27 April, Mom & Dad

Hey Mom & Dad,
Today so far it's been pretty boring and relaxed for down time:  up at 0330, made rack, used the head, got back in the rack and waited for lights on at 0400.  Then went to morning chow, went and ran 3 miles today man it was slow but I stayed behind to help Cunningham & Ajeti.  They say it's individual effort but what's the point of being a platoon and not helping each other?  Anyway I finished in 26:32.  Yeah, yeah, I know, slow.  I know I'm going faster on Saturday next week for sure.  Initial PFT.  I can do as of right now a 70 second arm hang, a 26 minute 3 mile run, and 85 crunches.  So not great but not horrible.  So after that came back to the squad bay and did about 15 minutes of drill before Sgt Gaddis told us to get our knowledge out and study our rifle manual that's what the main part of phase II seems to be: the M16A4 service rifle and brand new set of ditties and moves to learn before final drill & learning everything we can about the weapon.  I've also purchased my plane ticket to my mct part of training..  Sorry guys, it sounds like another 27 days of hell on earth, just in North Carolina now.  then came back here to the squad bay, found Sgt Dunn and Sgt Moffaet redecorating and then went to the P.X. After standing in there for 2 seconds.  Got a notebook and a couple of inksticks.  Didn't get anything else for myself except what Sgt Gaddis told each of us to buy.  GIRLS ARE EXPENSIVE!! plain and simple.  When I get back I'm taking you out to dinner, you pick, don't care what it is either  just so I can get you something for having to put up with me all these years. :)  Saturday we leave the squad bay for the rifle range.  Oh I can't wait. Just, from what I hear, you won't be hearing from me until S6 (May 8), because during free time I'm going to be either cleaning or practicing with the weapon and Sunday's are 5 hours of free time.  I hope easter was great for you guys and I expect pictures from you from the egg hunts and stuff.  I spent Easter morning with my friend Hyman at her religious service because she needed a Buddy.  She's wiccan, so that was a little different, then we listed to a crazy man talk about our greatest enemy is death.  It is not, but he was determined to talk about and drill it into our heads like that.  I think I'm done for now so I'll write again soon.
I love you,
Bizzy
p.s. thanks for the stamps dad.