Well I feel bad just leaving this poor blog to become stagnant and dead on the internet without providing some closure. Past-Sam poured too much time into posting to let it waste. Who knows, with luck, this could become an excellent resource for some lost soul seeking information on the elusive NCCC year.
Well, just in case, let's run through the stuff I've learned specific to AmeriCorps:
-getting accepted is a chaotic process. Many people on my campus did not get accepted until 1-2 weeks before the start of the program (i.e. me). I think the campuses go in waves. The start date for my program was actually 2 weeks later than the official date, so don't lose hope if it's down to the wire. You still have a chance.
-the stipend is like 75/week after taxes
-room and board are payed for, just meagerly
-the stuff they give you to keep: 1 fleece vest, 3 cotton t-shirts, 1 cotton long-sleeve, 2 beige cargo shorts, 2 beige cargo pants, 1 pair dress cargo pants, 1 baseball cap, 1 skullcap, 1 round-brim sunhat, 1 hoodie. All emblazoned with the Acorps logo of course.
If I think of anything else I'll throw it in.
But onwards, to closure!
The last weeks at the Forest Service station went really fast. Work became a little more monotonous after we switched over to five 8-hour days, but it still went pretty fast because we often had to drive over an hour to the worksite. An awful waste of gas, I have to say.
We spent most of our time clearing floral matter from the sides of paths and roads to increase visibility. Since it was usually available due to making your shoulders really sore, I spent most of my time on the pole saw (the telescoping chainsaw-on-a-stick) cutting high overhanging limbs. I loved that thing. The last person to use it had sharpened it at an excessively steep angle, so it cut through stuff ridiculously fast. I started felling small trees with it (from a safe distance away, too!), just because it was so much faster than our regular saws. Nothing quite as elegant as making a pie cut from ten feet away.
We also spent time clearing peoples yards of flammable materials. We were pretty much the "forest servie owes you a favor" group. We went around doing defensible space (that's what yard clearance is called) for those less fortunate than us. Less fortunate in the sense that they were unable to do the menial labor because we did it first. Many a fist was raised cursing the fast work of AmeriCorps, sometimes people threw things like cookies or lemonaide at us.
Speaking of, I had the best work experience ever in our last week. We were doing clearance at this older (not old, just older) couples house, who had promised to make us lunch. We finished pretty fast, and it turned out the guy had an old milk barrel. He had laid coals in the barrel earlier, and he made us six racks of the most delicious ribs I have ever tasted.
This guy was crazy. He had survived two different cancers, and one of my teammates had remarked later that one of the cancers this guy lived through had a 100% kill rate. Or 99.9%, I spose, in this guy's case. Really, the couple reminded me of the things I love about AMERICA america. You'll see the youth of the nation bemoaning crass US culture, and yearning for Europe or something, but there is nowhere in Europe that some cowboy-esque veteran could throw you a bbq with the same feel of western romanticism. Nowhere in the world, really, though I'm sure Australia could come close. It's just those backfeelings of staunch do-it-yourself, small government, AmERican hospitality that reminds me why I love the US. And reminds me why I would really miss conservatives if they ever left. The same principles that frustrate me are the ones that state "you, the guest at this bbq, will make no movements whatsoever to do any kind of pre or cleanup work. Just sit and enjoy yourself, now hear?" So yeah, that bbq was awesome. And no, there weren't any leftovers. Between 9 of us (two missing that day), we annihilated 6 full racks, and had to be held back to ensure the hosts got something to eat.
Overall, I am really happy I did AmeriCorps. Towards the end of our service with the Forest Service, I got a bit frustrated with the level of the meniality of our work (on a scale of 1: this work is boring but essential to 10: you are currently moving pine needles from one pile to another, we had a lot of days that were 11: You are now taking something apart to rebuild it with the same materials, but in worse condition), but the people, the teammates I served with for 10 months, made it completely worthwhile. I am really going to miss my erstwhile family that was Silver 4, and I'm getting a little nostalgic just thinking about it.
I remember the way most of our lunches throughout the year, regardless of surroundings, degenerated into throwing stuff at each other. Sticks were good. Banana peels were better.
I remember Jason talking in his sleep. "Dude, my balls are on fire!" Still sleeping "Dude, now Zacks balls are on fire!" And continues sleeping.
I remember going away on our final SPIKE and being one of the last teams to leave campus, so we raided everyone's freezers and made off like bandits with frozen pizzas.
So many other inside jokes, crazy moments, and epic adventures. Even if the programs seems ridiculous, I have to say that the impact it has on its members is invaluable. I have never seen a better environment for America's youth to flourish, being independent and at the same time being indoctrinated with values that society cherishes.
Now that I'm out, I don't think anything could make me repeat it, but the experience I got out of the last ten months will shape much of the rest of my life. I mean, I can cook a full meal for 11 people with under $30. I don't see how anything else can offer much of a challenge anymore.
By the way, if you are looking into AmeriCorps/have questions, leave me a comment. It'll notify me, and I'll get in touch.
This blog is so over.
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