July 21st,

Wassup,
Wow! What a week! It was eventful so I'll start with the clock story. Our detailers put a box over the clocks because it's training time and we aren't allowed to know the exact time. They keep us in the dark all night then wake us with screaming and blowing whistles. One morning I got up at 5am and took a peek behind the box to see what time it was. Apparently I didn't replace the box properly because a detailer noticed later in the day. He guessed it was me because our room is right across from the clock. Going to lunch I  heard yelled behind me, "Who moved my box? Lonsdale?! Did you move my box last night?" Of course I admitted to it because I wanted to be honest but I was still nervous about what they would do. Later they tornadoed our room. My sheets were everywhere, stuff lying on the floor and my shelves collapsed and unhinged. I thought the punishment was pretty much over when around midnight as I was falling into a deeper sleep, the door burst open adn a box flew into the room, then the door closed. He definitely got the message across.
This week we got to tour the YP boats and go sailing which I want to do more of. We also went swimming and learned how to abandon ship properly. We had a bearing competition where two people face each other with mouths full of water and the first person who laughs and spits it over the other, loses. I did my Gollum impression and made a ton of people lose their bearing. It was so good in fact, that a bunch of the detailers stopped me later to do it again. Then later I was nominate for the daily Blue and Gold for my Gollum impression. They made me stand in the P-hallway and do it for about 90 people in the company including the commander. Everyone laughed and now I will probably be known in the Academy for my Gollum voice and beat boxing.
All in all, I'm getting to do some cool stuff though there are tough days where they scream and yell at you. I'm dealing with stuff fairly well and I know I'm developing into a capable Naval Officer and better person. They are letting us grow back our hair on the top of our heads and shaving the sides..." A high and tight" marine haircut which I'm not fond of.
Its crazy hot this week with 70% humidity and 93 degrees. Today we learned how to put out fires on the boat or ship and used the hoses to connect to the fire hydrants. We also did relay runs with fire equipment. I'm tired a lot of the time but it's not something i haven't done before (my mission). I'd like to join the VT-NA club (fight club) or the parachute team. I want to try a bunch of things. We also had an academic brief which was super informative. I spoke in Chinese with the Chinese Professor and read a few paragraphs in Chinese that he gave me. He has placed me in the advanced Chinese class which means I've pretty much completed my minor in Chinese before I've even started. This means that I can start my Masters degree after year 2 because I also validated in a few other classes. My first year is shaping up nicely.
Tonight is going to be especially cool though--we have a brief by Captain Coffey who spent 7 years in a Vietnam POW camp. He will tell us about his experiences.
Well it's hard here but worth it; I cant wait until Parents Weekend, I'm going to live for that weekend because Plebe summer is pretty much over after that.
Love,
MIDN Zach Lonsdale, USN

PS. Our room passed the toughest inspection (Alpha inspection) and I did most of the cleaning  :)