pre-retreat

so our first week of BTA (basic training academy) is over and we are about to go on BTR (basic training retreat) for the next four days. i think i am just going to post the conversation i had with helen because it kind of sums up what BTA has been like and then when i get back post about the awesome RETREAT!!! and the highlights of last week and training. just to say that i have met a lot of people from literally all walks of life and i am truly glad that i am here. i also have a bed, so do not worry (if you, the reader were worried) because i am no longer sleeping on the floor. although this morning i discovered that we are so close to the next house that i can hear their alarm when it goes off. so great. also now we have internet in my apartment (which is the top two floors of a house) so hopefully it will be easier and faster and more convenient to update regularly. i am missing WM a lot, mostly my 07 people, but even if i was at WM, none of them would be there because we are pretty much all over the world. but i mean, we all made our own choices and i hope that everyone is happy where they are. i am happy here most of the time.


9:44 AM Helen: how's the job?
9:46 AM me: so cool
haha yeah
for sure
its weird
because its like
in order to foster idealism we have to create a culture where idealism can thrive
and thats what we've done all week
Helen: for example
?
9:49 AM me: for example
these things called power tools
which is basically to facilitate interaction between corps members
like stand & declare
every time you address a group
to show respect for the group and yourself
you stand up say your name and what team you are serving on
and then say your statement
Helen: that's a good idea!
me: regardless of the fact that most of us have vague ideas of our names
yeah
or
9:50 AM daily briefings
its part of the idea that your corps should alwasy be informed
so in the morning we get a newsletter
and we read it all together
and every section has like
a little thing
so you have the date
you say, good MORNING CITY YEAR BOSTON. today is september 6, 2007 and you lived to serve another day
9:51 AM and then the corps responds, and thats a beautiful thing.
Helen: that is amazing!
me: and every one is reading along on their own newsletter
and PT
like, its not really intense physical training
but it is a great like out in the city type thing
Helen: what a sweet idea though
me: in most sites its in a historical location or a central location in the city
9:52 AM so TONS of people walk by because we do it right as people are going to work
like 140 young people
doing jumping jacks in sync
its ridiculous
and we have chants
like
city year boston ARE YOU READY for some powerful lunges?
and we say
boston's always ready
and then!
the leader says
city year boston what time is it?
9:53 AM and we say: its time for us to represent (and then we start stepping.. like really) with spirit (beat beat) discipline, (beat beat), purpose, (beat beat) and pride (beat) yeah, pride.
Helen: hahahaha! i am picturing this and loving it so much! and i feel like you would be really good at it and i wuld like to represent with you
me: hahaha
if we have a video i will send you one
its pretty crazy
Helen: goood!!!!!!


here are my housemates...and public transportation. yeah. its love.