super huge biceps and job excitement!

9/16/10
Yesterday I joined the YMCA. Today I tried their taekwondo class. Needless to say I now have somewhere to go after work on Mondays and Thursday. It was a really ego-boosting experience to be at that class. And I think I really impressed the other students. Yesterday I did the “Body Pump” class with some of the Americorps girls (which was a whole body weight lift class) and today my arms are super sore, but not much else.

Yesterday we were issued our government cell phones and laptops. I set up a very professional voice mail which says my name and that I’m a team leader and leave a message ect. (Nothing about dragons) however by my voice I sound about 8 years old. Oh well.

Today we learned about project work and our different duties while out on spike. Today made me really excited for this year. I cannot wait until we find our our projects, meet our teams, and get to work!!

My Shirt is Green

Yesterday was day one of Team Leader Training. Mostly it was a rundown of the schedule for the next month, and filling out some in-processing paper work. Nothing too exciting. We are starting to get to know everyone, doing a few introduction exercises. Everyone seems very nice, very excited about Americorps and extremely energetic about life. Its so much fun so far. When we introduced ourselves we had to say our likes and dislikes, so I told everyone that I like reading books about dragons, eating burritos, and riding bikes. Then I sat down and Noel yelled "What do you dislike?" And I drew a blank and couldn't remember anything that I dislike. So I yelled "Noel!" and everybody laughed. At the end of the day Noel, Liz, Yasi and I visited Melissa and Alisha in their new apartment, very classy space for some classy ladies. Melissa is working for Habitat for Humanity in Denver, and Alisha is working at the local United Way. Alisha says the United Way is currently handling all the phone calls that come in about the Boulder fire, people volunteering to help, people wanting to make donations, etc. and that their are beyond swamped trying to handle all the phone calls, so we may get the opportunity to do some volunteering with her.

This year I have not only a few year long goals, but a personal challenge for myself every month. September is no fried food month, which theoretically shouldn't be too challenging for me (ok I cheated at home and ate the eggplant parm at Rosemary's Labor day picknick) because most things that are fried are meats (which I don't eat anyway) but the cafeteria has some form of fried potatoes at every meal (and while usually disgusting they do make a mean tater tot).

As far as long term goals go I have a list:
1. Be able to run ten miles without having to stop to walk. (The most I did last year was 6)
2. Be able to run 1 mile in under 8 minutes (The last time I recorded a mile it was 8:50)
3. Create a to do/to see list for each place my team visits.
4. Apply for a job with Outward Bound.
5. Do a different monthly challenge each month.
6. Learn to knit (I can make the inside part of a scarf if someone else starts and finishes it for me)
7. Watch for the opportunity to do a Relay for Life with my team.
8. Try to find different classes in communities that offer a free beginner session, like yoga or different cardio dance fads for my team to try out.

Well thats all for now. I have to go drink alot of water so I dont get pee shy for today's drug testing!