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Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Is it really summer? It doesn't really feel a whole lot like it...
During the week, the kids and I are pretty much homebound. So that means a lot of swimming at the pool, movies, coloring books, card games, and legos...By the time mike gets home in the evening and dinner is made and cleaned up, it's already bed time...
Sooo...come weekend, we are ready to rumble!
We started last weekend with a trip to the park to enjoy the beautiful Friday morning. The kids had to ease into the climate of being OUTSIDE-hehe-but after a little bit, they acclimated and remembered how to play outside together. We took a walk around the fitness path and used some of the stations they had. Looking forward to returning...We also went to the library that day and loaded up on the books and the kids turned in there summer reading program sheet to get checked off. The kids got in their computer time and Mike took some time to check things out too...After the library we swam a bit and then headed out to see The Diary of a Wimpy Kid at the cheep seats theater. Our kids like the books, so the movie was fun for them to watch. We all gave it two thumbs up!
Saturday we went to Sabino Canyon with some friends of ours. It was a fun day exploring, hiking, picnicking, swimming, catching snakes/frogs, visiting. Very relaxing day. Would love to go back. After the canyon, we all went for a quick swim at the pool here. Then they had to get home to feed their animals. We all gave the day two thumbs up.
Sunday, Mike had his volunteer community service weekend for the academy. He and some other recruits were signed up to help out with the Firefighter Combat Challenge down at the Casino south of Tucson. Did you know that the signs change over to km when you pass through the south side of Tucson?? I had no idea. kind of weird if you ask me...At any rate, we arrived for set up at 630 am. The challenge began at about 730. We cheered on the different departments. The kids did the junior challenge. Mike was assigned to reset the course after each run through with a team of people. Northwest Fire came in second for the overall competition for the relays. Good job to them! After it was over, we all helped with tear-down and then headed home. We all gave the event two thumbs up!
During the week, the kids and I are pretty much homebound. So that means a lot of swimming at the pool, movies, coloring books, card games, and legos...By the time mike gets home in the evening and dinner is made and cleaned up, it's already bed time...
Sooo...come weekend, we are ready to rumble!
We started last weekend with a trip to the park to enjoy the beautiful Friday morning. The kids had to ease into the climate of being OUTSIDE-hehe-but after a little bit, they acclimated and remembered how to play outside together. We took a walk around the fitness path and used some of the stations they had. Looking forward to returning...We also went to the library that day and loaded up on the books and the kids turned in there summer reading program sheet to get checked off. The kids got in their computer time and Mike took some time to check things out too...After the library we swam a bit and then headed out to see The Diary of a Wimpy Kid at the cheep seats theater. Our kids like the books, so the movie was fun for them to watch. We all gave it two thumbs up!
Saturday we went to Sabino Canyon with some friends of ours. It was a fun day exploring, hiking, picnicking, swimming, catching snakes/frogs, visiting. Very relaxing day. Would love to go back. After the canyon, we all went for a quick swim at the pool here. Then they had to get home to feed their animals. We all gave the day two thumbs up.
Sunday, Mike had his volunteer community service weekend for the academy. He and some other recruits were signed up to help out with the Firefighter Combat Challenge down at the Casino south of Tucson. Did you know that the signs change over to km when you pass through the south side of Tucson?? I had no idea. kind of weird if you ask me...At any rate, we arrived for set up at 630 am. The challenge began at about 730. We cheered on the different departments. The kids did the junior challenge. Mike was assigned to reset the course after each run through with a team of people. Northwest Fire came in second for the overall competition for the relays. Good job to them! After it was over, we all helped with tear-down and then headed home. We all gave the event two thumbs up!
We were pooped from a looong weekend. Beautiful weather, wonderful people, great memories...We all gave the weekend two thumbs up
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Completion of Week 10
It is amazing that we are at the end of week 10, it has been a long journey for this academy. There has been some ups and downs but there what is more important is the character building that has occurred. This week was a week about safety, and then our third practicals. On a non academy side note this week has been a very restful and peaceful week. I notice that by going to bed early I am able to recover from the days activities better. I also notice that the heat and the stress of working out, being all hot and sweaty and being that hard worker comes easier with rest and proper nutrition. This week was not too exciting and I really do not have too much to say. I will break this week up by the Frontline Safety Class and then our workouts.
Frontline Safety Class:
We made history this week as we were the first recruit class in the country to receive the IAFF Frontline Safety class. The IAFF developed a 16-hour course entitled Frontline Safety. In this course, the IAFF gives students the opportunity to examine their own values, those of their work team, and those of their organization when it comes to safety. Students learn about the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, which provides information about the causes of fire fighter injuries and fatalities. Students also learn strategies they can use to demonstrate safety is their primary value. The purpose of the course is to help decrease the number of injuries and deaths experienced by the fire service by helping students become safety leaders or advocates for safe behavior.
Fitness:
Monday we started out our fitness with FRAN 21-15-9, we did 21 Thrusters and then 21 Pullups, then 15 Thrusters and then 15 Pullups; then 9 Thrusters and then 9 Pullups. The first time I did FRAN it took some time this time I did it with 20 lbs more for the Thrusters and 3 minutes and 17 seconds faster.
Tuesday we did a TABATA of 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds rest 8 times of Wall Balls and then Box Jumps. So just so that this is clear we did 20 seconds of Wall Balls, then 10 seconds of rest, 20 seconds of Wall Balls and 20 seconds of rest 8 times. Then did the same thing with the box jumps. My numbers were like this for the Wall Balls. 10, 10, 9, 7, 5, 6, 6, 6 - and then for the Box Jumps 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7, 9.
Wednesday we did another type of FRAN 21-15-9 but this time it was Ring Dips and Clings. We are starting to move more towards the core exercises and gymnastics. It was a tough workout but getting her done.
Next Week:
There is really not much to talk about except that fact that this next week is going to be our Wildland Fire week. Even though I have my Wildland certificate I have to retake this again no big deal but what fun it will be to do it with my academy.
Frontline Safety Class:
We made history this week as we were the first recruit class in the country to receive the IAFF Frontline Safety class. The IAFF developed a 16-hour course entitled Frontline Safety. In this course, the IAFF gives students the opportunity to examine their own values, those of their work team, and those of their organization when it comes to safety. Students learn about the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, which provides information about the causes of fire fighter injuries and fatalities. Students also learn strategies they can use to demonstrate safety is their primary value. The purpose of the course is to help decrease the number of injuries and deaths experienced by the fire service by helping students become safety leaders or advocates for safe behavior.
Fitness:
Monday we started out our fitness with FRAN 21-15-9, we did 21 Thrusters and then 21 Pullups, then 15 Thrusters and then 15 Pullups; then 9 Thrusters and then 9 Pullups. The first time I did FRAN it took some time this time I did it with 20 lbs more for the Thrusters and 3 minutes and 17 seconds faster.
Tuesday we did a TABATA of 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds rest 8 times of Wall Balls and then Box Jumps. So just so that this is clear we did 20 seconds of Wall Balls, then 10 seconds of rest, 20 seconds of Wall Balls and 20 seconds of rest 8 times. Then did the same thing with the box jumps. My numbers were like this for the Wall Balls. 10, 10, 9, 7, 5, 6, 6, 6 - and then for the Box Jumps 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7, 9.
Wednesday we did another type of FRAN 21-15-9 but this time it was Ring Dips and Clings. We are starting to move more towards the core exercises and gymnastics. It was a tough workout but getting her done.
Next Week:
There is really not much to talk about except that fact that this next week is going to be our Wildland Fire week. Even though I have my Wildland certificate I have to retake this again no big deal but what fun it will be to do it with my academy.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
I have crocheted a few blankets in the past and I like to keep track of the patterns I've used and made up so I can refer back to them...This is one that I worked on a while back. Although this blanket was finished and mailed off quite a while ago, I waited until it was received and wrapped around the precious little nephew of ours, Parker Royce himself before I posted.
Monday, June 7, 2010
I know I've said this before, but I love the car conversations. Something about driving and walking brings up the best talk. It's always so random...
So this was a conversation yesterday...
Matthew- "Mommy, how do you put money in your card?"
Me- " You mean my debit card?"
Matthew- "Yeah, the card you do like this-shzeep-shzeep"
(making swiping motions with his hand.)
Me- " Well, I go into the bank and put money into the account and then it lets me use my card"
Matthew-" Where do you get the money?"
Me- "From Daddy's check. That's why he goes to work every day, so we can buy the things we need"
Matthew- "Oh, you mean the academy?"
Me- "Yeah, that's his job right now, he gets paid to go there every day"
Niko interjects-"No he doesn't!! He doesn't get paid to do that" (kinda in a 'no way' tone)
Me- " i know that seems pretty impossible, Son, to get paid to do something you love to do, but believe it or not, they are paying your Dad to go to the academy"
Matthew- "And when he's done in the academy, Dad will get paid to go to the fire station?"
Me- "He sure will!"
Love it! I sure hope that the two of them (well, all three of them) will find something that they absolutely LOVE to do when they grow up and that they can't believe that someone is actually paying them to do it.
So this was a conversation yesterday...
Matthew- "Mommy, how do you put money in your card?"
Me- " You mean my debit card?"
Matthew- "Yeah, the card you do like this-shzeep-shzeep"
(making swiping motions with his hand.)
Me- " Well, I go into the bank and put money into the account and then it lets me use my card"
Matthew-" Where do you get the money?"
Me- "From Daddy's check. That's why he goes to work every day, so we can buy the things we need"
Matthew- "Oh, you mean the academy?"
Me- "Yeah, that's his job right now, he gets paid to go there every day"
Niko interjects-"No he doesn't!! He doesn't get paid to do that" (kinda in a 'no way' tone)
Me- " i know that seems pretty impossible, Son, to get paid to do something you love to do, but believe it or not, they are paying your Dad to go to the academy"
Matthew- "And when he's done in the academy, Dad will get paid to go to the fire station?"
Me- "He sure will!"
Love it! I sure hope that the two of them (well, all three of them) will find something that they absolutely LOVE to do when they grow up and that they can't believe that someone is actually paying them to do it.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Week 9 - Ventilation & Forcible Entry
This week was a short week for sure. A couple of milestones were accomplished I have to share about these some crazy transformations has occurred; more on this later. This week we had a short 3 day week as Monday was Memorial Day. Before I get into the academy stuff I wanted to let you know that things are going much better here at the apartment homestead. Adriana and I are looking forward though to when we can move out of this complex and move into a normal house where we can do normal things. There has been some thoughts on maybe buying a foreclosed home or even just renting again. We would like to get a good size house but not pay too much for rent if we do decide to rent.
The Memorial Day weekend was nice had 4 days off. It was great to just chill spend time with the family and swim. It has been getting kinda of hot around here but still nice and cool in the mornings which is nice. But swimming has been the activity of the days usually when it is blistering hot. We did get an opportunity to play Basketball (around the world) with Niko and Bethany at the park, Niko won believe it or not he is a pretty good basketball player. He even beat his Dad; seeing that these days of winning are going to be over for sure.
This week in the Academy was Forcible Entry and Ventilation. I will go thru the activities in chronological order.
Milestone #1:
During the past week we had our live fire training. During the weekend I weighed myself at the Academy and was 239! I have not ever been 239 since I was heavy. Huge accomplishment now hovering around 242 to 247, which means that I am out of the 250s. Very cool!
Milestone #2:
There is this old swimsuit that I use to wear in Hawaii. I have saved it because it is that piece of clothing that you know that if you can get into you know you are making a transformation. Well wanted to go swimming and my new swimsuit was not available so my wife said you should try to get into your old swimsuit. Knowing that I have tried in the past thinking that I was thin, and was not able to accomplish this. The Memorial Day weekend I did get that swimsuit on, and it is a little lose. So I can wear a size 38 now maybe even less here soon after the academy. A very large accomplishment.
Tuesday:
The Academy started off with a bang with Punishment Part II. All I can say is that this is by far one of the toughest workouts I have had. We ran and ran and ran some more. We ran around the park, and at each intersection of the paths we stopped and did multiple items, like planks, burpees, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, push ups etc. It was probably about 15 times we ran and stopped at a path intersection. Crazy stuff, before this we warmed up which was a lot of work all by itself. This 2 hour workout was intense. One of the other things we did after we were done with set I and set II, we did set III where we ran again, and then the guy in the back ran to the front and grabbed the flag and we did that over and over again. This weeks workouts were intense. We afterwards has some classroom time and went over Ventilation. We had our quiz on ventilation received an 80% on this. Ended the day in getting our movements down for ventilation by mimicking the chainsaw movements for the cuts we will make when cutting a vent hole on the roof.
Wednesday:
We started humped day out with a pretty tough workout. 800M Run, 15 Thrusters and 15 Pull Ups; 5 times. This was a tough workout because of the 800 M Run for sure. We ended up taking the written exam from last weeks material and I got an 88% This day we started working our practice foot work from Tuesday on the vent roof prop. We used Chainsaws to make different types of cuts that might be required on the fire ground. First off the roof is sounded off with a trash hook, then the saw man follows precisely where the roof is sounded and walks on the rafters. When you make the first cut, you need to make a diagnostic cut, from rafter to rafter on an angle. Then you need to make a residential cut which is 4’ x 4’ and the commercial cut is 8’ x 8’. The residential cut you make a cut like a square. When you make the cut you need to make sure do not cut into the rafters so we learned out to do a skim cut, or roll the rafters. All in all it was a hot and long day.
Thursday:
We started out this day with a traditional CrossFIT workout of “Barbara” as prescribed. 20 Pull Ups, 30 Push Ups, 40 Situps and 50 Squats with a 2 min rest in between the sets and doing this 5 times. I think I jacked my hands up a bit as I was doing the last couple of pull up sets so this weekend they should heal. After this workout we ended up doing forcible entry. It was a great day of taking the rotary saws and learning how to cut into hinges, cut bolts, chains, break block, do forcible entry on doors, and learn about different locks. We even cut rebar and into a garage door doing a west coast cut. Another busy but hot day.
Next Week:
For next week I am sure the workouts are going to be intense even more. Noticed that we are doing the CrossFIT workouts as prescribed. Next week it looks like we are going to be doing a bunch of things. We are going to do Building Construction, START Triage, ALS Assist, and Mobile Command Van, Fire Prevention, Courageous to be Safe, EMS Overview, Patient Handling and then we are doing our practicals.
So this next week will be Week 10. Please continue to pray for the RTOs to have favor for me and the academy. Please continue to pray that I do well with my skills, my practical and my next sets of written exams and quizzes. As always thank you so much for your continue support and prayers.
The Memorial Day weekend was nice had 4 days off. It was great to just chill spend time with the family and swim. It has been getting kinda of hot around here but still nice and cool in the mornings which is nice. But swimming has been the activity of the days usually when it is blistering hot. We did get an opportunity to play Basketball (around the world) with Niko and Bethany at the park, Niko won believe it or not he is a pretty good basketball player. He even beat his Dad; seeing that these days of winning are going to be over for sure.
This week in the Academy was Forcible Entry and Ventilation. I will go thru the activities in chronological order.
Milestone #1:
During the past week we had our live fire training. During the weekend I weighed myself at the Academy and was 239! I have not ever been 239 since I was heavy. Huge accomplishment now hovering around 242 to 247, which means that I am out of the 250s. Very cool!
Milestone #2:
There is this old swimsuit that I use to wear in Hawaii. I have saved it because it is that piece of clothing that you know that if you can get into you know you are making a transformation. Well wanted to go swimming and my new swimsuit was not available so my wife said you should try to get into your old swimsuit. Knowing that I have tried in the past thinking that I was thin, and was not able to accomplish this. The Memorial Day weekend I did get that swimsuit on, and it is a little lose. So I can wear a size 38 now maybe even less here soon after the academy. A very large accomplishment.
Tuesday:
The Academy started off with a bang with Punishment Part II. All I can say is that this is by far one of the toughest workouts I have had. We ran and ran and ran some more. We ran around the park, and at each intersection of the paths we stopped and did multiple items, like planks, burpees, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, push ups etc. It was probably about 15 times we ran and stopped at a path intersection. Crazy stuff, before this we warmed up which was a lot of work all by itself. This 2 hour workout was intense. One of the other things we did after we were done with set I and set II, we did set III where we ran again, and then the guy in the back ran to the front and grabbed the flag and we did that over and over again. This weeks workouts were intense. We afterwards has some classroom time and went over Ventilation. We had our quiz on ventilation received an 80% on this. Ended the day in getting our movements down for ventilation by mimicking the chainsaw movements for the cuts we will make when cutting a vent hole on the roof.
Wednesday:
We started humped day out with a pretty tough workout. 800M Run, 15 Thrusters and 15 Pull Ups; 5 times. This was a tough workout because of the 800 M Run for sure. We ended up taking the written exam from last weeks material and I got an 88% This day we started working our practice foot work from Tuesday on the vent roof prop. We used Chainsaws to make different types of cuts that might be required on the fire ground. First off the roof is sounded off with a trash hook, then the saw man follows precisely where the roof is sounded and walks on the rafters. When you make the first cut, you need to make a diagnostic cut, from rafter to rafter on an angle. Then you need to make a residential cut which is 4’ x 4’ and the commercial cut is 8’ x 8’. The residential cut you make a cut like a square. When you make the cut you need to make sure do not cut into the rafters so we learned out to do a skim cut, or roll the rafters. All in all it was a hot and long day.
Thursday:
We started out this day with a traditional CrossFIT workout of “Barbara” as prescribed. 20 Pull Ups, 30 Push Ups, 40 Situps and 50 Squats with a 2 min rest in between the sets and doing this 5 times. I think I jacked my hands up a bit as I was doing the last couple of pull up sets so this weekend they should heal. After this workout we ended up doing forcible entry. It was a great day of taking the rotary saws and learning how to cut into hinges, cut bolts, chains, break block, do forcible entry on doors, and learn about different locks. We even cut rebar and into a garage door doing a west coast cut. Another busy but hot day.
Next Week:
For next week I am sure the workouts are going to be intense even more. Noticed that we are doing the CrossFIT workouts as prescribed. Next week it looks like we are going to be doing a bunch of things. We are going to do Building Construction, START Triage, ALS Assist, and Mobile Command Van, Fire Prevention, Courageous to be Safe, EMS Overview, Patient Handling and then we are doing our practicals.
So this next week will be Week 10. Please continue to pray for the RTOs to have favor for me and the academy. Please continue to pray that I do well with my skills, my practical and my next sets of written exams and quizzes. As always thank you so much for your continue support and prayers.
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