Hello again. I am back for another update on what is going down here in Perry Point, MD. You thought the first week was a thrill...well this whole week has been a rollarcoaster of good times and meeting a lot of cool people. My last update talked about what happened previous to meeting our permanent team members and leaders and UDA's and Unit Leaders. But to make it easier I will break down day-by-day how everything came together this past Monday...
Monday
- Traveled to the University of Delaware to congregate and do ice breakers and other activities
- Found out later that night who our team leaders were, the unit we were in, AND the other Corps members joining us
- They made it into a scavenger hunt in efforts to hopefully find our TL in the manner of getting a bag of candy and on the other side was a clue to finding the room # the TL was sitting in. Basically they waited for us to come into the room.
- The clue I had was difficult...figure it out...the 27th prime number is???
- We met with our newly members of the team and got a chance to talk and ride in the van back with them
Tuesday
- Went back to UD and surveyed the area looking and learning about new things in the city Newark (home of the Blue Hens of Delaware)
- Our newly formed team had to split up and look for potential people that could help our group as well as the AmeriCorps in earning ISP (independent service project) hours. We are needing to received 80 + hours before we graduate on November 13th.
- We ended up finding a couple connections and now we have to follow up. I might be contacting their park district and finding a volunteer position there as a coach, ref, or something sports related. It should be a blast!
- Ideas for ISP we were thinking about are: food pantry things, supporting the University's fraternity and sorority phillantrophy projects, and many more
- We then came back and had some training sessions
- Had our 1st team dinner together, I busted out the Hawaiian girl that Mitchy gave me when she got back from Hawaii. It fits wonderfully on the dashboard of our tan colored van!
Wednesday
- Today began with going to early morning PT beginning at 5:15 AM. That meant waking up and being ready for the van drive at 4:50. BRUTAL! Worse than the baseball workouts at PR.
- Vigorous work outs early in the morning. Mostly stretching but we have a circuit of exercises that we will be doing. Our team's set day is Wed.
- Traveled back to Delaware and had more training meetings. CPR/First Aid. I passed both with flying colors!! Not too difficult at all. The most tough part was keeping awake for the whole presentations.
- I did not get a chance to go to an Ash Wednesday service :( I was looking around for a ride or something but the chapel didn't offer it. This is the first Ash Wednesday I can remember that I have not attended. Sad indeed!
Thursday
- Went out on our 1st service project in the a forest preservation in Baltimore, MD clearing trails, pruning trees, and many other landscaping jobs
- It was my team and 2 other teams in our unit. Roughly 35 AmeriCorps members working at this place
- They loved the outcome, once I get pictures I will post them. My phone copped out on me so I am relying on friends to tag pics from the events to eventually tag on my facebook
- We worked til 3, then drove to the YMCA for a team workout. That was a good time. We played basketball, sat in the sauna, and did some free weights. It is too bad that we can't go there more than 1 day a week. I think I am going to swim next time
Friday
- Still have not found out yet about our first spike. Hopefully by the weekend or Monday. Once I know I will let you know, I am hoping the gulf coast...but if we get trained quick enough we could be down in TN helping with the tornadoes. Never know.
- I had the driving training test today in order to become certified. I passed the written test only getting 1 wrong. We still have to drive an hour with our TL and practice. I am sorta worried about it since its twice the size of my car.
- 4 drivers per team...2 hour shifts at a time...so many rules that go along with it. I know Michelle knows what I am talking about.
- We did a lot of team hanging out and played several games. I learned a couple new ones I am more than welcome to share with you...just ask!
Well...that is all I can think of that has happened in the last 5 days or so. Some side notes: I did go to church on Sunday at the chapel in the VA building, I got Mom's little package on Thursday, and days have been tiring me out and sleeping has been tough the last couple nights. Living on the top bunk is brutal when you have to go to the bathroom. The friendships that I have started are great! The roommates are a bunch of goofballs but we all get along very well.
Anyways if you have any questions, write a comment and I will go more into detail about things. I am just about to head out the door for dinner. Take care everyone and miss you all! I will report back in the next couple days.
