Yo folks,

I hope the holiday season was enjoyable for everyone. Afterwards, it was weird leaving to go back to "work." The school mentality is slowly escaping me as I realize that it is not just a sprint to spring break and then summer vacation. On the flip side, I do not have to start a new semester with a whole new set of classes. Plus, it is pretty hard to be frustrated with my "work" schedule since I drove back from Southlake on 28 DEC. I got back on a Sunday to find the squadron and airfield operating on holiday hours. Because of that, I was scheduled for one flight the entire week. It was a mandatory warm-up (because I had been out of the cockpit for over two weeks) with the XO. He was awesome to fly with...very relaxed and let me knock the rust off. That being said, I played golf twice that week, celebrated New Years with buds down here, and tried to find the motivation to study for formations once I finished aerobatics.

As you can see, I had very little to complain about with regards to "going back to work." Plus, it helps when work is getting paid to learn how to fly. This past week has been slightly busier but to a welcome degree. Monday started off with a Safety-stand-down for the entire training wing. The staff is getting better about running those things. While it was not what I would call captivating, it helped get everyone back in the flying mindset after the holiday leave period.

I was weather cancelled again on Tuesday for my last aerobatic re-check (since I did not fly my solo within five days of the first checkride, I had to get a new one). No sooner had I gotten back to my apartment when the clouds parted the sun shone brightly. It was a beautiful day...bummer. However, I finally got the last check in the block done Wednesday before my solo (which I had been trying to fly since before Xmas).

Yesterday, I finally got that solo in...my last aerobatic solo. Bittersweet to say the least. The ODO (officer solos brief with before mounting up) told me to enjoy my last solo unless I go TACAIR. I certainly did enjoy it. I knocked out some touch and go's and tooled around for a solid 35 mins in a working area by myself. A loop? why not...maybe I should do a barrel roll. Needless to say, life is pretty good when I am getting paid to do that. My father reminds me that the pay back will come later on with deployments, alerts, and combat. However, right now...what a life.

Alright, I am back...head is out of the clouds. After my flight, the other guy in my form pair and I studied for a couple of hours for a prospective first form flight this morning. Well, scheds hooked my entire class up for some reason. We all have a three day weekend...and on the night of the BCS championship! So, I assume we will start on Monday, which gives us a little more time to prepare. I am thankful for the extra time no doubt, but I am pumped to start. I have heard from multiple people that formations are their favorite part of primary.

Anyways, that is the first update of 2009. I hope the new year is starting off well for every one else out there. Now, let's all take a moment and morn the passing of another college football season...haha, alright...I am out.