A Comedy of Errors

Yesterday I took my group on a tour of Cedar Rapids. This shall henceforth be known as C. Rap because it sounds cooler. We went to Best Buy, Target & Starbucks. It was the first time one of my members had been to a SuperTarget so we made sure to take a commemorative photo in front of the store before entering. Inside, I officially went over our food budget by $17 purchasing necessities like lunch meat and not-so-necessities like Funfetti brownie mix. My bad. On the way to C. Rap, we stopped off in the town of Brandon for a photo op in front of Iowa's biggest Frying Pan. I love how this photo shows a mix of facial expressions ranging from sheer joy to "why did you pull me out of the van for a photo in front of this dumb frying pan?"


For dinner I made a vegetarian risotto for the group and facilitated a riveting game of Apples to Apples, during which time I needed to bow out early so D.J. could drive me to the hospital. Why, you ask? For the last 2 days I've had some irritation in my right eye like I had an eyelash or something stuck in there. Finally I couldn't deal with it anymore. At first I felt silly going to the hospital, but when the receptionist said something to the effect of "holy cow, that doesn't look good," I thought perhaps my visit was justified. Next, a nurse proceeded to numb my eyeball with drops, grab the lid, flip that sucker upside down, shoot colored saline into my eyehole, and shine a black light on it. Turns out I have a corneal abrasion in the shape of the big dipper. They gave me some antibiotics and a gauze round. Apparently they don't issue pirate patches anymore.

Today we had some training and I took the team on a tour of Vinton. On my way to the van, I slipped down a muddy hill in front of my peeps and had to run back to my room to change. On the way, a van of NCCC'ers rode by laughing and pointing at my soggy bottom. Warranted. At dinner our meatballs took an outrageously long time to cook. In fact, a few people eventually gave up waiting and left to get take-out. While washing the dishes I spilled scalding hot water all over my jeans. So yes, this has been an eventful 2 days. LOL Sunday will involve a lot of paperwork and planning. But no matter how chaotic things seem, I still feel like I'm learning a ton and being super-productive. I love this job, and can't help laugh off these comically ridiculous failures. It's good stuff, people.

Never Snuggle a Platypus

Here's a twist for you. I spent my first week in Iowa pining for my friends and family back on the east coast. I will admit there was some hiding in my room for a few days before I decided to man-up and spend my free time in the lounge with the other TL's. I quickly realized that these people are hilarious, friendly, down-to-earth, honest and amazingly decent people. We bonded over bowling, road trips to Cedar Rapids, evenings at the Voo, shared mutual hardship during trainings, and some down and dirty get-to-know-you conversations. I truly heart these people. So what happened this week? They ripped us apart, separated us into different buildings around campus, sent us to separate training sessions, separate lunches, and separate vans. My point? Not only am I still missing my friends from back home, but now I'm ALSO missing my friends here! Examples of their awesomess, you ask? A few weeks ago fellow team leader D.J. advised me "never to snuggle a platypus" because apparently their hind feet contain poisonouss venom. Hilarious and important advise.


Equally important: the amazing dance moves I have learned from fellow TL, Kyle who spent his last year in Uganda and loves high-fives. And who have I selected as "emergency contact" on my work phone? I thought it only right to give this privledge to my "AmeriBFF" Kellie who enjoys popping-corn, National Parks and the television program Jersey Shore. I'm relieved to have made some great friends here, as it will be nice to be able to call my friends from home to ground me in things going on in the real world, or to give one of my AmeriFriends a call for some much-needed empathy when I'm out in the field with my team and needing a pep-talk.

In other news, if you're wondering how the PowerPoint presentation went earlier this week, lemme tell ya, it was hilarious. The slideshow itself went well I think, but there were some serious technical difficulties, and it 'twas a bit chaotic. But when is anything I do not chaotic?

There was also a snafu today when I took two members to the grocery store to buy food for the next four days and almost went over budget without even getting everything I needed for the the major meals. Cooking for 10 people is definitely a learning experience. Luckily the temporary corps members I was assigned for this week are cutting me some slack, adjusting to my sense of humor, and seem to be having more fun and loosening up a couple days in. I'm interested to see my team dynamic once I'm assigned to my final group for the rest of the year on Monday.

Ready, Set... Lead.

Today is officially the last day of team leader training on campus. So in theory, we should be able to lead these Corps Members (CM’s) next week with confidence! I’m pretty excited because I volunteered to kick off the Team Leader (TL) introduction to CM’s portion of the training at their first community meeting on Wednesday. Our presentation will consist of a pretty sweet PowerPoint slideshow I put together with one slide for each TL featuring ridiculous facts about them and random Google images. In the background we’ll play “Ya’ll Ready for This?” and I’m hoping my AmeriPeeps will break out some killer dance moves. Imma have to put more work into this over the weekend. At this point I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed with information to process including the tons of policies to remember, forms to be familiar with, things to think about as far as my stance on discipline, delegation and what not. This training has been a great experience for me. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about leadership, gained confidence in my ability to do this job, and made some pretty awesome friendships that I can lean on for advice going forward.

On the agenda for tonight? Fish fry at the American Legion. But first, I think I'll enjoy a delicious root beer float. Thanks to my cooking team for coming up with this genius idea:

When Worlds Collide

NCCC'ers watching NOVA's "Smartest Machine on Earth." Had to take a photo since my former co-workers would never believe me (their normal demographic is 60-year-old white guys). I also had a friend here brag to his brother on the phone that he works with someone in the NOVA credits. I'm about to get a big head. haha Worlds colliding!

Sunrise in Iowa

On our way to the University of Iowa for team building activities yesterday. Turns out a "low ropes course" doesn't necessarily need to include ropes... figure that one out. Aside from this oddity, the drive allowed for a sweet sunrise shot, and on the way back our team stopped for lunch at an all-you-can-eat Mongolian grill. Score!


I also got the chance to make Don Don The Mom (mi Madre's) famous broccoli casserole tonight and it got good reviews. Can't go wrong with what Lara refers to as the "Crock of Brock."

Kids don't hate me!

This week, we spent 3 days working at Tilford Elementary School in Vinton, doing maintenance projects and tutoring kids. I was terrified going into this because I don't have a lot of experience working with children and I was afraid they would hate me, or I would say something to scar them for life. However, I quickly learned that kindergartners are awesome, love playing Boggle Jr and just want your attention and high fives. Then I got the chance to read books with 3rd graders and a kid named Marcus read me "The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth." He did the different voices and everything! We also had snack time and Marcus was introduced to his first-ever Sunny Delight. We read the ingredients together and he was pretty intrigued that it contained grapefruit. Additionally I had some major bonding time with my friend DJ as we shampooed hundreds of auditorium chairs. Definitely a great first project:

Here's an article I co-wrote for the local paper:

"AmeriCorps Class 17 team leaders arrive in Vinton; help at Tilford"

Nunchucks & Tap Dancing. That's what's up.

Yes, there was a talent show on campus. And through an amazing chain of events the following performance occurred. This video features my roommate Natalie and our buddy Phil. Magical moments.