So it's been a long two weeks, full of nothing but training for the entire Vinton class. We took our last test yesterday afternoon, finishing our class early. It was an easy test, and it was by far my favorite class out of the three we took. The instructors were fantastic, and they gave us candy. We all had a great time and it was sad to say good-bye to them. But that's what has to happen if we want to get out there and do what we came here to do.
Today we have graduation. I don't quite know how that's going to work out, but I'm going to have a hard time focusing because we leave early tomorrow morning for...drumroll please...
KANSAS CITY!
There are going to be four teams going there, and while I know it's in Missouri and I don't really want to go back to my state, it's been a long time since I visited KC and I'm really excited to see it again. One of my friends here on another team lives there, an she's super jealous. I wish she was going because she's awesome, but wherever she ends up I'll bet it would be just as great. (Her team still has yet to find out, and they're waiting rather impatiently.)
I have a lot left to do today. We're packing the van soon with everything but our backpacks, so I need to get set for that. It's going to be a fun game of Tetris. And then lunch, paperwork, graduation, and then freedom until our drive tomorrow! Next time I talk to you, I'll be in Kansas City!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Autumn, Training, Hiking
I think it's just easier for me to title things by what I've been doing instead of trying to come up with something clever.
So first thing being first, it's the beginning of October, which is special for three things. Halloween, my birthday (26th!) and the changing of the weather. I'm a very big fan of fall weather. It's always been my favorite growing up, and there's never really been anything to change that. However, Iowa started to get so damn cold! I was beginning to wonder if they even had an autumn. I figured that I'd rather take the eighty degrees here in the south than the thirty in Vinton.
Today is somewhere in the fifties though. I have fall weather! It has a certain vibe to it that just fills you with warmth and childlike memories. The leaves are changing colors, the wind is brisk, and there's just a certain smell that you can't help but inhale. It feels amazing. And when you go hiking, it feels even better. We got up this morning and had breakfast at our scheduled time of 5:15, and from there headed out to the Talladega National Forest. I think now is a good time to mention that it's the weekend of Talladega, so the highway was a parking lot. We saw it as we took a different route to the park. I know there were some people from the Corps who went and had a lot of fun, but I don't much care for it. I'm glad those who went though had a good time.
The park was gorgeous. We got a little lost and drove on a winding road that finally got us to the main office. Took about 30-45 minutes though. Nice team bonding. We hiked up a nice trail that was mainly covered in pine needles. It didn't seem to me that a lot of people used the trails, and at one point I think it was more us just walking in a dry creek bed. But we had a lot of fun. Climbed over some rocks and then sat and discussed the past week in a little clearing. It was peaceful and calming, and just what all of us needed. It's hard being stuck on a base where the only thing we do is go to class. I enjoy the trainings, I really do. They're interesting to attend, and we all seem to have a lot of fun. But there are just some moments when you feel like there's nothing else to do but sit and stare at the wall. So getting out and enjoying the beauty of the mountains here really rejuvenated all of us.
When we got back, I took a really long nap. Four hours long. Then I went to dinner and hung around with a few other Corps members not on my team. For future members, you're going to miss the time you spend with them when you're on spike. It's why a lot of people enjoy transition throughout the year. You get the chance to see the friends you make during CTI who aren't on your team. I'm cherishing what time we have left. We're leaving on the 17th, or 18th, I can't quite remember. So we have a week and a half left with each other. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll know what our assignments are going to be by the end of the week. We're all getting cabin fever and we want to get out and do what we signed up to do.
Now it's time to get ready for bed. The wonderful day off is coming to a close, and training starts again tomorrow. Until next time.
So first thing being first, it's the beginning of October, which is special for three things. Halloween, my birthday (26th!) and the changing of the weather. I'm a very big fan of fall weather. It's always been my favorite growing up, and there's never really been anything to change that. However, Iowa started to get so damn cold! I was beginning to wonder if they even had an autumn. I figured that I'd rather take the eighty degrees here in the south than the thirty in Vinton.
Today is somewhere in the fifties though. I have fall weather! It has a certain vibe to it that just fills you with warmth and childlike memories. The leaves are changing colors, the wind is brisk, and there's just a certain smell that you can't help but inhale. It feels amazing. And when you go hiking, it feels even better. We got up this morning and had breakfast at our scheduled time of 5:15, and from there headed out to the Talladega National Forest. I think now is a good time to mention that it's the weekend of Talladega, so the highway was a parking lot. We saw it as we took a different route to the park. I know there were some people from the Corps who went and had a lot of fun, but I don't much care for it. I'm glad those who went though had a good time.
The park was gorgeous. We got a little lost and drove on a winding road that finally got us to the main office. Took about 30-45 minutes though. Nice team bonding. We hiked up a nice trail that was mainly covered in pine needles. It didn't seem to me that a lot of people used the trails, and at one point I think it was more us just walking in a dry creek bed. But we had a lot of fun. Climbed over some rocks and then sat and discussed the past week in a little clearing. It was peaceful and calming, and just what all of us needed. It's hard being stuck on a base where the only thing we do is go to class. I enjoy the trainings, I really do. They're interesting to attend, and we all seem to have a lot of fun. But there are just some moments when you feel like there's nothing else to do but sit and stare at the wall. So getting out and enjoying the beauty of the mountains here really rejuvenated all of us.
When we got back, I took a really long nap. Four hours long. Then I went to dinner and hung around with a few other Corps members not on my team. For future members, you're going to miss the time you spend with them when you're on spike. It's why a lot of people enjoy transition throughout the year. You get the chance to see the friends you make during CTI who aren't on your team. I'm cherishing what time we have left. We're leaving on the 17th, or 18th, I can't quite remember. So we have a week and a half left with each other. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll know what our assignments are going to be by the end of the week. We're all getting cabin fever and we want to get out and do what we signed up to do.
Now it's time to get ready for bed. The wonderful day off is coming to a close, and training starts again tomorrow. Until next time.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Anniston, Alabama and the CDP
Made it to our destination this afternoon! We had a five hour car ride, and I think I speak for the entire team when I say about time! For being a two day trip in a van stuffed full of everything, I think we did pretty damn good sanity-wise. There were a few moments, but nothing worth really mentioning. We got here around two and were allowed into the complex for a quick briefing and to receive the rest of our uniforms, as listed:
The rooms are hotel style-ish. There are two Corps members in each room, with a bathroom connecting two rooms together. I have Jessie, a girl on my team, in my room, and we share a bathroom with two other girls on our team. It's very basic, but it's comfortable and it works. There's a tiny recliner in the room that's quite comfortable, and if it wasn't for back problems, I wouldn't mind sleeping in it. The two of us have decided that we're just going to share the bed though. Should be comfortable enough. There's also a TV, little coffee maker, and a decent-sized fridge, but I have no idea what to put in it since we're going to receive meals from the CDP for the next two and a half weeks.
As I said before, training starts tomorrow. We're all looking forward to it. The first week is geared towards FEMA and what they do, which is exciting, but I'm more looking forward to the second week, where we'll learn about our specific roles. Breakfast is starting at 6:45 in the morning, so I should probably start working on going to bed. Just going to add that I miss being back in the South, and I'm glad to be here. It's not Tuscaloosa, but I think Anniston will grow on m rather fast. Tomorrow begins a new day. Hopefully I can manage to post a little more often than normal while we're here.
- Two polos
- Three t-shirts
- One long-sleeve shirt
- Hoodie
- Jacket
- Baseball hat
The rooms are hotel style-ish. There are two Corps members in each room, with a bathroom connecting two rooms together. I have Jessie, a girl on my team, in my room, and we share a bathroom with two other girls on our team. It's very basic, but it's comfortable and it works. There's a tiny recliner in the room that's quite comfortable, and if it wasn't for back problems, I wouldn't mind sleeping in it. The two of us have decided that we're just going to share the bed though. Should be comfortable enough. There's also a TV, little coffee maker, and a decent-sized fridge, but I have no idea what to put in it since we're going to receive meals from the CDP for the next two and a half weeks.
As I said before, training starts tomorrow. We're all looking forward to it. The first week is geared towards FEMA and what they do, which is exciting, but I'm more looking forward to the second week, where we'll learn about our specific roles. Breakfast is starting at 6:45 in the morning, so I should probably start working on going to bed. Just going to add that I miss being back in the South, and I'm glad to be here. It's not Tuscaloosa, but I think Anniston will grow on m rather fast. Tomorrow begins a new day. Hopefully I can manage to post a little more often than normal while we're here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)