// Construction has begun on the National Mall and we already hit our first problem: the generator did not show up. In some mishap, the generator to provide us light on our lot didn't appear. After much desperate searching, during which all of the piers were being placed anyway, we resigned to the fact that it must not have been delivered. After that, I was sent back to our hotel where our construction managers think I'm asleep. Bruahahaha, I'm here instead chatting with you.

We are already under judging regarding our overall web design, which includes whether we are code compliant. We should be, but there was a logistics mess up that we couldn't get a second opinion. In the coming week, we should have our interactive virtual tours in place, and after that live chatting with team members. More on this to follow!

// Sitting at the hotel getting our final drawings ready to print for the inspectors and judges, it's hard to believe this is all about to happen. It feels like years ago we were here for the planning workshop this January, and longer still since I first got involved in this project last summer. But the reality is hard to ignore as we check out the stunning Virginia Tech entry from its temporary home at the building museum and trade last hurried emails with the DOE about inspections and site logistics.

I am so honored to be involved in this great effort. Looking back on it, it's not the long hours behind us that make the months seem like years, but it is the distance we have come as people - both as individuals and as part of Team California. I can't begin to describe all this project has taught us.

Being the only entirely undergraduate designed, managed, and (mostly) built home, this project forced us to jump in like nothing else we have ever done. Our faculty advisor was always there when we asked for guidance, but it was clear this was our show from the beginning, and what a difference that has made.

We all grew up fast on this project. Learning countless new skills - both on paper and on site - learning to wear many hats at once, to communicate across disciplines and to manage our people and resources. It taught us the real world realities of deadlines, money, and having to solve problems on the go with only half the information you want (and none of the time).

But more than anything this project taught us how phenomenally competent we are, showed us a very real and tangible sense that we can step up and take on nearly any task. I stand next to the dozen men and women who have made this house and brought it across the country, and I don't see the students I saw in January or last summer: I see some of the brightest, most competent people I have ever met, now fully aware of their power and force.

I'm excited for the competition, absolutely. But more than that I'm excited by the people I see, both on my team and from the others. We have done something great, and in doing so, we have realized that we have much more in us to give.

Cheers, Decathletes, to long careers of being (and making) the change we wish to see in the world.

// During our downtime from working on the house, we decided to go and play a game of Ultimate Frisbee on the National Mall. I've never seen the Capitol at night, nor the Washington monument, so it was simply breathtaking to be able to see these icons of America so close yet so real. In an interesting way, it is a great reinforcement of patriotism.

Although we couldn't see the frisbee (it was a little darker than we planned), we had a blast (Shout out to the winning team! - Allison)! Next time we'll take pictures. Hopefully our German and Spanish friends brought a football (meaning soccer ball) so that we can play an international game during our international competition.

See everyone soon.

// A lot of the students have already come over to DC to stage the house before we get on the mall. Learning from our 2007 shipping debacle, we shipped 12 days ago. Even still, module B won't be coming for at least two days. In the mean time, we've been re-organizing things after the shipment and cleaning.

Our hope is to keep assembly as smooth as possible, but I think everyone hopes that. To get frequent updates as new pieces are worked on, don't forget to follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/refracthouse

// Hey everyone, You’ve probably seen tons of things written from me (after all I do write the blog), but this time is a little different. Now that we’re a little less than 20 days away from the competition, I want to give my personal take on our journey, what I’m looking forward to on the mall, and the lessons I’ve learned.

I’m going to start with 5 lessons I’ve learned.

1) Always take care of your people: Without the people on your team, you’re nothing. Thank them everyday and let them know they are amazing. That goes out to everyone on Team California, and especially my water team =)

2) Don’t be afraid to ask for help: It’s better to quickly learn rather than being stubborn and knowing nothing. This specifically relates to my experience with plumbing.

3) Unless there is clear authority, don’t waste too much time putting systems and protocols in place: Without someone to enforce them, they just wiggle away.

4) Keep your eye on the big picture: The big picture for this project has always been representing California, communicating with the public, and getting our home to the mall. If there was a tour that needed to be given, I would do it even if I had other work, because that is one of the core goals of the project, to educate.

5) Trust people and let them trust you: People have an expertise for a reason, whether it is architecture, construction management, or thermal engineering. You can’t question them at every turn, otherwise it means you don’t believe in them. However, when you really feel things are going astray, always lend a helping hand (or voice).

I am so glad I got involved in this project. From when we first tossed together the first deliverable (which really looked bad compared to the final set) to our cheers as the house was set on trucks, it has been a great experience at every turn. I’ve learned so much, especially considering the amount of hats I’ve worn (appliances leader when I first started to strawboard panels, to roofing, to water and digital communications).

More so than anything else though, I’m thankful that I was able to meet the people I’ve spent the past 18 months with. I’d mention names, but everyone on this team is worth writing 100 pages about.

I’ve learned the distinctions between right-brain and left-brain types, and experienced the interesting individuals who build bridges between those two sides. I’m seeing the beautiful fruits of collaboration, yet I’ve also seen how much tilling it has taken to achieve them.

On the mall I can’t wait to see all the teams together and see what we’ve all achieved. I hope we represent California well, but more so than that, I want to celebrate with all of the teams there. We’ve all won by making these strong steps towards the future.

When it’s over, I don’t know what my life will be because this has been my life. Saying bye to this family of mine will be sad, but I’m sure I’ll be glad for where we’ll be going next.

To everyone,
Preet