Tornado watch! Which means no work.

No internet means fewer updates because when I DO get internet I am distracted by all of the magical websites out there that I forget all about this silly blog.

Also I'm lazy.

Quick updates followed my pictures:

Things are super!
I love working with the parks.
I love the team.

I am sick of the team environment though.
I can't tell you how much of a blessing it is going to be, to be the support team leader. God new what he was doing with this one. If I was stuck in a team situation for another 10 months, someone would surely die. Now, I will have a room to myself on a campus mostly to myself, working a steady job, in an office, with the perk of leading a team for one round. Excited.

I built a bridge. I laid mulch on a trail. I haven't cut down trees in a few days though.... I cleared an Indian mound of undergrowth.... I'm living outdoors in nature while I work. It's pretty damn awesome.

I leave for Bay St. Louis on May 5. Construction work for a week.
Then graduation.
Then home.
Then more AmeriCorps.

Bridge building

Aaron and I reconstructed a pillars built by the original CCC

Indian mound we cleared undergrowth off of. Much larger in real life.

Finally measured my 22s

I'm clearly paying attention to the Ranger

We will be friends for many many years to come. 

I'm moving to Tennessee

I am in McDonald’s working on a “paper” or so I told the man sitting across from me so he wouldn’t feel the urge to chat with me. He wants to sit at this table so he can play some stupid game McDonald’s now has at every booth in their restaurant. It’s making annoying noises. He chews with his mouth open. He has a friend who is sitting next to him not doing anything. Why the hell does McDonald’s have 50 different forms of entertainment throughout their place? It’s not enough they’re feeding people shit that makes them feel sluggish and apathetic? Now they have to entice them into staying forever and contribute to their laziness? I’m not exactly happy that McDonald’s is out source for the internet… I’m sitting in a greasy booth, with the smell of fatty food lingering about, listening to the bullshit beeping from the fry cooker and the obnoxious jingling coming from the game of  this… wonderful creature of a human sitting across from me.

I’m grumpy.

I’m exhausted.

…so I’m grumpy.

This program is wearing me out. It’s not even a tough round. It’s an easy round. I’m losing steam… my term is almost finished. And then I start my next term. Woo-wee….

__________

The man across from me keeps dancing in his seat every time he wins his game.

I want to punch him.

Okay, enough complaining.

Jackson Cave - First Day of Work

How’s Nashville you ask? Well, I don’t know. I’ve only been in the city once, for literally 30 minutes, to get my fingerprints done for STL. I live in Cedars of Lebanon which is the State Park in Lebanon, TN. Lebanon, is a small town trying to get bigger. It’s nice enough, a lot of chain restaurants, a big outlet mall, and farms. Living in a State Park though? AWESOME. I have a hiking trail that literally leads up to my back door. I wake up to a view of the forest every morning, I have incredible trails to run daily, I’ve learned enough about the trees and birds in this region I can call them out by sight, and I have my own room in a wonderful little cabin, with a cute little front porch.

Part of the trail in my backyard

It’s been a great location.

The work? Well, I’ve been able to use my chainsaw just about every day on the trail. I’m pretty awesome at felling trees. It’s my favorite thing to do and I get excited when the trees get bigger and bigger. When I’m not sawing I’m lopping branches off of trees and making trails wider. We’ve built 5 animal shelters out of these cut/limbed trees.

Limbing trees

Aaron next to one of the animal shelters

Yesterday I hiked 7 miles and did trail maintenance. It was probably the best day of work so far. Beautiful weather, great trail/view, and we found campsites. Monday we’re building a bridge? Or something awesome like that. Wednesday we’re going to be working in a stream to promote dragonfly populations. I’m supposed to be working in an archaeological park near Indian mounds at some point to. I LOVE THIS PROJECT.

Kari and I on our 7 mile work hike

We have spring break next Friday to Monday. I think I’m going to Memphis with a teammate? He lives there and has invited us to visit his home and family. We just have to get the van approved for the trip.

Then, one final week of work and I’m off to Bay St. Louis for two weeks to work construction. Then I graduate. Then I go home for ten days. Then I go back to Vicksburg, MS for eleven months.

Shit… is getting real.

I'm not grumpy anymore. I just needed to type it out I guess.  

Clinically insane? Probably.

Well hello again, to all my friends....

I've been in Vicksburg, MS for transition since last Monday. Going through more trainings, meetings, debriefs, briefings, the norm. It's been with my new team though, which has been super nice. Kari and Aaron are on the composite team with me, and I have three new friends from River unit, Jon, John, and Colin. Jamison is out Team Leader. We're going to be a kick ass team. Nashville Tennessee to help restore State Parks? Yes, please! We leave on Tuesday and start work on Wednesday.

I've contacted a man in Nashville who works in setting up community gardens and educating locals in healthy eating. I'm hoping to work heavily with him and create some long lasting connections in that area.

Funding. If you aren't following the budget cuts, particularly the one related to CNCS, Obama has extended the deadline until April 8. So we're left in the dark, again, about what will happen with AmeriCorps. Part of me is okay with this toying of my emotions, no set answer, but only because it means we aren't being shut down... yet. The other part wants to kick and scream, "You idiots! Clearly if it's causing this much of a ruckus it's because these programs you're trying to shut down are NEEDED!"

...

As of right now, I will be in this program until April 8. On that day, there will either be a freeze on our funds and we will be sent back to campus, without graduating, to wait... for what? Who bloody knows. I assume we will be sent home. If we are not sent to campus/home on April 8 it will be because the Senate finally came to their senses and realize they should fund something like citizens getting involved in their communities OR Obama signed some other piece of paper to extend the deadline for a few more weeks.

IN OTHER NEWS:

I was called into Brendan's (my unit leader) office last Tuesday. He offered me the position of Support Team Leader for the June class. It took me a couple days of intense back-and-forth emotions, long conversations with the current STLs and Brendan, many many many questions, support from my siblings and parents..... and I finally said yes.

It's not the position I wanted. I wanted Field Team Leader and it took Brendan a little bit of schmoozing to get me to see the perks of the position... It was ultimately my decision and even after just about every current STL I talked to told me it was the most stressful thing ever and if I thought even just a little bit that I might not want it, I should RUN.... I still said yes.

It's going to be hard. It's going to be stressful. It's going to be boring, and lonely, and I'm going to hate it at times. But there is just so much to learn from this position, get my foot in the door for the professional world, learn the behind-the-scenes of a workplace other than at a daycare, network!, and be that leader I've always seen myself becoming one day.

I'm scared, sure, but I know this is where my life is supposed to go next. The South isn't through with me yet. I'm very excited for this next year.

I need to buy a car though...which means more saving, less boozing.

Waiting for the tattoo parlor to open...

I’m at Hey! Café on Magazine Street in New Orleans. So great. Quiet, chill, delicious freaking chai, and I just saw a sign that says they’re a “favorite place on Google”. Oh, and their wireless server is called Youre a champion. Awesome.

They have pictures on the wall of this place as a
barber shop way back in the day

I really love this city and I absolutely love this area of town. I thought I would be ecstatic to have only a week left here, but I’m beginning to realize just how sad it is going to be to leave. Not just the city, I’ve finally gotten used to being a site supervisor and I actually think I enjoy it. Damn Ashley, a day late don’t you think?

I put myself through a mock-baseline today. This transition will be the first baseline I’ve run since the original; what with my sickness the second baseline and inclement weather the third. I better have improved! My mock test was pretty great. I’m under 14 minutes for the mile and a half for sure, my crunches just don’t stop, and my push-ups have improved by one or two… which is a milestone for me.

Gosh this chai is great… they even steamed the milk for me and added espresso.

I only have a couple months left in this program. I think I’m going to miss it. I mean unless I get team leader and then I’m going to loathe it for another ten months, but deep down, I love this program. It’s pretty damn amazing. I can’t tell you how much I’ve grown in the last 8 months. As a person, as a leader, as a contributing member to society… I know exactly who I am, I have direction in where I want my life to take me, and I’ve found an incredible way to serve my country.

It’s pretty awesome.

Everyone should do something like AmeriCorps. EVERYONE. Vista, State and National, or NCCC. Look into it. So many outlets in so many fields, it’s too incredible not to join.

That is of course, if AmeriCorps is still up and running for very long. If you follow me on facebook you’ve seen the many “save AmeriCorps” links I’ve posted. Funding has been extended to April 8, by the way. So our waiting game has gone into overtime. We’ll have to wait and see what happens I guess.

If you’re unaware of what I’m talking about, feel free to check out this here link and become aware. It was written on March 7 so it doesn't have any of the new information, but it's still pretty informative. I think the entire H.R. 1 bill is something we as Americans should be looking into and speaking up about. 

In other picture news:

Kari and I went on another nature walk around the swamp next to our house.
Man made canals look cool, but smell like shit. And have dead nutria floating around.

Then I hate a burrito on our roof. 

Kari ate subway on the roof with me. 

Stealing is wrong. Unless it is internet from your neighbor. Then it's their own damn fault for not password protecting.

Okay. It’s going to be a long update. Hopefully I’ll be entertaining enough that you’ll read all the way through.

First Topic: St. Bernard Project

This is my sponsor this round. I was sent through three weeks of training in mold remediation, insulation, drywall, mudding, flooring, and finishing work. I can not tell you how amazing it feels and how empowering it is to have all of these skills under my belt. The three weeks of training I went through was nothing but. I woke up everyday so excited to go to work and learn with Delta 6 (the team that came down with us) on a house. SO MUCH FUN. Then, the three week training period ended and we were sent out to site supervise our own house. STRESS THROUGH THE ROOF. Running your own house, leading groups of volunteers, teaching these skills to people who have never been on a construction…. This shit just isn’t for me. I do well enough with it I think, I just stress myself out way to much over it. I’ve been one of the lucky few who have a co-site supervisor most days. I’m really pretty great at everything I’ve been taught, I just have an issue with being able to teach it to others.

Table saw training. Sweet Shades, I know

I thought for a while I just sucked at leading volunteers (which was overwhelming and discouraging because I want to be a Team Leader later this year – more on that later), but then I was put on a mold house which doesn’t take any skill, you scrub, rub, paint, and fog, so you don’t have to teach anything. I was awesome at leading those volunteers. I hung out, cracked jokes, was very informative about the New Orleans area, answered questions, rallied the team when I needed to… it was great. I can lead. I just lose faith in myself when I have to lead volunteers on something I’m not even sure I’m great at, like mudding. I’ve been working on it though, rebuilding that confidence, asking questions when I need to, and faking it when I don’t get immediate answers. I think I’ll probably finally have the hang of it in the next two weeks – which is when I leave! Awesome.

Painting baseboard training. It's confusing work. 

…actually, it is awesome, because these are important things to have in being a team leader. This project has been the most difficult, my least favorite, and incredibly stressful. However, it is the one I have grown most in. I wanted to be a team leader during CTI, but didn’t think I could actually handle it. First and second round, I thought about applying, but constantly second guessed myself in whether or not I could handle it. With only two weeks left in this round and all that I’ve been through, I know I can handle it. Which leads me to….

Second Topic: Team Leader Interview

It was last week. I don’t think I did great. I know everyone says that… but for realsies. I was just okay. I didn’t completely suck, but I didn’t completely blow them away with a totally awesome interview. I was just okay.

This is where I took my phone interview. The back room of a house in the process of mold remediation during a thunder and lightening storm. The house had no windows. It was nice and loud for me. 

I started off great. I was confident, spoke clearly, calmly, and coolly. Then they started asking me questions, I hadn’t thought about. Like what would I do if I had a corps member who felt like they didn’t belong to the team and wasn’t enjoying they’re time in AmeriCorps. …Well, shit. I don’t know what I would do. I said I would talk to that individual, to get a better understanding as to why. Then I said that I found that question difficult, I’m not entirely sure what I would do, I would have to call someone, like the campus counselor or my unit leader and ask for help.

…shit.

I was just okay.

So now, I’m stressing like crazy about the interview. Okay is not a good feeling. I’d much rather have the feeling that I was horrible. It would be easier to deal with. Right now I feel like it could go either way and I don’t know how to prepare for that.

I need to stop worrying though, I’m making myself sick. My head wont stop pounding, my throat has been sore for a few days, I’m incredibly tired. Which makes me worry that my mono is going to relapse. Which stresses me out even more!

Shit!  Next, non-stressful topic!

Third Topic: Mardi Gras

Was so great! St, Charles Avenue was the place to be, and I was definitely there, 5 days straight! Parades, booze, making friends with strangers, dancing, more booze. I cannot believe I had the energy to keep going. It was too much! I have soooo many beads it’s insane and I didn’t have to show my boobies for them! Just bat my pretty lashes and smile. I got roses, and stuffed animals, and cups, and I can’t wait to send them all to my nieces and nephews.

The REX Parade

Beads and Booze

Fourth Topic: New Orleans

This is such an incredible city. I think everyone should come down and visit for 2 months at the least! It’s so big and vibrant and exciting and there is just too much to see and do and learn! Garden District is so beautiful, I could live there forever. French quarter is a ton of fun, such a great area day and night. Uptown has got some terrific little shops. Those are really the only areas I’ve explored, I know if I had time to adventure out more often I’d fall in love with all of the other areas of New Orleans.

The south just continues to win my heart. Northwest, you better watch your back.

For funsies: Team Yoga pic

Life without an internet connection...

...means less internet updates!


St. Bernard Project. So much too say, too lazy to type it.
Over all I am enjoying the project. I've been sufficiently trained in construction and I've been forced to become comfortable in leading a group of people.

It has been incredibly difficult at times, but it has also been incredibly fun at times. I still struggle a little with the new team, but I have grown tremendously on this project round. I have been told by many previous corps members that third round is the toughest.... they were completely right.



None of this makes any sense. I'll have to try this again some other time.

It's Mardi Gras weekend...... I'm exhausted and in a perpetual state of being hung over.

Coffee.

After almost 6 months of living and working in AmeriCorps NCCC, I've come to realize something about myself. I love coffee. I love it... SO much. 

This isn't a shock to anyone who knows me. It's obvious I enjoy a cup, or two or three, of coffee, or a daily latte. But coffee, I've realized, is so much more to me. It's my release. When I get stressed, annoyed, angry, feel suffocated by everyone, grumpy in anyway... I go grab a hot steamy mug of coffee or find my way to the nearest coffee house and just ignore everyone and everything until I feel like I can forget about my problems or deal with them. I spend so much money on coffee and I've tried cutting back, but I honestly think I would go insane without it. Coffee has become my sanity. 

Having said that, let me inform you that I am at a coffee house right now. 

I told my Team Leader that I hated this team a couple days ago. Today I told her our team is pretty awesome. She called me out on it. I laughed. Then I realized I don't hate this team. I hate that I have to learn a new system, and new dynamics, and new ways to deal with the new team. Now that I see that, I think this round will be a bit easier. Not easy, easier. I'm still struggling with not having Chelsea to go out with and just chill and relax and ignore the AmeriWorld with. I hate that Lisa and I started forming a definite friendship, one that will last outside of AmeriCorps, and were split up. I hate that Aaron and I no longer have the let's-pick-on-each-other-like-brother-and-sister relationship to look forward to everyday (except through text). It fucking sucks. However, I have made huge strides in how I deal with change and misfortune. I'm upset about how things played out, but not defeated. Aaron asked me the other day if i was still content with being in AmeriCorps. I told him I was until the work day ended. I don't think that is so true anymore. I just need to adjust. And I am so thankful that I have a Team Leader willing to listen and  to challenge me and to help me through it. 

__________________________________________

So, what am I doing this round you ask?

I just finished the first week of Construction Site Supervisor Training. That's right. I'm going to be a site super, on a construction site...

I didn't think it was possible either! But we have had training in insulation, drywall, mudding, and mold remediation so far and I gotta say... I'm freaking awesome! our trainers are incredible. They're teaching us the techniques but they are really instilling a confidence I didn't know I could have. I still have two weeks of training left before they put me on my site and already i feel comfortable with the though of leading a group of volunteers by myself. 

The houses we'll be supervising are homes still needing to be rebuilt after Katrina. Each of us will have our own house to supervise. 

I'm living in Chalmette, LA which like all of the New Orleans area was hit hard by The Storm. These houses sat in water 6-24 feet for 2-4 weeks. Then when families were given the okay to come home, they were being told their homeowner's insurance only covered what damage wasn't caused by flooding, and their houses had recently been rezoned and weren't covered by flood insurance anymore. So some called in private contractors to rebuild for them, only to fall victim of construction fraud. You've heard the stories of the FEMA trailors. A place to live until you start getting sick from the formaldehyde. Whoops, sorry, let's recall those. Now you're homeless. I worked on a house whose homeowner has been living in the shed behind his house. He got plumbing the day we were there. no walls in his house yet, but he was ecstatic because he had a toilet. he christened that thing while we were there too! 

It's so crazy. I've been asking why are things still like this since the day I got into town. I've realized it's because we don't live in a Utopia. I forget that sometimes. I like to think the community takes care of itself and everyone takes care of each other, but that's not how it is. It's up to the individual to fix their own situation. Sure, there is an outreach going on, but it's not big enough. It's not enough period. St. Bernard Project, the non-profit I am working with, is putting forth a tremendous effort to get people home. There are other organizations in the area doing the same thing, but there should be more! More should be happening! It's frustrating.

Me, prepping for insulation installation. 

Drywall sawing and supervising.

Measurin' and Measurin' and Cuttin'

I don't see all negative. I see the hope alive in this city, in the individuals helping, in the residents, and it's so exciting to be a part of it. I just have to remind myself constantly, like I said before, we don't live in a Utopian world. I am, though, glad that I am part of a group who is trying to get at least a taste of it out there.