We had 5 days off, Thursday - Monday, for Thanksgiving. It was a break that was greatly needed. My feet did not want to go back into my boots, my body wanted to sleep past 5 or 6am, and my normal street clothes wanted to be worn. Now that Monday is approaching, I'm more than ready to get back to work and get things done for America.
On Thursday, turkey day, me and my teammates who were still here, went to The Gulf Coast Rescue Mission and served warm Thanksgiving meals to community members and volunteers. There were about 80 volunteers and we served over 3,000 meals.
I met a lot of great people while there. I met a person who worked at carnivals his entire life. He controlled one of those spinning rides. A good day for him was based on how many people threw up their cotton candy and hot dogs. His record was 34 people in one day. There was a family from Keesler Air Force Base with two kids. The kids, second and third grade, have already traveled all over the U.S. and have even lived in Japan. They showed off their language skills and counted for us in both Spanish and Japanese. We also met a group of college students from Denver. The leaders of their group have led over 9 groups down to the Gulf. We also met two TLs from the Iowa campus who are staying in Pass Christian, MS. Those are just a few of the people we met. The day was a great success. We served the less fortunate, were interviewed by the Sun Herald, ate a great meal, got ISP hours, and made numerous new friends. The rest of the day was spent eating pizza and watching Christmas movies.
On Friday we joined the masses and went shopping at several outlet malls. I had a blast and bought a sweater. Saturday was spent in the kitchen. We baked potatoes, banana bread, sloppy joes, tatter tots, and salad. It felt great to use a kitchen! Then on Saturday night we went to the Bellingrath Home and Garden. Bellingrath is a 65 acre garden in Alabama. Around this time of year they decorate the garden with over 3 million sparkling lights and over 835 displays. It was incredible. It finely felt like the holiday season had begun. Check out their website at http://www.bellingrath.org/. On Sunday Ali and I donated blood. The blood drive was held at a Starbucks and after giving blood, everyone received a free Starbucks drink. YUM!! Did you know that they take a pound of blood? We also got free t-shirts and bright pink band-aids. The rest of the day I slept, started a puzzle, and went with Renee to find her a new pair of shoes (with no success).
All in all this break was awesome. I had just enough time to relax and veg out, but not enough to get bored. Tomorrow will be filled with trips to the airport to pick up my teammates at various times throughout the day. Then its back to work on Tuesday.
T-minus 20 days until winter break.
Catherine
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Camp Victor and the Trace
We moved to Camp Victor last week. Camp Victor is another volunteer camp located in Ocean Springs. We moved everything from Yankee Stadium over, with the exception of the huge pool table that we were unable to lift up into the truck. The rest of the week we were at the trace (our project site) working on a new house. Our site supervisors are Brad and Aaron. We are supposed to have the house ready for the subcontractors by tomorrow, but that may not happen.
We are literally building this house form the ground up. Last Thursday and Friday we made and put up walls. I've learned so much about construction. I now know what wall leads, hurricane straps, x's, xbx, and jk all mean. Then on Saturday we put up plywood sheeting. Sunday was our day off and we were back on Monday continuing our plywood sheeting and today we started to put trusses up and built a porch. There's lots to be done, but all we can do is work as fast as is safe.
On Thanksgiving, the 7 of us who are staying are working at a church distributing meals to anyone who comes. Supposedly this church has been doing this for an number of years. Since we are volunteering from 11-4, we will eat Thanksgiving dinner at the church. I'm looking forward to the long weekend. I think we may go to a mall or to the movies. Regardless of what we do, it will be nice to not have to put my steel-toed boots on and to sit down and relax.
Happy early turkey day,
Catherine
We are literally building this house form the ground up. Last Thursday and Friday we made and put up walls. I've learned so much about construction. I now know what wall leads, hurricane straps, x's, xbx, and jk all mean. Then on Saturday we put up plywood sheeting. Sunday was our day off and we were back on Monday continuing our plywood sheeting and today we started to put trusses up and built a porch. There's lots to be done, but all we can do is work as fast as is safe.
On Thanksgiving, the 7 of us who are staying are working at a church distributing meals to anyone who comes. Supposedly this church has been doing this for an number of years. Since we are volunteering from 11-4, we will eat Thanksgiving dinner at the church. I'm looking forward to the long weekend. I think we may go to a mall or to the movies. Regardless of what we do, it will be nice to not have to put my steel-toed boots on and to sit down and relax.
Happy early turkey day,
Catherine
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Trusses, fork lifts, and games
Today marked our one week anniversary working with HfHMGC ( Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast). And what a week it was. On our job site we destructed enough walls to have 10 miles of boards or 4,800 boards. Destroying boards would be loads of fun, but these are walls that were built by HfH volunteers during a blitz build last May. Unfortunately, the floor plans changed after the blitz build, leaving hours of hard work gone to waste. Luckily we are done with destroying walls and pulling nails and get to start new projects next week.
On Friday, we were given a break from wall destroying and got to work on houses. Our project site is in a new subdivision. HfH has to build 19 houses by December and 28 houses in total for this subdivision. If they don't make their deadline, they will lose a lot of funding from a company. Right now they are a month and a half behind. In effort to catch up, they let us work on the houses on Friday. I lucked out and was allowed to work on assembling the trusses for a house. Trusses are the triangular frames for the roof of a house. I had to climb up into the trusses, which were wobbly, help pull the trusses from the ground up, then hammer them into the proper spot. I was working with Jamie, a Habitat employee, who was a monkey on the trusses. Being up there was like being on a wobbly balance beam wearing steal toed boots, hammering nails, 12 feet in the air for 5 hours. It was awesome!!! To end the exciting work week, I learned how to drive a fork lift.
As if our work days weren't long enough, our evenings were jammed pack with fun and exciting activities. We spent Sunday on the beach soaking up the sun and trying to get rid of our ridiculous farmers tans. Monday night we had a team meeting and service learning. Then the rest of the night was devoted to field games. We played capture the flag, football, red light green light, miniature tanks, statues, kick the can, sharks and minnows, and even ghosts in the graveyard. I haven't played those games since grade school, and now I remember why gym class was so much fun in grade school. Tuesday night I finished a 1,000 piece puzzle. My team is divided on puzzles. Half of my team thinks puzzles are the most tedious time passers around, while the other half loves them. We had a YouTube party on Wednesday night and a movie night on Thursday. Then on Saturday night, we went out to eat at a Thai restaurant and played an amazing game on monster energy drink pong (the only reason I am still awake, despite getting up 19 and a half hours ago).
Good Night and Good Luck,
Catherine
On Friday, we were given a break from wall destroying and got to work on houses. Our project site is in a new subdivision. HfH has to build 19 houses by December and 28 houses in total for this subdivision. If they don't make their deadline, they will lose a lot of funding from a company. Right now they are a month and a half behind. In effort to catch up, they let us work on the houses on Friday. I lucked out and was allowed to work on assembling the trusses for a house. Trusses are the triangular frames for the roof of a house. I had to climb up into the trusses, which were wobbly, help pull the trusses from the ground up, then hammer them into the proper spot. I was working with Jamie, a Habitat employee, who was a monkey on the trusses. Being up there was like being on a wobbly balance beam wearing steal toed boots, hammering nails, 12 feet in the air for 5 hours. It was awesome!!! To end the exciting work week, I learned how to drive a fork lift.
As if our work days weren't long enough, our evenings were jammed pack with fun and exciting activities. We spent Sunday on the beach soaking up the sun and trying to get rid of our ridiculous farmers tans. Monday night we had a team meeting and service learning. Then the rest of the night was devoted to field games. We played capture the flag, football, red light green light, miniature tanks, statues, kick the can, sharks and minnows, and even ghosts in the graveyard. I haven't played those games since grade school, and now I remember why gym class was so much fun in grade school. Tuesday night I finished a 1,000 piece puzzle. My team is divided on puzzles. Half of my team thinks puzzles are the most tedious time passers around, while the other half loves them. We had a YouTube party on Wednesday night and a movie night on Thursday. Then on Saturday night, we went out to eat at a Thai restaurant and played an amazing game on monster energy drink pong (the only reason I am still awake, despite getting up 19 and a half hours ago).
Good Night and Good Luck,
Catherine
Monday, November 10, 2008
Living in a stadium?
I've been in Biloxi, MS for 4 days now and its definitely different than Oak Park. We are currently staying at Yankie Stadium, which is a volunteer shelter. The Salvation Army bought Yankie Stadium 4 days before Hurricane Katrina hit. They were planning on turning it into a community center, but when Katrina hit, they turned it into a shelter. The process wasn't easy. The stadium at one point was under 30 feet of water. After the water had receded and the Salvation Army came to investigate the damage ans they discovered that 10,000 bats had moved in under the bleachers. Bats, being endangered animals, have to be removed and not killed. This was also mating season for bats. Once the bats were removed, the cleaning began. Thats when Habitat for Humanity stepped in and asked if their volunteers could stay at Yankie Stadium. Through the combined efforts of HfH and Salvation Army volunteers, Yankie Stadium was converted into a volunteer shelter. We sleep in cabins next to the bleachers. There are showers and bathrooms in each cabin. Then underneath the bleachers, there is a kitchen, computers, games, puzzles, a TV, laundry facilities, books, ping-pong tables, and pool tables. The Salvation Army cooks all of our meals and they cook delicious food!! This morning for breakfast I has grits for the first time ever!
Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, the Salvation Army has decided to continue with their original plans and make Yankie Stadium into a community center. That means HfH has to move out and they pretty much have. My team is the last group of volunteers to stay at Yankie Stadium. We will be relocated to another volunteer camp called Camp Victor within a week.
During the day, we work with HfH. We are currently working on a site that will be a new subdivision. There are numerous volunteers, including the future homeowners, AmeriCorps State members, and HfH volunteers. Our work site is about 35 minutes away from Yankie Stadium and it will be about 45 minutes away form Camp Victor. Our work week is Tuesday through Saturday. We work from 8 am to about 4 pm. Saturday was our first work day and we took apart 136 walls that were improperly constructed. Each was had anywhere from 30 to 60 nails that had to be removed. I can now say, I have mastered the hammer!! We are maybe 1/5 of the way through all of the walls that need to be taken apart. Fun times!
Cheers from Biloxi,
Catherine
Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, the Salvation Army has decided to continue with their original plans and make Yankie Stadium into a community center. That means HfH has to move out and they pretty much have. My team is the last group of volunteers to stay at Yankie Stadium. We will be relocated to another volunteer camp called Camp Victor within a week.
During the day, we work with HfH. We are currently working on a site that will be a new subdivision. There are numerous volunteers, including the future homeowners, AmeriCorps State members, and HfH volunteers. Our work site is about 35 minutes away from Yankie Stadium and it will be about 45 minutes away form Camp Victor. Our work week is Tuesday through Saturday. We work from 8 am to about 4 pm. Saturday was our first work day and we took apart 136 walls that were improperly constructed. Each was had anywhere from 30 to 60 nails that had to be removed. I can now say, I have mastered the hammer!! We are maybe 1/5 of the way through all of the walls that need to be taken apart. Fun times!
Cheers from Biloxi,
Catherine
Sacramento to Mississippi
My first road trip was awesome. Our team caravaned with two other AmeriCorps NCCC teams from Sacramento to the Gulf Coast. We drove all day for five days in 15 person passenger vans. Each team has 4 or 5 drivers who are allowed to drive the vans. Each driver can only drive two hours and can only drive one shift at a time. We also have to have a person riding shotgun called the safety. This person can not fall asleep, has to help the driver check the blind spots, has to get out of the car and help guide the driver when backing, and has to be the navigator. Since the vans are government vans, we can only go 65mph or slower, even if the speed limit is 80 mph. With all of that in mind, we drove from Sacramento, CA to Biloxi, MS. We stopped at gas stations and ate at fast food restaurants. We were ballin' on a budget with $5-6 for lunch and dinner. Our team decided to take a picture at every gas station we stopped at. Why? I have no idea, but we now have a nice collection of gas station pictures.
The path we followed:
DAY 1: We drove from Sacramento to Indio, CA. We lucked out and stayed at a casino!!
DAY 2 (election day): Indio, CA to New Mexico
DAY 3: New Mexico to Texas (drove through Mexico for about 30 seconds!!)
DAY 4: Stopped in Austin, TX for a couple of hours, then headed to Louisiana.
DAY 5: Dropped off one of the teams in New Orleans, the other team in eastern Mississippi and we reached our destination in Biloxi!!!
Highlights of the road trip....
* We stopped at a gas station in the middle of nowhere called The Thing.
* Saw gas for $1.95
* Drove through downtown Houston.
* Drove the entire way on I-10 East.
* Beautiful landscapes and scenery.
Cheers from Biloxi!
The path we followed:
DAY 1: We drove from Sacramento to Indio, CA. We lucked out and stayed at a casino!!
DAY 2 (election day): Indio, CA to New Mexico
DAY 3: New Mexico to Texas (drove through Mexico for about 30 seconds!!)
DAY 4: Stopped in Austin, TX for a couple of hours, then headed to Louisiana.
DAY 5: Dropped off one of the teams in New Orleans, the other team in eastern Mississippi and we reached our destination in Biloxi!!!
Highlights of the road trip....
* We stopped at a gas station in the middle of nowhere called The Thing.
* Saw gas for $1.95
* Drove through downtown Houston.
* Drove the entire way on I-10 East.
* Beautiful landscapes and scenery.
Cheers from Biloxi!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
CTI recap
What happened during CTI:
* Hours and hours of powerpoints.
* 8 hours of diversity training.
*4 one day service projects (weed warriors, Folsom Zoo, making compost and spreading mulch, caring for a garden at a community center).
* CPR, First Aide, Red Cross certifications.
* Learned how to drive a 15 person passenger van.
* Met 320+ amazing people
* Woke up at 5am for PT (physical training)
* Learned over 20 different types of push ups and ran 5 miles.
* Soaped screws as an ISP
* Induction: a smaller version of H.S. graduation
* Explored downtown Sacramento
* Played Scategories for hours.
*Frisbee, yoga, football, soccer, volleyball
* Went to Camp Mendocino!!!
And so much more.
Next time I write I will be in Boloxi, MS and America will know who our next president will be.
Peace, Love, Happiness,
Catherine
* Hours and hours of powerpoints.
* 8 hours of diversity training.
*4 one day service projects (weed warriors, Folsom Zoo, making compost and spreading mulch, caring for a garden at a community center).
* CPR, First Aide, Red Cross certifications.
* Learned how to drive a 15 person passenger van.
* Met 320+ amazing people
* Woke up at 5am for PT (physical training)
* Learned over 20 different types of push ups and ran 5 miles.
* Soaped screws as an ISP
* Induction: a smaller version of H.S. graduation
* Explored downtown Sacramento
* Played Scategories for hours.
*Frisbee, yoga, football, soccer, volleyball
* Went to Camp Mendocino!!!
And so much more.
Next time I write I will be in Boloxi, MS and America will know who our next president will be.
Peace, Love, Happiness,
Catherine
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