This weekend was amazing. Friday started off with Jenna, Shiny and me going to do taxes at our first self-run mobile site. When we showed up to Outer Limits School we were greeted by the director who was extremely helpful in getting us set up. He had also formed an appointment list for those wishing to get their taxes done, which proved to be awfully helpful in keeping the day running smoothly. We recruited Leia at some point during the day to give us a little extra help and then in total we completed 11 tax returns. It was really the first day that I felt fully comfortable with preparing the returns and I found myself really enjoying not only the work, but also the people we met throughout the day. Seeing the look in a single mother’s eyes when you tell her she’s getting $7,000 back on her return is a definite reminder of why we’re here.
After we finished up at the site we went home and packed to go camping with another NCCC team in the area. Sun 1’s Team Leader Jordan, and two other Corps Members came and picked up the majority of the team and we headed out on a long ride to their housing site. We drove all the way out of the Tucson city limits and into Saguaro National Park. The last 15 minutes of the drive was on a dirt road through the desert landscape. When we finally got to the campsite we put our stuff in tents and immediately went exploring up the wash. We spent some time walking up the wash, which was actually filled with water due to the recent rain. We then stopped and sat for a bit around a little pool in the rock. Shawn, while trying to retrieve my shoe, which he accidentally pushed into the water below, became wedged between two large boulders. He spent a good five minutes trying to wiggle himself free while both teams had a good laugh at his expense.
As the sunset and the desert around us became increasingly darker, a few Sun 1 members began chopping firewood. Of course our resident lumberjack Derek had to give it a try. After a few “warm-up swings” he was successful in his attempt. Both teams then had dinner together around the campfire. Grilled chicken and vegetables followed by more s’mores than I could count. We socialized around the fire for a few hours before bed; telling stories about our projects, playing games, and telling riddles. Then it was time for bed. We all piled into their tents and I slept surprisingly well. We woke up the next morning to rain, which foiled our plan to go hiking up the mountain trail behind them that they had been working on during their project. Instead we ate a quick breakfast and all 21 of us piled into their two vehicles.
Once we made it back to our apartments, everyone had a chance to shower and get ready for the day. Then everyone kind of did their own things for a while; some people went to the mall, to yoga, to T.G.I. Fridays to watch the Super Bowl, or out to sushi dinner. By around 7:00 we were all back together at Friday’s to watch the end of the game together. It was especially fun to watch the Saints win since our last round project was in Louisiana. We called Miss Pat (one of the homeowners in Lafayette) after the game was finished so that we could celebrate with a real New Orleans fan.
All in all the weekend was unbelievable. From camping in the desert to watching the Saints win the Super Bowl we had an amazing time, not only with our team, but especially with Sun 1.
After we finished up at the site we went home and packed to go camping with another NCCC team in the area. Sun 1’s Team Leader Jordan, and two other Corps Members came and picked up the majority of the team and we headed out on a long ride to their housing site. We drove all the way out of the Tucson city limits and into Saguaro National Park. The last 15 minutes of the drive was on a dirt road through the desert landscape. When we finally got to the campsite we put our stuff in tents and immediately went exploring up the wash. We spent some time walking up the wash, which was actually filled with water due to the recent rain. We then stopped and sat for a bit around a little pool in the rock. Shawn, while trying to retrieve my shoe, which he accidentally pushed into the water below, became wedged between two large boulders. He spent a good five minutes trying to wiggle himself free while both teams had a good laugh at his expense.
As the sunset and the desert around us became increasingly darker, a few Sun 1 members began chopping firewood. Of course our resident lumberjack Derek had to give it a try. After a few “warm-up swings” he was successful in his attempt. Both teams then had dinner together around the campfire. Grilled chicken and vegetables followed by more s’mores than I could count. We socialized around the fire for a few hours before bed; telling stories about our projects, playing games, and telling riddles. Then it was time for bed. We all piled into their tents and I slept surprisingly well. We woke up the next morning to rain, which foiled our plan to go hiking up the mountain trail behind them that they had been working on during their project. Instead we ate a quick breakfast and all 21 of us piled into their two vehicles.
Once we made it back to our apartments, everyone had a chance to shower and get ready for the day. Then everyone kind of did their own things for a while; some people went to the mall, to yoga, to T.G.I. Fridays to watch the Super Bowl, or out to sushi dinner. By around 7:00 we were all back together at Friday’s to watch the end of the game together. It was especially fun to watch the Saints win since our last round project was in Louisiana. We called Miss Pat (one of the homeowners in Lafayette) after the game was finished so that we could celebrate with a real New Orleans fan.
All in all the weekend was unbelievable. From camping in the desert to watching the Saints win the Super Bowl we had an amazing time, not only with our team, but especially with Sun 1.
~Sarah
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