Induction Ceremony

We were filed into rows according to team. It just felt like another meaningless ceremony, an annoucement that we were officially beginning the journey of NCCC, nothing special in my mind. I felt like the last month had been a big enough announcement, at least to myself. I had put all my time into training, how could that not have been the beginning, the commitment for the rest of the year. But as the speakers got up to speak, I found myself getting very emotional. I felt like crying several times, and quite honestly got teary eyed. They spoke about how much the people we are serving appreciate our work and gave us examples of ways they had showed their appreciation. As well as the hardwork they had put into serving with the NCCC, all the things they had gained from their service and how important our commitment is to the people of America. I realized that for the first time I am a part of something bigger. I have taken action instead of being apathetic like I have so many times before. I have seen something that needs changing and I am taking a step for change! I know this means a lot of responsibility and a lot of lost luxaries, but none of that really phases me. How can it? Knowing how many people I am going to help, and the appreciation they'll have. It also brought tears to my eyes thinking about how many people just sit back and watch. Watch their fellow neighbors suffer, and just go on with their life, as if they'd never even seen the issue. Acting like it doesn't affect them, but the truth of the matter is that we are a community. It takes the strength of everyone to change. If one aspect is weak, it brings everyone down to that level. I guess what I'm getting at here is that I am proud. Proud to be a part of the MANY in my generation making a difference, despite what people may think. WE CARE & WE WILL GET THINGS DONE!

CTI Update

I've been here for over a month now. It's been very overwhelming at times and very exciting at others. It's the most structured thing I have ever been a part of, the first "team" I've ever been a part of. It gets intimidating thinking about all the rules and regulations, the uniforms, the responsibility, and the living standards. But once you sit back and look at the bigger picture, you feel it. You see and feel the beauty of it all. The beauty of what you are going to accomplish. You feel a part of something so much bigger than yourself, something that is going to make a change! Exhilarating for me at least.

So we are divided into 4 units, and each unit is made up of 7 teams. I am a part of the Raven Unit on Team 5. We have no special name for ourselves thus far, just go by Raven 5. Our team is made up of 10 people, 1 being the team leader. It's scary to think that this 10 people thrown together are going to spend almost every waking moment together and become as close as a family. The differences between us are incredible! We are all so different, I definately forsee challenges that I'm going to have to face this year. It'll just be one more accomplishment I can chalk up on the wall for myself. I anticipate a lot of growth for all of us on the team & I'm incredibly excited to see the end results. To look back and remember what each of us were like at the beginning, and the things we've gone through together! Hmmm....WOW!

We also each have specialty roles. I am the Project Outreach Liason (POL). Which really means that I have to contact potential sponsors that would like to partner with Americorps*NCCC and get our volunteers to work with them. I also find Independent Service Projects for the team. Which are side projects that we find ourself instead of being assinged to by the staff. I have to talkt to a bunch of head guys at businesses basically. I'm nervous because I am not a good public speaker. I feel akward in situations like that. I really have to know my stuff. I'm a darn spokesperson for the NCCC. SCARY! But I'm excited to change all that, to become confident in my social skills. I definately need them for what I hope my future will bring. And I unexpectedly recieved another role on the team. I am the Assitant Team Leader(ATL). Which I was at first "honored" that my Team Leader chose me after seeing the qualitis in me that I needed to take on the part, and I was also excited, to build leadership roles and benefit myself. But I was struck with fear and anxiety at the same time. I realized that I have a ton of responsibility and I'm the youngest member of my team! I hope people take me seriously and I hope that I can do my job well.

So training like I said before is rather boring, we sit around in lectures, just being sponges and soaking in information. But we have had the oppurtunity to go on 2 service projects. Each were a day long and were trail clean ups in Baltimore. The first we pulled invasive species, not very satisfying. But we made it a good time, and got a lot done. It's such an awesome feeling to see what you've accomplished and how thankful our sponsors are for our work...haha It's free! How could they not be? The other was in the urban area of Baltimore. WOW! is how to sum that one up. We did trash pick-up. UNBELIEVABLE how much garbage is in one city and we only had a 1-2 mile trail to clean up. But we collected about 200 garbage bags full PLUS other junk, like toilets and washers and tires. All that good stuff. Teams were there the day before us and cleaned up just as much, and we still left tons of garbage there. It's insane how much garbage I picked up...the shoreline is literally covered, every inch of it with garbage! I smelt like a mixture of alcohol and pure BUTT! I looked good doing it though! LOL! Pictures are on facebook.

So on my freetime, we have a lot of fun, how could you not with 300+ people hanging around in the same spot. I went to D.C. the other weekend for the first time outside of the train station. It was unbelievable. I know I could never settle down in a city. But it's cool to see, it's cool to be on the east coast where so much history happened. But we saw tons of monuments and muesums and went out to eat at cute little restuarants! It was awesome, I had a blast, took over 300 pictures, and spent way too much money! GOOD TIME! All in all I LOVE IT HERE! Can't wait til I have some really good stories to tell you all about the places I go and the people I help!

Reflection...

Other than getting to know people, life is pretty dull.
Our CTI, which is training, is very boring.
A lot of useless information being beaten into our heads.
For instance, today...we sat through a whole day of Drugs, Alcohol, & Sex Ed.
Nothing like a good refresher of high school health...
But I can't emphasize how amazing the people are here.
It is so refreshing to know that I am a part of a bigger picture.
The fact that I know everyone is here for similar reasons to my own...
Makes me feel like I'm on the right path, and that the world isn't as disturbed as I sometimes feel...
It gives me hope for the future...
I despise that my generation is looked at in a bad light.
Like we are all about ourselves and don't care.
Because this program is made up of all 18 - 24 year olds!
All here for the common good of the community!
BEAUTIFUL:) simply said...
Today was exciting for me...
We figured out what our first projects were going to be.
On the 7th of March, I will be traveling to St. Bernard's Parish in Louisianna.
It's 20 minutes away from New Orleans.
We'll be working with volunteers to build houses.
It's kind of scary considering that I know little to nothing about construction.
I've helped in construction...but I feel like I'm just going to thrown into something.
I just hope that these houses I build don't fall down a couple years from now.
It's insane to think about what I'm going to be seeing when I get there..
And to imagine the devastation that occured during the storm.
And even 2 years later!
I sit here and wonder how many times I'm going to cry...
How many times I'm going to be able to hand keys over to a family who has lived in a FEMA trailer for two years...
How beautiful it will be to feel the appreciation these people will have for our hardwork, sweat, and there are sure to be tears...
I know there are a select few who don't understand why I've gone about doing this...
But I hope once I share my stories,
You will slowly realize the depth of my decesion.

A summary of the first week...

Well, I've made it through in-processing!
First four days...so far, easy as pie!
Day one:
Age and I arrive at 8:30ish, which is indeed the earliest you could arrive.
And we end up sitting around waiting for them to finish setting up for 300+ people to arrive!
So then we get nametags, which eventually led down the road to OH SO FUN namegames.
YIPEE!
Then we filled out TONS of pointless paperwork...that did in fact repeat itself at least 1,000 times
If I didn't know how to sign my name before...I'm definately on the ball with it now.
Then we recieved our housing assignments...only to find out that Age and I are not rooming together. BUMMER!
A house was something everyone here hoped for.
See there are two housing spots on campus, "The Village" and "9H", which is essentially dorms!
You saw everyone praying for a house...I was one of the lucky ones!
"The Village" like it is called, is pretty much like the movie!:p
HA! no not really...but I have no car, so it's like I'm isolated from the world.
At least until March, when I can get out on a project...
Up until then, it's all fun and games with classes and training and early morning PT!
But then, we were sized for our uniforms and boots!
MAN, If you EVER thought that I have looked horrendous before, wait until you see me in my uniform...DROP DEAD SEXY! let me tell you!
Hot khaki's with grey shirts! OU! OU!
Well, the rest of the week, became pretty much a waste of time!
A lot of name games, a wasteful scavenger hunt that was essentially a "tour of the area."
And...sitting and waiting! Around here it's called, "Hurry and wait."
They stress being on time for everything...but then you have PLENTY of time standing around.
But wait, can't forget about the physicals!
Good times there....They feel you up, make you pee in a cup, check your eyes and ears and pretty much just waste your time! Give you some shots...that made me feel as if I were going to die...went to bed at 8:30 feeling sick as a dog...and didn't wake up until 6:30 the next day!
Oh the joys of new adventures!
However, there are definately positives here...
For instance, the weather....NOT -40! Thank goodness...
And the people here are PRETTY AMAZING!!!!
I've met some AWESOME people & a guy who chooses not to wear deodorant, I think he's the most interesting so far..:p He doesn't smell bad, haha!
I'm actually convinced that not wearing deodorant might not be a bad idea...
Curioius? just ask...i'll explain!
So I share a house with 6 other girls...and I am indeed the youngest!
I'm a little worried they have a preconcieved notion of me "being the youngest."
The house is GLAMOUROUS...complete with cobwebs, dust, dirt, and soapscum!
Falling apart cupboards, broken EVERYTHING, dingy basements, the most ghetto shower EVER, and the front door doesn't open!
But all I can say is that I'm thankful for a house...
From my opinion...I'm sure it will only get worse from here!
This is the best we'll have it for months.
We might end up camping out for all our projects or sleeping in a darn barn! lol
I hope for the best...but hey, I'm prepared for the worst...and can not wait to start this eyeopening adventure!!!
Things should start getting interesting SOON...bear with me until then!