Week 3

Hey everyone!

Sorry it took me so long to update you on what's going on in Denver.  It has been a crazy weekend!  On Friday I was put in my permanent team and given my assignment.  I am in Sun 2 and my team leader is Nichole, and she was the leader I wanted.  Next Monday (Nov. 3rd) my team is leaving for Austin, Texas along with 14 other teams from the Denver campus.  We will meet up with 16 other teams from the Sacramento campus.  We are going to be training with FEMA for the first week and then sent out to our final location (I have no idea where that will be for me).  All I know about my job is that it involves disaster response.  The job isn't what it sounds like.  I will most likely be working in a FEMA call center answering phones, working in a FEMA warehouse distributing supplies, or working a FEMA shelter.  There is a small chance I could be working construction, but it's a very small chance.  This 6 week trip will be very trying for me because I joined Americorps to do physical labor, not office work.  I was told in training today to put myself last and to look at the big picture and that every little job effects the entire disaster response.  Well see how it goes.

My team is great.  As I mentioned above Nichole is my team leader and she has a great personality (I compare her to the cool Aunt).  I had a feeling I was going to be put in her group because she is a first time team leader and I have a lot of leadership experience to offer incase she gets stuck in a sticky situation.  My teammates are great, everyone has a different personality but we work together well.  Yesterday we went as a team to a ropes course at the Air Force Academy.  My team completed all the challenges and a few people left their comfort zone and completed tasks they had no idea they could do.  For example, Becky, climbed a 20 foot wall even though she is afraid of heights.  It was also great to see my teammates assist other teammates with tasks they had difficulty with.  

This morning we assigned team roles.  I am the equipment manager.  My job is to take inventory of our tools and keep them in working condition.  I am also in charge of the van, checking the fluid levels, tire pressure, etc.  I am also in charge of safety, making sure the work site is clear of all dangers.  Lastly I am the emergency care giver in case of emergency.  I don't know how much my role will come into play on disaster...we will just have to wait and see.

Lastly before I forget, on Saturday my team volunteered at a gorilla race.  A gorilla race is a 5k road race where the participants wear gorilla suits and all the proceeds go to saving the silver back gorilla.  It was a great time.  A lot of the participants dresses up in a costume on top of their gorilla suit.  My favorite was a lady wearing a Tom Brady jersey and a ace bandage on her left knee.  There were also a newlywed couple wearing a wedding dress and tux.  I think a group of individuals won best group costume wearing prom dress.  Over 700 people participated in this race and that broke the world record for participants in a gorilla race.  I am thinking about running in it next year.  There  were too many volunteers so my team just ended up watching the race and getting to know each other.  It was sponsored by Wynkoop Brewery, which has a great atmosphere and it located in a great part of town, the LoDo District.  I ended up taking the train into Denver Sat night with a few of my friends and we had dinner there, it was delicious.  

I will learn more about my project as the week goes on and I will be sure to keep everyone up to date.  I hope everyone is doing well.