Learning to fly, but I ain’t got wings.
Success is achieved by making the most out of the resources available. With many new people coming into the camp the past few weeks I have been fortunate enough to be in a position to explain how things work, what to expect, what to avoid, etc…… While this is helpful for new arrivals it really helps to remind
me of the bigger picture and that my current situation is not a forever thing and is in fact winding down. It also reminds me to stay productive and keep my eyes on the prize.
One of my good friends just became the official new inmate greeter. His job is to show new arrivals around the campus, where the computer room, cafeteria, rec hall and library are located as well as taking them to their cubical and introducing them to their roommates. I’m the second line of defense and go out of my way to introduce myself and ask them if they need anything or have any questions. I also take time to give them unsolicited advise on how to be productive and make the days go by faster with a routine. This helps me just as much as it helps them. Time here can be easily wasted and unproductive or it can be a once in a life time opportunity to learn and grow.
A typical day in the life of Dana McIntyre:
6:30am is when I generally wake up for the day.
I skip breakfast most days.
I’ll make my bed, make a cup of coffee and
watch the morning news and weather from 7am to 7:15am.
I’ll then have a second cup of coffee, brush my teeth, shave and check emails.
Depending on the weather I will go to the outdoor track and
walk a few miles or I may read, study or meditate.
Around 9:30am I’ll meet some friends in the library and may play chess
or talk about a variety subjects, family, current events, philosophy of life, etc…..
Lunch is around 11am. After lunch I will check emails, read, take an
afternoon walk as well as think and plan for when I leave here in February. At 2:30pm I take a yoga class and return to my cubical around 3:30pm. I’ll take a shower, chat with my roommates, make phone calls or listen to the radio on my tablet. Sometime between 4:30 and 5pm will be dinner in the chow hall.
After chow, I may journal, read or walk (depending on what mood I’m in) or I’ll make phone calls.
I will occasionally play pool or ping pong during this window of time if its not too crowded.
At 6pm Monday thru Friday there is usually a class in the library. Tonight is a class on architecture
and building construction. I take every class that is available and most are held in the early evening.
Saturday and Sundays there are movies in the library that start at 6:00pm and end around 8:30pm when we are required to report back to our dorm for the night. I may read or listen to music and start to get ready for bed around 9:15pm. 9:30pm there is a stand up count that takes 30 seconds and then I go to sleep.
Every day is a little different but every day is pretty much the same. 24/7/365.
This is my routine and keeps me from boredom and thinking about all the things I’m missing.
It keeps me sane, focused on the positive and the realization that this place is not who I am, not the person I was or the person I will be when I return.
