Well, we're back in good old Sacramento. We decided to leave at 3 am this morning to avoid LA traffic, and it worked! But we're all exhausted. Car sleep is never good sleep.
This past week we were relatively productive. We worked on more sprinkler systems, gluing pipes together and burying them. Then on Thursday, Kyla and I built column structures on a porch. Now, it sounds simple, but it took us about three hours to build one. We have to attach 3 steel beams around a cement block and then screw in boards around it. Not as easy as it sounds!
And for the staff Christmas party Wednesday...never happened. We received a call from the CVHC and they said there was a miscommunication and they didn't have enough food for us! Very sad indeed. But, in return, they treated us to lunch at a restaurant called Cero's and it was fabulous. Possibly the best minestrone soup I've ever had. Everything in it was supersized and chunky, even the noodles! YUM.
It's time to go home, and I'm SO excited!!! It's going to be very difficult to come back. I have to look positively about the experience and get pumped for more AmeriCorps adventures. It's been a crazy and amazing year. I did not think I would have experienced anything I have done in 2009. I can't wait for what is to come.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
See you in 2010!
anne
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It's Tamale Time!
Photo: a trail at Ladder CanyonHey Everyone!
Well, I will be back in GP on Saturday for two weeks. Wahoo!
As for news in Mecca: This past week I screwed screws into steel for 2 days. I don't recommend it. It's awful. Then I assisted in sawing 2 by 4's to put onto peaks of roofs for roof tile. Yes, all the houses will be Spanish-style with stucco walls and tile roofs! Adorable. Then, I helped build wooden archways for the house porches. Everything is looking good! Today, we dug ditches in backyards and assembled pipes and sprinkler/irrigation systems. Then, we filled the holes back up! I have to admit, it went by pretty quick.
We only have 1.5 days of work left! Tomorrow, we work in the morning and then attend the CVHC (Coachella Valley Housing Coalition) staff Christmas party. Wahoo! Then we have work all day Thursday, then Friday we drive back to Sacramento at 6 am. FUN. But at least I'll be going home to see the fam and friends and Dan! So excited!
This weekend, we attended a Native American pow-wow in a casino in Indio. A strange setting, but it was such a cool experience. There were a bunch of vendors selling jewelry and crafts. Lots of turquoise and silver! And then, in the middle of the theater room, they had tons of people dressed in traditional costumes doing different dances. Apparently, it was a competition, and I was able to view the "fancy shawl" dance. There was also live drumming and chanting to accompany the dance. VERY cool. I wanted to run up and dance too! I think I was a bit underdressed...
Then, Monday, a few of us went on a hike to Painted Canyon/Ladder Canyon. This particular hiking trail has ladders to climb up the rocks and canyons. It was sooooo awesome! There was a part of the trail where we climbed these huge boulders and then took a ladder down into this canyon crevice barely three feet wide. It felt like Honey I Shrunk the Kids! Great movie.
We're really glad we were sent to Mecca/the Coachella Valley. It is such a gorgeous area. Mountain ranges on both sides (very close ones too!) and then this giant sea to the south. It's incredible. I'm sure not many people know about it. I would have never come here if it weren't for AmeriCorps. America is truly a beautiful, amazing country.
Alright, enough of the enlightenment. Things are going very well here, but I can't wait to come home and see everyone!
I hope everyone is well, and Feliz Navidad!
<3 anne
P.S. I'm getting interviewed for the gpnews so keep an eye out!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
There's snow in the mountains!
Photo: Mexican dancers at the International Tamale FestHey Everybody!
Yes, I know, it's been over a week since I've been on a computer. Bad Anne.
Anywho, Mecca has been great since Thanksgiving break. Last week we had a five-day workday. We finished the roofs! Wahoo! On Saturday, the families made us a delicious lunch of carne asada, beans, rice, and tortillas, while we contributed corn bread. It was sooo good! Very authentic.
On Wednesday, I made Mom's vegetarian chili and it was a hit! Thanks Mom!
Sunday, the team headed over to the International Tamale Fest 2009 in Indio. My goodness, it was fabulous. Lots of vendors and lots of food! Tamales to be exact. Yes, surprising. I had an authentic chicken tamale and it was very spicy, but very good. Then I sat and watched some Mexican dancing. It was essentially lots of Mexican girls with big colorful skirts swinging them around. I will have pictures soon! Then, I had a dessert tamale from this gourmet tamale vendor. Dessert tamales are apparently very common and often made with strawberries or pineapple. The one I tried was Belgian chocolate, raspberry and carmelized walnut. WOW it was good. I want to learn to make tamales then make all sorts of them! I'm pretty excited about it.
Monday was a rainy, cold, windy day in the desert. I, along with three others, stayed in and cleaned and did laundry and read while others ran errands. It was so nasty outside! And the power went out for an hour. That was fun... Now, thanks to the rain, there is snow on the mountains surrounding us! So awesome. Oh, and tomorrow, it is supposed to be low 29 and high 62 degrees. Bizaare weather here in the desert!
This week at work we are finishing up working on closets (putting in steel tracks for sliding doors and screwing in boards to hold shelves) and working on framing. I think the next step is putting tar paper on the roofs. We shall see.
Things are going great out here in Mecca, and I hope things are well for all of you! I miss everyone! Winter break in 11 days! Wahoo!
<3 anne
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
It's Christmastime in the Desert
Photo: The view right outside Palm Springs airportHello everyone! Happy December! I hope everyone had a swell Thanksgiving.
Last Wednesday I left for Fort Myers, Florida to hang with the Reinhards for the holiday. They built a house "down there" a couple years ago, and if I must say myself, it's quite lovely. The kitchen is fabulously beautiful. Robin's egg blue paint, white cupboards, cream quartz counters, high ceilings, dark wood furniture, and steel appliances. And, there's a pool and hot tub! Who doesn't love a hot tub?
As for activities, we had the typical turkey, stuffing, potatoes dinner on Thursday, then headed over to Aunt Debbie's house (all the relatives are more or less Mrs. Reinhard's aunts and uncles) and had dessert. This was the first time I met this side of the family so I had my game face on. Lauren (Dan's sister) made a sweet potato pie, and it was out of this world. I may or may not have had three pieces...
Friday, I asked Dan to go to the mall with me so at least I could do the traditional Kopf woman post-Thanksgiving shopping trip. It's odd being in an outdoor mall with palm trees and Santa Claus is Coming to Town blasting out of the shops. But that didn't stop us. I bought a sequined shirt for Christmas and Dan made out like a bandit at BR.
That evening, we went to a restaurant on the water called Doc Ford's with the entire extended family. It could have been a bust, seeing it was chilly and we had to sit outside, but there was a live band. You know what that means. We all put on our dancin' shoes and hit the floor. I danced with Grandma, Lauren, Aunt Peggy and Aunt Eileen until the band headed home. Unfortunately, later in the evening, as Dan and I watched the Land Before Time and had pudding cups (wait, we're 23?) I began feeling ill. Around 1 am, I threw everything up I had that day and that was the beginning of Anne's stomach fluud poisoning (we still don't know what it was). So, I felt ill pretty much until I left on Sunday morning. Alas, I had a wonderful time with Dan and his family. As always!
Yesterday, back in Mecca, my team and I bought a Christmas tree!! And after grocery shopping, we came home and decorated it, and everyone contributed to making a decoration/ornament. My egg carton fat Santa is looking good. Everything was made of garbage: egg cartons, nails, plastic bags, tape, paper clips, etc.. Good times in Mecca.
Today we were back to work, hammering, sawing, screwing. I nearly sawed the cord of the saw in half. That would have felt good as I was electrocuted...
It's dinner time and I must go! Less than three weeks til Christmas break! Woohoo!
Love,
anne
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Mecca: yup
We're here! In the desert! Living in migrant worker housing! And everyone stares at us when we drive around in our 15 passenger van!
But seriously, we arrived Monday evening after about an 8.5 hour drive. Our apartment is not too bad. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a decent kitchen and plenty of room. The area is very interesting and very rural. There's sort of a main area with a gas station, a few stores, and a couple restaurants. The rest of Mecca is mainly low-income housing built by our sponsor, CVHC. The first full day, we had a tour from our sponsor and drove around the area. We were shown an illegal trailer park and it was very sad to see the living conditions of these people. I believe many of them are illegal residents so that is why they haven't applied to the CVHC program. I feel like I'm not in America. It's amazing that areas like this exist.
Then we drove farther northwest up the Coachella Valley area and it becomes much more affluent. We were shown several low-income housing projects and they really were beautiful. We would have never known these houses were occupied by many low-income migrant workers if we weren't told. The woman who was showing us around told us how low-income housing doesn't mean it has to be ugly or run-down. The CVHC is proving everyone wrong!
As for the work part of this project, it's pretty great. The houses are all the same size, with different porches. There are about 4 different designs. There are 4 bedrooms, including one master with a bathroom, another bathroom, a kitchen, a sitting/eating area, and a garage. Not too bad compared to where the families were living before. We've been working on the roofs of the houses and put up about 4 this week. It's hard work, but I feel like a real construction worker and have a sick farmer's tan. The first day we hammered nails into particle board on the roofs and after that, my wrist was incredibly sore. I decided to buy a wrist support and took it easy the next day, and voila! all better. We've done hammering, sheeting (laying boards on the roofs), some drilling, and cleaning up. I kinda feel like a badass in my hard hat and tool belt. Maybe I'll be a construction worker after AmeriCorps... Probably not. I hate peeing in the porta-potties.
This morning, we went on a hike in the mountains surrounding the Coachella Valley. There are two different ranges and we hiked the smaller, rockier one. We hiked up to the top and it was one of the most gorgeous views! It was incredible. Great idea team!
All in all, I'm ejoying myself. We have pretty great living conditions, and we're all getting along rather well. Living and working with 11 people forces me to be laid back. If someone irritates me, I just go into another room or read and let it brush off. I just have to let things go. It's probably a good way to be. Thanks AmeriCorps!
I have to go but I'll try and write sooner! Wednesday I leave for Fort Myers to spend Thanksgiving with the Reinhards!
Love you all! And happy Thanksgiving! Go America!
anne
But seriously, we arrived Monday evening after about an 8.5 hour drive. Our apartment is not too bad. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a decent kitchen and plenty of room. The area is very interesting and very rural. There's sort of a main area with a gas station, a few stores, and a couple restaurants. The rest of Mecca is mainly low-income housing built by our sponsor, CVHC. The first full day, we had a tour from our sponsor and drove around the area. We were shown an illegal trailer park and it was very sad to see the living conditions of these people. I believe many of them are illegal residents so that is why they haven't applied to the CVHC program. I feel like I'm not in America. It's amazing that areas like this exist.
Then we drove farther northwest up the Coachella Valley area and it becomes much more affluent. We were shown several low-income housing projects and they really were beautiful. We would have never known these houses were occupied by many low-income migrant workers if we weren't told. The woman who was showing us around told us how low-income housing doesn't mean it has to be ugly or run-down. The CVHC is proving everyone wrong!
As for the work part of this project, it's pretty great. The houses are all the same size, with different porches. There are about 4 different designs. There are 4 bedrooms, including one master with a bathroom, another bathroom, a kitchen, a sitting/eating area, and a garage. Not too bad compared to where the families were living before. We've been working on the roofs of the houses and put up about 4 this week. It's hard work, but I feel like a real construction worker and have a sick farmer's tan. The first day we hammered nails into particle board on the roofs and after that, my wrist was incredibly sore. I decided to buy a wrist support and took it easy the next day, and voila! all better. We've done hammering, sheeting (laying boards on the roofs), some drilling, and cleaning up. I kinda feel like a badass in my hard hat and tool belt. Maybe I'll be a construction worker after AmeriCorps... Probably not. I hate peeing in the porta-potties.
This morning, we went on a hike in the mountains surrounding the Coachella Valley. There are two different ranges and we hiked the smaller, rockier one. We hiked up to the top and it was one of the most gorgeous views! It was incredible. Great idea team!
All in all, I'm ejoying myself. We have pretty great living conditions, and we're all getting along rather well. Living and working with 11 people forces me to be laid back. If someone irritates me, I just go into another room or read and let it brush off. I just have to let things go. It's probably a good way to be. Thanks AmeriCorps!
I have to go but I'll try and write sooner! Wednesday I leave for Fort Myers to spend Thanksgiving with the Reinhards!
Love you all! And happy Thanksgiving! Go America!
anne
Sunday, November 15, 2009
On the Eve of Mecca
Well, the time has come. We leave for Mecca at 6 am tomorrow morning. I'm pretty excited to begin our first project. The drive is approximately 8.5 hours, and I get to drive 2 of them. Yeah!
We're all packed up and more or less ready to go, except for cleaning out our kitchen.
Tomorrow, we will arrive around 4 pm and check into our 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, migrant worker housing apartment. Not too bad for the 11 of us, compared to another team in L.A. that has to take showers in a public park.... What? I hope we don't ever have to do that. We might have some stinky people sitting around.
Tuesday, we have our orientation all day, then Wednesday we officially start work. And then, a week later, Thanksgiving in Fort Meyers, FL with the Reinhards!! I'm so excited to see Dan! 6 weeks is a long time.
This weekend hasn't been much to write home about. Friday we were officially sworn in as AmeriCorps members. We had to raise our right hand and sign our lives away to the U.S. Government for the next 8.5 months. Hey, I signed up for it. I'm pretty excited to start helping people.
Saturday, I ran and did laundry in the morning and then we were on duty all day. Duty is essentially R.A. stuff (think college dorms). We usually clean and do rounds and make sure all the vans are locked and windows closed. Fortunately, we didn't have to do anything but stay on campus all day. So we all cleaned our rooms and I watched Project Runway and read Three Cups of Tea. It's a very good book, I recommend it. I'm about halfway through.
Today, my team went to a farmers market in downtown Sacramento and I bought 3 mandarin oranges, 2 apples, and an asian pear for $2. Not bad, not bad. The mandarin orange I had was superb. Then we went to Target to run more errands and I ended up buying this grey button down sweater vest with three big buttons and two little pockets. I think it's going to be my Thanksgiving outfit. Then we went to the grocery store to buy spices and fun things for Mecca.
The rest of the day consisted of packing and cleaning. We have to go clean out our kitchen at 8 pm. FUN.
Oh, and I'm supposed to give Jane (my sister) a shoutout! So, hey Janie!
ATTENTION: Once again, my internet access will be few and far between, so blogs may come only once a week or less. Just so everyone knows.
I hope everyone is doing well! I miss you!
<3 anne
We're all packed up and more or less ready to go, except for cleaning out our kitchen.
Tomorrow, we will arrive around 4 pm and check into our 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, migrant worker housing apartment. Not too bad for the 11 of us, compared to another team in L.A. that has to take showers in a public park.... What? I hope we don't ever have to do that. We might have some stinky people sitting around.
Tuesday, we have our orientation all day, then Wednesday we officially start work. And then, a week later, Thanksgiving in Fort Meyers, FL with the Reinhards!! I'm so excited to see Dan! 6 weeks is a long time.
This weekend hasn't been much to write home about. Friday we were officially sworn in as AmeriCorps members. We had to raise our right hand and sign our lives away to the U.S. Government for the next 8.5 months. Hey, I signed up for it. I'm pretty excited to start helping people.
Saturday, I ran and did laundry in the morning and then we were on duty all day. Duty is essentially R.A. stuff (think college dorms). We usually clean and do rounds and make sure all the vans are locked and windows closed. Fortunately, we didn't have to do anything but stay on campus all day. So we all cleaned our rooms and I watched Project Runway and read Three Cups of Tea. It's a very good book, I recommend it. I'm about halfway through.
Today, my team went to a farmers market in downtown Sacramento and I bought 3 mandarin oranges, 2 apples, and an asian pear for $2. Not bad, not bad. The mandarin orange I had was superb. Then we went to Target to run more errands and I ended up buying this grey button down sweater vest with three big buttons and two little pockets. I think it's going to be my Thanksgiving outfit. Then we went to the grocery store to buy spices and fun things for Mecca.
The rest of the day consisted of packing and cleaning. We have to go clean out our kitchen at 8 pm. FUN.
Oh, and I'm supposed to give Jane (my sister) a shoutout! So, hey Janie!
ATTENTION: Once again, my internet access will be few and far between, so blogs may come only once a week or less. Just so everyone knows.
I hope everyone is doing well! I miss you!
<3 anne
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Beginning of the End (of training)
This week has been super busy. That's my excuse for not writing in 4 days ; ) It's the last week of CTI (Corps Training Institute) before we are deployed on our first project!
Monday evening beginning at 5, we all had to move rooms. It was pretty awful and inconvenient, but they wanted all of the teams to live near each other. I went from room 102 in building 946 to room 321 in building 947. It was like a cattle drive, but I just stayed in my zone and ignored the 299 other people around me and moved successfully. The room has less furniture than my old one, and the prior tenants told me that there has been an ant problem, but other than that, I enjoy seeing sky out my window, and it's much more peaceful.
Tuesday, we had our last training which include a Save the Children: building child-safe areas in disaster shelters, and tool and safety orientation. The children one was decent. They provided these shelter kits with toys and games and arts and crafts, and we practiced setting up a child-safe area. I played with plastic rhinos and matchbox cars; not a bad day. Then, for tool orientation, each team had to build a wooden box, and the people who have never used a circular saw before cut the wood. I was a woodcutter, along with my teammate, Katherine. I must say, it was quite enjoyable. Our box is pretty awesome and is supposed to sit in between the two front seats of our van. Educational AND practical. Man, how do they come up with this stuff??
Wednesday, we had our last one-day service project. We worked with Weed Warriors of Sacramento and removed invasive species from this wilderness water overflow basin area. We saw a bunch of tall white birds and geese and ducks and crawfish and some sort of speedy furry animal running around. The invasive specie was this bush from Argentina that was taking over the edges of the creek and destroying the natural ecosystem. It was quite the muddy job, but I had rubber boots on, so I was a-okay. And that was our project.
This morning, we had our second PT baseline test (1.5 mile run, situps, pushups, and sit and reach). Somehow I improved on everything but the situps! Yeah! I ran the 1.5 mile in 13:00 (compared to 13:35 last time), I did 60 girl pushups (42 last time), I reached 23.5 inches (22 last time) and sadly I did 51 situps (56 last time). All in all, it was a success.
Later today, we had our project briefing. This is where our team meets with some big wigs here on campus to present and discuss certain aspects of our upcoming project in Mecca. We had to wear our AmeriTux (black cargo pants, white men's polo, and steel-toed boots), so yes, this was a formal event. To prepare for this, we all had to do research about the community and check out the portfolios from past teams. As the Service Learning Initiator, I had to fill out our Service Learning Development Plan and figure out what activities to do with the team during our project. Activities include: visiting the Coachella Valley Museum and Cultural Center, attempt to learn Spanish, and get to know the homeowners/migrant workers well by planning lunches with them. Our briefing was at 2:30 today, and our team rocked it. The people thought we were extremely thorough and professional. Yeah Blue 6!! Tonight we're going out to dinner to celebrate. YUM.
Tomorrow morning is our induction ceremony. I will finally become a trained, official AmeriCorps member. It'll be AmeriTux time again. Wahoo!
We leave for Mecca Monday morning at 6am. I won't have as much internet access as I do here, so I will try to write at least once a week! I can't wait. My team is all pumped!
I miss you all!
<3 anne
Monday evening beginning at 5, we all had to move rooms. It was pretty awful and inconvenient, but they wanted all of the teams to live near each other. I went from room 102 in building 946 to room 321 in building 947. It was like a cattle drive, but I just stayed in my zone and ignored the 299 other people around me and moved successfully. The room has less furniture than my old one, and the prior tenants told me that there has been an ant problem, but other than that, I enjoy seeing sky out my window, and it's much more peaceful.
Tuesday, we had our last training which include a Save the Children: building child-safe areas in disaster shelters, and tool and safety orientation. The children one was decent. They provided these shelter kits with toys and games and arts and crafts, and we practiced setting up a child-safe area. I played with plastic rhinos and matchbox cars; not a bad day. Then, for tool orientation, each team had to build a wooden box, and the people who have never used a circular saw before cut the wood. I was a woodcutter, along with my teammate, Katherine. I must say, it was quite enjoyable. Our box is pretty awesome and is supposed to sit in between the two front seats of our van. Educational AND practical. Man, how do they come up with this stuff??
Wednesday, we had our last one-day service project. We worked with Weed Warriors of Sacramento and removed invasive species from this wilderness water overflow basin area. We saw a bunch of tall white birds and geese and ducks and crawfish and some sort of speedy furry animal running around. The invasive specie was this bush from Argentina that was taking over the edges of the creek and destroying the natural ecosystem. It was quite the muddy job, but I had rubber boots on, so I was a-okay. And that was our project.
This morning, we had our second PT baseline test (1.5 mile run, situps, pushups, and sit and reach). Somehow I improved on everything but the situps! Yeah! I ran the 1.5 mile in 13:00 (compared to 13:35 last time), I did 60 girl pushups (42 last time), I reached 23.5 inches (22 last time) and sadly I did 51 situps (56 last time). All in all, it was a success.
Later today, we had our project briefing. This is where our team meets with some big wigs here on campus to present and discuss certain aspects of our upcoming project in Mecca. We had to wear our AmeriTux (black cargo pants, white men's polo, and steel-toed boots), so yes, this was a formal event. To prepare for this, we all had to do research about the community and check out the portfolios from past teams. As the Service Learning Initiator, I had to fill out our Service Learning Development Plan and figure out what activities to do with the team during our project. Activities include: visiting the Coachella Valley Museum and Cultural Center, attempt to learn Spanish, and get to know the homeowners/migrant workers well by planning lunches with them. Our briefing was at 2:30 today, and our team rocked it. The people thought we were extremely thorough and professional. Yeah Blue 6!! Tonight we're going out to dinner to celebrate. YUM.
Tomorrow morning is our induction ceremony. I will finally become a trained, official AmeriCorps member. It'll be AmeriTux time again. Wahoo!
We leave for Mecca Monday morning at 6am. I won't have as much internet access as I do here, so I will try to write at least once a week! I can't wait. My team is all pumped!
I miss you all!
<3 anne
Monday, November 9, 2009
Lake Tahoe
This past weekend was our first whole weekend off, so 5 of my Pod 11 buddies drove to Lake Tahoe! Saturday morning, Dave, the driver, pulls up in a... silver PT Cruiser! Yes, I know, awesome, right? We head out around 11 pm, and drive through rolling hills and beautiful mountains. The drive takes about 2 hours; not bad! We aren't allowed to check into our hotel until 4 pm, so we check out the town. Now, if you don't know anything about South Lake Tahoe (the town we're in), the Nevada/California border runs right through the town. The Nevada side has four huge casinos. I didn't know about that one. Why is Nevada so into casinos??We had a midday snack at a pizza place, and then walked around for a little while. There isn't a cute little main street like I expected. Sad. But, there is a ski resort called Heavenly (4,800 acres and 95 runs!) which runs right into town. So, there are a bunch of stores and an ice skating rink and a bunch of restaurants all in nice, rustic, wooden, cabin-like buildings. It was pretty chilly; I was wearing my winter coat and a scarf. It gave me my dose of winter and started to get me into the holiday season. (Until I went back to sunny Sacramento...)
We checked into the hotel around 4:30 after grocery shopping for breakfast and lunch the next day. It was a very nice room with a king size bed and a pull-out-of-the-wall double bed. A perfect space for 5. We hung out and enjoyed watching tv (something that never happens in AmeriCorps) and then decided to watch the sunset over the lake. At this point, it was about 30-35 degrees outside. We only were able to see the tail-end of the sunset, but it was still beautiful! Then we had dinner at "The Brewery" across the street. Not bad, except they were out of the two beers I wanted. Boo. Then we went back and pretty much passed out.
Sunday, we woke up around 9 am (AmeriCorps time) and had breakfast and had to be out by 11. I bought a box of Cinnamon Harvest Kashi and I was in heaven with three bowls. Our original plan was to go hiking at Grover Hot Springs, but according to the concierge, it was an hour away. So we decided to hike at Emerald Bay. Well, this was one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen. The picture is of Emerald Bay, with little Fannette Island and then Lake Tahoe in the background. It was sooooo gorgeous! Mountains and water everywhere! We hiked on a small loop off the side of the road called Eagle Falls (there were trails off the roads all over the area). It was lovely and rocky, and we had lunch overlooking the lake. Man, life is tough. Then we drove back, and it was back to reality for us five.
Lake Tahoe is one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been. I am DEFINITELY coming back to ski!!!!!! I can't wait!
This is the last week of training. I can't believe I've been here for an entire month already. We leave for our first project a week from today. Time is finally beginning to fly.
We'll be in touch.
<3 anne
Friday, November 6, 2009
Um?
Hey Everybody,
The last couple days were not the most exciting, but, I will share the details anyway, for those who really care.
Thursday, we had training for our team roles. Each team member is assigned certain jobs for the entire year. I am a co- PT coordinator, and the Service Learning Initiator. Sounds fancy. For PT, I get to pretty much be a health and fitness coach for the team alongside Andrew, my Jersey teammate.
For SLI (Service Learning Initiator) I get to initiate service learning activities. And, what exactly is service learning, one might ask. Well, I really can't tell you, because I still don't really get it. Apparently, we have to plan team activities to teach the team members more about the community and history and backgrounds of our project. For example: we will be in Mecca, CA for seven weeks. So, an activity would be to gather community newspapers, have each member read an article, and then report back to the team. But then, during training, they had us do activities such as: make a magazine collage about how you feel in AmeriCorps, and then another where we made an acrostic poem using all the letters from AmeriCorps (Ex: Awesome, Marvelous, Exciting, etc.). I don't really understand what those two activities have to do with anything, or service learning, so I'm just not going to do those. I'll spare my team from elementary exercises. We aren't seven.
Then came Friday. Today we had an all day service project from 7 am to 2 pm. Our assignment, along with 5 other teams, was to clear brush and thorny blackberry bushes from a biking trail through a suburban community, right near an elementary school. Now, you may recall, I have had a run-in with prickly bushes before. This time, I was prepared and ready as ever to tackle those thorns. It was a great, productive day.
This weekend we have Saturday and Sunday off! So that means.......I'm going to Lake Tahoe! Five people from good old Pod 11 are heading out there tomorrow morning (it's around 2 hours from Sacramento), spending the night in South Lake Tahoe, hiking on Sunday, then heading back. I'm very, very, very excited to get out of here! Can't wait to not wear a uniform, and do my hair, and look like a girl, and go somewhere new (and by choice!). It's going to be great! I will report back Sunday!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Anne
The last couple days were not the most exciting, but, I will share the details anyway, for those who really care.
Thursday, we had training for our team roles. Each team member is assigned certain jobs for the entire year. I am a co- PT coordinator, and the Service Learning Initiator. Sounds fancy. For PT, I get to pretty much be a health and fitness coach for the team alongside Andrew, my Jersey teammate.
For SLI (Service Learning Initiator) I get to initiate service learning activities. And, what exactly is service learning, one might ask. Well, I really can't tell you, because I still don't really get it. Apparently, we have to plan team activities to teach the team members more about the community and history and backgrounds of our project. For example: we will be in Mecca, CA for seven weeks. So, an activity would be to gather community newspapers, have each member read an article, and then report back to the team. But then, during training, they had us do activities such as: make a magazine collage about how you feel in AmeriCorps, and then another where we made an acrostic poem using all the letters from AmeriCorps (Ex: Awesome, Marvelous, Exciting, etc.). I don't really understand what those two activities have to do with anything, or service learning, so I'm just not going to do those. I'll spare my team from elementary exercises. We aren't seven.
Then came Friday. Today we had an all day service project from 7 am to 2 pm. Our assignment, along with 5 other teams, was to clear brush and thorny blackberry bushes from a biking trail through a suburban community, right near an elementary school. Now, you may recall, I have had a run-in with prickly bushes before. This time, I was prepared and ready as ever to tackle those thorns. It was a great, productive day.
This weekend we have Saturday and Sunday off! So that means.......I'm going to Lake Tahoe! Five people from good old Pod 11 are heading out there tomorrow morning (it's around 2 hours from Sacramento), spending the night in South Lake Tahoe, hiking on Sunday, then heading back. I'm very, very, very excited to get out of here! Can't wait to not wear a uniform, and do my hair, and look like a girl, and go somewhere new (and by choice!). It's going to be great! I will report back Sunday!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Anne
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Alive, Awake, Alert, Enthusiastic
Well, the flu has left me. Hooray!! I was able to go to training today. This morning, we discussed team relations and had to decide what kind of animal we were and how we would fit into team dynamics. I decided I was a fox, but then, who didn't know that?? But really, I guess foxes are creative and independent, and sometimes like to do their own thing. That's me, right?Then, we had a meeting about briefings and debriefings. The briefings are a team meeting pre-project, discussing questions about the upcoming SPIKE adventure. The debriefing is a formal presentation we give to the big whigs here at AmeriCorps at the conclusion of our SPIKE project. We get to wear our AmeriTux! This includes: white men's polo, black cargo pants, and our black steel-toed boots. Foxy. Then we watched a former team's debriefing video (we can be as creative as we want) who went to Mecca, CA and built homes for low-income families in the area.
In the afternoon, we all did a "community mapping" activity, which was essentially walking around downtown Sacramento. How fun! We had lunch in a park, and then split off into groups of 5 and explored. First, we all went to city hall to pick up these free Be the Change in Sacramento t-shirts, and I got to shake Mayor (and former NBA player) Kevin Johnson's hand! I must say, he had one of the nicest suit, shirt and tie combinations I've seen. Then we all went off and explored. First, we went to the capitol building. The lovely photo here is half of my team, Blue 6 (top step left to right: me, George, Rob, bottom step left to right: Kyla and Christie) in front of the California capitol building. It was lovely! Then we walked along a mall where the public transit trains go by, and then through an outdoor mall, and then to this area called Old Sacramento. It kind of just looked like a tourist trap with candy stores and tattoo parlors. I guess all the buildings were the restored original buildings on the river in Sacramento, but it just seemed like they were trying too hard. It could have had a much cooler atmosphere.
All in all, I thought Sacramento had a strange vibe to it. The architecture was unmemorable, the streets were wide and spread out, and no one was around except all the homeless people. Maybe I just need to spend more time downtown. Or, maybe it's just not for me!
Now for the exciting part of the day: we found out our first SPIKE project!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And the winner is....... MECCA, CALIFORNIA! (google it)
Sound familiar? Remember the video debriefing we watched today? The organization we are working with, the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (www.cvhc.org) has been working with AmeriCorps for seven years and has had dozens of AmeriCorps teams help them out. So we will have the same project as many teams in the past and the future. Which means, they are very experienced with us and know what to do and will be very organized. My team leader said his roommate did this project last year and it was his favorite one. So, yay!
Here are the details: in the mornings, we will be doing home construction (oh yes, hard hats and power saws and everything) from about 7 am to 11 am. We will then have a siesta until 2, and some of us will continue with construction, while others rotate with an after school program in the community. The great thing about this CVHC program, is that the future owners and families of these homes have to help build them. So we will really get to know the homeowners and it will put more meaning into our work.
We arrive in Mecca on November 17th and end our work on the 28th of January. Spending winter in Southern California? Not too shabby.
<3
anne
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sick Call
It's official: I have the flu, along with 4 other people on my team. I wasn't feeling too hot yesterday morning so I went to the doctor. Unfortunately, I had taken Advil for my headache, so if I had a slight fever, it was gone. So the murse practitioner sent me off with a mere "get out of PT" note.
Well, last night, I definitely became worse. I had a wicked fever, and I felt like death. It was pretty awful. This morning I felt a little better, but as I was at muster, I almost threw up. So I, along with my fellow teammate, Andrew, went to sick call again. I saw the same murse as yesterday and told him I was feeling worse and the only way I could lay in bed all day was if I came to sick call again. This time, he said he thinks I have some sort of flu, put me on Tamiflu, and swabbed my nose and throat. I'm getting tested for H1N1 and a bacterial infection. Oh, and I also have a small fever of 99 this morning (I'm gonna say last night my fever was around 101). The nurse said if I actually had H1N1 (which I probably don't), that by the time the results came back, I would be much worse and end up coming back before then.
Anywho, I'm taking the day to rest and drink fluids. I really hope I feel a lot better tomorrow!
Anne
Well, last night, I definitely became worse. I had a wicked fever, and I felt like death. It was pretty awful. This morning I felt a little better, but as I was at muster, I almost threw up. So I, along with my fellow teammate, Andrew, went to sick call again. I saw the same murse as yesterday and told him I was feeling worse and the only way I could lay in bed all day was if I came to sick call again. This time, he said he thinks I have some sort of flu, put me on Tamiflu, and swabbed my nose and throat. I'm getting tested for H1N1 and a bacterial infection. Oh, and I also have a small fever of 99 this morning (I'm gonna say last night my fever was around 101). The nurse said if I actually had H1N1 (which I probably don't), that by the time the results came back, I would be much worse and end up coming back before then.
Anywho, I'm taking the day to rest and drink fluids. I really hope I feel a lot better tomorrow!
Anne
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Camp Mendocino!
Background: This is a camp for the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco, which brings underprivileged kids out of urban life and into nature every summer.
Day 1: Wednesday, we left Sacramento at about 8:30 am, and I was the driver for the first 2 hours. It was the most beautiful drive ever. We went through rolling grassy hills, mountain lakes, and redwood forests. We arrive 4 hours later and have a tour of the camp; it’s a typical summer camp smack dab in the middle of a redwood forest in the mountains. Thus, no internet, no cell phone, and very chilly! (But still beautiful.)
We watched a video called “Fish”, about the business philosophy of the successful Pike Place Market Fish Company in Seattle. The four principles of their philosophy were: play, make their day, be there, and choose your attitude (remember this for later).
Then, later that night we had free time and sat around a campfire and sang songs. Now, I’m not really into summer camp. I went in sixth grade and never went again. So, you can imagine, this isn’t really my scene. Also, we had just formed into new teams the night before, and didn’t really know anyone very well. Therefore, being freezing (it was in the low 40’s that night and we were sleeping in open-air cabins), alone, with no support and no cell phone to call people we’re close to, and doing camp things, was not my idea of a good time. I was thinking of quitting AmeriCorps that evening. In order to not freeze, I wore to bed: wool socks, thermal pants and shirt, sweatpants, t-shirt, sweatshirt, winter hat, hood, and I had a fleece blanket I put inside my sleeping bag. I still woke up several times chilled. It was rough.
Day 2: 5:15 am, wake up for PT. Yes, we had to do PT at 5:30 in the morning in the cold, dark, wet grass. This was pleasant. Luckily, we had a hot pancake and oatmeal breakfast. The food saved the day. In the first half of the day, my team did a service project for the camp. It consisted of sanding the stain off a cabin on the river. Although we used power sanders, we didn’t get very far. The stain was almost impossible to sand off. I maybe sanded a two-foot square area in 3 hours. But at least I felt I was helping out a little!
Then, in the afternoon, we had to fill out these Individual Learning Plans, which was pretty much a questionnaire about what you’re planning to do after AmeriCorps and how AmeriCorps is going to help fulfill those goals. Well, to make it more exciting, my Team Leader, Bryant, had us walk down the railroad tracks that ran through the camp (don’t worry, trains came maybe twice a day) to this little hiking trail on the side of a mountain and we all spread out and did our worksheets. It was quite lovely and peaceful. I was beginning to like AmeriCorps again.
Later that night, I had to meet with Bryant to do a one-on-one discussion of my goals. Although I thought filling out this goal sheet was not very exciting, writing everything out made me realize I’m doing AmeriCorps mainly for personal growth, rather than changing career goals. I want to be challenged, I want to work on my mental flexibility, and I want to have smoother transitions, such as moving around every 6 weeks and not freaking out about it.
Day 3: This was by far the best day. I showered after PT for the first time since Wednesday morning. It was glorious. In the morning, we did the usual team-building exercises. One particularly fun activity was, half our team was on one platform 6 inches off the ground, and the other half was on a smaller platform of the same height. There was a swinging rope in the middle, and about 25 plastic balls on the ground. We had to pick up all the balls and have everyone switch platforms with no one touching the ground. I must say, it was pretty enjoyable.
The second half of the day, we did the high ropes course. We climbed a big ladder up into the redwoods and walked tightropes and swinging logs to get from tree to tree. It was AWESOME. Don’t worry mom, we wore helmets and harnesses and were attached to the cables by ropes! Then, to get down, we ziplined down the hill. So much fun!!
That evening, as a final hurrah to Camp Mendocino, we were having a big bonfire and every team had to do a skit on stage. I, not being into camp things, was obviously not thrilled. Team Blue 6 (my team for the rest of the year), came up with a skit an hour before go time. We did a parody of the “Fish” movie, and called it “Boot”. Our four philosophies were: Be on time, Choose your boot size, Fantastic, and Make them safe. We were a steel-toed boot store and we had people on stage throwing boots and catching them in newspapers, just like the fish place. I was the narrator and held up signs and introduced everything. By the time we had done our skit, I have to admit, I was pretty into it. Then we all listened to music by the fire. It was a pretty great day. And, luckily, it warmed up a little, so the last two nights were about 49 degrees. Much more comfortable than say, 42!!
Day 4: This was the final day, and before we left, we had AmeriOlympics. I competed in the PPE race. I had to run across the field, put on a pair of coveralls, a hard hat and safety glasses, and run all the way back. I came in fourth place (out of 7), so hey, it’s better than last!
Then, on the drive home, not 4 miles from camp, on a winding, dirt road, we came across the green unit leader stuck on the side of the road. The green unit was arriving to camp this day. We tried jumping her car, but that didn’t help, so she was just going to wait for the green unit vans to arrive in about 15 minutes.
Then, about 5 minutes later after driving down the road, we hear this awful metal scraping sound coming from the right rear tire. So we pull over and jack the car up and take off the tire to find a rock lodged between the brake and the wheel and it was getting scraped down. So, we popped out the rock and put the tire back on and headed back to Sacramento. We arrived back at about 5:15 pm.
All in all, it was sort of fun, and would have been more enjoyable if it was warmer. Blue 6 is pretty awesome. We all get along, so far. We all really bonded at Camp Mendocino. I think it’s going to be a great year!!
Love you all.
anne
Day 1: Wednesday, we left Sacramento at about 8:30 am, and I was the driver for the first 2 hours. It was the most beautiful drive ever. We went through rolling grassy hills, mountain lakes, and redwood forests. We arrive 4 hours later and have a tour of the camp; it’s a typical summer camp smack dab in the middle of a redwood forest in the mountains. Thus, no internet, no cell phone, and very chilly! (But still beautiful.)
We watched a video called “Fish”, about the business philosophy of the successful Pike Place Market Fish Company in Seattle. The four principles of their philosophy were: play, make their day, be there, and choose your attitude (remember this for later).
Then, later that night we had free time and sat around a campfire and sang songs. Now, I’m not really into summer camp. I went in sixth grade and never went again. So, you can imagine, this isn’t really my scene. Also, we had just formed into new teams the night before, and didn’t really know anyone very well. Therefore, being freezing (it was in the low 40’s that night and we were sleeping in open-air cabins), alone, with no support and no cell phone to call people we’re close to, and doing camp things, was not my idea of a good time. I was thinking of quitting AmeriCorps that evening. In order to not freeze, I wore to bed: wool socks, thermal pants and shirt, sweatpants, t-shirt, sweatshirt, winter hat, hood, and I had a fleece blanket I put inside my sleeping bag. I still woke up several times chilled. It was rough.
Day 2: 5:15 am, wake up for PT. Yes, we had to do PT at 5:30 in the morning in the cold, dark, wet grass. This was pleasant. Luckily, we had a hot pancake and oatmeal breakfast. The food saved the day. In the first half of the day, my team did a service project for the camp. It consisted of sanding the stain off a cabin on the river. Although we used power sanders, we didn’t get very far. The stain was almost impossible to sand off. I maybe sanded a two-foot square area in 3 hours. But at least I felt I was helping out a little!
Then, in the afternoon, we had to fill out these Individual Learning Plans, which was pretty much a questionnaire about what you’re planning to do after AmeriCorps and how AmeriCorps is going to help fulfill those goals. Well, to make it more exciting, my Team Leader, Bryant, had us walk down the railroad tracks that ran through the camp (don’t worry, trains came maybe twice a day) to this little hiking trail on the side of a mountain and we all spread out and did our worksheets. It was quite lovely and peaceful. I was beginning to like AmeriCorps again.
Later that night, I had to meet with Bryant to do a one-on-one discussion of my goals. Although I thought filling out this goal sheet was not very exciting, writing everything out made me realize I’m doing AmeriCorps mainly for personal growth, rather than changing career goals. I want to be challenged, I want to work on my mental flexibility, and I want to have smoother transitions, such as moving around every 6 weeks and not freaking out about it.
Day 3: This was by far the best day. I showered after PT for the first time since Wednesday morning. It was glorious. In the morning, we did the usual team-building exercises. One particularly fun activity was, half our team was on one platform 6 inches off the ground, and the other half was on a smaller platform of the same height. There was a swinging rope in the middle, and about 25 plastic balls on the ground. We had to pick up all the balls and have everyone switch platforms with no one touching the ground. I must say, it was pretty enjoyable.
The second half of the day, we did the high ropes course. We climbed a big ladder up into the redwoods and walked tightropes and swinging logs to get from tree to tree. It was AWESOME. Don’t worry mom, we wore helmets and harnesses and were attached to the cables by ropes! Then, to get down, we ziplined down the hill. So much fun!!
That evening, as a final hurrah to Camp Mendocino, we were having a big bonfire and every team had to do a skit on stage. I, not being into camp things, was obviously not thrilled. Team Blue 6 (my team for the rest of the year), came up with a skit an hour before go time. We did a parody of the “Fish” movie, and called it “Boot”. Our four philosophies were: Be on time, Choose your boot size, Fantastic, and Make them safe. We were a steel-toed boot store and we had people on stage throwing boots and catching them in newspapers, just like the fish place. I was the narrator and held up signs and introduced everything. By the time we had done our skit, I have to admit, I was pretty into it. Then we all listened to music by the fire. It was a pretty great day. And, luckily, it warmed up a little, so the last two nights were about 49 degrees. Much more comfortable than say, 42!!
Day 4: This was the final day, and before we left, we had AmeriOlympics. I competed in the PPE race. I had to run across the field, put on a pair of coveralls, a hard hat and safety glasses, and run all the way back. I came in fourth place (out of 7), so hey, it’s better than last!
Then, on the drive home, not 4 miles from camp, on a winding, dirt road, we came across the green unit leader stuck on the side of the road. The green unit was arriving to camp this day. We tried jumping her car, but that didn’t help, so she was just going to wait for the green unit vans to arrive in about 15 minutes.
Then, about 5 minutes later after driving down the road, we hear this awful metal scraping sound coming from the right rear tire. So we pull over and jack the car up and take off the tire to find a rock lodged between the brake and the wheel and it was getting scraped down. So, we popped out the rock and put the tire back on and headed back to Sacramento. We arrived back at about 5:15 pm.
All in all, it was sort of fun, and would have been more enjoyable if it was warmer. Blue 6 is pretty awesome. We all get along, so far. We all really bonded at Camp Mendocino. I think it’s going to be a great year!!
Love you all.
anne
Monday, October 26, 2009
Blunicorns
I'm officially a member of the Blue Unit, aka Blunit. Last night, we had a scavenger hunt to find our teams. This will be my unit for THE REST OF THE YEAR. No more Pod 11, sob. But we still get to hang out with each other : )
This is our team song/cheer:
Oh baby blues
Blues got what we neeeeed
And you know that we're all friends
And we'll rock it til the end
Yes, bam, already memorized. Go Blue!
Tonight, we did another scavenger hunt to find our team. I am an official member of team Blue 6. Our team leader is Bryant, who began his speech with "I'm not a very emotional guy, and I will treat you like adults if you act like adults," after popping out of a tree. Slightly intimidating, yes. But I'm sure we will all get to know each other inside and out. There are 4 guys and 6 girls on my team, and I am the only person not from the east coast. Hey, I was there for 2 months, does that count?? I'm excited nonetheless. Go Blue 6!!
On Wednesday, we leave for Camp Mendocino for four days. One of the great things about NCCC: we don't really know what's going on until about 24 hours prior. I'm getting used to it. I guess it'll make me a much more flexible person!! (Which is good since Dan is a Navy man.)
We'll be working outside at the camp until Saturday (Happy Halloween!). I'm not sure exactly what we're doing, but it's supposed to be extremely cold and I won't be able to contact anyone for four days. Apparently, Mendocino is in the middle of nowhere. But, I'm still pretty pumped. It's going to be great!
I seem to get more and more tired everyday. We've been going from 5:15 am to 8 pm tonight. It's getting tough! But I can handle it. PT again tomorrow morning.
I may not be able to write until Saturday. So until then!
<3 anne
This is our team song/cheer:
Oh baby blues
Blues got what we neeeeed
And you know that we're all friends
And we'll rock it til the end
Yes, bam, already memorized. Go Blue!
Tonight, we did another scavenger hunt to find our team. I am an official member of team Blue 6. Our team leader is Bryant, who began his speech with "I'm not a very emotional guy, and I will treat you like adults if you act like adults," after popping out of a tree. Slightly intimidating, yes. But I'm sure we will all get to know each other inside and out. There are 4 guys and 6 girls on my team, and I am the only person not from the east coast. Hey, I was there for 2 months, does that count?? I'm excited nonetheless. Go Blue 6!!
On Wednesday, we leave for Camp Mendocino for four days. One of the great things about NCCC: we don't really know what's going on until about 24 hours prior. I'm getting used to it. I guess it'll make me a much more flexible person!! (Which is good since Dan is a Navy man.)
We'll be working outside at the camp until Saturday (Happy Halloween!). I'm not sure exactly what we're doing, but it's supposed to be extremely cold and I won't be able to contact anyone for four days. Apparently, Mendocino is in the middle of nowhere. But, I'm still pretty pumped. It's going to be great!
I seem to get more and more tired everyday. We've been going from 5:15 am to 8 pm tonight. It's getting tough! But I can handle it. PT again tomorrow morning.
I may not be able to write until Saturday. So until then!
<3 anne
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Internet Has Been Down!!
<---- Pod 11/SaberSquadBack row: Sam, David, Dustin, Mike, Thad
Middle row: Me, Vaya, Max, Sam, Yakov
Front row: Jennifer, Caitlin (my roommate), Vladi (our TL)
So, the internet has been down for the past 3 days. Very sad indeed. Here is a quick review of last week:
Wednesday: We had a meeting about community relations and we all designed bumper stickers for AmeriCorps. Mine was: "get things done" (which is part of the AmeriCorps pledge) and it had a picture of a chicken on it with a thermometer popped out. I thought it was brilliant, but when I presented it in front of all the groups, only my pod laughed... I think I'm just beyond everyone when it comes to the mind...
Thursday: In the afternoon, we had a Van Driver course; think drivers ed for 15-passenger vans. I am officially van driver certified. Yeah!
Friday: It was our first PT (physical training) running day and we were split up into running groups based on ability. The three groups are: Rivercats 1,2,3 Kings 1,2,3 and Monarchs, 1,2,3. I'm a Rivercat 3. Yeah! In the afternoon, we had CPR/First Aid/AED courses. I am now recertified in all three.
Saturday: Official Make a Difference day in Sacramento. Mayor, Kevin Johnson (former member of the Suns basketball team) met and spoke with us and we had a huge group picture with him. All 300 of us were there. Then we had a presentation about volunteerism and homelessness, and one speaker was a guy from Michigan who had been a homeless drug addict for 11 years and now has a job and a home and is successful. Very inspirational.
Then, in the afternoon, our pods separated and went to do various service projects around town. Pod 11 worked at Senior Gleaners, the place where the collect food and drinks and other items from businesses throwing things away. For example, Campbells has a package of soup cans, but one of the cans is slightly dented. Well they would throw the whole pack away normally, but Senior Gleaners picked it up and distributes it to homeless shelters around the area. My pod and another pod cleaned off dirty pop cans for 4 hours. We cleaned, boxed, and stacked over 2,000 cans that day! Yay productivity!
Sunday: It was a free day today, so my pod, as a last hurrah before being split up into our permanent teams for the year, went to this riverbank called Paradise Beach. That is the location of the picture above. Then after, we came back and grilled for dinner before having a big community meeting. *Details of the meeting will come tomorrow, for I am exhausted and have PT at 5:30 am.
So, thanks for everyone who has been reading!
<3 anne
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Soreness
So, yesterday, Tuesday, 5:30 am was our PT (physical training) baseline test. It was cold, and the grass was wet, and very dark outside. These will be the regular conditions so we will all have to get used to it! Toughen up! We ran 1.5 miles, did as many situps and pushups as we could in 2 minutes and a sit an reach test. Here are the stats: run (13:35.00), situps (56), "girl" pushups (42), and 22 inches on the sit and reach. So, overall I think I did pretty well. Tomorrow morning is our first real PT day and we'll be put into groups based on our abilities. I'm excited! (Except I'm still ridiculously sore from the test. My pecs have seen better days...)
All day yesterday we had American Red Cross Disaster Training from 9 to 5. Let me tell you, I have never paid less attention in my life. It didn't help that we had all woken up at 5:15 that morning. I found myself zoning out for almost the entire last half of the class. But hey, at least I didn't fall asleep like some of my pod members! We discussed Mass Care and Shelter Operations. Basically, we learned the logistics for setting up shelters, feeding, and sleeping arrangements for "clients". Yes, in Red Cross land, a disaster victim is considered a "client". Um, euphemism? Anyone? But seriously, these are certifications necessary for disaster relief, and I got them!
Today, we had meetings starting at 9 am at the WFTC (Wildfire Training Center), about ten minutes away on the base. We had a nutrition presentation, a sexual harassment presentation, one about community relations, and the last about Camp Mendocino. Camp Mendocino is a summer camp for children that AmeriCorps NCCC has worked closely with for many many years. Once we are put into our permanent teams here, we will go there for 4 days to do work such as mending trails, painting cabins, building playgrounds, etc. It will be our first "mini-spike". (A SPIKE is what we call our off-campus, long-term projects.) I'm excited!
Then, tonight, in honor of one of our team member's (Thad's) nineteenth birthday, our team went out to Mongolian BBQ for dinner. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile. Tears were coming from my eyes. I love my team! I'm going to miss them when we all are broken up and put into permanent teams : ( Boo. Then I had to be van "safety". A requirement to back up our gigantic AmeriCorps passenger vans, is to have a "safety" to help back it up. Yes, I put on a reflective orange vest and used special hand signals in back of the van, in the middle of the parking lot to help the driver see where he was going. I think I did an OK job. And by OK I mean, the van didn't hit anything. My whole team was applauding when I climbed back into the van. It was pretty ridiculous! Never had to do such a thing before.
It's time to call Dan :) and head to sleep. PT at 5:30 am tomorrow!
<3 anne
All day yesterday we had American Red Cross Disaster Training from 9 to 5. Let me tell you, I have never paid less attention in my life. It didn't help that we had all woken up at 5:15 that morning. I found myself zoning out for almost the entire last half of the class. But hey, at least I didn't fall asleep like some of my pod members! We discussed Mass Care and Shelter Operations. Basically, we learned the logistics for setting up shelters, feeding, and sleeping arrangements for "clients". Yes, in Red Cross land, a disaster victim is considered a "client". Um, euphemism? Anyone? But seriously, these are certifications necessary for disaster relief, and I got them!
Today, we had meetings starting at 9 am at the WFTC (Wildfire Training Center), about ten minutes away on the base. We had a nutrition presentation, a sexual harassment presentation, one about community relations, and the last about Camp Mendocino. Camp Mendocino is a summer camp for children that AmeriCorps NCCC has worked closely with for many many years. Once we are put into our permanent teams here, we will go there for 4 days to do work such as mending trails, painting cabins, building playgrounds, etc. It will be our first "mini-spike". (A SPIKE is what we call our off-campus, long-term projects.) I'm excited!
Then, tonight, in honor of one of our team member's (Thad's) nineteenth birthday, our team went out to Mongolian BBQ for dinner. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile. Tears were coming from my eyes. I love my team! I'm going to miss them when we all are broken up and put into permanent teams : ( Boo. Then I had to be van "safety". A requirement to back up our gigantic AmeriCorps passenger vans, is to have a "safety" to help back it up. Yes, I put on a reflective orange vest and used special hand signals in back of the van, in the middle of the parking lot to help the driver see where he was going. I think I did an OK job. And by OK I mean, the van didn't hit anything. My whole team was applauding when I climbed back into the van. It was pretty ridiculous! Never had to do such a thing before.
It's time to call Dan :) and head to sleep. PT at 5:30 am tomorrow!
<3 anne
Monday, October 19, 2009
Back to School
Yesterday was our day off, so I slept in until 8:30 am! Yeah! And then the rest of the day consisted of magazine reading and phone calls. Not too exciting.
Today was back to school day. We sat in classrooms from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Woohoo! The first meeting was an introduction to our upcoming projects. We didn't learn much except that it's really expensive to go to Alaska and Hawaii, and we don't know what our projects will be until 2 weeks before!
Next class was discussing "National Initiatives for Personal Development". I've decided to register to apply for the Congressional Award, which, if earned, I will be given a bronze medal by a representative of my state representative at graduation next July! I figured "congressional" and "award" would look pretty sweet on my resume. About 95% of all the work I need to do I will do in AmeriCorps. I just need to sign up, journal my experiences, fill out a goal sheet, and send it in, in May. The areas I need to set goals in are as follows: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration/exploration. I hope I get it!
Then we had a two hour long presentation on National and Campus policies. We had to divide up into groups and break down three policies per group and discuss. Then we had to write all our discussions on a large sheet of white paper and present it in front of everyone. Yes, it was like high school all over again. Luckily I decided to be the person in the group to hold up the paper so it looked like I was helping, but I didn't have to talk because I could see the paper. Yes, clever, I know.
Lastly we had a PT (Physical Training) Orientation which was the most exciting of all. We all woke up after all the TLs went in front and demonstrated jumping jacks, star jumps and pushups. Then we calculated our BMI and I'm right where I should be. Phew! It also made everyone excited for our PT Baseline test tomorrow morning which includes a 1.5 mile run, as many situps and pushups we can do in 2 minutes, and a sit and reach test. I'm excited to see how I'll do!
Well, it's time to watch Ghostbusters and go to bed early. PT is at 5:30 am. Ouch.
Goodnight!
anne
Oh, and P.S. please comment! It entertains me. I feel very removed from life out here and I'd like to hear from you all!!!!
Today was back to school day. We sat in classrooms from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Woohoo! The first meeting was an introduction to our upcoming projects. We didn't learn much except that it's really expensive to go to Alaska and Hawaii, and we don't know what our projects will be until 2 weeks before!
Next class was discussing "National Initiatives for Personal Development". I've decided to register to apply for the Congressional Award, which, if earned, I will be given a bronze medal by a representative of my state representative at graduation next July! I figured "congressional" and "award" would look pretty sweet on my resume. About 95% of all the work I need to do I will do in AmeriCorps. I just need to sign up, journal my experiences, fill out a goal sheet, and send it in, in May. The areas I need to set goals in are as follows: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration/exploration. I hope I get it!
Then we had a two hour long presentation on National and Campus policies. We had to divide up into groups and break down three policies per group and discuss. Then we had to write all our discussions on a large sheet of white paper and present it in front of everyone. Yes, it was like high school all over again. Luckily I decided to be the person in the group to hold up the paper so it looked like I was helping, but I didn't have to talk because I could see the paper. Yes, clever, I know.
Lastly we had a PT (Physical Training) Orientation which was the most exciting of all. We all woke up after all the TLs went in front and demonstrated jumping jacks, star jumps and pushups. Then we calculated our BMI and I'm right where I should be. Phew! It also made everyone excited for our PT Baseline test tomorrow morning which includes a 1.5 mile run, as many situps and pushups we can do in 2 minutes, and a sit and reach test. I'm excited to see how I'll do!
Well, it's time to watch Ghostbusters and go to bed early. PT is at 5:30 am. Ouch.
Goodnight!
anne
Oh, and P.S. please comment! It entertains me. I feel very removed from life out here and I'd like to hear from you all!!!!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Everyone Loves to Pee in a Cup
Saturday started off with a muster and a meeting at 8 am that lasted 20 minutes. It was about the "student" council of AmeriCorps. Not planning on signing up for that one.
Then we were free until 2:30, when we had our physicals. These consisted of peeing in cups, TB tests, breast exams, eye tests, and a hearing test where they locked us into a tiny sound proof room. Good times!
For dinner, Vlady, our team leader (TL) made us a dinner consisting of sauteed zucchini, roasted potatoes, salad, and this turkey meatball soup that he forgot to salt. It was good and healthy and I was hungry after about 30 minutes.
And tonight I decided to be social and go to the only bar in walking distance: Harvey's. It was karaoke night. The entire bar was filled with AmeriCorps people, and it was a pretty good time. Three other girls and I even sang a rousing "Sweet Caroline". I think it was my first bar-karaoke experience. Not bad after a mini pitcher of Sierra Nevada.
Tomorrow we have a free day and I'm sleeping in! Woohoo!!!
Love you all,
anne
Then we were free until 2:30, when we had our physicals. These consisted of peeing in cups, TB tests, breast exams, eye tests, and a hearing test where they locked us into a tiny sound proof room. Good times!
For dinner, Vlady, our team leader (TL) made us a dinner consisting of sauteed zucchini, roasted potatoes, salad, and this turkey meatball soup that he forgot to salt. It was good and healthy and I was hungry after about 30 minutes.
And tonight I decided to be social and go to the only bar in walking distance: Harvey's. It was karaoke night. The entire bar was filled with AmeriCorps people, and it was a pretty good time. Three other girls and I even sang a rousing "Sweet Caroline". I think it was my first bar-karaoke experience. Not bad after a mini pitcher of Sierra Nevada.
Tomorrow we have a free day and I'm sleeping in! Woohoo!!!
Love you all,
anne
Friday, October 16, 2009
Manual Labor is Fun
As you can see to your left <--- I am standing in my work gear. Note the sexy black boots and tucked in t-shirt. I know, I know, you're all thinking "wow, Anne is badass". I'm flattered. This was our work outfit for today.Today, we worked at the Orange Grove school for mentally challenged adults doing yardwork. We began in the front garden weeding, which went very well. I told a couple people I gardened for GP Shores and then people started yelling at me and calling me the professional gardener and asking if certain plants were weeds. It may have gone to my head... Oh, and apparently black widow spiders are very common out here? We were all freaked out when we saw 3, but the school employees didn't seem too worried.
Next, we went to this nature area and all the students and teachers were having a outside walk-a-thon with music and everything, and we were all introduced and everyone clapped. It was a touching moment!
Onto our next task: rake off bocci ball courts and cover with tarps.
Then, we came upon this 10 foot tall briarwood patch. It was where every prickly bush decided to grow. Well, the school wanted us to remove it all and clear the area. So we hacked and pruned and cut away all the while trying to avoid getting thorns in our faces and scratching our arms and legs like crazy. We came out looking like bears attacked us. So, this lasted 2-3 hours. Good times.
Now, if climbing through prickly bushes wasn't fun enough, our next task knocked our socks off.
Hey every body! Wouldn't it be fun if we moved 100, 50 pound cement blocks into the garden? Yes, lots of sweat was lost during this. At one point, there was a spider crawling around in my block and i blew into it to get it out and all the cement dust went straight into my eye. That was a fun experience.
Then, last but not least, we had to remove some invasive trees from the area. 2 shovels and a saw didn't make it out alive.
All in all, it was pretty fun, and we were able to bond as Pod 11. Lots of hard work really brings people together!
It's muster and team grocery shopping time (and not to mention shower time). So, until next time! Physicals and drug tests tomorrow! I hope I pass!
love, anne
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Jet Lagged
Well, today was zombie day. Translation: I've pretty much had to hold my eyelids open since 7 am. Breakfast at 7, muster at 7:30, then meetings, meetings, meetings! It feels like freshman orientation. Even better: we get to sit on the floor the entire 3.5 hours. We learned about H1N1, and then we all became hypochondriacs. A policeman gave us a presentation and told us about this one area near the base where we need to watch out for prostitutes and pimps. I'll try and avoid that one. Then the TLs (team leaders) gave us a presentation on FRTs (fuel reduction teams). These are teams of Corps members who volunteer to fight wildfires all year. Maybe next time ; )
I don't know if it was the flu virus talk or jet lag, but around 3:30 pm I thought I had a fever, face was flushed and a slight headache. So I napped for an hour, and by napped I mean laid with my eyes closed for an hour. Much better after that.
This evening my roommate and I had a few people over to play cards and color. (I know, this is all incredibly exciting.) Aaaannnd I'm going to bed now.
Tomorrow we're all participating in make a difference day so my pod, Pod 11, is going to an elementary school, to do gardening and landscaping. So, yay! I'm excited. I miss everyone!!!
Until later,
<3 anne
I don't know if it was the flu virus talk or jet lag, but around 3:30 pm I thought I had a fever, face was flushed and a slight headache. So I napped for an hour, and by napped I mean laid with my eyes closed for an hour. Much better after that.
This evening my roommate and I had a few people over to play cards and color. (I know, this is all incredibly exciting.) Aaaannnd I'm going to bed now.
Tomorrow we're all participating in make a difference day so my pod, Pod 11, is going to an elementary school, to do gardening and landscaping. So, yay! I'm excited. I miss everyone!!!
Until later,
<3 anne
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Arrival
Well, I've made it to California alive. I woke up at 4:30 am (1:30 am Cali time) and I'm still going... The first flight was uneventful, until it decided to land 10 minutes before my next flight. Luckily, as I was running to the gate, I found an AmeriCorps buddy who went to Michigan State. So him and I showed up at gate C14 to find no plane. Apparently the gate had changed. It is now 9:38 am and our flight leaves at 9:40 am. So we book it back to terminal A to find the plane waiting for us. We landed in Sacramento at 12:00 pm.
In-processing was great. Took an ID picture, tried on some sweet steel-toed black boots, was given a hard hat and a plethora of men's clothing. I will be wearing large polos tucked into cargo pants for the next 10 months. Excellent.
We have a campus of 4 buildings, two of which are dorms, and a muddy football field. That's about it.
I have yet to get a roommate. She might come tomorrow. Fortunately, I share a bathroom with 2 other girls, Maggie from FL and Anna from Texas, so I'm not too lonely. A sidenote on the bathroom: it consists of a toilet and a 2x2 foot shower. FUN. I've met quite a few people, all nice (except for one girl named Annie who gave me a strange look when I became very excited that we had the same name). All in all, I think it's going to be a great time.
Well, I'm off to a team meeting and a 6 am breakfast tomorrow.
Au Revoir
<3
In-processing was great. Took an ID picture, tried on some sweet steel-toed black boots, was given a hard hat and a plethora of men's clothing. I will be wearing large polos tucked into cargo pants for the next 10 months. Excellent.
We have a campus of 4 buildings, two of which are dorms, and a muddy football field. That's about it.
I have yet to get a roommate. She might come tomorrow. Fortunately, I share a bathroom with 2 other girls, Maggie from FL and Anna from Texas, so I'm not too lonely. A sidenote on the bathroom: it consists of a toilet and a 2x2 foot shower. FUN. I've met quite a few people, all nice (except for one girl named Annie who gave me a strange look when I became very excited that we had the same name). All in all, I think it's going to be a great time.
Well, I'm off to a team meeting and a 6 am breakfast tomorrow.
Au Revoir
<3
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
AmeriCorps Eve
Well, I have less than 24 hours before I hop on American Airlines at 7:10 am and head to Sacramento.
Emotions: anxious, excited, pumped, more nervous for the early flight than AmeriCorps itself. I guess being on the older side of the group (the age range is 18-24), having been to college, interning abroad, working at home, it will be easier for me to adjust than say, the recent high school graduates. Then again, it's possible in a couple weeks I'll be writing about how I'm freaking out. Time will tell.
That's all for now. Until next time,
Alpha Kilo
(since AmeriCorps NCCC is based a bit on the military I'm practicing my lingo)
Emotions: anxious, excited, pumped, more nervous for the early flight than AmeriCorps itself. I guess being on the older side of the group (the age range is 18-24), having been to college, interning abroad, working at home, it will be easier for me to adjust than say, the recent high school graduates. Then again, it's possible in a couple weeks I'll be writing about how I'm freaking out. Time will tell.
That's all for now. Until next time,
Alpha Kilo
(since AmeriCorps NCCC is based a bit on the military I'm practicing my lingo)
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