A few of you have been asking how things are going, since we haven't posted here recently. The reason I haven't written in awhile is that this whole trucking thing is really hard!
It's hard physically: not always getting enough sleep and/or getting up really early, having to be really intentional about making time to eat, and trying really hard to find healthy food that I even want to eat, trying to drink enough to stay hydrated, but not so much that we have to stop every hour for a bathroom break, or I have to get up in the night and walk across the parking lot into the truck stop to pee.
It's hard mentally: there is so much information that a person needs to know to be a truck driver! Map reading, trip planning, company paper work, fueling, shifting, going down hills without loss of life :) and of course, building up the stamina to drive up to 10 hours a day.
And it's hard emotionally: being away from friends and family for such a long time, not having much free time to connect on the phone or internet, living with someone I don't know...for a whole month. I think I can speak for both of us when I say it's been a rough week. I have been just non-stop exhausted, and Ariel has been fighting a nasty cold.
However...
It's not all bad news, so all the moms can just stop the worrying (you know who you are). :) I personally, have been feeling better about things the past few days. I think it's a combination of getting to talk to my cousin on the phone a few times, and some serious intentionality in the food/eating department (I had 3 meals and 2 snacks both yesterday and today...first time since I left home). Apparently, eating food and having friends will do wonders for your life!
A few random thoughts:
-I drove 311 miles today. Not my longest ever, but more than yesterday, and I didn't feel like I was going to fall asleep the whole time, which is a serious improvement. Tomorrow: LA near the end of morning rush hour!
-So far I haven't had to drive in any rain or snow...and I've had sun every day. :)
-I made myself a huge veggie sandwich for lunch today with Dave's Killer Bread...so good!
-Today I saw a sign for "Zzyzx Rd." off of I-15 in California. I'd love to hear everyone's opinions on the proper pronunciation.
-So far I've hauled birdseed, insulation, capri-sun, and cat litter. I am probably not going to find a lot of deep fulfillment from this job. :)
-Today I had to hit my breaks hard and pull over to the side of the freeway, because there was a runaway cow trying to cross.
:) -Amanda
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Manderfield
I am going to try my very hardest to go to sleep early tonight, since I've not been very good at getting up early (3am) and staying awake to drive. (I've had to take a nap the last few days once my trainer started us out on the road around 6am, just couldn't keep my eyes open or my head up. Don't worry, she was driving-I was in the bunk.) I get to sleep in 'til 5am tomorrow morning, but I'd still like to get a good solid night's sleep, so I'll try to keep this short. Just a few thoughts from the past few days:
-I drove my longest ever in one day yesterday, almost 450 miles. And today I drove my longest stretch between breaks, I think it was about 4 hours. I am physically and mentally exhausted at the end of each day, but I think I'm starting to build up my tolerance, so that is good!
-Yesterday I drove past a town called "Manderfield" in Utah. :)
-I also saw a sign in the middle of nowhere (maybe Utah), that said, "We buy antlers". Ha!
What else...tonight I'm in southern California, near Bakersfield-there's just so much sun!
Oh, and we are not recycling out here. I mean, my trainer's not recycling, and I'm not gonna make a stink about it. But we're drinking bottled water...and tea, and juice, and soda...and driving a huge diesel powered truck all over the place. I'm gonna have to build my own self-heating cabin out of plastic garbage bags and walk everywhere for the rest of my life to make up for the damage I'm doing to the planet right now. :)
That's all folks-oh, except you should all send warm thoughts to my other half. She's not feeling well and is dealing with snow in Wyoming right now. Stay warm and be well cousin!
-Amanda
-I drove my longest ever in one day yesterday, almost 450 miles. And today I drove my longest stretch between breaks, I think it was about 4 hours. I am physically and mentally exhausted at the end of each day, but I think I'm starting to build up my tolerance, so that is good!
-Yesterday I drove past a town called "Manderfield" in Utah. :)
-I also saw a sign in the middle of nowhere (maybe Utah), that said, "We buy antlers". Ha!
What else...tonight I'm in southern California, near Bakersfield-there's just so much sun!
Oh, and we are not recycling out here. I mean, my trainer's not recycling, and I'm not gonna make a stink about it. But we're drinking bottled water...and tea, and juice, and soda...and driving a huge diesel powered truck all over the place. I'm gonna have to build my own self-heating cabin out of plastic garbage bags and walk everywhere for the rest of my life to make up for the damage I'm doing to the planet right now. :)
That's all folks-oh, except you should all send warm thoughts to my other half. She's not feeling well and is dealing with snow in Wyoming right now. Stay warm and be well cousin!
-Amanda
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
EASTBOUND TRIP IN PICTURES
CALIFORNIA (10/20)
"Dinner party @ Dinner Pass" (as my predictive text was determined to say, lol!) Anyone hungry?! He he)
I drove all the way up & over the pass! And no one died or was eaten!
NEVADA (10/20-21)
Relaxin' OTR
Dinner buffet @ the Rainbow Casino and super cool driver's lounge with free coffee & showers. In Wendover, NV
UTAH (10/21)
Wendover, UT the town across two states
WYOMING (10/21)
Pronghorn antelope, lots of em in WY
NEBRASKA (10/21)
Manders' super road trip to Nebraska- pamper in a hotel 30th B-day Extravaganza!
I planned this, ha! What are the odds we'd both be in NE, what a treat!
Nebraska wildlife smiley face
I conned my trainer into driving again, I was zombie tired today
-Ariel
Sunday, October 21, 2012
My Birthday In Nebraska
It is my 30th birthday today! That seems so weird to even type! 30th birthday? Me?? :) I am surprisingly, feeling ok about the whole thing. I mean, yeah, I'm turning 30, and somehow that doesn't bother me. All through my 20's, my life has gotten progressively better ever year...or not better, but I've grown more as a person every year. So if that trend still holds, and I think it will, then I say, bring on the 30's, I'm ready and waiting! I was a little concerned about having my birthday on the road with a trainer, that I might feel sorry for myself, or just be miserable. But actually, I've just been so busy learning new things, and driving all over the place seeing new scenery, that the birthday hasn't seemed like that big of a deal. I'd rather spend my 30th birthday having a crazy adventure in Nebraska, than sitting at home wondering what I'm doing with my life. I don't have to wonder, I know what I'm doing: I'm becoming a truck driver! Plus, it'll make a really awesome story later, "Did I do anything for my birthday? Of course I did, I was in Nebraska!" Ha!
So here I sit, in a motel in Sidney, Nebraska. Outside the window, the sun is just blazing out of a huge, blue sky. I get quite a few special gifts today: the sunshine (which almost never happens on my birthday), a soak in the hotel hot tub, a bathroom that I can walk to in my bare feet, a pomegranate that I brought from home, my friends who all love me, and the best of all: my long-lost cousin and her trainer are headed for Nebraska right now, and might cross paths with us before we head out tomorrow! Such a special birthday!! I turn 30 at 2:56pm Pacific time today, and I am ok with that. 30's here I come!!
-Amanda
So here I sit, in a motel in Sidney, Nebraska. Outside the window, the sun is just blazing out of a huge, blue sky. I get quite a few special gifts today: the sunshine (which almost never happens on my birthday), a soak in the hotel hot tub, a bathroom that I can walk to in my bare feet, a pomegranate that I brought from home, my friends who all love me, and the best of all: my long-lost cousin and her trainer are headed for Nebraska right now, and might cross paths with us before we head out tomorrow! Such a special birthday!! I turn 30 at 2:56pm Pacific time today, and I am ok with that. 30's here I come!!
-Amanda
Training Update
Thursday 18th
Day one was a little rough for me. The adjustment to living in a truck with someone I don't really know, and driving all over tarnation, and not getting to go home at the end of the day, was all hard for me. I spent the day observing, and learning, and getting to know my trainer (who is great, by the way). She drove us from Pacific, WA to Hermiston, OR. By the end of the day, I was so exhausted and a little disoriented, and just wanted to go home.
Friday 19th
Was much better! Woke up at a truck stop near Hermiston, and drove all day to...somewhere in Utah...Willard maybe? Anyway, that day, I drove for the first time. I was quite nervous, and my trainer had me make a lap around the parking lot before we headed out. Once I got going, I did pretty good-still nervous of course, it is 50,000 lbs. of vehicle I'm guiding down the road, after all! I lasted for across most of the state of Idaho, about 200 miles, before I got too sleepy, and my trainer had to take over. I felt much better about the whole endeavor, once I was driving, and not just watching and trying to remember everything I was being told. I think driving a huge tractor with a 53' trailer for 200 miles is a big accomplishment. I mean, it was for me. :)
Saturday 20th
I started out the driving, and made it 300 miles (about 5 hours), and then my trainer took over. We made it to our drop site in Nebraska by 10:00pm. I also did some backing/parking in truck stops, fueled the truck, and did a ton of paperwork, so I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things (just barely). :) Got to see lots of cool scenery, red rocks and cliffs, rolling sage brush hills, and lots of flatness.
This whole thing is just a big roller coaster. Those of you who know me, know that I'm not great at flexibility and transitions, and that's all this job is! So I'm struggling to adjust to my new lifestyle, especially living with someone that I don't really know. She is very nice and helpful, and a really good trainer, but I'm having issues with the lack of alone time and space. Hopefully I'll settle in soon, because I still have 3.5 weeks left. :) Despite all of the challenges and exhaustion, I also have times when I feel so empowered and proud, cause I'm actually doing this! I am driving a truck across the country, and learning how to back, and park, and trip plan, and work the qualcomm, and inspect the truck, and...I'm awesome, really! :)
-Amanda
Day one was a little rough for me. The adjustment to living in a truck with someone I don't really know, and driving all over tarnation, and not getting to go home at the end of the day, was all hard for me. I spent the day observing, and learning, and getting to know my trainer (who is great, by the way). She drove us from Pacific, WA to Hermiston, OR. By the end of the day, I was so exhausted and a little disoriented, and just wanted to go home.
Friday 19th
Was much better! Woke up at a truck stop near Hermiston, and drove all day to...somewhere in Utah...Willard maybe? Anyway, that day, I drove for the first time. I was quite nervous, and my trainer had me make a lap around the parking lot before we headed out. Once I got going, I did pretty good-still nervous of course, it is 50,000 lbs. of vehicle I'm guiding down the road, after all! I lasted for across most of the state of Idaho, about 200 miles, before I got too sleepy, and my trainer had to take over. I felt much better about the whole endeavor, once I was driving, and not just watching and trying to remember everything I was being told. I think driving a huge tractor with a 53' trailer for 200 miles is a big accomplishment. I mean, it was for me. :)
Saturday 20th
I started out the driving, and made it 300 miles (about 5 hours), and then my trainer took over. We made it to our drop site in Nebraska by 10:00pm. I also did some backing/parking in truck stops, fueled the truck, and did a ton of paperwork, so I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things (just barely). :) Got to see lots of cool scenery, red rocks and cliffs, rolling sage brush hills, and lots of flatness.
This whole thing is just a big roller coaster. Those of you who know me, know that I'm not great at flexibility and transitions, and that's all this job is! So I'm struggling to adjust to my new lifestyle, especially living with someone that I don't really know. She is very nice and helpful, and a really good trainer, but I'm having issues with the lack of alone time and space. Hopefully I'll settle in soon, because I still have 3.5 weeks left. :) Despite all of the challenges and exhaustion, I also have times when I feel so empowered and proud, cause I'm actually doing this! I am driving a truck across the country, and learning how to back, and park, and trip plan, and work the qualcomm, and inspect the truck, and...I'm awesome, really! :)
-Amanda
Friday, October 19, 2012
First week driving recap
Thursday 11th-
Pacific,WA
met trainer, moved in, spent the nite in the truck.
Friday 12th-
First load: Auburn,WA to Longview,WA. My trainer drove and i watched. It was my first time at a customer... The air was sour... We were dropping cardboard to be recycled. After the unload I swept the trailer out.
Saturday 13th-
Tacoma,WA to Millerburg,OR +
Halsey, OR to Roseburg, OR
This was my first day driving! And it was pretty good! I think getting to be in the truck and adjust helped me, I was relaxed... I shifted up through the gears and then I was cruising down the highway, no problem! I pulled into the Costco parking lot (the drop site for the next morning) where I would spend my first overnight alone. I met my trainer's family, and became an instant hero to his youngest daughter for giving her justin beiber posters from a joke love card i found hidden in my bag (amanda you sneak). My boss would go home for the night. I sneaked in using the toilet at subway right before they closed so I didn't have to christen the parking lot (",)
Sunday 14th-
Still in shroud of darkness, I pulled around to the dock where I would do my first dock back up... I did pretty good!
After we'd finished the load i took a nap to up my sleep hours... Then was taken to Walmart to shop for the first time in probably 5 years... And this Walmart was in Roseburg and it was quite the cultural experience... Here are some of the unusuals I found there:
Then we headed out and I got a very sweet treat... A stop in Portland at my parents house yay! We pulled our huge beast right onto their little street and covered their fence and the neighbors... It was quite the sight! My parents fed us, hugged us, and stocked me up w/ more soy creamer for the road (",) I got to hug, squeeze, and encourage my Team truckin' cuzin' just minutes before she headed out orientation, and then we were back on the road...
Halsey, OR to Union Gap, WA
Monday 15th-
Wenatchee, WA to Auburn, WA
Wenatchee was beautiful and the drive had a ton of hills. They made me nervous but I did it and pulled through... Then as we came to the pacific yard the best idea surfaced... Credit to my trainer... My cuz was at orientation near the PAC yard!!!!
SLUMBER PARTY !!!!
I surprised my cuz, yay! We had dinner, hot tub, & cuddling, it was a much needed respite for us both! Papa is giving me gifts of fellowship! I thought I would be out alone for 5 weeks but instead i get all this family time! Thanks Papa!
Tuesday 16th-
We got a long haul yay!
Mt. Vernon, WA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Made our way to southern OR
And had multiple encounters w trainers' family... Culture shock setting in... The crazy thing tho... Out here there are a billion simultaneous cultures, so I guess I better hold onto my frickin' pants!!!
Wednesday 17th-
This longer run thing is awesome... It's just you and the open road...and beautiful scenery... I like this part...
Today I did most of the driving... Almost 9 hrs and 400+ miles (",)
We did have some weight issues because we were just under our legal limit. That forced us in to scale and slide our tandems and fifth wheel multiple times. I had a super close call with my trailer and the scale barriers... About one inch close! Yikes! That truck stop was stressful it was so busy and I had to pull through the tight scale twice and back up twice... But i did it! and we got our weight distributed and we got outta there alive!
Thursday 18th-
Lathrop, CA
I was up early to try out the brand new private showers and be ready to roll out and finish our load. The showers were amazing! Coffee good! Pre trip (inspection) Fail! Power steering fluid leaking... We're grounded, truck in the shop... Hanging around... Waiting...
But It's warm and sunny here in Cali and I get to recoup and touch base. Looking forward to another amazing shower in the am.
ANOTHER OTR SIMPLE PLEASURE:
No long line at the ladies room, no line at all...in fact every where I go it's as if there's a private bathroom just for me (",) it's about time the boys have to wait... Ha!
If you're sick of restroom lines ladies, become truck drivers.... There are plenty of open pottys out here (",)
-Ariel
Pacific,WA
met trainer, moved in, spent the nite in the truck.
Friday 12th-
First load: Auburn,WA to Longview,WA. My trainer drove and i watched. It was my first time at a customer... The air was sour... We were dropping cardboard to be recycled. After the unload I swept the trailer out.
Saturday 13th-
Tacoma,WA to Millerburg,OR +
Halsey, OR to Roseburg, OR
This was my first day driving! And it was pretty good! I think getting to be in the truck and adjust helped me, I was relaxed... I shifted up through the gears and then I was cruising down the highway, no problem! I pulled into the Costco parking lot (the drop site for the next morning) where I would spend my first overnight alone. I met my trainer's family, and became an instant hero to his youngest daughter for giving her justin beiber posters from a joke love card i found hidden in my bag (amanda you sneak). My boss would go home for the night. I sneaked in using the toilet at subway right before they closed so I didn't have to christen the parking lot (",)
Still in shroud of darkness, I pulled around to the dock where I would do my first dock back up... I did pretty good!
After we'd finished the load i took a nap to up my sleep hours... Then was taken to Walmart to shop for the first time in probably 5 years... And this Walmart was in Roseburg and it was quite the cultural experience... Here are some of the unusuals I found there:
Then we headed out and I got a very sweet treat... A stop in Portland at my parents house yay! We pulled our huge beast right onto their little street and covered their fence and the neighbors... It was quite the sight! My parents fed us, hugged us, and stocked me up w/ more soy creamer for the road (",) I got to hug, squeeze, and encourage my Team truckin' cuzin' just minutes before she headed out orientation, and then we were back on the road...
Halsey, OR to Union Gap, WA
Monday 15th-
Wenatchee, WA to Auburn, WA
Wenatchee was beautiful and the drive had a ton of hills. They made me nervous but I did it and pulled through... Then as we came to the pacific yard the best idea surfaced... Credit to my trainer... My cuz was at orientation near the PAC yard!!!!
SLUMBER PARTY !!!!
I surprised my cuz, yay! We had dinner, hot tub, & cuddling, it was a much needed respite for us both! Papa is giving me gifts of fellowship! I thought I would be out alone for 5 weeks but instead i get all this family time! Thanks Papa!
Tuesday 16th-
We got a long haul yay!
Mt. Vernon, WA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Made our way to southern OR
And had multiple encounters w trainers' family... Culture shock setting in... The crazy thing tho... Out here there are a billion simultaneous cultures, so I guess I better hold onto my frickin' pants!!!
Wednesday 17th-
This longer run thing is awesome... It's just you and the open road...and beautiful scenery... I like this part...
Today I did most of the driving... Almost 9 hrs and 400+ miles (",)
We did have some weight issues because we were just under our legal limit. That forced us in to scale and slide our tandems and fifth wheel multiple times. I had a super close call with my trailer and the scale barriers... About one inch close! Yikes! That truck stop was stressful it was so busy and I had to pull through the tight scale twice and back up twice... But i did it! and we got our weight distributed and we got outta there alive!
Thursday 18th-
Lathrop, CA
I was up early to try out the brand new private showers and be ready to roll out and finish our load. The showers were amazing! Coffee good! Pre trip (inspection) Fail! Power steering fluid leaking... We're grounded, truck in the shop... Hanging around... Waiting...
But It's warm and sunny here in Cali and I get to recoup and touch base. Looking forward to another amazing shower in the am.
ANOTHER OTR SIMPLE PLEASURE:
No long line at the ladies room, no line at all...in fact every where I go it's as if there's a private bathroom just for me (",) it's about time the boys have to wait... Ha!
If you're sick of restroom lines ladies, become truck drivers.... There are plenty of open pottys out here (",)
-Ariel
Thursday, October 18, 2012
On My Way!
Just a quick update:
I finished orientation this morning, and met up with my trainer at noon. Right now I am in Hermiston, OR, and headed for Nebraska! I've been observing today, but tomorrow I'll drive for awhile-200ish miles if I can handle it. Right now I am exhausted, so I'm gonna sleep. Nighty-Night!
-Amanda
I finished orientation this morning, and met up with my trainer at noon. Right now I am in Hermiston, OR, and headed for Nebraska! I've been observing today, but tomorrow I'll drive for awhile-200ish miles if I can handle it. Right now I am exhausted, so I'm gonna sleep. Nighty-Night!
-Amanda
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Now The Real Fun Starts!
Just a quick update before I go to bed. I had my last full day of orientation today, just a little bit more tomorrow morning, and then everybody heads out in their trucks. I met my trainer today, a day earlier than I thought I would. She has apparently been hanging around waiting for them to get done with her truck in the shop, so she found me and introduced herself today. She seems really nice, and was very re-assuring, and I think this whole thing could work out quite well. It was really good for me to be able to meet her ahead of time, because then I didn't spend the whole day worrying and speculating about tomorrow. The intro is already done, and even though it's gonna be overwhelming and exhausting, I think everything's gonna be fine. I would also like to say that it was so great just to interact with a woman-such a treat! I am telling you, whenever we have a female presenter for a class during orientation, I am always trying to make friends with her: extra smiling, making eye-contact, etc. I don't really think any of them notice at all, but in my head we are friends. I feel that being the only two people in the room with ovaries just gives you an instant bond. Anyway, my point is that I'm looking forward to interacting with my trainer, getting her perspective on women in trucking, and talking about something (anything) else besides just trucks. :)
I'm headed off to bed so I can get up early, pack up all my crap and drag it to orientation with me. This is the next big step, and for some reason (maybe exhaustion), I am surprisingly calm about it. I'm just gonna go with it :) I'll update you as soon as I can and let you know all about my crazy over the road adventures!
-Amanda
I'm headed off to bed so I can get up early, pack up all my crap and drag it to orientation with me. This is the next big step, and for some reason (maybe exhaustion), I am surprisingly calm about it. I'm just gonna go with it :) I'll update you as soon as I can and let you know all about my crazy over the road adventures!
-Amanda
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
"The Strength of Hercules" or "The Fun Never Ends"
Oh my gosh, where to even start? The last few days have been quite eventful...and physically challenging.
First of all, there was my luggage. I spent all day at home Sunday packing and stuffing, unpacking, repacking, weighing, unpacking, and re-weighing my duffel bag. The weight limit for checked baggage is 50 lbs., so I had to move some of it to a smaller overflow duffel bag. So anyway, I got all exhausted and sweaty just packing. Then I had to carry my bags, (which including my carry on, came to near 100 lbs.). I had to get them to baggage at the Portland train station, pick them up at the Tacoma train station, into the wrong cab, out of the wrong cab, into the right cab, out of the right cab, onto the luggage rack at the hotel, and finally, off the luggage rack and into my (meticulously inspected and bug free) room. Needless to say, after all of that hauling, I was completely exhausted! But not exhausted enough to fall asleep. :) I was so relieved to be in the hotel, and kind of giddy and hyped up, so (even though I tried valiantly), I did not fall asleep until after 1am.
I woke up bright and early with an almost full 4 hrs. of sleep, to start my first day of orientation. I am in a class of 12, 11 guys and me. :) It's a different experience for me, being literally the only female in the class, than it was going to truck school with Ariel. When there's two of you, at least you can stand next to each other, and be a minority together, instead of being just a complete novelty. Because I am the only girl in our group, I am getting a lot of attention! Just to clarify, for any of you who are wondering, I do not find any of them attractive, nor do I want to date or marry any of them. I'm pretty sure none of them want to marry me either, but quite a few of them want to talk to me, all at once...all the time. It kind of feels like when you have a group of kids following you around, all wanting to have your attention so they can tell you the thing that they're excited about. Hanging out with all men is just funny and interesting-and completely new for me. I have spend most of my life in educational and work environments that were completely dominated by women (you don't find an over abundance of men in music or childcare). I've known in my head that I spend most of my time with women, but since I was in the decided majority, I never really felt the imbalance. I feel it now! :) I thought today as I walked to Fred Meyer with three of my middle aged male classmates, (who talked about trucks all the way there and back), how funny that scene would be to everyone back in my normal life. This should seriously be a reality show! :)
Anyways, my first day of orientation was quite eventful. We got bussed to a clinic to get our physical evaluations, to prove that we are healthy enough to be hired and do the job. We'd already had to do these evaluations during school, so I wasn't too worried about it, and thought it would go quickly. (Warning: this next bit involves bodily functions, so if you are one of the people who likes to pretend those don't exist, please skip ahead.) I knew we were going to have to give a urine sample at the clinic for drug testing, so I was holding it all morning during class in an effort to have enough pee to give. Of course before we left for the clinic, I had to poop. So I somehow managed to poop, but hold the pee. I know, I'm awesome. Then at the clinic during the pee test, I had to poop. But you aren't allowed to flush after you give you sample, so I then proceeded to pee, but not poop. I'm telling you, it was a crazy day! :)
We were supposed to try to remember and write down our entire medical history, so in a frantic attempt to fully disclose my entire medical history, and not get in trouble for withholding information, I wrote down a minor incident involving a shopping cart and the back of my heel, in which I had to wear a brace for a few months until it healed. It is totally fine now, no pain at all, but I was being a good little over achiever, so I wrote it down. Because of that past injury, I got flagged for an extra evaluation at the clinic, to make sure I could physically perform the duties of the job, as is standard for anyone with a past injury. The problem is that this test involves lifting, pushing and pulling 75 lbs. I wasn't actually concerned, because as I may have mentioned, my luggage was close to 100 lbs. I did fine with the pushing, pulling, and gripping. Then came the lift test, which involved squatting to the floor, lifting a wooden box full of weights up to standing, carrying it across the room and back, and then squatting it back down. They gradually increase the weights, so you don't start out at 75. lbs. and hurt yourself. So I went along, following instructions and giving feedback on how heavy it felt, until the tester stopped me at a weight that I said was very heavy. I assumed I had passed, because he finished up my test and took me back to the nurse I was with, (I found out later that he wasn't allowed to tell me how much I was lifting). She told me that I hadn't passed, because I had only lifted 45 lbs. I was shocked and confused-especially when I realized that if I couldn't pass this test, the truck company simply wouldn't hire me. The nurse was very sympathetic, she knew I had a teaming partner already in training, and really wanted to help me. She asked if I thought I could do 75 lbs. and when I realized it was my job on the line, I said YES, so she took me back to try the test again (which I'm quite sure was against policy). Anyway, I had to wait in line behind two other people testing, so I had plenty of time to sit there and think about how our whole career plan would be ruined if I couldn't do this, how Ariel would have to truck on her own, and how none of this would be happening if I hadn't mentioned my stupid tendon that isn't even hurt anymore. Then I got real serious and decided that I was doing this. I had to. I started focusing on strength, instead of the fact that I wanted to cry. I focused on the fact that I have made it through all kinds of tough things in my life, instead of the fact that my legs tired and sore from the lift test I had already done. Then I remembered that I am a woman. Women are strong! Women can give birth! I could literally squat a living human out of my cooter if I wanted to! I figured, if I could do that, I could do anything! So with a laser-like focus that I'm sure came across to the tester as anger, I tried the weight lift again. (In credit to him, he only made me repeat that portion of the test.) I was already tired, and I am not very strong, but every time he increased the weight, I said that it felt fine, and I could do more (which was not entirely true). For the last two lifts of 65 and 75 lbs., I couldn't push up with my legs anymore, because I knew they would give out, so I used my back, which made the tester visibly wince. At one point he said, "that's not good form Amanda" and I said "I don't care" (I'm sure he thought I was a biatch). Anyway, I gritted my teeth, used my neck and back, and got that box up, across the room, and back down to the floor. It wasn't graceful, but I did it! While I am not proud that I got myself into that situation, I am quite proud that I pushed through and conquered it! Then of course when we got back to our orientation classroom, we had to do the company 75 lb. lift test that all of the students have to do, regardless of medical history. It was a one time barbell lift, and so easy I couldn't even believe it. Moral of the story: barbells are easier than boxes. Other moral: you can do more than you think.
After that quite exhausting day of class, and my drive test after that (which I passed because the tester is very kind and knows I have no experience), I got a wonderful surprise to make it all ok. My lovely teaming partner, and cousin, showed up at my hotel room to spend the night! She and her trainer were parked in the yard for the night at the terminal where we have orientation, and she took a taxi over to my hotel and surprised me! It was such a good refresher for both of us-we got to have dinner together, hang out in the hot tub, talk about all of our adventures in the world of trucking and men, and have a little slumber party (even though we were both so exhausted, that there was more slumber than actual party). It was such a blessing to get to spend a little time with her, and was rejuvenating for both of us. :)
Today was pretty uneventful as far as orientation goes-tons of paperwork, and presentations, and super important things to remember to never do, or always do, etc. Kind of stressful, but mostly mind-numbing. My leg muscles have been very sore from the lifting yesterday, so that's been my main focus all day. :) I will definitely be making a trip (hobble) to the hot tub sometime soon! And since I know that Ariel doesn't have much time or energy to post, I will tell you that she has been driving a lot. She's done big hills, and curvy roads in the dark, and when she showed up yesterday, she looked exhausted and hadn't showered in days-so I'd say she's beginning to turn into a real truck driver. :)
That's all I've got for now-I've gotta get myself to the hot tub and then to sleep. Thanks for all of your support!
-Amanda
First of all, there was my luggage. I spent all day at home Sunday packing and stuffing, unpacking, repacking, weighing, unpacking, and re-weighing my duffel bag. The weight limit for checked baggage is 50 lbs., so I had to move some of it to a smaller overflow duffel bag. So anyway, I got all exhausted and sweaty just packing. Then I had to carry my bags, (which including my carry on, came to near 100 lbs.). I had to get them to baggage at the Portland train station, pick them up at the Tacoma train station, into the wrong cab, out of the wrong cab, into the right cab, out of the right cab, onto the luggage rack at the hotel, and finally, off the luggage rack and into my (meticulously inspected and bug free) room. Needless to say, after all of that hauling, I was completely exhausted! But not exhausted enough to fall asleep. :) I was so relieved to be in the hotel, and kind of giddy and hyped up, so (even though I tried valiantly), I did not fall asleep until after 1am.
I woke up bright and early with an almost full 4 hrs. of sleep, to start my first day of orientation. I am in a class of 12, 11 guys and me. :) It's a different experience for me, being literally the only female in the class, than it was going to truck school with Ariel. When there's two of you, at least you can stand next to each other, and be a minority together, instead of being just a complete novelty. Because I am the only girl in our group, I am getting a lot of attention! Just to clarify, for any of you who are wondering, I do not find any of them attractive, nor do I want to date or marry any of them. I'm pretty sure none of them want to marry me either, but quite a few of them want to talk to me, all at once...all the time. It kind of feels like when you have a group of kids following you around, all wanting to have your attention so they can tell you the thing that they're excited about. Hanging out with all men is just funny and interesting-and completely new for me. I have spend most of my life in educational and work environments that were completely dominated by women (you don't find an over abundance of men in music or childcare). I've known in my head that I spend most of my time with women, but since I was in the decided majority, I never really felt the imbalance. I feel it now! :) I thought today as I walked to Fred Meyer with three of my middle aged male classmates, (who talked about trucks all the way there and back), how funny that scene would be to everyone back in my normal life. This should seriously be a reality show! :)
Anyways, my first day of orientation was quite eventful. We got bussed to a clinic to get our physical evaluations, to prove that we are healthy enough to be hired and do the job. We'd already had to do these evaluations during school, so I wasn't too worried about it, and thought it would go quickly. (Warning: this next bit involves bodily functions, so if you are one of the people who likes to pretend those don't exist, please skip ahead.) I knew we were going to have to give a urine sample at the clinic for drug testing, so I was holding it all morning during class in an effort to have enough pee to give. Of course before we left for the clinic, I had to poop. So I somehow managed to poop, but hold the pee. I know, I'm awesome. Then at the clinic during the pee test, I had to poop. But you aren't allowed to flush after you give you sample, so I then proceeded to pee, but not poop. I'm telling you, it was a crazy day! :)
We were supposed to try to remember and write down our entire medical history, so in a frantic attempt to fully disclose my entire medical history, and not get in trouble for withholding information, I wrote down a minor incident involving a shopping cart and the back of my heel, in which I had to wear a brace for a few months until it healed. It is totally fine now, no pain at all, but I was being a good little over achiever, so I wrote it down. Because of that past injury, I got flagged for an extra evaluation at the clinic, to make sure I could physically perform the duties of the job, as is standard for anyone with a past injury. The problem is that this test involves lifting, pushing and pulling 75 lbs. I wasn't actually concerned, because as I may have mentioned, my luggage was close to 100 lbs. I did fine with the pushing, pulling, and gripping. Then came the lift test, which involved squatting to the floor, lifting a wooden box full of weights up to standing, carrying it across the room and back, and then squatting it back down. They gradually increase the weights, so you don't start out at 75. lbs. and hurt yourself. So I went along, following instructions and giving feedback on how heavy it felt, until the tester stopped me at a weight that I said was very heavy. I assumed I had passed, because he finished up my test and took me back to the nurse I was with, (I found out later that he wasn't allowed to tell me how much I was lifting). She told me that I hadn't passed, because I had only lifted 45 lbs. I was shocked and confused-especially when I realized that if I couldn't pass this test, the truck company simply wouldn't hire me. The nurse was very sympathetic, she knew I had a teaming partner already in training, and really wanted to help me. She asked if I thought I could do 75 lbs. and when I realized it was my job on the line, I said YES, so she took me back to try the test again (which I'm quite sure was against policy). Anyway, I had to wait in line behind two other people testing, so I had plenty of time to sit there and think about how our whole career plan would be ruined if I couldn't do this, how Ariel would have to truck on her own, and how none of this would be happening if I hadn't mentioned my stupid tendon that isn't even hurt anymore. Then I got real serious and decided that I was doing this. I had to. I started focusing on strength, instead of the fact that I wanted to cry. I focused on the fact that I have made it through all kinds of tough things in my life, instead of the fact that my legs tired and sore from the lift test I had already done. Then I remembered that I am a woman. Women are strong! Women can give birth! I could literally squat a living human out of my cooter if I wanted to! I figured, if I could do that, I could do anything! So with a laser-like focus that I'm sure came across to the tester as anger, I tried the weight lift again. (In credit to him, he only made me repeat that portion of the test.) I was already tired, and I am not very strong, but every time he increased the weight, I said that it felt fine, and I could do more (which was not entirely true). For the last two lifts of 65 and 75 lbs., I couldn't push up with my legs anymore, because I knew they would give out, so I used my back, which made the tester visibly wince. At one point he said, "that's not good form Amanda" and I said "I don't care" (I'm sure he thought I was a biatch). Anyway, I gritted my teeth, used my neck and back, and got that box up, across the room, and back down to the floor. It wasn't graceful, but I did it! While I am not proud that I got myself into that situation, I am quite proud that I pushed through and conquered it! Then of course when we got back to our orientation classroom, we had to do the company 75 lb. lift test that all of the students have to do, regardless of medical history. It was a one time barbell lift, and so easy I couldn't even believe it. Moral of the story: barbells are easier than boxes. Other moral: you can do more than you think.
After that quite exhausting day of class, and my drive test after that (which I passed because the tester is very kind and knows I have no experience), I got a wonderful surprise to make it all ok. My lovely teaming partner, and cousin, showed up at my hotel room to spend the night! She and her trainer were parked in the yard for the night at the terminal where we have orientation, and she took a taxi over to my hotel and surprised me! It was such a good refresher for both of us-we got to have dinner together, hang out in the hot tub, talk about all of our adventures in the world of trucking and men, and have a little slumber party (even though we were both so exhausted, that there was more slumber than actual party). It was such a blessing to get to spend a little time with her, and was rejuvenating for both of us. :)
Today was pretty uneventful as far as orientation goes-tons of paperwork, and presentations, and super important things to remember to never do, or always do, etc. Kind of stressful, but mostly mind-numbing. My leg muscles have been very sore from the lifting yesterday, so that's been my main focus all day. :) I will definitely be making a trip (hobble) to the hot tub sometime soon! And since I know that Ariel doesn't have much time or energy to post, I will tell you that she has been driving a lot. She's done big hills, and curvy roads in the dark, and when she showed up yesterday, she looked exhausted and hadn't showered in days-so I'd say she's beginning to turn into a real truck driver. :)
That's all I've got for now-I've gotta get myself to the hot tub and then to sleep. Thanks for all of your support!
-Amanda
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Headin' Out!
I've always been a sucker for airplanes, ever since I was little. The tray tables and tiny bathrooms and panels of buttons on the arm rests meant that we would soon be in tropical paradise. Maui with my Grandma and Grandpa, and the beach. But destination aside, I really and truly looked forward to the trip as it's own special treat. I thought the tiny bathrooms were so fun, I loved getting to play with all of the buttons on my very own arm rest, my mom would always pack us a bag of surprise toys and activities to keep us busy on the 6 plus hour flight, and sometimes there would be a movie. But my favorite part: the tray tables! Don't ask me why, but I was enamored with the fact that I had my very own table to put up and down whenever I wanted (and I did…repeatedly). Anyway, the whole thing is very much romanticized in my mind-I'm sure if I had to get on a long flight to Maui today, I'd complain like all the other adults (maybe).
Friday, October 12, 2012
First night- first load.. Survived!
I survived my first night in my new place... With my new roomie. My loft was cozy and I was exhausted running on 4 hrs the whole week, so I passed out, apparently I sounded like a pugg with my mouth breathing (",). Got 10 hrs!!!
VICTORIOUS GLORIOUS MORNING!!!
I got me my first good cup of coffee, trainer showed me the insider info... We hit up the shop (mechanics) for some seriously black coffee, with my soy vanilla creamer ooooh it hit the spot (",)
We got two proposed loads that were then retracted, the trailers were in the shop... Then finally a load we could run... Pacific, WA to Longview, WA-cardboard to recycle, got to watch and learn the whole process and sweep out the trailer after.
FIRST LOAD EVER 10/12/2012 YEAH BABY IM A REAL LIVE TRUCKER!
We headed off to a truck stop for a late lunch ... Nope got another load... A super hot one too (meaning time is tight and we gotta motor)
Guess what town this is... We rolled through right into bad traffic...
Slowin' us down... loosin' hours.
We are on a crazy run now: down to Salem back to Seattle tonight, racing the clock before our hrs run out. Wonder what'll happen and where we'll end up? Something I've already learned... Nothing is for sure out here... anything can change...
Keep on truckin'!
-Ariel
VICTORIOUS GLORIOUS MORNING!!!
I got me my first good cup of coffee, trainer showed me the insider info... We hit up the shop (mechanics) for some seriously black coffee, with my soy vanilla creamer ooooh it hit the spot (",)
We got two proposed loads that were then retracted, the trailers were in the shop... Then finally a load we could run... Pacific, WA to Longview, WA-cardboard to recycle, got to watch and learn the whole process and sweep out the trailer after.
FIRST LOAD EVER 10/12/2012 YEAH BABY IM A REAL LIVE TRUCKER!
We headed off to a truck stop for a late lunch ... Nope got another load... A super hot one too (meaning time is tight and we gotta motor)
Guess what town this is... We rolled through right into bad traffic...
Slowin' us down... loosin' hours.
We are on a crazy run now: down to Salem back to Seattle tonight, racing the clock before our hrs run out. Wonder what'll happen and where we'll end up? Something I've already learned... Nothing is for sure out here... anything can change...
Keep on truckin'!
-Ariel
Blind Date-Bunk Mate
The greatest new reality show...
Ladies and gentlemen watch as the woman meets her blind date in the new home they will share for the next month...
CRAZY!!!!
Actually my trainer is a good guy, and I feel safe... And my bunk is quite cozy... I've always loved cozy spaces (",) also my new favorite OTR pleasure to be: showers, for reals turns me back into a human (",)
My new place:
Ladies and gentlemen watch as the woman meets her blind date in the new home they will share for the next month...
CRAZY!!!!
Actually my trainer is a good guy, and I feel safe... And my bunk is quite cozy... I've always loved cozy spaces (",) also my new favorite OTR pleasure to be: showers, for reals turns me back into a human (",)
My new place:
When you see how much space I have, you'll get jealous...
...my own personal suite with vaulted ceilings, a view from my bed...
...a huge master bathroom, and an expansive and endless property surrounding with unlimited acres and a unique feature where scenery and views can change!
And since I'm surrounded by men, in a man's world and job, I figured I should represent with a few good 'ole boys mirror shots (",)
-Ariel
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Today's psalm is fitting
Psalm 62:1-2 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
-Ariel
-Ariel
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
IT'S SHOW TIME!!!
ORIENTATION - DAY 3 cont...
So much information it's insane....I took a drive test in a car to learn a safe driving habits program, saw the inside of a brand new freightliner-Cascadia, and learned about all these specific functions....press this button only when moving so you can use your heater/ac and not ruin blah blah blah....make sure you press this button when the truck isn't moving or it will blow up and whatever you do call this number in this scenario...ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN IT'S SNOWING DON'T PANIC!!!
So much information it's insane....I took a drive test in a car to learn a safe driving habits program, saw the inside of a brand new freightliner-Cascadia, and learned about all these specific functions....press this button only when moving so you can use your heater/ac and not ruin blah blah blah....make sure you press this button when the truck isn't moving or it will blow up and whatever you do call this number in this scenario...ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN IT'S SNOWING DON'T PANIC!!!
SERIOUSLY EVERYONE, NONE OF US REALLY KNEW HOW FREAKIN' HARD CORE THIS IS!!!
This is really for reals! I am attempting to be a truck driver and let me tell you as I stand faced with huge equipment and protocols and endless acronyms: (CPAT, OS&D, MACRO, OTR, CSA...and so many more I'm forgetting), and manuevers I don't know how to do... all new and scarry...
I realize just how BAD ASS this is....If I make it through this and make some money I am telling you, you have no idea I am fo REALS and we should take a moment to recognize how AWESOME TRUCK DRIVERS REALLY ARE...HARD CORE and BADD ASS...TRUCK DRIVERS WE SALUTE YOU!
Tonight I took my road test and I PASSED!
BUT... the learning curve is much bigger for me....and I'm not sure which one is bigger the 53' ft trailer that I drove and backed up into a dock or my lack of experience and knowledge!!!
ANYONE OUT THERE WHO IS A PRAYING PERSON...START PRAYING FOR ME & FOR MY TEAMER...WE NEED IT!!!
TOMMOROW
After a few more hours, orientation will be done....and that means....
IT'S SHOW TIME!!!!
I START 4 WEEKS OF TRAINING, in a truck with my trainer, I WILL BE DRIVING BY FRIDAY AND I COULD BE IN ANY STATE ACROSS THE NATION.
If you have loved ones residing in the 48 mainland U.S. states it would be advisable to warn them! (",)
If you have loved ones residing in the 48 mainland U.S. states it would be advisable to warn them! (",)
I'm off to sleep my last sleep in a real, non moving-bed...
from here on out my posts may be sparse or small or not at all
who knows what tomorrow and the days to follow might hold....may the God of Abraham be with me and with us all in this great nation of America! (",)
NO TURNING BACK....
-Ariel
The Adventure Rages On
I bid farewell to my seat mate who had shared stories of his many overseas adventures and his job flying Black Hawk 'copters as well as the more refined topics of growing tomatoes in the NW and juicers...He sold me on the VITA MIX....(Manda we need to get one) (",). I left with warm fuzzies of connecting with a fellow military-"family member" We both said "see you around..." (",)
After retrieving my 50 lb. bag with looks of disbelief and be-wonderment from the rail worker, I hit the curb outside and called the hotel for the shuttle...I noticed a few guys nearby wearing trucker grade hats and talking big about trucks. I kept to the shadows a distance away...not long later they started looking at me and realized I was the 5th GUY (",) We got to talking and they were actually pretty nice and friendly. Then they made reference to my huge Bag and laughed...later I found out they all leave after 3 1/2 days...
I have 5 weeks....laugh it up boys!
We waited long for our cab then drove a while to arrive...
FINALLY at the hotel...ready to start my maxin' n' relaxin' vacation, HA!
A room all to myself! yay! Relief! I unloaded my stuff, shoes off, then plopped down on the bed...
AACK! I saw a bug...or was I imagining it, paranoid of bed bugs....
I looked again
NOPE...
BLACK BUG JUMPING ON THE BED...
Killed it, then another!!! AACK!
Researched bed bugs on my iphone....hmmm bed bugs don't jump!
Maybe it was just a fluke
OOOWCH! right as I had thought that there was pain on my hand...looked down to find a black bug biting me...I KILLED IT!
stood up, there was another on the bed jumping!
I grabed my stuff rushed it into the hall... took evidence to the front desk and discretely, graciously informed...
OK, lets try again
A new room 2 floors away
I left my stuff by the door until it passed inspection...bed, sheets, mattress, chairs, bed again...
no signs of bugs
sat on bed and waited...looking watching....waiting.....
still no bugs...
I had successfully fleed the fleas (",) (ha! as I type this a flying bug is visiting me at the computer, funny...I guess we won't know if I survive my stay at the pest infesto motel till I check out)
Once my mind could relax and stop with the itching and paranoia I went to sleep @ 12:30 midnight.
ORIENTATION-DAY 1
4:30 am up (4 hrs. sleep)
Brown water...really bad brown water (I'm not exaggerating, for serious brown water is all I can call it!, not even dinner grade coffee....geesh!)
Dietary Roulette begins as I'm finding minimal options to eat vegan or even vegetarian or even any good omnivore food...luckily I'm a lifetime girl scout so I came prepared with emergency provisions...
Pee in a cup...so fun!
Lift 75 lbs.-It felt like PE class everyone watching each person, so weird...but I passed
CLASS: 18 MEN, 2 WOMEN (",)
Hazmat homework QUIZ, so lame! It was way too long and torture for an open book share answers quiz. Interesting that so few have hazmat, seems like there must be a reason for that....hmmm? note to self.
So exhausted from only 4 hrs. sleep after class, took a nap then more HW
The good news: my exhausted body = sore muscles = get a special treat in the HOT TUB!!!!
ORIENTATION-DAY 2
Today I will pass on the brown water @ the hotel and wait to try coffee @ the company office and HOORAY it is much better...I guess sort of dinner grade..I'm glad it's not brown water, so thankful!
Full day of learning, 7am-5pm....10 hrs!
My brain hurts with all they've tried to cram in there!
 |
| The piles and piles of info I will be learning over the next 6 months-wow! |
Also, I got soy vanilla creamer (",) and ground coffee-I'M TAKING MATTERS INTO MY OWN HANDS!!!
ORIENTATION-DAY 3
Oh yea taking matters into my own hands....yeah right!!! Ha....so I attempted to make my coffee this morning with some amazing smelling grounds....
While sitting on the pot....I heard spattering and crackling for a few minutes and finally was able to come out... coffee was everywhere, water filling the filter area....after I cleaned up I realized that this mini pot only takes little packet/pouches....WOW!
so I tried again with the hotel provided pouch...
now I'm drinking lightly flavored coffee water with vanilla soy creamer...
Someone somewhere is laughing at me as they watch me try to get a good cup of coffee....maybe God....or my dead grandma....seriously I can just see them watching me try to fight the good fight and come out victorious with one good cup of coffee in this trucker world....well laugh on you spectators.....this girl is not giving up!!!
I WILL BE VICTORIOUS!!!!
-Ariel
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Goodbye Portland
After days of turbo shopping (which I hate) & packing…T-2days had come. I had my last vegan-Portland-supper @ Portabello with family, complete with some hilarious advice for the road…my family be crazy!!!
Sunday a.m. after too little sleep for days, I clawed my way out of bed to squeeze air out of those space bags, add the last toiletries to my already overstuffed toiletry bag (“,), and toss in the last pieces of drying laundry into my huge-mongous duffel the size of two 5 yr. olds! Finally I was ready and lying on the couch, exhausted, then it finally started to set in…
I was leaving on a really different crazy adventure…
I loaded up my bags and my farewell posse…
took one last look around my home then closed the door…
1 hr. left….
Off to “&” we went. As we drove there and I fantasized about the delectable vanilla soy latte that I knew they would make…it was then that I realized…no more soy milk for my coffee…no more good coffee…at least not like this. Inside I desperately ordered and consumed what would probably be my last quality food…and seriously felt crazed desperation to get real live whole foods since my dietary fate would be unknown for the next 5 wks. I had the Kale salad, It was LIT-RA-LY AMAZING…and I stole ¼ a wildblackberry waffle from my Manders and ordered my last amazingly delicious soy vanilla latte, savored a few sips and then packed it to go with me to soften the blow of withdrawls (“,) As we drove to Union Station I remembered water doesn’t taste good or even decent in other cities… Apparently I would be missing many things from our sweet land of Portland…things were changing!
doing the shuffle with my 75lb. duffel which was supposed to only be 50lbs. ( I have done this on so many trips before, probably most of them, so I am a pro at moving things out of my bag into my carry-on to get in right under the allowed weight, and then have to carry-on even more weight)...
Hugging my farewell posse...
...and then my bro James just walked in with me to the track past the point where only ticket holders were supposed to go (“,) I was sure we were gonna get accosted but no one noticed or cared….he escorted me to the train car, and gave me one last hug (“,) a proper send off!
I was ready to sleep the whole way up because I was exhausted and feeling sick… I found my seat and a friendly seat mate, and of course I was friendly so chatting began. I quickly learned he was military which to me is extended family…(I wouldn’t end up getting any sleep we would talk the whole way)….
Good bye sweet Portland and all those that I love until we meet again!!!
My View from the train, the sunset was gorgeous over all of the sounds
Gearing Up
Over the past few weeks, we've been running all around town gathering up all of the gear we need for trucking. You wouldn't think you'd need a lot of special equipment just to drive, but you'd be surprised. While Portland is quite wet, it's never very cold, so we were lacking basic things like warm boots, real coats, and long johns. Then there is the work gear, coveralls, waterproof work gloves, etc. We also have to be prepared to live in a truck for a month with a trainer, not necessarily having any say in when we stop to do laundry-so we were advised to carry two weeks worth of all weather clothing. Now, I am aware that most truck driving trainees are men, so I know that they might not realize what they're getting themselves into when they ask us to bring "two weeks of all-weather clothing". Seriously? TWO weeks of ALL weather clothing? In a duffle bag? That I can carry by myself?? Ariel managed to get most of her stuff into one gigantic duffle, AND could carry it herself, but it is just enormous, and when we weighed it at the train station, it was 75 pounds! We're not girlie girls, and we're not bringing heels or anything, but we do have a LOT of stuff. Way more than all the guys will. I'm sure the giant bags will attract attention, but we're girls, and that's what we do! :) And anyway, they told us to bring all of that crap, so they were asking for it!
We got to explore new places in our quest for the right gear, the most exciting being Costal Farm and Ranch Supply "Just what the country needs"! We got a little overwhelmed by the walls of mens jeans, aisles of cowboy boots, and the suckling pigs (which I never actually saw, but I read about them on the website).
Here are some pictures of our Costal shopping trip:
Coveralls can be huge!
 |
The many ways to style the classic coverall:
Tough
Sexy
And...crazy cowboy
Ariel was taking a lot of pictures, people were starting to stare, and I got a little fed up:
I suppose giant orange rain pants aren't the right thing to wear
if you want people to stop staring
A nice employee saw us trying to prop up the camera and offered to take our picture-rainpants twins!
I am continuing my preparations and will be leaving for my orientation on Sunday. New adventures on the horizon!
-Amanda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)