Jumping into January

Within the first eleven days of this month, I was in California, Mississippi, Tennessee, Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia—talk about busy. The sheer number of emotions I had in the first third of this month was enough to drive someone a little up the wall. Before I left home, I was anxious to find out where my next SPIKE location would be, dreading the return to extreme levels of responsibility, and excited to see Team Green. And those were only the emotions relating to my professional life…

January was a month spent with missed loved ones and transitioning back to the insanity of the Amier-life. I really wish I could have written this post closer to the end of January…instead of on February 15^th. I apologize in advance for any cynicism, negativity, or hopelessness that seeps into this post. January really was a great month. Let’s see if today’s mind is capable of conveying that…

Sunny California

As all you Californians know, we had just about the sunniest “winter” ever. After being in the Midwest for the previous months, though, that 80 degree weather was exactly what the doctor ordered. Realistically, California may have just been perfect because I got to see so many people I loved. January was particularly wonderful.

Dino

Okay, quick story: When I was younger and I would yell my brother’s name…everyone would ask me if I was calling him “Dino”. I obviously wasn’t…but this section is about him.

While I was out at a coffee shop on New Year’s Day, a woman from LA Fitness came by and asked if I wanted a free week pass. Normally, I say no to these offers. This time, however, Daniel popped into my head and I remembered him saying how badly he wanted to play racquetball. I snatched up two free passes in an instant. The next day, Daniel and I played an hour of uncoordinated, embarrassing racquetball. After warming up for about 15 minutes, Daniel asked me if I realized I had been laughing literally the entire time. I guess I might be going a little crazy…

Anyways, this was our last day home and our last day together for about another 6 months. We laughed and were incredibly patient with one another. I am so lucky to call Daniel my brother and especially my friend. You inspire me every day, Bud. I love you so much.

Co-worker

A random night in November of 2012, I had an epiphany that I needed a new job. I am grateful for that realization everyday…because without it, I wouldn’t have met one of my best friends. My co-worker and friend Emma is the absolute best introvert to be counterpart with my introvert. My second to last day in California, Emma drove up from San Diego and we hung out all day. Like, seriously, we talked for 9 hours straight. We talked about books, our families, nerdy school things, jobs, and what’s coming next for both of us. My heart has never felt so full from a plutonic friendship…ever. I look forward to knowing and making memories with you for a heck of a long time after this.

Even Better If’s

Back during Team Leader Training, a Team Leader organized this thing called an “EBI session”. EBI stands for Even Better If. The reason for this session was to point out people’s strengths and also to offer constructive criticism to become even better leaders. After some concerns were raised within my team, I decided this SPIKE would be a great opportunity to start these sessions for Bayou 6. Starting a few days before we departed for Washington, DC through now, we have had a weekly EBI session. Every individual has the opportunity to talk to each team member for 2 minutes each in a one-on-one setting. This session has allowed my team to take ownership over their personal emotions and their reactions to others on the team. As Team Leader, I no longer have to play the bad guy and point out “bad behavior” because my team is able to confidently address it on their own.

FEMA Headquarters

Bayou 6 is working out of FEMA Headquarters in Washington, DC. We actually have work this SPIKE and it is important. As the Team Leader and representative for Bayou 6, I have had an incredible professional experience so far. I am meeting incredibly important people every day and contributing my intelligence and ideas in the many meetings I am required to attend. I feel competent and challenged constantly. (As of the middle of February, however, I realize that I need to share this professional experience with my Corps Members. Starting this week, I will start bringing them to all my meetings so they can be challenged too J)

Yoooooga

The first time I ever took yoga was my freshman year of college and I thought I was going to a kickboxing class…I was duped! Despite my first experience with yoga not being particularly welcomed, I figured I should still give it another try. After signing up for a two month pass at the LA Fitness around the corner from our housing, I discovered the many free exercise classes that are offered—Yoga being one of them. I started going to yoga and now it’s officially added to the list of very few things that can actually get my mind off the nagging thoughts of work, work, work. Sundays and Tuesdays, baby.

Team Green Takes Over the Nation’s Capital

I am spoiled and honored that I get to be deployed with four incredible Southern Region Campus Team Leaders. What’s even better is that I’m rooming with one of them. Since our arrival in DC, my Corps Members have said to me “you seem so happy here!” and I couldn’t agree more. I love my team to death, but it is so wonderful to have people outside the dynamics of my team to interact with. I have gotten to know these members of Team Green better than I ever expected to…and our time together really has just begun! These individuals are the reason I am able to be happy, positive, and healthy for my team. I find it so hard to believe I got through last SPIKE without them.

Words from Other's Mouths

After going through my journal for January, I found that I wrote down a lot of quotes—more than usual at least. Since they don’t necessarily fit into any sort of category besides “quotes”…I figured I would just make a cute little section just for them!

“Make today the weirdest, coolest, awesomest poem you’ve ever written” – The Ripples Guy

“Grab a plate and throw it on the ground.
Did it break?
Yes.
Now say sorry to it.
Did it go back to the way it was before?
Do you understand?”

“If nobody tried, nothing would ever happen” – Franklyn (wise taxi driver)

“Time flies when the wind is blowing” – Random Man at a Café in downtown DC

The Simple Serendipities

Google Translate Might Not Be That Accurate: The end of January was Chinese New Year! To celebrate, and to experience a little diversity, my team and I went to the Smithsonian Art Museum for their Chinese New Year event. Since I love books, I decided I wanted a few of the cute lil’ bookmarks they had. The funniest part of my day had to be our process of “translating” the Chinese on the bookmarks. The “translations” are as follows:

                “I want a boyfriend this year” and

                “I was born not to forget my expansive love for the old fisherman”

We didn’t even bother finding out the actual translations. I still can’t stop giggling about the old fisherman…

The Happy Tart: There is a certified gluten-free bakery in Alexandria—The Happy Tart!! And those same baked goods are sold in coffee shops all over. I get to eat pastry treats so often!!

Microwavable Gluten Free Chocolate Cake: Being deployed with other teams, and in turn being deployed with some of my closest friends, nice things happen pretty darn often. One of my fellow Team Green members bought the ingredients for microwaveable chocolate cake since we don’t have ovens. Amazing? I think yes. I've eaten about a million.

Poop in the Van!!: One day on our way to the grocery store, my sensitive-nosed Corps Member starting complaining it smelled like poop. Immediately, I shot that idea down…because a) ew and b) how could there be poop in the van? Well that was the wrong response…one of my Corps Members stepped in poop and dragged it into the van. It was so funny it was impossible to be angry. Poop in the van, really? Gross. 

What's going on right now:

I just had the hardest week of being a Team Leader...and it's not over yet. I am fighting for the mental health, well-being, and happiness of my team. I was told I would have to make hard decisions this year and now I can definitely say that yes, I have.