Well, as I stated before, Alaska is epic. I even got some sunny days this past weekend to frolic around in! (Literally, frolic. Get the picture in your head... Eric at age 5 in a 23 year old's body. Save that for your next rainy day.) It's been kind of like Michigan with a series of freezing days followed by a couple warm days, back into rain and shivers. So, that's making Alaska really feel like home!
I'm done with my week of training and had my official first day of work at Campfire USA today!
Training was fun. Felt like some of it was like, "Why is this taking so much longer than it should...?" But then the fact I was in Alaska meeting new people would kick in and I would stop minding the lapses in activity. Fun story: I am now Wilderness and Remote First Aid Certified! So if we are ever stuck in the arctic tundra together, I know how to prevent hypothermia... assuming we have a space blanket, tarp, 2 sleeping bags, and rope. More importantly, I know what essentials to pack when going hiking or backpacking! I'm starting to feel super Alaskan.
There are three others with SAGA based in Anchorage: Hannah, Kelly, and Tikaan (sweetest name ever, right?) However, I'll only be working with them once or twice a month on different SAGA specific trainings and meetings. At most times we will each be at our independent host sites (mine being Campfire USA!).
So, onto Campfire. Okay, for all of you that know me, think of an entire office of 20 people who are all as excited, bubbly, and positive as I am and you can picture Campfire USA's office. Just going around and introducing myself to everyone in the office today, it was impossible to get far without people taking a genuine interest in where I'm coming from, what brought me to Alaska, and learning at least 3 facts about me. They were talking about how much they love to pull pranks on each other, play games through the workday, and love the flexibility of work hours in the office. I mean, I have never felt like I fit into a group of individuals more perfectly in my life!
I share an office with this awesome chica, Carrie... but I cannot for the life of me remember the title of her position. haha! So far, she seems pretty awesome. We are making big plans for decorations for the office since it is pretty empty right now. Fun fact: both our favorite color is blue! Fun fact #2: My first (self assigned) duty is making door decs for everyone's office since no one's name is posted outside their door (and I am horrible with names). I just can't kick that semester of RA off of me! Haha!
After getting acquainted with the office, Melanie (one of my direct supervisors) took me out to one of the after school program locations! I was really excited to meet the kids, but was definitely nervous about what type of rules and structure they ran with their program. I was hesitant to be too strict or too lax with the kids, so I took a bit of a back seat and observer approach to the day. She really encouraged me to delve in at different times, but also was understanding with my hesitancy. Melanie is absolutely amazing with helping me adjust and get comfortable in the action. She gave me simple tasks while walking me through the set up of their program. I'll tell you what, these guys have got their act TOGETHER! All of the hired counselors are college age or older, have the process down to a science, and know how to control those kids in a room that is not well equipped for an after school program, and are zero BS. The kids are kids, but for an after school program, I thought they were able to keep them at an easily controllable level for the entire time I was there. I was wildly impressed with their organization and teamwork!
Part of my job will include me doing research on what I can bring to the different after school programs around the area. Melanie and every counselor I have talked to is very excited about my theatre background and it looks like one of the things I will likely do is start a weekly theatre program that I will take to the different sites. I'll lead the activities for the day and give the counselors a break for one day a week at least. I'm really excited to see how I can engage the kids and give them a new flair to the program!
Oh my goodness... this is such a long entry, but I have so much to update you all on!
I had my first Anchorage biking experience today. Rough... let. me. tell. you. To help you understand, I have created a pros and cons list, it is as follows:
Pro: Helps me get in shape!
Con: I'm amazingly out of shape.
Pro: I get to spend time outdoors!
Con: Freezing rain.
Pro: Saves money!
Con: Flat tires.
Pro: Issa is letting me use her bike!
Con: Bike is way too small for Eric.
Pro: Anchorage has tons of bike trails!
Con: Bike trails are easy to get lost on surpisingly.
Pro: Anchorage is biker friendly!
Con: Anchorage is hilly. (Take the Bernhard Center hill, and put 5 of them in a row.)
Pro: Downtown isn't too far away!
Con: Semi-trucks+big puddles-dry clothes.
Pro: Work is 2.5 miles away- super close!
Con: No bike rack.
Pro: Biking is eco-friendly!
Con: Paths are bumpy and bumps cause a sore bum.
So as you can see, riding my bike has been a mixed feelings experience. I'm going to try Jaime's bike tomorrow and see if that one treats me better, invest in some cheep rain gear, and plan to bring a change of clothes to work every day... and I think it will take a more positive spin. :)
Yay, biking!
Okay, last thing- I promise! Issa, Jaime, and I have joined the planning committee for an LBGT Youth Summit coming to Alaska. I literally joined this 3 days after coming into Anchorage (I seriously don't know how to take a break). So far it seems like it's going to be amazing. The event is October 14th (AKA: VERY SOON!!!) and there is a committee of about 10 of us planning the day summit for students ages 14-18 in middle school and high school. The committee we are working with is probably one of the most organized and most "get-things-done" oriented group I have ever worked with. In Fall Welcome we worked quick and efficiently, but I really wish we'd have had some of the organizational techniques that we have used thus far in this planning process, because they are such HUGE time savers and really get creative juices and brainstorming to take flight. Thomas, the individual heading each of the meetings, is a blast to work with. He exudes positive energy and thinking. He checks in with each of us at every meeting to see what our concerns and optimistic views are and then directly addresses each opinion. Overall: amazing leader. The best part though: We don't have "that asshole" anywhere in the group. We all are business, fun, business and no B.S. talking for hours about something that doesn't matter. Everyone knows what they want to say, and they say it efficiently and effectively. Everyone has a completely unique background, so each person brings the perfect ingredient to the team to ensure that everyone is covered. We've got everything from fun-games-planner me to psychological specialist Jaime to Alaskan Connections central Felix. I mean, everyone brings something no one else can. It really is a unique and awesome group of people. I'm stoked to see what we are able to create for these deserving youth!
Lastly (I promise) MY BEDROOM! I've got it all set up! Check out the pictures below. :) So, if you're wondering how to decorate a room when you are not able to bring any wall decorations, posters, or shenanigans with you, here is the solution! Find a table cloth and use your clothes! Sure, it kind of looks like the display window of a Hollister, but at least it brings color and depth to an otherwise boring white wall. I'm happy with it all! :)
So, I'll leave you with a few pictures. This post is being put up a few days late cuz I was having problems uploading pictures... so pretend this was posted, like, two days ago. :)
 |
| Nancy Lake: I spent the night with my fellow Americorps friends at a cabin right on this beautiful lake the last two days of training. :) |
 |
| Nancy Lake Part Deux, you can see mountains in the background!!! They were way prettier in person... not to rub it in or anything. :) |
 | ||
| A corner of my room: Items: Free Table Cloth that was covering a Free Chair (in yellow), scarves and hats, and Free Shower Curtain left in the house (in black) Total cost: $2.50 for push pins. I tried uploading pictures of the rest of my room, but my computer is being dumb. I'll try in a later post! :) |
No comments:
Post a Comment