Round 1 - Ahead of Schedule and Rocking the rural towns!

Canvassing has been pretty interesting.

We've already given out 600 bags to around 20 different communities. We are ahead of schedule and doing great!

Packing Bags on Day 1!

I was really freaked out about the idea of canvassing. Having to walk up to strangers doors and give them a speech about the program and why we are handing out these bags for free. Having to try to hand out at least 10 bags a day, AT LEAST! Having to approach people out of the blue and talk to them. Not what I normally do. But it's been far easier than I thought it would be.

Getting ready to canvass!!!

I've already built up my confidence within these past two weeks. I've been stopped mid speech and told "not interested". I've been shooed away from their property. AND I've gone through my whole specheal and they tell me not interested and go away haha. I don't really push and I don't mind at all. I understand what it's like to have strangers coming to your doors. You think we are selling something and when we say Free Bag, you look at us with this sense of unease. I get it.

Most of the people we have come across have been extremely sweet and are thankful for the free light bulbs they get in the bags!

The second day of work, our sponsor took us around town to show us the highlights of Champaign and we enjoyed a group photo in front of the circular barns they had on the U of I campus.

The joyous awkward pictures of everyone!

 So we've enjoyed the college night life (mainly Chipotle) and enjoyed getting some nice games of Kickball and Soccer in, as well as using the gym at the hotel.

We had a pretty nice thunder and lightening storm today. It poured and hailed on the ride home which is always nerve wracking! But we made it home safely and are ready to enjoy the weekend off.

I miss the people that I bonded with over CTI. I cannot wait to get back to Vinton and enjoy the few nights we have together reuniting. It's amazing how close I've become to certain people. I miss them terribly being away from them and we are still within a days drive of one another. Imagine how it will be once the program is over :(

We'll I've had a interesting week and I'm looking forward to letting off some steam tonight. Be safe and be wise :)