CTI is OVER, Round 1 begins

CTI(corps training institute) has ended with an induction ceremony November 13th. We're well into our teams and most teams have left base. They've been deployed to places including the gulf, Seattle, Utah, Oregon, San Diego, and Compton. Its been a struggle trying to get into the swing of things. I've been assigned to Oakridge Elementary in Oak Park, only about 20 minutes from base so we're staying here. Its nice to have my own room, however, its hard getting up for those 5am PTs. They're more rigorous but I'm enjoying PT. I hope I can run soon, but my knee and ankle has been giving me trouble. The pilates and yoga is fun. I miss everyone in New York and everybody who's gone away on SPIKE. I hope you are all safe, send me post cards from wherever you are at! for my assignment I'm teaching 5th graders math, science, and english in preparation for their STAR tests, which is the California equivalent to the regents exams in new york. We've also been doing ISPs which are our independent service projects. I've planted a few trees for the state parks and have been working at RAFT, the resource area for teachers. I wish we had something similar to this in New York, maybe when I come back home I'll try to set up the program, which in simplest terms, gets supplies that are overstock or returns from places such as office max, HP, and other stores that reject their supplies. They stock these items and sell it at a heavy discount for teachers who have to pay a 20 dollar membership fee. Its essential here since the schools have suffered heavy losses, their funding is at a minimal where many schools cant afford a gym, art or music classes. My 5th graders will be tested in science proficiency but there is no science program to speak of so the teachers asked me to figure out something to teach them. This round is going to last till January 28th and I feel that i've already made some sort of impact on these kids, a lot of them now do their homework every night. The sad part is because of the stupid no child left behind laws, some of these kids with special needs who should be in a lower level are pushed forward. Some of them can barely read. most of them are below proficiency level which makes it difficult to try to prepare them. This school also has counselors who are constantly taking kids out of class when they are in the middle of lessons, when they come back they have five minutes with me to learn a days lesson. They're typical the ones who need help the most. I hope in the next 6 weeks I can make an impact on these kids lives, hopefully they'll have the will to study harder and will be able to keep up.

Its difficult to have time to post blogs here because there isnt much free time. I've also been unable to use my own laptop here so I've been relying on keeping handwritten notes. I've been debating a long time whether or not to go home, but I think I've finally decided to stay. I miss my friends and family and Polly back home but I've begun to feel like I'm where I should be. We just spent 4 days in Camp Mendocino doing some team building and community service work. I've been assigned my new team. I feel like we have the most potential to grow. I'll leave it at that for now.

So if you have any mail to send me send it to
Ron Kunateerachadalai, Class 16, Blue 5
3427 Laurel Street
McClellan Ca 95652

P.s thanks for the care package from home

its been good here in cali, i cant believe its only been a week today since i left new york i feel like i live a whole other life now. everything has changed, i've fallen in love with my penguin every day. I'm happy now. Its been rough to say the least. we've been in training every day waking up different times sometimes 4am but rarely as late as 7. I'm easily living on new york time falling asleep around 2100 here which is 0100 back home. I miss my bed, these are prison style beds that we've been given. I've also lost a few pounds, about 13 so far, looks like i'm coming home a different person. I've also gained a lot of respect for my family and how they've worked hard as a result of having to clean my room ready for inspection, fending and cooking for ourselves on a budget and dealing with messy roomates maximus the gladiator and thaddeus the great better known as max and tk, washing dishes after a long day for those on my POD(temporary teams) because they're disgusting. The uniforms are useful however they tend to get old fast it seems. yesterday my pod and i went downtown and walked to the light rail, we ended up walking through old sacramento. it was a great experience i love my pod for the most part they're some of the best people to spend time with. I've already been able to act as a peer counselor. Today after we had our muster (morning call) I was sent to the trainer coordinator and was thrown into teaching a CPR class because they were short an instructor. It was great besides my co-instructor being very short and patronizing. I was amazed at how low budget these other red cross chapters are, using one set of manikin faces for two people, reusing lungs and refusing to give out the books. It was good though, my schedule is messed up right now because i need to make up the required training session i missed. We were told today that our Permanent teams will be assigned as soon as the Team leaders who were sent to help in American Samoa are able to return. Once we do that we'll all change rooms to be near them, I think my roomates are great and hope to get ones as good as them however, one can only hope I guess. We failed room inspection twice so i hope i get a roomate who's clean. Saturday we were given our first project which entailed gardening and pruning an elementary school designed specifically for low income students, formerly a private school for rich kids. It was great, the campus is amazing but it was an exhausting day. We were assigned our first team project or SPIKE as its called. it's going to be a training and get to know event at camp mendacino, and we were told to inform everyone that when we do we'll be away from cellphone contact for approximately a week. I'll let you knowhen i find out when that will be. Tomorrow is another 5am PT. Its so exhausting and draining to be here, its definately a challenge living in a new life style but hopefully its worth it. I'll be strong for you penguin
ps. pictures to come soon