Surprise!

So...long time no post, but major changes all around...most of you already know this I'm guessing, but as of last Thursday I'm a crew leader at EarthCorps!!! Surprise! Turns out a leader from the current ECI program (my friend Juan) broke his arm, and needed to be replaced. Even though I'd only just begun my VISTA year with SW, I couldn't help but dream about the idea of returning to EC...then before I knew it, 4 days later, I managed to quit my job and be hired on!

I talked with SW and my VISTA people last Tuesday, my final day was Wednesday, and I started at EC on Thursday, phew :) It was sad/hard leaving my SW team so quickly, but there wasn't really another way of doing it...after 4 days of whirlwind training, Thursday and Friday of last week was international retreat, and now I have my crew! Tada! Introducing...

Me, Igor from Russian, Tolulope from Nigeria, Mark from NJ, Sona from Armenia, Juan, and Hollis from CA

Next week starting Tuesday is work skills week, then the following week we're off to the field on our own! I'm so excited to see how everyone gets along, and works together...I see so much potential in everyone, and am anxious to start. As of right now, I'll only be working about 2.5 months until Juan can return. About 4 weeks of field work, then 2 weeks of trail intensives on MT. RAINIER!!! (same trail as last year!) 3 more weeks in the field, then my final project with the crew will be another mini-intensive, hiking about 8 miles and spending a week at Gravel Lake, working for the US Forestry Service doing campground maintenance. It's gonna go by so fast!

What's next you ask? I have no idea....I hope to stay with EC in some way, shape or form. So we'll see what's available come September! In the mean time, there's too much fun and excitement just beginning...being back only a week, already I feel my way of thinking shifting back to the way things were last year...in terms of riding the bus around town, and being more aware of my impact on the planet in general. Being around smart, intentional people is inspiring! I've still so much to learn...

Everyone on staff and in the corps has been SOOO supportive, and showed so much confidence in me. I hope to live up to all the expectations :) I'm delighted to be back, that's for sure. I get to work with 3 other amazing crew leaders, including my friend Joe (from Chicago). More pics from retreat:

doing the same spider web activity we did last year!
(as pictured in my blog header image)

And one last note of change, I MOVED! ha ha...this is my 4th place in Seattle already :) I'm loving it so far. I have a room in a 6 bedroom house, it's pretty cheap, but clean, and the roommates are great. Unlike my past living arrangements, these are people I hope to spend more time with!

All is well, and I'm happy as can be...change is fun!