Arriving in Cleveland

The 2010 Build America Team of 16 Pi Kappa Phi Brothers

A series of 5 am wake up calls have been the first real signs that Build America has finally begun. While I am slowly getting adjusted to waking up with the sun still down, getting used to large powerful tools will require less warm up time. Today, the amazing crew of Karlovec inc. showed us the ropes with various tools - both power operated and otherwise. We tried our hand at sawing off and measuring 2 by 4's and eventually started work on a 54 foot bridge meant to span the two sides of a small stream located on the property that we are using for tool practice. Being in our BAM uniforms, albeit they were somewhat uncomfortable, made me feel so proud to be part of the team. This trip has made me realize how diverse Pi Kapp chapters are around the nation and how much we have to learn from one another. The first two days have been full of conversations about each others' chapters - everything was discussed from t-shirt designs to alumni involvement to push projects.

Using tools for the first time today really gave me a sense of accomplished which I have not experienced in a very long time. School is the same flow of tasks and assignments semester after semester - accomplishing something using my hands gave me a huge rush of adrenaline (and also testosterone). I could swear that i grew 5 inches and bulked up 20 pounds when i held an air powered nail gun in my hands and used it to pump nail after nail into a practice stud we were using.

We still have not had a friendship visit yet (the first one is scheduled for this weekend) but every day I begin to feel more confident about what I can bring to the amazing kids we are about to encounter. Like our project manager tyler said, to have a good and powerful time, one must take off his cool hat for the day/week/month. Considering my cool hat was never there in the first place, I am ready to use every bit of Goofy i have stored in me to make sure the campers around me have an amazing time.

After a really emotional sub ritual where the team shared the reasons we all have for being on this trip, I feel that we are on the same page for wanting to be in Cleveland. I am nervous but also confident and I cannot wait for our first camp (Camp Batavia in Ohio). I am also super pumped to get to try Skyline Chili outside of Cincinnati.

Tomorrow we continue our work on the bridge and I plan on being ahead of the herd of morning showerers as I have set my alarm for 5:20 - 10 full minutes before the official 5:30 wake up call.