Breathe in. Breathe out.
My life resembles nothing of what it was 2 weeks ago. This past week has been filled with so many low lows and high highs that sometimes I dont know what to do with myself! But overall I am extremely happy with my adventure so far.
My training has increased my knowledge on the following:
CPR and First Aid
Tools
Shelter Simulations and Logistics
Diversity
Communicating Peacefully
NCCC Programing
Unit Bonding
Creating Child Friendly Spaces
Corps Life
Specialty Roles in NCCC
and....next week we get Healthy Sexuality I. Awesome. No teamcest!
And that list is only of the structured learning.
For something that is a bit more exciting...
I AM A FIREFIGHTER!!!
I took the pack test on Sat. I had to walk 3 miles in under 45 mins while wearing a 45lb vest. I completed with a final time of 40:35. I rock socks :)
There were 68 people who took the pack test (24 of them female). Out of the ones who passed we had to write a letter of interest and the final selection was based off of that letter. I must have sounded pretty awesome because I got picked and I start my training next month! Oh and as a sidenote; out of the 36 firefighters selected, I am one of only 7 females. Again....I rock socks.
We also got placed into our permanent teams. This was a huge bummer because my awesome team got split up. 3 of us got to stay together and we are learning to adjust. I am now a permanent member of the Badger Unit Group 6. We will do a mini spike project next week in DE so it will be exciting to see how we all work together. Its just a 4 day project. We will work in some state parks fixing up some trails, gardening, and eradicating invasive species!
On a more serious note. I found out that my grandmother has cancer and her time with us is now very limited. So if you try to call me and Im not so enthusiastic; thats why. Please pray that her last weeks with us are filled with love and comfort. Please also pray for my mom.
Through all of our team and unit bonding sessions I have had to answer a lot of questions about myself. A recurring question keeps popping up..."what is your favorite quote?" Now, for those of you who know me pretty well, you know I can be pretty indecisive. I dislike having to answer any question involving the words "What is your favorite_______??" But at the moment I have one and it happens to be a book title by Dr. Seuss.
"Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?"
Think about it.
:)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
My Start in Perry Point
I have a big year ahead of me!
I arrived safely in Baltimore on Monday and rode out to Perry Point soon after. Perry Point is such a quaint town...if you every drive through it dont blink!
Its so beautiful though. Driving through the campus the first time I saw about 30 deer running through the snow! We are staying in an old hospital on the VA Medical Center campus but its really not bad at all. I really lucked out with my room and my roommates. This week has been quite an adventure all ready. There are so many people here from all over the US and the differences between us all never cease to amaze me. I am keeping a running list of some of the bizzare things that are coming out of people's mouths. Keep a lookout for the final product :P
Ive got my physical, my steel-toed boots, my kakis, and my (temporary) team. I am totally ready to get started.
....
....
Totally ready to get started on my month of training that is. BORING!
I will be in Perry Point for the month listening and learning.
On a more exciting note, our PT starts next week! And, Saturday is the big pack test for firefighting training. Please say a prayer or cross your fingers for me! I want to get in SO bad!
I arrived safely in Baltimore on Monday and rode out to Perry Point soon after. Perry Point is such a quaint town...if you every drive through it dont blink!
Its so beautiful though. Driving through the campus the first time I saw about 30 deer running through the snow! We are staying in an old hospital on the VA Medical Center campus but its really not bad at all. I really lucked out with my room and my roommates. This week has been quite an adventure all ready. There are so many people here from all over the US and the differences between us all never cease to amaze me. I am keeping a running list of some of the bizzare things that are coming out of people's mouths. Keep a lookout for the final product :P
Ive got my physical, my steel-toed boots, my kakis, and my (temporary) team. I am totally ready to get started.
....
....
Totally ready to get started on my month of training that is. BORING!
I will be in Perry Point for the month listening and learning.
On a more exciting note, our PT starts next week! And, Saturday is the big pack test for firefighting training. Please say a prayer or cross your fingers for me! I want to get in SO bad!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Getting Ready!
I had the best of intentions when I came home from DC.
I was going to unpack all of my clothes, art supplies, picture frames, toys, books, shower supplies, and other random oddities the day I arrived home. I was also going to completely revamp my room. I was going to get rid of the million and one things that I
A) Dont use
B) Dont need
C) Dont know I have
D) All of the above
Of course, I didnt get those two done the way I had intended. Ive still got a few things to unpack and my room is a wreck from all of the unpacking that I have gotten done. BUT! Fear not....I will get it done last minute like I always do :)
Until then, I am going to enjoy the last days with the greatest of friends and family. Good-byes are the worst. My DC good-byes were the hardest good-byes Ive ever had. I guess thats what happens when you make so many great friends. My roommates (all 9 of them) were the best I could ever ask for and I am so glad they are now part of my life. Now I just have to face my Norfolk good-byes. I know this will suck too. The friends Ive stayed in touch with after I graduated are so wonderful. However, I know I will see all these people again :)
A lot of people have asked many questions about what Im doing. They are always the same questions so Im giving out the same answers over and over agian. Maybe I should start making up stuff so that I can sound more exciting....but I wont. Instead I will answer questions here. Then you read the answers. Then I dont have to answer anymore :)
1) Alicia, where are you going?
I have no idea. Its a travel based program and each project is in a different part of the region. I wont know where Im heading to next until they tell us. I can tell you that I am headed to Perry Point, MD as a base. I arrive there on Monday and we will go through all sorts of training and they will split us up into groups and then I will find out where our projects will be.
2) What are these projects you speak of, Alicia??
All projects fall into five broad categories: natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation and urban and rural development. Each team completes about four to six projects during the year.
3) Can you you still text and talk on the phone??
Yes folks, Im just going to volunteer for a while in the US. Im not going to live in shacks in third world countries. Call me anytime you like ;)
4) What's your address there?
Alicia Smith-Class XVI
AmeriCorps NCCC
P.O. Box 209
Perry Point, MD 21902
5) Why are you doing this?
Because its awesome! I get to help people who need it, I get to meet, live with, and work with like-minded and amazing people, I don't have to worry about growing up and getting a career just yet, I get to travel, I get to help people who need it, I get an education award when I finish, I get a broad range of experience(and training) in new skills, I get health insurance while participating, and (oh, did I mention?) I get to help people who need it.
I was going to unpack all of my clothes, art supplies, picture frames, toys, books, shower supplies, and other random oddities the day I arrived home. I was also going to completely revamp my room. I was going to get rid of the million and one things that I
A) Dont use
B) Dont need
C) Dont know I have
D) All of the above
Of course, I didnt get those two done the way I had intended. Ive still got a few things to unpack and my room is a wreck from all of the unpacking that I have gotten done. BUT! Fear not....I will get it done last minute like I always do :)
Until then, I am going to enjoy the last days with the greatest of friends and family. Good-byes are the worst. My DC good-byes were the hardest good-byes Ive ever had. I guess thats what happens when you make so many great friends. My roommates (all 9 of them) were the best I could ever ask for and I am so glad they are now part of my life. Now I just have to face my Norfolk good-byes. I know this will suck too. The friends Ive stayed in touch with after I graduated are so wonderful. However, I know I will see all these people again :)
A lot of people have asked many questions about what Im doing. They are always the same questions so Im giving out the same answers over and over agian. Maybe I should start making up stuff so that I can sound more exciting....but I wont. Instead I will answer questions here. Then you read the answers. Then I dont have to answer anymore :)
1) Alicia, where are you going?
I have no idea. Its a travel based program and each project is in a different part of the region. I wont know where Im heading to next until they tell us. I can tell you that I am headed to Perry Point, MD as a base. I arrive there on Monday and we will go through all sorts of training and they will split us up into groups and then I will find out where our projects will be.
2) What are these projects you speak of, Alicia??
All projects fall into five broad categories: natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation and urban and rural development. Each team completes about four to six projects during the year.
3) Can you you still text and talk on the phone??
Yes folks, Im just going to volunteer for a while in the US. Im not going to live in shacks in third world countries. Call me anytime you like ;)
4) What's your address there?
Alicia Smith-Class XVI
AmeriCorps NCCC
P.O. Box 209
Perry Point, MD 21902
5) Why are you doing this?
Because its awesome! I get to help people who need it, I get to meet, live with, and work with like-minded and amazing people, I don't have to worry about growing up and getting a career just yet, I get to travel, I get to help people who need it, I get an education award when I finish, I get a broad range of experience(and training) in new skills, I get health insurance while participating, and (oh, did I mention?) I get to help people who need it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
