Day 4 of the Collegiate Challenge!
Today started off with a quiet morning and dewey car windows. At the work site, the group diligently worked on scaffolding, sheathing, and then working on putting up joists onto the second floor. The work was methodical and laborious, but all the more rewarding. Scaffolding consists of making a second floor stabling around the border of the home in order to more easily access the soon-to-be second floor. Sheathing is boarding up the walls to the home to create a barrier. Joists are long boards of wood that will secure the second floor. Throughout the day, we were able to hear some stories of Damion (the crew’s head/ Habitat for Humanity Construction Manager) as well as interact more with the other crew workers (Dean, Paul, and Mark). Each of them are so helpful, supportive, and fun. Paul, an 86 year old man, always arrives at the worksite at 8:00 AM sharp, with our group rolling in at 8:30 every morning. He denied a gift of a Habitat shirt because he is a humble man that continues to give every day without asking for anything in return.
For lunch, plans changed from the expected and Melissa ended up going to the grocery store and picking up fried chicken and mac salad for all of us. She is filled with joy and excitement – and we love having her around everyday. Scarlett and a co-worker of hers also stopped by during lunch to say hello. We were very grateful for the day because although we were expecting rain – we were showered upon with intervals of sunlight.
The days are moving by so quickly and tomorrow is going to be our last full day at the worksite. Throughout the week, we have all bonded so much – either through games like Monopoly Deal or little stories and events at the work site – to late night ice cream (rocky road and vanilla bean hits the spot). Food group 3 (Lindie, Anthony, and Kaitlyn) cooked a wonderful meal of breakfast for dinner aka BRINNER that was delicious and fun. We all sit in a circle in the living room floor and eat our meals together.
We are all learning a lot about ourselves, Habitat for Humanity, and the community at large. We are thinking about what it means to be here serving during our spring break and being in solidarity with our group, the crew, and Scarlett. Our interactions, our intentions, and our actions all overlap to a greater meaning in the world around us and it’s important for us to remember that.
From the highs to the lows (there aren’t any lows), I cannot believe the week is almost over. We have made a routine of living in simplicity and solidarity with one another in this small but cozy home in Coupeville, Washington. Ending the night with a discussion on, “Can you still be friends with your ex?” just completely sums up the group and the intense happiness that our group has created throughout this week.
We had a great time adding to the home – working, bloody for hammering or sore from heavy lifting – we are thankful to be on the work site and making a difference.
-Katie Ha
