CHP ~ Day 37

Well, today I was feeling pretty crudy still, I was pretty lazy...BUT, I feel completely exhausted because I worked on the budget for the next 3 months. NOTHING is more exhausting than dealing with money...I HATE IT! But, oh well, it has to be done...and since Im a housewife now, it's REALLY my job with no excuses :)

Drew had a late class (so he was awake at 3:30 and his day ended around 8:15) and alot of written homework tonight, so I hardly talked to him at all this evening. But, it sounds like his day went alright. He does sound tired and is happy to be getting his Wednesday liberty tomorrow night. I'm going to bring him sandwiches from our favorite sub-shop and I think we might walk around old town Sacramento.

Something exciting though...he decided to do his homework in the "lounge" type area (his roommates went to bed around 9!!!) and, he had the opportunity to encourage a guy who is having a rough time. Drew was excited too, because he thought he heard him singing some Christian music, so this may be the first Christian guy he's met there (they really have NO time to socialize, so unless you're roommates- chances are you aren't going to get too friendly with too many other guys). This other Cadet is having a rough time with his roommates, and with his fiance (or ex-fiance I guess). Drew was able to relate to the roommate situation and encourage him there, and tried to encourage him to be motivated to stick with the Academy (not that he's necessarily thinking of quitting, he's just having a challenging time of it right now).

From what I understand, his fiance feels that he is not giving her enough attention right now (HE'S AT THE ACADEMY!), so she called off the wedding. That's really rough...the Officer's PLAINLY state to all friends and family that the strongest reason for quitting the Academy is because of the support group at home...it can make or break you. The time at the Acadmey has to be completely devoted to the Academy and the families have to encourage that despite any emotional feelings. I have had to be somewhat abrasive in encouraging Drew at times even though I've wanted to cry and tell him I want him here. But you CAN'T do that!!! No matter what is going on at home, all of that needs to be suppressed so that your Cadet can focus on the Academy and not feel that he needs to quit and go home. It's not an easy process to get through to become a CHP Cadet, and not many make it this far...and you are only there for SIX months, which is the starting point of a solid 30 YEAR career! With great benefits, security, and many job options! I can understand feeling alone (especially if you were planning something as significant as a wedding by yourself), but those feelings could make or break the career of that loved one...and there is PLENTY of warning before you get yourself into 1/4 of the way through the training process. So, luckily, Drew was able to encourage him, and hopefully (if Drew's feeling is correct) this will give Drew a fellow Christian to turn to in his tough times also.