Dear Family and Friends, 

The time has finally come for me to say goodbye to the sunny, liberal, health-conscious state I’ve been proud to call home for the last 24 years.  I’m leaving today for Iowa, birthplace of Ashton Kutcher and home to the World’s Largest Strawberry (sculpted, not edible, thank you Chowder).  I’m starting my trip with a grand tour of the finest Super 8 motels along I-80, stopping in Salt Lake City my first night, Cheyenne, WY my second night and Omaha, NE my third night before heading into Vinton on July 8.  I’m especially looking forward to the hotel in Cheyenne whose website boasts of both “a workout facility nearby” and “smoke detectors”.  I’m not sure if “a workout facility nearby” means there’s a gym within walking distance or if they’re just referring to the mechanical bull in the hotel bar, but I plan on getting some cardio in either way.  Once I arrive in Vinton, I will be staying at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School for a few weeks during my training before being assigned to a team and starting my first project. 

I know I said goodbye to many of you just a few days ago, but I still wanted to update you on my journey thus far: 

I left San Diego on June 30 and have spent the last several days in Hayward frantically searching for clothing that will “winterize” my wardrobe and attempting to stuff my entire life into two duffel bags.  Since this is to be an experience wrought with self-discovery, I’d like to share with you my first revelations: 

1) California, particularly in July, is not a good place to search for a jacket that will withstand subzero temperatures.  I plan on being the coolest kid in AmeriCorps for the first three months of the program with my tan* and wide array of Rainbow sandals.  Hopefully I will build good enough a reputation that I will still have friends come winter when I am paper white and layering hoodies for survival. 

* Before I get a lot of smart ass comments, remember that I am going to Iowa.  “Tan” is a relative term. 

2) I own a lot of t-shirts and I love them all equally as though they were my children.  Deciding which ones to leave behind was heart wrenching.  I am already beginning to learn about sacrifice. 

I realize that these aren’t terribly profound, but I’m sure I will be blessing your lives with more meaningful anecdotes within a matter of weeks as volunteerism turns me into a deeper, more saintly person.  The real purpose of this email is to provide all of you with my contact info and to remind you to miss me terribly while I’m gone.  Your letters will be greatly appreciated, especially since I will likely have very limited access to email: 

Marea Blue – Class 15
AmeriCorps NCCC
1004 G Avenue
Vinton, IA 52349 

All kidding aside, I think this is going to be an amazing experience and I genuinely hope to make a positive contribution to the world around me while I’m gone.  Thank you all so much for your support and well wishes, I hope to make all of you very proud.  See you in ten months! 

Love, 

Marea