Revision. In a good way.

Heeeeey...it's been a while!

So sorry about that.

Well, this is probably the shortest Ameri-blog the world has ever seen. But, no fear. I shall continue steadfastly updating, even briefly, about the entire experience volunteering.
But first let me re-orient you, dear reader, on where I have been tossed and turned within the past year. I believe we started in Vinton, Iowa, for training/home base. Then it was to YMCA Camp Ohiyesa, in Holly, Michigan. This leaves us with:

West Branch, Iowa
Coralville Lake, Iowa
North Port, Florida*
Joplin, Missouri*
Madison, Wisconsin
Marquette, Michigan

*I did not originally intend to go there this year. But I am quite all right with that.

So that's a lot to update you on, and I will be thorough enough with everything myself and my Oak 3 team did, for now I am just reveling in the glory that is: constant connection to the internet. Which explains a huge reason as to why I never really bothered-to/had-the-time-for/really-wanted-to-but-couldn't update in my blog. Take your pick.

I also have lacked in any sort of update in artistic endeavors, and for that I can wholeheartedly claim that to laziness. I really should have worked on more when I wasn't working, but I did manage to sneak in a few pieces of the artistic me while serving the corps. I leave you  (not for a whole year! I'll come back fairly soon!) with a photo from a part of the mural our team painted at Camp Ohiyesa in the dining hall.

I also have an obsession with trees. I guess it comes in handy when you're asked to paint a mural full of them. 

This was actually a pretty proud moment for me, because it will forever be seen by kids every summer (unless they decide to tear down the building but I doubt that will happen anytime soon). This particular tree was a mock up of an oak tree on the grounds that is roughly about 500 (I shit you not) years old. It is also my favorite because besides sketching all of the trees, this one was to left to my own devices.

It's been approximately almost one week since I've been back. I miss everyone in the NCCC, but man, I am glad to be home. Also, today is Thanksgiving! Good times!

Camp Ohiyesa!

Whew. Long time no see. I had originally had a long post ready as soon as we were leaving for our first project, but my phone decided to be mean and delete the whole thing! Needless to say I was a little discouraged from posting for a while.

Besides, it's easier putting pictures on here with neat tiny font underneath it.

We've officially have been at our first project for the past  week and a half and it has been a blast! Oak 3 (our team name) is currently stationed back in the good ole' mitten in Holly, Michigan. I've already gotten jokes about how our team came to Holly because I'm the only Holly around in the Vinton campus. We are the YMCA Camp Ohiyesa (pronounced oh-e-yesa) working on a variety of projects.

So far we've been trained to work with kids for the camp programs and activities, stuff such as the rock climbing tower, archery, and the zipline to name a few. There's also a giant swing that completely terrified me, because you have to go through the activities to learn how to work them, and I had to learn to deal with going up heights very slowly.

And then letting go of the ripcord!

Besides kids, we've also been working with the maintenance staff for the camp grounds. So far I've learned how to split a log, use a chainsaw and drive an ATV. I can't even imagine my mom's reaction to the chainsaw. I really liked splitting wood...right until I bruised my hand and couldn't do it anymore.

Move on to another day, to a whole new town with a whole new way.

Oh Michigan sky, you are pretty when you want to be.

My last night in Michigan doesn't really feel like my last night. I know as soon as I get on the plane and I strap myself in, I'll settle for a second and then have that sense of forgetting to do something. Then that feeling will be drowned out by constant ear popping and hoping that I'm not the type to get air sick.

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend though! I spent a majority of it with the people I love in various settings. From bars asking you to be loud and obnoxious, to punk rock dances (even though I think I looked a little more goth then punk but who cares), to just sitting around watching movies, this weekend ended on a sweet note. And the others I could only contact via the interwebs know that I will hack/slash my way to the nearest wireless spot just to say hello and catch up when I can.

Adios Michigan! I shall miss your not-so-subtle mitten potatoes.

One last thing, I've saved up on obnoxious amounts of postcards and I'd love to snail mail you if you'd let me. Just leave me a text/message on Facebook with your address and I'll send it your way!