A mini-update

We're halfway through round 1 in Denver, CO. I write this blog as I hang out at a local coffee shop, buying tea instead of coffee because it's cheaper and I feel guilty bumming Wi-Fi off of a place without being a paying customer. 

Okay, so it's not THAT bad, but it's a true story. But honestly, Free WiFi is the AmeriCorps equivalent of Gold. Want something done by a 20-something year old? Offer them WiFi in return. And/or a cup of coffee. You'll be amazed at the excitement that suddenly appears.

I have a lot of things I've learned, but mostly I've been using previous lessons to handle situations. I am surrounded by Team Green friends and love, and I have minimal personal issues and just spend my time trying to balance team life, my life, and overcome team obstacles. I don't think I'm in the mood for a heavy self-reflection, so I'm going to go over my top AmeriCorps Life Lessons:

Here are a few rules/guidelines/thing I've learned while here:

• Never say no to free food. If you don't want it, someone on your team does.
• You'll only be nervous about spending a day in a coffee shop to use their Wi-Fi the first time.
• If it costs money, you better do a thorough cost-benefit analysis in your head and figure how much money you're spending per smallest unit possible (second, crumb, step, etc.) and what type of return on investment you're getting to determine the answer to the big question: Is it worth it?
• Full price? What's that? Never, ever pay full-price for anything because you can get it cheaper. Except coffee. Usually, one pays full-price for coffee. And that's okay.
• *Never pay full-price for a RedBox movie.
• Snail mail is cool. Email is cheaper, but when you have limited WiFi access, sacrifices must be made. It is also more fun to send and receive letters than it is to click "send" and receive notifications on your phone.
• Cooking involves cleaning and both are exhausting when you have to do them ALL. THE. TIME. 
• No, seriously. Cleaning has to happen a minimum of 3x/day to keep a tiny motel room livable. 
• Unfolded laundry is the devil. It makes everything seem like Hell. Tackle that task right away. 
• You never know the meaning of too many clothes until you live in AmeriCorps, because while you always have too many, you never EVER have enough. Don't try to fill that void, just learn to accept it and move on. You'll never achieve that perfect balance.
• Target is a magical place, but don't go there. Just DON'T DO IT. Any place that includes makeup, clothes, cute stationery, winter accessories, AND starbucks is a trap. You don't need it.
• Take care of each other, especially your roommates. Sometimes someone else might just need you to cook a little extra so they can have some too. Don't rely on them to make the bed every day, don't get mad that you're the only one who hangs the floor towel up outside of the shower. Or even if you're the only one who gets toilet paper from the front desk. It may feel like it goes unnoticed, but when you need them to take care of you, they will. 

I must say, I am having the time of my life here. It's one wild rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love it here, and it is pushing me to keep doing these awesome things with my life. When I expressed that I wanted to join AmeriCorps, most people thought I was off my rocker and completely lost my mind, or I was on some crazy hippie journey to better the world (it consequently happened at the same time I decided to go vegan) but in all reality, it just felt like a good idea. And to be honest, it was the best idea I've ever had. There are days when I already wish it could be June and I'd be done with the program, but most days I am so happy where I am and so thankful for the things in my life that got me to where I am today. I appreciate life outside of the program a lot more, and realize how much I took for granted. That's one of the big reasons I joined. I knew that I never had to live a challenging life or face any hardships, and I wanted to refocus myself and adjust my outlook. And I definitely have. I see myself including service into the rest of my life, maybe not on a 24/7 all-year scale, but I'll continue to do as much as I can. I'm only 1/3 of the way through this program and 1/2 of the way through this project, so I am excited for my upcoming experiences and I'll try to update this blog more often (given that I have access to WiFi). My work here is far from over, and I still have lessons to learn.