For those of us who are Instagram fiends (myself included), Thursdays are very important days. Thursdays are Throwback Thursdays! Our wonderful team leader, Harmony Chai, sent me these pictures from our first days together as Otter Pups, during our scavenger hunt! Enjoy them! #throwbackthursday
We were in the midst of a human knot. And it was hilariously awful.
The team has discovered Key and Peele as of late, and with that comes the discovery of the East versus West College Bowl videos. Grace inspired Jess and Eduardo to make this post by making a comment about one of our members having a voice that sounds like one of the ones in the video. And so, without further ado, we have the East vs. West Bowl: Otter 6 Version.
The Team from the East: Jackmerius Tacktheritrix (Brandi) D'isiah T. Billings-Clyde (Shane) Xmus Jaxon Flaxon-Waxon (Jess) Davoin Shower-Handel (David, our visiting STL this round!) Blyrone Blashinton (Greg)
The Team from the West: Benedict Cumberbatch (Courtney) Ladennifer Jadaniston (Kendra) Scoish Velociraptor Maloish (Grace) T.J. A.J. R.J. Backslashinfourth V (Eduardo) Ozamataz Buckshank (Harmony)
Just in case you haven't seen the new photos that have been uploaded to the gallery, there are pictures from this activity; but Eduardo has compiled a really cool video about his splatter paint HAWL activity!
Check it out, and be sure to check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Wednesday, the team had a meeting with Deputy Administrator Serino. What made this meeting special was the fact that the Deputy Administrator is leaving FEMA at the end of this week. Otter 6 was extremely privileged to be able to be the last team to meet with him.
As all meetings go with Otter 6, there were plenty of questions asked, ranging from where he hoped FEMA Corps would be five years from now, to how his career in Emergency Management began. One of the best questions to ask FEMA staff members is what they did before joining the agency. It is extremely interesting to hear the different backgrounds people come from. The Deputy Administrator shared stories of his time as an EMT in Boston, Massachusetts, telling us that before becoming a volunteer EMT, he had planned on becoming an elementary school teacher.
The team learned valuable lessons from this visit with the Deputy Administrator, such as to do what makes them happy and to take all of the opportunities you are presented with.
We would like to thank the Deputy Administrator for all he has done for FEMA Corps and for taking the time to visit with Otter 6. Even our team mascot Harry made an appearance to wish him well!
One thing that most people might not know about me is I adore names. Unique names, general names, interesting last names, names I can’t hope to pronounce without a bit of help because I’m likely to butcher them horribly by attempting to pronounce them phonetically, I don’t know why, but I love them.
As such, my favorite part of the morning is reading the News Clips. It’s not a particularly glamorous job, and sometimes it can get a bit tedious by the amount of articles that say about the same thing. But I can always count on a handful of interesting names making their way into the stories.
For example:
Ginger Zee – Does this sound like a real name to you? Fascinating.
Amy Freeze – She’s a meteorologist, need I say more?
Kevin Tibbles - …heehee “Tibbles”…It just trips off the tongue in such a fun way.
Jeremy Deny – I always love names that kind of rhyme. And the interesting part about names like this, is the status of it being “Deny” and not “deny”, a name and not just a word, means for all I know they could pronounce it “De-nee” instead of “Dee-nie” and therefore the name might be “J-air-e-mee De-nee”!
Will Obradovich – I’ll have to be honest with you…it’s because his last name sounds like a magic word. Replace “abracadabra” with “obradovich” and you’ll see where I’m coming from.
Realistically this all may well simply be a way for my mind to entertain its compulsive reading. Or it may well be that my simple name “Courtney Elizabeth Green” has led me to find enjoyment in names that strike with originality. Who can really say?
Witty titles are a favorite among members of this team... This post, from Eduardo, is to put each team member into a car.
Kendra Eull Volkswagen Passat
Refined, reliable, and ready for anything. The Volkswagen Passat is the well-rounded vehicle for the well-rounded American. Delivering comfort, and safety, along with more standard features than any car in its class, and performance that makes a lasting impression.
Jess Stapf Lexus RX Hybrid
As the first luxury crossover, the Lexus RX brought with it a new standard. The Lexus RX offers it all. Power with the available F Sport package, to efficiency with a hybrid powertrain, and In-vehicle technology like Lexus Enform®. The RX is attuned to you.
Harmony Chai Toyota Prius
An icon, “The hybrid that started it all”, the Toyota Prius sets its own standard. From the “magical” Hybrid Synergy Drive® that delivers 50mpg, to the styling that’s often imitated, never duplicated, the Prius is unlike any other in the market.
Greg Cowan Jeep Wrangler
Simply put, the Wrangler is rugged. Capable of going anywhere, and doing anything, the Jeep wrangler is meant for the wilderness. Evidently not for an office worker. Nonetheless, the Jeep Wrangler gets down and dirty.
Grace Simoneau Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is able to tackle rugged terrain, nimbly cruise the city streets, and everything in between. Convenient for up to eight passengers, Pathfinder can make a rough journey a breeze, or a party.
Eduardo Venancio Audi A7
Delivering both astounding luxury and breathtaking performance, the Audi A7 is truly Truth in Engineering™. The A7 turns heads, and stops traffic. With unparalleled styling and best-in-class technology, it is the premium sedan.
Dennis Shane Miller Mercedes-Benz E Class
The classic icon of luxury, Mercedes-Benz makes no exception with the E Class. Delivering luxurious materials and styling, along with the standard Mercedes-Benz driving experience. The E class is The Ultimate Driving Machine™.
Courtney Green Infiniti QX70
The Infiniti QX70 defines its own standard. With style cues unlike any other, the QX70 turns heads. Utilizing a different set of luxury materials, it is designed with a driver who wants more than performance, more than your average luxury car. Also pairs well with Normandy style architecture.
Brandi Briones Toyota Prius C
Start with the iconic, smart, efficient, and quirky Prius. Squeeze it as tight as you can. Behold the Prius C, packing a smaller, cuter punch. Delivers fun, and fuel economy, to keep the party going, no matter where the party is.
Over the holiday break, Otter 6 had a little fun between projects and getting things done (for America)! Check out this video that we made to show the Headquarters External Affairs staff that we're hard working and fun!
College/Field of Study: University of California, Riverside – Political Science
Favourite Book: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Favourite Quotations:
“Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do.” Voltaire
"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." J.R.R. Tolkien
Favourite Food: Carne Asada Burritos/Fries
Dream Job: A skipper for the World Famous Jungle Cruise
Favourite Vacation Destination: Alaska
Places Travelled: United States, Mexico, & Taiwan
Awards/Citations:
Special/Memorable Moments: The moment I got my wand from Ollivanders in Diagon Alley or the first time I tried Butterbeer. It’s horrible.
College/Field of Study: Grand Valley State University, Health Communications
Favourite Movie: Moulin Rouge
Favourite Book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Favourite Quotations:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson
“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” -Mark Twain
Favourite Musical Artist and/or Band: Ellie Goulding, the MajesticCasual YouTube channel
Favourite Food: Ice cream
Dream Job: Director for an international non profit
Favourite Vacation Destination: Any new place with my family
Places Travelled: Kentucky, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Niagara Falls, the Virgin Islands Awards/Citations: I am GV, Leadership Award (2012), College Positive Volunteer Certificate (2011), Inclusion and Diversity Training Certificate (2010), Intermediate Leader Institute Certificate (2010)
Special/Memorable Moments: In spring 2013, I had the opportunity to attend the TEDxGrandRapids conference. It was one of the most educational, enriching days of my life from many perspectives including career development, the power of play, life experience, local sustainability, and creative event planning.
College/Field of Study: General Studies, Several different majors and universities
Favorite Movies: “The Man from Earth,” “Paprika,” and “The Last Samurai”
Favorite Books:Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein; The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien;
The Emberverse series by S.M.Sterling; The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan; and The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind
Favorite Quotations:
“Well, boys, we’re surrounded. Good! Now we can fire in any direction! Those bastards won’t get away this time!” ~ Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller, at the battle of the Chosin Resevoir
“Never believe that simply because another cannot do a thing, you also cannot. Assume always that that if your goals lie within the scope of human endeavor, they lie also within your own compass.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
“It is not the critic who counts; not the one who points out where the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The only one who matters is the one who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, and sweat, and blood; who strives valiantly, yet comes up short time and again: for there is no great effort without error and shortcoming. It is he who, should he succeed, knows the triumph of high achievement; and if he fails, then at least he fails whilst daring greatly, so that his place shall never be among those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” ~ President Theodore Roosevelt
Favorite Musical Artist and/or Band: Too many to name
Favorite Food: As above; preference for spicy foods
Dream Job: Advanced Infantry/Special Forces
Favorite Vacation Destination: Either Hawaii or Japan
Places Travelled: All around the US, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, Japan, Korea, Thailand
Awards/Citations: The President’s Volunteer Service Award, The Congressional Service Award
Special/Memorable Moments: The Grandmaster was present when I received my third Black Belt.