Thursday, September 18, 2008

Die Hard

Yippee-Kay-Yay COLT!!!


This past Saturday I tested with the West Jordan Police Department. West Jordan would be a great place to work they have the highest starting pay of any department in the state, and its a pretty good department to boot. I went to the PT and prepared for the first set of challenges

Part 1: Vehicle Accident
Pick up a 75 lbs. barbell and run 25 feet with it.
Grab a robe attached to a 120 lbs crate and drag it 30 feet.
Push a pick up truck 30 feet. All under 30 seconds.

No Problem!
Part 2: Rescue
Exit the patrol car sprint to vehicle remove 190 lbs. dummy and drag said dummy to safety.
No Problem!

Part 3: Obstacle Course
Run to a six foot fence and climb it
Run to flight of stairs and do 3 times up down to simulate running up 6 flights of stairs(Remember this part for later).
Sprint the next station and run 400 meter sprint(track flash back).
Jump over a ditch
Sprint through a series of cones in a zig-zag pattern
Jump a 4 1/2 ft fence
Wrestle a 190 lbs dummy(same one you just rescued), flip and handcuff.
So as I began my sprint I cleared the 6 foot fence just fine, but when it came to the stairs I slipped 200 pounds of Colt went one way, my arm went the other. This completely dislocated my shoulder. This is where I look good though. I stood up told my proctor I was fine and proceeded to finish the obstacle course. My fellow cadets were in total awe one even remarked "I could barely do the dummy with of my good hands after that thing...that was awesome!" I definitely felt like John McClane after that! One other person applying came to me and said "Your Batman, aren't you?" then I went to ER. Once there they x-rayed me, gave me some wicked pain medication, knocked me out(where once knocked out I apparently was talking a lot about DUI law...weird), and finally put my shoulder back where it belonged. I am still in a sling for this week and will most likely be there at least one more.


That night Maggie and I went the Utah Symphony with Dale and Kathy. It was the opener for Keith Lockheart's final season conducting the Utah Symphony. The Ode to Joy sounded wonderful and we had a great time. I was on a high dose of prescribed Loritab so I was pretty happy anyway.


Hopefully Maggie can help fill the rest of the details on this weekend, and there should be some pictures coming in a couple of days, and maybe even the x-rays!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Want me to interpret that??

I just got the letter on Saturday and it is official I am a certified American Sign Language interpreter in Utah. I am a novice level certified (sorry for using certified again I just can't stop I'm so excited) interpreter. It makes all that time away from Colt when I was in the program and we were long distance finally worth it. It also means I didn't waste two years of my life Hooray for that!
People keep asking me what that means. Well let's start with the obvious it means I can get paid to work as an interpreter (which is AWESOME). It also means I have 3 years to pass the intermediate test. If I don't pass in that time I loose it all (that part is scary). So think happy thoughts as I prepare to test again. I am working with wonderful mentors who I know will be a big help to me.
Most of all I'm just super Super SUPER excited. I can't wait to get involved with more interpreting and learn more. I know this is an amazing opportunity and I am so grateful for it. I am also so grateful to all my friends and family who have been so supportive and encouraging to me through this process!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Finally some pictures!!!

We have finally posted pictures for July and August so if you want to scroll back you take a look at some of the fun things we have been doing! There are some good ones.

Say goodbye

I had to say goodbye to a dear friend this past week. My friend Ashley got a new job and left me. It was wonderful having a friend at work. It meant always knowing someone would be happy to see you and be there for you on a bad day. Ashley got an awesome job as an interpreter and her college degree will be paid for! I am so proud of her. I went shopping for her goodbye gift from the office. Normally we get a cake and then a little gift. We decided to get Ashley an awesome gift, because she deserves it and well I know how to shop for her. We still get a little treat for the office to share. The majority of the pooled money was spent on an awesome gift. We got her a cute brown purse, a scarf, lip gloss, sunglasses, snickers (her favorite candy), and hand lotion. I'm sad but I know we are buddies for life no matter where we work. I love you Ashley!


I think she likes it!


Checking out all the goodies