Long time, no see

Ohhh boy, here I am again wishing I was more meticulous about my blogging...

I am currently in Mt. Pleasant, SC where we are working with the United Methodist Relief Center (UMRC) rebuilding houses. We're over here on the East Coast because after Hurricane Hugo in 1989, those that came to do disaster relief uncovered a major impoverished community in need of assistance. UMRC has been working to aid that need ever since.

We've met 2 AmeriCorps NCCC alums one was in class 1 and 2 (Ed) and the other was 5/6 (Dave). Beth and I were lucky enough to catch Ed on his last day of work because he enlightened us with his wisdom of how to deal with living in the NCCC program. Aside from the logistical issues we all have to face, there is also the strain of living with the same 10 people for 10months. This may not seem difficult if you think back to your college days (for some that's further back than others) but think of this, imagine living/working 24/7 with a group of very, very different people that you maybe wouldn't choose to befriend outside being forced to...such as now.

Don't get me wrong! I love my team. But man oh man can it be tough some times...

To deal with this stress I have found myself a perfect outlet: Jerry and Sue Smoak. Take my parents and give them a southern accent and you have my parents! It's amazing. From the same lighthouse quilts as home to mom and Sue's "lesbian haircuts," I have felt nothing but at home with them. I can't thank them enough for taking me in and if they are reading this I want them to know you have been more than I could ask for and I love you dearly. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

After spending an amazing few days on Pawleys Island with the Smoak family, I returned to Charleston to an amazing surprise. Nick DeCrescenzo and Matt O'Connor arrived in Charleston on their return from traveling around the country!! Going back to the idea of college friends versus new/AmeriCorps teammates, I can't explain how happy I was to have 2 of my best friends with me. Jerry and Sue met them with open arms and within 15mins of meeting each other Jerry cornered me in the garage getting beer and said "Your friends are cool! They should stay longer or come back again!" From that point on we spent the night drinking, rooting on the USC Gamecocks, and laughing the night away!

These past few weeks have been so much fun and I'm thinking I could get used to a town like Charleston!

(PS- nick I stole a few pics so I can be cool like you.)