Homesick

For the past few weeks I've been homesick everyday but been surrounded by friends thus keeping me distracted from it's severity. now that everyone has left for round one projects it's sinking in.

I miss Florida, my parents, my cats Charlie and Bailey, Toby the tiny puppy, and not to mention Carlos who's been my rock everyday since I met him and supporting me emotionally while I'm out here

Starting next week I'll loose even more privacy and personal space! "embrace the suck"

First day of Habitat for Humanity!

For a week we will be working with Habitat for Humanity in Ceder Rapids, IA which is 45 mins from campus. We were introduced to the family (of 5) we will be helping and brought over to the work site around 9am. The house, which is small was empty but still had all the walls, insulation, tile and appliances which needed to be removed. We were supper productive and are 90% complete with that task by 5pm! Today really helped our team bond and work together. Here are a few pictures from today.

Officially an NCCC member

Tonight we had induction. Learned how to sign the pledge as a surprise to one of our core members who is deaf! There were great speeches, team and unit cheers along with a certificate. Was great to see everyone in there "ameritux". Before the ceremony we got to mingle and see the poster boards each team made to show their members and share their round one project.

Induction tonight

Nothing had really been going on side from project reviel and prepping for our briefing.

Tonight is NCCC induction! We have photos then rehearsal this afternoon followed by the ceremony at 6:30pm.

Updates to follow.

Minnesota "don't cha know"

Moving to Minnesota on March 18th to work at the Guadalupe Alternative.Program in st.paul... It's an alternative h.s. So I'll be a peer counselor, teaching assistant and working on after school programs! Might do a community garden and possible construction.

Tonight we went to a small spanish restaurant which was a clue and then we had a bunch of other clues to put together to learn our destination and project.

debrief, birthday and 2 day weekend.

After coming back to campus from our mini project we had to scramble and prepare for our debrief which is a power point telling about accomplishments and other small facts about the project. We also have been working on our portfolio that will be more in detail and personal (history of the community and reflections).

Friday was my 24th birthday and it was spent being non stop from 5:00am-6:00pm (PT and flood training). I got two packages.. one from my parents and another from the amazing Carlos! cards, money, food and adventure time figures + doll. My team made me a banner that they all signed and it got hung up on my door, the dry erase board was graffitied with well wishes... made my day. the evening was spent with friends at a local establishment, so much fun.

We got to have a 2 day weekend! felt amazing and so sad that it is almost over. Tonight my team and I are going into Ceder Rapids (closest city, 45 mins away) to have dinner at a Mexican restaurant  to then have our ROUND 1 SPIKE PROJECT reviled! so anxious to fidn out where and what we'll be doing for 6-8 weeks.

Back on campus

Today was our final day at pilgrim heights, I stayed inside all day and painted which made me happy. After finishing up work we hopped back in the van and headed back to Vinton. Felt so good coming back but it was short lived for we then spent the rest of the evening working on our portfolio and debrief which is tomorrow afternoon infront of our unit leader. Feeling overwhelmed.