My new boyfriend, the "A" (plus address update)

Hello again! Its been one whole week here, bah! Got a chance to get into the computer room so I can catch everyone up on whats been going on in this exciting town of Vinton. Speaking of Vinton, I found out some nifty info about this town so I thought I would share some fun facts with you all. Have you guys heard of Laura Ingalls Wilder? She is the author of Little House on the Prairie. Anyhoo, you know how there is a blind chick in the books/show? That character is based off her sister who is blind and who, in the early 1800's, attended the blind school that I currently live at. Isn't that so exciting guys?! Wow. But wait, there is more! Vinton was also the birthplace of American artist Everett Warner who designed camouflage! Aaaaaaaaaand, scenes from the smash 1996 blockbuster Michael were filmed in Vinton. How can 4.3 square miles host so much thrilling details? How I ask? And now its home to me. Awesome.



Ok, 'nuff of that. Moving on... today we had PT which stands for Physical Training. It was the day where ex army guys get to relive their glory days by making us count off and right face. They then test us some more to see our physical skill level by making us run a mile and do push-ups and sit-ups and then place us into groups with others in the same skill level. We had to do five laps around the track. I got to about 4........ steps. My body protested and threatened me with embarrassing sweat and a funny running style. Think Pheobe from friends and let that picture just sink into your minds for a while. By the time I finished the first lap, I was not only passed by the guy with the injured leg, but I'm pretty sure I saw a line of ants pass by me. When I finished though, I was greeted by a very good looking water bottle and a bombardment of high fives from my team and then just random people. That's the cool thing about this campus, everyone is so supportive of you no matter what. I'm excited to see how much I improve in the next ten months. I feel that the worse you do sets you up to have the most improvement.


So yesterday, they brought a guy named John Craigie to do a concert for us. He is a folk singer from California and was awesome! He sang combinations of sad and funny songs, but what made him so great was that he would tell stores between his songs and he had us rolling with laughter. I know he goes to Washington a lot so if anyone has a chance to see him, do so! One story he told was about his experience with a hippie from Bellingham. I laughed so hard. Anyways, he also had an entire song about Chuck Norris. Its not his usual thing to sing about things like Mr. Norris, but I guess it was requested of him to write one so he did. For those of you who were at Ocean Shores this past Sept, you should find it on youtube. He also has a song called Tacoma. Its kind of sad, but really good. I highly suggest you look into him if you are into the folk music genre.


So we have this new rule that if we are caught swearing while in uniform, we have to kiss the "A" that is printed on our sleeve. Well, with PT and other training that requires me to run and duties like cleaning the knives, I now have an ongoing relationship with my sleeve. Lets just say, the "A" owes me a dinner.

Ok, address update. My team name is "Cedar 3". Add that to the address I posted earlier after "AmeriCorps*NCCC" on the same line.

Ok, I got to get back to things. MUCH LOVE FROM IOWA!

Iowa is where the wild things are

This morning was our physicals. I learned in about 30 minutes that I have good blood sugar, I'm not preggers, I'm not on crack, and I have good reflexes. Overall, a good time.

We then went on a tour of Vinton (pics on my facebook). I had a lot of fun, the town is tiny, but everyone is so nice! Everywhere I went, it was "welcome, welcome", "we are so glad you are here", "you are so beautiful and amazing." Ok, that last one wasn't true, but its bound to happen sooner or later. Anyways, AmeriCorps actually got us a bunch of bikes so I think later I will bike around so I can get more pictures.

We get the rest of today (sat) off so tonight I'm joining a group of people and going to Cedar Rapids to see the movie Where the Wild Things Are. Its about a 45 minute drive, but so worth it cause I loved that book!

Things I have learned in AmeriCorps so far (...continued)
-There is no such thing as weekends anymore.
-People who work at a blind school do not find Helen Keller jokes funny.

Mail me things!!!!

Keep in mind that within a couple weeks, I'll be put in a team so you will need to add the team# in the address. Ill post that laters :)

Address:

Jessica Beckwith
AmeriCorps*NCCC/Class 16
1004 G Avenue
Vinton, Iowa 52349

If you write me a letter, I'll write you back! :D

They were not kidding about the corn...

So I made it to Vinton safe and sound! I finally have a short second to get to the computer lab, so I can quickly fill all you lovely people in! (I’m sure you all are just quivering with concern and anticipation). I arrived yesterday and before I could even get to my room and unpack, I was rushed to meetings, tours, and classes. I was issued my uniform, which is a collection of all the exciting colors...gray, black, and the exotic khaki. I also got a body suit (which makes me look like a seal), a parka, and rain gear (which makes me look like a saggy crossing guard). As least we all look the same so it’s ok :). I met my roommate named Erin. She is from Washington too so I don’t feel like a nerd when I take pictures of all the corn or the tornado shelter signs cause she is doing the same. We get along really well, but my leaders inform me that they might move me into another building at any moment so I need to be prepared. The building I'm staying in is this really rad old school for the blind made in 1852 I believe. It’s full of underground tunnels which is where we are supposed to go if there is a tornado and we can also use them to get from building to building if we don’t want to walk outside. This will probably come in handy when its -56 outside and I don’t feel like having my limbs fall off. I’m not even exaggerating, last year it got to -56 with the wind chill!

Everyone here is very cool and very nice. Its amazing how in just a few hours, everyone is meshing despite differences. For example, right now some guy from the south is playing Sublime on his mandolin while some girl from the north is singing along with him... hahaha.

Later this week we continue with training from 5-6am until 6-7:30pm and get our first assignment. They say I actually won’t be spending that much time in Vinton cause I will be away on missions so much. On Sunday, I test to be a volunteer fire fighter. I don’t know if I would even be close to passing the test, but if I somehow got in, then I continue to train until January. I would still get to go on missions, but the cool thing would be that I would travel to fires outside my service area (many being back in Washington).


Things I have learned in AmeriCorps so far (to be continued…):

- If a leader finds your name tag on the floor, you get to sing “I’m a little teapot” in front of 150 people to get it back.
- You can make anything with corn.
-There is such a thing as 4:30 am.
- It is possible to keep your room clean for more than a day (cue mother falling over in chair…)