I could move to Georgia right now, build houses all day every day, and be the happiest person ever. It was so beautiful there! The ride down was a little long but we slept and bonded. We got to Kamp Kirksey, where we stayed with the other builders from UMASS, Hope College, and Illinois University, at about 2am. The next day it was a gorgeous 80 degrees and sunny. We didn't start building to the following day so we played kick ball, volleyball, and wiffleball. I felt like a little kid just running around and outside all day until they rang the bell for dinner. On Monday we started building and by Friday we had put an entire roof on a house, painted two houses, dug a massive drainage ditch, and repainted the supply trailers. The guys in charge of the site were amazed with what we accomplished and so were we. One of the future home owners came by to show her friends her new home and was so thankful she was in tears. Everyone welcomed us. There is really something to be said about southern hospitality. People donated 30 lbs of chicken to us for dinner one night and invited us into their homes for meals. Businesses would put up signs saying "Welcome Habitat for Humanity!" I've never bonded so well with a group of people before, either. It was just a great experience. Do it if you have the chance!
Yesterday was my first rugby game ever!! We lost but it was a lot of fun. You get such a rush that it doensn't hurt when you get tackled... well not until the next day. I'm a little sore right now, I won't lie. I got to play the second half of the a-side game, and all 15 minutes of the b-side game. I got to play wing which was isn't that hard to figure out thankfully. When I stepped out on the field I panicked, but I caught on. We lost miserably, but when we walked off the field we didn't care. We play because we love it.
Ok it is late and my floormates are going to drag me out of bed tomorrow for breakfast so...
Goodnight Scranton!
Becky
PS. the title is from a Taylor Swift song since my roommate and I love her and have been playing her cd non-stop (much to some of our floormates dismay).

Posted by Rebecca Bartley at 8:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. That’s actually an understatement. I mean it; there were times this week I didn't know if I would make it to the end of the week in one piece. And, I know that is no excuse for not writing, but at least now I have a lot to say. I have to go backwards though. I'll do it journal style. Ooo! It'll be a backwards countdown to the Habitat for Humanity trip that’s on Saturday!!! (I'm uber, yes I said it, Uber excited for this trip!)
7days to GA
(Aka this week starting Sat 8th) Well to start off Saturday was my little brother's birthday. He turned 14 and got tickets to go to Bamboozle (it's a concert in May by me in NJ) so I'm definitely going home to go with him to that, since it's usually an awesome show. I got him a t-shirt, poster, and cd from one of his favorite bands, Karate High School. (Check 'em out!) I finally made the journey to the Panera Bread in Dixon City. I missed their food so much! I usually don't mind the week and classes, but this time the only good thing about Monday through Thursday is that they are done! Can you say 3 tests, one really tough midterm worth 25% of my ethics grade, 1 quiz, 1 paper, 10+ hours at Hollister in two days, and a fantastic cold/sore throat combo that just topped it all off? One high point: my mom's birthday was Wednesday, the 12th! Oh, but wait, I forgot Sunday. I guess that's because that's my catch-up day. Catch up on sleep and work, that is. And Mass at 9:30, of course!
14 days to GA
(Aka Sat March1)
That Friday, the 7th, I went with my two friends to see Eric Hutchinson in the ballroom of the Denaples Center. I had never heard of him before, but it was such a great show! Not only does he have this great bluesy, John Mayer-esque voice, he accompanies it with fantastic guitar playing, a la Jack Johnson, or upbeat keyboard melodies. Oh and don't think that just because it was a one man show that it wasn't a ton of fun. This guy was a musician/comedian because he had the audience in stitches between songs. It was just an awesome show and now I'm hooked on Hutchinson! (that’s where the title came from) The other highlight of that week was the great night of basketball intensity!! Both guys and girls basketball teams won their conference championship! I went to the guy's game. The student section was packed and even Fr. Pilars joined in the cheering with us!
These past weeks have flown by, though. I can't for this trip and to go home and see my family and relax a little. I know everyone is so ready for this break.
See you later, Scranton!
Becky

Posted by Rebecca Bartley at 8:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)