The whole week of gradation went by in a blur. Much of the week was spent in preparation of the graduation ceremony and also in preparation of leaving ODS. We had a lot more time during the days to take care of business...like going to the uniform shop, going to the dry cleaners, catching up on emails, etc. I was so glad that they gave us some extra time...because we truly needed it! One nice thing about graduation week is that we could talk again at meals...only by this point, I didn't have that much to say anymore!
I think that my favorite part of the graduation week was the reception. The reception was held at a beautiful location on the water. There were probably 500 people there...including both companies, their families, and those who run the ODS program. It was quite a turnout! I enjoyed catching up with people and even got to meet Vice Admiral Nathan...the Surgeon General of the Navy! He was super nice and very easy to speak to! I also enjoyed talking with our class officer and class Chief! After the whole ceremony part of the evening was over, my favorite part began! Most people had left, except probably twenty to thirty of November Company and the Lieutenant and Chief. They were talking with us and the Lieutenant was joking around...and it was so hilarious! I'd put some of what he said here, except that it is probably one of those things where you just had to be there! After that, a few of us went to downtown Newport to get dinner and frozen yogurt! It was a great evening and actually made me kind of sad to be leaving it all behind.
The next day we had graduation...and it seemed to go just right! Good thing we practiced so much! As soon as the ceremony was over, I thanked the Lieutenant and our Chief and ran to change clothes and catch the shuttle to the airport. I had so much luggage! I came with two pieces...my backpack and suitcase...and left with four pieces! Anyway, my first flight was fairly uneventful...and I wish my second flight was the same, but I ended up getting stuck in Newark for hours! I was about ready to cry because I was so tired and just wanted to go to sleep! My flight got delayed probably five or six times...and for those of you who do not know...Newark airport is awful! It is very dirty...and I don't know that I've ever had a good experience going through there. I've done a lot of flying and that is the worst one I've ever been to!
Anyway, because my flight was so delayed, I had to take a taxi to the Navy Lodge. The rental car place was closed...adding yet another complication to my life! I finally got to bed around 3:30am! I slept so well! The next day, I had to take another taxi to go retrieve my rental car...and then that night I got to see my brother...so things did get better!
I think that my favorite part of the graduation week was the reception. The reception was held at a beautiful location on the water. There were probably 500 people there...including both companies, their families, and those who run the ODS program. It was quite a turnout! I enjoyed catching up with people and even got to meet Vice Admiral Nathan...the Surgeon General of the Navy! He was super nice and very easy to speak to! I also enjoyed talking with our class officer and class Chief! After the whole ceremony part of the evening was over, my favorite part began! Most people had left, except probably twenty to thirty of November Company and the Lieutenant and Chief. They were talking with us and the Lieutenant was joking around...and it was so hilarious! I'd put some of what he said here, except that it is probably one of those things where you just had to be there! After that, a few of us went to downtown Newport to get dinner and frozen yogurt! It was a great evening and actually made me kind of sad to be leaving it all behind.
The next day we had graduation...and it seemed to go just right! Good thing we practiced so much! As soon as the ceremony was over, I thanked the Lieutenant and our Chief and ran to change clothes and catch the shuttle to the airport. I had so much luggage! I came with two pieces...my backpack and suitcase...and left with four pieces! Anyway, my first flight was fairly uneventful...and I wish my second flight was the same, but I ended up getting stuck in Newark for hours! I was about ready to cry because I was so tired and just wanted to go to sleep! My flight got delayed probably five or six times...and for those of you who do not know...Newark airport is awful! It is very dirty...and I don't know that I've ever had a good experience going through there. I've done a lot of flying and that is the worst one I've ever been to!
Anyway, because my flight was so delayed, I had to take a taxi to the Navy Lodge. The rental car place was closed...adding yet another complication to my life! I finally got to bed around 3:30am! I slept so well! The next day, I had to take another taxi to go retrieve my rental car...and then that night I got to see my brother...so things did get better!