15 days!

That's right, only 15 days until I am back in Iowa! Though I am very much enjoying my project, I am very ready for a break and to see family and friends.

So, an update:

This week, we had job specific training for the athlete entertainment (ATE) volunteers. Another Corps member, Fionna, is working with volunteer services, so she led the general overview part of the training; then, I followed up with the ATE specific training. There were about 75ish people there, so it was a pretty big deal. I think it went well, and I'm feeling less stressed now that 1) it's over, and 2) I now have most of my commissioners! I lost one, but I think I can fill that spot pretty easily, so I'm not too concerned.

Also this week, the Delegation Services team took a road trip to McCall for a site visit. McCall is about 2 hours away, and is the site of snowshoeing, as well as a Special Olympics Town. The drive was gorgeous and it seems like a nice little town, but unfortunately, no snow yet. Hopefully there will be plenty come February, otherwise that could be one interested snowshoeing competition! ;o)
Our Special Olympics Town is at Shore Lodge. The place is really beautiful and has a great lookout on a lake. The room for SO Town is much smaller than what we had anticipated, but there's a great theater that I think we'll be able to use, so that should be nice. SO Town in McCall will only be open for 2 days, but Nicci and I were trying to convince our boss Ashley that we really should be up in McCall that whole time. ... I don't think Ashley was buying it. ;o)

Yesterday, we got a lovely welcome new addition: another AmeriCorps NCCC team! I don't know many details, unfortunately, but I think they came from Los Angeles. Their previous project didn't have funding, so they came to work with us! We (Blue 4) had anticipated another team (or two) potentially joining us for the Games, but didn't expect them so soon - neither did anyone else. But nonetheless, I'm sure they will be a wonderful addition.
Because of the new team coming in, we did have to rearrange our living conditions. The team leaders are together in a one-bedroom, the guys from the two teams are in one apartment, and the females are with their respective teams in two different apartments. That's right - I'm now living with 7 other people in a 2-bedroom apartment. Let the fun begin.

I've been incredibly busy the last couple days, as a result of my big training session, then being up in McCall and trying to take care of things there. However, I'm starting to get the feeling that the busy time has started, and from here on out until the Games are complete, it's going to be a little hectic. Even with my experience with ETK and V-Day, I certainly have not been prepared for how much goes into an event this size. This is definitely a learning experience, but I'm enjoying the work. I stay busy and meet a lot of people, I usually make progress I can see, there's certainly excitement, and it's a joy because I know that I am going to love what I'm working towards. I can understand why there are people here at the GOC (sorry - Games Organizing Committee, I think) that follow Special Olympics Games all over. (here's a link to the SOWWG website, in case you've never checked it out and are interested)

Tomorrow morning I have training at the Idaho Humane Society. Let's hope I get to work with puppies!!!! (I've been a little puppy-obsessed lately (my team would say little?!?) but I think when I get home and get some hugs, I'll be better.)
Speaking of home, it's only 15 days away! (Did I already say that?) I hope to see many friendly familiar faces during that time. (and get lots of hugs.) :o)

Peace,
Emily