Off we go...

Since I last wrote, the access to internet here has decreased a bit, since the Wolf Den/Computer Lab desktops are now mysteriously closed off now. However, now that I am a proud Cecil County Public Library cardholder, this will mostly liklely become my mainstay for accesssing the outside world.



But anyways, on to the good stuff.



After a snow interlude last week, We really started getting into the rythym of CTI (Corps Training Institute) this week. We've been tested by long Red Cross trainings, the first test of PT, and getting pumped to start our individual service project hours. All this was tempered by a random Congressional Visit on Thursday which threw us all for a loop (followed by great success).



Tuesday was our first real day of training with our first day of PT in the morning (a bright and early 0540). PT was a good starting point for myself, for now I know where I need to improve to get better. Probably the hardest part was sitting through the Red Cross training in the VA threatre, where it was easy to find yourself getting a bit too comfortable in the cozy chairs.



Wednesday was a big day for all us, with our permanent team reveal. We had had our temporary teams now for about a week, and many, especially myself were nervous to see where we would end up. the Unit and Team Leaders had a big game for the reveal. All the corps members revieved a slip of paper with their name on it and a title of a song. We all stood around in a big semi circle and waited as each song played, naming our team and our team leader. As the song "Summer Girls" came up, found out that my team leader was Brenton, and that I was going to be on Badger 7! Afterwards, we had our first team meeting and started getting to know each other.

Snow and more snow

So, hello everyone.

I'm writing this from the beautiful wintry, cold campus of the VA Medicial Center in Perry Point, MD, where the Atlantic Region of AmeriCorps NCCC. It's taken me a while to wrtie an update since my access to the net is a long walk in the snow (literally) away from my dorm.

Monday and Tuesday were very long days, conisting of travel and in-processing, which meant a lot a lot of paperwork to fill out. We were split up into our temporary teams once we got there( go Badger 6!), and got to start meeting everyone in our units. After the first two days of group meals, we went grocery shopping in our teams, in which we will be cooking and eating for the rest of training period here in Perry Point.

The past 2 days have been filled with snow. Wednesday we had a snow day due to the blizzard conditions outside, which meant we had a free day and were stuck inside for most of the day. At one point I did venture out to play a bit in the snow, which was fun for a bit. In total we got around 2 feet on Wenesday, causing a state of emergency for Maryland. That grounded everything for today as well, which meant we had a lot of free time to hang around the dorm, and watch some movies. Tommorrow, hopefully, we'll start training, which after 2 down days, everyone is anxious for. Well, until next time...

Last Minute stuff/How to contact me

Tomorrow is the big day! I will be up before the crack of dawn going to LAX for my 6:30 am flight.

Right now, I'm getting ready for the big game, where my Saints will trounce the colts.

Anyways, I thought I'd post my address here so if anyone wants to send me a letter, you can do so.

Peter Winfrey - Class XVI
AmeriCorps NCCC
P.O. Box 209
Perry Point, MD 21902

Also, if anyone is interested in AmeriCorps, or just wants some more information on what I'll generally be doing, the AmeriCorps website (http://www.americorps.gov/nccc ) is a good first source (on that note, wikipedia has a decent article on NCCC as well).

See you all in Perry Point, Maryland!

5 days!

Less than a week to go til I leave for Maryland!

Now is the time when the rubber meets the road, and packing is the number one priority. I've just recovered from my Utah/Arizona trip and now I have to pack up again, but then I 'm excited about this new adventure.

I'm really pumped for next Monday. I've been glued to my computer, itching for any new info/stuff talking about Americorps, especially the Class XVI group on facebook that I started awhile ago. I'm pumped to meet all the new people who I'll meet in a couple days. The AmeriCorps Anticipation is killing me!

though I've always been somewhat of a procastinator, its really taking a big effort to get started packing. Dunno why, maybe then the reality that I'm leaving will set in. I've made it a rule to really start packing today, and get a serious amount done.

At lot of the preparation I've been doing has been mental. Getting myself prepared for 10 months on the road, and everything. Plus, I've also been preparing for the cold weather, which with my cold weather test run during my road trip, which (hopefully) shouldn't be a big shock.

I actually went to a cool talk at Loyola Marymount University (or LMU if you're cool or live in LA) tonight. Greg Mortensen gave a talk about his work in Afghanistan and Pakistan building schools (especially for girls), and about his journey to work in the non-profit sector. The stuff he's been doing is pretty awesome, and if you want to know more check out his website http://www.gregmortenson.com/ or http://www.penniesforpeace.org/ .

Driving to LMU, I passed by LAX, where I'll be departing from on Monday. LAX is always a cool place, since it was were my dad worked until he retired recently. Flying has always been fun for me and I love the thrill of travelling.

Besides a couple family get togethers, I have one last big event to watch before I go- the SUPER BOWL. For my favorite team, the SAINTS of course, this has been a long time coming. With Mardi Gras two weeks away, and the super bowl this weekend, I can only guess at what a fever pitch New Orleans is in. Talking to one of my friends, he said if the Saints win, the city may just burn down from excitement (figuratively, of course). I agree the greatest parting gift for me would be a SAINTS superbowl win. :)