Butterflies

If you didn't already know I am in the city of Pacific Grove. Pacific Grove is home of the Monarch Butterflies. This weekend it was beautiful, there where butterflies everywhere, in a lame way I found them to be a bit symbolic. In five months 42 of the cadets have been trained to be peace officers. We started off as caterpillars struggling to survive the transformation. Every test, every scenario butterflies fluttered around in out tummies.

Finally we made it to our last five weeks.

The past five months I have been going through the Police Officer Standardized Training (POST). I've taken about 30 written exams in the past 23 weeks, had over 13 scenarios, learned defensive tactics, how to drive in an emergency and much, much more. It's been a long journey. Monday was my last POST test. I passed! POST is done. Thank God. Being done with POST is a weight off the shoulders.

So, you might ask, why I'm still here? For the next five weeks I'm learning about the high standards, the expectations, the qualities and the responsibilities of wearing the "Stetson". Not only am I a law enforcer but I am also an educator, a naturalist and best of all a lifeguard. This means, for the next five weeks, I'll be learning all about the State Parks rules and regulations, how to give an interpretive talk and how to better protect our natural resources.

Around here we call ourself the "Generalist." We wear many hats. Who could ask for a better job. Lifeguard, law-enforcer, interpreter, maintenance.... you name it. What fun!

Today I am off to the Monterey Aquarium and Point Lobos for some interpretive instruction.