OK, people. I haven't updated in a while, but you haven't missed much. Training is boring mainly because it makes no claim to be taught at a level above eigth grade, which is understanable because you want volunteers to be from all different backgrounds. Nonetheless, I have had to fight sleep with more persistence than I ever had to in high school or college... which, of course, says a lot. But other than that things have been good. I got my team assignment, which is the 10 people I will be working with for the remainder of my time here. At first I was wary about the team, but I've become really good friends with a few of my teammates, and, all in all, I think there will be very few problems in the coming year. What I've noticed about the campus in general is that this is a very diverse group of people. Being that we're all thrown in together, 8 people to a house, people are staring to go a little insane from lack of sleep and cabin fever, being that there are few people with vehicles, and, for those with vehicles, there's really no exciting places to go. However, I think everyone has met some people they can get a long with really well and that keeps us sane.

Now for the exciting news. I got more details little over an hour ago about our first project. Here's a quick rundown of what I know:

What: Intact Florida, mostly reinforcing homes of people in need to protect them from future hurricanes. Apparently this is mostly done with storm shutters. For more info, visit www.stlucie.gov/community/intact.htm

When: Nothing is in stone yet, but it should be approximately March 7-April 21

Where. St. Lucie, Fla. Again, not sure exactly where, but I've heard it's not far from the water...

Based on other's project and what I know, this will probably be the best project we get all year. Florida will be beautiful, and for at least half the time we are there we will be staying in a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with a pool-- beats the hell our of camping. Also, I should get to see some Mets spring training since they do it in Port St. Lucie (Again, this is a point I'm not clear on... If you look on a Florida map, you'll see Port St. Lucie is a bigger city to the southwest of St. Lucie, but I heard they're the same place. Either way, I should be close to where the Mets will be.).