Date shakes and dead fish

Hello from a very sunny and warm Coachella Valley! It is absolutley beautiful here. Palm trees, mountains, sunshine, warmth, friendly people, good food, lovely culture. I think the sun has put me in a good mood :)

This being said, I am VERY busy, and we have limited internet. As Assistant Team Leader I have quite a few more responsibilities that take up more time, and I'm very greatful for this experience in leadership and paperwork. Hopefully it will prepare me for another leadership opportunity in the future!

We are being housed in Mecca, the office for the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC) is in Indio, and we build houses in Coachella. Everything is about 15-20 minutes away from each other. Our sponsors are great and we were welcomed the day after our drive (11 hours) with an orientaion complete with endless burritos! That next day we got right to work.

Work schedule is as follows:

Tues-Friday
5am Physical training
6:30am leave for the build site
6:50am safety and stretch circle
7:00am begin work (this can be ANYTHING, we are currently working between 25 houses)
9:30am water break
11:00am leave for SIESTA!!!
11:30-1:30pm: SIESTA!! nap, sit in the sun and read, do paper work, eat, nap etc
1:30pm leave housing to return to build site
2:00pm-6pm: four team members go tutor at two afterschool programs (two to each), this schedule roatates so everyone gets a turn.
6:00pm: work day ends
7:00pm: team dinner
8:00pm: various team meetings
9:00pm: extra PT ("Insanity"?! why am i doing this??)
10:00pm: paperwork
11:00pm: sleep

Saturday
6:30am-3pm work on the build site
3:30: hike for PT (there are SO MANY beautiful hikes in this area!!)

Sunday/Monday=weekend

So I'm kept pretty busy, but its fun. It was nice to know that I still remember to hammer from Habitat for Humanity, how to use a power screw driver a skill saw. Improving these skills has been good and frustrating at the same time. I really do enjoy construction work, and knowing that I am helping to provide someone with a home. This week was my week for one of the after school programs, which I LOVED!! I had missed children so much! Can't wait to keep learning and serving!

OH this area is known for its Dates ( the fruit) and also the Salton Sea (which is filled with dead fish and smells so bad a team member vomited once inhaling the air)