Kev just picked his schedule for post-FTO and guess what? DAY SHIFTTTT.
Three months of day shift start sometime in January. He was right, looks like the senior officers selected the action packed night shifts first. Fine by Kev and I! The only bad part is that he will be working weekends, both Saturday and Sunday. He just bought his first Tahoe season pass with me this year too! He couldn't come with me when he was in the Academy last season because it wasn't worth the risk that he could possibly get injured and not be able to continue with training. So, I was pretty excited to improve his snowboarding skills this season. With my flexible time off though, we are hoping it shouldn't be a problem getting up there together.
Until then, we are still currently enjoying day shift for phase 3. He has been a little tired at night, but he is home! He wakes up at 2:30am and is usually home by around 6pm. We are in bed by 9:30pm. Kev is a morning person and I am a bit of a night owl, so I can be a little restless but I don't mind adjusting to his schedule. Forcing myself to get extra sleep has been pretty nice and I've felt better too, I've had a lot more energy at the office.
In summary, Kev has had mostly day shifts. We are still waiting to see what he is assigned for phase 4 which will start sometime in the next couple weeks. He hasn't been assigned swing shifts (12-10pm) yet. We have heard those can be tough because it can be a much later night if you catch a drunk driver at the end of your shift. Nights weren't bad other than the fact that our schedules made us miss each other entirely during the week and when he had to work weekends, he would be sleeping during the day when I was home. He did have more energy in the evenings when he was home with me though. With day shift, he is beat and ready for bed pretty early. It's almost humorous, you really can't win, you just have to go along for the ride. Take what you get and make the most of it. It keeps life interesting and makes you be creative. You also appreciate your time together more, even when there is a lot of it! Sometimes it can be exhausting, but it's good to know each shift is only temporary and you have a shot at a better schedule with the next phase. If they are all not ideal, well it can only get better.
Hopefully for those of you reading this has helped close the gap between the Academy, FTO period, and that first time your officer takes the car out on their own. I think I'll likely write up until that day and then wrap up this blog - that will be the whole first year of life entering the CHP. I remember as Kev inched closer to grad day I was so worried about FTO being just as bad as the academy. It is no where close, it's just a lot of constant change that takes time to adjust to. Road trips also consist of hitting every apex on a turn while pointing out to you why they would pull over almost everyone on the road. Enjoy ;)
- Mimi
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Monday, November 28, 2016
The day you know will come
There is a specific moment that Kev and I knew would one day come in his career. He used to tell me about the pictures they would show him at the Academy, we made note cards for the codes, and he studied all about it. Nothing is quite like the day itself though. A call unlike the rest, that sadly won't be the last but will be a reminder of how difficult law enforcement can be emotionally for an officer and the ones around them. I saw the news and knew that was Kev's beat. We were celebrating Thanksgiving that night because it was the only night Kev's family, with three sons with careers in service, could all be together. I was getting ready at our house when Kev text me that he would be running late and to go ahead over to his parent's house without him. I didn't ask why, but just said okay and headed over.
We all knew why Kev would be late to Thanksgiving dinner. Kev called when he was heading home and told me what happened. I didn't say much or ask for specifics, all I really wanted to know was that he was okay, emotionally. Kev's younger brother is a paramedic, so after the call I told his sister-in-law what happened. His brother has experienced and seen a lot, so she gave me a little advise about what works for them. Ultimately, she said you know them best and you know when it's been a situation they resonate with - some are harder than others. She suggested not to pry for details, or keep mentioning it, but to ask if they are okay and to let them have their time to make peace with what happened that day and talk to you about it when they are ready. I appreciated her advice and agreed with it. Every relationship is different though, so you should absolutely do what you find works best for you. That first time really isn't something you can prepare for though. It is a very unique and foreign feeling.
It somehow worked out that the turkey needed a little extra time in the oven to finish cooking and it was pulled out shortly before Kev made it in the door. He didn't let the day dampen our dinner together and he was still his spirited self. I had packed a bag for him with a change of clothes since I figured he would be coming straight from work. We walked upstairs when I asked again if he was okay and we had a quick chat. It's hard to explain how he was. He wasn't necessarily full of emotions but more so just describing to me what he saw, almost talking it out in his head. I just listened. He shared a bit with his family too. We had quite the dinner conversation with a cop, a CHP officer, and a paramedic at the table who could each identify with the day.
I still think about what Kev told us. I know I could never stand in his shoes, but being close to someone in law enforcement has heightened my respect for the career and the men and women who swore to protect us. They are truly special individuals. You never know how much goes on around you each day and night, until you hear their stories.
We spent the next few days at his cabin up North. We watched movies, listened to the rain, and celebrated his grandpa's birthday. That night I woke up thinking of my grandma. Right when I finished saying a prayer in my mind, Kev rolled over and said "I love you, you're my family now." I don't know how he knew but it was everything I needed to hear in that moment. He truly is one of a kind and I'm so lucky to call him mine.
- Mimi
We all knew why Kev would be late to Thanksgiving dinner. Kev called when he was heading home and told me what happened. I didn't say much or ask for specifics, all I really wanted to know was that he was okay, emotionally. Kev's younger brother is a paramedic, so after the call I told his sister-in-law what happened. His brother has experienced and seen a lot, so she gave me a little advise about what works for them. Ultimately, she said you know them best and you know when it's been a situation they resonate with - some are harder than others. She suggested not to pry for details, or keep mentioning it, but to ask if they are okay and to let them have their time to make peace with what happened that day and talk to you about it when they are ready. I appreciated her advice and agreed with it. Every relationship is different though, so you should absolutely do what you find works best for you. That first time really isn't something you can prepare for though. It is a very unique and foreign feeling.
It somehow worked out that the turkey needed a little extra time in the oven to finish cooking and it was pulled out shortly before Kev made it in the door. He didn't let the day dampen our dinner together and he was still his spirited self. I had packed a bag for him with a change of clothes since I figured he would be coming straight from work. We walked upstairs when I asked again if he was okay and we had a quick chat. It's hard to explain how he was. He wasn't necessarily full of emotions but more so just describing to me what he saw, almost talking it out in his head. I just listened. He shared a bit with his family too. We had quite the dinner conversation with a cop, a CHP officer, and a paramedic at the table who could each identify with the day.
I still think about what Kev told us. I know I could never stand in his shoes, but being close to someone in law enforcement has heightened my respect for the career and the men and women who swore to protect us. They are truly special individuals. You never know how much goes on around you each day and night, until you hear their stories.
We spent the next few days at his cabin up North. We watched movies, listened to the rain, and celebrated his grandpa's birthday. That night I woke up thinking of my grandma. Right when I finished saying a prayer in my mind, Kev rolled over and said "I love you, you're my family now." I don't know how he knew but it was everything I needed to hear in that moment. He truly is one of a kind and I'm so lucky to call him mine.
- Mimi
Monday, November 21, 2016
Life Lately
CTC 2-16 graduated last week! Congratulations! We know the sacrifice and perseverance it took for you, your loved ones, and families to make it to that very moment. Cherish those memories forever and be the best officer you can be from this moment forward. Never forget how hard you worked for it and how badly you wanted it. Kev and I are forever grateful ourselves and seeing that the class he shared his time with at the Academy has also graduated is an amazing feeling. I told Kev that for some reason, time seems slower outside of the Academy than when he was in it. The countdown is over! Hopefully the only days you'll be counting towards now are vacation days ;) Enjoy your next week off Officers!
As for Kev and I, we have been loving day shift. This schedule is perfect! He works Sundays right now which means he still gets a little action from the leftover Saturday nighters who may have had a little too much to drink and didn't sleep it off long enough before driving home in the morning. However, it also means there isn't any traffic coming home. On week days, it can take him almost an hour and a half to get home because he sits in rush hour traffic for so long.
We are also really lucky that Kev has all of Thanksgiving weekend off too, Thursday - Sunday. Since I lost my grandma this year, the first week Kev started the Academy, this will be the first holiday season of my life without her. That's what Kev and I have been talking about a lot lately, since that's been the most forefront thing on my mind. My parents also retired and moved to their vacation home in Baja shortly after, so this has been a beautiful year and a difficult one combined. I visited my parents last week, and this week I'll spend Thanksgiving with Kev's family. Considering everything, I'm so grateful that he has the holiday off, grateful for him, and for his amazing family. Kev and I are going to try to make my grandma's stuffing to share with his family this year, which means more to me that he probably knows.
After Thanksgiving, we are going to head up to his cabin for the weekend. Kev bought a secondary but hasn't had a chance to even shoot it yet. So, we plan to do a little shooting while we are up there too. Then on the way home we are hoping to stop and pick up a Christmas tree. It will be our first tree in our own home together, I can't wait!
Happy holidays everyone! Set everything aside, and be grateful for the people who make you feel loved and who make your life better because they are apart of it. Life will always be busy, so make the time. So much can change in a year and time is the one thing you can never get more of. Be grateful, love completely, and live beautifully.
- Mimi
Thursday, November 10, 2016
The Election
Early Wednesday morning, Trump was elected the next President of the United States. In an already deeply divided country, this election seized the publics' consciousness and resulted in nationwide protests and violence.
The immediate impact.
Kev worked Tuesday and Wednesday night. Grave shift is already an adjustment for us, but I knew it was going to be a long couple of nights this week. After news of the election results and the anti-Trump protests erupting, Kev was sent to Oakland as backup. For the first time in his career he put on his riot gear. Sadly, I'm confident it won't be the last time. He told me about his experience the next day and said he debated telling me. I'm glad he told me, but it did make it hard to fall asleep Wednesday night knowing that he could be called back out there.
The frustration.
Honestly, I'm exhausted by the divisiveness of our Nation. It is not Hillary or Trump dividing us, it's ourselves. We were already divided prior to the election results. I'm tired of every decision, event and action being blamed on racism and bias. It is clear that the majority of today's violence simply stems from anti-establishment rhetoric that drives the anger of the disillusioned masses. It seems increasingly obvious that fighting each other and shouting in the streets, burning down your own cities is not the answer.
Action.
The election is already days behind us. Instead of worrying about what Trump is going to do for you, worry about the change that you have the power to execute within your own circle and the change you can create in your community. If you want change, you need to be the positive change you want to see in your world. Take responsibility. Our future as a Nation depends on each of us being dedicated to the well being of our country as a whole and not just our faction of economic or ethnic identity. Open your arms to your neighbors and those with conflicting identities to your own. Open your hearts and your minds, because disorder, blame, and chaos will never commandeer the world you wish to live in. Create unity and equality will follow, because hate is the only line drawn in the sand.
And to the LEOs out there and your families, thank you. Thank you for standing guard and protecting our communities in a time when you can sometimes be the ultimate target. When the world around us is up in arms, you're always there. And to the ones at home a little restless while they are gone at night, it's good to know we're never alone.
I will always be proud to be an American.
- Mimi
The immediate impact.
Kev worked Tuesday and Wednesday night. Grave shift is already an adjustment for us, but I knew it was going to be a long couple of nights this week. After news of the election results and the anti-Trump protests erupting, Kev was sent to Oakland as backup. For the first time in his career he put on his riot gear. Sadly, I'm confident it won't be the last time. He told me about his experience the next day and said he debated telling me. I'm glad he told me, but it did make it hard to fall asleep Wednesday night knowing that he could be called back out there.
The frustration.
Honestly, I'm exhausted by the divisiveness of our Nation. It is not Hillary or Trump dividing us, it's ourselves. We were already divided prior to the election results. I'm tired of every decision, event and action being blamed on racism and bias. It is clear that the majority of today's violence simply stems from anti-establishment rhetoric that drives the anger of the disillusioned masses. It seems increasingly obvious that fighting each other and shouting in the streets, burning down your own cities is not the answer.
Action.
The election is already days behind us. Instead of worrying about what Trump is going to do for you, worry about the change that you have the power to execute within your own circle and the change you can create in your community. If you want change, you need to be the positive change you want to see in your world. Take responsibility. Our future as a Nation depends on each of us being dedicated to the well being of our country as a whole and not just our faction of economic or ethnic identity. Open your arms to your neighbors and those with conflicting identities to your own. Open your hearts and your minds, because disorder, blame, and chaos will never commandeer the world you wish to live in. Create unity and equality will follow, because hate is the only line drawn in the sand.
And to the LEOs out there and your families, thank you. Thank you for standing guard and protecting our communities in a time when you can sometimes be the ultimate target. When the world around us is up in arms, you're always there. And to the ones at home a little restless while they are gone at night, it's good to know we're never alone.
I will always be proud to be an American.
- Mimi
Thursday, November 3, 2016
November & Back to Day Shift!
Amen to that! Kev received his schedule for Phase 3 and he is back on day shift, Sunday - Wednesday. We will have weekends again, and just in time for ski trips! I ran into him this morning when I was leaving for work and he was pulling in the driveway when he told me the good news! I will finally see him every day again. I can't even begin to tell you how happy that makes me. We only have about a week and a half left until the schedule changes. I can't wait!
Grave shifts are long, tiring, and we miss each other entirely on the days that he works. I am so ready for a change. So far, FTO has a lot ups and downs. Day shifts are easier because Kev is mostly writing tickets or tending to fender benders, so he is typically home on time. Night shifts come with more arrests and DUIs, which means taking someone to jail, the hospital, or both, and then writing reports until the sun comes up. Sometimes even until the early afternoon, the next day! The good thing is that nothing last too long, we are onto phase 3! I guess that means Kev's junior class in CTC 2-16 should be graduating soon too. Time flies.
- Mimi
Grave shifts are long, tiring, and we miss each other entirely on the days that he works. I am so ready for a change. So far, FTO has a lot ups and downs. Day shifts are easier because Kev is mostly writing tickets or tending to fender benders, so he is typically home on time. Night shifts come with more arrests and DUIs, which means taking someone to jail, the hospital, or both, and then writing reports until the sun comes up. Sometimes even until the early afternoon, the next day! The good thing is that nothing last too long, we are onto phase 3! I guess that means Kev's junior class in CTC 2-16 should be graduating soon too. Time flies.
- Mimi
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