Greetings from Annapolis, Maryland! Yes, it’s much colder up here and no, I do not like the snow one bit. Nonetheless, here I am at the United States Naval Academy studying weapons and control systems engineering as a major and Chinese (Mandarin) as a minor, while at the same time training to be an officer in the great American Navy. Boot camp was fun, but hard (and I try not to remember those times when my hair was short to my chin)! This past summer I spent a month on an amphibious assault ship, a ship that has a carrying capacity of about 10,000 sailors and marines, and even had a chance to drive it as part of my summer training.
I am on the Navy’s club waterpolo team, which of course I am in love with. We compete all over the east coast against club teams of other colleges and universities. I write for the magazine on campus, which is published about every two or three months. Writing for the magazine has become an escape from the engineering technicalities that I study all day long teehee. I am also an active member of the community service group on campus called MAG, and I serve as the liaison between MAG and my company of 150 shipmates.
On a heavier note:
A lot has happened in the past few months with regard to security and malicious attacks in DC. The events that happened on the Washington Navy Yard on 16 September serve as a reminder of the school I go to and how it is basically a potential target. Never underestimate the safety of your school, as it is extremely important. If something ever does happen, you’ll always ask yourself if there was anything that could have been done to prevent it. Please, please don’t underestimate your safety and the safety of your friends!
Fair winds and following seas, my friends!
Picture is me with my family on the weekend I finished boot camp in August 2012.
Alexandria “Ali”
HGHS c/o 2012 (the best class)
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