Monday, May 2, 2016

Well, today is Monday and it is time to get back to work. I started my day off bright and early with Toastmasters at 7 a.m. I didn’t have to give a speech today so I just listened and gave feedback, both good and bad. I’m learning a lot about how much it takes to speak confidently.

I also attended computer lab. I don’t really like the typing assignments but I know it is important to learn this stuff. Computers have changed a lot since high school. I keep pushing forward.
Cory D. (a.k.a. Sweet Stutter Box)

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

We are studying for our test this Thursday and practicing our pitches. Some of us think we need one more revision – we want the time to qualify without sounding rushed.
Class this afternoon went well. We reviewed resumés. Then we got our Living in the Village books. Some of us did our pitches, and then we watched an art history lesson … and afterward we were given a pop quiz over the art history lesson!

We rounded out the day with a product/service offering assignment. We’ll get to work on it this afternoon. It’s been another good day in PEP.
David D. (a.k.a. Sweet Boomhauer)

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

We did not have class this morning so of course I took advantage of the opportunity to replenish my “groceries.” I’m thankful for the support of my family and PEP. Later on we met up in the PEP classroom and it was live and in color. Today we had some special guests who gave us a presentation on entrepreneurship, which by the way was super cool. It helps us fine tune our business pitches. The more challenging part is memorizing our pitches! For the most part we are all coming along good though. Personally I see my real estate plan coming to life. I am exited! The day could not close without me hearing from my family. My daughter, granddaughter and two boys are the fuel that keeps me pushing through the challenges.
Pedro D-B (a.k.a. Sweet Cinnamon Buns)

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Today is Cinco de Mayo, but it started out like every other day. I woke up early to go to breakfast, by early I mean 4 a.m., but of course the day cannot begin properly without a cup of coffee. With all that done it is time for recreation. With morning activities out of the way it was time for lunch. Let me tell you what, it was one of the best meals I have had since I have been on this unit. It had all the bells and whistles; I’m talking from carrot cake to a serrano pepper. It was hot!

After that it was time for serious business: time to study, because every Thursday is test day in the PEP room no matter what. As soon as we walked in and warmed up that is exactly what we did. I’m talking as soon as we sat down the clipboards were brought out and we stated testing. We also had a few of our brothers going home, so tradition has it that we pray them out. A “pray out” means that before they go home, we get to give them some words of encouragement, but the fun part is that it is recorded and made into a video for them to take home. That is in order for them to take it out once in a while and remember the long road that they have traveled, giving them courage to push through any challenges that they might be going through. Of course we know how to keep the humor even in serious situations. Remember one of our 10 Driving Values is FUN. Some people cried but for the most part everyone laughed. The day could not be complete without Brian T., the master of getting off subject, giving his lecture on the next chapter for next week’s test. I’d say that it was a good day in the land of PEP today.
Jordan D. (a.k.a. Sweet Ellen DeGenerous)