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When I packed up my little blue Focus Saturday morning I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I pictured a slightly boring ranch populated by retired southerners and ordinary scenery. Luckily I pulled up to this gorgeous ranch nestled between a river and mountains, and found a bunch of energetic twenty-somethings in my front yard. (Which is pictured to the left.) This place is pretty amazing. The first two days I was pretty overwhelmed; most of the volunteers have been here since September, so I was thrown into their established social scene. They were all extremely nice, it was just a lot to take in at first. Sunday I just kind of kept to myself and explored the ranch. The goats and ewes are all pregnant, fat and funny. I really like watching them run about their pastures- they're quite entertaining. That night I decided to be social and made brownies to take the superbowl party. That was a lot of fun- we all made bets about who we thought would win, and the losers had to do dares that we put into a pot. I was smart enough not to side with the Cardinals, so I didn't have to kiss a pig or camel.
Monday the training started, and it is extremely intense. They've taken us on a tour of the ranch, we've met every staff member there is, and we've had to sit through hours of orientation material. It's a little tedious, but the people really do make it worth it.Speaking of people, I have four housemates. Al and Mary Ann were the first I met. They're a retired couple from Kansas- Al used to be an Agr
iculture professor. They're really sweet and interesting. I didn't know such things as electric yogurt makers existed until I met them. Arcadia is my roommate (she's eating the Ramen.) She just graduated from high school in Portland and has spent the past couple of months traveling Peru. Lauren was the last house mate to show up, and she's a returning volunteer. She seems to be a lot of fun, but I haven't been able to spend much time with her yet. Tonight we all went to Jacob, a staff member's house for a Potluck/ get together. We played music and sang togeth
er, and played some really hilarious games. I even got to hear a very hilarious rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You" by one of the German volunteers here. Really, I wish I would have had a camera. I haven't laughed as much as I did tonight in a long time.
Tomorrow is the big day of the week- we're doing a low ropes course, then spending the night in the Global village as part of the Global Challenge program. It will be cold, but I think it will be a lot of fun. Thursday morning we hit the high ropes course, and then continue with our training. After training Friday we get to take a trip to Little Rock to visit headquarters, and I'm really excited about that. The building looks pretty amazing in pictures, so I can't wait to see it in person.
I've got a big day to prepare for, so I'm off to go to bed. I send you all my love, and thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers I know you've been sending my way. I have a good feeling about this experience- there aren't any real doubts or regrets in my head, as there were last time I embarked on an adventure. I know that with the support system back home and the one I'm building here I'll be just fine.
Hellloooo! I'm sure if you're reading this, you already know me. You know my family, my genetic history, you probably even know what I ate for dinner last Thursday because your aunt's cousin's boyfriend served it to me at a local restaurant (Just kidding- I was out town last Thursday. Got ya!). But just in case you don't, this post is for you.My name's Erika. Right now I live in a small town in the middle of Missouri. I say right now, because soon- say eighteen days soon- I will be moving to a small town in the middle of Arkansas. I told one friend this news, and he said "Erika, I know you need to get out of Missouri, but that's a weird angle to do it." And yes, yes it is. But I'm not moving to Arkansas for Arkansas (really, who would?) I'm moving to Arkansas to volunteer for the non-profit organization Heifer International. I will be working as a Global Passport Volunteer which, according to their job listing, is:
A Global Passport volunteer position is perfect for a dynamic, dedicated person who enjoys working with diverse groups of people. GP volunteers will help high school and college students expand their horizons regarding hunger and poverty through a unique program. The GP volunteer will be responsible for facilitating a multi-night program in an outdoor, experiential learning setting. 
Basically I'm leading a program to raise awareness through leadership and team building exercises. It may not sound like the most exciting thing, the most exotic thing, but to me it is. It's extremely exciting and terrifying and new. Let me clarify why:Last May I graduated from high school. I had dreams like every other graduate, and expected to get them the ordinary way. I would go to college for four years, maybe for a few more to grab another piece of paper or two, and enter the work force. So fall came, and I traversed up to Kansas City. I thought I would find amazing people, amazing books, and have a blast. The only thing I really found: amazing Krispy Kremes were only five minutes away.
So I moved 
back home. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, and definitely not the most glamorous, but I did it anyways. I moved back, and decided that instead of moping and being a lazy bum (which I sometimes still do. I will not deny it!) I would get involved. So while I was waiting to get back on the schedule at Staples I threw myself into a very inspiring political campaign. (I guess now that the election is over, I can go ahead and say it--- Despite my resemblance to Sarah Palin, I worked for the Obama campaign. And I loved every minute of it.) I would walk miles of neighborhoods everyday, and met hundreds of amazing people ( and a few grumpy ones.) They all gave me hope in my community, and taught me that I am more than just a college drop out. They introduced an entirely different, exciting world to me: Politics and non-profits. There is no doubt that I would have considered doing something like I am now, but I don't think I could have the guts to follow through without having met them.
So that leads me to now. I'm sitting in bed, wearing my penguin pajamas that I wear almost nightly -almost!- and am wrapping up the past few months of my life. It all sounds so neat and easy when I just type it out like that, but it definitely wasn't. Luckily I was born into an extremely loving, supportive, and accepting family. They didn't ask any questions when I called sobbing, asking to be picked up from Kansas City one night. They didn't have any hesitations in letting me move back, interruping the daily flow they had just learned. And now that I'm about to venture off on a new journey, they've been nothing but supportive. Sure, my father jokes "It's about time you left." but I know that he'll miss me. I also know that he's somewhat proud and excited- especially when I caught him reading World Ark, Heifer's monthly publication, before his nightly nap tonight. It was almost sweet enough to make my eyes misty.
-Erika.
When I packed up my little blue Focus Saturday morning I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I pictured a slightly boring ranch populated by retired southerners and ordinary scenery. Luckily I pulled up to this gorgeous ranch nestled between a river and mountains, and found a bunch of energetic twenty-somethings in my front yard. (Which is pictured to the left.) This place is pretty amazing. The first two days I was pretty overwhelmed; most of the volunteers have been here since September, so I was thrown into their established social scene. They were all extremely nice, it was just a lot to take in at first. Sunday I just kind of kept to myself and explored the ranch. The goats and ewes are all pregnant, fat and funny. I really like watching them run about their pastures- they're quite entertaining. That night I decided to be social and made brownies to take the superbowl party. That was a lot of fun- we all made bets about who we thought would win, and the losers had to do dares that we put into a pot. I was smart enough not to side with the Cardinals, so I didn't have to kiss a pig or camel.
iculture professor. They're really sweet and interesting. I didn't know such things as electric yogurt makers existed until I met them. Arcadia is my roommate (she's eating the Ramen.) She just graduated from high school in Portland and has spent the past couple of months traveling Peru. Lauren was the last house mate to show up, and she's a returning volunteer. She seems to be a lot of fun, but I haven't been able to spend much time with her yet. Tonight we all went to Jacob, a staff member's house for a Potluck/ get together. We played music and sang togeth
er, and played some really hilarious games. I even got to hear a very hilarious rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You" by one of the German volunteers here. Really, I wish I would have had a camera. I haven't laughed as much as I did tonight in a long time.
