This week...

Well, it's been a very busy, but fun week. We had training on Monday and Tuesday. We are spending more and more time in our schools getting ready to begin our hardcore year of service on October 5! I also had an interview for a second job on Monday at Ann Taylor Loft; however, I won't be able to work there because of my hours. Shoot....back to the drawing board I guess!

Wednesday through Friday was our BTA (Basic Training Retreat) at Camp Vacamas in New Jersey. (Camp Vacamas hosts kids from the Bronx and Brooklyn on the weekends and during the summer.) It was so nice to get out of the city for a few days and just be around nature. Of course, my allergies were ridiculous and were acting up almost the whole time....but not a big deal! On the first day, we did a challenge course with many activities....some that I have done before and some that I have not. Our team was frustrating me quite a lot at the beginning of the rotation. We definitely were not following the "one mic" rule at all. However, it was so rewarding to see an improvement with each activity we did. I saw growth in our team from activity 1 to the final one we did that day. It's amazing how nature can have that effect on people. We spent a great deal of time bonding, getting to know ourselves and our teams better, and learning more about the work we'll do this year. I have a great deal of respect for the people on my team...they are just awesome. We are all so different, but we are meshing together quite beautifully. Since day 1, I've really felt like we have SUCH a good corps. I just felt there was something special about us, and I found out this weekend that many people, including staff, feel the same way. Some said that this BTA was the best they had been to in 4, 5, or 6 years! What an incredible compliment! I'm lucky to have the team I have and the awesome leadership to work under.

Just so you have an idea of what we did at the retreat....ate 3 times a day (my favorite part), completed a challenge course, did team building activities such as "Spotlight" and Crossing the Line, experienced an amazing Talent show, learned more about Ubuntu (look it up if you don't know what it means!), and stayed up late and woke up early. It was so worth it! I was ready to come back to the city, but it was great.

I got home and CRASHED. I was supposed to just take a nap from 8-10, but I never woke up to my alarm! :( BOOOO.

Today, I got to meet up with Kelli, Brook and Parish for the Buddy Walk! First, we watched the opening video in Times Square--Parish was featured in it! SUCH a famous baby. Then, we rode the school buses provided for us to Central Park to do the 1 mile walk. An actor from Scrubs was at the event (he plays Dr. Perry something I think??) and a host from the Early Show. Pretty cool...you know I love famous people! :) Parish was just so precious the whole time. He is such a happy baby. Several Ambassadors that live in NY came out to support Parish on his big day. I'm so glad I got to spend some time with them. What a great day!

Now, I'm just back at the apartment probably about to take a nap. We are going to Blockheads later which is quickly becoming my favorite place to eat!