GDF Day 1 Review

Let me just say, Sunday was a day filled with nothing but packing and cleaning and boredom. I don't believe I didn't anything special or accomplished anything. I did, however, have a tussle with my father about sleeping. He wasn't treating me like an adult and it quite frankly, really annoyed me. In the end, I let him win and went to bed at around 1 AM.

I awoke on Monday morning at about 4:45. I still had so much to do and only about an hour and a half to get it all done. It was incredible how I managed. I got my room clean and finished packing and took a shower. It was 6:15 when we left the house. My father stopped by his studio and then we went to get gas. It only took 45 minutes get to O'Hare airport from my house. Normally, it takes about an hour and some depending on traffic. But this particular morning, traffic didn't exist. How amazing!

We parked and stepped into the customer check in area at 7:50. I got everything settled and was told to wait for assistance to help me find the terminal. I figured it wouldn't be much of a wait till someone arrived. But half an hour passed with a blink of an eye. It was now 8:20 AM and I was getting a little nervous. My plane was going to board in 45 minutes. I approached the man working at the desk for the third time asking if I can get a fake boarding pass for my father to accompany me into the terminal. He agreed and made one. As we were walking toward security, an employee with a wheelchair walked toward us. It took a moment to realize that this person was to assist me to the terminal. My father and I were so relieved. It was 20 minutes till my plane was about to board. She was a really nice lady though. I went through security and then was wheeled to the terminal. I was immediately allowed to board the plane.

Settling in row 2, seat C was simple and amazing. I was in first class! However, the person sitting next to me was kind of a prick. I didn't really get the leg room because his knee and foot were almost touching mine. He was also on the phone cursing out this one guy to his mother and swearing a lot. Even when the plane was off the ground, he was on his phone. He'd randomly put the arm rest down and then put it back up. This would be repeated at least twice. Eh, my plane ride was alright with the exception of this guy. We also had an hour delay due to in-climate weather. Not to mention the blue potato chips I chose to eat. They tasted like wallpaper or sand with potato flavoring and salt. Who doesn't want to eat royal blue chips? Ugh, I felt bad for the trainer who had to pick me up. He was waiting for a long time.

After the two hour and some plane ride, I was escorted off the plane and into a holding area where I sat until another employee from JetBlue assisted me onto a bus. They were building a new terminal so the holding area is temporary. She was really nice. We found our way to the baggage claim. The trainer I was supposed to meet actually found me. Wow! Then again, I did have my cane on me so it wouldn't be too difficult. LOL. We had a one hour car ride ahead of us. We chatted the entire time and I got to ask some questions. Before I knew it, we were at the residential area of GDF. Remarkable....

I was shown my room, met everyone and was shown all the fire exits in existence. ROFL... It's a very nice facility and I enjoyed exploring all the different rooms. I can't wait till I get my dog. It will be very fun. Wednesday is the day! We were instructed to meet in the dining room at 5:15 PM. I have three other table mates. We had an interesting conversation. Dinner consisted of Salisbury steak, mixed veggies, and rice. It was tasty. *smile* I had mint chocolate brownie ice cream for dessert which I enjoyed a little too much.

We met up at 7 PM EST time to discuss house rules and introduced ourselves. I'm the furthest west when it comes to traveling. No one is from the Midwest or beyond. So, I am representin' Chicago! After the meeting was over, I went into the rec room and fiddled around with the piano and checked out the drum and guitar. Pretty cool stuff in the rec room. I feel I will be very comfortable.

I came back to my room around 10 PM EST and was on my laptop. I figured out how to connect to the wireless in the room. *grin* So, the Ethernet cable will be useless.. I fell asleep backwards on my bed.

GDF Day 2 Part One

So I'm actually writing for the correct day now.

I didn't exactly get a good night's sleep. I know I fell asleep with my face where my feet were supposed to be. Plus my laptop was not too far from my head. The lights were left on. I woke up around 3:45 AM feeling so hot and sweaty, had a splitting headache. I turned off my laptop, attempted to make it cooler by adjusting the thermostat, and crawled back into bed.

At 6 AM, the talking alarm clock woke me up. I was groggy so I hit snooze a couple times. It was 6:38 when I forced myself out of bed. I unpacked my suitcase and then took a shower. Breakfast was served at 8 AM. It consisted of mixed fruit, bread with butter, and a bowl of cheerios. I had some orange juice and ice water to drink.

We were instructed to report in the gathering room at 8:45 AM. I listened as the trainer explained how the fire drill and the day will go. We're doing short handled walks among other things. We went back to our rooms and then the alarm went off. I walked out of the nearest exit and held doors for people when we were coming back in. Now I'm sitting here typing. *smile*

Tomorrow (Wednesday) we get to find out and receive our dogs. Before lunch we will be told the name, sex, and breed of our dogs. After lunch, we will receive them. I am barely able to think because it's still so new to me. I'm excited.

I'll report back after lunch!

GDF Day 2 Continued

Lunch consisted of salad with ranch dressing, Italian wedding soup, a hotdog, macaroni salad, and potato salad with some water to drink. It was fairly decent.  *smile* After, we did more short handled walks. I did better on my third walk and remembered everything I did on the first two walks. Talk about hardcore! I had a lot of fun learning all the different foot positions and commands. The only thing I worried about was the corrections. I'm not one to be strict with anyone especially with an animal. I suppose I was thrilled to be done with that portion of today's training. I got to wander around the foundation for a while and then was sought out for lease guide training inside. It's completely different from the short harness walks. I did OK with the leash training. I once again was allowed to wander around. We were called to meet in the gathering area at 4 PM. I was intrigued and anxious to move on with whatever we were doing. Surprisingly enough, it was a gathering for all the students in the class. I didn't have a clue on what was going to happen. 

The senior trainer announced that because of our wonderful work ethic as a class, we would find out the names, breeds, and sexes of our dogs a half day early! Boy, was everyone excited! My name was the second to be called. 

Name: Jim
Breed: Lab poodle cross (AKA Labradoodle)
Sex: Male 
Color: Black

All of us left the gathering room in a tizzy, calling our friends and family and spreading the news. I was laughing because my neighbor's name is Jim. I continued to think about it through dinner which consisted of salad with ranch dressing and spaghetti with meat balls. I drank water. 

We met up for a lecture at 6:30 PM. Each of us received a bowl, a brush, a whistle for training and feeding, and a nylabone. Leashes were also distributed for examination and breaking in. No dogs on them til tomorrow afternoon. The trainer also showed us how to put on the check collar. I learned quite a lot this past day. I'm thrilled to be working with this awesome set of trainers and this very capable dog. 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly moment!

Good: I get my doggy tomorrow! 

Bad: My second walk using the short handle was sucky and I wish I did better.

Ugly: I am already having doubts, but I hope this changes as soon as I meet Jim tomorrow. 

Alright folks! I'll report back tomorrow morning before lunch. 

Peace out! 

DOGS TOMORROW AT 1 PM EST!!!!