Back Home

First off, it sounds weird, but after just over 2 weeks in St. Louis, I've gotten to the point where it feels like my apartment is home. (Mom, I don't mean to break your heart, Green Bay will still be Home.) It seems like I've been gone a lot longer than 16 days, but a lot has taken place and I think the environment I'm in has allowed me to accelerate my adjustment time and getting to know people.

Last week the AmeriCorps group left for an out-of-town training of sorts. This wasn't standard job training by any means and I don't think I'll ever experience anything like it no matter where my career path leads me. We left on Monday morning for a national forest area south of Carbondale, Illinois. All the members were split into groups of about 15 including one trained wilderness leader. Each group was responsible for carrying their share of the groups supplies/food in their pack along with a sleeping bag, change of clothes, etc. The purpose of the first 24 hours on Quest is to push your limits physically to the point where people get frustrated with each other and themselves. Of course it doesn't help that the first night out is a hike in the dark of forest with little path to follow. It was rough, but very fun and I think our team was very committed to each other and worked well with each other, keeping spirits light and helping those out who struggled a bit more. We made it to our camp around midnight, just in time for some quick dinner consisting of rice and beans before attempting to sleep under a large rock formation. This was truly roughing it. Aside from having a source for fire and food, it was very much like Survivor. The next day our only task was to get back to the van, but by a different route. Our group being the fun-loving group that we are decided to hang out more before setting on our trail. It put us somewhat up against the wall and some people were very anxious to get out of the woods. I didn't really care that much, I was too busy coming up with a gan sign for our team and enjoying the constant source of entertainment from the many very interesting people in our group. One girl in particular, Leah, provided the most entertainment. She was considered our human jukebox, the only problem being that she only sang the first two lines of every song before trailing off because she didn't know the words. We made it back to the van in time to travel back to a youth camp where we were stationed for the rest of the week and get a home-cooked meal.

Through out the rest of the week there were various activities planned that helped us all to get to know each other, challenge our own limits and even help one another out. Of course I think everyone's favorite times were hanging out at the mess hall until late at night playing cards, games or just talking about things. And of course seeing some of the talent show acts was amazing. I'm pretty sure that we have some future entertainers in this group. By the end of the week, I had gotten to know so many different people with very different backgrounds. I think being put in a situation where we were all out of our element, made it very easy to get to know people on a deeper a level. The conversations I had with some people weren't typical of the conversations you have with people after knowing them for a day or even a few hours.

After returning from the 5-day adventure, I was very excited about having chosen this program. I feel there is a strong commitment to helping each other grow in this program and I'll be challenged through out the year not only by the tasks I face, but by my peers who are trying to get the most out of me. I still haven't been assigned to a school - I think that will happen this week - and have a few more weeks of training before we get started with our service. If the first 2 weeks are any indication of what's to come, it should be a very fun, challenging year full of surprises and great chance to work with a lot of wonderful people. I just hope I won't be too busy to keep my blog updated.

Finally Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. They lost last night, but I'll get a chance to see them again in a couple of weeks. 

My den with the aformentioned pompazon chair. I'll be spending a lot of time here keeping everyone updated with my blogs. 

Not a great picture, but this is the sunroom. I get a great breeze at night that really cools down my room. I may move my pompazon chair in hear so I have a nice quiet place to read. 

My bedroom with the sunroom off the back. 

My bed, made as always. 

My kitchen table that I got for $89 at Fleet Farm. The door leads to the basement and the backyard area. 

The kitchen. As you can see the blind isn't working quite right. 

The bathroom. It's very narrow, but manageable. 

Another angle of my living room. 

One angle of my living room with the den or front room to the side. 

Not my apartment, but one of the better pictures I got of Windfall while I was up over Labor Day weekend. 

Intro to St. Louis

Sorry I haven't got to posting sooner, but I haven't had internet until this morning. The last few days were like living in the dark ages since I had no connection to the fast-paced internet world. Fortunately, I'm all set to go and have some info to share.

My dad and I got down to St. Louis late Saturday afternoon and were able to unload everything very quickly. I proceeded to Aldi to get some groceries, before returning home to set some things up. By Saturday night a few rooms began taking order, but for the most part things were still everywhere. Father George stopped by and is very excited to have me in town. I may try to stop by his place on Saturday or Sunday.

Most of Sunday and Monday I spent putting things together and putting things away. I took some breaks to watch football and rest a little. By Monday afternoon my apartment was clean and in order. My walls are a little empty, but I have plenty of space for people to sleep if they come to visit. Monday afternoon I walked up to the Anheuser-Busch brewery (4-5 miles) for a tour and some taste testing. I met some of the new and old members of the AmeriCorps group and among them was a guy named Adam, who happened to live on Terraview Dr. in the V of A until '88. I guess he couldn't handle ghetto Terraview and decided to move out to Boston. After the tour a few of us went to a bar for happy hour, before I returned home in time for the Packer game and a chance to see them beat-up on the Panthers.

The last few days I've been walking, biking and busing to get myself comfortable with the city and the area I'm living in. I have found it very manageable to get around by one of these 3 methods and should be able to get to most parts of the city with relative ease.

Tonight we're going to a Cardinal's game. I think it should be a great time and a chance to get to know some more AmeriCorps members. It seems like a fun group with a lot of very interesting people. I can't say I'll get chance to meet everyone tonight, but after next week's out-of-town training, I hope to have met all or most of the people that I'll be working with in the coming year.

Sorry this post is somewhat abbreviated, but I didn't want to bore anyone. I have pictures of my apartment that I'll be posting in the next day or two so people can get a sense of what I'm living in. If you want to get an even better sense, come down and visit. There's plenty of room and it isn't too far.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

Winding Down

This past week has been very busy for me, but I've got a lot done and even had a chance to relax on Sunday and Monday up at the cottage after two and half days of searching for deals on furniture, shopping for some clothes and getting a new bed. Oh and I finally decided on a place to live, which may have been the biggest relief of all. Once I had that taken care, I was able to settle down and take care of finding things to fill up my apartment. Now the next few days I have some things to do including packing, but if anyone's ever seen me pack, it won't take more than an afternoon.

The more difficult part of the week won't be the packing, shopping and getting things ready, it will be getting around to see everyone and saying goodbye. I plan on spending some time at NDA to update some people on what I'll be doing this coming year and Wednesday night will be my last night of shooting hoops with the men at St. Matt's. While it may be difficult to say goodbye to people at St. Matt's and NDA who have always been so supportive, nothing can match saying goodbye to so much family in the area. Spending the last year at home has been a great experience and has given me a chance to catch up with a lot of my aunts, uncles and cousins who I didn't see as much the previous four years. It will be hard to leave behind the last-minute get togethers, family meals and the fun that goes with being part of a large family. I can honestly say that one of my favorite parts about being home this past year was being able to get together with a large portion of the extended family for meals or outings a few times each month. Without a doubt I will miss those gatherings especially when I'm sitting at home on a Sunday night eating by myself and having to cook my own meal.

Last week I was much more edgy, this week I would imagine my mood will be more somber with an element of nervousness. Hopefully I'll make it through Saturday without additional complications and only a few tears.