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1st LT Amanda Streetman
COT Class 2013-01
550 E. Maxwell Blvd #9000
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-5000

Singing to Britney while crossing rivers.

So today.

I got up at 8 and finished grabbing all the last minute things and loading up the car. Zakhad asked me to come by his restaurant before I left, so I loaded up and headed down.

It was great seeing him (we had gotten dinner the night before), he loaded me up with 2 tropical iced teas, slapped me on the butt (kidding), and sent me on my way.

(I would like to make note that those 2 iced teas lasted me all the way to Jackson, Mississippi.  I'm going to die at training).

So I was underway and on the road by 10am. I decided to go the northern route instead of the southern (baton rouge). The reason, because EVERY SINGLE HOTEL was booked solidin Baton Rouge due to the LSU game this weekend. I was not game to stay in a roach coach motel. Especially not while I'm running on the government dime :D

So the Shreveport, Vicksburg, Jackson route it was. Lots of trees,and a fantastic river.

Being a total tourist of course I took pictures!

I look downright miserable that I'm leaving Texas right?  Well I was. 

Oh hello Louisiana! I would like to say that northern Louisiana is ugly, boring, and the state troopers that parole up there make our Texas troopers look like toddlers. It became almost a game to see if I could spot them before I passed them. These guys can hide like champs. They could hide a trooper cruiser behind a tennis racket and I still would never have seen them. Just genius. 

I realized something else about Louisiana. I have no idea which they have more of: ninja troopers, Christian radio stations, or dead raccoons. 

I swear there must be a massive epidemic going on. There were dead raccoons EVERYWHERE. I mean in the middle of the road, on the side of the road, hanging from fences, flung through the air, tacked on cars (ok I kid about the last 2, maybe.). It was so weird. I was physically relieved when I passed a dead armadillo because at least it wasn't a raccoon. 

So finally Mississippi!

I fully embarrassed myself crossing the river. 

In an attempt to give myself more variety as I zipped along, I decided that Britney Spears was the perfect road trip sound track. So about 10 miles prior to the river I had Brit blasting (did I tell you I had a fabulous sound system put in) and I zoomed across the Mississippi River belting out at the top of my lungs Oops I Did it Again. When I get to the other side I look over at the car next to me to see a gaggle of little boys just dying laughing and staring at me like I had grown another arm. What can I say, love me some Britney. 

The Mississippi river is gorgeous by the way. I stopped at the visitor center, and took a couple of pictures.  Just huge. Everything is bigger and better in Texas, but that river takes the cake. 

See that sexy little car? Yeah, so do I. Awwwwww

So now here I sit. Drinking a cider and eating a Reuben sandwich which wasn't half bad for a little Irish pub in Mississippi. I plan on watching some honey boo boo tonight and crashing early. 

Hopefully I get into Montgomery early tomorrow so I can get properly yelled at on Monday. 

I told my dad, I feel like a real adult now. I have driven across states, I have a hotel room, and I did it all by myself. Now they'll let me lead people into war. 

Muhahahahha

I'll leave you with this picture of me with clove candy sticks. Ecstatic I found them. Yes I bought 16. Excessive? Heck no. 

They were 8 for a dollar! I was being frugal! 

More catch up!

Soooo a couple of days before I left I get a call. From Maryland you say? Why yes it was. Now who could be calling me from Maryland? Why a 3 star general, that's who

Did I play it cool? Yes. Did I say sir? Multiple times.  Did I complain that I didn't get to wear a crop top on my first day of training? You betcha.

He laughed! Said he looked forward to meeting me after JASOC. Dad groaned.  What can I say, I make an impression.

So what else has happened.....

I packed everything up. Everything that I own currently fits in a 10x10 storage unit in Huntsville. Which my father, Smeltzer, and my gym buddy Darrell are going to load up for my apartment in Colorado. 

Thanks guys! Well I don't have to say thanks to Smeltzer, he owes me 4 lyfe!

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For those that have not been following my Facebook, I had a little oral surgery done. I figured I would rather have my doctor, who I love, perform it then a doctor I don't know through the military. 

All went perfect............EXCEPT

Made it to Mississippi

Alright guys!  I know it's been forever since I've updated this.  It's been a whirlwind over the past couple days I just didn't have the time. Sorry. :(

But let me fill you in on everything that has happened.

First! This is me now:

It's been a long long long long day. I drove from Huntsville, TX to Jackson, MS. For you non-geographically inclined that's about 7.5 hours.  But I made it :)

It's been a fast couple of weeks.

My family converged on Huntsville to say goodbye to me. We commandeered a table out in the State Park and my favorite Aunt Pookie brought brisket. I provided the coleslaw (which was amazing btw) and made red skin/dill potatoe salad. Funnily enough I really don't have that many pictures from the day. (dad I'm looking at you). But I'll share the ones that I had on my phone.

Omg how cute is that dog?!

If that's not a look of extreme sadness and dejectedness I don't know what is. My poor boyfriend. 

I won't get to see my sleek seal puppy till around May. Sooooo incredibly sad as all get out. 

But I had a great time seeing everyone before I left. It's always nice to know that your family is happy for you and super proud. And if they aren't proud they put up a good front ;)

The Grand Design!

I just want to say that I have finally recovered from my weekend in Austin.  I had such a great time.  Thanks Mary and Duffy for being such awesome hosts while showing the "temporary" small town girl a good time.
Guys I really hope that yall can make it to my going away thing, yes yes, little sister getting married the day before is important... but you'll see her again!

It was of course awesome to hang out with my sisters.  Sucks you won't make it to my going away thingie Spring.  

I was also able to add things to my "unicorn box".  Toy Joy is got to be one of my fave places to shop at.  I always find something that I totally want and desperately don't need.  Like Target.


So on to the new news!  I have made a decision!

The 4WD Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, in Mercury Gray.

Please take note that mine will have the roof rails, the fancy smancy rims, fancier lights, and the color is much darker then it appears.

Also note the HUGE sunroof in the last picture!  HOW AWESOME IS THAT?  It doesn't open all the way to the outside, but the door slides open and the glass goes all the way to the back of the back seat.

Instead of the NAV, I opted for the huge 9 speaker + sub-woofer from Rockford Fosgate.  The sales guy and I were "bumping" all down the highway. 

The only thing that I'm changing is the material.  The "sport" does not offer leather, it's not considered sporty enough.  However after talking to a ton of people and taking a hard look at Archer, I have decided... well why not.  It'll end up being an extra $20 a month.  

So Archer?  Your toy fund just went down a notch... but I'm getting your fat tush leather! 

I could use some help though readers.  I have about 50 different colors to choose from.  I have no idea what I want.  I don't think I want strict black.  The thing about Mitsu is that the black interior (the steering, dash, dials, etc etc) is ALWAYS black.  When they make it beige, it still has the black details.  Kind of a signature thing for them.  Weird Japanese. 

So give me your thoughts and opinions.... I had the poor car dealer send me pictures of the grey swatches of which there are like 5.  From super light, to graphite.  What do yall think?  I currently have the poor man convinced I'm coming back with pink.

The best part of the whole car?  Seat Warmers. 

I'm also considering adding in remote start.  The boys at the dealership are cutting the price in half for me, so about ~400 ish.  Is it worth it? It is a neat bar trick to say the least.

I do want to give a HUGE thank you to Gillman Mitsubishi.  My poor poor car guy Bryan Barnett has been a complete and utter gem.  He'll answer my obscure nuerotic texts at midnight and will get up bright and early and answer even more at 7:00 am.

If you're in the market for one, I highly highly suggest that dealer and that salesmen.  And you guys know I don't give high compliments very often :) (part of my ice queen mystique, no really, seriously! Ok fine I'm super friendly to everyone)

 It could just have been that I scampered over there in my running shorts after working out everyday.  The joys of spandex!

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So after a miserable calorie and drinking weekend I took a run today.  1.64 miles in 15.25 minutes.  Ok I went up, but I was running off enchiladas, 14 oz steak with butter, huge chicken fried steak + black eyed peas and buttered carrots, a smoothie, a RIDICULOUS doughnut monstrosity and ramen noodle from last night.  I think I did ok, considering.

Ridiculous doughnut monstrosity: 

Dad enjoying the ridiculous doughnut monstrosity:

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I had to go to court today to do some renditions for TDCJ ( you know, drag our inmate to another state to testify as a witness). 

2 things happened. 

1st:  I ran into a gaggle of the defense attorneys I used to work against, and told them my ship out date.  Mass hysteria ensued.  ( a ton of the defense attorneys are ex-military or reserve).  I have now been informed that I shall be dragged out to a "watering of the bars".  From what I could gather from the excitement is that one of the attorneys is going to give me his dad's "blooded" 1st LT bars.  But they have to pin it on me (not the marine, punch, and pin it on).  It seems like it's a big deal.  They all seemed really excited.  And I am honored to have his dad's bars as I know his dad passed away a long time ago. 

I also gathered it's going to entail some drinking and singing of the Air Force fight song.  Yay?

2nd:  Not only did I run into attorneys, but I also ran into a trashcan.  You know the old Loony Toons, when Yosemite Sam is shooting at Bugs and Bugs sticks a carrot in the barrel?  It blocks the gun, and the barrel peels back like petals on a flower?  Well imagine that design on a 50lb + iron trashcan.  The petals hit, RIGHT at knee cap level.  They had moved it RIGHT INFRONT OF THE EXIT TO THE STAIR DOORWAY for when the inmates came through. 

Well I sailed my butt down the stairs, popped open the door, and ran smack into that trashcan.  Threw my files.  Threw my jacket.  And promptly kissed the floor.  And I just laid there for a minute.  I felt for sure I just cracked my patella, and that I was now going to sue Walker County for everything they had (including taking my JAG dreams away).  Eventually the County Clerk ran over and helped me up.  I'll take a picture for you guys tomorrow when the color sets.  I have 3 distinct blue/black petals on1 knee, and 1 on the other.  It hurt so bad.  The bruise had started less then 15 minutes in.  I'm sure tomorrow I shall be a rainbow of ouch.

The funny thing?  I had just "knocked on wood" when someone asked me if I had ever had any problems with my knees.

Skylar 0 - Trashcan 1.

Austin

So this weekend I went to Austin to see my best friend Mary, Duffy, and my family.

I just want to start off by saying that getting a new car will be amazing.  I had to drive all the way to Austin and back with no air conditioning because about a month ago, the roller skate decided that air conditioning was not a necessity for Texas driving.

I think that I don't agree with the roller skate.

I got into Austin and met up with Mary and Duffles.  Friday night we started off with getting some dinner at Hoffbrau steakhouse.  For those that knew me when I worked at Josephine Street in San Antonio, this was the restaurant that it was modeled after.  They literally douse the steak in butter.  I'm just happy that the military said I could put on another 30 pounds and still be within the weight needed.  I see it as a challenge accepted.

 

 

I used to be a vegetarian, I think that is safely past me.  Although I might go back to that following all my military training.  Eating meat is just too fattening for me.

That night we all went out to Don's.  It's a bar that has a distinct train car theme to it.  Got to meet Spencer's boyfriend Ian, nice kid.

The next morning, dad and I got up and went and test drove some more cars.  We were able to knock out the Ford Escape, although my dad loved it.  I didn't like the interior, it was like a 80's spaceship in it's design.  Just didn't work out for me.

While we were able to knock something off, we added on a car.  When we went to Mitsubishi to drive the Sport, we ended up driving a regular Outlander.  It's nothing like how Mario's used to be.  It was kinda amazing.  We weren't able to get it up on the highway because the dealership was a brand new one that was still in the process of building so they had no gas facilities yet.  Of course the car that we were driving must have been popular because it had no gas in it.  Monday after work I have an appointment with the local Mitsu to test drive one with them.  

 I think I kinda love it.  Just need to see how it does on the highway.

After that Mary and I began our night while the rest of the family went to the SFA football game.  We went to Enchiladas y Mas.  They make the enchiladas like you used to get in high school.  You know, those nasty horrible for you ones that look like a pile on the plate?  The kind that you fought all the other kids in line to get praying that they didn't run out?  Yeah... they were just like those.

The margaritas weren't half bad too.

From there we progressed to Draught Bar, where the family joined up.  Many ciders in, we called it a night.

Sunday just involved a lot of running around and shopping.  I'm putting a box together for my New Zealand unicorn.  It's progressing quite well.  

Now I'm happy and curled up on the bed watching Season 6 Dexter.

Only 1.5 weeks of work left, and about 3 weeks total left of Texas.

Have to say, I'm ready to leave Huntsville.  I'm ready to see what else is out in the world.

 

Less than a month to go

I'm currently working at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  They agreed to employ me until I leave.

I also work out everyday,

Today I ran 1.5 miles in 14.25 minutes.  That's 2.5 minutes faster then I did a month ago!  Totally not TOO worried about the physical demands of the AF.  I'm up to about 30-40 pushups, and can go all day on the situps.

Bring it.

My biggest struggle is trying to figure out the whole moving thing.  Trying to find an apartment from over 1000 miles away is not easy.  I have however made a friend that lived in the area for a long time that has been a saving grace (yay vey!)

I think I have the place pinned down, they even accepted Archer without blinking an eye.  It has a fantastic review online, and according to the sheriff's office: no current crime in the last year.  No sex offenders living within 5 miles.  (BTW there are an unnaturally HUGE number of sex offenders in Colorado Springs)

Also, trying to coordinate with the military to move my stuff has proved to be the most difficult thing I have ever had to do.  It's soooo not user friendly and is frustrating to no end. I'm going to keep trying, but if I honestly can't figure it out (or can't get anyone to help me figure it out).................Dad?  Wanna drive to Colorado Springs? You can bring Sonny?

 I'm also in the process of car shopping.  I drive a roller skate.  Not just any roller skate... a hand-me-down-12-year-old-with-no-working-air-conditioning roller skate.  Yes, no AC.... in Texas... during the summer.  And yes, it sucks just as much you think it does.

These are my 2 front runners:

 

Aren't they cute?  Most important consideration?  4 Wheel Drive.

I've never really driven in snow and ice.  It'll be a new experience.