It's finally over...

[Cyberguy34000]

Well, tonight we put out bot in the crate, dragged the thing across the mall, and left it at the FedEx Shipping pick-up site. The build season, for us at least, is finally over. We still have a few loose ends to fix up in the next 48 hours, nothing really major, but the bot itself is gone. Six weeks of hard grueling labor, the last few days of which have been the hardest. And now...

WE'RE FINALLY DONE!!!

Now I'm just going to sleep for the next few days. So what was it like for you? Packing that bot up, that you spent 6 weeks and countless hours of your life designing/building/wiring/programming/etc. ? I feel just like I left a part of me behind, packed inside a crate that I won't see for another month.

What were you thinking when you packed up your bot? What are you looking to in the next few weeks of relative relaxation? Post away.

[Lisa Perez]

As a senior, I was thinking how much I was going to miss doing this next year with 573.

<sentimental> This year especially, it was amazing how well the entire team worked together; we had an extremely persistent group in general and a very open communication between all the different sub-groups. Not only did the team as a whole learn plenty, we also formed many friendships in the process. As we were packing the robot, I felt like we were packing away a symbol of all that hard work and communication. </sentimental>

(My coach told me that she was shipping the robot during school, so as to prevent any sad feelings.. Lol)

At any rate.. Relaxation? What's that?

[Arefin Bari]

As the robot was going in the crate, all the memories I have had with the team just flashed back in my mind. Tonight was the last night as a student for me on the team. I realized how much I am going to miss my team and building with them. This is the best pitcrew I have worked with.

All those yelling, frustration at each other wont be happening again. The fun time as a student is just gone. Life goes on as time passes by... but it was definitely the best chance I have had as a high school student. Its a weird feeling.

-Arefin.

[KTorak]

I'm not gonna know what to do with myself...I will have so much extra time...until atlanta (I might not be able to go to the regional due to a boy scott activity the same weekend.)

[Paul H]

As I strapped our bot in today...I couldn't stop thinking of all the programing we're going to have to do on Thursday of the competition.

And i was kind of depressed that we signed up for our comp on the last weekend of competition and we only have the money to go to one. It's gonna be a long 6 weeks until we compete with that thing.

It's alright, I'll be at the Killer Bees' comps to root for them.

[Denman]

we have packed ours into our crate, waiting for fedex to pick up at lunchtime, when me and about 10 others will have to carry the crate from the electronics lab to the lorry at the front

[phrontist]

Bah! It ain't over till it's over buddy.

[- Raven -]

Originally Posted by Denman

we have packed ours into our crate, waiting for fedex to pick up at lunchtime, when me and about 10 others will have to carry the crate from the electronics lab to the lorry at the front

Yeah, except that when Fedex came to pick it up the rest of us were in lessons so only about 2 people were there to carry it! Luckily they had a trolley... or so I am told. I was one of those unlucky enough to be stuck in a lesson (Computing, if you really wanna know) at the time.

Ah well. It's on its way, so we've met the deadline. Panic over. *sigh* And now we have to wait a month before we get to see it again...

[EOC]

It was a sad moment putting our loved one in a crate. Our chief mechanical officer wanted to be shipped with the bot to insure safety but finally listened to reason. The rest of the team seems a bit dazed and confused; their calendars are empty for a couple of weeks. They will catch up on sleep and maybe even do some homework.

[JVN]

Someone wise once told me:

"The tough/fun part is over... now onto the fun/tough part."

[spadercool]

I can't believe six weeks flew by just like that. i also have a scout activity this weekend but the team work. Our regionals is almost here. its next week

[b0w53r]

Last night we all said our goodbyes. We threw a little party with pizza and drinks. Our parents came in for the first and last glance they'll get, except at VCU. It feels so strange not to be worrying about staying after school. WHat to do with all the time?

[UsmanB]

i was like "finallllllly we get rid of that sucker!" actually i love the bot, we spent alot of good time working on it. but i had to go home and finish animation which i just got done uploading. stayed up all night puting that junk together.

[doyler]

We all learned a lot these past 6 weeks mechanical and programming

We also learned that a robot can be your best friend and worst enemy at the same time

FIRST has given us a great experience and Tourettes Syndrome at 5 in the morning ship day

[Zing]

As an animator I had the joy of showing the video to the rest of the team and pumping my fist in the air as they cheered.

I’m dang proud of what I’ve done the past few weeks. And just as admiring of the rest of the team for the work that they’ve completed.