Today was the official start of my program. We had our classroom orientation today where we went over rules, the values of the program, fire escape, etc. basically everything that was in the binders they gave us. We also got together in our different schools (there are 3, but mine is definately the coolest) and I got to see firsthand who all is in my program, and it's about 6 girls and 7 guys, most of whom are around my age so that should be fun. One of the leaders of my group are Simon, who I mentioned before as the guy who took us up The Mount, and he's really cool and a lot of fun to play games and hang out with. The other one is Madeline, or Maddy, and she is 22, has dark red hair that is twisted into dreadlocks, and a face that kind of looks like Jennifer Lawrence. Anyhow, the adventure group looks like its going to be doing a lot of really cool things: hiking, kayaking, caving, fishing, bungee jumping (I'm not so sure I'll join in on that one yet) and luging, which if you've seen the geico commercial with the guy in the lay-down cart thingies when a pig on one comes by him with a pinwheel, then that's luging. Apparently the cart things can go up to 60mph.
I also learned today that the program is a requirement for a University of the Nations degree, which may not be why I'm going on one, but along with that, it means the program is graded pass/fail. Or in other words, it is possible for me to fail my gap year program? What? Oh well, I'm in it for the experience. Along with the fact that the program is a course means that we have journals due every week and a book report due every 3 weeks. They gave us our first one today and the books about the guy who founded the program. It's also due the day after my birthday, which basically means I will be spending part of my birthday working on it. On that note, I am very sad to not be celebrating in the good ole USA this year. I suppose my first lottery ticket and BB gun will have to wait until December. Oh, and my first voting election will be in another 4 years. Whatever, we're probably
screwed whether Romney or Obama gets in office. Maybe I should just stay in New Zealand and
avoid all that. Just kidding, of course.
As part of the program, everyone has household chores/responsibilities. I completely lucked out with mine. On the board were things like dinner cleanup, grounds maintenance, and hospitality which who knows what that entails, but I'm guessing I wouldn't do that job very well. I got dinner prep, which means I get to help cook dinner. The cook for the program is a young guy named Thomas who is really nice, a suprisingly great cook ( I am LOVING the food here), and he looks kind of like Waldo from "Where's Waldo" but without the turtleneck or glasses. So basically during our allotted chores time after classroom me and 3 other girls and an Indonesian boy named Kevin go over to the guys' house, because that's where we eat lunch and dinner, and help make dinner, and when we're done we hang out with some of the staff and whatever guys are around and play games and chill. One of my favorite things about this experience so far is hanging out and learning new games to play, and for some reason since the guys' house is the main meeting place we don't really play games in the girls' house, so since I'm on dinner prep squad it makes me feel like I have a legit excuse to chill more in the guys' house and play games. Things are going generally well for me, we are going to learn what outreach locations are available to go to soon. Keep reading, and I miss all of you terribly!
4 comments:
Sooooo you're saying your group leader looks like a mutant with blue skin? How cool!
(Just teasing, of course; glad you're having fun and I can assure you we all miss you too. Yesterday I saw a girl with a YMCMB t-shirt and I was about to be like "Abby, look over there!" and then I realized that you were not actually with me. It was rather sad.)
"not easily swayed by cheap imitations" GIANT LOL. what kind of food do they have over there? loving this blog so far and can't wait for more posts! have an excellent time! miss you!
I laughed at the "cheap imitations" as well.
P.S. Is everyday kind of like a surprise or do they tell you in advance what all you are going to be doing?
I swear all you need is bleach for Mystique's skin and they look at the very least like fraternal twins.
The food is mainly normal stuff like burritos and spaghetti, and some cool stuff like pumpkin soup, but the cook is super chill and justs throws whatever in the dishes. Like last night, we made spaghetti and for the sauce he had each of the helpers try it and we had to say one thing to add to it. One person said cinnamon, and it didn't taste terrible or anything.
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