tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54753344074593998412024-02-20T20:38:20.963-08:00Christine"you risk tears if you let yourself be tamed"Saint Michael's Collegehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09946297941992855169noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-15812370174671974262013-02-24T20:27:00.001-08:002013-02-24T20:27:14.668-08:00A guest post from my nuggy sisterFriends,<br />
<br />
I would like to use this post to share with you a story my younger sister, Mary Rose, wrote for her English class. Follow her on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/maroamoresano">here</a>...she's funny. It makes me smile and I wanted to share her talents with all of you. She rocks. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
-Christine<br />
<br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
Portrait of Suburbia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
grew up in suburban New Jersey, in a yellow house complete with a piano, dog,
pictures of my partly naked toddler years, and, at the age of nine, a white
picket fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hasbrouck Heights is
a small, one square mile town, a twenty-minute drive away from Manhattan,
although you really shouldn’t do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Manhattan skyline screams at you from a distance as you drive up and
down the hills of the small borough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A sense of longing for the soaring buildings illuminated in the distance
grows inside you after spending too much time in that town, a town where the
most exciting thing to ever happen was the opening of a Sonic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything about the far off beams draws
you in, and on occasion you get to venture into the ever-awake landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, when you can’t be apart of it, the
impressive columns in the distance are a constant reminder that, while you’re
waiting in traffic on the rancid Jersey Turnpike, more exciting things are
happening on the other side of the Hudson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a snapshot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is suburbia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least,
this is the suburbia that I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before
the plastic white pickets restrained us, and before our parents caved and got
us a dog, my brother, sister, and I ran around our backyard, bordered on three
sides by the rotting wooden posts of our “fence”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other side was open, allowing us to run freely from our
yard into the Fitzgibbons’, our next-door neighbors in the blue house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent our summer days as kids,
playing basketball and wiffle ball over at the Fitzgibbons’; my brother hadn’t
yet been able to convince our parents to buy us our own basketball hoop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was the youngest, so naturally I lost
every game of H-O-R-S-E and Around the World we ever played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also extremely terrible at wiffle
ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the days when we would
get out that light weight ball and yellow bat, my brother, Greg, would usually
taunt me with, “Why are you even playing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can’t even hit the ball once!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dan Fitzgibbons, our blonde-haired neighbor who was the same age as
Greg, was usually a lot nicer to me on these occasions than Greg was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan would at least try and teach me how
to hit the ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would hold his
arm outstretched in front of him, the white ball grasped in his hand, look at
me, and say, “Just keep your eyes on the ball and then swing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite his best efforts, my batting
average never really improved much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
the days when the sun shined too bright, or when the rain had soaked the lawn,
I would stay in the house with my sister, Christine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is four years older than I am and, on most days of our
childhood, could be found bossing me around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would invite Loretta Fitzgibbons over to help us
choreograph dance routines to the songs of our favorite musical groups: B*Witched,
Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, and N’Sync.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christine always managed to be the leader of the group, despite the fact
that Loretta was older than she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We would all stand in a line in my living room, with the nineties-style
CD player sitting on the piano bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the words of “Wannabe” blasted from the speakers, probably making my
mom want to kill us, Christine would yell orders at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would yell out, “Put your arms up
like this and turn like this!” as she demonstrated the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the day we would always
have a fully choreographed number to one of our favorite songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing ever came of these
performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were never
video taped and we rarely ever showed them to our parents, but I guess it was a
good way to spend my time, being bossed around by my sister for hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being
picked on wasn’t anything new for me in the later years of my childhood; I had
spent my early years being tortured by my siblings as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what happens when you’re the
youngest of three children, it’s always two against one, and you’re always the
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The earliest memory I have is
of me being abused by my brother and sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was about three or four, my parents had bought each
of us a pair of “onesie” pajamas that zipped up the front and had the word
“Crayola” in bolded letters down the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were meant to make each of us look like a crayon and,
apparently, they did their job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shortly after we received these lovely gifts from my parents, my brother
and sister decided it would be fun to treat me like I was actually a
crayon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stood on opposite
sides of me, grabbed my ankles, and proceeded to flip me until I was completely
inverted, at which point they slowly lowered me head first into the laundry
hamper in our upstairs hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
I stared into the darkness of the hamper and screamed for them to let me go,
they responded with, “Mary Rose, we are sharpening you like a crayon!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After some years had passed and I
brought this event up with my parents, they had claimed they had no idea that it
had ever happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still
deciding if I believe that or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
my childhood continued, so, too, did the torture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jersey Turnpike is lined on both sides with power
plants, oil refineries, and other industrial buildings most recognizable for
their tall smoke stacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a kid,
I didn’t know what these tall, cylindrical towers where called, or what they
were for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, on our family drives
down the shore to see my aunt, I would point to the towers from the backseat of
our family minivan, another suburban necessity, and say, “Look, a cloud-maker!”
with pure excitement in my voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one ever corrected me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one ever told me that there was no such thing as a “cloud-maker”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went on with my life thinking that
there were factories all over the world dedicated to cloud manufacturing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was probably about seven when they
finally broke the news that clouds weren’t manufactured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I may have cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I brought the subject up with my
parents many years later and they claimed that they couldn’t hear me, all the
way in the backseat, so they never knew about the “cloud-makers”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m convinced they’re lying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
we weren’t able to make those trips down the shore, we were forced to find
relief from the summer heat in our own backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom would set up our Crazy Daisy, the flower shaped sprinkler
that whipped around as water shot through the top; it was a staple in every
good suburban home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, on
days when we weren’t privileged enough to experience the relief of Crazy Daisy,
or on days when Crazy Daisy malfunctioned, we were forced to brainstorm ways to
cool off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother and sister
took this opportunity to, once again, torment me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would take a bucket, ordinarily used by my mom to mop the
kitchen floor, and fill it with the ice-cold water from the garden hose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the bucket was filled to the brim
with the glacial water, they would hoist it over my head and dump its piercing
contents on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, they
had told me it was a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
told me that everyone would have the water dumped on them, but looking back on
it I only remember it happening to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course, my parents had no idea this was happening either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Despite
my torture dominated childhood relationships with my siblings, there were some
moments when the torment stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We spent days <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>outside
kicking around the soccer ball, bouncing around on the pogo stick, and riding
our bikes around town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a
lot of time together down at the town pool, walking through the opening in a nearby
fence to get to the local McDonalds, where we would enjoy our ninety-nine cent
ice cream cones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At night, we
would play “the car game”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rules: stand on the sidewalk and wait for a car to come up the street, when a
car finally comes, dodge the headlights by hiding behind a parked car or a
tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really that simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On long car rides we would play “the
flag game”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rules: count all
the flags you see, the person who sees the most wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone always cheated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it rained, we made our own little boats out of twigs
and paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would place the
boats on the stream of water that rushed down the hill and watch them float
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got a little older,
we played street-wide manhunt with the other kids on our block and made silly
home movies consisting of us rolling down hills and Greg, running into a parked
car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother taught me how to
ride a bike for the first time, and I learned how to do my makeup by watching
my sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we got older,
suburbia stopped providing us with easy ways to entertain ourselves and started
to become a place riddled with boredom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The small, trifling town became duller than it had ever seemed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After having lived in the same town,
and house, for eighteen years, I wanted to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was bored of my surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lights in the distance seemed to get brighter while the paint
on the fences seemed to be fading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
I left for college, I left with the thought that if I couldn’t live under the
lights of Manhattan, I was at least going to leave suburbia far behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left behind the suburban frame of my
childhood memories, and stepped into the rural frame of Clemson, South
Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the months passed in
Clemson, I started to miss the familiar feeling of that yellow house with that
white picket fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house with
the ketchup stain on the ceiling from the time when Dan shook the ketchup
bottle too much and it exploded.*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The house with my height marked on the doorway in the kitchen.*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house that has an old table with a
mark that looks like a deer<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
house that has a Hess car on one of the doorframes because Greg put it their
and no one bothered to move it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I get to go back to that house and I get to see my brother and
sister, we talk about those times growing up that we spent with each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talk about them
torturing me, and we talk about cloud makers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talk about our time growing up in suburbia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I left that suburbia, I realized
how much I love it, and how much it defines “home” for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And despite my continuous love for the bright
lights in the distance, I can’t love them more than the picket fences, because
the bright lights won’t ever understand me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the picket fences?*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They always will.*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-24614179751629131052013-02-15T21:06:00.000-08:002013-02-15T21:06:03.570-08:00The world was there around me, and I realized that seldom had I paid attention to it
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello friends and readers,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I realize that I have most definitely let you down this
AmeriCorps NCCC term in terms of my usually exciting and informative blog
posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that this post is
the first of many about my TL life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is an incredibly busy and stressful job that I have a love/hate
relationship with, to say the least, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my lack of posting says anything,
its how many other responsibilities I have been fulfilling ahead of blogging,
and I want to fix that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I last left you, it was 1 week away from Corps Member
arrival in Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously quite
some time has passed since then (though it doesn’t always feel like that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went through CTI with our CMs,
trained them, observed them, lost a few, and eventually came up with our teams
for first round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My crew (of 10
and me at the time) headed out for first round to work at the <a href="http://www.archildrens.org/">Arkansas Children’s Hospital</a> in Little Rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We worked all over the hospital in almost every wing, and then
some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked a morning shift in
the surgical unit as well as intermediate care, and a night shift in the
post-surgical unit, the infant/toddler unit, and the NICU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really feel like I got my feet wet as
a TL, learning how to manage a team that was never working together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved my work because, let’s be
serious, who doesn’t love holding babies for a 4-hour shift before going to
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We said goodbye to Little Rock after just about 5 weeks of
getting to know each other and learning what this class 19A term was
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now completing my 5<sup>th</sup>
of 10 weeks in Wichita Falls, Texas, working with the <a href="http://www.ntauw.org/">North Texas Area United Way</a> on the <a href="http://www.ntauw.org/free-income-tax-preparation">VITA</a> tax project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
team (now of 7 and me) has been trained up to advanced tax prep and has
prepared hundreds of returns to date (go to <a href="http://myfreetaxes.com/texoma">myfreetaxes.com/texoma</a> to do yours
for free!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since being here in Texas, we've done a lot of cool things: free pancake breakfast, PBR bull riding tournament, hockey game, chocolate event, etc. We work long days and
never have 2 days off in a row (except for this Sunday/Monday because of
President’s Day!) and the work is mentally challenging, but we are growing a
lot as a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned A
LOT more about what it takes to be a team leader during this round, good and
bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m struggling with the fact
that my team is not like the Fire 2 of my CM term and am learning how to adjust
to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am working on my
confidence as a leader and I’m getting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I have learned so far is to never underestimate the
power of communication, especially with those who understand you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On a non-AmeriCorps side of things, I’ve been accepted to
graduate school for my MSW at both Denver University and Fordham University!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still waiting to hear from Rutgers
in NJ and also for financial aid information from every school (late March) and
I will then be able to make a decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s all I’ll update on for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I continue with this service term I am going to hold
myself accountable for posting here for any and all who read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until next time,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL9pkwK2qX1X8xPwyEOTu_14gJYUz57Cq3FtfUvixK3Rw6X-dz2CysLdWYhGsSfcwwu1rbOLCsRuoJZQes0omWKS8Jj_a0oGgHBo-Q4MQ-3QdGmu5Jz8OwJceXi4JLKackBurYKcn6CKO/s1600/IMG_2363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL9pkwK2qX1X8xPwyEOTu_14gJYUz57Cq3FtfUvixK3Rw6X-dz2CysLdWYhGsSfcwwu1rbOLCsRuoJZQes0omWKS8Jj_a0oGgHBo-Q4MQ-3QdGmu5Jz8OwJceXi4JLKackBurYKcn6CKO/s320/IMG_2363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Christine</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-70764173110878764152012-09-30T19:32:00.004-07:002012-09-30T19:32:30.235-07:00The Adventures Continue
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello all,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I won’t start with an apology for my lack of posting (only
because I always do, not because I shouldn’t).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, let’s jump right into it shall we.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously I’ve been back in Denver for quite some time now
(about 3 weeks almost).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My road
trip was a ton of fun and, despite some rain, sleeping in the car, and a few
rough accommodations, Erick and I had a great time driving almost completely
across the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We listened to
good music, explored cool places, and ate AMAZING food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I had to pick a place to say was our favorite, Memphis
would have to be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved
being able to walk around the street with our drinks, listening to music
flowing out from inside everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We saw Graceland, checked out the Lorraine motel, and stood in the spot
where Elvis recorded his first song (yes, the exact spot!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the food was the best part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had classic Memphis dry rub at the Rendezvous
Restaurant and by far the best fried chicken and biscuits I’ve ever had at a
place called Uncle Lou’s fried chicken near Graceland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both were found on the food network
website and I’m so glad we checked them out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting back to Denver was really exciting, though I can’t
say TLT has been super thrilling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a lot of sitting in the classroom and watching Power Points, which
of course we all need to do to get brought up to speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, we’ve had lots of time for
bonding and such and I’m really looking forward to this year (even if I am
nervous every other minute).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
of the trainings are more interesting than others, but we press on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s one more week and a long weekend until the Corps
Members come and CTI starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
believe TLT went by so quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
looking forward to finally being thrown into the work we will actually be doing
for the rest of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
project docket comes out on Wednesday and the lottery is Thursday…talk about
soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll need to keep mu project
secret from the CMs so don’t expect it to be posted up here (or anywhere) until
I get my permanent team in a few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that’s all of an update I’ll do for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s one big push of getting read for
CMs and making sure all of our ducks are in a row before everything scatters
and we start from scratch again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Exciting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stay tuned (maybe photos soon?),</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christine</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-13413878627006808982012-08-14T13:06:00.002-07:002012-08-14T13:06:30.586-07:00Summer Travels
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok friends,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I’ve been a busy busy bee since I left Kansas a bit
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s try for a recap on
transition week and what’s going on with me right now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, transition week was fun and fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We returned to campus and took park in:
a gallon challenge (I won, though Arthur DID drink higher % milk than me…), the
Ameri-lympics, talent show and superlative awards (best BDU butt right here),
the banquet and awards ceremony (where I also won an award and was so surprised
and flattered), and lots of good times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We spent out time enjoying our last week together, enjoying Denver, and
packing (yuck).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily for me, I
was allowed to leave LOTS of stuff in storage for next term.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG6ZPu3cdDT3zTxJE42TTVmwjVk3LuC__yUFuKulIeq6hYbA1X6r9DKVwEhLRUNbf1_By3zyM7Ei22QQsziFzFmVCWm1_-r0wl7i2KeNQYeQIV_Ud8Xc-HLfRXPopGqcy5SpvLDAwNfX2/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG6ZPu3cdDT3zTxJE42TTVmwjVk3LuC__yUFuKulIeq6hYbA1X6r9DKVwEhLRUNbf1_By3zyM7Ei22QQsziFzFmVCWm1_-r0wl7i2KeNQYeQIV_Ud8Xc-HLfRXPopGqcy5SpvLDAwNfX2/s200/IMG_1486.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7SgPdZdrTtvDpuoT22-bibD-EgNCZfQBq6LFE5_4eUYTr9041mFvKVGb7Q1IStCXGyu1hyphenhyphenFMNyk1U_8OGZxJvabCAfbsQcB70Ga91SZop02Uwsy3gkXG6yfBu9BaDI6k24_jousp91SJ/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7SgPdZdrTtvDpuoT22-bibD-EgNCZfQBq6LFE5_4eUYTr9041mFvKVGb7Q1IStCXGyu1hyphenhyphenFMNyk1U_8OGZxJvabCAfbsQcB70Ga91SZop02Uwsy3gkXG6yfBu9BaDI6k24_jousp91SJ/s200/IMG_1353.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CWVCebnNNyx2USzjUhjYa54D02TAnG6hH7IC9SpOhanGOnutBu6O69rdOqVWkKNrvjkLFST4hnVlK1Ddv7xFtGiFjAhh8uZzkr0hxdZ43-aMAn7yEbDcMGrCBmFM2ELd48MqpO0BVS2y/s1600/IMG_1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CWVCebnNNyx2USzjUhjYa54D02TAnG6hH7IC9SpOhanGOnutBu6O69rdOqVWkKNrvjkLFST4hnVlK1Ddv7xFtGiFjAhh8uZzkr0hxdZ43-aMAn7yEbDcMGrCBmFM2ELd48MqpO0BVS2y/s200/IMG_1437.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of that, I got so excited for my TL term (even
though of course we’re all nervous).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a few times where the future TLs got to get together (for work
and play) and it was nice to just see who everyone was and get some words of
wisdom from staff and from our TLs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s going to be a whole new ballgame, complete with its own challenges,
but it’s also going to be a whole new level of fun and learning, both during
work and not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But let’s not rush my return to NCCC life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m currently enjoying Boston (Harvard
Square, to be exact) while I take some time to visit friends I haven’t seen in
much too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I surprised Erick
last week with an early arrival in Burlington and then we spent the weekend in
CT at his beach house with his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m always so happy to go there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s no cell service or TV or internet and it’s a perfect break from
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to just
relax, eat good food (lobster, yum!) and enjoy good company, all with the ocean
right now the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man I missed
the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Land locked
states…rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I’m here in Boston after spending last night visiting
with Maggie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so great to
see her and we had to much to chat about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m getting some alone time now (I’m getting better at that) and then
meeting a bunch of friends for dinner tonight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What’s so weird to me these days is that when I see my
friends, it’s often for just a quick, one-day visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that’s how it works when you all live far apart and
not in the same city, but I think it’s a post-grad shock I’m just now getting
to and that my residential college past didn’t prepare me for the separation
troubles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course I’m excited to be back with my NCCC people, both
TLs and those moving to Denver, but it’s nice to see my other friends too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can have visitors this year, so I’m
extending an open invite to everyone to visit me whenever (though checking to
make sure I’m living in Denver is probably a good first step, we know how I
move around).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that’s enough of an update for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to be blogging regularly from my
road trip with Erick, and I’ll try to get our plans up on here before we
leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No promises, of course, I’m
busy living the adventure!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until then!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pLeTSsZ2dUDQNw172LJCX8QJ3cBMJ4wM5hy4LNo0qjO2mDOyGMnF0cOhxVgYa7HHpepGPC0jAi6RDOgeJpDoz7jMZ8Kaevu2athV_lx_QUxBCqDM9O8LqLGDlYO5VH2ugRpXyA6SHvcj/s1600/IMG_1525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pLeTSsZ2dUDQNw172LJCX8QJ3cBMJ4wM5hy4LNo0qjO2mDOyGMnF0cOhxVgYa7HHpepGPC0jAi6RDOgeJpDoz7jMZ8Kaevu2athV_lx_QUxBCqDM9O8LqLGDlYO5VH2ugRpXyA6SHvcj/s200/IMG_1525.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
-Christine<br />
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-77557990090713263482012-07-16T21:00:00.002-07:002012-07-16T21:00:55.055-07:00Leaving Kansas and the Biggest Sky...That's right everyone!<br />
<br />
It's finally time for Fire Two to leave Kansas and head on back to Denver for a final week of meetings, packing, friends, closing up, and fun!<br />
<br />
Things have been much better here lately. It could be because we're all excited to go back to Denver and then to graduate (and I'm excited for a break and to see family and friends). Whatever it is, I'm loving it and I'm really enjoying this final time with my Fire Two family.<br />
<br />
We've closed up all our loose odds and ends on the property, finished nature camp with a bang by having a big party/bbq/field day (complete with dish soap slip and slide), and had some final meetings with site supervisors. My team activity was today and we did some team building activities on the ropes course followed by one of my favorite group closing activities. Tomorrow we head to the course for some high ropes elements, followed by a lunch with staff, cleaning, packing, team dinner, and a quick trip to the store for some spike travel food.<br />
<br />
We found out today that (due to hotels being full and us being SO close to Denver) that we got approval to drive a little further than in normally allowed so that we'll get back into Denver in 1 day. So by Wednesday night I'll be back on campus in my "own bed" and can see some people I've really been missing!. <br />
<br />
Thursday should hold some fun team time and a team dinner, and Friday there are some meetings before the weekend. The transition week schedule has lots of fun things lined up and I'm planning on a post covering them when they're over. <br />
<br />
For now, it's cleaning and packing for me as I get excited to finish this AmeriCorps NCCC adventure, take a little break, and start another year as TL.<br />
<br />
Check back later for a Denver recap.<br />
<br />
Shine On,<br />
<br />
ChristineChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-67378403308370832422012-06-17T21:18:00.004-07:002012-06-17T21:19:35.808-07:00The Trials of TopekaHello friends!<br />
<br />
I sit here, halfway through my final project as an AmeriCorps NCCC member, and there are so many feelings going on. It's crazy to think that in 5 weeks time I'll be back in Denver for one final week of meetings and fun with all of the amazing people I have come to call my ameri-friends. It's even more crazy to think that I'll be back to Denver about a month later to start Team Leader Training on September 4.<br />
<br />
Erick and I are planning a week road trip from NJ out to Denver and I'm getting really excited not only for that but to get home and see my family and friends I haven't seen since Christmas (or longer!) I'm ready for some R and R, family time, home cooked food, playing with my dog, and enjoying some summer time in Burlington too. <br />
<br />
Our time in Topeka has been a bit challenging so far, though I can't complain TOO much. The project has come with a lot of ups and downs, largly in part to the fact that we're the first AmeriCorps team on the project. On my side of things, however, I get a good amount of variety. 2 or 3 days per week I get to help run the nature club programming for the youth. We get to do activities with them and take them out to places like museums, the beach, or to volunteer. I know it's been tough for everyone at some point, but I think we're a great team to be here breaking this project in.<br />
<br />
This week, 4 of my teammates and I are taking a group of the youth campus for 3 days. I'm a bit anxious but still excited and think we will have a fun time and it'll be a nice break from the usual activities of the project.<br />
<br />
Speaking of projects, my sponsors from last round, The Grand Canyon Trust, recently put out a video starring yours truly and some of my shuffle round teammates. It's about getting young people to care about and volunteer in environmental conservation. See it here:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WtmQduMXNAE" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
I think that's all from the great state of Kansas for now. Stay cool out there, it's HOT in the sunflower state.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">"People
are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of" Paulo Coehlo</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">-Christine</span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-79029598497803390562012-05-27T09:51:00.000-07:002012-05-27T09:51:27.620-07:00Sometimes you gotta get to KansasHello friends!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been much too long since an update from my adventures, and I do apologize! I write to you from my living room in a gorgeous house in Topeka, Kansas that I currently call home. I will be here until July 19th and I think I'm finally settling in.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The team is here this summer working for an organization called The Villages, Inc. They are a large group-home style community dedicated to housing and helping juvenile offenders while also promoting outdoor exploration and nature education. We are here to complete a variety of tasks including property maintenance, trail construction, various building projects, invasive species removal, and running the summer youth programming (I'm one of 4 people doing that!). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So far Topeka has been lovely and we're slowly discovering what there is to do and see in the capitol city. The hardest part about the project so far is the weather. We're in the mid-west now, which means a lot more heat and humidity than Arizona or Colorado. Still, when it's temperate it's absolutely gorgeous, and I've been running a lot (sort of training for a 1/2 marathon) and doing the Insanity workout plan, which is tough!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the near future? We're going to the zoo today, have off tomorrow for memorial day, and are heading to Kansas City for a concert next weekend. I'll also be attending a ropes course/team building facilitators training that weekend too, just before we start up with the youth programming. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With only 9 weeks left before I return home to NJ, I can't believe how quickly my time has gone, but I'm also starting to itch for a reunion with my family and friends. The big news? I've accepted an offer to return to Denver at the beginning of September for another 11 months with NCCC as a Team Leader! I'm SO excited about this opportunity, though it is bittersweet to be away for so long. Erick and I are planning a week-long road trip from NJ to Denver in my car and I'm very excited about that. Then it'll be applying to schools and working as a TL until I figure out my next move. I think I've got just enough planned to be satisfied. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's all from me for now. We've got great accommodations here, including internet, so hopefully I'll be more regular up here again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carpe Diem!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-Christine</div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-72614627225137905922012-04-17T15:24:00.002-07:002012-04-17T15:27:00.441-07:00Living the MissionHello all,<div><br /></div><div>I wanted to share with you my blog post that I've written for the Grand Canyon Trust this week. We were all asked to write about something we've learned or something that we will take with us from this project. Here it is, enjoy!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px; ">“I’m so jealous, you get to go to the Grand Canyon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These were the words repeated to me over and over again as I prepared for a two-month stint in Northern Arizona with the Grand Canyon Trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“It’s not the ACTUAL Grand Canyon,” would be my constant reply, trying to help my fellow corps members understand that I wasn’t about to spend my eight weeks along the Colorado River with amazing cliff views and breathtaking night skies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What the Grand Canyon Trust actually was, I had no idea at the time, so imagine my surprise as I found myself under a spectacular sky of stars after our 15 passenger van crossed over the Colorado river and drove past the towering Vermillion Cliffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No, this was not the Grand Canyon, it was the Colorado Plateau, spanning four states and including one of the world’s natural wonders with so much more.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px; ">My first impression of Kane Ranch was that I must have been in volunteer heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was fed delicious food morning, noon, and night during orientation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The ranch was an adorably cozy home with a real dining room table, perfect sized kitchen, beds, and room to sleep outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As a long term volunteer, these were luxury items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Soon I began to realize what other commonplace things would become luxury items as well: electricity, hot water, ANY water, warmth, light, internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I learned how to wash dishes without running the water at all, how to shower quickly enough that there would be hot water for 9 showers after mine, and how to limit my cell phone usage so that I wouldn’t have to use too much electricity to charge my battery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wrote letters, bundled up, and put some new batteries in my headlamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">The adjustment to this conservative way of life was not nearly as difficult as I expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In fact, I found myself appreciating the amazing surroundings and the simplicity of life in the House Rock Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Little did I know, the Grand Canyon Trust was working its mission statement into not only my volunteer efforts, but into my way of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">The mission of the Grand Canyon Trust is “to protect the Colorado Plateau – its spectacular landscapes, flowing rivers, clean air, diversity of plants and animals, and areas of beauty and solitude.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">There I was, only a few days into my time volunteering with the trust, and I was falling in love with the beauty and solitude of my worksite, waking up to the landscape every day and being thankful that places like the House Rock Valley still existed for me to visit.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">I could have easily been fed facts including the size of the Colorado Plateau, the types of plant and animal species living in the area, and the threats to the region…and I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The thing is, I was also experiencing this area firsthand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Eventually I would restore fencing for one of the fastest land animals in North America, hike down the Paria River and drink from a natural spring, remove invasive tamarisk to make room for willow, learn about the coal-fired power plant on the Navajo Reservation, and much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Landscapes, rivers, air, plants, animals, beauty, solitude.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">I have worked with a large handful of non-profits and never have I lived out a mission statement so fully in my work and daily life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Grand Canyon Trust values volunteers not only as workers, but as stewards, continuing the appreciation of and passion for the beautiful land we live on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">My work with the Trust has changed the way I see the world around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If that’s too cheesy for you, suffice it to say that the Trust has changed the way I live my work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is this passion for all parts of work that I will take with me when I leave Northern Arizona and continue my adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not only will I continue my love for this area, but I will also try to truly live the mission of those I work with next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Ghandi was right when he said we should be the change in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My only addendum would be that we should truly live the change in every aspect of our work and life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">-Christine</span></p> <!--EndFragment--></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-64555263455855902942012-04-06T10:57:00.002-07:002012-04-06T11:17:11.260-07:00Tumble On<div style="text-align: left;">Hello helloooooo!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm posting from a lovely little coffee shop in downtown Flagstaff, where most of my team is spending our AmeriCorps NCCC spring break. And let me tell you, it feels nice to do some relaxing in civilization.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We returned Tuesday, a day early, from our AMAZING experience in the Paria Canyon. Only 5 of us went, including my team leader, and it was both weird and nice to have a smaller group working on the project. While in the canyon, our job was to continue working to eradicate tamarisk along the Paria River's benches. Tamarisk is an invasive plant species that is not only very hard to get rid of, but it also takes all the water and such from native plants such as the willow, and pushes them out of the riparian ecosystem. Removing tamarisk will allow plants like the willow to flourish.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Our group hiked into the canyon the day after my birthday (on which we slept under the stars at the trailhead). It was a long hike (12 miles!) with heavy packs (or so we thought) but we made it to the Big Spring campsite before dark, setting up camp and collapsing until the next morning. The coolest thing about Big Spring was the namesake, a natural spring from which we got all our drinking water, no filtering needed! I'd say it's one of the coolest things I've experienced in NCCC so far. Some other cool things: quicksand (lots of it), hiking in the water every day (even though it was cold in the morning!), the stars, learning how to backpack and camp, surpassing the sponsor's goals for us, and making it back out alive (despite having to carry more stuff out because we didn't have horse packers).</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRNVALmzteKbGdhj5AVgOmriQECHV2sPO7TRP8A7cwECYlHx-SMseeGthF7kbf62L0IBRjyc79RQKGN1qG0AIKWzZTIMQFvksldlTtsyiVjEnDkpDL8PCx6Dawfws1YaqI_u9fYhlpgxq/s200/IMG_6754.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728353288926304498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I can't believe how beautiful of a place I get to work in every day, but I am happy to be spending some time in the real world. I'm staying in a local hostel (everyone is so helpful!) and my teammates and I are committed to eating as much delicious food as we can while we're here. </div><div><br /></div><div>We will be returning to the House Rock Valley on the 9th to start our next hitch on the 10th. Team team will be camping on the Paria Plateau for 7 days doing road closures. Then at some point we'll move to another ranch home to finish out the project. In other news, I've got my TL interview with Denver on the 27th, so wish me luck! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm excited to keep working on this project, but also to find out where I'll be going for my last 10 weeks of service from May-July, back with my original team. We should find out in a few weeks. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's all from me for now. Keep tumbling on!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Christine</div></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-11115355033608768512012-03-25T16:52:00.002-07:002012-03-25T16:54:40.720-07:00Well they say the Grand Canyon is something to see<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTwGUFXjDzJ9LsXX9tuBuadxbykNuqa3LPG6kx8iNeBhszJ8cteqgaiQZUsGxDPdIS92LjaWCLZn8jf2p80wBuojcoA9hjvhDDPqZnOJr1Co8l-bs71_BLFocbbcgEc86uiF4lqlXF2qC/s1600/IMG_6680.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTwGUFXjDzJ9LsXX9tuBuadxbykNuqa3LPG6kx8iNeBhszJ8cteqgaiQZUsGxDPdIS92LjaWCLZn8jf2p80wBuojcoA9hjvhDDPqZnOJr1Co8l-bs71_BLFocbbcgEc86uiF4lqlXF2qC/s200/IMG_6680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723987313559676370" /></a> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Hello everyone!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m sorry for not updating sooner about my Grand Canyon Trust adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We only get access to internet once a week and last week was pretty crazy, as you can imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We’ve done some awesome stuff here so far, and we’ve actually finished the first and second sections, or hitches, of our project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When we got here, the first thing we did was start on our orientation hitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our sponsors taught us so much about the area, including the history, environment and wildlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The area is so amazingly beautiful and our more permanent housing is nestled in a valley among cliffs and canyons and plateaus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are living in tents but we have access to this incredibly cozy little ranch house with a great kitchen and even a dining room table!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We’ve also completed our first work hitch: pronghorn fence restoration in the House Rock Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The pronghorn is a small antelope that also happens to be the fastest land animal in North America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They roam the valley, but have a hard time moving around due to the barbed wire cattle fences for the free-range cattle that ranchers keep all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Because of this, they have limited access to water and encounter challenges when trying to escape from predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, we spent our work hitch removing the bottom layer of barbed wire fencing and replacing it with smooth wire, which we raised to 18 inches (studies show the pronghorn move much more freely when the wire is at this height) so that the pronghorn can move comfortably under the fences without being injured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We finished about a 1.5 mile stretch of fence, so that’s pretty awesome!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As for our next adventure, we have off until Wednesday, when we are splitting up to complete two separate tamarisk removal projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My group will be backpacking 10 miles into the Paria Canyon, a slot canyon that is supposed to be incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will stay there for about 7 days before we hike out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Needless to say, we’re all so excited about this (though the days off are nice). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">After the Paria Canyon hitch, we have a few days off for spring break, when my team will be heading to Flagstaff (and some people to other places from there) for some rest, relaxation, and hopefully a lot of fun and exploration!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then we’ve got a hitch of road closures with camping on the Paria Plateau, and another with some rock moving, followed by some little things before we ship back to Denver and then who knows where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s amazing how quickly the project is going already (and the 10 months, to be honest).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, I’ve submitted my Team Leader application and I’m hoping for an interview some time in April and (hopefully) an acceptance some time in May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, I’ll be doing things like hiking a slot canyon on my 23<sup>rd</sup> birthday (Wednesday, by the way).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t hate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll probably update when we’re out in flagstaff, so check back around the beginning of April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Until then, stay adventurous</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>-Christine</p> <!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-85456702931846579752012-03-09T14:40:00.001-08:002012-03-09T17:26:10.579-08:00America, Bikes, Canyons, Denver<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Ok, so America is a bit of a stretch, but we do get things done for America anyway...</p><p class="MsoNormal">I don’t want to write too much here and have it all get lost in the shuffle, but I thought I’d post a quick update while I can (since I won’t have internet very often on my next project).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m getting SO pumped for this round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We leave on Monday for spike (Grand Canyon Trust!!!) and get to Marble Canyon, AZ (30 minutes from our housing) on Tuesday afternoon sometime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’ve gotten some pretty good info about the project since we’ve been back in Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The team will be in cabins for the first few weeks, working a changing schedule that’s 7-8 days on and then 3-4 days off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Starting at the end of March (right before my birthday) we’ll begin our backpacking section of the project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once a week we will be trying to get to town (which is 1 hour 15 minutes away and is in Utah!) to do laundry, get food, and have some cell and internet access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m apprehensive about so much…the team, the project, the conditions…but I’m also extremely excited for this incredible adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll try to take lots and lots of photos and post them here when I can!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Second big thing I wanted to do was tell everyone about my friend Andrew Lassiter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Legit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And starting in May he is biking 4,300 miles, from Charleston to Santa Cruz, to spread the word about affordable housing and build homes along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His group of 27 riders is one of 8 “Bike and Build” groups participating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He’s an amazing guy and this is a great cause, so I want to ask everyone that can to HELP HIM OUT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every dollar donated funds a mile of his trip, which is so amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To donate, visit his blog at andrewlassiter.tumblr.com and click the donate button at the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To learn more about Bike and Build, the other teams, and his bike route, check out bikeandbuild.org.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Please please support Andrew, he’s the greatest!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s all from me, look for an update next time I get cell service!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Christine</p> <!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-46746569514434454662012-02-23T18:11:00.004-08:002012-02-23T18:29:39.392-08:00A Much Needed Vacation (and photos!)Hi all,<div><br /></div><div>I'm going to try and keep this post short and sweet so I can include photos from my adventures in Casa Grande and beyond (thank you Starbucks WiFi).</div><div><br /></div><div>First of all, the Grand Canyon/weekend in Phoenix was so much fun! I had a great time working/running the 5K at the zoo and was really proud of my time, considering my training and how hard we've been working out on the trail. Setting up for the pet walk at Tempe Town Lake was also a good time and I mostly enjoyed it because it was a gorgeous day and now I know how nice of a location the lake is. I was so happy to see my parents at the Grand Canyon and it was an absolutely AMAZING experience to see one of the natural wonders of the world (and the best-known, I found out). The weather wasn't the greatest (snowy and cold when we got there) but the sunrise on Monday morning was absolutely amazing).</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now I'm in a Starbucks in Phoenix, anxiously awaiting Erick's arrival into the airport. I'm so happy to have him visiting me and I can wait for the fun we have planned for the weekend (not forgetting the community build in Casa Grande, of course).</div><div><br /></div><div>ALSO, BIG NEWS, I found out my project for next round. I'll be working with the Grand Canyon Trust, on the Pariah Plateau/Pariah Canyon/various places of the sort near the border of Arizona and Utah. I'm really excited for the project, my shuffle TL, and the team (my roommate Kristen is on it!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I don't want to talk for too much longer, so I'm going to pop some photos in here and call it a day. Hope it's warm and snuggly wherever you are!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div>-Christine</div><div><br /><div><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFfrfQH_k0lMWdMl7SZREmCVbasladVEJNFOYo3kIdlDKR6qIDAk5MfX3rX7PFLTnsfaIIvn6GVTyDMUEeoz__ya_h7BU0m0rdjDtBkPMo4tWwzG2Z46bLod1IrrupS6Sef57JsTCxNJv/s200/IMG_0845.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712522486625916402" /><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWS0P2XJUrXphkxCkTJtiHpo9RsE700rglscZ_2dKVB_swYN0NsK-7FxIzGrSMFG7aF2S0jmskb3dHnymYK1qL2ebkW9eYznh_TKhLk01rxRmkWj6lgtHqX1yegncmSm9ANSBZpvht4__/s200/IMG_0805.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712522479853607826" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnq8IsgkpePk75ZH1jC8UvbRxho28DF7YC9C8z4HxH-TyQvhJRDOKk5nbBeddaJUbS3TvfV37R9qrjCGrnA-pYjGkZyRhylW-B5bL1SXcY3FQF7DY7U8UGMan-GOD0mDg_UlOj0UkG_TbL/s200/IMG_0784.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712521720206957810" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO6L0N3WlYc9uLRLmvrJGcz6pjq8IPmvf3rguZano7nvp0fEILf7L0psfJ1_fmVXu2uG5X7w4LrG8h5KQUWnZdWPGo1Ywufev56DY1-02z696OYMUho21CTCUNvQFek_hkWxYNYEjmeHH/s200/IMG_0763.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712521705277327506" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRyRrIPtnY_MDDIJFP5FPoX_y6bsY9zpHAF0qjF-xttMEwH6fiNXYstpqDuS7LCKC1PboBYI3DwENyMXJ2s6G7Ll2HnAoWkpLgjCtugVwbFwBrFF_N-pPlJKwFc2GhYr5UeP3oeuAvOBd/s200/IMG_0870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712522501804829954" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSASG3E8gmwQQjI8fi9c2fUtRGncwZzrD-CH7X3P_phGldK22WwtEd2vZ8HaebxtfK7CKyEy_BD9XL1PVIhM2IdfusU0-0QQA025B75GHhjDI6xj0leJU0DZNvb4ENoLjT4IbR8OBLEY60/s200/IMG_0852.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712522490643164802" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAg1PQEglG9rq6mGflHueCWZFeHfZVrc2Uim2yG13Oyc4beSq7DjZtB_IZccc6pFO5MMzTO2_9GqPm1A3nn3Y21DZiFU222WyX3OcSXV4ugfNsgkOlfdz-wOgF0O_HgHHB2HipaglE-kU/s200/IMG_0761.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712521699484351778" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLoIzTmTgPPgI-LLVoBuv13-ev5I-zN_HZr5CmjqkukPo3XfAzBMicdtmul9Dyl_ime_IfkDd7H-3_vQ3xpRkldq_c5SP_27mBsZ4lWsSEDXcoylzsPDmrOynDmKzxgeXoJ9qReVX1yGM/s200/IMG_0783.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712521708245065490" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div></div></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-274590432408474192012-02-15T16:59:00.000-08:002012-02-15T17:07:18.514-08:00Claw Hands, Canyons, and Bears...OH MY!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Hello friends,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m once again writing to you from my obviously cozy cot in the aquatics center in Casa Grande, Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’re almost 6 full weeks into our project (that means 2 to go), my claw hands are as vicious as ever, and my blisters now go unnoticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’ve built about 1 ½ miles of trail here and we just keep on moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our preferences for our next round projects were due today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s what we call shuffle round, meaning that we are all mixed up onto different teams with (probably) a new team leader, to give us a break from our team before we come back together for 10 weeks to finish out the term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since we can only choose from projects that the team leaders in our unit have, we only had 7 choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Casa Grande was an option again and, though I really love it here, I don’t think my hands could do another 2 months of trail building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My first choice is a split project, half near Tuscon working on a farm/community resource center, and half up near Flagstaff working on national monuments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My second choice is working with the Grand Canyon Trust, some of which is backpacking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then Arizona State Parks (3 state parks in 2 months), a Nature Conservancy in Texas, a local project, Joplin Missouri, and back here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m hoping for my first choice of course, but any of my top 3 would be really exciting (and pretty warm, being in Arizona).</p><p class="MsoNormal">In other news, we’ve been working pretty hard off the mountain too, with lots of weeks that seem like 6-day work-weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We worked a day-long event alongside the local rotary club at the health center…I colored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We also spent last Saturday cleaning up the mountain parks where we work for our “Day of Service”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This weekend we’ve got more fun coming up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’re waking up at the crack of dawn on Saturday to head up to Phoenix for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’re starting with volunteering at a 5K at the zoo (so exciting!) and I’m running the race as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then we get some down time (and free entrance to the zoo) before heading to Tempe Town Lake to help set up for their pet walk the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were supposed to be working there until 6, but we’re leaving a bit early because the head of Parks and Rec in Casa Grande got us FREE HOCKEY TICKETS to see the Coyotes from the luxury of the mayor’s box…so sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’re really excited about this, obviously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>THEN, a group of us are spending the night in Phoenix, getting a car, and heading up to the Grand Canyon to meet my parents and stay the night, before returning to Casa Grande on Monday (we have the day off...thanks presidents).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Next Thursday, Erick is flying in and we’re spending an extended weekend together (and he’s going to build trails with us at the community build on Saturday).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m SO excited to see him and to get some time off.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think that’s all the excitement for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll post back when I find out what my project is next week (and when we’re SO close to returning to Denver for transition week). I promise to try and get some photos in here soon too, the internet is just too slow at the house to upload them. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Christine</p> <!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-63475434066292940332012-01-25T20:21:00.000-08:002012-01-25T20:22:59.341-08:00The Big House<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Hello friends,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m sorry it’s taken me FOREVER to write this first post from Casa Grande.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I won’t get into excuses about not having the internet or my fingers being so sore to type or any number of true things I could use as reason for not updating.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here I am, 2 ½ weeks into the trail building in Casa Grande.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The blisters on my feet have turned to calluses, the strip of skin below my fingers is starting to become rough, my skin is tan and always dirty, all of my clothing smells like dust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, I no longer wake up with sore fingers (for the most part), and eating fairly well, writing lots of letters (hurray for successful resolutions!), and building LOTS of trail.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In fact, Fire 2 completed its first full trail today and we have moved on to re-routing another nearby trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We walked the whole trail after work today and I was so excited to see how far we have come so far and how well we have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It really is a nice trail and a lot of people (those we know and those we don’t know) have stopped to thank us for our work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of that, the community here is absolutely amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyone we meet is looking for a way to help us out and make our time here more fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are constantly given free treats and a lot of recommendations for things to do while we’re here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So far in the plans for me are a few trips to Phoenix (one this weekend and another to run a 5K through the zoo with some teammates), a Grand Canyon trip to see my parents, and a visit from Erick!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m going to try and be better about updating (as usual) because I don’t want to overwhelm each post with info but also don’t want to leave too much out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>BUT this is all for now, thanks for checking in. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Christine</p> <!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-76971954562405315012012-01-03T15:13:00.000-08:002012-01-03T15:43:22.404-08:00Back to the GrindHello Friends,<br /><br />Like many of my favorite TV shows, I have returned from a holiday hiatus. I'm back in Denver, having returned from a lovely (yet as always, too short) break home with my family and friends. I enjoyed every bit of relaxing, eating, drinking, and catching up with everyone AND of course spending as much time as I could with Erick. In true high-altitude fashion, Denver welcomed me back with dry skin and a nose bleed, but I was happy to meet up with my friends downtown last night to watch the Rose Bowl game and enjoy some snacks. <div><br /></div><div>This week is a transition week for NCCC, which means we're debriefing our last projects and briefing our upcoming ones, with a few meetings scattered here and there. Today I had Assistant Team Leader (ATL) training and later this week I have training for my other new job, Peer Helper. Other than that, I'm getting really excited to head down to Casa Grande, AZ to warm up and build some trails (while also exploring a state I've always wanted to visit). </div><div>'m hoping that I will be able to do a lot of good work this project, spend lots of time outdoors, get lots of ISP hours done, and really bond with my team. </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of hopes, I'm also working on some New Year's Resolutions. I've never really had resolutions before, but I think starting small will be a good start. I feel like it might be easier to get a handle on resolutions without the troubles of homework and swimming (not that I don't miss college). I'm hoping to get into/stay in good shape (maybe find a road race to run in AZ), take more vitamins, get a handle on plans for the year/grad school/next year, work on my Team Leader application, and overall enjoy these new adventures I'm experiencing. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a side note, during our Unit Meeting today we watched a really cool PBS documentary piece on the CCC, the program started by FDR in the 30s that NCCC is modeled after/comes from. It was especially interesting because the conditions under which the CCC was started (lack of jobs, young people finishing school and needing something to do, lots of economic growth to be done/supported) are also present today in different ways, and we can relate to the founding members of this group of public service adventurers. I suggest you check out the Wikipedia page if you'd like to learn more! </div><div><br /></div><div>That's all from me for now. My next post will probably be from sunny, warm Casa Grande, Arizona!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Christine</div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-33973917736275967232011-12-08T20:27:00.000-08:002011-12-08T20:34:58.151-08:00A Quick Update from the MountainsHey all,<div><br /></div><div>So my brain is in no way prepared to write a real post, but I feel I have been neglecting you for far too long, so I'm going to improvise with a bulleted list of things that have happened/important facts to know.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. We leave in a week from today to return to Denver, and I head home a week from Saturday. I'm quite excited for a much needed break from work and time for my family and to see Erick.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. We're all SO ready to go to Arizona because we got a huge dumping of snow last week and were snowed in with cabin fever for nearly a week.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. When we did decide to venture out into town (to an ISP near Boulder sorting clothing for a really cool organization called A Precious Child) we ended up getting stuck on the way up the mountain to come home, walked in the freezing (I'm talking negatives here) temperatures 1-2 miles to town, got stranded at the only establishment in Jamestown (the Merc...good food though) for a bit, and finally made it back home (but we left the truck on the mountain)</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Today I hauled full trees in knee deep snow to help out the contracted forestry guys fall 1000 trees in 5 days...so extreme</div><div><br /></div><div>5. We're all looking forward to a full weekend (aside from 3 hours of ISP Sunday morning) to relax and do whatever we want in Boulder. For me, shopping! The REI garage sale is on Saturday and I'm going to scope out some new snow boots as well as winter gloves because some kid stole mine this week.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. I'm really excited to get home for the holidays (did I say that already?)</div><div><br /></div><div>That's it from me. Catch up soon!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Christine</div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-41583311889094401172011-11-29T21:29:00.000-08:002011-11-29T22:00:44.557-08:00We've got so much so much so much so much so much...TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!<div><br /></div><div>I couldn't help but think about Camp DREAM over Thanksgiving, since that song was such a big part of our daily routine. Still, I've got a whole new list of things to be thankful for this year, including a cool new group of people to spend Thanksgiving with.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our friends from "Fire 7" in Denver came up from Wednesday-Saturday to celebrate turkey day with us and it was really nice to have some new faces (though it did feel weird when they left since we never actually went anywhere). Still, we had a good time. I manned the kitchen with some others on Thanksgiving (after a good hike for PT) and (with the help of Connie, the angel that she is) we had a huge dinner of 2 turkeys, cranberry sauce, 2 stuffings, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread, carrots, corn, broccoli, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, apple pie, and probably some more stuff. Needless to say, we were stuffed AND had leftovers for 3 days. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another awesome thing to be thankful for (which we found out about just yesterday) is that after the holidays we will be going on our next spike to Casa Grande, Arizona! We're excited for a warm project (and though I love Cal-Wood and will definitely miss it, I'm excited to be in a real city where there are things nearby). I'll leave you with a description of our project and will try to be back soon with some updates from Cal-Wood.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Christine</div><div><br /></div><div>"The City of Casa Grande, Arizona is the largest city in Pinal County with over 48,000 residents within its 104 square mile boundary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Seventeen percent (17%) of Casa Grande families live under the poverty level compared to only 9.6% of families nationwide and over 60% of students at Casa Grande schools are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These economic times increase the need for low to no cost recreation alternatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes"><o:p> </o:p></span>The need for recreation trails drove the formation of the Casa Grande Mountain Trails Steering Committee, a volunteer group charged with planning volunteer trail build events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Volunteer events are held once a month from October through April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After just one year of community trail builds, we are averaging 100 volunteers and 2,000 feet of trail per event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Total for the 2010 – 2011 season resulted in 624 volunteers dedicating 2,528 hours constructing 11,620 feet or another 2.2 miles of new trail!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With the help of AmeriCorps NCCC teams, volunteer efforts soared and with pick axes, shovels, battling cholla cactus, moving large rocks, etc., the City of Casa Grande will be officially opening a large portion of our first trail system on the 1,100 acre Casa Grande Mountain Park for the anticipating public on November 19, 2011. We plan to continue expanding the Casa Grande Mountain Park Trail System as it not only provides recreation opportunities for youth and adults, providing physical, educational and emotional benefits of trails and nature, but also serves as a draw for visitors, providing a much needed economic stimulus."</p> <!--EndFragment--></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-49671532234663289442011-11-19T20:07:00.001-08:002011-11-20T20:27:12.257-08:00Cutting trees at Cal-WoodOk, so we're not really cutting trees. BUT we are getting things done for America, for sure (that's our motto in AmeriCorps by the way...obviously boss).<br /><div><br /></div><div>So I've been here at Cal-Wood for almost a week now and I'm really enjoying my time here. I really feel like my team is starting to become a family and bond together (it's hard not to out here in the middle of nowhere anyway).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Cal-Wood is a 1,200 acre property used for teaching outdoor education to kids from schools where they can't get that kind of hands on learning. We're not working directly with the kids most of the time, but we will get a chance to shadow the instructors at some point.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kind of stuff we've been doing makes the property safer and more beautiful for everyone who visits. So far, we've split lots of wood (which gets sold and the money helps pay for kids to come to Cal-Wood), put wood chips down on a road (to help protect from fires and make it easier to drive on), put up snow fences to stop the drifts from covering the road, hauled slash to the road (it was cut to help thin out the forest, preventing fires and helping healthy trees grow, and it will be chipped and used for the roads or split and sold as firewood), and fixed a deck and a compost bin...and it's only been a week!</div><div><br /></div><div>I think both the sponsor and our team is so surprised by how much work we can do in so little time, and I'm excited to be able to cross things off our list of work goals as the next 4 weeks go by. Our sponsor is awesome and so are the staff. Most of the instructors are really cool young people that we can hang out with. Not to mention we have the most amazing chefs who cook our breakfasts and dinners during the week. AND we have a cat! His name is Hercules and he is super snuggly and nice to have around.</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2WT9j39WcFGMCnLUYz-Mnhk_WUWSzO2IRTAIfAaP-jXyY93Pjw99KAX8liJosFwwEvFX2Yfpf1zyh9HF44qPP5us3xTIEtwzmNxv3BrDJzcJt5gnz-c2sCddxWKt43YQUVXYd2jc2tme/s200/IMG_0545.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677285975154252866" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEkrpfysBFGbocvdqFJvDLQCWW1t-WAAjjG53sjscfMsuMEuXE-AjA8QY5R7O_nzAtPiNvXQrOJ0FtDRqNTTvxQ85Ai6_XX-qOkhtSY1V7SLmdVZKo-q4t7OQG9cKiyF-sOYTZdrg43qf/s200/IMG_0552.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677286401898088482" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyuR3i6J2sxRnnnjzE2FQSKTjnHuCdf1BVm7SQgJGYjZK5kYDEt4ZbVNHaXbpbKHVlLIh4FqZc1hRic3wt1KnZWcTacyxTcr-hmWkEnVIGRBoyhhcqIPq5na7C38cHR2LRUbdGNvvQW3q/s200/IMG_0544.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676928215203274770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's it from me so far. I'm hoping to get some pics of our new digs (included our canvas tent with wood-burning stove) in my next post, maybe even before Thanksgiving. Speaking of, we're having another team in our unit come up from Denver to stay and have Thanksgiving with us and we are so pumped to have them here and show them around and cook and eat and play/watch football. </div><div><br /></div><div>So until next time!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Christine</div></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-47306549590778463952011-11-05T19:28:00.000-07:002011-11-05T21:05:33.464-07:00What IS AmeriCorps and what am I doing here?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Hey everyone,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I thought it would be useful to write a post about what AmeriCorps NCCC is since I'll be talking a whole lot about what I'm doing with it and in case anyone out there is considering the program. So, in short, I'll feed you our "elevator phrase":</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;">"AmeriCorps NCCC members are 18-24 years old and spend 10 months getting things done for America while developing their own leadership skills. We serve on teams to help communities prepare and respond to disasters, build homes, and help the environment. To learn more or to apply go to www.americorps.gov "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >That's the short of it. In more detail, we are one of 5 branches of the Corporation for National Community Service, which also includes AmeriCorps Vista, AmeriCorps State and National (that's who I worked for this summer with DREAM), Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve (which is inactive this year because of lack of funding). NCCC is different from these other programs because instead of working with another organization, all members work together on campuses (Mississippi, California, Maryland, Iowa, and Colorado) and spikes (service trips) to serve communities across America.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >The Denver campus, where I am, is assigned to the states in the southwestern USA (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, and Missouri). This means that, aside from disaster deployment, I will always be in one of these states doing my service. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >This spike (which is only 1 month instead of the usual 2) I will be nearby in Jamestown, Colorado (population 200, literally). It's about 30 minutes outside of Boulder, up in the mountains. My team and I are working at the Calwood educational center, an environmental education center. We'll be doing a lot of tree branch cutting and wood chipping, as well as hopefully getting the chance to work with the kids in the program. We have access to a nice lodge with everything we need, but we'll be sleeping outside in big heated tents. I have to say, I'm excited that this project is short, because it's going to be cold up there for sure. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I was actually just at Calwood last weekend when I did a chainsaw training (crazy right?) In fact, I now know how to work a chainsaw, sawsall, circular saw, and power drill...a true renaissance woman. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Right now I'm curled up downtown in the most amazing bookstore, Tattered Cover. It's a huge place full of books and lots of seating to cuddle up with. I'll probably end up buying a few things of course. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I think that's it for now. We get inducted on Thursday and my team leaves next Monday for our trip. We will have Wifi so I plan on being able to update a lot. Until next time!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >-Christine</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-34846692435637186452011-10-24T19:08:00.000-07:002011-10-24T20:16:28.125-07:00Corps Life<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Hey all,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Greetings from the place I think should REALLY be the sunshine state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m writing this outside on another gorgeous day, watching a flag football game of corps members vs. team leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My 1 ½ weeks here so far has been a whole lot of stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s tiring, with training all day from 8-5 and sometimes more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s fun, making new friends and exploring new places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And it’s a huge taste of nostalgia because we’ve all decided that being here is like being in college, without the homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been some pretty cool places so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We also did a service project all together at Washington Park where we built the running path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That was really awesome because as soon as we were done, people were walking and running on the new path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now every time we go back, we can appreciate how we built the path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I also planted trees this weekend in what will be a dog park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Other than that, I’ve just been exploring Denver and figuring out where everything is and what there is to do and see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’ve got another busy week up ahead, so I hope to be back with an update soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Until then, hope it’s as sunny where you are as it is here!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>-Christine</p> <!--EndFragment-->Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-27539665932177945292011-10-12T19:44:00.000-07:002011-10-12T19:49:52.366-07:00Welcome to the Mile High City<div style="text-align: left;">Hello everyone!</div> <p class="MsoNormal">I am writing this halfway into my flight across the country to begin my service term with AmeriCorps NCCC in Denver, CO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am not surprised, nor should you be, that I did not update with any pre-departure info.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To be honest, I was busy making sure I had everything done, saw my friends and family, and had fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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).</p><div> <p class="MsoNormal">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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.</p><p class="MsoNormal">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll leave you with some pictures from my alumni weekend adventures and the promise to be back soon!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Christine</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>“The big lesson in life, baby, is to never be scared of anyone or anything” -Sinatra</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVjq65Wm1hXTtgFHtUKJ2nw3pTW5uP8rCAGjb9OmTNJKZ_RLp4BxCN1QO3R2JE88bPID6hAJ-li6GvnqQUKhkOGsRHX9FL5Usrs790pVwiAsNu2kAK0cd2o1dflo4dfgdug9So45uxCDM/s200/315687_10150384721101318_739221317_9651380_576099934_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662802738242239762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci8ukXsIP6BKbzWam-yF0GqPG3gbNa1cHIfi9yJf8xUi6P6lCUuRshFiX9aDS0-nNor1U7BCo95Gm57l_vR7nI0vlvik7hOF3Elk7fw8v7ZrneuoFnJMCDT2ctMsbuuX5Zj3djd0QQgJy/s200/312822_10150384720231318_739221317_9651369_509516500_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662802716709355202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kTNLpw7K611HWAECvQHQIrbRzahrv0RdshF3UoXzIbrBpLirvAY75hXr1UIjgVdp6M0fBlmIri6fiSqIQ83adqnTJoSboDH0Jnbm9jyuwyP7-Zs2jXdYu41uoZD3sVMiCB9mlTZMC91P/s200/315559_2096264006235_1234380697_31747624_757397704_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662802721749870434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></p><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></p><div></div><p></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div> <!--EndFragment--></div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-984134145288661442011-09-21T18:26:00.000-07:002011-09-21T18:32:25.531-07:00Denver!Hello everyone!<div><br /></div><div>I am currently breathing the biggest sigh of relief since a few hours ago I received an email that I was chosen to serve then next 10 months with AmeriCorps NCCC is Denver, Colorado! I'm literally so excited I'm still jumpy. </div><div><br /></div><div>The past few weeks have been really tough, telling people I was "still waiting" while also looking for jobs and apartments (only half-heartedly) in preparation for if I didn't get selected. It's honestly the biggest weight off my shoulders that I won't have to keep hoping for the next two weeks and instead already know what I'm going to be doing!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, this news comes at the perfect time. I'm currently visiting my brother at Skidmore College, which is halfway between my house and SMC, where I am heading for a bit, most importantly for ALUMNI WEEKEND this weekend. It's a chance for alumni (recent and less recent) to get together in Burlington (and for some sporting events on campus), check in, and have a good time. It'll be the perfect way to celebrate with my friends and also say goodbye for a bit. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I just wanted to share the news. I know I'll be updating a TON more when I get started serving and such, so look forward to that!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Christine</div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-60567875110511705682011-08-22T14:44:00.000-07:002011-08-22T15:39:04.784-07:00TransitionsHello all,<div>
<br /></div><div>I've been putting off writing a post about where I'm at right now for a while. Perhaps it's because I don't want to think about it or perhaps it's because I already think about it too much. Either way, time to let everyone know what's going on with me. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Camp ended a few weeks ago. It was a really fun last few weeks AND a super fun end of year party at the beach with my new friends. I'm excited to have a new group of people that I know that are in Burlington. I remember thinking in the beginning of the summer that I wasn't sure what my purpose was a camp. Each group of kids came and went so quickly, and the interactions we had with them were so different from what I was used to working at Spectrum. It wasn't until probably 3 or 4 weeks into the summer that I realized that my job, for all intents and purposes, was to have fun and play. These kids didn't need people prying into their lives, making them feel different, or trying to "help them" (unless they asked for it). They wanted a place to get outside and have fun with friends for a week. Once I realized that, working at camp was much easier.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Since then, I've been able to think back and realize the value of my job with DREAM. I gained a new experience of working at a camp and living in the woods. I also worked more in depth with children then I really ever have outside of swimming lessons and coaching. I've learned about a new organization, a new population, and new people and ideas. I don't think I really thought too much about working with DREAM when I accepted the job (other than making the decision between Camp DREAM and another camp) and was mostly trying to make sure I had a job and could stay in VT, but now I'm really glad I made that choice and I definitely came out of the season with valuable skills and experience.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So what now? Well I'm back at home working at the pool for a few more weeks. It's not ideal but it's money and it's easy and I don't really mind doing it for only a few weeks. I'm (still) waiting to hear from NCCC about placement. At this point it really seems debatable to me whether I will hear from them at all. That's the thing. There's no point (until the session starts) that applicants hear "no". We just sit around and wait until the last possible point. That way if/when we don't get randomly selected by the computer based on nothing more than luck of the draw (while other people that may be less qualified or have only been waiting for a month or so) we have passed up job options, living space opportunities, and a whole slew of other things. AND that's my rant about that...it's getting to me a little bit, clearly. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Meanwhile I'm just hanging out? I just got a new gym membership that I'm SO excited about, because I figure I'll be really bored if I don't have exercising to do. I'm continuing to look into and think about backup plans (which are seeming more and more important) but it's really hard to commit to even looking (let alone actually commit to a job or a place to live) when nothing is for sure.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So, long story short, I'm in a big limbo right now. I'm just spending my time working, working out, and driving lots of other places. I was in Mass the past few weeks hanging out with friends (saying goodbye to Megan as she heads to Alaska, seeing Josh one more time before I don't for a while since he lives in DC, hearing about where everyone is going and moving and such). This weekend I'm heading up to a friend's camp in VT, then Erick's beach house for labor day. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>So that's where I'm at and (kinda) where I'm going. Hope to check in soon!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>-Christine</div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-44320804355785831982011-07-19T17:41:00.000-07:002011-07-19T18:10:18.110-07:00You're Not SurprisedHello friends,<div><br /></div><div>So of course you're not surprised that I haven't updated nearly as often as I wanted to or should be. I've been working at Camp DREAM for 5 weeks now (one of orientation and 4 of actual camp). We've have 2 teen weeks and 2 weeks of 10-12 girls and boy so far. I must say, it's a challenging job but it's a ton of fun. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a staff, we've been working really hard and have just started to really come together as a team to plan and execute a great week at camp. This past week we had an entirely Harry Potter themed week (to get pumped for the final piece of the saga of course!) complete with a potions lesson in ice cream making and a silly scavenger hunt that ended in a dance party in the woods. </div><div><br /></div><div>This isn't to say that the job isn't without challenges. The hours are long (and technically we're on call for 24 hours a day) and I definitely still wrestle with the whole living in the woods with the bugs thing. My biggest challenge is still finding the purpose and value in my work. Of course I know it has both of those things, the challenge is to really feel that I am doing what I should be. I really feel that my mindfulness exercises from my practicum this past year are helping me examine where I am and what I should be doing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also in the middle of having a bit of a hard time with the whole future plan thing. I've been accepted to the Covenant House Faith Community and have chosen to defer this opportunity until 2012 in hopes of still getting placed with AmeriCorps NCCC. I don't regret this decision at all and I think I will be more prepared to work at Covenant House (a position more focussed on what I want to do with my life) after another experience that is slightly different. However, it's still pretty draining when every day is a continuous waiting game for what I'll be doing the next 10 months. So I'm waiting for that and trying to just take it as it comes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, we're living in the midst of a heat wave here in Burlington, and it doesn't look like I'll be getting too much relief when I head home after our 3 day camp session this week. Still, I'm excited to see my family and friends for what looks like it will be a fun fiesta at my house!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, that's it for now. Hopefully I can check in sooner rather than later. Who knows, maybe I'll have some good news to share (fingers crossed). Until then!</div><div><br /></div><div>-Christine</div>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475334407459399841.post-57228747706806605862011-07-10T13:52:00.001-07:002011-07-10T13:52:22.210-07:00What actual benefits have you had being in Honors. I feel like whenever I ask I get the general billboard answer, but I was hoping you could tell me more specifically.<p class="formspringmeAnswer">I actually dropped the honors program and didn't graduate with it. However, when I was part of the program, the biggest benefit to me was being in classes that challenged me more than a non honors class might have.</p><p class="formspringmeFooter"> <a href="http://www.formspring.me/camoresano?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger&utm_campaign=shareanswer">What do you want to know about SMC?</a></p>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800401016575532236noreply@blogger.com0