A Basin of Dirty Water, Fist Pumping and Brother Sun: Welcome to FrancisCorps 12

August 21st was the day that I started my new journey of life. I arrived on the step of Court Street 1015-1017 with a few butterflies in my stomach not really knowing what to expect or who to expect. I was instantly greeted by a fellow volunteer named Mike and a family with a think accent, right away knowing they were from Long Island... or should I say "Strong Island" Jeannie? Soon enough everyone was trickling in from their specific corners of the country. I soon met Mike from Albany, Jeannie from Long Island, Amy from Buffalo, NY, Tim from Binghamton, Jelly from Laredo, TX, Brittany from Indianapolis, Matt from Durham, NC, Molly from Fairhaven, MA, Monsy from Miami, and Tom from Chambersburg, PA. A group that throughout this past week, we have formed a pretty strong bond. It has been quite an interesting ride bringing 11 recently college graduates together for one common purpose. One can say it is like college all over again with your closet friends but minus the homework... which makes it a pretty ideal way of life!

Orientation started off pretty good besides the fact it rained on us for almost two days. To keep things positive though we were here when Syracuse experienced the most rainfall in history with mas o menos (more or less) four inches of rain. This allowed for a some great group bonding time and a two/three hour game of Apples to Apples. Even though I didn't come out victorious... it LITERALLY was a blast. Hoping to get out of the rain, we headed up to Alverna Heights for a few nights for some more orientating and team bonding.....

... and did we for sure get both of those covered! We not only learned the life and times of the other volunteers, we learned who has the best knack for taking people out in the game of Mafia as well as who has the best acting skills. We also learned that a dirty basin of water can be lesson many of us can learn from. All 11 volunteers were so humbled to have their feet washed by Bro. Jim and Sr. Ann as way to remind us that we need to wash the feet of those around us. Not only in our FC (FrancisCorps) community but everyone around us. We have seen Jesus set the way for us, and now we must go out and continue this "washing" to those around us. Through this washing we can form a community, which can be represented by the gunk at the bottom of the basin. We all have our own way of doing it but in the end the gunk settles and it comes together at the bottom forming the community feeling. (Disclaimer... This is kinda an odd way of looking at community but I am trying to remember what Bro. Jim said during this time but I might have butchered it somewhat...bare with me :)

So after a couple hours of Spanish Taboo and a few more games of volleyball and a riveting game of Sardines, we packed up our bags and headed back to Syracuse. In about twenty minutes, we had our bags repacked and jumped back into the vans for a five hour drive to Seaside Heights...a.k.a..... Jersey Shore (insert fist pump here).

After a little traffic here and there, Lead-Foot Jim and Captain Tom parked us safely at our great beach house just a couple blocks from the infamous Jersey Shore Boardwalk and Beach. We spent the night enjoying the biggest pizza I have ever seen and playing a few games out on the porch while Sister moon laughed the night away!

The next morning, as well as for the rest of the week, Brother Sun was there to wake us up for another exciting day ahead of us. We did our orientating in the morning which consisting of working well within community, being good listeners (yea you heard me!) and figuring out our personality types. One morning, which was probably a favorite of all, we met the Poor Clares. A group of Contemplative sisters who live in community with each other. They are a group of amazing ladies who are working towards fulfilling the mission of St. Clare and St. Francis. Someday I will dive a little deeper on both of them. The afternoon was mainly for more group bonding which primarily took place at the beach...not a bad place for that to happen eh? Played a little volleyball, did a little swimming and body surfing, a few napskies, chasing after Snooky, and J-Wow... nothing too big. A good chance to really get to know the other members of the group.

For a couple of nights we stayed in to cook for ourselves, grillin up some delicious Shish Ka-bobs and enjoying the company of Crazy Uncle Bud and Aunt Coors. We also headed out to the Boardwalk for a meal. We had to wait a while to get our seats, but only because they were clearing the tables that Pauley D and The Situation were eating from... again no big deal :) After dinner we attempted to win ourselves the 13 member of FC 12 but some little kid was a sharp shooter on the water gun game...we believe it was rigged. The night ended in some quality dancing and fist pumping... even a little wrestling. We even caught the sunrise the next morning.

Saturday was a Free day with us so we really got a chance to get to know Brother Sun and Sister Water. We are all pretty much best friends but soon had to say goodbye once Sunday came about. We celebrated a wonderful mass with the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and talked with a few parishioner after mass. Soon after we jumped back into the car with Lead-Foot Jim and his Co-Captain, this time Monsy, and headed back to wonderful Syracuse... hoping to bring the sunshine back with us!

After hours of Disney music, Madonna, Alaina Morsette and Jewel... we successfully made it back to Cuse. Unpacked the car but soon enough jumped back in to hit up a stellar chinese restaurant for dinner. Just don't get the Beef Chow Mein... not the greatest. After dinner we popped in Dead Poet's Society and chillaxed for a while. It was the first day of work for the Cuse Volunteers the next and some more orientating for us going to Costa Rica.

The rest of the week consist of some more "housekeeping" items for the CR (Costa Rica) volunteers while the Cuse Volunteers work diligently at their new post. It is sad to see that the time together with both CR and Cuse volunteers is dwindling down but the relationships have formed and it looks pretty hard to break these bonds.

We head to Airport at 6:15 on Friday to book it out of the country so please keep us in your prayers during our journey. Please keep the other 6 volunteers here in Syracuse in your prayers as well as they continue their ministries.

I will keep you posted as life goes one but until then remember....

Continue to wash the feet of those around you, have fun and fist pump when ever you can, and thank Brother Sun and Sister Moon every chance you get!

It's all getting Closer...

It is absolutely crazy how fast the summer has gone by. I see that I wrote my last post at the end of June and now it is the middle of August... HOLY MAN! It all started off a little slow but soon enough it zipped past our eyes like no other. I only have three days before I start my orientation in Syracuse for my year of volunteering in Costa Rica. I thought I better fill y'all in on a few things that I have accomplished... or well at least attempted to accomplish before I get too far behind.

Here we go:

I actually didn't do too much this summer besides train for my half marathon and study for the not soo fun of a test MCAT. I worked a few odd jobs to get a little cash flow. Got a few dirty looks from the kids I called out on a pitch that might have been a little over their head...oh well it was only Summer Rec. Tasted a few good samples for Schwans that landed me $15 bucks each time. Stayed cool in the midst of the power washers while cleaning up those trucks and lastly worked on my tan by picking rock and bailing straw for the Regniers... haha thanks Chad! Anyway... they all helped out over the summer and who doesn't like a little physical labor here and there!

I mentioned that I studied and took the MCAT... not the greatest experience in my life...all I can say is better luck next time? I find out the score here at the end of the month so who knows, maybe it wasn't too rough. It was a difficult test but now I know and if need be, will be even more prepared for the next time I need to sit in front of computer for five hours and pull my hair out.

One of the highlights of the summer was running a successful half marathon. I think it was easier than the MCAT. I would have never thought... as would many others... that I would run 13.1 without stopping.. WHEW! I did it though and in a time of 2 hours and 15 seconds. Not too shabby! I ran it with a few friends from school and we all did great! I am thinking of keepin the training up while in Costa Rica. Go run a few mountains or volcanoes and come back and do a full marathon... don't hold your breath though :)

After taking the test and running marathon... it allowed me to focus on my packing for Costa Rica. I took my test the 5th of august, ran the 7th and was leaving for the east coast on the 11th. I didn't pack at all until after I was done with my test and the run so... I was cutting it close. I didn't have too hard of a time this time around unlike when I went to Guate. Packed my backpacking bag, a carry on and my book bag. Hopefully it will be enough... we will see!

So the 9th I spent my last night at home for the year which was a weird feeling. On the 10th I left home to head up to the cities to have one last family outing before I got on my plane to leave for the east coast. I had a great time hitting up the Mall of America and sitting in long lines for some rides. Was a blast! Also we hit up the links on the mini golf course and then ended up losing Mom in the mirror maze and having to call in the rescue team! We then headed out to Joe Sensors for dinner where Kirby, Becky and Megan all joined us for supper. Thanks again guys for being their to spend my last night in Minnesota! After a goodbye to my brother, a quick trip to Walmart of some essentials, a struggle with a sleeping bag (in which it won) I closed my eyes and to my last night in Minnesota.

It was an early wake up to catch the shuttle to the airport to stand in more long lines. Soon enough it was the time I had been dreading... saying my goodbyes to the people I care about the most. One of the most difficult things I have had to do! It was my luck that the lines started to go faster too so I was even rushed. It was quick goodbye but it maybe was for the best.. I probably would have been a huge mess otherwise.

Soon enough I was through security and kinda jogging to my gate because I was a wee bit late. Jumped on and was on my way to Allentown PA where Mary Todd was there to pick me up. We headed out to Trail's End Camp where I spent four days hanging out with some more friends before I leave. Had a blast seeing my campers from previous years and hittin up the Big A with those friends that I see once in a blue moon.

After camp Sara Fetterfoof and I got in the car and road tripped up to see Corey Bailey. I am currently in Good Ole Elmira NY, livin the dream. Did a little site seeing of Mark Twain and Ernie Davis' grave, did a little putt putt, walked a Gorge and hit up the Sand Dollar. Corey has been a great tour guide that is for sure!

Tomorrow we are headed up to Buffalo to relax on a lake and then off to Syracuse to begin the long awaited adventure! I have been truly blessed with such a great summer and family and friends that mean so much! No one could ask for anything more! I will keep you posted when things get a little closer...

Till then!