A-10

[marathoner452]

For one thing, I registered for the Annapolis 10 Miler last night.  It's a rather infamous race around here.  It's run at the end of August, so it's always hot, humid, and hilly.  Just look at the elevation map.  Brings to mind what I've heard about the Dreaded Druid Hills 10k (which unfortunately I'll be in New Orleans for this year)-"I like running hills but that was mean and totally uncalled for."  Regardless, I'm registered and that meant it was time to celebrate in the way that only runners celebrate, with the longest run I've done in months.  6 miles, and I would have gone farther had it not started storming.  I'm not even paying for it all that horribly today.

I had two AmeriCorps interviews today.  One of them was with Volunteer Southern Maryland and the other was with Maryland Conservation Corps.  VSMD will contact me later in the week and let me know if I have a position, but MCC offered me a position.  I'm the first one to be offered a position with the Patapsco River State Park Conservation Corps, as this is the first year of the program.  I'm pretty excited about that in itself.  That's 4 positions so far, though unfortunately no offers or even any contact from positions down in Louisiana.  Now I just need to decide by the time I get back from New Orleans.

I also need word from the NPRC in Baltimore as to whether I could start in August (when my current term is up) instead of July.  If I can't, that all of a sudden makes my decision a lot easier.

~Bethany

Comments

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

Both of those positions sound great for you, especially knowing how much you enjoy being outdoors.

Now...clarify this for me. "If I can't, all of a sudden that makes my decision a lot easier." That would rule out NPRC, yes? Which way are you leaning if NPRC is out of the picture, since we never talked about that?

~Adam

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I'm leaning towards the MCC position. Nothing against the positions in Southern MD, but being outdoors and being active sounds right up my alley. I don't know how much longer I can sit at a desk.

~Bethany

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

I figured that was where you were leaning, but I wasn't sure because of the United Way offers. MCC will be a great fit for you, since being active is more your style. I knew you'd be getting tired of sitting behind a desk by now. If I have the option of configuring my office/workspace, it'll be about as unconventional as possible. And even if I can't, I still probably won't be sitting much anyway--you know me and sitting down.

If I have the 40 extra bucks after we get back, I'll register for the race. It's only 2 weeks after I start.

~Adam

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

Did you get Brooke's most recent email? It sounds like we'll be reimbursed for our travel expenses and they'll provide all the equipment (goggles, respirators, etc.) and sleeping accomodations (air mattresses and bunks) that we need. That's good news: less expense and less stuff to haul through the airport. :-)

~Bethany

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

I saw that and was glad to hear we'd be reimbursed (I need it), though we do have to bring sleeping bags, which could be tricky. We have a down sleeping bag somewhere in the house, which packs pretty tightly into a small carrying bag.

I still can't wait to see you, even if it is under slightly different circumstances.

~Adam

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

Slight change in plans--I don't start until September 5th. Training is in Atlanta from the 28th until the 1st, but I'm gonna get moved before that. (Just got the e-mail from Leslie.) That way, I'll be able to run the race before my training.

~Adam

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't wait too long to register. When I registered it said at the bottom of the page that the race was full, but somehow they still let me register. I doubt there's much space left though.

~Bethany

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

I'll just come out to watch you run, since I leave the next day for my Training in Atlanta, and I'd be dead for most of the training since the most I've run in a while is 5. I'll run it next year.

~Adam

[meeshabpuck.livejournal.com]

congrats and I totally think you should take the position with Patapsco River State Park. It's so gorgeous there and I think you would really enjoy it.

and if you are alive after the naptown 10-miler, we should so something

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

If I'm alive, ha. From what I hear, there's no guarantee of that.

The MCC position sounds so cool, and there's also the opportunity to get trained in wilderness firefighting and emergency medical stuff (I think I'd need to get over gagging at the sight of blood though).

But taking the NPRC position means I could keep working for the Red Cross. I'd practically be required to go on a couple disaster assignments, I could become a health and safety instructor, do AFES (military casework), go on local fire calls...I've loved almost every moment of working for the Red Cross and I want to stay with them.

On the other hand, if I took the MCC position there's nothing saying I can't work/volunteer a lot for the Red Cross after I'm done with my year of service.

Being able to predict the future would be really nice about now. It would simplify so many of my decisions.

First, I need to call the Red Cross and find out if starting late is even an option.

Oh, and I will return your phone call. No promises as to when though-handbell practice tonight, handbell performance Thursday, lots of running, prep for leaving on Friday. So from NOLA if not before. :-)

~Bethany