Chickens, mansions and kids!

Well, here we are, beginning the last week of garden chicken extravaganza. Frustrations have been high which consequently have led to the neglecting of the blog. Shocker! haha, however Sophie has been doing a fabulous job at the Children's Program Blog so I cannot feel too shabby. The first week of the program was a madhouse. No kids signed up really so Lisa, one of the interns recreuited a local preschool to bring 18 3 year olds. CRAZY! the second and third week were much calmer since only the kids from a neighboring apartment building attended. Leaving us with about 10 kids. JFB, Sara and I took the lead while the rest of the team built or began building the chicken run (please see digression on chicken run). I've gotten close to some of the kids. Meihua (may-wha), Jacky (abvove with the red stripes) and Minna. For four hours everyday we traipse about the garden finding worms, slugs to feed the chicken (a favorite!), watering, making crafts and playing. Originally 4 interns were supposed to write the curriculum and then we were just supposed to implement it alongside the intern who wrote that weeks curriculum. I've met 2/4 interns and begun re-writing the curriculum. There was way too much free time happening or impossible amounts of talking for kids under the age of 8 (as all of ours are.)  On week four however another school has been recruited to attend and we have 15-20 children. Stephen, Yasha and Denise have stepped in to join the program. While I'm LOVING writing curriculum and even making copies of things, I realize everyday just how write my decision to teach high school. I swear if i have to explain sharing one more time..... :)

Chicken Run Digression - the chicken run has been some what of a sore subject for much of the team. It has frustrated us for several reason. One- we came to build a functioning and sustainable childrens program and a safe garden but instead are spending 6 hours or more a day working on a chicken run. Two - the chicken run supplies alone have cost over $3000. Americorps was designed to help communities in a need, what sort of non-profit can justify spending three grand on a chicken run! Three - most of us think of chicken coops as a couple of stakes and some chicken wire. This sucker is made from fresh cut cedar, chicken 'hardware," it has been designed by an architect, needs a custom build door, and requires the collaboration of 2 architects and enginner and about 7 misc non-builders to even tell us where to put one board. We've begun calling it the chicken mansion, the chicken taj mahal...etc. Home of 16 of the most spoiled rotten chickens to have cross the face of seattle....and the Earth.

                                                                    (2009-2010) <--- americorps life bahaha
Week 3 also brought about another good bye. Iman left us to return to Chicago, via California in order to get a head start on her Life After Americorps. Med school starts very early in August and obviously the future Dr. Al-Saden needed a break before diving into her studies. As one of the most dynamic characters on our team her absence is already extremely present however, its interesting to note how Americorps has desensitized me to good-byes, farewells and "see you nevaaaa."

There has also been some fun Seattle things to do. For instance Gold 1 attended the Seattle Pride festivities including one giant dance/fountain party. As per normal with these sort of events I was not wearing enough make-up and definitely was wearing too much fabric. We also have explored the capitol hill district, fremont and the U district quite a bit. Our sponsor jonathon and his girlfriend (whom i adore) luciana, are avid swing dancers and they invited us out to a bar called the New Orleans to watch them dance. The bar itself was obviously modeled after a city we spent much of our year in. It was good to be surrounded by jazz and at least faux-new orleans spirit. However Jonathons moves were awesome and he really tried to get us onto the floor. Denise of course was a natural. That girl has more rhythm than anyone I've ever met...I on the hand clearly was just stumbling around. haha.

Once of my dad's closest friends is actually from Seattle so I took the girls over to his house on Friday for dinner. we were treated to a extremely awesome bbq featuring steaks that were the size of my head! Thank goodness for people not on the Americorps budget and lifestyle! Stan is staying at his friends "crib" (trust me it felt like we were ont he TV show as he showed us around) and we were about to grill out and eat until none of us could move. He also drove us out to Kirkland to show us the city and tell us how much it has changed since he has lived there. I really have grown to love seattle despite my frustrations with my job. However with only free weeknights left my time is running short and I have so much left to see. I haven't been to the EMP or gotten my picture taken with the troll. Part of this has been the fact that we live in BUrien and another part has been that I'm too big of a baby to just hop onto a bus and go...like JFB. She has so much gumption. Hopefully I'll get that some day.

This is enough for the day. I have work to do. :) But i wish it was more laying in the sun....

Ps

Oh check out the Danny woo Blog!

www.dannywookids.blogspot.com
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hello Seattle I am an AmeriCorps....

Well here we are the second day of the second week of round four. Officially Ice now been in Seattle for one week. Gold 1 has crammed into a shady two bedroom one bath. Its one of those apartments you see from a main stretch of road. You know the ones hidden behind all the trees with only a snippet of second story concrete balcony and people loitering there....drinking smoking and doing drugs. Now imagine nine 18-24yr olds crammed into one of those apartment. They file out at eight AM and wearily trudge back in around six PM. Luckily our neighbors are just as loud and as crazy as us.

Work has been interesting. We are centered in the international district or Chinatown and the Danny Woo Community Garden is right on the edge. We have had lots of time to explore; one of the days Lisa (an intern who is our contact for the children's program) set us free to rove around and explore. We have found lots of good places to eat. There is a huge bus station which can take you many places for free during the day. We took it downtown once but I still would like to go more- obviously to actually see stuff. The buses reminded me of the underground in London. There is an actual road underground the buses travel on very much like the tube!

Work itself has been interesting. Gold 1 functions not like many other Ameri-teams. In order to work we must play. In order to follow directions we must try to make it most efficient and long term. We constantly have even better ifs and suggestions. with our sponsors we interrupt constantly and probably pry more than appropriate and banter with sarcasm and teases. We have been very fortunate at every other project to have sponsors who enjoy this, also function this way or have adapted quickly and added to our playful work. after seven days here it doesn't seem to be the case. miscommunication seems to be the regular communication tactic and were feeling underused (in the idea of better suggestions which are rejected) or unwanted (for more than just work).
the garden is very neat; however, it seems to be full of shady characters and upon arrival a bit trashy. We have really wanted to work on clear definition of the children gardens plots as well as added color and kid friendly environment. We were concerned immediately by the trash in the garden and after finally nagging our way into trash duty picked up MANY syringes condomns and bags of poop. How could we expect kids to want to be safe or comfortable here with these concerns?

We spend our mornings with kids. Today was day two. Due to a lack of actual children wanting to come we recruited a nearby Daycare. Were running 18 3-5 year olds. And 4 other ppl who had actually signed up. The program is going much better than we thought it would and we're really enjoying it. The boys do other stuff then too. After lunch we have other garden stuff to do. We're being directed to pruning, creating compost, weeding etc but were constantly trying to convince Jonathon to let us work in the childrens garden. We want to make a rainbow in the walk way to signify the entering and exiting of the childrens garden. We were able to finish one. We also want to create a welcome sign and bright colorful things to draw in kids and make them feel more at play.
Last weekend we went to the Solstice festival in fremont. It was supposed to be crazy and hipstery and artsy and showcase a naked bike ride but the morning got off to a rough start and we missed the bike ride, were rather grumpy and then also realized living in NOLA during Mardis Gras seems to have ruined all other parades for us.
Money is tight but I've come to the irresponsible decision that I'm here now I should enjoy it and figure out the rest next year. Ill be sleeping in my car on the road trip haha.
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The beginning of the end

Often its clichely said "this is the beginning of the end." Senior year of high school or college, last dances, a fight with the significant other and many more. These are all places where even I have used this age old cliche but this weekend it rang more true than any of these other times.

This weekend I finished packing for Good 1s last grand adventure. When we return to campus Iman will be gone and Gold 1 will have eight days left together.

Yesterday we all piled into Rhonda, stopping one last time at starbucks on watt to begin our trek. I slept for the first six hours when I wasn't driving. Yasha slept on me for two hours then Sophie Yasha and I piled into a seat and passed out-legs stretched across eachother, no regard for personal space. I drifted off into slumber thinking about how far we have come from the nine strangers afraid to touch anyone on our NOLA road trip.

I've never been to oregon and as soon as we crossed the border it seemed to all be green and lush. There were snow capped peaks and thick clouds. I wish we could spend time in Portland but maybe next year or maybe on my road trip in two months.

right now Sara is driving and Sophie is "safetying" of rather djing. I'm sitting first row barefeet poking up into the box between JFB and the bose noise reduced Eric Shupin - both happen to he reading the paper. Doom and gloom are sitting behind us reading and staring out the window respectively; both have their headphones on to drown out our music. Denise and Iman are pulling up the rear -jamming. Then where there once was a backseat there are now nine red bags and a mobile kitchen.

The traveling band of gypsies as JFB calls us has one more destination.
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BINGO...or not

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Just another night....

Scene - three NCCC pile into a small 2 door Honda w Illinois plates. The driver sporting power stripes and a retro sweater which looks like an arcade game's reset screen. Two ladies in the back fashionble as always singing to the radio as the car rolls up to a stop sign next to the smokers table and a gent in a Vietnam era MP helmet gets in. "club anthems 99" disc 1 rings out of the open windows s they cruise through the ghetto of McClellan. What hell could they be raising tonight? Drugs? Booze? Midnight rendezvous? Its actually a car of under 23yr olds off to "late night bingo" in Sacramento...

Would you have guessed that a half an hour before these four plus two others were battling over a hand of bridge. Yes that's right...bridge.

Would you have guessed that even earlier today these six were joined by the remaining three to run and chaperone a last day of school carnival?

Its only when I put my everyday life into words to send into the unknown and pry unread world of the internet that it occurs to me how bizarre my life can be or really is as a whole. I'm crazy; we're crazy; my life is crazy. I love it.
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Transitioning towards the end...

I seemed to have survived the second week at sly park. I was a cabin leader with Iman and two other moms (who were AWESOME). The girls were a lot of fun however, i found myself missing students from the week before. This is a lot like teaching for sure but with only a week with each there was no time to grow accustom to the differences of week 2. It rained a whole heck of a lot less (but I think it would have been impossible to rain more) and I was able to enjoy my hikes, sit with my feet in the creek and roast marshmallows!  After four grueling days, we piled back into Rhonda (the van) and begrudgingly headed home.  Why were we dragging our feet you may wonder...transition.

transition = every team in the region coming back to campus to brief, debrief and check in with staff.

Sure this sounds like a gleeful time full of reunited corps members and friends. However, for Gold 1 transition usually means hiding in our rooms avoiding most of the other corps. This is partially because the Gold unit was marooned in the gulf and missed transition the first time, partially because our beloved Gold 6 was on a non-stop spike and would not be here, and partially because Gold 1 is fortunate enough to like each other and very few others. :P 

We made it back to campus on friday and immediately dove into our rooms and hung out with each other. However, on Sunday most of the team + Andretta met up with one of the awesome mom's previously mentioned and went rafting all day! This is one of the best days in Kristina's Americorps history. All day we just lounged around on a raft and on a beach with our feets and sometimes whole bodies in the river and the cool river breeze in our hair. We had food, laughter and fun. However despite hourly applications of sunscreen there were a lot of lobsters on Gold 1 come monday morning. Also we seem to have discovered a rather odd and annoying sun rash. It was definitely worth it....

Transition passed rather smoothly. I of course had several people to avoid and while I didn't intend to avoid them at first withint 48 hours it was clear that there would be no civilized cordial small talk. I miss Gold 6 a ton! especially when i need some time away from the people I live with (rare but necessary). Today we had to work with weed warriors removing thistle... it was exactly like everyday of TreePeople so it was very tiring. Tomorrow we work at a carnival, weekend off and then to seattle!

I still can't believe its only 6ish weeks til the end...where has the time gone?

Well I'm spending a lazy Sunday in the kitchen and while I wait for Stephens banana bread to bake I have time to Blog! This week I was run ragged by 25 5th and 6th graders but it felt awesome to be w kids and in am educational atmosphere! Sly park is great program for schools and I really hopped on board. students have a blast and seem to get something out of it. We did three hikes, rock climbing, visited and animal room, panning for gold, songs, skits, a carnival etc. Some people on my team were really not looking forward to it and while they were unhappy about their 24 crazy kids they did a great job. Of course imy bleeding heart had me in love with several kids. If only I could do more.

The team talked about going to San Fran this weekend but as it got closer we decided not to go. We've spend the weekend together still. This is one reason other teams think were crazy...even when we don't have to we ALL hang out together. This is also on my top five concerns for next year.

We have Monday off for memorial day and head back to camp on Tuesday. Enjoy your long weekend!
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Sly Park!

After merely 22 hours at McClellan, where I spent 12 hours doing laundry, Gold 1 has gone to camp! When we got here we learned that more mommas had shown up than anticipated and nine of us had Cabins. :( The boys however do! Its been endearing to watch. Sly park is so awesome. Fifth and Sixth graders from four schools come for four nights to hike, learn and play. The kids are a hot mess. I'm constantly shocked by the content of their conversations and their adult attitudes!
I'm part of hiking group eight which I think will be so much fun! Tonight we were supposed to make laynards but no one knew how to do it so we just milled around. Ill see if I remember ANY named tomorrow!

This brings back fond memories of Camp Hantesha in sixth grade. I cannot grasp that this was ten years ago....time flies so fast.

This year is almost over...I can't believe it or even began to imagine my life without Gold 1.

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Starry Night.

...and I'm back. as I type (shout out to blackberry) I'm perched on a rock wall next to a dam. Both I climbed. Its 11 here and very dark...except its a half moon and very starry. After collecting my moxy and a small (ok maybe large) need to prove I'm not a sissy, I climbed across the dam down the other side and found myself on my back staring at the stars over the cascade of the dam. There were tree silhouettes which looked exactly like dinosaurs and critters scrambling in the tall grass. It was absolutely serene. The air was cool, small breeze Stirred from the pouring water and I was drinking it in. The Santa Monicas will always hold a special place for me.

Work has been so good this week. Ill admit mulching, weeding and carrying hundreds of gallons of water isn't my favorite. Although I do know at least ten Native and ten invasive species as well as why restoration and trees are such a huge piece to wildfire prevention nd water conservation. This week though we did some other fun stuff. Tuesday I went with JJB to Malibu high school and talked to three classes of Eng Srs (boy do I miss that) then we we went to the office. TreePeople is such a wonderful office; we worked in their "community garden" nd helped w a staff scavanger hunt (for ice cream)! Thursday we worked with the Park to weed whack and plant some Nucella. Then we went out to Topanga. Its my favorite site but it needs so much work. Today was the best! We went out to Toms screenhouse and potted plants all day! This meant lots of playing in the dirt. Everyone was covered; Sara smeared mud all over her arms, legs and face; Sophie got. Great beard stache; Iman had a rocking fumanchu. We sprayed eachother w hoses and threw soil and sang and danced nd played.

No matter what emotional/personal undercurrents threaten to drown Gold 1 at times times like today restore my faith in us and remind me how well we fit together.

So many things have happened in the last eight months that I never would have done w/o my team or this program. I climb rocks (including the rock peninsulas at the Grand Canyon), I lived iin Nola, learned to navigate public transportation, camped six weeks, learned bout Mold in a post Katrina world, was in six states in one week and so much more.

I LOVE MY JOB!!!!
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I have not died...

Well hello dear readers, can you believe its been over six months since we met last? I know I pledged faithfullness but in the NCCC Lifestyle of you have the free time you're exploring not writing blogs! Of course, as per all my other failed attempts at journal loyalty, I regret my absence. There have been so many stories, adventures and things to share. Now I skim.

I was in New Orleans til April. It is an amazing place full of so many ppl. Green Light New Orleans afforded me the ability to go into 6Ish homes a day nd talk to the NOLA lifers. Plus we lived a mile from Canal+Bourbon and a block from the street car. Our second job moved us to Chalmette, LA which is in the St Bernard Parish, to work for the Saint Bernard Project. SB Parish was 100%devasted by Katrina and after living and working there I would say is not even 50% rebuilt. I was a mold specialist which meant lots of mold re mediation! Again I heard so many great stories...I could talk forever about the ppl.we also lived in a duplex w another team downstairs. I gained even more priceless relationships from them.

In April we drove back to Sacramento stopping at the Grand Canyon, the alamo (my aunt Debbies) Roswell and had a great time. The spring sent us to another amazing organization called TreePeople which is based in Los Angeles; however, we worked and lived outside Malibu in Malibu Creek state Park. We have been caring for tree and restoring the Santa Monica Mnts. our six week camping adventure comes to a close Sun. I will miss driving into the scenic view and thinking "home," the coyotes' lullabies, campfires every single night and the extreme zeal that treepeople and the mountains restoration trust have.

Next we are headed to Sly Park to be camp counselors for two days and then...Seattle!!! Were going to be living in the International District and working s the Danny Woo community garden. So excited for Seattle.

A lot of things have changed in six months. My family dynamic has grown and changed has we hve opened our arms to two babies, my plans have changed, my feelings have changed and I definitely have changes. Next year I'm doing it again! Woah I know! Instead of being part of a team, Ill be leading one. I'm scared of what my team will be like. As I lay in my little dome tent with Iman reader the New Yorker next to me, Yasha tending the fire and stephen, Eric, sara, JFB, and Denise curled up in their tents (Sophie in. Hotel w papa putka) I can only be thankful for them. We really are the perfect fit, the perfect team for me. We've joked about "family reunions" in the future and while I shouldn't hold my breath, I want to. Americorps has blessed me tenfold w people and experiences.

Ill try to upload some pictures off my phone of the last months and really will try to post more...although I said that to my journal iin my last entry...two weeks ago :/.

Sleep Sweet.
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Hello from NOLA

While I was trapped in the car for five days I had plenty of time to think about just how much I love NCCC. Under a month ago I was in San Fran and now know I'm on the other side of the world in New Orleans. We made some stops at several one horse towns to get here and had a few team stand offs but we made it alive and still willing to hang out with each other. Amazing.

We did however have a few interesting moments. In between Lordsburg and Sonoro we had to drive along the Mexican border for about 80 miles...literally right next to it. As Nccc we are only allowed to drive two hours before switching drivers and safeties. So there we were driving through Texas absolute nothingness as we edged up on our two hour limit. The next gas station was thirty to forty minutes away and we HAD to change. Just then we blazed passed a "picnic area ahead" sign. Unfortunately we missed the last chance picnic stop and had to do what everyone...mostly just Eric feared most-driver change on the side of the road. Iman navigated us off the interstate where we saw another picnic area sign only to have no further leads. We made a left under the overpass and agreed to pull onto the shoulder ahead and swap drivers...despite the perilously parked border patrol car in front of us. Stephen my favorite safety and I were up next. We pulled off behind the patrol car and eric instructed us to only get out if we were switching....which would have worked IF we had not been three ppl deep in the seats. As everyone started tumbling clown car style out of the van in a somewhat hurried fashion the Border Patrolman stepped from his car and mosied on to our cluster. He was tall. He was not scrawny. He definitely had a gun. As he spoke...or rather grilled our now dwarfed fearless leader, we scrambled into the car. He asked eric what we were doing, feigned ignorance of Americorps, where we came from and where we were going and if we were all legal. He was rather curt. Back in the van of course in true Gold 1 style we began cracking jokes of drugs, passports and smuggling. Eric returned and our van tricked our with government plates was allowed to pass on. We all settled back into our jovial relaxed nature when I bega. Driving under signs telling trucks to exit right and cars to slow down and stay left for.....border inspection. As we waited in line I realized the car in front of me had Polk County IA plates! Shout out to home! We made it through and clearly the rest of the way to NOLA.

There is a lot more to talk about including housing nights out. Green Light New Orleans and the Po-Boy festival but for now I have to finish up some other things.
XOXO
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Awkweird headshot at jens request

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Pics from the last post

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Wordy

Well its time for massive info time. I always find so much time to blog in the car and since I'm on a five day road trip from sac to NOLA, could there be a more perfect time?

I think the understanding was to start with Mendecino. The trip was amazing. I was able to grow much closer to several teammates inclydong our fearles leader Eric. I also triumphed on several personal levels. I got all harnessed up and did a high ropes course, a zip line and a little wall climbing. It was terrifying and gratifying. The camp itself is absolutely stunning and all the staff are dedicated and passionate.

About a week ago our TL revealed our round one Spike destination. We are going to New Orleans to work with Green Light New Orleans; this is an energy conservation projec which works primarily with lightbulb
replacement and education but a definite perk is all the one on one time well get to spend with the residents. Eric did an independent service project (ISP) with them last year and really enjoyed it. Another bonus is that our apartment iis two blocks off Canal St and close to the French Quarter. NOLA has such a phenom culture that I cannot wait to be immersed in.

Team positions were also announced. I was assigned ad a peer helper and while it was one of my top choices I was a little disappointed to not be doing anything related to English Media or Ed. Denise and I will serve as peer counsors and also work on team morale.

Everyone also had to move rooms to be on the same floor as their team. It was frustrating to leave Andretta but also to move from the third floor of one building to the third floor of the other. I'm rooming with Denise which has turned out to be such a wonderful thing. A select few have started calling denise sophie and I the three musketeers. I really am so grateful for Gold 1. Our unit leader Mike, our tl Eric and all other eight team members. I am fortunate to ve found a fit!

I was also able to go to San Fran with the pod two weekends ago. SF touched my soul. I loved it in a way I didn't know a big city on the coast could. I wanted to sit on the beach or a veranda looking out over the city and write. I really didn't get to do the museums or stuff that I wanted bc I was with ten people but we did see Haitt and ashbury which was great. I'm def going back on transition I really am seeing the country!

Friday we had induction and I officially became NCCC member. Its unbelievable that I'm here, that I'm doing this and that I'm happy doing it.

We had several days off this weekend and I actually got to hit up some vintage clothes stores in sac I bought two dresses one of which you have already seen. NOLA has promising vintage opportunities. My other exciting news was a gift. Justin found a Smith-Verona Clipper which I believe is roughly 1948? The ribbon is even good! Eric said I could take it to NOLA before I even asked. I knew I loved him. I do need to do a little research and see what I can do with the margins cause write know I've got about a half sheet of typing availability.

This morning we left McClellan for a five day road trip. Were staying in Indio CA Lordsburg NM Sonora TX Lake Charles LA and then finaloly home. Saying good bye to everyone was tougher than any college good bye. These people have been my life for the last thirty days and now were going all over the country to give back. If you are ready this NCCCers good luck! You make me proud!

I do have my plan tickets for Christmas and only have another 33ish days. I'm not necessarily homesick but I miss my family like crazy. They really are my best friends.

I think that's all I have for now.
Xoxo
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Clothes post!

Today was so wonderful. I went into Sac and found some fab vintage shops. Here is sneak peek of one dresses I got tomorrow ill be sure to photo op more.
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Not even a real post

I know I have so much to tell you but now is not the time. Sorry!!
1) mendocino
2) new orleans
3) san fran.
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Pick from make a difference day

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