So, I decided since I now have my computer I should start a blog to keep track of everything I have done and also to keep my family and friends back home up to date on all that is going on out here in Denver. I also figured I could post some pictures on here. I am here and loving it to the max. The area is beautiful and the people are so nice (for the most part) we are all here for the same reason, so we're all alike in that sense. Since we have gotten here it has been A LOT of training and paper work. We usually have training in the classroom from 8-5 five or six days a week. They have told us that "Ameri-time" is a lot slower than real time... it is SO true. After only a few days we had all felt like we had been here for weeks and known each other for years. I think that's a good thing that we were all able to get so comfortable with the situation. I honestly feel like I have known some of these people for years and can already tell we will be friends for a really long time which is great.
I live in a dorm room with a roommate, so it's just like freshman year all over again. We got issued our uniforms I think it was the third day we were here so now that's all we get to wear besides after 5 and on the weekend when we are not working. Kinda helps with the figureing out when to wear... its either khaki shorts/black pants/khaki pants and then either a long sleeve or short sleeve shirt with a sweatshirt or vest to spice it up a bit. They are really strict with everything, but we're used to it now. Belts are a must and shirts tucked in at all times; scarves/mittens/socks are either black white or grey. So I don't get to wear my pretty mittens besides on the weeks. Closed toe and closed heeled shoes are also required, but so far we have only been forced to wear our steel toe boots once so those haven't been too bad. But I can now admit I overpacked!! But, everyone was very impressed I was able to stuff one suitcase full to the weight of 90 pounds... oops!! :-)
We have to do a "baseline" which is running 1.5 miles and 2 minutes of situps and pushups. We had a trial go at the run on Thursday and I didn't have to walk much which was amazing since I don't remember the last time I ran that far, I am a walk-aholic :-) Yesterday we had our first service project at a local middle school. The school didn't have a running track so our whole campus went there and built one with the eighth graders. It was alot of manual labor and I am still feeling it (added on to the soreness from the run). I can't wait till I am used to the work and it no longer affects me. It was such a great feeling at the end of the day when we finished, they were all so appreciative and thankful for our day long hard work. I can't believe we are going to be able to experience that feeling pretty much daily for this whole year. It's going to be amazing. Today we raked the yards of 6 elderly people's homes, which was also very rewarding... but I think I am raked out for ateast a couple days now. We have tomorrow and Monday off so some of us are getting our 80 Independent Service Project hours out of the way at the humane society tomorrow and soup kitchen Monday.
We have been able to do some site seeing and everything is breathtaking. Last week we drove two hours to Rocky Mountain National Park for a hike which was so amazing and we wished we could stay there all day. We have also gone to Red Rocks Ampitheater which is up in the mountains and so pretty, they say you have to see atleast one concert there because there is nothing that compares. We saw the Columbine Memorial which was very sad and surreal to actually be there. Last Sunday was our first day off so a group of us took a bus to Boulder to check out the town. It is such a cool place and the college is beautiful. Possible place to live?!? Along with the whole state of CO. But, don't worry mom and dad I am sure I will end up in MN forever. Speaking of MN, when introducing my self as "Nicole from Minnesota" everyone says that they can tell that's where I am from. My accent if pretty obvious I guess which is completely okay with me. It's so crazy how people are from all over the country... after a couple days I felt like everyone knew what I was talking about when I mentioned things from home but nope... wearing shorts when it's 50 is weird for someone from California. haha Not this girl, I wear my cargo shorts whenever possible.
We find out our permanent teams for the year on November 4th and then the 6th we learn where we are going and what we will be doing there. The 14th is when we start our drive to our first project. The driving won't be bad since we are only allowed to drive 8 hours a day and have to stop every 2 hours to switch drivers (which will get old I'm sure, minus the permanent bathroom opportunity every two hours :-)). The van is a 15 passenger big guy which can get cozy for us tall people. I am so excited to be here and really know this is where I am supposed to be at this time in my life. I miss everyone from home and am already looking forward to December 19th to fly home. Time for a walk and dinner!!
Hope everyone is doing wonderful!!
Love, Nicole
View of my dorm with the moutains in the background
View of the mountains from the tower
The view of down town Denver from the tower on campus
My friend I walked (Sinbad/Buddy)
Catie Megan and I at
One of the cutest little puppies at the Humane Society
Tredging through the snow to go home
Waiting for the bus during on our snow day
Working hard on the track again
