Keep On Truckin'

Last night's game night was quite the success. Between pizza, the pen game, contact (thank you City Year), and Catch Phrase, we all had a blast. I can honestly say it was the most I've laughed in quite some time and I was almost in tears from laughing so hard. If I even tried to explain some of the things that happened last night, you wouldn't understand or think it was nearly as funny. You kind of just had to be here...

This morning started at 8:15AM with a brisk walk to Tate to get our counselor an ID. We had a nice chat about liberal arts schools versus large southern universities, since she attended both. (Mostly because we were commenting on how much it sucks to take buses to class and not just roll out of bed five minutes before needing to leave.)

We headed to breakfast at O-House, where we ate dinner every night last summer, and had a nice time with the extended admin. After breakfast, I returned to the office to finish printing some items, work on orientation ice breakers and break out sessions for ResLife, and before I knew it, it was time for lunch.

We all decided to try out ECV with our new staff members, but after a long walk, we were deeply saddened by the lack of delicious food there. (Usually ECV was on point last summer, but today was just not their day. I feel bad for dragging everyone there, but at least we got some exercise in, right?

At 2PM, I had another meeting with the Community Director. This time, it was incredibly smooth sailing and pretty much everything is squared away. (For term one at least...) Immediately following my meeting, I had another meeting with the core admin team.

Since our staff arrives tomorrow, we wanted to make sure everything was as nailed down as possible. Also, we wanted to make sure we had back up plans for all the "what ifs" that would most likely arise. We spent most of the time discussing how check in and the next few days of orientation would run. I have some time that I will be addressing the full staff, which is slightly terrifying because I don't necessarily feel confident about everything yet, but I'm sure I will get there. We also discussed what the parent meeting during orientation will look like, again with talking points for me. I'm definitely more nervous for that. Who wants to leave their students in the care of a 23 year old who looks like she can't even take care of herself? I certainly would feel a little iffy about that. Luckily, they do not know how old I am. Hopefully I can fool them into thinking I have my shit together. (Hopefully I can fool my staff into thinking that too...)

Extended Admin Selfie!

After our productive meeting, we met with the extended admin briefly to address any lingering concerns. We also went around and said a few words about how we are feeling in regards to the last few days and the upcoming orientation. Everyone seems to be on the same page with preparedness and the extended admin complimented the core admin on how well we have handled every single curve ball we've been hit with the last few days. I honestly couldn't ask for a better group of people to be working with so closely this summer and I am eager to meet the rest of the staff tomorrow.

Adorable retro section of Bolton

We walked to Bolton for dinner, where we presumed we would be eating breakfast and dinner every day. We were amazed by how many options were available and I immediately became overwhelmed. There's TWO FLOORS with food options. HOW IS SOMEONE SUPPOSED TO CHOOSE JUST ONE THING FOR DINNER!? And then there was an entire area for desserts, including a freaking chocolate fountain. I AM NEVER GOING TO LOST WEIGHT THIS SUMMER AT THIS DINING HALL. Oh, and there's a milkshake bar.

Unfortunately, our OC met with the dining hall director and we were told that we are actually not allowed to eat in Bolton all summer. I was simultaneously crushed and relieved, for obvious reasons. After speaking with her a bit more, we found out that we will eat there on the weekends so it's actually a pretty good situation. I won't need to be rolled out of the dining hall by the middle of the term, maybe just by the end of the summer...

Giant felt smiley face

In GA, this is common to see in Walmart

Once we finished dinner and walked by to Myers in the pouring rain, all the 21+ staff members got together to do driver training. We drove past the hospital and the clinic so everyone knew the route and then stopped at Walmart for the last minute supplies. (I was even able to pick up a blanket so I will no longer freeze with my flat sheet. I'm incredibly excited about this!)
We returned to the office to finish up a few things, but most of my items have been completed. I'm excited to get back to my room at a reasonable hour tonight and to get some sleep.

Tomorrow the staff is supposed to arrive between 1PM and 4PM. I should be able to finally get the staff lounge key in the morning so my RHLs can set it up before the staff arrives. Fingers crossed this is able to happen. If all goes as planned, the staff should move into their rooms around 4PM and then we can all head to dinner around 6PM. I am just hoping things run smoothly tomorrow and the next few days. I know I can take a curve ball here and there, but we've been hit with so many the last few days that we could really use a break.

Here's to hoping tomorrow is smooth sailing!