The Journey has Begun...

I expected this to be demanding, but it is certainly something else to finally be going through it. I think it has been a couple of weeks now, and I'm realizing how difficult it is going to be to blog this year. But I am committed, so I'm going to make this work.

What in the world have I gotten myself into? Corps members arrived last Monday, and it's as if it has been one continuous day that has somehow lasted a little over a week now. I've always maintained a fairly busy lifestyle through school and jobs I've had in the past, but this is an experience that has overwhelmed my life to the extent that the personal has gone out the window. And yet, as utterly exhausted and adrenalized I've been throughout the past week, I've never had more of a drive to keep going than I do here.

It started last Monday, and I'm going to exaggerate here for effect. What felt like a natural disaster hit the region, as it did many other parts of the US. At least 2 feet of snow covered Perry Point, the day before our Corps members arrived to the campus. Now keep in mind, this isn't New England. I think there may be one snow plow stashed away somewhere in the city just in case of a flurry. So you can imagine how exciting it was to find out that a state of emergency was called, the VA was shut down, and vehicles were grounded. With flights coming in from all over the US the following day, we prepared for madness we knew would arise from cancelled and postponed flights of a good amount of the 212 corps members on their way in soon.

It was quite a day. My assignment for the day was to greet corps members as they arrived at BWI airport. I arrived in the morning, and ended up remaining there until about 11PM that night, awaitin postponed flights. Meanwhile, back at the Point, in-processing was in full swing and all of Team Green was at the peak of their game, getting these folks uniformed up, paperworked, ID'd and housed as efficiently as possible. The following day was more of the same, and a whole lot of in-processing to get the Corps the basics.

Shortly after, Mother Nature struck again. I suppose she decided the first curve ball was too easy to reach. I don't even know how much, but I believe at least another foot of snow graciously covered our base, and the VA shut down for two days. Keep in mind these two days were scheduled to be our first two official days of training. Wow, have we been flying by the seat of our pants! But in the end, a week later, the Team Green Monster has smashed through the snow, and we've got a stellar Corps here that is ready to hit the ground running, no matter how cold and deep their trembling feet get in this crazy VA winter wonderland.

In the interest of getting back to the point, and straying away from this rediculous writing mindset I've gotten into, I'll mention this. I'm exhausted, but exhilarated. Despite my lack of personal time, the time I've spent in just one week has been incredibly productive and eye-opening and enjoyable.
Tomorrow I find out who my Corps members are for the year. Oh so much more to come...