ASB Day 5: DHGH & good-byes

 On the last day of alternative spring break, my group went back to the house we painted Tuesday.

We didn't get to see the final project, but the man in charge assured us it would be completed.

 The family had some beautiful flowers in their front yard.

Of course I needed to snatch a few pictures.

 More sweets after lunch...go figure.

Our last afternoon was spent working with the kiddos at Frazee.

This is Jeremiah.

Isn't he adorable in those glasses?

It was hard for me to say good-bye to my buddy Avias.

He couldn't exactly grasp the concept that I wouldn't be returning to help him with his homework.

Nor could he grasp the concept that I was in college, about to graduate and get a job.

He told me to come get a job at Frazee so I could help him do his homework.

I got choked up then.

Although good-bye was hard, I knew that he was left in good hands with the other volunteers. 

Our whole group.

All 28 girls.

(male volunteers needed, please)

A lot of times people ask why I participate in alternative spring break.

To me, drinking on a beach for hours on hours doesn't seem that intriguing.

I'm sure the warm weather and state of relaxation is awesome.

However, I couldn't imagine myself spending spring break any other way.

I have learned an immense amount about others and myself.

After my freshman year ASB trip to New Orleans we were reflecting and talking about cultural differences (Midwest v. south)

It dawned on me then, that even though people are vastly different, we are all still the same.

Everyone wants to love and be loved.

I found the same reoccurring theme all four years. 

ASB Day 4: Project Host

On the fourth day of spring break, my group volunteered at Project Host.

Project Host is a soup kitchen.

Kasha and I shredded a huge turkey for the soup and greeted guests at the door.

All of the guests came in or left with huge smiles.

I love that smiles are contagious. It was a happy place inside.

Such an incredible feeling to know that you helped make someones day better.

After serving lunch, we went to The Frazee Dream Center.

Frazee is an old church/gym/office space.

The church is used for various gatherings in the community and of course to worship the Lord.

 Here is my buddy again.

He loved wearing Natalie's big sunglasses.

My heart strings were pulled everyday when he would look up at me with his big eyes and say, "will you help me with homework today?"

Ahh man. I get chills just thinking about it.

Avias is doing well in school, but still struggles.  He is seven years old and in kindergarten.

He loves to ask how to spell things. 

He is great at coloring.

He is a bit wild.

He made such an impact on my life.

 Here is Natalie working with Xavier on sign language.

Natalie is graduating in a year and will be a special education teacher.

She is incredible.

 This is a look inside Frazee.

Story hour was always interesting.

I forgot how hard it is for small children to sit still and follow 'criss cross applesauce.'

 Here the kids are playing 'steal the bacon.'

Fun game.

If you ever want to play, holla at me.

 For dinner we had brick oven pizza. (and sweet tea of course...!)

Num num num.

So Delicious.

 We also found a bakery with cake pops.

Red Velvet?

Yes, please!

That evening we wandered around downtown.

Met an artist and listened to a young lad play his guitar.

Finding a cab back to the hotel was a story in itself.

A funny one though, ask me about it in person if you're interested.

Give

Today wouldn't be one of my favorite days of all time...

you know how it goes....

you didn't sleep the night before...

you're mentally and physically exhausted...

something goes wrong at work....

something else goes wrong at work....

you hate the lunch you packed....

someone misunderstands you.....

the Internet at your apartment doesn't work...

you find yourself complaining about the smallest things...

Today was one of those days for me.

I am mentally and physically exhausted.

I love my time out here, but I feel that I never have time for myself.

Now, I can continue my pity party that I am throwing for myself or I can think about why I decided to move my life across the country.

To give to others.

To serve others.

To challenge myself.

To learn.

Thanks for reading my pity party blog. Please tell me you have had a day like this before...?

Give

“Giving is what Fuels Us / Giving is our Future / It’s the core of our Business / And its time we celebrate it” … says Blake Mycoskie , the innovative and dynamic social entrepreneur, and Chief Shoe Giver at TOMS.

Today I worked on storyboards for the overall Fall 2011 advertising campaign.

So much work goes into selling shoes (and sunglasses).

Another task was to shop online to see what our competitors offer.

I had lunch with Melanie, a summer 2010 intern, who now works full time at HQ.

She is adorable, so sweet, and passionate about TOMS.

She picked up her whole life to move out to CA from MI and loves her decision.

This evening I sat on the beach and called my mama. I miss her so much.

Give

Tonight we had an intern movie night.
We watched Waiting for Superman -
A documentary about the poor education system in America.
The movie follows five families’ hopes of being accepted to charter schools.
It is an incredible movie that makes you appreciate your education.

I am so grateful that I attended a wonderful parochial elementary school with teachers who worked hard to produce successful students. I am also thankful that I attended a wonderful public middle and high school with teachers who had the same expectations.

The movie is one that brought me to tears.
It makes me want to make a difference in this world.
Perhaps "Teach for America" will be my next venture...

The movie does put a spotlight on Washington, D.C. because it is the poorest public education system in America.
I couldn't help but to think of my wonderful experiences at For Love of Children last summer where I tutored an inner city boy.
One of the first things I was told when I volunteered at FLOC was that many teachers pass students to the next grade (even if they should not be moving up) to get rid of them.
My heart ached when I heard this and still does.

It has been an emotional day all around...
One of my job responsibilities is to approve the photos for "How We Wear Them" at TOMS.
I see lots of different photos with captions throughout my day.
Today was a day unlike any other.
I stumbled upon this caption (I can't include the photo)

“We were in Ethiopia bringing our little girl home through adoption and she had been given a pair of TOMS as a gift. Thank you for all you do for the children of the world. We LOVE the shoes and we LOVE you!!!!”

And that is why we do what we do at TOMS.

Give

Name the ten wealthiest men in the world.

Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.

Difficult?

Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile.

Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time.

Easier?

Lesson: The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.

Good people have good things in their hearts.
Matthew 12:35

I read this last night and thought it hit home so I wanted to share.
Taken from And the Angels Were Silent