Uniforms and 15 passenger vans. Oh my.

So it was pretty much a useless day, but kind of exciting at the same time. A lot of the day was spent sitting around, which is incredibly frustrating. However--I am now certified to drive the giant 15 passenger van. My team's van is really special because it is covered in saran wrap-like material to make it very City Year. The other two big vans are just normal unmarked white, but ours is crazy. Because of the decorations, you can't see in or out the windows except the ones by the front seats (and the front and back windshield, of course). Some people call it the coffin van, others call it a surprise party on wheels. I suppose its all in your perception....

We also got our uniforms today, which is why we wound up sitting around waiting all afternoon. But I'm really excited to have them. We had a little lecture today on the meaning of the uniform--that by wearing we stand on the shoulders of the corps members who came before us and set the standard for those who will come after us. It's also a symbol of our commitment to service, and identifies us to kids as corps members. That way the kids have some continuity even though the corps changes every year. I washed my reds (fleece vest and pullover) and my roommates reds, ironed my pants, and wrote my name and Dave's name in our uniform pieces in magic marker. It felt very Mom-like.....

Opening Day is Friday! I was chosen as one of 3 corps members to schmooze with the City Year champions before hand. I'm excited to meet some of the people who give us the money to do our work. I'm looking forward to the ceremony, and really looking forward to starting our in-school service next week.