Hello y'all...or since I am in the Northeast, Hello you guys. I am still in New York, in Times Square. Awesome living conditions for us. Work is going okay. We finished our last shelter day about an HOUR AGO! Thank God. We are happy. Tomorrow we will be moved to bulk distribution to start delivering supplies to those in need. I can't wait to see what another sector of Red Cross does for disaster relief.
We had to say bye to some clients this week who, again, have changed my life. I met a grandmother, "Mama" and her 5 grandsons that she raises on her own at our first shelter. These boys are full of life, spunk, and energy. I loved them. They got placed in a home this week with Mama and watching them react to the housing decision was awesome. They at first were so upset because they were leaving us, one actually asked how to join AmeriCorps when he is 18. They were so down until someone told them their new apartment has a basketball hoop. Little things in life make people happy is what these boys taught me. Their grandmother is a saint. Another couple told me they want to adopt me to make them PB&J everyday. I was told I make a mean sandwich, I have a gift what can I say. All of the clients we have met in the shelters are amazing. I hope they all recover quickly and find a warm home for the holidays.
Since it is Thanksgiving week, I thought I would share what I am thankful for...
I am thankful for:
My mom & dad...they are my rocks. Without their love and support over the last 10 months, I would not be where I am today. I loved during training calling in the morning and talking to Dad-Z and I love the inspirational texts I got from the best mom in the world. I would be lost without these two.
Bobby..There is no way I would have even heard of AmeriCorps without Bobby. My brother is one of the people in my life I look up to most. He calls weekly even during his busy schedule to ask how my spike is going, uses the AmeriCorps acronyms that nobody else in the world knows, and is constantly checking up on me. This Ameriworld is a complicated one and it has helped so much to have a family member know what I am going through. I am lucky to have such a positive role model in my life.
MaryKathryn...My birthday wouldn't have been the same without my sister. I am not just thankful she came to visit me, but I am thankful I got to share my life that I am living now with a family member. I am also thankful for the fact that MaryKarthryn has taught me the true meaning of teaching. She is an unreal teacher, but she also teaches me about life. Without an older sister to guide me along some tough roads, I probably wouldn't have survived as well as I have. I am so lucky to have the support of a sister like I do in MaryKathryn.
Paul...This is Paul's senior year in college and as many of you know has played hockey for the past 3 years at Worcester. This year he is not because he wasn't happy. I am thankful that Paul has taught me, without knowing, that if you aren't truly happy and don't do what makes you happy, you ultimately won't be happy. I am so happy Paul is doing what he wants and is enjoying his last year in college.
Bridget...I am more than thankful for Bridget. Her curiosity and love for everything I am doing makes me happy everyday. I joined this program to try to make our country a better one for Bridget to live in. I hope someday I can share with her in detail my projects and all I have done. From the day she was born until now she has been the most important person in my life. I bring her with me everyday in my pocket through a sock of hers I found in my clean laundry and I can't wait to come home and finally see her play hockey. She makes me happier than anyone in the world and I am so thankful she is my little Mini Me.
River 10...Beste, Sam, Chris, Terrell, David, Johnny and Lannise AND Jamie have changed my life in ways they don't even know. I have learned so much about people, myself, and our world just from these 7 people. I am so thankful for this program for bringing these people into my life. My River 10 family have been the reason why I do what I love everyday and I honestly wouldn't have had the year I have had without them.
Rachel, Margaret, Julia, Tiffany, and Sam...these 5 girls are 5 of the best people to have ever come into my life. The past 10 months have been a roller coaster of emotions and without these 5 to go through it all with, I would be in Burlington by now. I know that I have 5 of the best friends across the country (kind of) now because of them. I am more than thankful I met them, they have changed my life forever and I wll forever be thankful for AmeriCorps for bringing them into my life.
Jill...I have the best friend in the world. Jill is the one constant friend in my life that has been there for me through EVERYTHING. Without her support this year through my journey, I would be lost! She has been my touch of home daily just by saying hi. I am so lucky to have a best friend like her that cares so much about what I am doing.
My GF's, haverhill girls, and the suitelife...where would I be without Bridgewater? all of my gf's are the best! They know how thankful I am for them and I honestly would be lost without them. I know I say that about everyone, but these girls are it.
Alyssa, Julie, Jen, and Amanda...they may be younger than me, but my gangstas are awesome. I am thankful for their constant friendship and love. I am lucky to say I have so many groups of friends especially these ones to count on.
My extended family...I have one giant family that I miss a whole lot. I have heard from a lot of them this past year and I am so thankful for everything everyone has done for me. I can't wait to see some of you over the holidays!
AmeriCorps & every person I have met this year...this year has changed my life. I am not the person I was when I started. I am so happy I joined the program and met everyone I have whether it is fellow Corps Members, Team Leaders, sponsors, people of the communities we have worked in, or a stranger in WalMart. Everyone has changed me for the better and I will be forever thankful for AmeriCorps.
Last but not least...
Volunteerism...I said this last year in my blog, but without volunteers, the would would not turn. Volunteerism is so important and I am so happy I chose this path for my life right now. Volunteering makes me so happy and I can honestly say, I am so happy in my life right now.
I have several other things I am thankful for, but I wanted to highlight my important things in life right now. I am such a lucky girl to have the life I do. Everyday I am thankful this is my work and I am serving others. I have a lot to be thankful for this year.
Enjoy the turkey, family, friends, and relaxation. I know I sure will be at 10 Thomas Street with the bread on the table and hoepfully a win from BHS. Yes, I am going home! I am thankful for that!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Now where are we...
It has been almost 3 weeks since I last posted, and boy, these 3 weeks have been crazy. I don't even know where to begin. We arrived in Albany when I last posted and quite honestly, I wish I could remember everywhere we have been since then. Until I remember, I will just type some word vomit...
Our first shelter turned out to just be staff. Terrell, Lannise, and myself were placed together. We hung out at a shelter with the American Red Cross peeps, getting to know them. We met some awesome people, especially Morris. He really took us under his sarcastic a-hole wing. He told the three of us we reminded him of his grand children and he joked around with us. We got sent back to our head quarters in Albany after one night there to be placed again. We took advantage of the hotels, showers, and team time while we could.
My next shelter was in Deer Park Long Island. I was put on a team with Liz and Erika from River 8. We decided since our teams become one, we were now River 18. The three of us drove down with two really awesome (sarcastic) older men. We got SO LOST that we ended up in New Jersey. Yes, New Jersey, 4 hours out of the way. Our quick 1 hour 30 minute drive turned into FREAKING 10. At least I had two of the best people I've met in the last ten months with me. We arrived at the shelter where 115 people were staying. These people were amazing. We were at this shelter for about a week. I met some of the greatest people of Long Island and quickly became attached to them. One woman in particular had two daughters ages 1.5 and 5 months, she is 22. She had no power and brought her kids to the shelter to stay warm. I loved her daughters, Lala and Nana, were their nicknames. Lala and I played catch or "ball" everyday and she came to me when she was crying. One over night shift I had, the mother was falling asleep holding the baby so I offered at 5am to take the baby so she could sleep. She was laughing, talking, and enjoying 5-6am until she went to sleep again. Her mother called me her angel, second tears of the disaster deployment. My first tears came when I met Patrick, an older gentleman at the shelter with his mom. I got to talking to him because he looked like he needed someone to talk to. He showed me pictures of his flooded home, his son, boats on his road, his basketball team, and his whole life. He has been a varsity coach for 28 years and immediately I thought of my own family. He was describing how he has helped players through tough times with parents, school, deaths, etc. and how now his past players are reaching out to him to help him. When he started crying, it opened the flood gates for me too. I couldn't help but think of my own family and how something could happen to us, too. He was so down to earth and awesome to talk to. These are just two stories among the two thousand I have heard in the last three weeks. Over the week we were there, we had zero showers. Luckily, Long Island residents are unreal. I met two wonderful women that opened their homes for Liz, Erika and I took advantage of that right away. We met one woman who literally was Aunt Marie with Irish knit sweaters, Irish blessings around her home, and she made us tea! Little things like a warm towel and tea go a LONG WAY. Yes, the tea and towel made me cry, too. Really emotional week. We got moved from this shelter to another on Wednesday after completing 100 hours of work.
When we moved, we got reunited with most of River 10! We missed each other so much it was like a family reunion. This shelter was less than good for us. We were at a college in a gym. The staff slept on the indoor track above the clients on the gym floor. We were living, sleeping, and breathing with the clients. There fore sickness was spreading. Long story short on this shelter, we left by Friday because we have the world's best Team Leaders ever.
We got sent back to head quarters this time in Manhattan. I have never been to NYC so this was awesome for me. We gave ourselves the weekend off and we got placed in the Paramount Hotel in TIMES FREAKING SQUARE. I can see the lights of the billboards from my room. It is insane. The weekend was spent sleeping, sight seeing, and hanging doing nothing. I walked to Central Park, Ground Zero, and all NYC tourists sites. We went to see the sun set on the Hudson River and actually saw the most beautiful sunset on the Statue of Liberty. Really an American Sunday. My most independent moment came Sunday before site seeing. I put my headphones in, googled a laundromat, and walked to find it. Asked for no directions, and did my laundry. I felt on top of the world. Life's little victories.
I feel so blessed to be in New York. Seeing how bad the damage is first hand really hits me hard. One of the most incredible places in the world has had its world rocked by a storm. It is insane. I have met some unreal people who I will never forget. I really love AmeriCorps and appreciate the program after these last 3 weeks. I feel so thankful that I am doing this program and making a difference in at least some people's lives. I really can't put into words how I feel about being here during this just yet, maybe I can come up with it after this week is completed.
Today marks 30 days until graduation. I can't even begin to believe it. I have met the best friends in the world here and some of the best people in general. How can something that was so many different emotion be explained, you ask? Good question..stay tuned for my answer.
I am looking forward to helping more New Yorkers in the upcoming weeks. I just got home from a 16 hour day to my hotel bed that I am going to crash into. I miss home like crazy being so close...maybe I will make a trip home soon. That is all for now from the city that never sleeps...but I for sure do, when I can! I can now say pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd without getting made fun of, Uncle Joe! Enjoy that!
Until next time readers...keep NY, NJ, all those touched by Sandy, all AmeriCorps teams, especially River 10 in your thoughts and prayers!
Our first shelter turned out to just be staff. Terrell, Lannise, and myself were placed together. We hung out at a shelter with the American Red Cross peeps, getting to know them. We met some awesome people, especially Morris. He really took us under his sarcastic a-hole wing. He told the three of us we reminded him of his grand children and he joked around with us. We got sent back to our head quarters in Albany after one night there to be placed again. We took advantage of the hotels, showers, and team time while we could.
My next shelter was in Deer Park Long Island. I was put on a team with Liz and Erika from River 8. We decided since our teams become one, we were now River 18. The three of us drove down with two really awesome (sarcastic) older men. We got SO LOST that we ended up in New Jersey. Yes, New Jersey, 4 hours out of the way. Our quick 1 hour 30 minute drive turned into FREAKING 10. At least I had two of the best people I've met in the last ten months with me. We arrived at the shelter where 115 people were staying. These people were amazing. We were at this shelter for about a week. I met some of the greatest people of Long Island and quickly became attached to them. One woman in particular had two daughters ages 1.5 and 5 months, she is 22. She had no power and brought her kids to the shelter to stay warm. I loved her daughters, Lala and Nana, were their nicknames. Lala and I played catch or "ball" everyday and she came to me when she was crying. One over night shift I had, the mother was falling asleep holding the baby so I offered at 5am to take the baby so she could sleep. She was laughing, talking, and enjoying 5-6am until she went to sleep again. Her mother called me her angel, second tears of the disaster deployment. My first tears came when I met Patrick, an older gentleman at the shelter with his mom. I got to talking to him because he looked like he needed someone to talk to. He showed me pictures of his flooded home, his son, boats on his road, his basketball team, and his whole life. He has been a varsity coach for 28 years and immediately I thought of my own family. He was describing how he has helped players through tough times with parents, school, deaths, etc. and how now his past players are reaching out to him to help him. When he started crying, it opened the flood gates for me too. I couldn't help but think of my own family and how something could happen to us, too. He was so down to earth and awesome to talk to. These are just two stories among the two thousand I have heard in the last three weeks. Over the week we were there, we had zero showers. Luckily, Long Island residents are unreal. I met two wonderful women that opened their homes for Liz, Erika and I took advantage of that right away. We met one woman who literally was Aunt Marie with Irish knit sweaters, Irish blessings around her home, and she made us tea! Little things like a warm towel and tea go a LONG WAY. Yes, the tea and towel made me cry, too. Really emotional week. We got moved from this shelter to another on Wednesday after completing 100 hours of work.
When we moved, we got reunited with most of River 10! We missed each other so much it was like a family reunion. This shelter was less than good for us. We were at a college in a gym. The staff slept on the indoor track above the clients on the gym floor. We were living, sleeping, and breathing with the clients. There fore sickness was spreading. Long story short on this shelter, we left by Friday because we have the world's best Team Leaders ever.
We got sent back to head quarters this time in Manhattan. I have never been to NYC so this was awesome for me. We gave ourselves the weekend off and we got placed in the Paramount Hotel in TIMES FREAKING SQUARE. I can see the lights of the billboards from my room. It is insane. The weekend was spent sleeping, sight seeing, and hanging doing nothing. I walked to Central Park, Ground Zero, and all NYC tourists sites. We went to see the sun set on the Hudson River and actually saw the most beautiful sunset on the Statue of Liberty. Really an American Sunday. My most independent moment came Sunday before site seeing. I put my headphones in, googled a laundromat, and walked to find it. Asked for no directions, and did my laundry. I felt on top of the world. Life's little victories.
I feel so blessed to be in New York. Seeing how bad the damage is first hand really hits me hard. One of the most incredible places in the world has had its world rocked by a storm. It is insane. I have met some unreal people who I will never forget. I really love AmeriCorps and appreciate the program after these last 3 weeks. I feel so thankful that I am doing this program and making a difference in at least some people's lives. I really can't put into words how I feel about being here during this just yet, maybe I can come up with it after this week is completed.
Today marks 30 days until graduation. I can't even begin to believe it. I have met the best friends in the world here and some of the best people in general. How can something that was so many different emotion be explained, you ask? Good question..stay tuned for my answer.
I am looking forward to helping more New Yorkers in the upcoming weeks. I just got home from a 16 hour day to my hotel bed that I am going to crash into. I miss home like crazy being so close...maybe I will make a trip home soon. That is all for now from the city that never sleeps...but I for sure do, when I can! I can now say pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd without getting made fun of, Uncle Joe! Enjoy that!
Until next time readers...keep NY, NJ, all those touched by Sandy, all AmeriCorps teams, especially River 10 in your thoughts and prayers!
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