Wrap Up- We returned to Vicksburg and spent the last days in FEMA Corps taking classes and bonding as a corps. We also got to tell the staff what we did in our last round as well as have a graduation.
Challenge Hike- We spent a day with the entire Corps at the D'Lo Water Park which has a very strong river. It is the river where they filmed scenes of O Brother Where Art Thou. We were cleaning up debris and playing in the river when I broke two of my little toes. Ouch! Then a few days after that (the night of graduation) I twisted my ankle! So I now look pretty weird with my moonboot and my ortho shoe and my cane of course. Grandma Flo is back haha! (Inside joke)
Banquet and Graduation- The last two activities we do as a Corps are the Banquet and Graduation. Both of them were awesome and gave us a time to reflect and hang out. Although I cried during neither of them, I still feel that it gave me some closure.
Reflection- It is hard to reflect at this point- being so close to graduating and still processing everything that is going on and thinking about changes. But what I can say is that AmeriCorps was not designed to be a healthy environment. And I'm not complaining but rather realizing just how much I was deprived of a lot of things. I am a natural extrovert but AmeriCorps, and especially my team, was no place to be myself. I was not loved or appreciated for much of what I did. I was lonely. I am SO glad to back to a place where people realize how special and talented I am and who appreciate and love me. Although it was hard to get through the ten months is such an unhealthy environment I am glad I went through it because now I am more appreciative towards my friends, family, and community. I came into this program thinking I would find friends and build long lasting relationships, and I thought it would be so much easier and that people would be..."gooder". I can't use the word nicer because even though people are nice it does not mean that they are good. And vice versa. I found very few people I consider to be friends but I did learn a lot and I am coming home with new perspectives, new ideas, and a new attitude. I have grown immensely. I believe I was meant to be part of this program and although I am not going back for a second term, if I were to go back in time I would still make the same decision.
 |
| Ocean 7 with our ceiling tile- "The Mystery Machine" |
 |
| The strong river at D'Lo Water Park |
Biscuit- My childhood dog named Biscuit passed away a few weeks ago. I knew him longer than I knew my own dad. He will be missed :)
Thanks- This is a special shout out to my friend and best teammate Nateanna. Thanks for sticking out these long 10 months with me :) Can't wait to see you again in the future!
This summer and future plans- This summer I have few plans. I am going to Disneyland with my family this summer! In regards to the future I am either going back to DVC or going in to another volunteer program. I also got accepted to sing in a local women's choir called WomenSing. I am excited to get my life in order!
I plan on writing another reflection (once I have reflected more) and to tell you all my plans !
Thank you to everyone who has checked in on my adventure.
