The days are getting longer, sun shining brighter, almost time for sandals again! There is something I love about being able to never have to put on real shoes, and go running at 7pm and still have day light :) I'm definitely a happier person in the spring/summer/fall. Winter has its beauty, and snow is fun but sunlight is better.. 


Along with longer days also means that its almost spring. Spring means shuffle round! Time for me to see if I can still handle the field Team Leader life. Starting in March I'll get to leave the desk life, my little room all to myself, and abundance of personal time to lead a team of 10 great individuals in Boulder CO. I'm not traveling too far, but I'm excited to explore Boulder more and get to live with a house of people once again. 


The possibilities of a fresh start, a new team of people and the ability to be a part of creating something that could change all of us forever is an amazing opportunity. I'm looking forward to building on what I learned from last year, growing with the new people that will surround me and also finding a comfort in having friends close by in Denver. Overall I feel very blessed. 

"Months ago I would have told you life was about doing, about jumping through religious hoops, about impressing other people. My actions would have told you this is done by buying possessions or keeping a good image or going to church. I don't believe that anymore. I think we are supposed to stand in the deserts and marvel at how the sun rises. I think we are supposed to love our friends and introduce people to the story, to the peaceful calming why of life. I think life is spirituality."  -Donald Miller

Never stop marveling at simple happiness... 

Change with yourself...

Restless... 
I have been through a mix of emotions and thoughts this past couple months. Excitement to return to something so unique, so life changing, to struggle, to grow, to be better. I have touched on some of those things in my return to NCCC, but haven't come close to what I was able to experience in the past.


Stagnant...
I go through each day laughing, smiling, and enjoying where I'm. I do not struggle, I do not feel overwhelmed, or like my presence is impacting others. I associate this place, and this experience with feeling a growth in myself and those around me. I no longer feel that.


Moving...
I have never returned to the same adventure twice before this year. I have gone on to something new, something that is a next step. Something that challenges and inspires me more than what I did before.I have been incredibly blessed to have always found something more. Overall I'm content with this year. Its easy, I'm responsible for only myself, and I'm able to to be selfish. 
What if being content is not enough? 


Searching...
I'm now looking past the next 7 months, and onto a new adventure. I'm scared that I won't find something that fulfills me the way last year did. At the same time I'm afraid of failing. Of not being able to create an experience that impacts not only myself but those around me. Of not being able to be a part of something much larger than you or me. What if eventually there is no next step? What if I'm searching for something that I have already been a part of? What if that's all their is? 


Hoping...
I believe that my past can be repeated. Maybe with new people, new places, new adventures and experiences. This incredible journey that I have lived the past 25 yrs is not over. It has not slowed down. It has not had the best yet. I will find something more. I will find what comes next. I will continue to take the best parts of my past with me, while mixing them with the most exhilarating moments of my future. I will once again find that perfect balance between failure and success. Happiness and Sorrow, contentment, and struggle. Challenge and ease, praise and  correction. 


I may never be able to stop searching.I may never want to be content. I may never want to stop improving who I'm, or marveling in where I find myself. 

Word on the street its 2012

2011 was great. It was filled with travel, new friendships, experience, struggle, growth, and success.


Let's see if 2012 can keep up. I'm not
Going to make a resolution list because I don't feel I need to change anything from 2011 I simply want to add onto all my adventures and dreams that I have already been lucky enough to have completed.


Here is a list of everything I want to accomplish in 2012.


-have a real job for a while. Not one that ends at a certain time or is weird to try and explain exactly what I do. One that lasts until I quit and that is an easy explanation. And I would like to enjoy going to work. Maybe not everyday but most days.


-I want to run another half-iron man and at least one half-marathon.


-I want to travel out of the country. Destination to be determined.


-I want to take a trip with some of my friends from college.


-I want to have a place to decorate.


-I want to smile everyday


-I want to feel stronger, and stay active.


-I want to establish a life in Denver while not serving in AmeriCorps. 


-I want to live somewhere where I have a porch to sit on. 


-I want to run almost everyday.


-I want to live with friends. 


I will be continually adding to this list throughout the year, and hopefully checking things off. Here is to 2012 filled with new memories, friendships, experiences and opportunities. 

Keep a SMILE on your face.

My goal will always be to keep a smile on my face. Life is much better that way. 

Class 18

I once again find myself in Denver, in my dorm room (a little more home looking this time), and with an incredible group of people. Its strange how so much can be the same, and yet can also feel so different. I'm trying not to compare this year to last year. To not compare people from this class to last. I'm trying to start over an experience I have already been through which is a strange feeling. I'm excited to get to be  a part of Class 18, and to see how this group of TL's forms together. I'm also trying to establish more of a real life for myself this year. Attempting to do things not always involving the "A", and slowly adjust to maybe not being with at least 10 other people all the time. This is not an easy task for me. I'm someone who thrives in community. Someone who easily gives all of themselves to a particular group or experience. This year, I want to balance that with also giving to myself. I hope to be able to take what I have learned from last year and be better this year. I hope to remember my adventures and people from last year but move forward with new ones for this year. Here is to another year representing AmeriCorps NCCC, and getting to be  a part of a incredible team of green shirts. Its only the beginning, but the places, and people we are going to effect will move us through this year faster than we think. 


"The best journeys ask the question's that in the beginning we didn't even think to ask" 

What happend when you return to civilization and are not prepared!

RECENT TRIP TO FLAGSTAFF: 

Hotel Room: $70.00

Shower Fee for being in Hotel Room: $20.00 


Sleeping in Van at Wal-Mart parking lot: FREE


Step Brothers Movie Viewing in Van while parked at Wal-Mart: $8.00


Police Called on You for having people visit your room by crazy hotel lady: $pain in the ass


Grocery Store Dinner for 10 people: $80.00


A much needed adult beverage: $6.00 
 
Learning how to successfully be homeless and have fun: PRICELESS 


Oh, and we also got to see the Grand Canyon!

 ITS VERY LARGE!

Building Trails and sleeping under the stars!

Sun One (and myself) have been in the Arizona area working for the Grand Canyon Trust for about 3 weeks now. The project we have been working on (and have recently completed) was constructing/renovating the Maze Trail. A trail in the Vermilion Cliffs that brought people to a site that petroglyphs could be viewed. The entire trail was about a mile in length. The section we were renovating was probably 170 feet. We created switch backs, and stone steps and erosion control walls. We used muscle and rock bars to move boulders from around the area and place them on the trail as needed. It was incredibly rewarding work because you were able to see the progress and progression each day. While completing this project the team had a base camp about 2 miles away at the state-line campground. We were happy to set up our "tent city" once again and hoped for less windy conditions that at 2 mile base camp the previous week. Chasing tents through the night is not as fun as it sounds! We didn't end up chasing tents, however we did end up searching for warmth. Towards the middle of the week we were faced with Sunshine, Sleet, Rain, Snow, and Hail. Sometimes all of those things in one day! The team continued to work to complete the trail despite the weather and would retreat to campfires and warm food each night. It was a struggle to stay dry and warm for multiple days of bad weather but our last day the sun came out SHINING and helped to perk of the team's spirits and dry our clothes. Below are some pictures of the trail we worked on and camp before and after the weather :) 

 We are all still smiling at the end of our 2nd week of work and looking forward to the next! We will be backpacking into the Paria canyon to remove an invasive species called Tamarisk. This project has been incredible so far and the Grand Canyon Trust have been amazing sponsors. What a great experience! Start looking forward to more updates from the next portion of our journey :)