a bed for the night

I ran across this on another blog today and I thought it for me: "This here is a relaxed, slow-moving weblog. It ain't one o' them hyperactive updated-all-the-time weblogs. Slow down a little."



Speaking of slowing down. I am leading a local Service: Spring Break "trip" to Fort Worth focusing on the issue of Homelessness. The idea is that these days off from classes are PRIME TIME to really dig deep into an issue in our city. We plan on doing a full imersion experience with some service and meetings with the city and LOTS of hang out time in the Homeless District. I've a got a faculty member on board and a GREAT student leader, so I think it will be pretty great and one of those life changing kinda things.

In compiling some readings for the participant curricullum- I re-ran across the following poem and I thought you might be interested to ponder on its words as well:


A BED FOR THE NIGHT

I hear that in New York
At the corner of 26th Street and Broadway
A man stands every evening during the winter months
And gets beds for the homeless there
By appealing to passers-by.

It won't change the world
It won't improve relations among men
It will not shorten the age of explotation
But a few men have a bed for the night
For a night the wind is kept from them
The snow meant for them falls on the roadway.

Don`t put down the book on reading this, man.

A few people have a bed for the night
For a night the wind is kept from them
The snow meant for them falls on the roadway
But it won't change the world
It won't improve relations among men
It will not shorten the age of exploitation.

- Bertold Brecht

INTERACT: Are giving and serving related to social change?
How can we become better givers?
Should we try to identify with the people we want to serve?
What does mercy have to do with justice? How should they be related?
What prevents us from being compassionate?

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”-Albert Einstein

I love moving. Not the actual physical act of moving- I hate that. Watching people move your stuff//realizing that I have too. much. crap.//tapping into my control freak tendencies//"oh no, don't..drop..that thing that to you is nothing, but to me is...EVERYTHING" No I do NOT love that.

But I love the way moving make me FEEL things. Sentimental about leaving behind a place and the memories that it contains...Hopeful about the new empty place just waiting to store all. that. crap. and new stories laughs and experiences. Everyday is a great day for a fresh start and moving is a helpful reminder of the ability to make a fresh start and the importance of a clean slate.

The past few weeks I've been moving my office from one side of our suite to the complete opposite side. The office is a bit bigger, and in a more strategic location for purposeful student interaction, so I couldn't turn down the possibility. It's my good friend, CR's old office and I have to admit, it feels a little weird to be moving into her space- but it reminds me of all the laughs we had in there. (miss her!) My friend, Tiff, told me once that "all changes carry with them a grieving process," and even though I'm merely shifting my items a few feet away, I am leaving A LOT behind...like the temporary feeling you get when you're a VISTA, being able to holler out to students, "come on back!" and my very. first. 40/wk. nameplate bearing. office. That's a lot.

my old office

I was meeting with one of my students last week and when I told her that I was moving she asked if I was excited. I told her that I thought it was a good decision, but that I didn't really like change sometimes. She laughed and said, "that's ironic, because your whole job is about change."

I'm glad to have moments that forced me to physically interact with my things and my work and to really reflect on the going ons in my space and the positive change that took place. I'm hopeful and eager to see what stories my new space will live to tell.

my new space just waiting for you to come in and help me put all. my. crap. away.

INTERACT: How do you feel about moving?

We cannot make good news out of bad practice. -Edward R. Murrow

You may be aware that my VISTA placement at TCU was completed on August 28th. I have officially completed my term "serving our country." (You can thank me later) :) IT was a really great year professionally and personally, but while living below the poverty line is educational and spiritually enlightening, it is really difficult. It was a hard year making less than $800/month at an institution where some students spend my monthly pay on a pair of boots or a purse. I also struggled with the feeling that I am behind my peers as I read emails/facebook filled with wonderful life and work related updates. But I was geared up to complete a second VISTA year at TCU, because I absolutely LOVE my students and the work that I do.

In June, we got word that we would not be receiving any VISTA positions for the 2010-2011 year. I was devastated...again. I felt like...why is this happening to me? How am I going to support myself through another year long job search? Why does this happen to me?

After a long, long, loooooooooong waiting process, we got word that our department was receiving a permanent position, Community Engagement Coordinator, working with both academic and co-curricular Service-Learning programs/classes. After an interview process that beat me up more than anything, I was hired on as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Center for Community Involvement & Service-Learning at Texas Christian University on September 27, 2010.

I still LOVE the work I do and the students/faculty that I work with and am again remembering what a busy season this is for service-learning at TCU. I am looking forward to working more closely with faculty to assist them in developing/maintaining s-l courses and partnerships.

I hate to say that sometimes I feel like my value is wrapped up in what I DO, but I do feel that sometimes. It's really good to see that others value my work enough to give me this opportunity and that people appreciate the work that I do. In general, I just really enjoy doing good work.

It does feel slightly strange that for the FIRST time since 2001 (senior year of high school) I have a little extra to buy a little something that I want/need and to treat others as well. (granted, you ALL know my live simply stance, so life won't look TOO different). Anyway, its been a long time coming.

Thank you for your thoughts, laughs, prayers, concerns and support (both emotionally and sometimes financially) along the way.

Do you make a stop at Hemphill and Berry?

As part of my job I teach along with my boss a seminar (READ: class for leadership credit)called Community Action each semester. The purpose of the class is get students talking about service & leadership. This semester we have restructured the 8 week class with the first 4 weeks being exposure weeks and the last four being action weeks. Here's how the first 4 weeks break down:
1. Personal Definition of Service
2. Strengths & Community- this is a favorite of mine because we talk about not only our strengths and how they play out in community, BUT how those we serve have strengths as well---GOOD DISCUSSION HERE.
3. What about YOUR community? We brought in some folks from the United Way that do community assessment and talked about the SPECIFIC needs of Tarrant County that can be categorized as INCOME, EDUCATION, & HEALTH.
4. Exposure Day and then there is week four, a two hour class.

For this class, we told students that we would be doing an agency visit and tour, but what we DIDN'T tell them was that we would be taking the city bus! Transportation is one of the issues the United Way discussed, so we gave them some route sheets (right and wrong) and gave them some time to figure out how to get there, transfers and all.



The students made some great observations about the experience of regular bus riders and the difficulties in navigating that system. We even learned some things from some fellow passengers. The visit at Catholic Charities was great because the group learned A LOT about refugee services and some global issues. Friends, THIS is why I do what I do. Man, I love seeing people think and learn. What a great day!

I am looking forward to the second half of the semester as we discuss ways to take action and who is already taking action. We are also requiring 3 hours of service with a local agency. I'm hoping students volunteer at Catholic Charities and maybe take the bus a little more and burst that TCU bubble.

Its rained here a lot lately.

Cristina says my umbrella is so large she can't hear her voice echo when she holds it. I just say the Cristina is one of my favorite new co-workers. Thanks for welcoming me into the TCU community, Coordinator for Inlcusiveness and Intercultural Services. Your laugh is infectious and your zeal is admirable.

INTERACT: How are you welcoming someone new into YOUR life?

TCU in Waco?!?

The other day I was walking with Katie through one of the administration buildings to get my check for my rent and this is what I found hanging on the wall:



Turns out, TCU used to be in Waco YEARS ago before the campus burned down. Student rumor claims that Baylor students set the campus on fire, so its always a little funny when people find out I'm from Baylor. Find this flag made me realize a few things:

1. I really like pendants...and I always have.

2. I really miss Waco, and I have a feeling TCU doesn't. :)

A Day in the District

So, since I don't have internet at home, I have been neglecting you- no more since my new friend Katie has both internet and giving spirit, which in her words- "knocks my socks off." Which brings me to the subject of this entry- my new friend Katie.

Katie is a Hall Director at TCU and we are on the Sophomore Transitions team here. One day as we were walking back to our offices after a meeting, she turned to me and said, "We are going to be girlfriends. I know that sounds creepy, but I need friends here." You know, I didn't think it was creepy, I thought it was AWESOME! So that weekend, we went to see FAME! at the Movie Tavern and then spent the next Saturday at Day in the District, a day when all the Fort Worth museums are free and ready to entertain.

It was a really fun day and it was really good to get to know a new friend and run into this guy (who wears a watch on his ankle, mind you) a couple of times. We went to all the museums, from the Cowgirl Museum to the Modern and saw some things we liked and some things that were kinda weird. Towards the end of the day, I convinced Katie to take some "senior pictures" by the Kimball Museum:





I remember when I took my "original" senior pictures, my moom had creased my jeans and I about DIED when I saw them and my aunt rescued me at the last monute by whipping out the iron and getting those creases out.

Glad to have a friend and a fun day taking advantage of some VISTA friendly activities!

INTERACT: Tell me about your senior pictures experience.

Reflections on my first week on the job..

As you can tell, I have officially started work at TCU and I've good the faculty/staff car decal to prove it. What a whirlwind week! Even though it has been kind of crazy, it has been SO GREAT to get back in the higher ed working groove. My first day was Tuesday and I already had meetings to go to which was really energizing and great to meet some people. My supervisor couldn't be more kind and welcoming. I have printed out a TCU map and hung it in my office and I am highlighting buildings as I learn what they are and how to get there. This, my friends, is called motivation. :)

I have been eating nothing but oatmeal and vegetarian chili until I get some money for groceries and I was getting a little lonely without usual friends and cable, so when my friend, Matt, popped into town on Wednesday for a meeting- I was THRILLED that he decided to stay and take me to dinner. As I drove there, I discovered how close work REALLY is to downtown and it blew my mind that I could just GO to these places on a whim. Thanks Matt, for the beers, food, and good conversation. How cool when friends pop in just when you need them.



This week, I met some student leaders, decided that I am really going to like working with KAte (the other VISTA), had lunch in the caf every day, taught my first Community Action class, got to bounced ideas off my supervisor, learned some website things, and "may" have worked out a negotion with a colleague to trade my solid purple chairs for his polka dot chairs. In addition to the work I will be doing in my office, I will also get to work with the sophomore transistions team, women's programing, and be a staff partner for a connections class (first year experience). How great!

Oh, and I met a couple of people to hang out with that I have some things in common with. So pretty much a good week.

Cow Town: Moo-ve In Edition

Last Thursday and Friday, I headed up to Ft. Worth for a training at TCU with my future supervisors. It was a really great time and I had an opportunity to see what may day to day might look like and to get to know the campus itself a bit better. I stayed Friday night in Denton with my college friend, B. Which meant that I was not able to be present in Waco to load up the U-Haul. (This is a good things for the help, b/c I am not a fun person to move with.)

Anyway, I have never felt so loved as I did on Saturday. Marianne, Kristen, C Mack, and Jonathan met JT at 7am at my house and then at the storage unit to load up a 17 ft U-Haul. (Anndrea & James tried to come but the load up was so fast they got left behind). JT was on the road (along with C Mack by 8:30).

B and I drove down from Denton to meet them, David (JT's bestie), and David (B's friend) at my apartment. We waited around for a while, got the keys and unloaded in 25 minutes!!! Matt was coming in from Frisco and he came in as soon as we finished unloading. Here is what that looked like before we went to lunch.



We went to lunch at a Mongolian restaurant and then B loaded me up with cleaning supplies at Target. We unpacked the kitchen and living room.

On Sunday, JT and I went to IKEA and got a bed, dresser, night stand, etc. Put it together until 1am. We also had a chance to go to this Episcopal Church where I met someone my own age and got her number for coffee. We cleaned up and came back to Waco on Monday.

Check out pics of the apartment by clicking here.

I'm really pumped about living here. It's a great place and I so far love those at my work. I'll keep you updated.

INTERACT: What do you think about my new place?

Cow Town Is Coming: Prepare for Branding

alternate title for this post: "This one's for you, Candice."

So, upon hugging me goodbye (for what may be the last time for a while), my friend requested that I put more personal updates on my blog. While I think we definitely have a difference of opinion about what is personal, i know what she means. She wants me to update more on the goings on in my life..which is understandable. SO, since I do not have pictures of my unborn children to post, I shall tell you the update on my upcoming move to Ft. Worth. So without further adieu, Candice, this one's for you:

Habitat:I have found an AWESOME 1 bedroom 625 sq ft apartment 10 minutes from campus for a phenomenal price of $399 a month (300 of which will be paid by TCU). This apartment find is a RELIEF and while I always like myself better when I have a roomie (I like the idea of being forced to be considerate of another), I have decided to live alone. I think its a good choice for the current season and I really look forward to quiet contemplative times of being, as well as Pizza Nite 3.0!

Up Next:I will be headed up to Fort Worth on the 6th and 7th of August for an Orientation to my position type of experience. I'm really looking forward to this b/c I have the opportunity to meet Kate, my new Americorps colleague and recent TCU graduate. It will also be really enlightening to speak with Amy (the current VISTA) about the day joys and challenges of the position.

The Big Move:JT and friends will be loading up a UHaul with many of my personal belongings that I have not seen in a year and bringing those things to my apartment for move in. I look forward to spending that weekend unpacking, reuniting with my matching dishes that Hannah bought me, writing lists, visiting a church I have been cyber-stalking, and settling in, before I go back to Waco to crash before my work officially starts.

The Oath:August 25th, I head to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend Americorps* Public Service Orientation, to learn some things, make some friends, and take my oath of service. Following my oath, my year of service will officially have begun..da da duuuuuum...what do you think about them apples?...mmm I love apples...

COMING UP IN THE BLOG: Tales from a Birthday Scavenger Hunt...
here's a teaser photo taken towards the end of my birthday evening...