Start Date February 16th, 2015 With Celadon! I Got Into The Training Program!

Got my confirmation and reservation number for my Greyhound ticket. Greyhound now has power outlets and wifi on the bus, so that won't be so bad! Plus, I will be taking loads and loads of pictures when I am not busy studying. I think that it will be a lot of fun.

I will be leaving the house around 4AM to get on the bus, and arriving in the mid afternoon. So, today, I got a lot of things done around the house that have needed attention. I also made it a point to have a talk with my housemates about what it will mean for me to be in school.

To say that it has been interesting is to put it very mildly. Since I have started this, I have learned so much. I will be taking photos of the room and everything, too!

Also, the place that I am staying at has a swimming pool. A real pool! How awesome is that? I will be taking my swimsuit and a t-shirt and some shorts to cover with so that I can have some fun in the pool. That will be a lot of fun.

Tomorrow is the last day that I am trying to allow for errands, I am trying to make those dollars stretch out as far as I can make them! I finally got to speak to my father today, not just my mom, and they both said that they are really proud of me, to keep up the good work and make sure that I am paying attention in class, not thinking that because I have done the online work is no reason to get lazy! I agree, and I will also be taking my Bible to make sure that I keep my focus on where it needs to be. Sometimes, that is hard, too.

Thank All of you for the awesome support and kind words. I will keep you all updated as I get closer and closer to that precious CDL being in my hands!

Much and Many Hugs,

Pepper

Went to the Greyhound and got my ticket today, since the office there will not be open during the time that I am boarding to leave. I will have a couple of hours to kill in Dallas, so I looked at a map and there is not really anything within walking distance that I want to take my suitcases with me at that hour, so I will study while I wait, then a couple of hours down the road to Austin, a quick stop there, then a couple of hours to San Antonio, a quick stop there, and then a couple of hours to Laredo. I think that when we stop, if the weather is nice, I am going to take a quick little five minute walk.

I got a little package in the mail from a friend today, they sent me a pedometer because they read online that truck drivers have to make a big effort to get in all of the physical movement that they need in order to be healthy. I am also bringing my swimsuit and I have an app on my phone called Seven Minute Workout that is very intense, and yes, it is only seven minutes long.

Tonight, when I go to bed, I will be doing a backup on the hard drive in case some of the jarring and jolting hurts the old girl. I have a few things to do tomorrow before I go to bed, a final list to make and work through tomorrow in terms of packing, and then I will be ready to go.

For all of you who have sweethearts out there to be your Valentine tomorrow, Happy Valentine's Day. For all of the rest of us, I have decided that you are all adopted as my honorary Valentine!

Have a wonderful weekend and be safe. I will update tomorrow after I finish packing. I am really excited!

Pepper

For all of you who have sweethearts out there to be your Valentine tomorrow, Happy Valentine's Day. For all of the rest of us, I have decided that you are all adopted as my honorary Valentine!

Have a wonderful weekend and be safe. I will update tomorrow after I finish packing. I am really excited!

Pepper

Pepper, I appreciate your openness and cheerfulness in all your preparations. Make it a point to keep your positive attitude through school. That will have a huge, positive effect on how well you do, especially when you get frustrated in your practicing.

Thank you for cheering up my day with your entries.

Errol, Thanks for the lovely message!

I had a really good day today. The weather outside was really pretty, with lovely blue skies, and it was nice outside. I got to see my sister and her children, so that was completely nice, too. Came back home and I did not have time to pack or study because I had a friend who needed some help, I was able to, so I did it.

Now, I am done with sorting through everything, I am done with laundry and I am onto packing. I should be done with everything within the hour. Then it is onto the business of getting a shower and going to bed to sleep for a few hours before dawn's early light pulls up and we have to go to the Greyhound station. It will be a lot of fun on the bus, because I am going to make it so!

Next update from the Old Grey Hound!

Pepper

Saturday night, I didn't go to bed until 3AM because I was too excited to sleep, even though I desperately needed it. Sunday morning, I was exhausted when the alarm when off 30 minutes later. :( On the Greyhound, I slept, so although there were amenities, I was unable to use the WIFI as I was catching up on zzzzz's!

Arrived in Laredo in the early afternoon, unpacked and got a bunch of papers to go over and sign at the hotel for some of the rules that will be in force while I am here, as well as a menu of selections to choose for our Saturday and Sunday meals. That's right. We get meals while in school.

The hotel offers a happy hour with light snacks like nachos and hot dogs every evening from 6-8pm. Classes are from 8-5, M-F. Weekends, I will be studying and swimming and catching up on rest.

I have already met some of my fellow classmates. The hotel is beautiful. I will figure out how to post some pictures later.

This morning for breakfast, I had a waffle, shaped like Texas (COOL!), a bowl of raisin bran, a glass of juice, and I brought a banana, an apple, and an orange for snacks during the day back to my room.

Went to bed a little later than I wanted to because my mom and dad called and we were on the phone for a little bit. Slept like an angel in my queen sized bed. This place is really nice, and I really like it--how awesome is that?

Everyone, especially those in ugly weather right now, please take it easy and safe.

All of you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I am going to go and get ready for the first day in my learning to be a CDL student.

Many Hugs!

Pepper

Saturday night, I didn't go to bed until 3AM because I was too excited to sleep, even though I desperately needed it. Sunday morning, I was exhausted when the alarm when off 30 minutes later. :( On the Greyhound, I slept, so although there were amenities, I was unable to use the WIFI as I was catching up on zzzzz's!

Arrived in Laredo in the early afternoon, unpacked and got a bunch of papers to go over and sign at the hotel for some of the rules that will be in force while I am here, as well as a menu of selections to choose for our Saturday and Sunday meals. That's right. We get meals while in school.

The hotel offers a happy hour with light snacks like nachos and hot dogs every evening from 6-8pm. Classes are from 8-5, M-F. Weekends, I will be studying and swimming and catching up on rest.

I have already met some of my fellow classmates. The hotel is beautiful. I will figure out how to post some pictures later.

This morning for breakfast, I had a waffle, shaped like Texas (COOL!), a bowl of raisin bran, a glass of juice, and I brought a banana, an apple, and an orange for snacks during the day back to my room.

Went to bed a little later than I wanted to because my mom and dad called and we were on the phone for a little bit. Slept like an angel in my queen sized bed. This place is really nice, and I really like it--how awesome is that?

Everyone, especially those in ugly weather right now, please take it easy and safe.

All of you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I am going to go and get ready for the first day in my learning to be a CDL student.

Many Hugs!

Pepper

Sounds like you're settling right in. Couple pieces of advice, but the first one is, there is no such thing as a stupid question. Likely, if you're wondering about something, someone else is as well. The instructors are there to help you to understand not only the rules, but why. Many times, once you understand why, the rules make sense. If you don't understand, say so. If time is getting dragged down too much, then ask after class as there may be extra reference material available to you.

Avoid studying if you're really tired as the material will not likely take. You're further ahead to get a good sleep and take a shot at it in the morning when you're not too fatigued.

Keep smiling! You sound like you have a great attitude and if you keep that when you start on the road, you'll be a great asset.

Best of luck.

First Days! So, the first day was a bit hectic. I think I was supposed to have a roommate, but she never showed up. It is my understanding that I may get one at the end of the week or something.

The flu and a virus are going around the school right now, so good hand washing is mandatory. Our regular trainer, Jorge was supposed to be there Monday, but he was too sick, so we had fill ins, who did the very best that they could, but they ended up teaching us the wrong chapter! I was up until midnight looking up answers, and the answer that was stumping me was removed from the updated Texas CDL book, but the question was not. Oh, well. I know Chapter two really well now, so that is a good thing!

We went to the doctor Monday. My blood pressure? 105/65. Pulse? 65. So, really good. Passed everything really well, though the vision test was a bit hard under the fluorescent lights. I passed. The doctor was nice and really thorough. I enjoyed visiting with him while he made notes.

Laredo is having a bit of a cold spell right now, so I am really grateful that I grabbed a coat at the last minute.

There are only 4 of us that are starting from "scratch", so that is really good that we have a small teacher to student ratio. One of the people in my class got flagged for high blood pressure, so he had to call his doctor from home. I hope that he makes it as he is a really nice fellow.

Tuesday, our regular instructor arrived. He did not feel well still, and we all tried to keep a non-contagious distance from him. He is really nice. His throat was a mess, so I read the portions of the CDL manual that we needed to cover today. I am a good reader, so it was a pleasure. We watched a few videos as the ladies in the front office came and got schedules going for everyone in the class.

Finally, we had our practice tests. Without this website, I would have been lost. I made an 80, an 85, a 92 and a 100! I will be studying as soon as I get this posted, but I don't want to forget anything.

Tomorrow, we go and take our tests for the learner's permit. I know that I will do okay, I hope that I pass. I will post my scores as soon as I am able to, but it may be this weekend.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

Pepper

The flu and a virus are going around the school right now, so good hand washing is mandatory.

Our regular trainer, Jorge ... was too sick, ...

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

Pepper

Stay well, Pepper!

Day 3-Permit Test

Today we were all pretty keyed up over the permit test. I know I was.

We went to the DMV , and after a little bit of a wait, I got called to take the test. So many pieces of advice were flowing through my head, but one of the ladies at Celadon said something that was so helpful, I wanted to share it with you. "When you are taking the test, look for the most ridiculous of answers in the ones that are given." That piece of advice helped me through a couple of questions where the wording was a bit awkward.

I PASSED! I have a CDL permit now! Can you believe it?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I was in shock at the end when I was looking at the page and it said "Congratulations, you have passed!"

I am not going to get ****y. I am going to stick on the path I am on, and I am going to try and be really focused and calm, although it can be hard to do at times.

Today, when they were explaining the trolley brake, I got really flustered. I will keep on keeping on.

One milestone down, many more to go.

Thanks,

Pepper