facebook

so my fellow FEMA Corps members have created a Facebook group which has become quite animated with posts in the past few days. so far I have learned...

-the military duffle bag that will be shipped to my house to pack all of my belongings for the next nine months is not quite as big as I believed it to be
-some members are planning to wake up BEFORE 5am to get an extra workout in before our scheduled Physical Training session with our team from 5-6am (which will be happening five days a week the first month we are there and then three days a week for the duration of our program)
-we will be shopping and cooking together as a team (which is where my self contained plate/bowl/utensils combo from REI enters the situation)
-we will be traveling pretty much immediately after the first month we will be there
-several people are vacuum sealing their sheets and blankets to fit in their duffels (which I hadn't considered doing and am now grateful for this Facebook page where we can share tips and ideas on how to fit our lives into one duffel bag and a backpack)

but mainly I've learned that everyone else is going into this nine month journey with an open mind and about as much knowledge of program specifics as I have (which is very minimal). everyone is coming to AmeriCorps whether right out of high school, recently graduated from college, or in between the two and just wanted a change of pace. ultimately, people are looking to spend some time away from their homes and to immerse themselves in this program where we can actively help other people on a daily basis. all in all, I have to say that I've come to the right place.