AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region Class XX Graduation

The NCCC Silver 8/Silver Composite 1 Werewolves together again

Today, the AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region Class XX graduated. The halls of the McClellan Airforce Base are quiet - no more Knights of Nerd Hall to keep chaos in the realm; no more band sessions, or jam sessions, or Mira singing at the piano; no more sneaking into rooms and giggling until sunrise; no more too loud whispers on the way back from too many beers at Harveys.

But all of these no mores have been a reality for me for 4 months.

In March, after spending 10 weeks with my Composite Team - The Silver Werewolves, WOLF PACK HOLLAH BACK - I accepted the position of Education Program Assistant with our first sponsor of the round, the Catalina Island Conservancy. I feel blessed and fulfilled at my job, and am still happy with the move. Life is good for me on Catalina Island.

The ladies of Blue 1

I had already parted ways with the Corps. My fellow werewolves, with the addition a Green Unit team leader, Arielle, dropped me off at Sacramento International and I left for a month back home in NJ. But not all farewells are final.

Yesterday, I flew back to Sacramento for one more "I'll See You Again." because I simply do not say like or enjoy or abide by these divisions (unless you're an ex significant other, at which point all goodbyes are final and non-negotiable). I was not disappointed with my decision.

Mira Pearce singing the National Anthem

My werewolves picked me up from the airport (sans Kassie) and we went out for FroYo -- a team favorite and requirement while we served with the CCCs in San Luis Obispo. It was epically wonderful to be together again. Then I came back to base to be met with hugs of love from Kestrel and Holly, two teammates from Blue 1, my original team. The night brimmed with Cards Against Humanity, chinese food for Holly's bday dinner, and then catching up with Kassie individually. Holly and I ended the night with an Adalberto's trip and I fell asleep in the Ameri-sleeping bag.

Holly Adams, crossing the stage to graduate first!

Mira arrived with FMT and seeing her filled me with sisterly loving joy. I missed her. She is so wonderful.

Graduation was hard for me. I was representing the Catalina Island Conservancy as a Sponsor, as well as being there as a friend to my former teammates. Mira sang the national anthem beautifully, and the ceremony was lovely. I teared up several times watching friends and teammates walk across the stage for their graduation.

Then the goodbyes: which were long, and full of pictures, promises, tears. I couldn't stop crying saying goodbye to Kestrel. Holly left me crying in a van. I was lucky to walk Kassie to her terminal, which left me crying at the Sacramento airport.

Although I said goodbye before, this time feels final (because nothing is more final than a graduation, except perhaps death). When I left in March, Holly and Kestrel would give me enough updates that I still felt attached to Blue 1. I still got to hear about my composite team members' new spikes.

This experience, this Ameri-experience, is finally over for all of us.

NJ to Massachusetts to CA

Being silly with two members of Blue 1

There are many memories and lessons to take away. Jobs for some, college for others; romances to miss; an increased dedication to service for all of us; new passions for life, roadtrips, and perhaps a path to follow. We all come to AmeriCorps looking for something, and walk away with something unexpected.

I'm glad I left when I did in March. I'm both overjoyed and deflated by the return, just to say goodbye, today. I am grateful for all of it.

Thank you, AmeriCorps for the journey.

SPIKE Announcements (Rounds One and Two)

This is quite a bit overdue, but I'll do my best.

Blue One's Spike One

For Blue One's first spike (11/14-12/19/13), we went to Calabasas, CA to work with the Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) on an environmental stewardship project. We lived for 2 weeks in Malibu Creek State Park (MCSP), then for 11 days in Mt. Crags Camp, and the last 6 days we were back to camping in MCSP. Our Team Leader (TL) got her own tent, the 6 women lived in an 8 person tent, the boys were able to double up and each pair had their own 2 person tent. We cooked using a propane grill or an open fire at the camp site. At the Salvation Army Cabins, we had a full kitchen and slept 4 to a room. For MRT, we planted native plant species, removed invasive plant species (I now have a permanent vendetta against Smilo and Euphorbia), and set traps for, sexed, sized, and caught Louisiana Cray Fish (no, we did not get to eat the Cray Fish). We were definitely under prepared for the weather - we had been told that "It never gets cold in Southern California!" so consistently that a few members on the team did not bring their Ameri-sweatshirt, any Ameri-long sleeve t's, or full length BDUs. In fact, some of us were even lacking in long pants to sleep in. This was a critical error because we were living in the coldest part of Southern California due to the valley we were camping in at MCSP. Overall, we had an amazing time.

Blue One's Spike Two

The announcement for our second spike came early in December. Our TL set up a murder mystery for us to figure out our next location (Kestrel and Holly both thought she was just being creative, but Mira and I knew that it had to be reveal day). For our second spike (1/13-3/21/14), Blue One will be going to Vashon Island, WA to work for Camp Sealth - Camp Fire Central Pugent Sound on another environmental conservation project! Vashon Island is only a ferry ride away from Seattle, WA where most of the members of Blue One plan to visit at some point on Spike. We'll be living in cabins with kitchens and heat, which will be a lovely upgrade from camping in Malibu Creek State Park. For Camp Sealth, Blue One will be repairing 6 miles of trail, building new structures (including a recycling shed, outhouses, footbridges, water bars, and drainage ditches), assisting with reforestation work, and overhauling various facilities. Blue One is excited to learn more about Vashon Island and Washington state. This will be an exciting project and after break, we will be more than ready to start getting things done, once again, for America.

Catalina and CCC Composite Spike Two

This would be a good time to explain that I won't be going with Blue One to Vashon Island, WA. After an application and interview process, I was selected to be on a Composite Team for Round Two. I will not be with my team for the entirety of Round Two, which includes transition training. Instead, I will be joining my new Team Leader, DuVale, and 8 other Ameri-People from the 4 AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region Units for a 10-week split round project. I applied for this Composite Team because I know I want to go back to school for engineering/environmental science, but I am still trying to pick a specific (hopefully job producing) major.


From 1/15-2/26/14, I'll be camping on Catalina Island doing trail work, invasive species removal, and native species planting  as well as supporting the native plant nursery for the Catalina Island Conservatory. From 2/27-3/21/14, I'll be doing storm water management and water conservation with the California Conservation Corps while I live in CCC Dorms, located in San Luis Obispo. I'm very excited to partake on this adventure with this Composite Team and to meet the challenges that will arise. 

Veteran's Day (of Service), 11/11/13

This year for Veteran's Day, I was able to join Blue One in another wonderful day of service before SPIKE to get more things done for America ('MURICA!). We were able to rehab the baseball field at the George Sim Community Center. Specifically, we worked on that Matt Cain Junior Giants Field and had a great time doing so.

Mira and I getting it done

Graham and Ryan fixing the diamond

Mira and I handled scraping the backboard, while Holly, Antonyo, ChiChi, Rachael, and Kestrel helped paint. But that was not before ChiChi and Kestrel raked leaves and weed. Toya also helped with leaves and weeding. Graham and Ryan helped with fixing the baseball diamond, and I joined them after finishing paint scraping when we ran out of rollers. Frank got his hands on some powertools, and we pulled together again for another wonderfully successful day. More pictures of our eventful day can be found here.

This was our second time really working together as a team, but now we had the added bonus of getting through C(orps members) T(raining) I(nstitute). Our official induction date was 11/14/13, and with only three days left of training (most of which was specialty role training), Blue One was more than prepared to start functioning as a unit. We had diversity training day, which bonded us on several levels - and goddamn was that an emotional day. Between the ridiculousness of lunch time (ahem, ChiChi jumping in bed with me, Holly, and Kestrel whaaat!?) and the powerful topics covered professionally and exquisitely by the two presenters, it was a really positive turning point for the team. The next day we had alcohol and sex education day, which showed the low levels of patience the team could have, but we made the best of it nonetheless. We also had our Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED training, and first responder disaster training that week. It was necessary training for sure, and we all enjoyed a lovely nap in the sun during lunch both days. Hands of Peace training was another day of bonding for the team, and we made our Team Charter, which is our "living document" of team standards. CTI was intense, and condensed, because of the Government Shutdown, still somehow we always found ways to make the best out of every situation. Should've known then that Blue One was going to become my family away from home, on way too many levels.

Blue One after a hard day!

On Veteran's Day, it's difficult to not think about my grandfathers, both of whom served in World War Two. My father's father, Pop-Pop as all of his 9 grandchildren called him, served in the Battle of the Bulge. My mother's father, Grandpa as his only 2 grandchildren called him, served as a Sergeant in Italy. My mother still says phrases to my brother and I, bestowed upon her by her father when he was raising her (Let me hear your feet hit the floor! Good enough for government work!). Both men worked hard after the war for their families and I miss them both every single day. I often wonder what they would think if they were here to see me graduate from a 4 year university with high honors, and now with me running around the country with AmeriCorps. Oftentimes, I still feel like they're with me, keeping me safe, leading me in the right direction. I was more than happy to do service work on a day meant to celebrate the veterans of this country, and all the people they've impacted along the way.

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Photo Cred: The Amazing Mira Pearce

If You're Going to San Francisco, be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

Being able to visit San Francisco with a few of my teammates is a weekend I am always going to remember. For anyone who wants to do Americorps NCCC, the most significant benefit I can express to you is the ability to travel to places you've never been before. Considering I've never left the East Coast, even being in Sacramento, CA was a shock to the system.

But after visiting San Fran? I've been able to cross something off my bucket list. I was able to stay the night with Graham, Frank, Ryan, and Mira - but the struggle to get there was one for the record books. As you can tell by my lovely text message to my best friend at home, Mira and I had to make some serious moves to get ourselves to San Fran.

As soon as we arrived at Pier 39, we enjoyed the best crepes I've ever eaten, fell in love, met up with the boys, and listened to the soothing sounds of sea lions. After a relaxing and hysterical evening in the hotel, we ate at Peter D's - the best little dinner in downtown SF (just ask Ryan who is STILL talking about the waffle he ate there). Followed by a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, getting lost a few times, accidentally finding the Palace of Fine Arts, and getting back to Pier 39 to end our perfect day. And by end our perfect day, I mean, eat award winning Clam Chowder at the Fisherman's 9th Grotto, visiting the World War II exhibit, and once again enjoy the sea lions (just in the day time). Oh, did I mention yet that Mira got her nose pierced on the boardwalk after the boys left for the MegaBus? They leave us alone for 10 minutes and she gets a piercing - we just can't be trusted.

If you asked me a year ago if I thought I'd be in CA, I would have said no. Sacramento? No. San Francisco? No. This program has already affirmed my wanderlust, which was once a concept and is now a reality. There is so much to see and do and learn. So much to experience and live and be spontaneous about. There is so much life to be excited for. Cheers San Fran, I'll be seeing you soon again (hell, I still have to visit the Red Wood Forest).

Make A Difference Day, 2013

What an amazing, but equally crazy day.

We moved onto campus on October 24th, and had barely met each other before it was time to pull together and start getting things done for America.

Blue One, deciding what signs to throw

Make a Difference Day 2013 was on October 26th and this truly could have been a mess. Not only were we still getting to know each other as people, but trying to learn each other's work ethic at the same time? That's a pretty heavy challenge - but Blue One definitely faced it beautifully.

We spent the day beautifying and cleaning a community garden in Sacramento, CA. The people we met were really inspiring. There was the master gardener, who told us which plants to pull and which plants to crossbreed. Her garden was stunning and her advice was really necessary while we were cleaning up. (I had no idea that tomatoes could be kept in a brown paper bag to help them ripen). Next was the hard working woman who knew all about the gardens - which ones to be fully pulled, fully weeded, and why. I will say that the condition of your life reflects heavily on the condition of your garden.

Leading with love and sass

But the most inspiring people we met, was the couple running the garden. Both of them could easily be in their 70s, and the husband was doing difficult lifting and digging right along side of us. His wife, who has one of the heaviest accents I have ever heard, ran the show. She knew everything that was happening in the garden, who has what plot, who was going to have a plot next season. She definitely kept us moving and assigned us a wide variety of tasks to complete. We were up and on our feet for the whole day.

As our first real team effort, I'd call this a great success and a step in the right direction for all of us.

17 Days Later, How Exactly did I end up in California?

October 24, 2013

The official word from the Pro-Staff of the Facebook page!

I am glad to report that I officially made it to the NCCC Pacific Region Campus on Thursday, October 24th. The excitement I felt when I found out that the Government Shutdown had finally ended is indescribable. I was ecstatic, as I could finally go to start my new life in California! I immediately started the intense process of packing. I have never been more grateful that I had donated so many clothes at the beginning of the summer than during my packing process - and even so, I still had too many clothes to fit into my duffel bag! I suppose the biggest part of the struggle was the fact that I had to pack for all four seasons. Perhaps if I had any idea of the places I'd be going to on SPIKE then I could have more effectively packed, instead I had to decide what was "most important" to get me comfortably covered for all elements of weather. 45 pounds of clothing later, and I was ready to head to JFK airport in NY to leave for Cali.

But not before one last dinner with my best friend, Kourtney, and my parents. I cried.

Saying goodby to my parents and my brother was a very surreal experience. The furthest I've ever been from any of them was my week long vacation to Florida, where I was with 7 other females (3 of whom are my best friends). This is my first grown woman, traveling alone experience, but I really can't thank my brother enough for carrying my bag and helping me navigate the check in process.

Plane tickets and pictures from the trip to San Fran

I was surprised to see so many Ameri-People in the airport! We were rolling 12 people deep, but I was a little disappointed that I didn't meet anyone from Blue One (my team). I slept for most of the plane ride to San Francisco International Airport, but I did have the pleasure of sitting next to two very inspirational people who got to talking to each other. The man had a wife and children, and had fallen flat on his face twice so far. This is his third time rebuilding. During the housing crisis in the early 2000's, his mortgage company fell out. Then he started a contracting company, which fell out after Hurricane Sandy. Now? He's working for an solar energy company in San Francisco. This was his fourth time traveling to the city. He attributed most of his success to his family, as they are the reason he had to continually pick himself up and dust himself off after financial disaster. The power of will-power. The woman was from Britain and had blown through her loan ceiling. She couldn't get anymore loans for school and couldn't afford it. She had been in the United States, and had a very serious relationship prior to returning to London, where she slept on floors of friends and family for the past year. She has an 18 day VISA to spend her time with her significant other and try to pick herself up. Her positive attitude and realistic view of her situation made her story even more compelling. I hope the best works out for her and her significant other.

People come into your life for a reason; so while I got a lesson of the importance of self-improvement, drive, dedication, and perseverance, I was met with a pretty serious complication once landing in San Fran: our flight to Sacramento was cancelled.

The 12 of us were able to go on our first mission: Operation Get To NCCC.

Luckily, the airport was working with us and while some of us called the appropriate professional staff on campus, the rest of us found food, found the man in charge of operation get to Sacramento Airport (a side operation of get to NCCC), and find some common ground while learning about each other. We took our first ride in a 15 passenger van (but not our last) and went off to Sacramento Airport where we would meet up with our Americorps Representatives. I met Alex, from Connecticut who seemed like a pretty hilarious dude. And there was that man from TKE. Damian, from NY. Jake, the leader of Nerd Hall and a returner to NCCC. Sean, the 24 year old. NayNay from Brooklyn. And many other wonderful humans who I cannot remember the names of (this has been a travesty my entire life).

Arriving to the McClellan Airfore Base and NCCC Pacific Region headquarters filled me both with a sense of relief and anxiety. The next chapter in my life has officially started, now I've just got to fill the pages.