Two Weeks In

Hello!!!

Once again, I sit down to enter my thoughts on this site, and I realize that although I have been here for two weeks, it often feels like I have known this place forever.

Red Cloud is becoming home to me for a variety of reasons. The volunteers I live with are absolutely great- I am already learning much from them in terms of being self-sacrificing within a community. Also, I find myself becoming more attentive to the ways in which simplistic living is actually beneficial for my spirit. I take more time to 'simply' listen and 'be' in the presence of others and God. Ah, I am thoroughly enjoying this time...although my past week has not been all rest and relaxation.... :)

On Thursday after last blogging, I went to the fitness center and made my muscles really sore...but the better news is that I met a few high school guys who will be in my weight training classes while there- and they were pretty surprised/impressed (I couldn't read their reaction well) that I will be their teacher. I'm going to believe they were impressed. :) Ken and Jacob Franks were two of the guys, and they will also be on my student council! Yes!

So, on Friday we headed to Rapid City once again as we racked our brains with random "bus knowledge"....and the good news? WE ALL PASSED- and I did reclaim my academic abilities as a student of knowledge...even if it is the number of straps needed on a load of heavy cargo. :):)

We celebrated our CDL success by spending the evening at the mall and Borders...and then heading back to Pine Ridge. The next morning, five of us volunteers (Ben, Luke, Sarah, Jeff, and I) participated in a bike-a-thon, where we each biked between 5 and 6 miles... for a total of 28 miles...from Pine Ridge to the Prairie Wind Casino. The event was sponsored by KILI Radio (the only radio station on the Rez)...and I actually was interviewed after the bike-a-ton on the radio- which was because my teammates designated me as the "captain" after hearing that one of us should talk on the radio. Hmmm, I give in too easily I think.

So, after the race, they treated us to a buffet dinner at the Casino- which was very good...but a bit odd to be in (literally) the middle of nowhere- w/ a ton of people at this casino..... We also met several Lakota people involved in the race...so that was fun, in addition to bonding with our fellow volunteers. Sat. evening we ate as a group again, and Sunday was another day full of relaxing and bonding with each other. Sunday night 5 of us went on a hike to the Jesuit's old potatoe cave (at one point they were nearly self-sufficient and stored potatoes in this cave)...it was cool, and since a meteor shower was going to happen that evening, we climbed a hill and watched the meteors falls (AWESOME). We stayed long enough to somewhat lose our bearings, and after an exciting adventure through the dark, we arrived back home, exhausted, yet ready to begin a day full of training!

Monday we spent the entire day driving bus, looking at the important parts of the bus, practicing maneuvers, and driving, studying, studying, studying. (I planned on NOT failing another test, if I could help it) :) So, yesterday we left at 6am for Rapid again, where seven of us took the driving portion of the test, along w/ maneuvers and pre-trip inspection testing. Thankfully we ALL PASSED these 1hr. 15 min. skills tests (my nerves were horrendous in the morning, being the fifth person to test- and not until 1pm)... and now I can officially say that I AM A BUS DRIVER! Whew, I know several of you were holding your breath for me. Thanks, I appreciate it. :)

I really enjoy hearing from those of you who have been reading my blog. THANKS!!! It is really helpful for me to correspond in this way, since I have more limited access to internet time here- and especially once I begin with the school year. I met w/ Nick (the HS principal) on Monday to discuss my duties as student activities director, and needless to say, my plate will be extremely full for the first month- w/ student council elections and meetings, preparing for homecoming, starting up the after-school program, planning for the new student orientation day, and the first day of school tug-of-war (that's right, the weights instructor also in charge of tug-of-war)...can you hear my muscles growing? :):), and 'welcome back to school night' for teachers and parents (I play hostess, how fun!)...in addition to my duties as bus driver and weight training teacher. Whew.

So, tomorrow we leave for a volunteer retreat at the Jesuit retreat center (somewhere in SD- no one seems to know where it is).... I look forward to this time of quiet, reflection, prayer, and mental preparation for the coming year. I would certainly appreciate your thoughts and prayers as I venture into the new positions I have before me. Also, feel free in joining me as I praise God for the two weeks I have been here and the wonderful relationships I have already formed!

May the grace of our big God meet you wherever you find yourselves in the coming week. Thanks for your continued support and interest. (Oh, and I have pictures to post, but I have yet to find a way to transfer them to this computer. My normal methods are failing me at present).

Much love, Emily