Language of the Student Pilot...and their wives

As I was driving home from work this evening, I was thinking about how I hadn't blogged in awhile. Honestly, not a lot has been going on. I have my job, Justin has pilot training, we come home at night, I watch my stories, Justin studies. That's about our life right now. So, I was trying to think of something to blog about that had something to do with navy life and my life. I realize that I am starting to catch on to the language of the military and more specifically, pilot training. I also realize that not everyone else knows these little words and phrases and I am often met with a "Huh?!" when I'm talking about Justin and his training. Most of my family reads this blog and so I know they will find this helpful! Plus I just thought it would be fun. SO! Without further ado, here's some language of the student pilot!

IP: Stands for Instructor Pilot. The Instructor Pilot is the person who sits behind Justin on his flights and is there to help teach him.

FAIPs: Stands for First Assignment Instructor Pilots. Basically, these men or women received orders to be IPs straight out of pilot training. Some pilots like it, some don't.

T-6: This is the trainer plane that Justin flies as of now. When he has his Track Select, he will find out which plane he will be flying for his pilot career.

Hooked: This mean a pilot failed his flight. If you ever hear me talking about hooking..this is what I'm talking about. Not prostitution  ;)

86: This is the flight that a student pilot flies when he has gone more than 5 consecutive days without flying. It's just to get them back in the swing of things. Nothing bad!

88: Student pilots get one of these to use. If a pilot hooks a flight twice, they can use an 88 once before going to an 89.

89: If you hook this flight. It's bad news bears. No worries, Justin has never had one of these!

Cross-country: This flight is a weekend-long flight where a group of student pilots and IPs fly to different locations.

Checkride: The way I explain this is that it's like the final exam for a part of training. Justin has 3 of these during his time at Vance and they usually make for very stressful weeks!! Lucky him, I help him study!

Sim: Short for simulator flights. Justin and a sim instructor will fly on the simulators!

Those are all I could think of right now! I'm still learning as well!! Justin has 1 Sim and 9 flights left until he is done with his training at Vance. Then, they will cut his orders and we will be making our move! To where is still TBA so STAY TUNED!!

Cutting Some Ties (in a good way!)

Last week I had the opportunity to support Justin in true navy wife fashion! After all the guys in his class have done a solo flight, they have a party. There are a two traditions that are observed for this special milestone.

Air Force Milestone: After the student pilot does his/her solo flight, they are thrown into a dunk tank. However, if they are able to escape the dunk tank, their peers have to buy them some beer. Unfortunately, I did not get to see Justin after his solo, but needless to say, he did not escape, so no beer for him.

Navy Milestone: This part I did get to see! The student pilots get together with their IPs (Instructor Pilots) and the IPs tell the story of their solo flight and the journey of flights before that. These stories are called 10% Truth Stories. It is pretty self explanatory--only 10% of the story has to be true. After the stories are told, the IP cuts the student pilot's tie. Basically, if you don't get a lot of your tie cut, your solo went well. If you get a lot of your tie cut, your solo didn't go so well. I was lucky enough to capture the event (albeit from my phone).

 Justin getting his tie cut. He obviously did well! Not a lot was cut!

Justin getting a 10% truth story told about him. He was compared to Milton (I think that's the correct name) from "Office Space" and the IP did a little impression. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes!!

What a great evening it was! I finally got to put a face to all the names I had been hearing about, I got to meet fellow military wives, and Justin's pilot buddies think I'm super cool (which I am :)). So much so, I'm now "The Cool Waldrup". Muahahaha. 

I really feel like I'm getting settled. I absolutely love my job, I love our church, and I'm even making some friends!! The only bummer is that I will have to start all over again in about 3 months when we move. BUT, I'm starting to really enjoy my time here and I feel I'm making a difference! What an amazing feeling! Now, if only I could find a good place to get my hair cut...

New Job :)

The charger for my laptop broke awhile ago and Justin bought me a new one today! So, I can finally use my own computer again. Justin said I about gave him a heart attack yesterday by putting his laptop by the kitchen sink. I was using an internet recipe!! If he wanted dinner, I had to use his computer. But I digress...

On Friday I finished up my second week at my new job. And I'll say the same thing I said to my mom, "It feels good to be back!" I feel like a part of me has been reawakened. I'm back to looking forward working with children, Justin has noticed I'm more talkative and I enjoy telling him about the little ones I already love. This job is somewhere in the middle what I've done the past few years. It's a step above daycare, but it's not quite "counselor". The counselor/child ratio is really small and I LOVE that I have so much opportunity for small group or one-on-one time. I've always loved working with kids, but honestly the last year I worked in daycare I was getting so burnt out. This is a new environment and it's different than anything I've ever done before and I believe it's good for me.

If you didn't already know, I work at the Youth Center on base. So, mostly military kids. This is such an eye-opening and humbling experience for me. I've only been working 2 weeks and I've already heard so many stories. A lot of the kids were born in a different country, have lived in 6 different states before they start 3rd grade, and even one girl was telling me about how BOTH her parents were deployed at the same time for 6 months and it's going to happen again next month. I hear and see everything these young ones have already experienced and they tell me their stories with a smile on their face and the only thing I can think of to say to myself is:

I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about

Like I said...humbling. And now I, of course, am already dreading the day I have to say goodbye. I've never been good at that. A few friends of mine and my parents would be able to tell of the time I've called them crying because one of my favorites has left or I'm having to leave them. I've just never been good at that part of the job. However, I still think my job is awesome. My boss is AWESOME (which I really appreciate after some horrible bosses I've had in the past), my co-workers are all super nice and we all work together as a team, and the kids are AMAZING. No complaints here!! And as a bonus, for the first time ever I don't have to come home and start homework! Which I never did a whole lot to begin with (right, Lallo?) 

Okay, I'm done rambling about my job. Justin told me he thinks he is almost 100% positive on where we will be heading after he graduates primary on January 19th because the Navy has "changed things."

YEAH RIGHT!

Now, I've only been in a military wife for 3 months (3 months exactly today). But, Justin has been in the Navy for over a year now and in that year, I have learned to not make announcements about changes of station or anything of that nature until you have your orders on paper and in your hands. Because more than likely, this plan that Justin is almost 100% positive on will change. So, sorry guys, I'm not going to say where we are headed next until we have those paper orders in our hands. But hey, that's just more incentive for y'all to keep reading my blog!! Happy Sunday! :)

Changes

It sure has been awhile since I've postIed anything. Honestly, I think things have been pretty slow around here (with a little excitement here and there thrown in). I wanted to give an update on the married military couple!

Justin began on the flight line last week. And boy if I thought that he was busy before I was insanely wrong! He usually leaves the house at 7 AM and doesn't return until 7:30 PM. He takes 30 minutes to eat the dinner his lovely wife cooked him and then it's back into the guest bedroom to study some more until 10 or so. Then it's off to bed and starts all up again! He is so stressed out right now, but I'm glad that he's finally getting to fly some planes! I try to keep him focused on the positives and to help whenever I can. I feel the only way I can help is to cook, make his lunch for the next day, and help him with radio calls when he needs the help (side note: I have gotten pretty good at those radio calls. I have a script and everything!) As lonely as I can get sometimes, I try to realize how blessed we both are for him to have the opportunity to get to do what he has always wanted. I tell him that it will all pay off in the end and that these next 4 months of intensity will be nothing compared to how much time and energy he has spent getting to this position in the first place. All I can do is encourage and tell him how proud of him I am!

Now, for MY update. I got a job!! Starting next Monday I will be working part-time as a counselor/mentor at the Youth Center on base. It's not exactly "counseling", but it's definitely a step up from daycare! My supervisor was very excited to hire me and we are both excited to see how my experience can help. I will be working with older kids (9 and up) which is an age that I love. I will be in charge of coming up with my own curiculum and I have so many ideas!! I'm really excited to get started with this and I think it will be a great experience for me! I'll keep you updated!

Finally, I am going to be doing some serious bold praying over the next weeks and probably months. I'm having surgery tomorrow (message me if your curious, I don't want to put it all over my blog) it's nothing major, but going under general anesthesia at any time can be kind of nerve racking. Also, I'm contemplating a possible career change once Justin and I get to our more permanent change of station. I have a lot to think about and I'm praying that God will push me in the right direction. Changing my mind is not something I usually do, so thinking that I want something a little different out of my career than what I originally planned is a little scary. I have the faith that I will end up where I need to be!

Perspective

As people can see from my previous Facebook statuses, I'm getting frustrated with the whole job search. I feel like I am applying everywhere I am possibly qualified and there are jobs that I think I would be really excellent at. Unfortunately, I guess none of the employers feel the same way. I just wish I knew what I was doing wrong (if anything at all).

On another hand, as frustrating as this is, I really can't complain about anything. I feel like I should consider myself very lucky to even have the opportunity to search for a job I would really love and not have to take just any job I can get (ex: Braums is hiring). I have been truly blessed with a wonderful, understanding, loving [insert more mushy gushy words here] husband who loves that he is able to provide for us. I have many things to be thankful for. I have air conditioning, I can go to the grocery store whenever I need to and not have to worry about the next paycheck coming around, I at least have my dog to keep me company, my husband is here and not on deployment, and so many more things that make the fact that I haven't found a job yet seem so miniscule.

One more thing that I wanted to make sure I shared with everyone. Justin and I found a church! There is a small church that is a network of LifeChurch.tv. Ours is called Anewchurch.tv and it definitely is the perfect fit for us. We have already met so many wonderful people and I can't wait to get more involved. The sermon for this week was talking about being bold. I haven't felt that touched by a sermon in a LONG time and I really felt God was speaking to me to pray for not only boldness, but miracles. A goal I am setting for myself is to branch my prayers out so they don't necessarily effect me. I believe I will feel more fulfilled and BOLD and overall better about my relationship with God. I have many friends and family who I know will keep me accountable.

Moral of the blog: God is GOOD and I am BLESSED!...and BOLD!

Summer Readings

Since life has slowed down (dramatically), I have thoroughly enjoyed starting to read for FUN again! It is so wonderful to be a bookworm again and not just a textbook worm. I am working my way to becoming a regular at the Enid Public Library. I am trying to broaden my lists of authors I read from per friend's suggestions, but sometimes I can't help but go back to author(s) I love so much and whose stories never disappoint. Here is what I have read so far this summer:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (sometimes a difficult read, but overall wonderfully written and a great suspense novel. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!)

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (hilarious and sarcastic. I certainly appreciated it much more now that I'm older and not a senior in high school.)

The Pact by Jodi Picoult (I love Jodi Picoult. Her characters are so real and I always have a hard time putting her books down. This one was no exception. Heart-wrenching and amazing all the same.)

Now, here are the ones I'm waiting to start!

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult (suggested by my wonderful friend, Shane. It's waiting for me on my dresser as we speak!)

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty (suggested by another wonderful friend, Natasha. I've never heard of this book or the author...trying to branch out!)

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (I'm next on the waiting list at the library so hopefully I can start it in a few weeks.)

So, what do you like to read? Any suggestions for me?

Welcome to Our Home!

I have been wanting to put pictures up of our new home for awhile now, but it has just been recently that I felt our home was "picture worthy". There are still a few things here and there that are missing, but it could possibly be January until we get everything the way we want it...and then of course that's the time we'll be packing up to move somewhere else! (Florida, anyone?)

Anyway, our house SCREAMS newlyweds, but I love it! It's the perfect size for us and a perfect starter home. So, without further ado, welcome!

 Here's a picture of our living room. I got what I could in. The TV is to the left of the chair with the OSU blanket on it. And you can see Sir Swimsalot's habitat on top of the bookshelf :)

Our kitchen! Lots of counterspace! I love our kitchen and have actually been spending a lot of time in here! Shocker!!

Our teeny tiny bathroom. I could figure out how to get it to rotate. Oh well!!

The guest bedroom/office/mancave/bragging room. Justin spends most evenings in here studying while I'm in the living room...not studying.

And the master bedroom! There's another big dresser to the left, but I couldn't fit it in the picture.

Well, that's it! I told you it was small! A quick update from our side of the state: The job search is bleak over here in Enid. Justin is getting busier and busier with primaries and I have been reading a lot to keep busy. Not that I mind reading..hello library card! I've applied at places, but haven't even been called back for an interview! There is nothing really available in my field, so I've been applying outside of my field and still nothing. Prayers are very much appreciated that I find something . I hope something works out soon! I need a job for the sake of a little independence and to keep my sanity! I just don't think I'm meant to be a trophy wife...

A Big Dose of Adulthood=HEADACHE!

As I was talking to my dad yesterday, I was telling him that I didn't understand why I couldn't just sit still and not feel the need to always be DOING SOMETHING. The conversation went a little like this:

Me: "We just moved in our house a week and a day ago. I'm upset I don't have a job yet and I'm starting to feel worthless. What is wrong with me? It's been a WEEK!"

Dad: "Julia, you've gone from going 100 MPH for 2 years in a row to all of a sudden going 10 MPH. Relax."

Sure. I'll relax. I've got plenty of time. I spent the rest of the afternoon running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get put into the TRI-Care system (military health insurance). Paperwork, paperwork. "What's your sponsor's SSN?" What's your sponsor's unit?" Uhhh, I have no clue!! Ah! 

"Now, since you still have health insurance through another provider, I'm going to need you to fill out this sheet and then call an cancel your current insurance plan." Holy cannolli! When did I have to start doing all of this? My parents have always taken care of insurance and well..everything! Hello, Adulthood! 

Thankfully, the people at the Vance Clinic are SO NICE!! Made me feel better about being so flustered. So, after I had done all the paperwork I could possibly do that day, I make my way home. Justin arrives home soon after I do (Yay!). I couldn't wait to hear how his briefs went and what new information he had for me. 

Justin: "Well, they talked to us about the importance of spending time with your family even though we're going to be so busy studying during primaries. They suggest setting aside Sunday from 8 AM to dinner to spend with your family. The rest of the week will be spent studying and in classes."

Awesome.

So much for being okay with relaxing. I need to find something to do or I'm gonna go nuts!! Off to the Family and Readiness Center today I go. Once again, the people there are SO NICE! Brochures and business cards galore! I left there feeling so much better and excited because I actually have something to right now on the calendar that's for ME to do. First step is a Spouse's Workshop next Friday which means I need to get on perfecting that resume'! Not only will this workshop allow me to start making connections for a possible job, but I will get the opportunity to connect with other spouses as well. I'll make sure to update as things progress.

Finally, tomorrow is going to be such a treat for me. Justin and I will have our first houseguests! Our friends Natasha, Lindsey, and Ezra are coming to check out our new house and go to dinner for our other friend Jade's birthday. Oh, a taste of home will be arriving soon and I couldn't be happier!

I have missed these people so much! Here's to a great start to 4th of July weekend! Have a safe one you guys!

First Post!

Well, I've decided to jump on the blogger bandwagon. I always love reading my friends' blogs. They can be so inspiring, heartwarming, funny, etc. and I wanted to be a part of it! I also figured it would be a great way to document the crazy life Justin and I have ahead of us! For those of you who don't know, Justin and I got married on June 11! And what a wonderful 2 weeks of marital bliss we have had so far!

 

Definitely the best day of our lives! I absolutely love this picture. Tulsa Artworks did an amazing job! I always knew I had the best friends and family EVER, but I was completely blown away and felt so blessed at all of the support I had that week. I want to give a special thanks to my wonderful bridesmaids, y'all are AWESOME! I seriously don't know what I would've done without them.

So, the wedding was amazing. The honeymoon was awesome (you can find pictures on my Facebook page!), and now we are trying to get settled in Enid. According to Justin, we have been "couch monkeys". That's okay with me though. This week Justin starts primaries, which means he will be on base for about 12 hours a day. Blah. So, I'm thoroughly enjoying this time we have to spend together. We've been cooking (gasp!), unpacking, and watching movies! It's so wonderful to have our own place and since we spent the last 8 months being long-distance, it's so nice to just be able to HANG OUT! Ahhh I love it! Well, that's all for now!! I hope I did this right....