Winding down CTI! :)

Hey everyone!

Last time I blogged we had just gotten our teams and our assignments..and ever since then we've been working on project prep! The end of last week included a 6 hour diversity training and something else that I don't remember at the moment. Anyways, everyone was super relieved to have that week over with. It was definitely a long one. On Saturday morning I did an ISP with the Colorado Coalition for Homelessness. We help them organize their "Home for the Holidays" 5k run. I was a course marshal so I just had to stand at a certain spot in the course and direct people of where to go, and cheer them on of course. The run was at a BEAUTIFUL park in Denver called City Park. Even though it was cold, I loved it..and I got 5 hours of ISP which meant that I am up to 22! Woohoo! Sunday was a free day at the Denver Zoo. So after we had brunch at the cafe we all piled in a van and went to check it out. We didn't have much time there because some people had meetings, but what we did get to see was awesome. I'd love to go back sometime.

Yesterday (Monday) our team did some team building things (like getting ice cream!). We also checked out our supplies for our trip..like cots, kitchen equipment, etc. Also, last night was our Corps talent show. I obviously didn't perform, but I had an amazing time watching. There was all kinds of talent and lots of fun. Everyone was so supportive and we all yelled as loud as we could no matter who was performing. It was a such a good atmosphere. Some of the cute boy team leaders and staff members even did a "90's Throwback" where they lip synced and danced too a Backstreet Boys song. It was absolutely hilarious. My friend Pavia also performed and she danced to a song called "Let go and Let God". She is SO graceful and pretty when she dances..I loved it.

So today we had a whole community meeting..where each team from all 4 units did a quick skit that showed where they were going and what they'd be doing. That totalled up to 28 teams doing skits..but we had a good time with it. My team also had to do a briefing today, which meant we had a formal meeting with our Unit Leader (Kevin) and our Region Director (Barbara). Barbara is like the head honcho of campus, but she's super nice. We basically had to present to them every aspect of our project in terms of travel, emergency plans, service learning activities, physical training activities, etc. It was intense, but in the end they told us we did a great job. We did a fun team building activity after that, and now I'm back in my room just hanging out. Tonight is our "Black & White Ball" where we all got black and white trash bags to make outfits out of. I guess we get to come in like red carpet style with our teams..and then we get to do all sorts of games and the chance to win prizes and stuff. Who knows, but I hope it'll be fun. The staff member who is doing it is really really fun so it should be neat.

On another note, we finally found out about our housing!! We will be staying at a Baptist Church in Joplin. They have bunk beds, showers, and a kitchen! Which is a lot more than we were expecting. We also will be staying there with another team in our unit, which is really awesome because more of my friends will be there with me! They are also working in Joplin but with a different project. Overall, I am really excited! We have a few more things to take care of tomorrow and Thursday. Friday we have off because of Veteran's day, and on Saturday morning we leave! When we get to a hotel Saturday night I will try to blog again! Ok I have to head to dinner and then get ready for the ball!

Love,
Abby