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…)