Hamburger Wednesdays

There's nothing quite like waking up at 5 to play ultimate frisbee. We played our first team on team match today which we've been practicing for for weeks. At first we were all a little rusty. I told my PT leader Zar, who is also my team leader that I'd had a little experience, so he let me lad the group in a few frisbee lessons. Hammer throws backhands and long distance throws downpat, we skirmished 5 on 5 until the skills set in. Zar and I practiced our unintentional sliding catches a week ago, and this morning they all came in handy.

I've had a lot of nicknames that never stuck; all slightly embarassing. However, after telling them all to my team, they've begun calling me Hollywood, especially on the field. The last catch of the day I was in the endfield with the disk to high to catch. I jumped, slapping it to a stop, bobbled slightly and trapped the disk to my chest before landing belly-up in wet morning grass. Zar yelled across the field, "play of the day Hollywood!" and the day went quickly from then on.

Ian didn't join us on site today. We cleared away more of the trail and got to see more of the park which is terrific. Back at the ranch, Ian met us at the vans. He resigned earlier today and is leaving for home tomorrow. I hoped he would stay longer, but completely understand his position. We ate burgers and brats over goodbyes. He gave us our new team mascot: a small frog weeble wobble throwing peace signs. We promised to take pictures with him at all our sites so he could stay in touch.

This job is no joke. Every day is a struggle which is different for everyone socially and physically, but with Ian it was both. I only hope he's the last to drop from the team and the campus as a whole. It's a fragile web of clicks that keeps us motivated to get up at five, to run our asses off all day. We all have to support each other and take care of ourselves if we want to make it. I'm focused on an educational award and a medal for service. Hopefully I won't be coming home anytime soon.

*good vibrations*