4 weeks left

Hello all

I started cheer practice on Monday and it was a lot of fun however I realized how much I don't miss cheer crunches or how tired I can get after a series of jumps. Especially when 9-11 year old girls keep repeating "do it again do it again!" I've also found a new desire to gain my strength and flexibility back which is now another goal I have to reach by November.



We have now completed a few rooms and will be finishing up at this building soon. As said before these apartments are in much better shape than the first however they still needed some work. One apartment was in rough shape because the tenants boyfriend had tried to set it on fire in one of their arguments. Needless to say the tenant no longer lives there. I am not sure where we will head next after this building is complete but we will find out next week I'm sure.



Here is a picture of me and my roommate at induction! Miss you Becky!

On other news!

Had a minor scare last week (thought my iPhone crapped the bed) so for those of you who really know me that would be like losing an arm but no worries it's fine. (knock on wood)

I've been reading quite a bit lately and of course it's an Elin Hildebrand book which only makes me miss home and long for my break in July but luckily I haven't been home sick!

Becky had her baby today! So excited and baby Brooklyn is doing well! Congrats 171!

My cap and gown was sent out today and graduation is about 7 weeks away!

That's all for now!

XoXo
-Katy-

No Internet makes Katy a terrible blogger

Hey everyone,

We have been in Flint Michigan for a week now and tomorrow will commence our first full week with the Flint Housing Commission. In the past week we have cleaned and emptied out apartments of former tenants. None of the units have been left in good condition with all of them need a good clean.
Below is one of the bath tubs.


A few apartments were left with the personal belongings of the former tenants with items including family pictures and even social security cards. I couldn't imagine leaving all of my personal belongings behind. Most of these tenants have been evicted for a variety of reasons such as failure to pay rent and drug possession. The turn over for these units happens a lot but there are over 1,000 people on the waiting list in flint to get in these housing units. We finished a unit on Monday and someone was living there on Tuesday.

One of the FHC employees told us that there are commercials on television that say the jails are full and the only way you are put in jail is if it is a felony or higher which causes an increase in crime that is below a felony.

On Monday I start my independent service hours with the Boys and girls club cheer team which I'm wicked excited about. I've missed cheerleading so it will be a great way to get back into it.

Next weekend we are trying to plan a trip to meet up with cedar 6 since they are only 45 minutes away.

That's all for now. Blogging on my phone isn't that much fun but I'll try and keep up!



XoXo
-Katy-

Flint Michigan!

On Saturday we found out our first round project and Cedar Four will be heading out for Flint Michigan at 6:30am this Thursday to begin our 9+ hour drive. Since our project reveal we have had spent much time prepping for our upcoming project. All 9 of us will be living in one classroom at the local Boys & Girls Club. Luckily we will have access to WiFi so hopefully I will keep up to date on my blog more often. With living at the B&GC we will have the opportunity to get independent service project hours right where we are housed which will be a convenience.

Cedar 4 will be working with the Flint Housing Commission helping to update Section 8 housing units. We will be painting, reflooring those units that need it, and doing general maintenance and cleaning in the units to get them ready for new tenants. There currently is a wait list for these units and the unit that we will be focusing on will be for the elderly and veterans. The goal from our project sponsor is to complete 27 units by the end of our 6 week stint in Flint. Flint is currently the 4th most dangerous city in the United States however do not be worried. We will be in a secure location and previous teams have been sent there and they have not run into any issues. Like most cities there are good and bad parts. As long as we are aware of our surroundings everything should be fine.

Tomorrow is induction which means we will have completed our training as Corps Members and will now officially will be apart of the AmeriCorps NCCC program.

Now it's time to start packing!

XoXo

-Katy-

Almost done with Training!

Hi everyone!

The 3rd week is almost over and we just completed our mini project! It was a 3 day project where my team and I worked at Rodgers Park in Vinton, IA. On the first day we helped clear brush and trees to make way for a new trail from the park to the brand new Nature Center. In the afternoon we helped move Karen from her old office into the new nature center.

Andrew and me

On the second day it was raining therefore not much work was done outside. We worked in the garage disassembling a hydraulic trailer, cleaning up, and disposing of trash and recyclables. We took a break to enjoy black bear stew (yes we ate bear) that was shot and cooked by Karen the naturalist who works at the park. After we ate she showed us all the animal skins and skulls of animals that reside in Iowa. It was pretty cool considering skunks were one animal that she showed us and everyone knows how much I am terrified of skunks.

 Amanda & Me!

On the 3rd and final day we built a foot bridge and cleaned up the park. It was rather cold out so we did not get to participate digging the trench where the footbridge was going due to the frozen soil but other than that it was not too bad.

Some of Cedar 4 on the footbridge we built!

Cedar 4 at Rodger's Park

Tomorrow we have our first project debrief where we present as a team our project and its results to our Unit Leader and other members of the staff.

We find out our first round project Saturday and I cannot wait!

I am trying to be more up to date on my blogs from now on hopefully internet access will allow it!

XoXo

-Katy-

New post after 2 weeks

Hey everyone sorry I haven't posted recently the internet has been kinda in and out and I have been super busy with CTI (Corps Training Institute) Last time I wrote was the day we had team reveal. Our team overall is great and I am wicked excited. We have been going through training for the last 2 weeks and continue our training with our CTI mini project which begins on Tuesday. We will be staying in Vinton and helping build a trail for a nature preserve. It is going to be a lot of work but it will be fun. I am finally getting accustomed to the early mornings and going to bed early but I definitely miss sleeping in. It's hitting me that I am here for a while and will not be coming home anytime soon. I'll be planning my trip home for summer break (July 1st-10th).

Ok time for bed I'll try to keep updating more often.

XoXo

Katy