Missouri: week 2

This past week my team and I were working at the National VOAD (volunteer organizations active in disaster) conference. We helped people to register, answered questions, managed volunteers at the service project (a habitat build) and documented the conference with photo and video. I even got to proctor a session by announcing speakers talking about different disaster services. The hot topic of discussion was of course Joplin. Being around so many people ready to help in disaster really made me excited for the possibility that my team might get to respond to a disaster. As of right now we haven't been selected to respond. Other NCCC teams have already been deployed to Joplin, including Noel's team. So my team's chances of going to Joplin are slim, but as the round progresses other areas may be requesting assistance as flood waters recede. 
I'm excited to get back to our project. Last time we were on our Habitat site we got to do some decon, which was awesome, but theres still alot to do! This long weekend is killing me. I'm ready to get back to work! 
Triumphs of the weekend: ran 5.3 miles today
Applied for a job
Rode my bike
Finished two books
Found a $5 china buffet

Missouri: week 1

Missouri is beautiful. Our first week in Indepenence has been glorious. The project is just fantastic. We have enough work to keep everyone busy, a supervisor to guide us, and a cute little house to live in. Independence is a small little town. Its light out early in the mornings so I can go running as soon as i wake up. My calves hurt from running so much this week, after an extended hiatus in dark and rainy arkansas. 
Our first week on the project we had an orientation, met our supervisors, did odd jobs around a couple build sites, and then we started on our house. Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity has set aside one project that we will have ownership of. Its an old house that we are going to rehab. Friday we started by removing the appliances left there, taking down some beautiful old trim, then demolishing the crap out of the house! Basically everything except the outer walls is coming down! And then we'll rebuild it plus add on two rooms (for which the foundation has already been poured).
This week the team is going to support the VOAD conference in Kansas City. We are going to be running the registration table, helping with a service project, organizing the exhibitors and documenting the event. Its in the Hyatt Regency Hotel and my team has never felt so out of place as we did upon entering that classy establishment in our grungy uniforms. Should be an interesting week.

My highlights for week one:
Morning runs in my amazing new shoes (these are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned).
Independence libraries that are open until 9.
Seeing my friend Ben from last year in Americorps.
Being back with my permenant team.
Seeing a tornado.
Demolishing a house.