What I've been up to

As you have probably figured out by now, my original plan to write every day hasn't exactly worked out. I was shocked when I came to write a new entry and saw that I haven't posted since February. When I left off I had just moved to Vinton, IA, my home base for the next ten months, as a member of AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps). I spent a month in training-tools, first aid/CPR/AED, shelter operations,cooking( learned how to make pizza!), getting to know new people, and learning more about what my new life would entail. We did a three day project at a local elementary school, where I got to assist a teacher in a third grade classroom, grading papers, copying, and assisting students with their spelling and writing. I found a church to attend (not CS but it was still nice to have a place to pray every week), and discovered a very nice opportunity.

After that month my group moved to Urbana, IL, where we have been doing canvassing work-going door to door distributing information about some weatherization programs that the county opens. During this project I have increased my public speaking skills and definitely stepped outside of my comfort zone. When we weren't working, we spent time volunteering at local organizations such as the University YMCA, a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, track meets, and SHARE-the Society for hooved animal rescue and emergency. I contacted various organizations about being potential project sponsors, attempted to improve my limited cooking ability, found a CS church to attend, and explored the community. For the past few days we have been pulling garlic mustard, an invasive species, at different forest preserves in the area.

Tonight we found out our second round project and I can't wait! We will be doing two projects, which is an added bonus, spending six weeks doing invasive species removal and other outdoor projects in Wisconsin, and then spending two weeks working at a science center in Iowa, which means that we will get to stay at our central location. I am very excited to travel to a new state. I will not have daily access to cell phone reception or internet, so my entries and communications with the outside world will be limited, but in a way I am glad. It will allow me to get to know my team mates better, spend more time reading instead of being on the computer all of the time, and get in touch with nature. I will write once more (or at least promise to try) before I head out, but hopefully this sums up some of what I have been doing.

Training, Training, Training

I've been here for about a week and our days are packed full of early mornings and meeting after meeting! For the next few weeks we will be receiving all the training that we need to be successful when we head out on spikes, our six to eight week projects. Soon we will go on a short spike, probably somewhere in Iowa, to get a feel for what the longer ones will be like. There are ten people in my team, nine members and a team leader. We found out our permanent assignments last Sunday. I am serving in Oak 2. This week we have been getting to know each other, as we participated in a low ropes course and talked about how we can work as a team when stress gets in the way. My wonderful roommate is in my unit, so even though we aren't in the same team, we have a lot of training together. This past week I learned basic van maintenance, got certified in first aide and adult CPR, and participated in training sessions where we learned about the different representative roles. I am going to be the Project Outreach Liason (POL) with my friend James, as well as a member of CAP (Corp Ambassador). With one other person we are responsible for doing recruitment events to get people in the community more aware of the program and what we do. As a CAP, James and I will research different non profit organizations that our team can do our ISP's (Independent Service Projects). In addition to our regular hours of service, we also have to perform at least 8- hours of independent service, which happens in addition to the time spent on projects. Yesterday we spent the morning in the hospital getting medical testing taken care of, and then had two short meetings. Afterwards I went with my roommate Becky, my friend Stacie, and Becky's friend Zach to a nearby diner, and then Becky and I walked around the town, taking pictures and trying to find a nature trail (that was a fail). I went out with some friends later in the evening, but came back early and got some sleep. Tonight I am cooking dinner with Gabe, one of the other members in the group. We do our own cooking and shopping, and thanks to Gabe we went under budget which is really cool. This coming week I have a cooking class,extra training for my representative (REP) roles, a disaster services overview, and shelter ops and simulation, in case we have to set up a shelter. We also have weekly room inspections and kitchen/common area inspections. It's a lot of working, but I'm learning a lot!

New Beginings

On Tuesday I received a call from AmeriCorp, officially asking me if I was interested in serving. I of course said yes, but was in shock. I had to listen to the message twice before I finally understood what they were asking. When I had called the day before, they had asked me if I would still be interested in serving should a spot become available. I had three days to get ready! It was pretty crazy, since I had people to contact and last minute shopping to do to get ready for this next adventure. I flew to my new home in Vinton, IA on Friday, and the chaos began. This week is what is known as in processing-getting all the paperwork taken care of, meetings to go over policies and expectations, and fittings for our uniforms. We are placed into a temporary team. We eat our meals with them and go to meetings at the same time. Tomorrow we get our official group assignments, and these are the people that we will be with for the remainder of our stay. Monday starts CTI- Corp Training Institute, where we get certifications in CPR and first aide, participate three days a week in physical training, and get the skills necessary to go out into the field and start our term of service. This is going to be an amazing adventure. It will be challenging, and I have so much to learn (and of course I'm not just talking about learning how to navigate the complex tunnel system), but I know that I am going to come away from this ten month experience with new skills, new friends, and more confidence in myself and my abilities as a leader. I will post more as things start rolling, but hopefully this post provides the reader with some information as to what I have been up to since arriving in my new home.

Loans and Other Spendings

Towards the end of last week I made two more payments on my student loans from college. A few days later I made another large transaction on a ticket to see my boyfriend in Phoenix in a few months. As I was looking at my history of past transactions, I was amazed at how much I had spent over the past few weeks. Working at a grocery store is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because it means I have a source of income, which can be used to pay for the things that I want or more importantly, need. It's a curse because I'm often sent to the store to pick things up for the family. Usually I have my parent's credit card with me, but from time to time they will text me at the end of my shift, asking me to pick things up. I'm usually reimbursed if it comes from my account, but when I'm buying for myself, it's smaller items-a dollar here, four dollars there. I want to move out as soon as I can, but without a driver's license and a full time job, I just don't see how that is possible at this time. Travel expenses to get to my new location, rent, utilities, basic living expenses (food, clothing...) and loan payments! It's so expensive. When I do eventually learn how to drive, I will have monthly car payments as well (though I want to avoid having a car if at all possible). This blog is more of a way for me to put my feelings out there more than anything else, but if someone happens to be reading this and has any advice as far as money goes, I would greatly appreciate it!

You Never Known until you Ask

On my morning walks, I usually I pass by school, and was always curious, since the building houses a variety of different groups. A lady who I cashiered for at work the other night had a t-shirt with a school's name on it. Curious I asked if she was a teacher. It turns out that she teaches at the school, which happens to be a private school for students with learning disABILITIES. I went to the website to find out more, and lo and behold there was a section for interested volunteers. One of the things that the school needs help with is stocking books in the library. They also need people to help with filing and mailing. I e-mailed the contact person, and explained that I was a recent college graduate who had a minor in education and who had completed two internships while at school, one of them in a remedial reading class. This school is designed for students who have average to above average intelligence, but have autism, or trouble processing or struggle with reading. As an education (of sorts), and as a Christian Scientist I strive to see past the material labels that are placed on people all of the time. Volunteering at the school will help me to apply Christian Science more rigorously to my daily life, as I see the students as perfect reflections of God. I haven't heard back yet, but any given week I usually have one or two days off of work, and I usually spend those days glued in front of the computer instead of being productive. You never know when volunteering can lead to something more permanent. I can't wait to see what happens and what the next direction that I take is.

The Joy of Giving Back

For the past four years or so, I've joined my dad to ring the Salvation Army bells for his rotary club. At first I would come with my dad and one other person, but for the past two years it has been just the two of us. My favorite year was when the Salvation Army did a battle of the kettles. Each station had three kettles set up for donations, with each kettle corresponding to major colleges in the area- University of Kansas, Kansas State, and the University of Missouri. People could select which kettle they wanted to put their money in based off of their college of choice. While the donations were much smaller this year, I appreciate all the people who donate any spare change or dollar bills to make a difference for families this holiday season. It's especially fun watching the children donate because they are so happy doing so. It's a wonderful feeling to see people taking the time to donate or to wish us happy holidays.

I have always enjoyed giving back to the communities in which I live. Starting in middle school, I have served meals at a soup kitchen, cleaned trash out of streams, delivered Thanksgiving meals to people who would otherwise not have one, cleared invasive species out of a nature preserve, babysat children of battered women, aided crews picking up trash on the side of the road near my college, and spent time with pets in an animal shelter. I try to donate money each week to church and have sent in the occasional fund to my summer camp, a place that has been my second home for fifteen years.

If you have already done some volunteer work, keep it up! There are so many people and animals who would benefit from a little extra attention. To those of you who have never volunteered, I highly recommend that you consider it. Trust me, it's worth it.

A Taste of the Real World

I'm officially an adult. I'm 23, so I've been an adult for quite some time, but today I officially put my first step into the realm of post graduate. I made my very first college loan payment, which will be used to pay down the principle. I made the decision to attend a private liberal arts college instead of a public university, but I don't mind. Sure, being an adult can be scary, and some people are forced to grow up more quickly than others. In a way though being able to have the money to make that payment felt good. I may not have a place of my own or a dream job, but I just need to remember that it is God, not my will, that is ultimately in charge. Something that I really love but is hard to grasp is the idea of letting go and letting God. Being placed in a seemingly tough situation just helps us to grow closer to God, and to express dominion and joy.

Today was a turning point. In the next couple of days I will be making another payment to my second loan that will put a very large dent into my bank account, and I have a feeling that I might have to start being in charge of my phone bill as well. That means that decisions will have to be made, and I think that one of those decisions might be to cut off texting from my plan. I go over my limit just about every month, and it's time to start thinking a little more critically about what's important. My parents will not always be around to cover my bills, and if I'm going to be moving out then I need to know how to manage money just a little better than I have done in the past. If there is anyone out there who has some ideas on how to use money more effectively, I would really appreciate it!