This week was my first at Chatham Habitat for Humanity/Americorps. I am not sure if i can even begin to tell you how excited i am for how much i have/will learn and how tired i am/will be.
The first day was filled with ~30pages of paperwork for our government where they required more forms for this job than any other legally can- really (every form of id that has ever been made of me)- i could not begin to tell you why they need everyone of them but -eh whatever.
Post a million hours of paper work we went out to the sites and i was given the directions that i would lead a tile installation. Right... was my initial thought- which was then followed closely with - they want me to do what? It is my first day/ first week how am i already in charge - i know nothing.
Day 2: Wed. Sept. 9
I woke up and headed to the site after crashing in raleigh - more on that later. I started my day and by the end of it - the midweekers, (as they are called) a small collection of retired men that live in a place called the governor's club- which i gather to be a well-to-do retirement community of people from the north that love golf, taught me how to install tile. Oh, and i also painted a ceiling.
The next two days were more paperwork- setting expectations- setting goals for our homes ( 5 in Chatham Oaks and 5-i think- in Siler City) - and more organizational work for me and the other americorps- which for this week was one other girl- Lauren. She was an americorps here last year and has made me feel much more confident and at ease with this whole new world of construction and living in the middle of a small town. Lauren rules, and this is the first year she will have another female to work with so i think she likes me to. We share hair things, yeah i know if you are a guy maybe you are lost- all you ladies know what i am talking about.
THEN CAME SATURDAY :
What to say of a crazy, hectic, and incredibly productive day of work. I had a group that i was in charge of from Chapel Hill. Most of them were young professionals that came out with some of their friends. We were tasked with painting the entire interior of the home and doing some more tile (that stuff takes some time and is my weakness due to the necessity to be completely square, but i will get it). These guys and gals were the best crew to work with- great attitudes and man were they speedy. I was sooo impressed and relieved. We almost finished the tile and finished the paint with the help of the future home owner Luis, Mercedes and I forget the other name- will post later. They only spoke spanish WHICH WAS AMAZING. I miss using it - a lot. Overall, the day was a success and was a great experience.
After work was done i had a goodbye potluck in Raleigh at the Shelton (aka the compound) and thought of how i will miss this place and the comradery of living where you can walk to all the things you need. There is much to be said for convenience.
I am now- Sunday moving.
Packing up what has been a very long year in raleigh - so interesting to think back to when i moved in. Being slightly moved in and out of different homes, i think, is begining to make me feel lost and restless- but order shall be restored this week. When i no longer have my escape in raleigh i will be forced to deal with my decision to reside in the country and establish a schedule. I know i will like it- i just have to get things in their places.. i hope.
I need to clean and pack more. Much more to come. Welcome to my Americorps/Habitat/living in Pittsboro experience.
This is where i work - Chatham Habitat
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