Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

So much news to share...
Today I am on transition in Jackson, MS.
Staying in a hotel..with, YES!, a hot shower...
AND I DON'T HAVE TO WEAR SHOWER SANDALS!
Such a relief.
We arrived here on Sunday night and will be departing on Friday morning.
It's comparable to living like Kings & Queens at this one star hotel after living in volunteer housing for 2 months.
And the food from the hotel restaurant is GLORIOUS!
That's the beauty of living in unfortunate conditions...
1. it makes you stronger &
2. it gives you a new appreciation for the little things that you'd usually take for granted.
So here in Jackson, We are doing our Debriefs & Briefs.
Being all professional like.
AND OH OH!
I had my interview for Summer of Service...
Despite some awkwardness, I feel very confident about my interview.
I don't recieve the outcome for a week or more, so that leaves me here praying for the best.

And looking back to the last days with St. Bernard Project...
So much to say, I'm left almost speechless with all the thoughts I have jumbling up my brain.
First of all, I had one goal before leaving.
And that was to see TWO...yes, ONLY two pieces of flooring go down.
BUT I managed to complete THE ENTIRE FLOOR!
THE ENTIRE FLOOR.....YES, I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, THE ENTIRE FLOOR!
That is 9 rooms total, that I led volunteers to progress from drywall to flooring!!!!!!!!!!
I can't explain how accomplished I feel....4 weeks, and so much to show for it!
But the reason this was so important for me was because I made such a strong bond with my homeowners and their kids.
I can honestly say they are a part of MY family.
They are such incredible people and have taught me that despite the hurdles and the flaws of a family, those flaws are the only thing keeping a family bond strong.
I'm bonded to them through flaws and they've helped me to realize that no matter how imperfect my family is, I have unconditional love for them and there isn't any hurdle we can't jump or pull us apart.
And so to see this floor go in for this wonderful family, was an incredibly heartwarming experience for me.
The floor is what takes the house from looking like a construction site and turns it into a home.
It really gives it the warmth to the house.
The shell of the home is done, and I can proudly say that I helped make that possible.
I have now helped two famlies get one step closer to moving into their home and recreating that lost daily lifestyle.
The experience isn't really something I can say in words or ever really be able to explain, but was life changing, something I will never forget.
Leaving was one of the hardest things I've had to do...
After making that connection with The Briere's,
And having to leave the home, unfinished.
There was definately not a shortage of tears.
I wish terribly that I could have seen them move in.
My only hope is that I will be able to return someday and see them in their home.
But I will definately stay in contact, they've made a huge impression in my heart.

I do realize that life goes on...
And so ONWARD TO NEW JERSEY!
I've already mentioned a little bit about my next project.
I'll be working with children to teach them about horticulture...SO EXCITING!
But what I just recently found out is that I'll be living at Camp Sun 'n' Fun...
My entire team is looking forward to this.
But I am especially excited, seeing as I want to start my own camp someday.
I'm really looking forward to see how to run a camp and all the in's and out's.
Camp Sun 'n Fun is a camp for children and adults with developmental disabilities, and it's going to be an awfully interesting experience.
I'm anticipating learning so many more new things.
Especially about gardening and being Green!

However, I may be leaving in June for Summer of Service.
But I'm excited cause that will let me get Round 2 experience, along with Summer of Service, and then rejoin my team halfway through Round 3.
All the more experience! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

And I can't leave out all the Independent Service Projects, that Raven 5 did.
I went to a Community Meeting in Chalmette, which talked about the environment.
I've never been to any kind of community meeting before, and it really gave me the desire to attend them whereever it is that I live. I feel they are very important.

I also worked at a huge event in the Superdome, called V-day.
It's an event to raise money to start shelters for abused women.
Quite the organization, and they perform The Vagina Monologues, which is defiantely interesting.
I also met a few celebrities there. One more first to mark off!

That same weekend, we did a Kaboom build, we did 24 hours of ISPs that weekend which means that for about 3 or 4 weeks I hadn't had the chance to sleep in.
Watch out, when I come home I'm going to be an early riser and a morning person.
So anyways, the Kaboom build was amazing.

What we did was help rebuild a park. Torres Park was actually rebuilt after the storm but two kids decided to burn it down. So they had to rebuild it all over again.
But it was amazing being a part of it.
I helped to rebuild one of those chain bridges.
Not sure if that means anything. But I used chain cutters.
Man, I didn't know you needed muscle to use them....but have no fear, my muscles saved the day!

We also helped out at the Animal Rescue of New Orleans.
We got to walk dogs and clean out cages.
I walked a dog named Picassa, she was adorable.
It made me want to quite the Corps just so I could go home and get a dog.
And also really miss my cat, Gus!

There was also a day that we worked at the Audubon Zoo at a fundraiser.
We manned the carnival games for the kids.
I was running a Par one golfing game.
And I thought the kids would never stop coming.
And Low & Behold, here comes the girl with the powerswing,
And me, with my head too close,
I got WHACKED! in the head....yes, an egg appeared and everything!

But all in all, I enjoy volunteering and helping out these communities.
I've definately found my nitch in life.
I feel strongly that service will be a HUGE part of my life...FOREVER!

Driven by...

And I'm stuck, I don't know the word to explain it.
I was on a high I guess you could say...
I worked harder today than I'll ever even begin to explain.
The funny thing is, it was a long, exhausting day, but it felt like 15 minutes.
I was focused.
I had a goal, and I was going to achieve it.
No matter what hurdle stood in the way.
That's when time isn't on one's side.
My body was numb.
Numb to the way I was challenging it.
To the physical demands I was pusing it to.
My mind was held captive.
By a feeling I can not explain.
I was the bus on "Speed."
I couldn't slow down or I'd blow up.
My tears were being held back by my work pace.
My blood, sweat, and tears were literally poured into my work today.
I walked out of The Briere House today with raw & bloody shins...
Covered head-to-toe in dust, caked on by my sweat.
I got the, "Are you dying?" look, because of the tears swelling up in my eyes.
And all driven by...
What?
Something I can not explain with words...

Who's to Say What's Impossible?

Since I last wrote about my project, a lot has changed.
First of all, we almost completed Dawn's house.
However, finishers come in to do the electricity, plumbing, and cabinets.
It's nearly finished...I can't wait to help her move in.
But, in the meantime, I've moved down the street, to another house.
It is a family of 6.
The Briere Family
Alan, he's the dad.
Lynette, she's the mom.
Christopher, 21.
Shawn, 17.
Gabrielle, 15.
Shelby, 12.

I have met all of them, but Chris. They are such a cute family, and very inclusive. Lynette only works parttime nights at a bar in New Orleans. So she hangs out and helps ALL THE TIME. And Al is a cop, and stops by several times a day, and has weekdays off sometimes and comes in to help. It's so fulfilling to see how excited they all are. And to see them help out! The kids are so helpful, but that's okay. Their story is similar to Dawn's. They rented before the storm as well. But they were very fortunate because Al's parents gave them their house. They couldn't live far from a Hospital because of health conditions, so they moved away. But it's Al's childhood home. And he gets to see it rebuilt. It's adorable to see them so happy. They can honestly never stop smiling, and Lynette is so giddy, she seems nervous almost because of how giddy she is. And Al has so many stories. Because he had to stay during the storm, during the flood from the levee's breaking, and during recovery. He rescued people and helped clean up. He was seperated from the family for quite some time. And the rest of the family moved around a little. Went to a hotel that Lynette's step dad managed but got kicked out earlier than expected. And then moved in with Al's brother, who turned out to be VERY verbally abusive. And then they finally got a family sized FEMA trailer. Which STILL isn't big, and they stay in a trailer park full of cops. When they recieved they house, they were planning on rebuilding it all on their own from paycheck to paycheck. And didn't expect it to be done until 2010. Until they heard about St. Bernard Project. They'll be moved in for sure by May. We are currently mudding & sanding. Hopefully soon we'll be texturing & priming. Again, It's such a beautiful thing to watch the transformation from a gutted house, to a family's home. I can't explain the feeling, and the gratitude they have. They don't even know how to repay their volunteers. I think it's a little overwhelming for them.

In other news.
I FOUND OUT MY SECOND ROUND PROJECT!
As of the first week in May, I'll be in Camden, NJ!
Working for a project called The Children's Community Garden.
I don't know a whole lot about it yet, but here is their website...if you'd like to check it out!
http://www.camdenchildrensgarden.org/

Jack Johnson: Upside Down (great lyrics that feel like my themesong)

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity
I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
I don't want this feeling to go away
Who's to sayI can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem
I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and Upside down
Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found
I don't want this feeling to go away
Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Is this how it's supposed to be
Is this how it's supposed to be

Lovely, isn't it?

Miss Y'all! Hope you're all enjoying life!:)

What's next?

So I found myself on the night before my birthday, which turned out well by the way. Thanks to everyone who remembered. And thank you to my team for helping me celebrate. BY KIDNAPPING ME! ha... but the custard was good and I beat y'all at bowling. Ah the beauty of it all... But honestly, I've never been happier. It's nice to be reassured that people love & care about you. So many people remembered back home, and that means the world to me.

But anyways, I found myself on the night before my birthday, having to write out my first resume. Which turned out to be rather pathetic. A short page & a half. I looked at this resume and thought who is going to look at this and be impressed? NO ONE! Luckily, Summer of Service, the program I was applying for wanted some written statements to some, at first glance, rather simple questions. And so I set out to make up for my meek resume with a heart-felt passionate "paper." It really took a lot out of me. It all started to come together. What I wanted to do, what I had to do to prepare for my dreams, and what the next step was to my future. But once I started to write, it sort of poured out of me. I was shocked with the passion that I hold for such a little idea that I have, and that it could be pourn out through my fingertips. It made me realize, that even with the lack of experience, I whole-heartedly wanted this. I want this for my future, I'm dedicated, and nothing will stop me.

My paper for the Summer of Service Application:

Over the years, I have come to find myself in positions with levels of responsibilities that quite frankly were unexpected and frightened me a little. First of all at age 15 I was helping out an after care program at a private school. I slowly started to realize, not only was I there to keep an eye on these kids until their parents arrived, but that I became an integral part of their day and they looked up to me. Consequently, I took on the role model position to the best of my ability. Even though it scared me that I was making such an impact on someone I grew confident and learned to love that feeling of fulfillment.
Several years later I found myself in a similar position. I was hired last year at a rather small assisted living home. Knowing I would have no immediate supervision, but not expecting the responsibilities I was going to soon learn to take on. I was faced with many challenges on the job. My co-workers took advantage of not having immediate supervision and slacked in many areas of their job. I saw this as a problem, due to the fact that I feel the elderly deserve nothing less than the best treatment after a lifetime of hard work. So I learned how to take on the responsibility of “supervisor” without undermining my boss or my co-workers. Communication and flexibility were two huge skills I improved on in my time there. Needless to say, it worked out for everyone. My boss was pleased with having to deal with less stress, the work was accomplished efficiently, and the residents were treated with a higher standard of quality.
Which leads me to my current position on the AmeriCorps*NCCC as the Vehicle, Safety, & Tools/Assistant Team Leader. I have to admit I was secretly hoping for a role with responsibility but also very reluctant to take it. I didn't know what to expect and I am the youngest on the team. My Team Leader coaxed me into it by saying she felt that the team respected me and that she felt it would give me experience for the future goals. I had to agree, it was a fear I had to overcome. However, I have found it a role that comes naturally. I have not faced any challenges thus far. The team does seem to respect me and I feel as if I balance holding responsibility well while also being viewed as a peer. The future, however, makes me very apprehensive. My Team Leader will be absent for 4 days and that leaves me in charge. And as the youngest team member, I fear my teammates may try to take advantage of the fact that I am not an experienced Team Leader. I am counting on the respect they hold for me, and I do not have a definite course of action if this does occur. Although, I am certain that regardless of my fears if the time comes, I will have the confidence and resources to take charge.
I am also currently working for the St. Bernard Project as a site supervisor to rebuild homes for the people who lost everything in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. And anyone of my teammates and/or staff at the St. Bernard Project will tell you I was nail-biting, stop-you-dead in your tracks nervous for such a responsibility. With my fears alongside me, I took on the job. It offered many challenges, but soon enough I was learning new skills and directing new volunteers every week. When I stepped back and observed myself, I noticed I was confident. I felt adequate for the job. And I can't help but hear my sponsor, Zach, saying, “It's a good thing you're scared, that means you care enough to not screw up.” And looking back, I see a pattern. Everytime I was struck with blood-curdling fear it was because I didn't want to fail, I cared too much to take the job lightly.
And now I want to embark on a new journey, and as all the times before, thinking about it drives the butterflies within me crazy. However, I feel my participation as a crew leader will strengthen the Summer of Service Program because of the passion I have for service. Not only that but I strongly feel the need for that passion to spread like a wildfire through not only our country but specifically the youth. They are the future after all.
Summer of Service is a program I would put my heart and soul into. To spark a fire in youth about service is a dream come true for me. But as much as I would be giving, I would be receiving in return. Summer of Service would facilitate multitudes of gain in my life. Being a Crew Leader would help me conquer many fears, improve my communication and leadership skills, help me attain values upon values, and become a much more independent individual. Although most importantly, it would give me the experience of a lifetime.
My future goals include starting a Bible Camp and a non-profit to involve youth in service. My dream is driven by feeling as a teenager that I wasn't ever offered the opportunity to serve. I do realize I also wasn't searching for it, but I also know that if I would have been made aware of the opportunities out there for me I would have taken advantage of them. So I strongly feel that if I put the word out and encourage youth to be involved, more teenagers will continue a livelong commitment to service. Whether it be longterm or just dabbling in it. I've always wanted to be the world's hero, but realize I can't do that alone. So I feel if I plant the seed of service in as many people as possible, the world will slowly become a better place. And Summer of Service is a program that is screaming my name. It is a calling I've been waiting for. An opportunity to kick start my ideas and feel out the work I want to completely immerse myself in.

I went to bed that night, feeling hopeful.