8-31-26 Journal

Monday 8/31/26 journal

A Productive Start to the Week

Monday, August 31, 2026

Since commissary is closed this week for inventory, they had a special shopping time this morning from 6:00–6:30 ONLY. During that time, we could buy stamps, over-the-counter medicine, two bags of cereal, Buddy Bars, and Reese's. Apparently, those food items are going out of stock, so they're trying to get rid of the remaining inventory.

I decided I wanted to take advantage of it, so I got up early and headed over. The line was really long, but I made it in just before 6:30! I'm glad I got there when I did because I really didn't want to go through all that and then get turned away.

After shopping, I ran to the cafeteria and got a glass of milk. Then I went back to the unit, finished my book, and called home.

Then, on a whim, I decided to go to recreation and walk for an hour. Before I left, I picked out two books to donate to the library. I'm still trying to get my book collection down. It's hard to let books go, but at least donating them means someone else can enjoy them.

I walked four laps, which is 1.6 miles, and it felt GREAT!

It was such a good way to start the week. I didn't really plan on going walking when I woke up this morning, but I'm so glad I decided to go. Sometimes getting up and doing something productive instead of sitting around makes such a difference in my whole day.

Baked chicken Caesar is on the menu for lunch today, so I'll try to make it to the cafeteria for that. At least that sounds pretty good!

Tomorrow I have an appointment to get my hair washed and styled. This is a little different because the appointment is at the actual "school," rather than me just going into the salon and doing it myself. I'm looking forward to having someone else take care of my hair for a change!

Wednesday I'll be going back to R&D Open House to bug them some more about my transfer. LOL. I know they have all of my paperwork and that I'm eligible to go, so I'm just trying to keep my name in front of them and find out if anything has moved forward.

I am SO eager to make the transfer to camp. I just hope it happens sooner rather than later. I keep reminding myself that I've done everything I'm supposed to do, and now I have to be patient while they do their part.

And then there is one more BIG thing that happened today...

I FINISHED MY PARALEGAL STUDIES!!!!!!!

I got stamps during the special commissary shopping this morning, so I was finally able to mail off the last of the Blackstone material. I've now submitted everything for my paralegal studies.

Finished!

I checked the box for them to mail my certificate to my parents' house, so hopefully Mom and Dad will get it when it arrives. I am really proud of myself for sticking with this and getting all the way to the finish line. There were definitely times when the homework was difficult and seemed like a lot, but I kept going.

Eventually, I'll probably mail all of the paralegal books home too. I want to keep them. I've put so much time into those books that it will be hard to part with them. And after everything I've learned, I think it will be nice to have them at home someday.

So, looking at everything I've accomplished today, it was actually a pretty good Monday. I got up early, successfully shopped, got my milk, finished a book, called home, walked 1.6 miles, donated two more books, and—most importantly—finished my paralegal studies!

Now if I could just get that transfer to Bryan moving, this would be a REALLY good week!

One thing at a time, I guess.

I'm definitely going to bed tonight feeling accomplished.