6.15.10

Hey All,

"I can give you three reasons to be happy right now", was the response from our Cadet last week when I complained about having a bad day. "Three cadets went home today". Such a simple statement, yet enough to bring my perspective back to where it should be. My day filled with the frustrations of soft rock and saliva are nothing in comparison to losing your job. Hopefully that is the end of cadets going home.

Once again Cadet Roscoe P. Coltrane was on hot pursuit (gga, gga, gga!). The cadets practiced code 3 pursuit driving in the dark. The instructors made it a fun night with pizza, soda and a somewhat relaxed atmosphere. The cadets were practicing,but they weren't being graded. The only stipulation was don't crash - if you crash you probably get sent home. Thankfully no one crashed, everyone had a great time and Roscoe once again did well!

After a brutal PT session including 203 consecutive nose-in-the-ring push-ups, the cadets began learning the ins and outs of drugs. What they look like, how they are made, what people look like on them and the habits of the users. Quite an experience and an eye opener of what people will do the try to conceal their habits - some were pretty gross. Ryan passed his test on drugs yesterday with a 92% - sweet!

Now we are getting down to it!! The Senior Cadets were finally given Senior privileges today! Here is what that means: they can were regular clothes at night instead of the uniform, watch tv in the rec room and ... grow out their hair for graduation!! By graduation his hair should be a whole 10mm long...wow! So tonight the cadets are enjoying a little R & R while watching the Lakers/Celtics game - what a rare occasion to relax and have fun at the Academy!

This week began on a sad note as the cadets honored two Officers who were killed last week in the line of duty. Always a reminder that everyday is precious. This week the cadets are finishing up DUI, Spanish and Range with finals. Ryan is one of the few that will be taking the Spanish fluency test on Thursday night. Friday they begin Emergency Medical Response. Things seem to wrapping up quickly, as all of the things that Ryan has been telling me about are here. I remember another experience at the dry cleaner where another cadet was picking up his uniforms. Ryan commented that he could tell that he was a Senior Cadet because his hair was a little longer. My first thought was huh? doesn't look longer at all, then I thought I can't wait for that day - and here it is! I am so grateful for where Ryan is and for his daily perseverance, he has really proved himself in every way.

This weeks pic are of Ryan and his newly decorated PT shirt. The cadets were given the green light to decorate their PT shirts with their assignment. Ryan reported back on Monday am that he was the belle of the ball at PT with his newly updated shirt.

I forgot to include this last week - you can go to the CHP website and view pics of the cadets getting tear gassed and there is a short weekly blurb written by an actual cadet. I know! I just found out about it! We could have been viewing weekly pics from the actual Academy, oh well. Here is where you go:

CHP website

click on Jobs & Exams

click on Life at the Academy

click on 10-I ( left of the pic)

There you will find pics and the blurb - I would check it weekly as they update the pics. Enjoy!

Love,

Amy