Monday, October 24, 2011

Corps Life

Hey all,

Greetings from the place I think should REALLY be the sunshine state. I’m writing this outside on another gorgeous day, watching a flag football game of corps members vs. team leaders. My 1 ½ weeks here so far has been a whole lot of stuff. It’s tiring, with training all day from 8-5 and sometimes more. It’s fun, making new friends and exploring new places. And it’s a huge taste of nostalgia because we’ve all decided that being here is like being in college, without the homework. We live in dorms, eat sometimes-iffy food in the cafeteria, hang out and do nothing at night, and wish we had way more money than we do.

I’ve been some pretty cool places so far. We did driver training last week and during that drove to the Columbine Memorial, Red Rocks Amphitheater, and up Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill’s grave. We also did a service project all together at Washington Park where we built the running path. That was really awesome because as soon as we were done, people were walking and running on the new path. Now every time we go back, we can appreciate how we built the path. I also planted trees this weekend in what will be a dog park. It was hard but definitely fun. I'll try to get pictures up soon. My internet is a bit spotty and it won't upload them right now.

Other than that, I’ve just been exploring Denver and figuring out where everything is and what there is to do and see. We’ve got another busy week up ahead, so I hope to be back with an update soon. Until then, hope it’s as sunny where you are as it is here!

-Christine

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Welcome to the Mile High City

Hello everyone!

I am writing this halfway into my flight across the country to begin my service term with AmeriCorps NCCC in Denver, CO. I am not surprised, nor should you be, that I did not update with any pre-departure info. To be honest, I was busy making sure I had everything done, saw my friends and family, and had fun! I am, of course, going to do my absolute best to bring you frequent updates from my adventures with NCCC (and I think it might be easier since there will be a lot to talk about, just like when I went to Italy).

As a quick update, alumni weekend was a lot of fun and I was SO happy to be able to tell everyone what I was going to be doing. I got to see some people at SMC that I’m friends with, and spend lots of time with my loves from the class of 2011. In true VT fashion, we spent our Sunday on the “Stowe free food tour” which includes Cold Hollow Cider Mill and the Cabot Cheese Annex. It was a delicious day, the weather was amazing, and I was glad to have some good Vermont fun before I left the state for a bit.

By the time you read this, I will have arrived on campus and been processed (or whatever) and probably be setting my room up to be a home away from home. I’ll leave you with some pictures from my alumni weekend adventures and the promise to be back soon!

-Christine

“The big lesson in life, baby, is to never be scared of anyone or anything” -Sinatra