The CAP Christmas party was fun. Still don't know a lot of people, but had a good time nonetheless. I officially transferred on the day of the party, so they welcomed me as the newest member. :) I also confirmed what I kinda thought earlier - they were just being overly nice to me to get me to join, but not in a bad way. The Commander told me that they used to get complaints that people ignored the new members, so they've made an effort to reach out to people more and now that I'm a member, I need to make an effort to reach out to those I don't know (which right now... is basically everyone). So it doesn't mean they are going to stop being nice to me, but I need to make more of an effort to overcome my shyness and be all nice and welcoming to others.
Also!!! They asked me what position I wanted - Mission Observer. I'm mere steps away from getting it!!! No, no, no they said... what position did I want? Like everyday job. Observer is just what I do during missions. The Commander said the reason they all worked so well together is that everyone is a leader in their everyday position. He might be the Commander of the group, but another member (like the other female there) was in charge of the Communications. They really want me to train under her so I get certified in communications as well (I think it's good too - helps with flying and all), but still needed some leadership position. One of the ones they don't have filled was in Personal Development, which is training everyone else to advance in the organization. They already mentioned me teaching the upcoming Scanners and Observers.
Then it came up about how once they went to Hartsfield and got to play on the 747 sims!!!!!!!!!!!! My eyes bugged out of my head and I just about fell on the floor. NO WAYYYYYYYYY!!!! So I asked about what other field trips they do and if there's a lot of them. The guy I spoke to said they don't do much because they are busy, but was mentioning maybe we could start that up in the new year. He started talking about all sorts of Aviation museums in Georgia that I've never even heard of. I mentioned that I set up field trips for my school as part of my job, so I could do that for them as well. He said they could arrange the transportation, if I called the places, collected money and got group rates. Then he told me to think of day trips I'd like to go to... and reminded me we have airplanes available... and he'd talk to the Commander. My eyes glittered, "Is Pensacola a day trip?". He asked if I was talking about the Blue Angels museum and said "You betcha", bringing up Fun & Sun (week-long air show in FL) as well. I held my breath - "Oshkosh too?". He laughed and said it could be. I was over the moon, pleased as punch, happy as a clam and everything in between.
Then the guy who was shouting obscene (but funny) things at the restaurant after last meeting walked up with his wife. She was drop dead gorgeous and you could just tell she was a pilot the way she carried herself. I swore she was my age, but was actually 40-45. I wanna be her when I grow up! Then after talking with her, I recognized her name and only later realized that she was the one who allowed me to go play on all of the flight sims at Flightsafety over a year ago, even though I didn't have my license yet. I wish I had remembered at the time - I might have hugged her. Maybe it was good I didn't put two and two together then...
In studying news, I got stuck at one part involving a weight and balance problem. The book had you set it up and answer 4 questions from the one problem, adding onto the original setup. I messed something up in the very first step and all of the answers were wrong from there. I wrestled with it for an hour... before walking away for a little bit to get a fresh start. I promised myself I'd scrap the work I did and start over. The small break helped, I saw what I did wrong and moved on quite quickly into the section on flight computers.
Now some of this, you can solve with simple math. The book indicated to use the flight computer to solve the problems. It's good for practice and I'll need to learn how to use this thing cold. I got stuck in the mud again. Wrestled with it for a bit, walked away and tried again. Got more stuck in the mud. Trudged through anyways. 4 questions until getting to Chapter 9... and the mud turned into cement Friday night (granted I had just come home from a work Christmas party and was tired). I got sick after that and since then, so haven't had a chance to go back to it yet.
Everyone keeps telling me that it's not a race and it's ok to take my time through the harder portions. I've worked this hard so far, so no need to ruin all of that hard work by racing through something I don't quite understand. I agree fully, but at the same time, I'm almost there - I can see the finish line finally and it frustrates me to be held up or knocked off pace. Get-there-itis; the downfall of all pilots and can cause mistakes in the plane. I know - very bad. I'll get there. Might not be as soon as I'd like, but I'll get there. And I'll be totally stoked when I do because I'll remember how much I struggled to get through it! :)
Anyways, early to bed for me tonight. I'm not quite fully recovered from being sick yet and need my energy for the next few busy days! Plus, I started reading a new book - Letters Home: 1944-45 by Bernice Falk Haydu. It's about the WASP pilots in WWII. I got to meet the author at Oshkosh and she signed the book for me. She was more than just a WASP though - she led all of them when they went to Washington DC in the 70's to fight for recognition. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. I liked hearing her speak at Oshkosh and this book reminds me of that. It's like listening to a Great-Aunt or Grandmother telling you about her adventures when she was younger. The book is a collection of letters she wrote to her parents while training to be a WASP, and she goes back to elaborate on things.
Speaking of Oshkosh... I really need to write up my 2nd update, don't I? Oooooo, and speaking of air shows, the Thunderbirds are going to be at the Rome, GA air show next year too!!!!!! I'm gonna get to see the TWICE!!!!!!!!!! =)
Btw, the Wright Brothers made their first powered flight on this day in 1903. Thank you Wright Brothers for all that you did for aviation! <3
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