Last Sunday good-byes! 5 days to go!

We made it to our last Sunday night good-byes.  It really didn't phase the girls tonight, since we will be driving up to meet B. for dinner to celebrate #2's 3rd birthday tomorrow.  It looks like I will be making five round trips to and from West Sacramento this week.  Good thing, we are only 75 miles away from the Academy.  I'll be making the trip twice on Wednesday.  I had initially decided not to go to the Capitol Run on Wednesday morning, but after reading what an experience it is, I decided tonight that I was going to go with the girls.  I know it's super early, but it's a part of graduation week I don't want to miss.  The girls sleep like a rock, so I'll be able to carry them to the car without waking them up on Wednesday morning.  I'll drive back home after get the girls situated with their aunt, so I can get ready for the Graduation Party.  I won't be able to stay after the Graduation Party, since my sister in law has her kids to take care of too.  Our neighbors will be taking the girls to school on Thursday, so I can attend the Family Seminar.  I'll head back home one more time to get the girls and check into the hotel for Thursday night. 

B. and I discussed this weekend what tips or advice I could share on here this week.  After the last few weeks, his number one tip is, "Don't get sick!"  If you do get sick, report to the Staff Office immediately and get quarantined.  B. had been sick for several weeks thinking it was just a cold.  Well, that "cold" turned into a midnight ambulance ride and a trip to the UC Davis ER.  B. had pneumonia.  I had spoken to him a few hours before, he said his chest hurt, but he was going to sleep it off.  I missed the text he sent at midnight that he was at UC Davis.  I had no idea he was there until one of his roommates text me around 6:00am  to see how he was doing.  B. wasn't answering his phone and I was starting to freak out.  His roommate got back to me and said he was still at UC Davis and told me he had pneumonia.  I finally called the Academy to find out where he was.  The Staff Officer who answered the phone was the officer who had just taken B. back to the Academy.  I was just minutes from taking off to UC Davis to see him.  We just received the bill today for just the ambulance ride, $2,944.17.  My sister asked, "Is that a limo ambulance?"  I had no idea an ambulance transport cost that much.  Luckily, Kaiser covered the entire amount. 

I've mentioned advice number two before, save some money before you start the Academy.  The CHP Academy will cost you a small fortune.  Even before day one, you start buying stuff you will need at the Academy.  Your first big item is probably your boots, all leather that can get a mirrored shine.  Then the purchases start piling up little by little.  It also doesn't help that there are a million purchases from the vending machine that accepts debit/credit cards.   5 Hour Energy Drinks are nearly $3 each.  The "Gold" Uniform package is $1375 with taxes.  The State provides a 12 month, no interest loan that will cover $750 of your total, so you will still need to come up with at least half.  Also make sure your car is in working and legal order before you arrive at the Academy.  I believe they ticketed cars during the first week that had violations.  B. had his windshiel replaced that week before the Academy.  Lots of things that you don't consider that cost a chunk of change. 

Rounding out my top three words of advice, try to make contact and relationships with others who are going through the same experience as you.  I had no idea there was a FB group for CTC II-13 until maybe 6-8 weeks ago.  I have met other wives and girlfriends who have found my blog.  Since I haven't revealed B.'s name on here, some Cadets have come up to him to see if this blog was about him based on stories or experiences I have shared about him.  It was also great to meet B.'s roommates and their girlfriends.  The three guys have bonded so much over the last 26 weeks and it was nice to meet their significant others too.  B. wanted to show them what married life was with two young children.  B. and I feel we are still young or at least young at heart.  I didn't feel old, until I realized that B.'s roommates were born when I was a Freshman in high school.  They probably haven't watched the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

I can't wait for all the Graduation festivities this week.  CTC II-13 you've made it.  It's time to celebrate.