California Here We Come!

Location: Denver, CO


So I am currently sitting in my dorm room, praying my computer doesn't die on me before I finish this. The campus is almost completely dead. Everyone has left for home and it is eerily quiet in the halls. We got back on Thursday from our Spike projects, and were greeted to hundreds of hugs and small conversations. It was so weird but amazing to be reunited with everyone again, even if it was only for a day. I forgot about how much I love the energy and the dynamic of the corps as a whole. You become so used to those 9 other people that you are living with, that the amount of people can be overwhelming, but amazing at the same time. I got to see my roommate and the rest of my AmeriFamily. 


We all traded stories about our adventures in different cities, and we got to hear about what was accomplished over the past month.The stories were truly amazing. Some of them were incredibly heartbreaking, but it was a firm reminder of why we are here, taking 10 months out of our lives to "Get Things Done" for America. I am so thankful for the experience that I am having. Parts have been challenging, but I know it has just begun. I have already began to feel myself changing slightly, and I can't wait to see what will happen for the rest of our time here. 


It still amazes me on how attached I have become to my team. I thought Thanksgiving break was weird when Ren, Megan, and Alex were gone... it felt lonely. But now spending 2 weeks without them is going to be even more so. We were all saying goodbye last night, and it hit me how weird it is going to be not seeing these people 24/7 for the next 2 weeks, and then after graduation. We have become so close already, I cannot even imagine how hard of a goodbye it will be after 10 months of knowing these incredible people. 


The project ended wonderfully. I will really miss John and James and their crazy antics at the Shaw Nature Reserve. As menial as the work was, I have learned to cherish and appreciate the small beauties in the world. Like waking up every morning and going to work outside in a prairie or in the woods, learning to embrace nature (even when the temperature is below freezing). It was such a great experience and I would not have changed it for anything!


So big news. 2 things really. 1st- NEXT PROJECT I WILL BE IN PIKES PEAK, CO doing fire management training and work. We will spend 2 weeks in Pikes Peak working with the fire service doing our training, and then we will be going to Kansas for a month working there doing cuttings and hopefully prescribed burns! The last month will be spent back in Pikes Peak. This project is going to be very intense and very hard, but totally worth it. Pikes is above 8000 ft high, meaning we will be super humans by the time we get back. Especially since our sponsor is making us to PT every morning before work. And then we will have to hike 2 miles or so in to and out of our work space. It will be nice to work outside again, but I am hoping for the 3rd round (our shuffle round) I will be able to actually work with people and children. 


2nd piece- I get to be an Assistant Team Leader with Jeremy for the rest of our projects. This means we get to help Alex with paperwork/ get a taste of what it is going to be like as a Team Leader. I am very excited and honored to be able to do this position. The team got to vote on it, and they voted for me, something I didn't really expect. It will be a lot more work than we are used to, but I can't wait! :)


That is all for now! I need to finish getting ready/ packing so I can go sit in the Denver Airport for 7 hours! YAY! Ha. But returning to California tonight for the last time... Very mixed emotions about it. But I will make the most out of the 2 weeks that I am there. 


I love you all and I will update soon! Have a happy holiday! 


Kris

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving from Gray Summit! It is FINALLY snowing. After a few weeks of gorgeous weather, snow decided to grace us with its presence. 

Today has been incredibly nice. I woke up, and channeling my mom, watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade, wishing that I could watch it with her! It is one of my favorites and I always get excited because I know that Christmas is almost here! It also means, that it is officially okay to listen to Christmas music! (Despite Alex's, my team leader, wishes) So let the carols begin!!

Our sponsor, John, was nice enough to let the 7 of us (3 had gone home) join him and his family and friends for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner at the reserve. It was so much fun playing games and getting to know our sponsor on a different level. His family was so generous and funny! The girls and Chris played dominoes with Katy (our sponsor's daughter in law) while the others went for a 2 mile hike in the snow. I was not really in the mood to hike 2 miles in boots and a dress... a little too chilly for my taste :)

Around the dinner table we went around a shared what we were thankful for, so I decided that I am going to share that with you all. I am incredibly thankful for all my friends (old and new) and family who constantly support me in whatever adventures that I choose to pursue. This one included. It means so much to me that I have such a deep support system, and that even if they don't necessarily agree with what I am doing, they will still support me with whatever I choose to do. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with happiness and turkey!

I love you all,

Kris

Pictures Part 2!

Here are some pictures from our hiking trip to Boulder! Pictures of the reserve will be up soon!

<3

"Just Around the Riverbend!!"

Location: Gray Summit, MO


Yes... yes I am still alive! I'm sorry it has been so long. The past few weeks have been INSANE. First off, I am an OFFICIAL AmeriCorps NCCC member. We had induction last Friday, where we took our "vows" to be the best member we could be... "We are AmeriCorps members, and we will GET THINGS DONE". Yes. With the emphasis on the last part.


 It is hard to believe that CTI is over and that I am actually here in Gray Summit. Our long car trip started last Saturday, when we said goodbye to our Water Unit family and the rest of the corps, climbed into our two pickup trucks and headed out on our crazy car adventure back to the Midwest. Very much Deja Vu from earlier this year when my mom and I drove cross country from Kansas City. The car ride itself wasn't too bad. We had to stop every 2 hours (due to the rules) and change drivers. So the constant change and stretch breaks made the three people crammed in the backseat bearable. It was definitely a good way to get to know our team... drooling on each other and playing endless games of "Would You Rather?". 


Finally on Sunday around 3:30- 4 pm we rolled into Gray Summit. ... Nothing like what we expected. There isn't a whole lot here. But, we are staying in a Travelodge hotel  (SO NICE... continental breakfast every morning? Heck yes!) and our work place, Shaw Nature Reserve, is right across the street. Our sponsors are so nice too. The other day they invited us to a birthday party for everyone who had birthday's the past month. The funny thing is that they knew no one was going to be there, who had the birthday, but they threw it anyway to give us an opportunity to eat cake and ice cream! Delicious!! 


The nature reserve is beautiful. Every day feels like a scene in Pocahontas. It is right on the Mermac River, with plenty of hiking trails down to the river and through the woods. I am truly grateful that I get to spend 9-10 hours a day outside exploring. Which now brings me to answer the question "What exactly are you doing?". Well, now that I finally know, at least for now, I will tell you! ... Drum roll please?.... 


Seed collecting! And invasive species removal... which includes playing with chain saws (no injuries yet!). We spend our mornings cutting down Honey Suckle and Privot bushes aka huge trees, and applying herbicide to the stems so they don't grow back. And in the afternoon we collect various types of prairie seeds to help with the regrowth of the reservation. It is very Zen. And nice for alone time. We have gotten pretty darn good at collecting seeds. One afternoon we collected over 20 lbs of Big Blue grass seed. Which, if you couldn't tell, is A LOT of seed. The projects have been fun, and it is a great way to spend the day... much better than being in a cubicle, but I can see it getting fairly monotonous in a week or so. However my team will help me keep going strong, and the reserve will hopefully be much better than it was before we got there. 

...I think that is all for now! I will hopefully update sooner, now that I found someone who has the same power cable as I do so that I can actually charge my computer. I hope everyone is well!


Love,
Kris

"Cause when you're hot it's like your burnin up everyone elses cold"

Location: Denver, CO

The past week or so has been incredibly eventful. Training has consumed the majority of my life as well as working out/ weight lifting in the evenings. So by the time my day actually is over, I am completely ready for bed. Which is mostly the reason why I have not been able to update lately. But! I will do better in this coming week.

CTI is coming to an end, and the induction ceremony is Wednesday. I can then say that I am truly apart of AmeriCorps NCCC. It is very bitter sweet because I know that I will have to say goodbye to the majority of my unit and especially those that I have become very close to over the past few weeks. My AmeriFamily is splitting up for now, but we will be reunited soon during transitions. Over the past 2 weeks we have been completing hours and hours of lecture training. This includes anything from "Healthy Lifestyles" to American Red Cross CPR, AED and First Aid training! So if anyone is choking, unconscious, or has a wound I am certified to help. :) But... please don't... I would prefer not to use my skills....

Last weekend was filled with ISP (independent service projects). I spent my Saturday morning cleaning CPR mannequins at the American Red Cross. It was fitting for Halloween since we had to peel faces off of the adult and children mannequins and then laid the "bodies" out on the lawn. It was fitting for a horror movie... Sunday I got to put my acting skills to use at the Denver Children's Museum Trick or Treat Street. I was Curious George... full mascot costume, handler, and all. I have to give props to the men and women at Disney World. That thing was HOT! But it was so worth it seeing the excited look (at least what I could see through the mouth of the monkey) on the children's faces and getting hugged and pictures taken with. I felt like a genuine celebrity :). Despite the heat, it was a blast, and I couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate Halloween than helping kids make their Halloween magical. 

So now the time that you all, and especially I have been waiting for! I found out yesterday who I will spending the next 9 months of my life with! WATER TEAM 6! Fire Management group. I MADE FIRE MANAGEMENT!!! Can you just sense my excitement?? The process for trying out for this team has been strenuous and tiring but in the end it will be totally worth it! We started out with an interview between the Team Leader and the Unit Leader. As well as wrote an essay on why we wanted to do Fire Management. Then a week later we did our baselines. Ran a mile and did as many push ups and sit ups in 2 minutes as we could. After that, the waiting began. And yesterday I found out that I actually made it! I kind of kept it on the down low cause I was worried that I was not going to make it. There were 4 spots for girls with 7-8 girls who tried out plus ones from a different Unit. 

Yesterday we played games and were lead on a scavenger hunt to find out our teams. The team leader Alex, had been implying to me that I would not be in the fire group, so I could accept it. But when I got my final clue "Go Get Buff" I knew that something was up. I walked over to the gym and saw my team for the first time. I saw 4 of my good friends standing there (all who had tried out for fire) and as the other 4 walked through the door I had realized officially that they will be my family for the next 9 months. And thus the jumping, squealing, and giggling commenced. A huge group hug took place, then we continued on our quest to find Alex. We wandered around campus answering clues until we ended up at the AmeriCorps offices where we were supposed to meet him. In an Alex fashion, he was about 10 minutes late to show up, but we were all united at last! He told us that he got everyone he wanted on his team (not like he would say any different) and that it will be the most challenging months of our lives, but worth it in the end. We will be doing environmental type projects, prescribed burns, and even fight wild fires. By the time training is done and I pass the pack test (3 miles in 45 min with a 45 lb pack on my back) I will be a Red Card certified Type II wildland firefighter!!! What that means.. I'm not quite sure. But I will let you know as soon as I find out!!

So the count down begins!!! Next Saturday I leave for Gray Summit, MO to work for the Shaw Nature Reserve building trails! I am sooo excited! It is 35 minutes outside of STL and we will be staying in a hotel. Alex said that since we will most likely be in remote places for our 2nd and 4th projects he wanted to stay somewhere nice. :) It will be awesome. Water 6 is amazing and I cannot wait to see what will transpire in the coming months. I know that I will be pushed and challenged and will be tired and frustrated but in the end, I will be so incredibly proud of what I will have accomplished AND I will be completely in shape!!

Get excited for some gorgeous pictures coming up from future hiking trips, ISP's, and wild fires!! I will try to update soon!

Love you all,

Kris

PICTURES!

So I promised a while ago that I would attach pictures. So here are some of the pictures that I have taken since I have been here.

The Colorado Heights Campus:

Red Rock Amphitheater:

Hiking at Rocky National Park in Boulder:

That is all the new pictures for now! I will post more later!!

<3

College... With a Twist

The past week has been absolutely crazy, but amazing none the less. Every day that I am here, I feel more and more like this is where I am supposed to be. Although it has only been 10 days since I arrived, I have really started to make this place my home. 

The fall has come fast in Denver and the leaves were already changing. There was this beautiful tree that was completely red on the top, faded into orange and yellow and then green underneath. It is also fun watching the snow caps grow on the Rockies from our campus.

My week started out with a Water Unit trip to Boulder, where we went hiking. It was absolutely GORGEOUS! Cold and rainy... but fun none the less. The hike was really easy and when we got to the half way point, we were able to climb up these huge rocks to overlook a small stream that ran through. It was a great bonding experience for our entire unit, and I am really thankful for that. I have met most everyone in the Unit (70 people).

 I have also become really close to people from my first group. We now consider ourselves a "family" with a few people added in there as distant cousins. Our family spends most weekday evenings watching Disney movies and going to parks. Which is awesome after a long day of lectures.

Tuesday was spent doing Driver's training. Yes, I got to drive the huge 15 passenger van, and guess what? I PASSED!! Yay! So now all I have to do is drive 2 more times with a Team Leader and I will be a certified driver. AWESOME. The day was spent driving around Denver. We went around downtown, to the Red Rock Amphitheater, up in the mountains to Buffalo Bill's supposed grave site, and back to campus. It was an experience to say the least. And what better way to get to know your temporary team than to spend 4 hours in a car with them. 

The rest of the week was spent in the classrooms listening to lectures. Mostly about rules and what we will be doing for the next 10 months. However, we did have a presentation by the Red Cross about what we will be doing with disaster relief. I cannot wait. It seems like it will be very emotionally trying and physically exhausting, but it reminds me more and more of why I am here, and that this is what I am supposed to be doing. If I can make even the smallest differentness in one person's life, then I will be happy. 

Yesterday we got to do our first service project. Our temporary teams were broken up into two groups and then assigned 10 6th graders (there was around 600 of them). However, my team's 6th graders didn't show up, so we stole 5 boys from another group and made them help us :). We went to a Cherry Creek National Park and was in charge of cutting down an invasive weed called Mullen. This involved using huge clippers, chopping off the seeds and then stabbing the roots with a shovel. It was right up the boys alley, and was a lot of fun for us to help and watch. The boys were fun until they lost interest about half way through and started chasing each other with tools and spitting on each other... a charming reminder of why I should not teach middle school aged children. By the end of the day we were happy to see them go, and very proud of all the work we accomplished. As a whole we managed to cut down 2500 pounds of Mullen. Go AmeriCorps!!

That is about all for my week! I am trying to convince the family to go to the aquarium with me this weekend! So wish me luck on that :) 

I love you all and miss you! I will update again soon!!

Kris

Is This Really Happening?

Location: The Mile High City


So, I am finally here, and slowly but surely getting settled. In all honesty, I am in complete and utter denial that I am actually here. It still all seems like a dream. It actually reminds me a lot of TU during orientation, where they threw everyone together and forced us to become friends. It has only been 2 days and I am meeting some incredible people. I have made some great friends with my temporary team (though we sadly changed teams today). It is amazing how quickly people can bond. We have only known each other for 2 days and I feel like I have known them forever.


 There are definitely some personalties and the population is very diverse, but I have a feeling that I will learn a lot about people and how to deal with those types of personalities. I am in the Water Unit, which doesn't mean much (just a way for them to break us up), but my unit seems AWESOME. Everyone is very welcoming, and the team leader are hysterical. I am greatly looking forward to the next 10 months.


For those of you who don't really know what I will be doing for the next 10 months, don't worry, I don't fully know either. So we will learn together! What I do know though, is that AmeriCorps NCCC is a government funded organization who hired 18-24 year olds to do community service for non profits.Our main focus will be disaster relief. Over the next 10 months I will complete probably well over 1700 hours of community service. I cannot wait!!! I already signed up to volunteer at the Denver Children's Museum during their Halloween Party on the 31st. It should be a lot of fun. We do not find out our permanent teams until November 4th, along with we will find out where we are going for the first time! Until then they are shuffling us around with team leaders and different people trying to figure out who works well with who and what personalities go with what.


The past two days have been kind of a blur, and to be honest, not that eventful (paperwork, lectures on rules, etc). Though it has all been very exciting! People have quickly come to realize  that a) I am easily amused, b) I giggle a lot, and c) I am easily excitable and perky. Which is good. I guess I would rather be outgoing and friendly than shy and off putting. Half of me wonders when the energy is going to wear off and I am going to crash... I can feel it coming.


The campus itself is beautiful. We were driving around near Federal Blvd (where the campus is) earlier, and it just shined in the background. It sets on a hill overlooking the Rocky Mountains (pictures come soon). I have truly blessed to be in such a gorgeous location.


So, now the fun part... the uniforms.... How to describe them... There will be pictures eventually, once Benton, Kyleigh, and I do our fashion show. But they are to say the least, hideous... comfortable, but hideous. I think I can fit a small child or person in my pants/ shorts... My plan for no make up may not come true, since I need to find some way to look feminine... I had to say goodbye to my nose ring this morning, a sad time. It will take a lot to get used to, but that's okay. 




That is about all for now. My roommate Kelly and I are about to have a movie night in our room :) EXCITING! She is another Disney fan... it's a start to a great friendship :) I love you all and will try to update soon. I do not have an internet cable so I am borrowing Kelly's. So please don't be offended if I do not update for a few days!!


OH! before I forget... If you plan to mail me something, PLEASE PLEASE call me or text me and let me know. We have a "Mail call" that we have to go to to get our mail, and they will not tell us other wise. So I need to know if I should start going to those :). 


Thanks!!! Love you, Miss you and talk to you soon!!


Kris

"Leavin' On a Jet Plane..."

 ‎"I have an irrepressible desire to live till I can be assured that the world is a little better for my having lived in it."– Abraham Lincoln

Location: Danville, CA

It never ceases to amaze me how fast time really does go by. It seems like just yesterday that Elyse called me before our typical Wednesday lunch date with Deidra, to ask me if I wanted to go talk with "AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps)" before we ate. I agreed, having never heard of them before, slightly intrigued, but more or less going along for moral support (plus normally the companies that came in to ACAC gave out free things... and what is more exciting to a college student that free stuff!) After talking to a rep from the NCCC program and after encouragement/ persuasion from Elyse, I decided to apply. And now, almost 7 months later, in less than 2 days, I begin my adventure of a lifetime. 

The more time that has gone by, the more and more excited I have gotten. I have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life: to give back to a community and a world that has given so much to me. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I get to travel all over the country. I will get to meet and befriend people from all over the country, each from different backgrounds and cultures. 


At first when I started befriending fellow Corps members via Facebook, I was a little worried about having things in common. But when I started thinking about it, no matter how different we all are and where we come from, we are coming together to form a complete team. One that hopefully when our term is done, we will have left the world a little better than it was before we started.


The next 10 months will be challenging; both emotionally and phyiscally draining. My team and I will be pushed to our limits. And I have no doubt that at times (when I'm in the middle of a forest, freezing... tired... and grumpy :) ) I will wonder why the world I decided to do this, when I could be warm in my bed, curled up with my kitty. But hopefully my inner desire to make a difference and leave my mark on the world will carry me through. 


When I board a plane in the Oakland Airport on October 13th, 2010 at 5:50 AM, starting a fresh and exciting chapter in my life, I am knowingly and willingly accepting, that I will not be the same person when I am finished. 


So, I say bring it on!


Love you all,
Kris