Hey hey,

Naomi and me looking super tough in our AmeriWear and PPE

So, let me tell you about my day Friday. I awoke at 5 in the morning and dragged myself out of bed after much prodding from my roommate. We changed into our workout cloths and trudged our way down stairs and out into the parking lot for PT (physical training). We did our group announcements, the Americorps pledge, sung happy birthday to my teammate Adam, stretched then divided into our work out groups. My group consists of all the other team fives from different units. Although it is still dark, it is about 90 degrees and everyone is already sweating. We then find out today that we are doing the long distance 40 min run (5 miles). So we set off into the dark, running on the crumbling road, perspiring gloriously. We run along this road that leads through the marsh. It is pitch black, and the only thing that motivates you to keep going is the fear that you will be left behind in the marsh and be eaten by the swamp monster. The lovely smell of salt water mixed with sewage wafts through our noses and we recall the warning of a team leader “Welcome to Charleston, breath through your mouth.” we complete the run, thoroughly exhausted and then move into upper body exercises and ab torture. PT ends at 6:30 and we have 30 min to get into our uniforms because our van is leaving at 7:00 to take us to the final day of our habitat for humanity project.

We pile into the van, already sweaty from the workout. This sweat is mixed with the stench of our uniforms that we have worn for 3 days straight without washing. These uniforms have been worn while we have been sweating in the afternoon sun, hammering/building a house. We arrive at the site and have the morning prayer (optional, so many of us step out of the circle), then divide to our project sites. Most groups were painting, but my team got to actually build a house basically from scratch. We nailed the walls, put up the roof, got to climb around in the roof (my personal favorite), and nail more nails then I thought I ever could (it turns out I’m an ambi-hammerer…holla). We wrap up the project and head home. It was amazing to see what we were able to accomplish in 3 days. Even though it was exhausting, and sometimes frustrating, the result made it worthwhile. Plus, we learned about the family whose house this was going to be, and they were incredibly deserving.

David, Joy, and Meredith in the van on the way back to base

We got back to the dorms, showered (finally…I honestly don’t think I’ve ever smelled that badly in my life!), and went out for Adam’s birthday. we went to a fun park and played mini golf and raced go carts ( I was being passed my 10 year olds). We got back early, then crashed ïcause we had to wake up at 5 the next morning to help set of a walk to raise money for heart conditions.

I know this doesn’t sound fun for most of you, but I am loving every minute of it!

Today I’m going though peer helper training (we each get selected to have a specific job on the team, and I was selected to be peer helper), I’ll let you know how the rest of the training goes.

I need to get back to training, but it’s been great hearing from everyone!

My address is:

Alena Rosen ClassXII/ Gold 5
Americorps NCCC
2231 South Hobson Ave.
Charleston SC 29405

Love,

Alena