and as the cadets turned around, there stood EVERYONE who works at the academy- staff officers, office employees, cafeteria workers, literally every person. J was telling me once he saw this, he actually started to get a little emotional. I was starting to get emotional when he told me because it made me realize that CHP truly is a family. It's not some bullshit (pardon my language 🙊) cliche that most jobs nowadays try to make you believe. I used to work for a travel nurse company that preached the whole "we are family" line, but at the end of the day, they were totally okay with the experienced workers back stabbing the newer employees. Needless to say, J and I truly believe that the CHP is one big family, and at the end of the day, they're looking out for you and want you to succeed. 

They were dismissed right around 5pm, so J grabbed his bag (he packed it up Thursday night), signed out and was on his way! Luckily (or unluckily- depends on the day maybe) his room is close to the Staff Office, so he didn't have to wait long to leave. It took him about 2.5 hours to drive to my parents house- he did hit some traffic just outside of Sacramento and then some slower patches through the mountains where visibility was bad because of some rain. He picked up some fast food, then spent the rest of the night relaxing. Once J got there, he let me know he saw the gifts I bought him 😊. We had gone to Cabelas a few days before and I bought him this utility bag and multi-tool. I figured since he'll be driving through the mountains a lot, he could use a tool kit/ first aid bag. I told him to add some stuff to it- flashlight, gloves, hand warmers, etc. I also bought him butterfinger bites (his fave!) and this cute little voodoo doll (no not the "take a needle and stab them in the arm to cause pain" type of voodoo) that is supposed to help with stress! J's weekend consisted of doing laundry, relaxing and watching soccer games (6 or  7 to be exact 😂). We texted and FaceTimed A LOT since I'm still down south packing up my stuff. I asked J if he was ready for week 2 and he said he was. He's most excited about getting his blues and PT!!!! I know he's been itching to get some physical work in- especially running. For now- I'll just assume he's having fun until I hear from him later. 

1 week down!! 27 to go!!

💚 AJ