Adventures of HG at NRTI

The second day of EVOC was awesome. The day didn't start off too well as there was one obstacle that was really hard to complete. For some reason my head just wasn't in it. We had PT at 0600 (6:00 a.m.) and I think I was just tired or something. Luckily I passed the test and I took some time at lunch to myself. I sat back, watched a few minutes of TV and got back in the game. The weather improved and it was actually sunny and about 70 degrees-that is until the tornado warning anyway.

Let's back up a little. Earlier in the day we had pursuit driving and I'm hoping someone captured video of my pursuit because it was AWESOME! We had a 'bad guy car' and our pursuit vehicle. When we started our pursuit, the 'bad guy car' did something stupid like jumped a curb or some other kind of reckless driving. We relayed the license plate number to 'dispatch' (another instructor with a radio) and found out who the car belonged to. For most of our pursuits, the 'bad guy' was known to have violent tendencies and wanted for a warrant. At that point, we started the chase. We turned our little red light on and got on the radio notifying dispatch that we were in pursuit. The instructors left us hanging and didn't give us any feedback unless we did anything wrong, but it was a good way to learn. I think I did pretty well. You had to notify dispatch of every stop sign the bad guy ran and where it was located, every wrong turn down a one way street, every failure to use a turn signal, etc. Towards the end of the pursuit, the 'bad guy car' stopped suddenly and several suspects ran, brandishing firearms and pretending to shoot at me. I immediately put the car in reverse and punched the gas, but the car wouldn't budge. The transmission on our rental car was in such bad shape that it took a good three to four seconds to kick into gear, but it felt like an eternity. If that had happened in real life, hopefully I'd get out and run because otherwise I'd be dead.



Back to the tornado. Throughout the day there were significant changes in the air. One minute it would feel like 80 degrees and the next it would feel like 60. So anyway, we were out driving in the parking lot and the tornado siren goes off. I just thought it was a fire siren, because we have those every other day in Aberdeen. The guys told me it was a tornado siren and it usually only goes off when one has been spotted. First we see the other half of our class run towards the First Aid/CPR building where they had been studying and then one of our driving instructors flies up in his van and tells us to head to the classroom. So we did. OK so how smart is it to close the gym during spring break when the tornado shelters are in the gym. Really? Are Hocking College administrators really that smart? Didn't think so. Luckily there was no tornado (that I know of). I just sat in an alcove in the hallway until the radar was clear. We went back to driving and I passed with a 95%. :)



So mom and I have been scheming. I had Thursday through Sunday off and decided to surprise EVERYONE. On Thursday, I drove home and hid my car in the garage. Heather (my older sis) came in with Braydon (my nephew) and was completely surprised. On Friday, it was Heather's birthday and everyone would be home, including Hope (my little sis) so I surprised her too. Hope didn't get home until later in the afternoon, so I had time to surprise friends. I stopped by TALMAR during the day on Friday and Cate (my old boss and good friend) was in shock. She walked right by my car and didn't even notice it. I also got to see Yelena, Brindley, Delath, Shane, Terrance and a few other people. While I was in the area, I also surprised Karen from the Baltimore County Office. I had a great time hanging out with friends and I wish I had more time to spend with them. After TALMAR, I shot over to the Red Cross real quick and got to see a few friends there. I was disappointed more people weren't in the office, but I left a little note for them.

Happy birthday to both Heather and my grampy. They share a birthday and they are both awesome people that I love very much!

I surprised Jayne too (our old next door neighbor). She came over at about the same time Hope did and they were both pretty surprised. I love surprising people; it's so much fun!

Today is Saturday, all surprises have been made and I'm just relaxing at home. Last night I got to read a few books to Braydon before his bed time. I'll post video later (waiting on Hope). And thanks to Matt! He's been looking after Feisty for me this weekend.

Tonight is homemade fried chicken and fries. Yum! Tomorrow I hit the road back to Ohio. I'm sad to be leaving again, but I'll be back soon. Hope has a graduation in early May and I'll be done shortly after that. Thanks everyone for spending time with me this weekend; it was so much fun and I can't wait to do it again! Love you all!