So much has happened in so few days.

I feel like I have been in Smithville/Amory Mississippi for a month at least. In actuality, I have been in the northern tip of Mississippi for nine days. NINE! We've been doing all sorts of work. Organizing warehouses, working in the distribution center, aiding MEMA and FEMA, sawing trees off properties, debris removal, home assessments, tarping houses, just wherever we are needed.

It has been triumphant at times, like removing trees from damaged homes, it has been frustrating at times, like moving goods from one warehouse to another with nothing but a small trailer when an 18-wheeler is in need. A lot of lag time, a lot of sitting and waiting, a lot of uncertainty in what the next hour not to mention the next day will bring.... A LOT of frustration.

I've had to remind myself daily, hourly, over and over again that this is the nature of volunteering in a disaster situation. Especially in a small community like Smithville, they have neighboring communities coming out to help in all of the areas that we as AmeriCorps can help... so to an extent we aren't needed. They need bulldozers and large contractors people with machine power to clear out the city so they can begin to rebuild.

That's where we can help. This campus is excellent at building affordable homes. I hope we'll be sponsored when it comes to that phase.

Anywho, working in this area hasn't been physically demanding like i thought it would be. It's been more mental than anything. Hours haven't been unbearable, but never knowing whats next, and dealing with last minute changes, and the constant need to be flexible and willing to go at the drop of a hat... that's been the toughest part. I already have a distaste for that sort of thing....

Tarping a roof

We saw, they drag. Tough work.

The front yard of a house we assessed.

The house.

Aaron striking a pose with an epic backdrop.

Another note, I am the talk of the TLs. I keep getting told how crazy I am for accepting this STL position. Current TLs keep reaching out and telling me not to hesitate to call them if I need anything, I even have a place to stay in New Orleans if it just becomes "too much". 

Awesome. 

What the hell have I signed up for?

It'll be good though. I was on the phone with my mom the other day talking about it. This past year has prepared me for my TL year, which is preparing me for a potential career I found in Edmonds, WA teaching Environmental Anthropology to kids. I have some school to finish up between STL and that position, but the direction my life is taking right now is so perfect. I'm ecstatic. 

SO. 4 more days of work. 13 days until I graduate. 15 days until I am home. 23 days until I start my year as a Support Team Leader. 

...let's ignore that last one for now though. Focus in the period of relaxation. 

Focus on home.