WEEK TEN, Wednesday

Wednesday. The day started with the presentation of our yellow bricks in our session classrooms. A much anticipated day for us had finally arrived! It was so very thrilling to receive the yellow brick. My collection of bricks are now complete at six total bricks! Reflecting back, it was a true challenge to get all the exercise related bricks (didn’t get the patio brick), but no regrets! Contrary to what others say, you still can get in your study time and socialization/networking in with no problem. In fact, it’ll keep your mind, spirit, & body busy and not idle. We later had graduation ceremony rehearsal, then a free day to pack up our dorms and ship out things. In the early evening, a nasty lightning storm came in. Caught some great shots of the bolts striking the ground! We then went to dinner in Dumfries. Great stuff again with great people!

WEEK TEN, Tuesday

Tuesday. Lifted in the morning to get back onto my usual routine. Felt great! Then, it was the final day of classes, evaluations and reviews mainly. Walked over to the DEA academy to shop in the PX there to get some coins and “swag.” Yellow bricks are ready for distribution. Anxiously awaiting it! Later, after school, went out for dinner at Umi restaurant and got some dessert at B&R. Went for a final swim in the pool for old times sake. Another awesome day at the NA in the books!

WEEK TEN, Monday

Monday. Final week! The Yellow Brick Road (YBR) Challenge day! A 6.1 mile obstacle and endurance course designed as a final challenge for the FBI National Academy session class. It was an overcast and cloudy day, perfect for the challenge! I started off great, a lot of hiking trail and hill running, similar to my youthful days on Kauai, in the mountains. Brought back some great memories.  Also, the muscle memory of navigating the trails came right back to me, like riding a bike. Good fun! For the cliffs with ropes, who needs ropes?! I went face first on these cliffs, like one billy goat, as we’d say on Kauai back then. Lol! After two miles, the obstacle course was complete and hill running ensued, not really my cup of tea. Ended through campus and finally on the track. What a rush! Totally enjoyed it! After that, while totally exhausted, went shopping at the PX in the afternoon and around Garrisonville, at the Walmart. Cut hair at Kim’s for graduation, too. Finally, Louisiana Night capped off the evening. Great food, excellent drinks, and good friends. What a Monday! Chee huuu!!

THE FINAL WEEKEND, Sunday

THE FINAL WEEKEND, Saturday

Saturday! Woke up to complete some mileage toward my final brick challenge for rowing. Got in 10,000 meters and only 3,400 meters shy toward finishing it up! I think I can complete it by Sunday! Yes!! All four total exercise bricks attained! I think I may be the only one in my department who has ever did all the exercise brick challenges. I put my mind (& body) to it and got it done! Later, got picked up by my cousin to visit Mount Vernon. I was stoked! One more bucket list location checked off! We then hung out at his friend’s house for a nice outdoor dinner. Great times!