It's hard to believe I've been in St. Paul, Indiana for over a month, 7 weeks to be exact. It feels like NOTHING. I've explained the time warp I'm in as the days DRAG by but the weeks fly by! It's insane...it feels like I have lived here all my life but haven't been here quite long enough, if that makes sense.
The YMCA has treated us so well, I'm really going to miss the staff more than anything. I don't think any state can beat Indiana...the pure untouched beauty of it all is just amazing. I feel like a kid discovering the outside world for the first time, but I guess that's kind of what it's like...the first time I've been out "on my own" and seeing everything I've never been exposed to...I now understand why people travel.
I have loved our first round, even though the work has been long and sometimes rough it's so worth it..the appreciation in the sponsors face really makes up for any negative thing that's ever crossed my mind. The team isn't perfect and we do have our disagreements but I feel like we've learned how to come together and overcome a lot. There's been talk of other teams being disbanded because of people quitting and what not..I couldn't imagine. Obviously we'd be nice to anyone BUT we're already so close and just bonded...I couldn't imagine someone comeing from the "outside."
Our next project is Minot, North Dakota. We'll be there approx. the same amount of time; however, this time we'll be with another team. I know the TL of the team he was my temporary group leader so I think that'll be nice. It'll just be interesting working with another team because we've never worked with another team and nobody really knows anyone on that team..I'm excited though. I think it'll be nice.
This experience has really helped me grow out of my shell...I can only imagine where I'll be in 7 months.
I went to Louisville last weekend for Thunder Over Louisville, it's the kick off of the Kentucky derby. It was so much fun! A lot of walking though...pretty sure I hiked MILES AND MILES...got 4 blisters and sore body BUT it was so beautiful! It's a great way to explain Americorps NCCC...it may hurt and you may want to stop and take a break but if you keep going and perservere you'll eventually have the time of your life (maybe without even knowing) and make memories you'd never have otherwise..this time last year I never thought I'd be sitting in Indiana talking about my day trip to Kentucky before going back to Iowa to prepare for North Dakota...going to North Carolina was a big deal for me...Americorps has opened my eyes I guess you could say to put things in perspective.
okay I've just rambled a lot but that's what's going on in my head :)
I love and miss you all - please write me or text me or something...I like hearing about things.
However, in North Dakota I may not have cell phone service...should be interesting.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
over half way there!
Almost finished with my first round project, such a weird idea! Feels like the days drag by - meal to meal however the weeks FLY by....the concept of time obviously is warped at camp. I still love it here though, part of me is looking forward to leaving while the other part wants to cling to the camp and never leave!
As far as work goes I've been doing a lot of different things! I've planed wood, split wood, painted (everything!), scraped paint off cabins, moved debris, and helped with rock climbing! Quite the varitiy of tasks to go around.
I really like helping with the rock climbing, it's nice to interact with different people - even if they're much yonuger (like 7th grades today) it's just nice to see different faces...not that I don't LOVE my team :)
Speaking of...my TL's mom found my blog the other day :P Alyssa ran up to me giggling about it, good thing I keep it all positive and upbeat for you guys, right?
It's really weird to think we're leaving soon, and we still don't know our next project! We find out on the 17th though! Priase! So excited....I'm not really anxious about it though like other people tend to be...figure there's nothing I can do about it anyway so why be anxious to find out.
For the next few weeks that we are here we have a lot planned (on weekends anyway)...this weekend we're doing ISP's all weekend. This weekend it's at the local petting zoo! It's not just any pettting zoo, it's an exotic petting zoo - like bears and tigers! The bears are famous and have been in movies...super excited....i still squeal whenever I see animals anywhere so when I get to pet them I'm probably going to cry!
Next weekend we're going to Louisville,KY. It's the kick off of the kentucky derby also apparently it's the biggest firework show east of the mississippi - so hopefully we get to see that..but even if we don't see fireworks there will be A LOT going on downtown that weekend :) Hopefully we get to see some cool stuff and maybe get some free stuff?! I love free stuff :) stipend life!
Then the sunday after Louisville we're doing another ISP at a local art gallery. We're doing landscaping and just maintenance around their facility.
I'm not sure what the work schedule will be for the next couple weeks but it'll probably be interestnig..the weather around here is pretty simliar to VA. Today i was in the 70s but was REALLY humid....hmmm makes me think of home haha.
Sad to hear about some accidents and deaths at home, my thoughts are with you all...but also the birth of Shannon and Jon's new baby...such a sweet gift :) can't wait to come home and meet her!
ok i think that's it! time to finish up some paper work and enjoy sleep!
As far as work goes I've been doing a lot of different things! I've planed wood, split wood, painted (everything!), scraped paint off cabins, moved debris, and helped with rock climbing! Quite the varitiy of tasks to go around.
I really like helping with the rock climbing, it's nice to interact with different people - even if they're much yonuger (like 7th grades today) it's just nice to see different faces...not that I don't LOVE my team :)
Speaking of...my TL's mom found my blog the other day :P Alyssa ran up to me giggling about it, good thing I keep it all positive and upbeat for you guys, right?
It's really weird to think we're leaving soon, and we still don't know our next project! We find out on the 17th though! Priase! So excited....I'm not really anxious about it though like other people tend to be...figure there's nothing I can do about it anyway so why be anxious to find out.
For the next few weeks that we are here we have a lot planned (on weekends anyway)...this weekend we're doing ISP's all weekend. This weekend it's at the local petting zoo! It's not just any pettting zoo, it's an exotic petting zoo - like bears and tigers! The bears are famous and have been in movies...super excited....i still squeal whenever I see animals anywhere so when I get to pet them I'm probably going to cry!
Next weekend we're going to Louisville,KY. It's the kick off of the kentucky derby also apparently it's the biggest firework show east of the mississippi - so hopefully we get to see that..but even if we don't see fireworks there will be A LOT going on downtown that weekend :) Hopefully we get to see some cool stuff and maybe get some free stuff?! I love free stuff :) stipend life!
Then the sunday after Louisville we're doing another ISP at a local art gallery. We're doing landscaping and just maintenance around their facility.
I'm not sure what the work schedule will be for the next couple weeks but it'll probably be interestnig..the weather around here is pretty simliar to VA. Today i was in the 70s but was REALLY humid....hmmm makes me think of home haha.
Sad to hear about some accidents and deaths at home, my thoughts are with you all...but also the birth of Shannon and Jon's new baby...such a sweet gift :) can't wait to come home and meet her!
ok i think that's it! time to finish up some paper work and enjoy sleep!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Explanation...
Okay my last post about my "plans for the future" was a little vague so I'll elaborate on it for a minute just because I'd like to explain it to you guys first off and also just so I have a place to refer back to if I ever find myself off the course I've chosen.
First off of course I need to finish this program I'm in...I'll be here until November 2013. After that I will be applying for the spring semester at JTCC, I've already filed financial aid information for the semester so hopefully that will all pan out in my favor. Also I've indicated my interest in work study so hopefully I could work around my schedule. At JTCC I plan to continue my general education classes. In addition to work study I'm planning applying for a state and national program which works with state parks in VA. I'd apply directly to the park I wanted, Pocahontas, and would work there for about 6 months I believe (I still have to look further into the details of that program before I make a commitment) and while working there I could also hold another job which I plan on looking into at the local YMCA camp which is close to my house AND school. After that I am going to apply for another Americorps NCCC term as a support team leader, STL, in either Vinton or Denver. Depending on the campus would determine WHEN I'd go. Depending on the summer schedule I could also take some classes over the summer possibily. After finishing my STL term I'd then go back to VA to work on my bachelors at VCU, I'm going for the bachelor of science in environmental studies. While going to school there I'd look into work opprotunities either in Chesterfield/Colonial heights area or Richmond area...
Doing other americorps programs such as state and national allow me to further network, especially in my local areas in fields of work I'm interested in and since we all know it's not necessarily WHAT you know opposed to WHO you know I'll have the best of both worlds. Also doing another term would give me an additional education award to go towards schooling. Also I'm sending out letters to several VA colleges about possibily doubling my education award. A lot of schools around the nation do it already so I figured no harm in asking and VCU is already aware of Americorps and what we do so I'm hoping by asking and sending a personal letter it'll persuade them to help me out a little bit.
Okay to sum up just so I can get it all out my head and on to a blog to hold myself responsibile...
:) hope this answers any and all questions...it sure helped me to get it out but I'm sure I'll be posting more of this information just as my mind freaks out...it's still like 7 months away BUT I'm already paranoid and freaking out!
First off of course I need to finish this program I'm in...I'll be here until November 2013. After that I will be applying for the spring semester at JTCC, I've already filed financial aid information for the semester so hopefully that will all pan out in my favor. Also I've indicated my interest in work study so hopefully I could work around my schedule. At JTCC I plan to continue my general education classes. In addition to work study I'm planning applying for a state and national program which works with state parks in VA. I'd apply directly to the park I wanted, Pocahontas, and would work there for about 6 months I believe (I still have to look further into the details of that program before I make a commitment) and while working there I could also hold another job which I plan on looking into at the local YMCA camp which is close to my house AND school. After that I am going to apply for another Americorps NCCC term as a support team leader, STL, in either Vinton or Denver. Depending on the campus would determine WHEN I'd go. Depending on the summer schedule I could also take some classes over the summer possibily. After finishing my STL term I'd then go back to VA to work on my bachelors at VCU, I'm going for the bachelor of science in environmental studies. While going to school there I'd look into work opprotunities either in Chesterfield/Colonial heights area or Richmond area...
Doing other americorps programs such as state and national allow me to further network, especially in my local areas in fields of work I'm interested in and since we all know it's not necessarily WHAT you know opposed to WHO you know I'll have the best of both worlds. Also doing another term would give me an additional education award to go towards schooling. Also I'm sending out letters to several VA colleges about possibily doubling my education award. A lot of schools around the nation do it already so I figured no harm in asking and VCU is already aware of Americorps and what we do so I'm hoping by asking and sending a personal letter it'll persuade them to help me out a little bit.
Okay to sum up just so I can get it all out my head and on to a blog to hold myself responsibile...
- JTCC spring semester 2013
- work study
- Americorps State/National - parks and rec work at Pocahontas
- YMCA summer camp job
- STL in Denver or Vinton
- earn second edu. award.
- VCU for bachelors in environmental studies
- BE SUCCESSFUL IN EVERYTHING AND MOVE TO THE MIDWEST BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS BEAUITUFL AND LOOKS LIKE A WINDOWS DESK TOP WITH ALL THE ROLLING HILLS
:) hope this answers any and all questions...it sure helped me to get it out but I'm sure I'll be posting more of this information just as my mind freaks out...it's still like 7 months away BUT I'm already paranoid and freaking out!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Easter weekend
We went to Indy yesterday - I don't have that natural curiosity to explore cities so I just followed around a couple friends. It was really nice though. Bigger than Richmond, and also cleaner. Had a lot to do, looked like a great city to live in or around. We went to several war memorials and climbed one, it was 330 stairs - and also aprox 1000 degrees at the top. But I'm glad we did it, felt accomplished. We also went to the art museum which again isn't something I'd normally run towards but it turned out pretty well. So far the lesson in life is try new things and might like them.
I also love the town of Greensburg though! So cute, reminds me of Colonial Heights kind of but also has a cute aspect kind of like Old Town Petersburg. I've been telling my friend here that I'm going to live in Greensburg but visit Indy on the weekends. The distance is comparable to the distance between Matoaca and Richmond. Not too bad.
As far as Easter plans I think we're doing an Easter egg hunt. None of the staff are here since it's a YMCA camp so it's a little more empty than normal.
Not much else going on, I finished my scholarship packet and started FAFSA so I can do a semester of school when I get back. I've also looked at different opportunities, with other Americorps programs (simply because it's too early to apply to the job I want for next year). The job I want next year is Support Team Leader, it's more of an administrative job in which you obviously SUPPORT the team leaders. I wouldn't have a team that went out and worked, I'd just stay on campus the entire 11 months. I'd earn a second education award and the pay is significantly better.
I want to go to Vinton again because I like the area and I LOVE the staff but I know that'd be taking the easy way out...so I'm thinking about Denver. I hear so many fantastic things about Colorado, Denver in particular but I just want to talk to someone out there most likely a corps member and see how they feel about the staff/location just to get another perspective.
umm, that's about it though. Hope you guys back at home are having a good Easter. I woke up at 730 to wash clothes haha...exciting!
I also love the town of Greensburg though! So cute, reminds me of Colonial Heights kind of but also has a cute aspect kind of like Old Town Petersburg. I've been telling my friend here that I'm going to live in Greensburg but visit Indy on the weekends. The distance is comparable to the distance between Matoaca and Richmond. Not too bad.
As far as Easter plans I think we're doing an Easter egg hunt. None of the staff are here since it's a YMCA camp so it's a little more empty than normal.
Not much else going on, I finished my scholarship packet and started FAFSA so I can do a semester of school when I get back. I've also looked at different opportunities, with other Americorps programs (simply because it's too early to apply to the job I want for next year). The job I want next year is Support Team Leader, it's more of an administrative job in which you obviously SUPPORT the team leaders. I wouldn't have a team that went out and worked, I'd just stay on campus the entire 11 months. I'd earn a second education award and the pay is significantly better.
I want to go to Vinton again because I like the area and I LOVE the staff but I know that'd be taking the easy way out...so I'm thinking about Denver. I hear so many fantastic things about Colorado, Denver in particular but I just want to talk to someone out there most likely a corps member and see how they feel about the staff/location just to get another perspective.
umm, that's about it though. Hope you guys back at home are having a good Easter. I woke up at 730 to wash clothes haha...exciting!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Flatrock YMCA
We got here a couple weeks ago, so far I really like it and I feel like we're allgetting into the groove. As far as work there's been several assignments: wood splitting, painting, scraping paint, jack hammers, clearing trails, as well as more to come. My favorite so far has been splitting wood :)
We've painted four cabins' interiors and will begin on the exteriors soon.
On the weekends we typically have free time, but free time is also known as team time. Last weekend we went to Shelbyville which was a nice little town, also saw oz :) good movie!
This weekend we worked! We did an isp, independent service project, with the local YMCA. We helped with a parents' night out and an Easter egg hunt/healthy kids day today. A lot of fun and a good feeling afterwards. Only 90 more isp hours to go!
Weather here is similar to Virginia. Bipolar. Today is in the 50s but tomorrow is supposed to blizzard so it's interesting. When the weather is rough we just stay inside, the four cabins got painted while it was freezing outside. The next few weeks we will be doing more labor intensive work so hopefully the weather cooperates!
Thats about all for now, I love Indiana :) good luck with the snow in va, welcome to my life!
First week at flatrock
Been a lot of fun! The staff are amazing, had a great orientation to the camp, learned a lot. Theres a lot of work to be done..so far I split wood (my favorite! ), filled in a trench which was about 400 yards, painted some of a cabin, scraped peeling paint off a house, and vacuumed around 150 beds! Impressive right?! Not much else, went to town today took all of 2 minutes to go through st paul!
More work to come and a lot more fun. Today I learned to belay! Excited! Saturday we're going to Shelbyville :) movies and shopping!
The housing is so nice, ill try to get pictures soon. Also the food here is FANTASTIC! Everything is prepared for us, life of luxury!
Ill update more later!
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