These past three nights, I have spent the evening doing some of my very favorite things.
On Saturday, after an evening of "Christmas light lookin'," I sat with friends and chatted over coffee. I love that. Especially when the conversations are about things that matter.
On Sunday and Monday evenings, I escaped to my bedroom and buried my nose in a book. I love that. I forget sometimes to find space for me, that it's good to sit alone and escape into words. I'm so afraid I'm going to miss something, or that I'll neglect someone, that I frequently forget to create that space. Now that I've reminded myself...
Sometimes it's great to get a reminder of the simple things that make my life happy - good friends, good conversation, good coffee, good books, good music. I'm grateful for those things tonight.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
The job
I read an article last week on ABCnews.com about the power of a job. John Stossel wrote about how a job gives us something to get up for, some reason for being. We have to get it done.
It's not just the fancy corporate jobs that create this kind of meaning in our lives, nor is it just the non-profit make-a-difference jobs that do it. Stossel wrote about prisoners trying to re-enter society, and I watched this idea unfold before my eyes yesterday.
At work we held a holiday hospitality dinner for our neighbors, staff, and friends. The room was bustling with people, probably double the number that are normally in it. The prep work to make the event happen involved a bit of manual labor. I'm definitely feeling it today. But there was one man, a neighbor, who could not do enough to help out. He carried tables, he laid out decorations. He refilled people's water cups, and he rushed up to the front to serve meals. The dinner was supposed to be for him, but instead he chose to serve.
I wondered at his compulsion to stay busy in this time of celebration. He knew the job would get done faster if he helped. He knew people would notice him if he leant a a hand. In short, I think he found this work brought some meaning to his life in that moment. For a man who is struggling with homelessness and joblessness, I'll bet that was pretty powerful.
Somehow many of us are able to reach a position where we can not only find meaning in having a job, but we can relish in the kind of work we're doing. We can believe that our work somehow matters in the grander scheme of things. That's how I feel about this position in Indy.
It's not just the fancy corporate jobs that create this kind of meaning in our lives, nor is it just the non-profit make-a-difference jobs that do it. Stossel wrote about prisoners trying to re-enter society, and I watched this idea unfold before my eyes yesterday.
At work we held a holiday hospitality dinner for our neighbors, staff, and friends. The room was bustling with people, probably double the number that are normally in it. The prep work to make the event happen involved a bit of manual labor. I'm definitely feeling it today. But there was one man, a neighbor, who could not do enough to help out. He carried tables, he laid out decorations. He refilled people's water cups, and he rushed up to the front to serve meals. The dinner was supposed to be for him, but instead he chose to serve.
I wondered at his compulsion to stay busy in this time of celebration. He knew the job would get done faster if he helped. He knew people would notice him if he leant a a hand. In short, I think he found this work brought some meaning to his life in that moment. For a man who is struggling with homelessness and joblessness, I'll bet that was pretty powerful.
Somehow many of us are able to reach a position where we can not only find meaning in having a job, but we can relish in the kind of work we're doing. We can believe that our work somehow matters in the grander scheme of things. That's how I feel about this position in Indy.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Speedway & Coke
I have lived in Indianapolis for five months now, but tonight I got my first glimpse of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It's the only thing most folks know about Indy, and it's about the only thing around here I hadn't seen.
IT IS HUGE.
I cannot imagine having to walk from one end of the bleachers to the other. Really, it is enormous.
After my viewing of the speedway, I got to speak at a Coca Cola bottling plant. So cool. I felt like a little kid as I excitedly watched the assembly line, open mouthed. The workers must have thought I was ridiculous, but it was something like seeing how Crayola molds their crayons. It's a simple process, but fascinating to watch. I wanted to go on a tour, but apparently OSHAA restrictions no longer allow that. I'll have to just be satisfied with the jaunt I took through the warehouse this afternoon. Tonight, I'll dream of Diet Coke.
IT IS HUGE.
I cannot imagine having to walk from one end of the bleachers to the other. Really, it is enormous.
After my viewing of the speedway, I got to speak at a Coca Cola bottling plant. So cool. I felt like a little kid as I excitedly watched the assembly line, open mouthed. The workers must have thought I was ridiculous, but it was something like seeing how Crayola molds their crayons. It's a simple process, but fascinating to watch. I wanted to go on a tour, but apparently OSHAA restrictions no longer allow that. I'll have to just be satisfied with the jaunt I took through the warehouse this afternoon. Tonight, I'll dream of Diet Coke.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
A death
One night, about a month and a half ago, Maike, Neubia, and I encountered a homeless woman late at night at a White Castle. I think I may have written about the experience. It was powerful. We sat & ate dinner with her, listening to her talk of the domestic violence situation she had escaped and the pawn shop she was sleeping behind. She showed us the contents of her purse - everything she'd stuffed in there for her escape - toothbrush, no toothpaste, deodorant, and a comb. At the end of the evening, I gave her enough money for a bus pass and another meal, and I gave her my card. We offer services that can help you, I said. PLEASE come in.
But this morning my roommates and I ran into an article in the Indianapolis Star. A woman by the same name, homeless, was beaten to death two days ago by her boyfriend. The initial abuser? I don't know. But I cannot describe the emotions coursing through each of us right now. We knew her. She mattered to us. And in the end, the streets claimed her life.
Read it here
But this morning my roommates and I ran into an article in the Indianapolis Star. A woman by the same name, homeless, was beaten to death two days ago by her boyfriend. The initial abuser? I don't know. But I cannot describe the emotions coursing through each of us right now. We knew her. She mattered to us. And in the end, the streets claimed her life.
Read it here
Monday, November 13, 2006
Veterans
Saturday morning I joined some friends downtown for the Veteran's Day Memorial Service. It was freezing, and while moments of the ceremony were touching, it was not a particularly moving experience. Except in my thoughts.
I wondered what we'll do to honor our veterans in 20 years. All of the WWII vets will have passed away by then. Will we still remember? Will we still have ceremonial recognitions of those sacrifices? Or will we have moved on to commemorating other conflicts? Will we ever feel the same way about the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq? Just food for thought.
Speaking of veterans, I went to an Amos Lee concert tonight. People have been making fun of my odd transitions lately. Amos Lee has nothing to do with veterans, but I did see him in concert tonight, and it was really great.
I wondered what we'll do to honor our veterans in 20 years. All of the WWII vets will have passed away by then. Will we still remember? Will we still have ceremonial recognitions of those sacrifices? Or will we have moved on to commemorating other conflicts? Will we ever feel the same way about the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq? Just food for thought.
Speaking of veterans, I went to an Amos Lee concert tonight. People have been making fun of my odd transitions lately. Amos Lee has nothing to do with veterans, but I did see him in concert tonight, and it was really great.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Elections
Yesterday morning my friend Ryan excitedly proclaimed, "Whitney, this is the greatest day of the year!"
"What?"
"It's election day!"
"Oh, yes, uh huh. Of course."
This sparked a lengthy conversation in which we made all kinds of projections, compared positions, dropped names. And in the evening, we both sat in front of the television, in our respective homes, following the nation's progress on our televison sets and laptops.
I rarely consider myself an American patriot, despite my assertion that what happens in politics really does matter. But Ryan's palpable excitement for the process was about more than the competition; it was about the choice. And the fact that we get to choose makes me proud to be an American.
I don't always have faith in the system, or in the individuals that run it. It drives me crazy when big bad America tries to control the rest of the world. But I think our founders had it right when they set up a government by the people and for the people. And I'm grateful to live here, even when the government in office wasn't my choice, because at least I had a say in it.
Maybe I am a patriot after all.
"What?"
"It's election day!"
"Oh, yes, uh huh. Of course."
This sparked a lengthy conversation in which we made all kinds of projections, compared positions, dropped names. And in the evening, we both sat in front of the television, in our respective homes, following the nation's progress on our televison sets and laptops.
I rarely consider myself an American patriot, despite my assertion that what happens in politics really does matter. But Ryan's palpable excitement for the process was about more than the competition; it was about the choice. And the fact that we get to choose makes me proud to be an American.
I don't always have faith in the system, or in the individuals that run it. It drives me crazy when big bad America tries to control the rest of the world. But I think our founders had it right when they set up a government by the people and for the people. And I'm grateful to live here, even when the government in office wasn't my choice, because at least I had a say in it.
Maybe I am a patriot after all.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Sorry
I'm slacking in blog-world, I know. It's just that I haven't been in a very introspective mood lately. And it seems silly to spend time writing when I don't have anything to say (although, I suppose that's what I'm doing just now).
Work has been busy, which is exactly how I like it. Maike and I finally found a church we like, I think. And I may stop taking hip hop lessons simply because of the expense. But I'm being awfully productive when it comes to those grad school applications, and I did get through that pesky GRE.
That is all.
Work has been busy, which is exactly how I like it. Maike and I finally found a church we like, I think. And I may stop taking hip hop lessons simply because of the expense. But I'm being awfully productive when it comes to those grad school applications, and I did get through that pesky GRE.
That is all.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Good times with good friends
Last weekend was a great one. We had more out-of-town visitors and kept ourselves busy constantly. I think I might be running out of original ideas to keep our visitors entertained, though. I feel like we take people to the same places every time - the canal walk, Fountain Square, Mass Ave. Time to expand our horizons, I suppose. Maybe one of these days we'll actually go to a museum, or the NCAA hall of fame, or the speedway...
One evening this week I attended a big anniversary celebration for a coalition that supports the homeless in Indy. It was interesting to be surrounded by people that are celebrities in my eyes, even if most of the city has no idea who they are. My level of respect for the executive directors of some of our local non-profits far exceeds the awe I feel for the Hollywood celebrities. Afterwards, Neubia, Bobbie, and I ended up randomly in a hip hop talent competition. It was a fascinating juxtaposition of events, and I had a blast at both.
And last night my roommates and I headed to West Lafayette, IN for a Halloween party with friends. The costumes were great, the crowd fun, and the haunted house scary. Couldn't have asked for more.
One evening this week I attended a big anniversary celebration for a coalition that supports the homeless in Indy. It was interesting to be surrounded by people that are celebrities in my eyes, even if most of the city has no idea who they are. My level of respect for the executive directors of some of our local non-profits far exceeds the awe I feel for the Hollywood celebrities. Afterwards, Neubia, Bobbie, and I ended up randomly in a hip hop talent competition. It was a fascinating juxtaposition of events, and I had a blast at both.
And last night my roommates and I headed to West Lafayette, IN for a Halloween party with friends. The costumes were great, the crowd fun, and the haunted house scary. Couldn't have asked for more.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
GRE
Most pressing in my life right now are my studies for the GRE. I'm struggling to get myself to care about this standardized test - partially because I know it's the last one I'll ever have to take, partially because I don't believe it should matter nearly as much as my written submissions, and partially because I've been out of geometry class for so long that I realize I won't ever use 90% of its principles in my day to day life.
And the vocabulary. Man. I'm a girl who loves words, so you'd think I'd appreciate this task of shoving vocab into my head in huge chunks. I can't say that I do. Ebullience. Impecunious. Inveigle. Redoubtable. Chary. How many of those words could you define?
I'm not really complaining. I'm mostly just expressing my difficulty in finding a focus good enough to help me excell on this exam I don't want to take - just like every other person getting ready to apply to graduate school this fall.
Oh, and the test is next Thursday, Nov. 2.
And the vocabulary. Man. I'm a girl who loves words, so you'd think I'd appreciate this task of shoving vocab into my head in huge chunks. I can't say that I do. Ebullience. Impecunious. Inveigle. Redoubtable. Chary. How many of those words could you define?
I'm not really complaining. I'm mostly just expressing my difficulty in finding a focus good enough to help me excell on this exam I don't want to take - just like every other person getting ready to apply to graduate school this fall.
Oh, and the test is next Thursday, Nov. 2.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Facts and figures
A couple of weeks ago Claire requested that I share some stats to educate you all about the makeup of the homeless population. While I have to sheepishly admit that I don't know the national numbers, I can at least give you an idea of the situation here in Indy.
Approximately 15,000 will be homeless here this year.
The average length of homelessness = 7 months
The number one cause of homelessness = lack of affordable housing (the living wage and minimum wages simply don't match up).
One in four are veterans. Most are Vietnam-era. We're already seeing Iraq war veterans.
One in three are women.
The number one cause of homelessness in families is domestic violence.
People of all ages are homeless. One agency in town has a neonatal care unit for the homeless. The need for such a unit was shocking to me.
The average age of a homeless child in the U.S. is six.
On any given night, 3,000 to 3,500 people are homeless.
Night shelters don't have to accept overflow until the temperature reaches 32 degrees.
There's more. I could go on. But that's probably enough to digest for now.
Approximately 15,000 will be homeless here this year.
The average length of homelessness = 7 months
The number one cause of homelessness = lack of affordable housing (the living wage and minimum wages simply don't match up).
One in four are veterans. Most are Vietnam-era. We're already seeing Iraq war veterans.
One in three are women.
The number one cause of homelessness in families is domestic violence.
People of all ages are homeless. One agency in town has a neonatal care unit for the homeless. The need for such a unit was shocking to me.
The average age of a homeless child in the U.S. is six.
On any given night, 3,000 to 3,500 people are homeless.
Night shelters don't have to accept overflow until the temperature reaches 32 degrees.
There's more. I could go on. But that's probably enough to digest for now.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
For real this time
This weekend was so great. My mom came to visit Indy for the first time, and we were able to get a healthy mix of entertainment and relaxation stuffed into my four-day weekend. The highlights:
Visit to Great Aunt Pat's in Wheatfield, IN. It was a stinkin' long drive for a rather short visit, but I couldn't even remember the last time I'd seen her, so it was nice to catch up. Besides, my family is generally, well, detached. Any time I'm able to spend time with someone outside the immediate family, it's a treat.
The Apple Orchard. We headed out with a bunch of my VISTA friends to an orchard just outside of Indy. We threw apples at one another, ate them right off the tree, and played baseball with the apples. We also ate homemade apple butter, apple cider slushies, caramel apples, and more. Oh, and we took lots of pictures. You can see a small sampling of them here.
Retro store. Mom and I visited an "antique mall" in Fountain Square one morning that was three stories high! If I had more money, there wouldn't be much left in the store, that's for sure. It was all very cool retro stuff - the kind of stuff it would be fun to decorate with now. I got a spectacular purse out of the deal, and come on, when's the last time you heard ME call a purse spectacular?
The Mariachi. Maike, Mom, and I had dinner at Donato's Pizza one night and tried the Mariachi pizza. It was the most amazing concoction. It had tomato slices and jalepenos on top, along with a nice variety of spices and, get this, they served it with sour cream as a topper! I now have a new pizza favorite.
This weekend we'll be hosting another crop of guests - this time from Springfield and St. Louis. I wonder what adventures await us!
Visit to Great Aunt Pat's in Wheatfield, IN. It was a stinkin' long drive for a rather short visit, but I couldn't even remember the last time I'd seen her, so it was nice to catch up. Besides, my family is generally, well, detached. Any time I'm able to spend time with someone outside the immediate family, it's a treat.
The Apple Orchard. We headed out with a bunch of my VISTA friends to an orchard just outside of Indy. We threw apples at one another, ate them right off the tree, and played baseball with the apples. We also ate homemade apple butter, apple cider slushies, caramel apples, and more. Oh, and we took lots of pictures. You can see a small sampling of them here.
Retro store. Mom and I visited an "antique mall" in Fountain Square one morning that was three stories high! If I had more money, there wouldn't be much left in the store, that's for sure. It was all very cool retro stuff - the kind of stuff it would be fun to decorate with now. I got a spectacular purse out of the deal, and come on, when's the last time you heard ME call a purse spectacular?
The Mariachi. Maike, Mom, and I had dinner at Donato's Pizza one night and tried the Mariachi pizza. It was the most amazing concoction. It had tomato slices and jalepenos on top, along with a nice variety of spices and, get this, they served it with sour cream as a topper! I now have a new pizza favorite.
This weekend we'll be hosting another crop of guests - this time from Springfield and St. Louis. I wonder what adventures await us!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Quickly
It's been a long, but fun weekend, so I'll need more time than I have right now to do it justice. But I did want to tell you all that I've made something of a decision about my future. I am going to apply to M.A./Ph.D. programs in Rhetorical Criticism for next fall. I've picked out my schools, I've lined up the professors for recommendation letters, and I'm scheduled to take the GRE on November 2.
The explanation behind all of this would take awhile too, but I wanted to at least stop in and let you all know what's going on in my life.
More to come very soon.
The explanation behind all of this would take awhile too, but I wanted to at least stop in and let you all know what's going on in my life.
More to come very soon.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Indy News
Last night we watched the Indy news for the first time in awhile It was unbelievable. We laughed through almost the entire broadcast.
For example, a breaking news announcement showed a police officer running around downtown with a rifle. Someone had spotted two alligators loose DOWNTOWN! They've launched a full-out search for the gators, but to no avail so far.
Second, a story chronicling the ongoing Pacers saga made us laugh aloud. For those of you who don't know, several of the Pacers players ended up in a brawl in a strip club this weekend. One of players fired some shots in the parking lot right before being hit by car. The drama surrounding it in each news broadcast is never-ending. But here's the kicker - one of the suspects' names is "Fingers." Why is that? According the sheriff, "He's a very easily identifiable suspect because he has a development defect leaving him with severely shortened arms!" You're kidding me!
On a more serious note, I had a very cool experience last Thursday. Neubia, Maike, and I ended up at White Castle after salsa dancing. There we encountered a homeless woman. We bought her dinner and sat talking with her for at least an hour, learning her story, showing her we cared, directing her to services that could help. It was the first real interaction I'd had with a homeless neighbor outside the shelter, and it felt good. It felt good because all three of us have been so changed by this living/working experience that our responses were all of compassion. Together we showed real, tangible love to this woman. I hope she took our advice. I hope she didn't go back to her abuser. I hope that somehow our post-dancing dinner was life-changing for this woman. But even if it wasn't, the encounter illuminated for me the lessons I've learned in Indianapolis so far.
My friend Claire has suggested that I spend a post sharing some of the knowledge I've gained about homelessness soon. I think it's a good idea. Coming soon...
For example, a breaking news announcement showed a police officer running around downtown with a rifle. Someone had spotted two alligators loose DOWNTOWN! They've launched a full-out search for the gators, but to no avail so far.
Second, a story chronicling the ongoing Pacers saga made us laugh aloud. For those of you who don't know, several of the Pacers players ended up in a brawl in a strip club this weekend. One of players fired some shots in the parking lot right before being hit by car. The drama surrounding it in each news broadcast is never-ending. But here's the kicker - one of the suspects' names is "Fingers." Why is that? According the sheriff, "He's a very easily identifiable suspect because he has a development defect leaving him with severely shortened arms!" You're kidding me!
On a more serious note, I had a very cool experience last Thursday. Neubia, Maike, and I ended up at White Castle after salsa dancing. There we encountered a homeless woman. We bought her dinner and sat talking with her for at least an hour, learning her story, showing her we cared, directing her to services that could help. It was the first real interaction I'd had with a homeless neighbor outside the shelter, and it felt good. It felt good because all three of us have been so changed by this living/working experience that our responses were all of compassion. Together we showed real, tangible love to this woman. I hope she took our advice. I hope she didn't go back to her abuser. I hope that somehow our post-dancing dinner was life-changing for this woman. But even if it wasn't, the encounter illuminated for me the lessons I've learned in Indianapolis so far.
My friend Claire has suggested that I spend a post sharing some of the knowledge I've gained about homelessness soon. I think it's a good idea. Coming soon...
Monday, October 02, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a big deal.
Last night I was in a terrible mood and took it out on Maike. This morning I felt remorseful and left a note on the door that simply said "I'm sorry I was a jerk last night." I thought that would be the end of it.
But when I got home tonight I found a note of reply. It said, "Whit, I forgive you. Thanks for apologizing."
It meant a lot to read the "I forgive you." Reminded me of a certain flood of forgiveness I feel when I consider Jesus. But that's what the good friends are: Jesus in skin.
There is nothing more liberating than undeserved forgiveness.
Last night I was in a terrible mood and took it out on Maike. This morning I felt remorseful and left a note on the door that simply said "I'm sorry I was a jerk last night." I thought that would be the end of it.
But when I got home tonight I found a note of reply. It said, "Whit, I forgive you. Thanks for apologizing."
It meant a lot to read the "I forgive you." Reminded me of a certain flood of forgiveness I feel when I consider Jesus. But that's what the good friends are: Jesus in skin.
There is nothing more liberating than undeserved forgiveness.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Moments
Today I almost burst into tears at work. I had just come back from speaking to a corporate group on the 19th floor at AT & T downtown. A homeless man held the door for me, as usual, as I entered. But as he passed, he had a small carry-on suitcase in tow. It's probable that everything he owned in the world was in that small purple case. And that struck me. I hurt for him.
I kept my composure, but again it was a deep reminder of why I'm here.
Now, for a TOTAL change of subject.
This weekend we celebrated Neubia's birthday by having dinner at a great soul food restaurant, followed by more dancing. At the end of the evening, we had a moment straight out of a movie. Neubia got the heel of her shoe stuck in a street grate. When she tried to pull her foot out, she fell straight to the ground and took Maike with her. It was hilarious in a way I can't even describe, especially considering she had a chili dog in hand.
That night was the most fun I've had in months, and I thought I'd share some photos with you.
I kept my composure, but again it was a deep reminder of why I'm here.
Now, for a TOTAL change of subject.
This weekend we celebrated Neubia's birthday by having dinner at a great soul food restaurant, followed by more dancing. At the end of the evening, we had a moment straight out of a movie. Neubia got the heel of her shoe stuck in a street grate. When she tried to pull her foot out, she fell straight to the ground and took Maike with her. It was hilarious in a way I can't even describe, especially considering she had a chili dog in hand.
That night was the most fun I've had in months, and I thought I'd share some photos with you.
Friday, September 22, 2006
I have a social life!
Thanks for sticking around, faithful readers, even though I've been less than diligent about posting recently. It was nice to read your comments.
Now, about the title of this post. It's true! I think a social life might be appearing here, or at least a busier schedule. Last night, for example, I got off work, went to a hip hop dance class with Maike, came home to dinner guests (for whom I'd baked a homemade cheesecake the night before), then drove out to the airport to speak on behalf of United Way. When I got home, by the way, it was after midnight, and my roommates had locked me out with the chain, so I had to run around in the mud in my heels to get in through the back door.
This evening, a couple of VISTA friends from an organization across the street from mine came over for dinner, followed by an evening at the Jazz Kitchen, where I think we'll be salsa dancing almost every week from now on. It's spectacular.
I'm amazed by what a difference these kinds of interactions make for my moods. I love to be busy, I love to sit around and chat, and I LOVE to salsa. These kinds of things recharge me so I can enjoy my work even more and be more productive.
Tomorrow we're supposed to wear Colts memorabilia to work in support of this weekend's home game. You wouldn't believe this city's pride in its sports teams. Oh, man, I can't wait for basketball season!
Now, about the title of this post. It's true! I think a social life might be appearing here, or at least a busier schedule. Last night, for example, I got off work, went to a hip hop dance class with Maike, came home to dinner guests (for whom I'd baked a homemade cheesecake the night before), then drove out to the airport to speak on behalf of United Way. When I got home, by the way, it was after midnight, and my roommates had locked me out with the chain, so I had to run around in the mud in my heels to get in through the back door.
This evening, a couple of VISTA friends from an organization across the street from mine came over for dinner, followed by an evening at the Jazz Kitchen, where I think we'll be salsa dancing almost every week from now on. It's spectacular.
I'm amazed by what a difference these kinds of interactions make for my moods. I love to be busy, I love to sit around and chat, and I LOVE to salsa. These kinds of things recharge me so I can enjoy my work even more and be more productive.
Tomorrow we're supposed to wear Colts memorabilia to work in support of this weekend's home game. You wouldn't believe this city's pride in its sports teams. Oh, man, I can't wait for basketball season!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Shortest ever
This weekend I went on my shortest canoe trip ever. I'm pretty sure it lasted no more than 45 minutes. The water was high, the paddlin' was good, and the route was limited. But oh, I cannot tell you how good it was to get out of the city.
The concrete had started to close in on us all, and the fresh air and trees were such welcome solace from the work world. Even after our short stint on the water, we found a park and wandered around Lake Waveland for a bit. Our drive on the curvy country roads was so calming.
I miss you all, my readers. You don't comment anymore. Are you still paying attention?
The concrete had started to close in on us all, and the fresh air and trees were such welcome solace from the work world. Even after our short stint on the water, we found a park and wandered around Lake Waveland for a bit. Our drive on the curvy country roads was so calming.
I miss you all, my readers. You don't comment anymore. Are you still paying attention?
Friday, September 15, 2006
Hope
I listened to a 59 year-old woman tell a room full of strangers to "trust in the Lord" today. She'd been incarcerated five times in her life. But now she's out. She just completed a bachelor's degree two years ago. Next year she'll have a master's in social work. She's making some real changes.
Another man, a member of the day's panel of presenters, spoke of his seven college degrees. After an honorable discharge from the military, he had bright prospects. But his felony conviction for drug possession transformed him into a social outcast. Returning to society, he opted for higher education. Now he's an entrepreneur, a university researcher, and a motivational speaker.
A third story came from a boisterous woman who couldn't wait to tell us how she'd cleaned up. She was incarcerated seven times, yes, seven, and is currently unemployed. Still, instead of being discouraged, she gave a loud word of thanks to her ex-prison warden, who happened to be sitting at the next table. Her energy and faith are propelling her into a future of challenges, but she's finally determined to make it work.
Again, it's the stories that get to me. These people made some mistakes - some big ones. They'll be felons for the rest of their lives. They will always have trouble finding employment because of that history. Still, their lives have been transformed. Somebody loved them. Somebody served them. They have reason to hope.
Another man, a member of the day's panel of presenters, spoke of his seven college degrees. After an honorable discharge from the military, he had bright prospects. But his felony conviction for drug possession transformed him into a social outcast. Returning to society, he opted for higher education. Now he's an entrepreneur, a university researcher, and a motivational speaker.
A third story came from a boisterous woman who couldn't wait to tell us how she'd cleaned up. She was incarcerated seven times, yes, seven, and is currently unemployed. Still, instead of being discouraged, she gave a loud word of thanks to her ex-prison warden, who happened to be sitting at the next table. Her energy and faith are propelling her into a future of challenges, but she's finally determined to make it work.
Again, it's the stories that get to me. These people made some mistakes - some big ones. They'll be felons for the rest of their lives. They will always have trouble finding employment because of that history. Still, their lives have been transformed. Somebody loved them. Somebody served them. They have reason to hope.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
A photo update
Thought I'd post a few update photos for you. The first two are of the coffee table we finished yesterday. The legs are made of lacquered books, the top is made of wood and is modpodged with pages that came from within the books. The second set is from the Indy Greek Fest. Sorry they're hard to see, it was dark. Good food, though, and fun music.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Weekend thoughts
The homeless don't rest on the weekends. With only an hour and a half left in my Friday afternoon, I was so ready to be out of the office. I wanted to curl up with a book in some blankets, Diet Coke in hand. I wanted to head out on the town with my roommates and meet up with friends. But while I can look forward to an evening of fun or relaxation, a closing of agencies is the only mark of change for our homeless neighbors. My organization is open on the weekends, if for limited hours, but most of the support staff is at home, living their lives.
What must it be like to not have someplace to go, anywhere to be? What must it be like for the weekend to be no different than the weekdays? For a Diet Coke, a book, and a bed to be a combination of luxuries?
No matter how often I watch, or how many stories I hear, I cannot comprehend that life. Those that work for us now, having been homeless themselves, say we can't understand unless we've been there. I believe that.
What must it be like to not have someplace to go, anywhere to be? What must it be like for the weekend to be no different than the weekdays? For a Diet Coke, a book, and a bed to be a combination of luxuries?
No matter how often I watch, or how many stories I hear, I cannot comprehend that life. Those that work for us now, having been homeless themselves, say we can't understand unless we've been there. I believe that.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Not great
Most of my posts recently have been pretty positive, but I need to admit to you all that things have been really hard around here. One thing after another seems to go wrong, and it's hard to keep perspective sometimes. So, for those of you who do pray, I'd love it if you'd do so on behalf of my roommates and I. We're pretty much all struggling.
There is purpose in all of this, and this service is worth all the sacrifice, but it's difficult to keep myself convinced of that all the time.
Oh, but for those of you who were keeping close tabs on my paycheck situation - I finally got paid. Six weeks late, but I got paid. :)
There is purpose in all of this, and this service is worth all the sacrifice, but it's difficult to keep myself convinced of that all the time.
Oh, but for those of you who were keeping close tabs on my paycheck situation - I finally got paid. Six weeks late, but I got paid. :)
Monday, September 04, 2006
Labor Day weekend
My friends Bonni and Sara came for a visit this weekend. It felt so right to have them here - like we had the other half again. The moments we sat in the living room wrapped up in conversation were as great as the moments we spent doing exciting things downtown, further proof that life is in the people, not the stuff.
Friday night we went art walking. Some of the galleries here are absolutely amazing. We ended up in one warehouse building that had at least 12 different gallery spaces. My favorite was one on Mass Ave. that featured graffiti artists' political commentaries.
It was also the weekend for the Indy Fringe, a theatre festival, that added a lot of ambience to the downtown scene. There were all kinds of street performers, including some boys juggling flaming batons. We also stopped to watch a dance show that was happening in the middle of the street. Very cool.
On Saturday we watched the Labor Day parade and collected far more candy than a group of twentysomethings ought to. In the evening we went down to the White River and watched the city's fireworks display. It had the best grand finale I'd ever seen.
Sunday we devoted most of the day to a couple of art projects. Sara and Bonni painted a large piece to be displayed above the couch in our living room. It's gorgeous, and it's helped us establish a color scheme - the only room in the house with one. Maike and I have also decided to make a coffee table out of books. It's fabulous. There will be pictures.
Labor day was much more relaxed, with more work on the coffee table and a long evening's nap.
And now for another week's work...
Friday night we went art walking. Some of the galleries here are absolutely amazing. We ended up in one warehouse building that had at least 12 different gallery spaces. My favorite was one on Mass Ave. that featured graffiti artists' political commentaries.
It was also the weekend for the Indy Fringe, a theatre festival, that added a lot of ambience to the downtown scene. There were all kinds of street performers, including some boys juggling flaming batons. We also stopped to watch a dance show that was happening in the middle of the street. Very cool.
On Saturday we watched the Labor Day parade and collected far more candy than a group of twentysomethings ought to. In the evening we went down to the White River and watched the city's fireworks display. It had the best grand finale I'd ever seen.
Sunday we devoted most of the day to a couple of art projects. Sara and Bonni painted a large piece to be displayed above the couch in our living room. It's gorgeous, and it's helped us establish a color scheme - the only room in the house with one. Maike and I have also decided to make a coffee table out of books. It's fabulous. There will be pictures.
Labor day was much more relaxed, with more work on the coffee table and a long evening's nap.
And now for another week's work...
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Their stories
Today I went to visit a couple of halfway houses for men and women trying to kick their drug and alcohol addictions. As we walked through the facilities, I was unimpressed by my surroundings. Compared to the organization where I work, these houses were severely lacking. They didn't smell clean. Everything in them was old. In the men's home, everything was covered in the dingy yellow of years of cigarettes smoked. In the women's home, 18 women shared three bathrooms, one of which was out of order.
It would have been easy to pass judgement in these places. These are the homeless that we most often show disdain for - the folks who are constantly looking for their next fix, who take our money and merely pretend to be buying food. These are the folks that cause so many of us to want to dismiss the homeless as people who are getting what they deserve. And yet...
The man who gave our first tour shared his story of recovery. Having struggled with alcohol and drugs, he's been clean for five years, and now he's giving back by working at the halfway house, encouraging others in the 12-step program that changed his life. He humbly acknowledged that "nobody comes here because they're society's cream of the crop," including himself in the list of losers housed in the building. Then we came to the chapel. He explained the strong role spirituality holds in the program, and nearly cried as he told us about how God saw it fit to provide him with a son after he finally cleaned up. He doesn't want the little guy to turn out like his father.
The woman taking us through the second house told us about how she'd learned to admit she was a "regular Irish drunk." Sheepishly, she explained how she'd lost everything, been rescued by this facility, and was now working to stay sober and help other women do the same.
These are the stories I told you all I wanted to learn. Those of the Toms, Johns, Katies, Carols, Lucys. These are real people who've made real mistakes. But these real people would never have had hope of recovery without someone's reaching out. The fact of the matter is that no matter how they become homeless, no matter how many drugs they take, no matter how innocent their circumstances, the homeless need our help. One person at a time. Face to face. Hands up, not hand outs.
It would have been easy to pass judgement in these places. These are the homeless that we most often show disdain for - the folks who are constantly looking for their next fix, who take our money and merely pretend to be buying food. These are the folks that cause so many of us to want to dismiss the homeless as people who are getting what they deserve. And yet...
The man who gave our first tour shared his story of recovery. Having struggled with alcohol and drugs, he's been clean for five years, and now he's giving back by working at the halfway house, encouraging others in the 12-step program that changed his life. He humbly acknowledged that "nobody comes here because they're society's cream of the crop," including himself in the list of losers housed in the building. Then we came to the chapel. He explained the strong role spirituality holds in the program, and nearly cried as he told us about how God saw it fit to provide him with a son after he finally cleaned up. He doesn't want the little guy to turn out like his father.
The woman taking us through the second house told us about how she'd learned to admit she was a "regular Irish drunk." Sheepishly, she explained how she'd lost everything, been rescued by this facility, and was now working to stay sober and help other women do the same.
These are the stories I told you all I wanted to learn. Those of the Toms, Johns, Katies, Carols, Lucys. These are real people who've made real mistakes. But these real people would never have had hope of recovery without someone's reaching out. The fact of the matter is that no matter how they become homeless, no matter how many drugs they take, no matter how innocent their circumstances, the homeless need our help. One person at a time. Face to face. Hands up, not hand outs.
...
"Into the hovels of the poor,
Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks:
'I've had enough; I'm on my way
To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched.'"
from Psalm 12, The Message
Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks:
'I've had enough; I'm on my way
To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched.'"
from Psalm 12, The Message
Monday, August 28, 2006
The big event
Last night was a night to remember. It was the evening of my organization's annual fundraiser. Out at the Indianapolis Colts Pavilion, I met several of the players and had them all autograph the back of my Tackling Homelessness shirt - a really cool, personal memento. There was BBQ, a live and silent auction, and all kinds of fun mingling.
Still, I nearly cried several times throughout the evening. I was amazed by the generosity of the folks attending the event, and by the faiths of some of the players. Somebody paid $400 for one of the players to sing a song he had written called "I Run to You" and it was all about Jesus. That was a teary moment for me. Another one was during the testimony of a woman who told us about how she became homeless and lost her husband and son in the process, but through Horizon House and our partnership with a company called Herff Jones, she became housed, cleaned up her drug habit, and has a full-time permanent job. She also has her son back. My third teary moment was as I watched one of our board members who had been homeless and received services from us. He still doesn't have much money, but he's constantly giving back - financially and with his presence and voice. As I thought about him I realized that makes him a hero in my book, and it reminded me that God can turn even our most desperate circumstances into something truly amazing. We doubled our funds raised this year from last year, and the even was just a lot of fun. I'm so privileged to have been able to attend.
You can see photos from the event here.
Still, I nearly cried several times throughout the evening. I was amazed by the generosity of the folks attending the event, and by the faiths of some of the players. Somebody paid $400 for one of the players to sing a song he had written called "I Run to You" and it was all about Jesus. That was a teary moment for me. Another one was during the testimony of a woman who told us about how she became homeless and lost her husband and son in the process, but through Horizon House and our partnership with a company called Herff Jones, she became housed, cleaned up her drug habit, and has a full-time permanent job. She also has her son back. My third teary moment was as I watched one of our board members who had been homeless and received services from us. He still doesn't have much money, but he's constantly giving back - financially and with his presence and voice. As I thought about him I realized that makes him a hero in my book, and it reminded me that God can turn even our most desperate circumstances into something truly amazing. We doubled our funds raised this year from last year, and the even was just a lot of fun. I'm so privileged to have been able to attend.
You can see photos from the event here.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
What a weekend!
After a challenging week at work, I was ready for some time off. Since I'm working a split shift today, it was a shortened weekend, but fabulous nonetheless.
Friday night Maike, Neubia, and I went to Fountain Square for an evening of swing dancing. The ballroom was gorgeous - old, 1920s/30s decor, high ceilings, yellow-bulbed marquee. There was a live band, too. It was mostly swing, but they'd throw in a few other tunes along the way. There was a rumba and the cha cha, at least. And, did you know there's such a thing as a swing line dance? I sure didn't, and I'm not sure I'll ever master it. It looks complicated because it doesn't ever repeat itself. Oh, and they did the Charleston, too. I have got to learn that!
I still prefer salsa, but this swing night was a welcome re-entry into the world of dance.
Then, yesterday, Maike and I decided to go check out the garage sales. We went out to find a coffee table or bookshelves. We came back with a dishwasher. Yep, that's right. A dishwasher.
This thing is portable, the kind you hook up into your sink. We figure, shoot, we've got washer-dryer connections we're not using, we HATE to do dishes, and we had to spend $35 for this major appliance. Well, of course, nothing ever goes quite as planned with us. The machine needed a bunch of cleaning and some repairs. We couldn't get it to fill up with water. Then we couldn't get it to drain. We took it apart, spending six or seven hours fixing hoses, screwing and unscrewing, cleaning, etc. We made friends with the plumbing specialist at the local hardware store. We had my dad on the phone. It was quite an ordeal. Maike sprayed herself in the face with water in one of the hoses. My hands were burning from all the chemicals we had to use. BUT, I'll have you know, after all of that we have a dishwasher, and it works! Now, that's do-it-yourself!
Tonight's the big event with the Colts. I'll tell you more about it later this week!
Friday night Maike, Neubia, and I went to Fountain Square for an evening of swing dancing. The ballroom was gorgeous - old, 1920s/30s decor, high ceilings, yellow-bulbed marquee. There was a live band, too. It was mostly swing, but they'd throw in a few other tunes along the way. There was a rumba and the cha cha, at least. And, did you know there's such a thing as a swing line dance? I sure didn't, and I'm not sure I'll ever master it. It looks complicated because it doesn't ever repeat itself. Oh, and they did the Charleston, too. I have got to learn that!
I still prefer salsa, but this swing night was a welcome re-entry into the world of dance.
Then, yesterday, Maike and I decided to go check out the garage sales. We went out to find a coffee table or bookshelves. We came back with a dishwasher. Yep, that's right. A dishwasher.
This thing is portable, the kind you hook up into your sink. We figure, shoot, we've got washer-dryer connections we're not using, we HATE to do dishes, and we had to spend $35 for this major appliance. Well, of course, nothing ever goes quite as planned with us. The machine needed a bunch of cleaning and some repairs. We couldn't get it to fill up with water. Then we couldn't get it to drain. We took it apart, spending six or seven hours fixing hoses, screwing and unscrewing, cleaning, etc. We made friends with the plumbing specialist at the local hardware store. We had my dad on the phone. It was quite an ordeal. Maike sprayed herself in the face with water in one of the hoses. My hands were burning from all the chemicals we had to use. BUT, I'll have you know, after all of that we have a dishwasher, and it works! Now, that's do-it-yourself!
Tonight's the big event with the Colts. I'll tell you more about it later this week!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Take me out to the ball game
Hey! I finally remembered to bring a camera!
On Monday night my boss gave me free tickets to an Indianapolis Indians game. They're a AAA baseball team, much like the Springfield Cardinals or Wichita Wranglers. Apparently they're pretty good - top of their league, or something. Either way it made for an entertaining evening. Hope you enjoy the photos!
1. Me and Dmitri. He waited in line for like 45 minutes for two hotdogs. It was dollar concession night.
2. The roomies. They spent all night figuring out how to "catch" an Indian.
3. And, of course, a larger view of Victory Field.
On Monday night my boss gave me free tickets to an Indianapolis Indians game. They're a AAA baseball team, much like the Springfield Cardinals or Wichita Wranglers. Apparently they're pretty good - top of their league, or something. Either way it made for an entertaining evening. Hope you enjoy the photos!
1. Me and Dmitri. He waited in line for like 45 minutes for two hotdogs. It was dollar concession night.
2. The roomies. They spent all night figuring out how to "catch" an Indian.
3. And, of course, a larger view of Victory Field.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
If only we'd had a camera...
Today Maike bought a 5 shelf bookcase. It's beautiful, a fabulous piece of furniture. However, there were three of us there, a box that's taller than me, and my Corolla. Oh, and the kitchen-sized trash can we'd just purchased. I wish I could accurately depict the scene for you all of our trying to stuff all of those elements into the compact car. I wish someone had filmed it. Use your imaginations, and know that if you'd been there, you'd have been doubled over in laughter.
We had quite a social afternoon, having met up with some new friends at church for lunch. We now have swing dancing plans for next weekend, and there's going to be a giant theater festival in town, so it's looking to be a good time. AND, the big fundraiser with the Colts is next Sunday. I'm getting so excited about it, and we've been watching the pre-season games a bit so we're "knowledgeable" when we meet the players.
We had quite a social afternoon, having met up with some new friends at church for lunch. We now have swing dancing plans for next weekend, and there's going to be a giant theater festival in town, so it's looking to be a good time. AND, the big fundraiser with the Colts is next Sunday. I'm getting so excited about it, and we've been watching the pre-season games a bit so we're "knowledgeable" when we meet the players.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
More adventure
Last night my two roommates and I headed out to the west side of town to meet up with some boys to play pool. Roommate #1 had met the boys at work. Roommate #2 and I were not impressed. We were in a sketchy bowling alley with sketchy boys in a sketchy billards room. Not ideal for a Thursday night's entertainment. At one point, one of the boys called for "a blade" and the other tossed a sheathed knife through the air to him across the room. As if that weren't bad enough, they at some point decided the Latino men at the pool table in the corner were a threat to "their" women. Good grief! The racial slurs were flying, despite our protests, and it looked like there might be some kind of throwdown - so we walked out. No goodbyes, no apologies. I'm not going to hang out with folks who call Latino men "spics" and "hambres." (By the way, hambre means hungry). Welcome to West Washington Street.
Tonight was much better. We drove out to Fountain Square for a free outdoor film. They showed E.T., which I hadn't seen since childhood, and tons of families were camped out for the evening in this neat neighborhood's empty parking lot. There were even television cameras there to capture the festivities. We had a blast, it was free, and there were no threats of violence. Now that's my kind of evening.
Tonight was much better. We drove out to Fountain Square for a free outdoor film. They showed E.T., which I hadn't seen since childhood, and tons of families were camped out for the evening in this neat neighborhood's empty parking lot. There were even television cameras there to capture the festivities. We had a blast, it was free, and there were no threats of violence. Now that's my kind of evening.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
My prejudice
Sometimes I think I'm prejudiced against the rich. Seriously. I see people with tons of money and I get so frustrated with them. I ruthlessly judge them, assuming they just aren't giving enough or that they don't care about the poor.
But I came to a realization yesterday that those are pretty flawed thoughts. I don't really want everyone to be poor. I just want everyone to CARE about the poor. Making the rich live like paupers doesn't necessarily solve the problem of poverty.
That said, I do think the rich need to care more about the poor. I especially believe that Christians have a responsibility to take care of them (see my last post). It wouldn't hurt any of us to live with a little less so that others could have more.
But I came to a realization yesterday that those are pretty flawed thoughts. I don't really want everyone to be poor. I just want everyone to CARE about the poor. Making the rich live like paupers doesn't necessarily solve the problem of poverty.
That said, I do think the rich need to care more about the poor. I especially believe that Christians have a responsibility to take care of them (see my last post). It wouldn't hurt any of us to live with a little less so that others could have more.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Wise woman
"The poor do not need our compassion or our pity; they need our help." -Mother Teresa
Pretty great, huh?
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Fair
Yesterday my roommate and I went to the Indiana State Fair. Parking was RI-diculous, but once we were in, it was worth it. We visited all of the display buildings, ate fried fair fare, and did a TON of people watching. Seriously, Hoosiers are some of the most entertaining people on the planet to watch. I can't even begin to describe some of the things we saw.
Tonight I'm headed off to see a drive-in movie with some friends. I don't know what we're seeing, but I'm excited to be getting out again, and I already have more social plans for next week. Things sure are picking up around here!
I'll be sure to write more next week. Sorry for the short post!
Tonight I'm headed off to see a drive-in movie with some friends. I don't know what we're seeing, but I'm excited to be getting out again, and I already have more social plans for next week. Things sure are picking up around here!
I'll be sure to write more next week. Sorry for the short post!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
An Imperfect Duty
Before I left Springfield to embark upon this journey into the non-profit world, my friend Katie warned me that I was headed into an "imperfect duty." Homelessness cannot ever truly be ended. It's just not going to happen. The world will always have poor people. There will always be people who have no one to care about them or for them. There will always be starvation, and there will always be hurt. So why bother?
It's an issue of forests and trees, my friends. Sure, we cannot end homelessness altogether in our nation. The problem is too complex, the solutions too uncertain. But we can empower people, one by one, to improve their situations and find better lives. We can shelter them, feed them, love them as they come.
One of the major implications of homelessness is social isolation. I don't even like to sit in a restaurant and dine by myself. I cannot imagine a world in which people passed me by en masse without even acknowledging my presence. Yet this is the daily experience of our neighbors. One of the things I love about my organization is that policy of referring to everyone who comes through our doors as "neighbors." We believe that our homeless neighbors need to be acknowledged as individuals, that it's important to look them in their eyes and speak to them as though they matter. It's not enough to provide services, we must provide them with dignity and respect to truly empower them to succeed.
I will admit that my working tendency is to see the tasks before I see the people. But I think the individuals matter more than the statistics. I want to love like that, anyway. I want to learn the stories of Frank and Will and Julie and Carol. I want to meet them where they are - homeless or housed. Loving people, in the end, is itself an imperfect duty. We can never do it enough.
It's an issue of forests and trees, my friends. Sure, we cannot end homelessness altogether in our nation. The problem is too complex, the solutions too uncertain. But we can empower people, one by one, to improve their situations and find better lives. We can shelter them, feed them, love them as they come.
One of the major implications of homelessness is social isolation. I don't even like to sit in a restaurant and dine by myself. I cannot imagine a world in which people passed me by en masse without even acknowledging my presence. Yet this is the daily experience of our neighbors. One of the things I love about my organization is that policy of referring to everyone who comes through our doors as "neighbors." We believe that our homeless neighbors need to be acknowledged as individuals, that it's important to look them in their eyes and speak to them as though they matter. It's not enough to provide services, we must provide them with dignity and respect to truly empower them to succeed.
I will admit that my working tendency is to see the tasks before I see the people. But I think the individuals matter more than the statistics. I want to love like that, anyway. I want to learn the stories of Frank and Will and Julie and Carol. I want to meet them where they are - homeless or housed. Loving people, in the end, is itself an imperfect duty. We can never do it enough.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
United Way
Today I went through a day-long training at United Way of Central Indiana. I am slated to be a torchbearer for them, representing my organization across the city of Indianapolis during the 2006 United Way campaign. Though I'll admit it was a LONG day, I learned a lot more than I'd ever known about United Way before. Sure, I'd heard of it, but I never knew what it did, exactly. Now I even have it's mission statement and basic principles memorized! In the afternoon, some consultants/facilitators from DaleCarnegie, a company that helps others improve their public speaking, helped us piece together and practice our speeches. The experience reminded me how much I love public speaking and working with groups. It then, of course, made me wonder about exactly what I want my career to be. I still wish I could figure out where I'm headed. But God so often tends to reveal just one step at a time. :)
On another interesting note, football season is starting up, which means Indianapolis airwaves are crowded with publicity and media coverage of the Colts. I've recently discovered that one of the Colts who will be involved in our upcoming fundraiser has a band. He and another guy do a Christian acoustic rock thing. I was skeptical at first, but after taking a listen at their MySpace page, I'm actually pretty impressed. Football player and musician. Incredible.
And as a final bulletin, Indianapolis has become kind of a dangerous place lately. There have been 13 homicides in the last week. This makes their year-long total seem exorbitantly high to me, but I don't really have anything to compare the statistics to. I've never really lived anywhere this large before for more than a couple of months. There are police ALL OVER THE PLACE in response to this new toll. I don't particularly feel unsafe - most of the deaths aren't random, and I don't think I've had the opportunity to tick anyone off that badly yet - but the numbers are disconcerting all the same.
On another interesting note, football season is starting up, which means Indianapolis airwaves are crowded with publicity and media coverage of the Colts. I've recently discovered that one of the Colts who will be involved in our upcoming fundraiser has a band. He and another guy do a Christian acoustic rock thing. I was skeptical at first, but after taking a listen at their MySpace page, I'm actually pretty impressed. Football player and musician. Incredible.
And as a final bulletin, Indianapolis has become kind of a dangerous place lately. There have been 13 homicides in the last week. This makes their year-long total seem exorbitantly high to me, but I don't really have anything to compare the statistics to. I've never really lived anywhere this large before for more than a couple of months. There are police ALL OVER THE PLACE in response to this new toll. I don't particularly feel unsafe - most of the deaths aren't random, and I don't think I've had the opportunity to tick anyone off that badly yet - but the numbers are disconcerting all the same.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
The news, again
Unbelievable. I told you that Indianapolis had the most fascinating news stories:
The Penguins
Oh, and my media kit came back approved today. Hooray! Not too bad for the first week's work, huh?
The Penguins
Oh, and my media kit came back approved today. Hooray! Not too bad for the first week's work, huh?
Monday, August 07, 2006
Explorations
My third roommate, and best friend, finally moved in this weekend. The townhouse was all aflutter with activity. Her parents and my friend Jason came along for the festivities, so there were six of us under one roof for most of the weekend. After living by myself for weeks, this was such a welcome change!
On Saturday we spent most of the day wandering along the canal walk in downtown Indy. We visited a couple of museums, watched the paddle boats float by, and dropped in on a dog fair. They have gondolas in the canal, too. It's $75 a ride, though, so it appears my only chance at a gondolier's serenade is to make one fall in love with me! In the evening, we celebrated the final move-in with dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. Fantastic.
Sunday, after church, we went to Broad Ripple, a neighborhood people continually compare to DC's Georgetown. I wasn't nearly as impressed with Broad Ripple as I was with Georgetown, but it does look like a great place to spend an evening. There are all sorts of neat restaurants and art galleries. After our visit, Jason made dinner for the girls and we spent the evening laughing, talking, and playing games.
Today I had the opportunity to sit down with my boss and run over all the work I've completed in my first week on the job. So far, so good. I'm given such freedom to run with my ideas. I've never experienced anything like this, and I'm not sure what I think about that freedom yet, but it is certainly grounds for experimentation. I'll keep you posted. ;)
On Saturday we spent most of the day wandering along the canal walk in downtown Indy. We visited a couple of museums, watched the paddle boats float by, and dropped in on a dog fair. They have gondolas in the canal, too. It's $75 a ride, though, so it appears my only chance at a gondolier's serenade is to make one fall in love with me! In the evening, we celebrated the final move-in with dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. Fantastic.
Sunday, after church, we went to Broad Ripple, a neighborhood people continually compare to DC's Georgetown. I wasn't nearly as impressed with Broad Ripple as I was with Georgetown, but it does look like a great place to spend an evening. There are all sorts of neat restaurants and art galleries. After our visit, Jason made dinner for the girls and we spent the evening laughing, talking, and playing games.
Today I had the opportunity to sit down with my boss and run over all the work I've completed in my first week on the job. So far, so good. I'm given such freedom to run with my ideas. I've never experienced anything like this, and I'm not sure what I think about that freedom yet, but it is certainly grounds for experimentation. I'll keep you posted. ;)
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Better than critical thinking
At AmeriCorps orientation in Chicago, the trainers often spoke of "opportunity thinking." This term simply implies forward-looking, paradigm-shifting thought; instead of the problem-solution framework of critical thinking, opportunity thinking embraces what we could do, what possibilities exist beyond the status quo or "normal" solutions. I find myself using opportunity thinking everyday in my new position.
I am the only person at the shelter who has any experience with public relations work. This is sad, because I have never even taken a course in PR. I've just watched in a couple of internships, and written a press release or two. Because of my lack of experience, I find myself seeking the expertise of my friends and advisors in the field, and I find myself thinking, "what could I do that would be different?" In what ways could I make my organization distinctive to the press and in the community?
My position is also much more self-guided than I had imagined. I've been given a year-long work plan, and on Monday they just told me to get started on it. There's no list of priorities, no guidance as to how I will acheive these goals. I'm just to do it. In some ways, I like the independence that offers me. In other ways, I know I'll have to be careful to seek out the input of others if I really want to be successful. Clearly, I don't know it all. And creativity is sparked in conversation more often than in the silence of my own thoughts.
****
Today was filled with a couple of new, fun experiences. For lunch, I went with some of the VISTA crew to a place called Yats. It's a cute, kind of artsy Cajun place that has inexpensive lunches. Oh, man, soooo good. I will be going back.
This evening I went with a couple of friends to a play at the Phoenix Theater downtown. It was definitely a mother-daughter coming of age story, and I'm a little tired of those, in general, but the set and the acting were both well done, and the whole experience only cost us in canned goods. Afterwards we trekked down to the local Starbucks for some free coffee and good conversation, which I have missed so desperately in my transition to Indy. All in all, it was a good day. And I only spent $4. :)
I am the only person at the shelter who has any experience with public relations work. This is sad, because I have never even taken a course in PR. I've just watched in a couple of internships, and written a press release or two. Because of my lack of experience, I find myself seeking the expertise of my friends and advisors in the field, and I find myself thinking, "what could I do that would be different?" In what ways could I make my organization distinctive to the press and in the community?
My position is also much more self-guided than I had imagined. I've been given a year-long work plan, and on Monday they just told me to get started on it. There's no list of priorities, no guidance as to how I will acheive these goals. I'm just to do it. In some ways, I like the independence that offers me. In other ways, I know I'll have to be careful to seek out the input of others if I really want to be successful. Clearly, I don't know it all. And creativity is sparked in conversation more often than in the silence of my own thoughts.
****
Today was filled with a couple of new, fun experiences. For lunch, I went with some of the VISTA crew to a place called Yats. It's a cute, kind of artsy Cajun place that has inexpensive lunches. Oh, man, soooo good. I will be going back.
This evening I went with a couple of friends to a play at the Phoenix Theater downtown. It was definitely a mother-daughter coming of age story, and I'm a little tired of those, in general, but the set and the acting were both well done, and the whole experience only cost us in canned goods. Afterwards we trekked down to the local Starbucks for some free coffee and good conversation, which I have missed so desperately in my transition to Indy. All in all, it was a good day. And I only spent $4. :)
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Pictures
I have now had several demands for pictures.
Well, I demand to know what exactly you want pictures of!
Well, I demand to know what exactly you want pictures of!
Monday, July 31, 2006
Odd
Today I saw a man driving down the road in a humvee with a giant stuffed Tweety bird buckled into the passenger seat. The top wasn't on the vehicle, and both Tweety and the driver had their hair blowing in the wind. Indianapolis is a strange place.
My roommate and I joke that watching the Indy news is pure entertainment. The most bizarre stories appear each night. From a local sniper to skydivers who died in a plane crash (where were their parachutes?!) to a reporter dumpster diving behind pharmacies, there is never a dull moment. Wonder what will be on tonight...
My roommate and I joke that watching the Indy news is pure entertainment. The most bizarre stories appear each night. From a local sniper to skydivers who died in a plane crash (where were their parachutes?!) to a reporter dumpster diving behind pharmacies, there is never a dull moment. Wonder what will be on tonight...
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Now for the adventure
Today my roommate and I decided to spend some time getting a little culture. We headed downtown to the African Community Festival and enjoyed an afternoon of fine singing, dancing, and comedy. It was GRRReat!
The first group we watched was composed of men from Cameroon and Kenya. They played a vast collection of African drums, sang, and danced. My favorite of the performances was when one of the drummers declared, "African man...is a romantic man. We do everything 1oo%." This was followed by a male belly dancer and some pretty hilarious lyrics.
The second group, however, was my downfall. This amazingly talented group of dancers from Nigeria showcased all kinds of great moves. It was so much better than anything on So You Think You Can Dance. But I was sitting on the front row. When one of the guys was in the middle of a solo performance, he pulled me out of the audience to dance with him. Just him, and me. Let me just emphasize that I couldn't have been more conspicuous anyway. I was one of only about 5 white people at the festival. AND, in an effort to stay cool and comfortable, I was dressed in my Batman t-shirt, some athletic shorts, and tennis shoes. Everyone else was either in traditional African garb or a nice skirt. But I was the one on stage.
I figured, shoot, I don't know anyone else here - I might as well go for it! So I danced like crazy to cheers from the audience and sat down with a huge smile on my face. Man, I have GOT to go to Africa.
And so my adventures begin.
The first group we watched was composed of men from Cameroon and Kenya. They played a vast collection of African drums, sang, and danced. My favorite of the performances was when one of the drummers declared, "African man...is a romantic man. We do everything 1oo%." This was followed by a male belly dancer and some pretty hilarious lyrics.
The second group, however, was my downfall. This amazingly talented group of dancers from Nigeria showcased all kinds of great moves. It was so much better than anything on So You Think You Can Dance. But I was sitting on the front row. When one of the guys was in the middle of a solo performance, he pulled me out of the audience to dance with him. Just him, and me. Let me just emphasize that I couldn't have been more conspicuous anyway. I was one of only about 5 white people at the festival. AND, in an effort to stay cool and comfortable, I was dressed in my Batman t-shirt, some athletic shorts, and tennis shoes. Everyone else was either in traditional African garb or a nice skirt. But I was the one on stage.
I figured, shoot, I don't know anyone else here - I might as well go for it! So I danced like crazy to cheers from the audience and sat down with a huge smile on my face. Man, I have GOT to go to Africa.
And so my adventures begin.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Spectacular
I'm now in day three of on-site training, and I couldn't be happier with it. Each day I work with this organization, I believe more fully in its mission, in its philosophy, and in its ability to get things done. I am meant to be here. I can represent these people well.
Most of my excitement has come simply from the discussions and explanations about the organization's plan to tackle local problems of homelessness and poverty. But today I got to experience the people they help on a more personal level. I had face to face conversations with people who are getting the help they need. One man had me listening to this mixed CD he was jammin' to. We bonded over his random outburst of dancing to "Tutti Frutti." Another man shared some of his frustrations about the system with me, but seemed so hopeful on his mission to find housing.
I've met so many staff members and volunteers that are passionate about loving on the poor. I love to be around people like that. I think I even found a local to go art walking with this month.
Despite the lessons and struggles I've told you all about, I cannot tell you how firmly I believe that I am supposed to be here, now. I stayed late tonight, just to chat. It's nice to be there. I can't wait to go back tomorrow. That's a darn good sign.
Most of my excitement has come simply from the discussions and explanations about the organization's plan to tackle local problems of homelessness and poverty. But today I got to experience the people they help on a more personal level. I had face to face conversations with people who are getting the help they need. One man had me listening to this mixed CD he was jammin' to. We bonded over his random outburst of dancing to "Tutti Frutti." Another man shared some of his frustrations about the system with me, but seemed so hopeful on his mission to find housing.
I've met so many staff members and volunteers that are passionate about loving on the poor. I love to be around people like that. I think I even found a local to go art walking with this month.
Despite the lessons and struggles I've told you all about, I cannot tell you how firmly I believe that I am supposed to be here, now. I stayed late tonight, just to chat. It's nice to be there. I can't wait to go back tomorrow. That's a darn good sign.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Day one
Today was not your ordinary start to a new job. Instead of walking around the office for a tour, I walked for hours around downtown Indy searching for resources for the homeless.
They called this activity "Walk a Mile in your Neighbor's Shoes." We teamed up with a youth group that had come on a mission trip and ran around from government buildings to service agencies to hospitals, universities, and more. We were not allowed to use any money of our own, and we had been asked to leave all cell phones and personal belongings at the shelter. By day's end, we all had sore feet and were absolutely exhausted. I loved it.
There were several major benefits to the activity. First, it acquainted me really well with a large number of agencies and services I could be working with. Second, it significantly improved my understanding of the geography downtown. Third, it developed within all of us a deeper sense of empathy for the city's homeless population. It was difficult enough for us to complete all our tasks, and we didn't even have to fill out all the paperwork. On top of that, we had at least a list of paperwork that would be helpful to us. Most homeless men and women do not even have that luxury.
Still, at the end of the day, I had a home to come back to. And a roommate to process the experience with. And dinner, when I wanted it.
They called this activity "Walk a Mile in your Neighbor's Shoes." We teamed up with a youth group that had come on a mission trip and ran around from government buildings to service agencies to hospitals, universities, and more. We were not allowed to use any money of our own, and we had been asked to leave all cell phones and personal belongings at the shelter. By day's end, we all had sore feet and were absolutely exhausted. I loved it.
There were several major benefits to the activity. First, it acquainted me really well with a large number of agencies and services I could be working with. Second, it significantly improved my understanding of the geography downtown. Third, it developed within all of us a deeper sense of empathy for the city's homeless population. It was difficult enough for us to complete all our tasks, and we didn't even have to fill out all the paperwork. On top of that, we had at least a list of paperwork that would be helpful to us. Most homeless men and women do not even have that luxury.
Still, at the end of the day, I had a home to come back to. And a roommate to process the experience with. And dinner, when I wanted it.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Food Stamps
As a high schooler, if someone had told me that my first year out of college I'd be sitting in line for food stamps, I would have laughed in his face. Not me, never. But this week, that's exactly what happened.
It was hard. So much harder than I'd imagined. I'm doing a year of service, so it's not like I'm actually poor, right? Right? As I stood in that line downtown, I wanted to yell "I don't belong here!" or explain to any onlookers that "I'm not one of them!" I wanted to explain. I wanted to disappear.
I can't help but think that everyone else in the line that day had experienced those emotions at some point. Many of them looked like they had gotten used to the system. They hung their heads and quietly walked through the motions that had become so familiar. Some seemed just as new as me.
I was ashamed to be there. And I was ashamed of my shame. But I am grateful to have experienced that shame in my journey toward better understanding the American poor. In fact, despite the fact that I still feel very privileged, I find that I have become one of "them."
I don't know if I'll even end up using those food stamps. For now, I'm going to try to live without them. Over and over again, in my orientation, I heard the phrase, "we're all just one paycheck away from poverty." I'm beginning to understand that like never before.
P.S. - Because my posts are so introspective, I fear they may convey a very dismal picture of my new life here in Indy. I am not desperate. I am not wanting for anything. I am simply learning. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you.
It was hard. So much harder than I'd imagined. I'm doing a year of service, so it's not like I'm actually poor, right? Right? As I stood in that line downtown, I wanted to yell "I don't belong here!" or explain to any onlookers that "I'm not one of them!" I wanted to explain. I wanted to disappear.
I can't help but think that everyone else in the line that day had experienced those emotions at some point. Many of them looked like they had gotten used to the system. They hung their heads and quietly walked through the motions that had become so familiar. Some seemed just as new as me.
I was ashamed to be there. And I was ashamed of my shame. But I am grateful to have experienced that shame in my journey toward better understanding the American poor. In fact, despite the fact that I still feel very privileged, I find that I have become one of "them."
I don't know if I'll even end up using those food stamps. For now, I'm going to try to live without them. Over and over again, in my orientation, I heard the phrase, "we're all just one paycheck away from poverty." I'm beginning to understand that like never before.
P.S. - Because my posts are so introspective, I fear they may convey a very dismal picture of my new life here in Indy. I am not desperate. I am not wanting for anything. I am simply learning. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Just for fun
Last night I walked outside to throw my trash in the dumpster. While I was out there, this pickup truck started driving toward me with flashing lights. Curious, I leaned in closer to read its side. "Mosquito Control," it said. I only had a moment to wonder what that meant as it rounded the bend and started spewing chemicals out into the air as it drove. A thick, visible mist poured out of this spout that looked like a tornado siren. I feel like that must have been unhealthy for the boy following behind on his bicycle.
Also, I finally convinced myself to check out the apartment complex's pool yesterday. It was lovely, but I apparently did not take off my shorts in time. I have a RIDICULOUS tan line now that may prohibit me from enjoying the pool again for awhile.
There's more to say, on a more serious note, but I'm still searching for words.
Also, I finally convinced myself to check out the apartment complex's pool yesterday. It was lovely, but I apparently did not take off my shorts in time. I have a RIDICULOUS tan line now that may prohibit me from enjoying the pool again for awhile.
There's more to say, on a more serious note, but I'm still searching for words.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Contemplation
I can't sleep tonight. It's 1:30, and while I'm not exactly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I can't seem to end this day. So I thought I would share some of it with you all.
It amazes me how much I have learned through this experience already, despite the fact that I haven't actually started my year of service. Solitude causes me to become contemplative, but I think it's more than that. I think it's my complete change of environment.
I am living in a neighborhood where I am a racial minority. And no one who lives around here has any great sum of money. There are lots of liquor stores and there are visible security guards in the Dollar General and Kroger stores. My car is one of the nicest cars in the lot, and not all four of its doors open.
This environment has brought to light in me a number of assumptions I hold about the lower class in America. And it's made me aware of what I really think of myself.
This Sunday I went to church in a nice area of Indianapolis. The houses were beautiful - neatly manicured lawns, "for sale" signs instead of "for rent" signs, etc. But the church, while filled with neat, white, beautiful people, was not at all fulfilling. I left there wondering what all the fuss was about. On the previous Sunday, I'd gone to a racially diverse church near my home that was held in an office building. The people showed up in t-shirts, shorts, and tennis shoes. And the worship experience was incredible. I left there having truly experienced God.
In the coming year, I cannot imagine what other lessons must be in store.
It amazes me how much I have learned through this experience already, despite the fact that I haven't actually started my year of service. Solitude causes me to become contemplative, but I think it's more than that. I think it's my complete change of environment.
I am living in a neighborhood where I am a racial minority. And no one who lives around here has any great sum of money. There are lots of liquor stores and there are visible security guards in the Dollar General and Kroger stores. My car is one of the nicest cars in the lot, and not all four of its doors open.
This environment has brought to light in me a number of assumptions I hold about the lower class in America. And it's made me aware of what I really think of myself.
This Sunday I went to church in a nice area of Indianapolis. The houses were beautiful - neatly manicured lawns, "for sale" signs instead of "for rent" signs, etc. But the church, while filled with neat, white, beautiful people, was not at all fulfilling. I left there wondering what all the fuss was about. On the previous Sunday, I'd gone to a racially diverse church near my home that was held in an office building. The people showed up in t-shirts, shorts, and tennis shoes. And the worship experience was incredible. I left there having truly experienced God.
In the coming year, I cannot imagine what other lessons must be in store.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
It's the little things
I have a very small to do list and a lot of time on my hands. The list includes things I must purchase, things I should unpack, and phone calls I need to make. In order to make sure I don't go stir crazy, I've tried to plan things so that I get at least one excursion out of the apartment each day. Even if that just means I walk to pick up my mailbox key, well, at least I've gotten out of the house.
Today I went to get an Indy library card, that was my excursion of the day. The cards are very hip. Seriously. The thing looks like a custom credit card. I almost feel like I should show it off. And the Indy libraries have INCREDIBLY good new release DVDs for rent. I may never have to go to the video store again. For three days, simply by displaying my very hip new card, I can rent one of hundreds of movies I have yet to see. This truly made my day.
AND, I discovered a store called Value City. It does not sound at all impressive, but it's like a cross between Gordman's and TJ Maxx. I feel very capitalist describing all of my new store discoveries, but I'll excuse myself with boredom as my defense. :)
This week I hope to explore some of the more cultural spots in downtown Indy. Oh, and I'll be standing in line for food stamps. AmeriCorps' living allowance is exactly 5% higher than the poverty line. It's all a part of the service learning experience, I guess.
Today I went to get an Indy library card, that was my excursion of the day. The cards are very hip. Seriously. The thing looks like a custom credit card. I almost feel like I should show it off. And the Indy libraries have INCREDIBLY good new release DVDs for rent. I may never have to go to the video store again. For three days, simply by displaying my very hip new card, I can rent one of hundreds of movies I have yet to see. This truly made my day.
AND, I discovered a store called Value City. It does not sound at all impressive, but it's like a cross between Gordman's and TJ Maxx. I feel very capitalist describing all of my new store discoveries, but I'll excuse myself with boredom as my defense. :)
This week I hope to explore some of the more cultural spots in downtown Indy. Oh, and I'll be standing in line for food stamps. AmeriCorps' living allowance is exactly 5% higher than the poverty line. It's all a part of the service learning experience, I guess.
Friday, July 14, 2006
PSO
I've just returned from spending most of the week in Chicago at AmeriCorps Pre-Service Orientation. It was, as its name implies, much more an orientation than training. In many ways, that was inspiring. We talked a lot about the war on poverty - trying to define what poverty is, what causes it, and what can be done about it. We also learned much more about the organization - under which circumstances we're considered federal employees, etc.
AmeriCorps*VISTA is a branch of AmeriCorps that is solely devoted to the mission of eradicating poverty. VISTA was established a year after JFK started the Peace Corps, so that its missions could be carried out at home, as well. This, of course, meant that LBJ did the founding; it was after Kennedy's assassination. VISTA is an acronym meaning Volunteers In Service To America. In 1993, President Clinton started AmeriCorps through the Corporation for National and Community Service. VISTA was absorbed into the AmeriCorps umbrella as one of its three major service programs. See? I did learn something! :)
I also learned a lot about myself and the assumptions I make about people in my first impressions. I hate being judgemental. I hate when I catch myself falling into stereotype beliefs and making assumptions based on appearances, because I disagree with making those assumptions so much. Still, I caught myself this week making judgments.In the end, though, it was so important for me to recognize this behavior in myself as I try to learn how to value people's differences while treating them as equals. Judge not, lest ye be judged, huh?
Now I'm working to try and keep myself entertained until my actual position of service begins. I'm still living alone in an unfamiliar city full of strangers, and my to-do list is dwindling. Thanks so much for all your kind thoughts, emails, prayers, phone calls, and comments. I appreciate the support more than you know.
AmeriCorps*VISTA is a branch of AmeriCorps that is solely devoted to the mission of eradicating poverty. VISTA was established a year after JFK started the Peace Corps, so that its missions could be carried out at home, as well. This, of course, meant that LBJ did the founding; it was after Kennedy's assassination. VISTA is an acronym meaning Volunteers In Service To America. In 1993, President Clinton started AmeriCorps through the Corporation for National and Community Service. VISTA was absorbed into the AmeriCorps umbrella as one of its three major service programs. See? I did learn something! :)
I also learned a lot about myself and the assumptions I make about people in my first impressions. I hate being judgemental. I hate when I catch myself falling into stereotype beliefs and making assumptions based on appearances, because I disagree with making those assumptions so much. Still, I caught myself this week making judgments.In the end, though, it was so important for me to recognize this behavior in myself as I try to learn how to value people's differences while treating them as equals. Judge not, lest ye be judged, huh?
Now I'm working to try and keep myself entertained until my actual position of service begins. I'm still living alone in an unfamiliar city full of strangers, and my to-do list is dwindling. Thanks so much for all your kind thoughts, emails, prayers, phone calls, and comments. I appreciate the support more than you know.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Beginnin' in Indy
I figure that now that I've moved hundreds of miles away from literally everyone I know, I should resume posting to this blog. I will do my best to keep it up for awhile, and I will email those of you I think might be interested.
My moving day sucked. A LOT. The folks at the apartment complex tried to not let me move in, after I'd driven all the way here from Missouri. Once again, my own impending homelessness stared me straight in the face. I find myself wondering if I'm having these experiences to increase my empathy for the people I'll be working with in the coming year. Ultimately, I got things worked out, and I'm working hard to not worry too much about the future. A slew of other unfortunate events followed, none of which would have been as bad if they'd happened independent of one another, and if I'd been working on a decent amount of sleep.
The next day, things improved. I found the Wal-Mart Supercenter, which Bonni and I jokingly call the sign of civilization in America. I also found Target, Hobby Lobby, Pier One, and Best Buy. These are familiar places, even if commercial, and they made me feel much more comfortable in my surroundings.
Today I went to a church service that helped me gain some good perspective, too.
All in all, things are improving, but they are definitely lonely. I have not yet had a face to face conversation with anyone in Indy, outside of the apartment folks. And I want to. Desperately.
Training starts tomorrow in Chicago.
My moving day sucked. A LOT. The folks at the apartment complex tried to not let me move in, after I'd driven all the way here from Missouri. Once again, my own impending homelessness stared me straight in the face. I find myself wondering if I'm having these experiences to increase my empathy for the people I'll be working with in the coming year. Ultimately, I got things worked out, and I'm working hard to not worry too much about the future. A slew of other unfortunate events followed, none of which would have been as bad if they'd happened independent of one another, and if I'd been working on a decent amount of sleep.
The next day, things improved. I found the Wal-Mart Supercenter, which Bonni and I jokingly call the sign of civilization in America. I also found Target, Hobby Lobby, Pier One, and Best Buy. These are familiar places, even if commercial, and they made me feel much more comfortable in my surroundings.
Today I went to a church service that helped me gain some good perspective, too.
All in all, things are improving, but they are definitely lonely. I have not yet had a face to face conversation with anyone in Indy, outside of the apartment folks. And I want to. Desperately.
Training starts tomorrow in Chicago.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
MmmHmm
Claire, you should call me. You're like three weeks late on returning my call, and I like you a lot and we have much to discuss.
To anyone else who is reading this, you should call me too. I like to talk to people. :)
To anyone else who is reading this, you should call me too. I like to talk to people. :)
Monday, January 30, 2006
Everybody needs a little road trip
This weekend marked another impromptu road trip, the kind everyone should experience at least once during college. One of the girls who came along is in her second year and had yet to have an adventure, so we decided it was high time and headed for St. Louis. I know I promised pictures of the Fall Break Extravaganza, but these are much more recent. Enjoy!
Thursday, January 12, 2006
A bit of this, some more of that
This last official winter break has been so great. I have had a lot of time to rest, to read for pleasure, to dance, and to enjoy great conversation. These have become some of my favorite things.
I have been in two weddings in the past couple of weeks. In the first, on New Year's Eve, I sang. This was a new experience for me and it went well, though I felt like I was going to collapse from nerves the whole time I was up there. In the second wedding, I played bridesmaid for the first time. At the reception afterwards, some friends and I performed Michael Jackson's Thriller dance, which we had secretly learned, and we showcased our newly developed salsa skills.
After the weddings, I found some much needed respite on a roadtrip to Arkansas. Now I am trying to get myself back in the college groove for one last semester.
I'm hoping to post some pictures of the Fall Break camping extravaganza in the next couple of days, so keep checking in!
I have been in two weddings in the past couple of weeks. In the first, on New Year's Eve, I sang. This was a new experience for me and it went well, though I felt like I was going to collapse from nerves the whole time I was up there. In the second wedding, I played bridesmaid for the first time. At the reception afterwards, some friends and I performed Michael Jackson's Thriller dance, which we had secretly learned, and we showcased our newly developed salsa skills.
After the weddings, I found some much needed respite on a roadtrip to Arkansas. Now I am trying to get myself back in the college groove for one last semester.
I'm hoping to post some pictures of the Fall Break camping extravaganza in the next couple of days, so keep checking in!
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