The last post was pretty brief, but you got the gist of my adventure walking home...it was interesting/such a great learning experience. But this past weekend was a good one.
My roommates and I went to a Bridgeport Bluefish Baseball game on Friday, which was pretty fun because we all got to bond over the fact that the team is awful! :) We left at the end of the 10th inning when it was still 1-1 and 10:30pm.
On Saturday morning I had to work from 9am-2pm at the Shehan Center's Open House. I got to meet the staff I'll be working with this year and I got to meet some of the kids I'll be teaching. It was really great but I'm suffering the consequences of a 6 -day long work week!
Sunday morning we went to St. Ann's Catholic Mass and it was really good...I think we found our parish! :) Then I decided to take a whack at mowing our lawn...with a push mower. Our grass is about 2 feet tall so it was a very unenjoyable experience...Alie started to help me after I had been cussing at the mower for about 45 minutes. We tag teamed about 1/3 of our backyard lawn and then gave up. After about 2 and 1/2 hours and five blisters later we went inside for a much needed shower and yum yum time.
Later that evening, one of Katie's friends invited us over to dinner. It was a big three hour feast and it was fabulous. We had wine, we laughed, we ate and we all had a great time. It was fabulous. A lot of fun...so that was my weekend in a nutshell.
So far today, I have cut about 100 little slips of paper that read "One Day Pass" for the Shehan Center. I'm on my lunch break so I'll have to get back soon...that's it from the BPT in CT...loves!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
An Eventful First Week
Alright, so I can't write for long because someone just walked into my office with another tiny project for me to work on...ugh.
BUT! The most exciting/life-changing thing that happened this week was when, stupid, naive, lil' ol' me decided to walk home from work on Wednesday. As I headed east on Washington St. I was hooted at, hollared at and generally verbally assaulted by many males. DUMB KATIE! I was the only white person walking on the street, let alone the only female to be walking alone! I'm an idiot but I also gained a lot of "street" information from it...it's a learning experience (as I told my boss). I thought, "well, I'm scared to walk in this neighborhood...imagine what my students are going to be feeling...they LIVE here." It was a realization that I definitely needed to learn on my own. I have never felt so scared or so isolated for my skin color or gender before...I'm not in Washington anymore, Toto. Anywho, more to follow but I got to go.
Loves!
BUT! The most exciting/life-changing thing that happened this week was when, stupid, naive, lil' ol' me decided to walk home from work on Wednesday. As I headed east on Washington St. I was hooted at, hollared at and generally verbally assaulted by many males. DUMB KATIE! I was the only white person walking on the street, let alone the only female to be walking alone! I'm an idiot but I also gained a lot of "street" information from it...it's a learning experience (as I told my boss). I thought, "well, I'm scared to walk in this neighborhood...imagine what my students are going to be feeling...they LIVE here." It was a realization that I definitely needed to learn on my own. I have never felt so scared or so isolated for my skin color or gender before...I'm not in Washington anymore, Toto. Anywho, more to follow but I got to go.
Loves!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
First Week in BPT
So I left Washington two weeks ago today and got to my house in Bridgeport one week ago today...so essentially I suck at posting on my blog. :) I have limited internet use so that contributes to part of it...but those of you who have been waiting for a post, sorry it's taken me so long!
Orientation: Mixed emotions...I was nervous because of obvious reasons like culture shock and new experiences but everyone was really cool. Everyone was so excited to be there; to be serving! It felt "right" to be there. Orientation lagged on and on for five days, I think...my housemates and I just wanted to get to our new house because we didn't know what would be waiting for us in Bridgeport. At Orientation, I was an EM for both of the Masses we had...it was funny because I felt like I fit right back into that role of being the dependable Catholic...hahahaha.
Monday night there was a talent show in which my community changed the words to "Party in the U.S.A" by Miley Cyrus to "Party in the B.P.T". It was a great bonding experience...
When we left on Tuesday, Alie, my roommate, and I headed due North for CT!!! As we were driving through PA, Katie (one of my other roommates) had a tire basically blow on the highway so we had to pull over to get assistance from Bob's Automotive (thanks, Bob). So that was an hour detour. We passed through PA, NY and then finally reached CT at around 7:30pm. When we got there, our local support was waiting with arms open for hugs all around. John and Sara are our "adoptive parents" and they are in charge of making us feel welcome and are there to answer questions we have about Bridgeport...they are great and soooo supportive. Then there's Lindsey, who is a former JV and she is in charge of introducing us to JV life. Then there's Fr. Mike who is a Jesuit from Fairfield University who is available for spiritual direction...it's a good bunch of people.
After a little debate: Alie and Katie are sharing a big room upstairs. I have the big room across the hall to myself and Melissa was awesome in volunteering to be downstairs in the room down there. We have already had funny interactions with WILD TURKEYS and leaking toilets/kitchen sinks/basement. We have a huge house...the old JV community moved all the boxes and stuff to our new house and so we spent the first few days moving everything in and around the house. It's nice to have that aspect of "the move" behind us.
My job has been slow thus far...but I can tell I'm going to be challenged but still love it! I'm excited to begin working with kids. Thus far, I've been doing paperwork and flyer distribution so I've definitely had moments of paralell from this to my PM year! It's been great because everyone is so great to work with...very relaxed.
Last night was our first spirituality night...I led it...it seemed to be really good for us. I did the same activity Lucas did for the X-House last year...with the crosses and framing them...anywho, it seemed to work really well.
Looking to the future: My house and I are going to a baseball game on Friday...Go Bluefish! hahaha and I'm reading Harry Potter: The Chamber of Secrets...our house has the whole collection so I feel it's a sign that I need to read them! Anywho, I hope everyone is doing well and this post isn't too lengthy! Loves!
~Katie~
Orientation: Mixed emotions...I was nervous because of obvious reasons like culture shock and new experiences but everyone was really cool. Everyone was so excited to be there; to be serving! It felt "right" to be there. Orientation lagged on and on for five days, I think...my housemates and I just wanted to get to our new house because we didn't know what would be waiting for us in Bridgeport. At Orientation, I was an EM for both of the Masses we had...it was funny because I felt like I fit right back into that role of being the dependable Catholic...hahahaha.
Monday night there was a talent show in which my community changed the words to "Party in the U.S.A" by Miley Cyrus to "Party in the B.P.T". It was a great bonding experience...
When we left on Tuesday, Alie, my roommate, and I headed due North for CT!!! As we were driving through PA, Katie (one of my other roommates) had a tire basically blow on the highway so we had to pull over to get assistance from Bob's Automotive (thanks, Bob). So that was an hour detour. We passed through PA, NY and then finally reached CT at around 7:30pm. When we got there, our local support was waiting with arms open for hugs all around. John and Sara are our "adoptive parents" and they are in charge of making us feel welcome and are there to answer questions we have about Bridgeport...they are great and soooo supportive. Then there's Lindsey, who is a former JV and she is in charge of introducing us to JV life. Then there's Fr. Mike who is a Jesuit from Fairfield University who is available for spiritual direction...it's a good bunch of people.
After a little debate: Alie and Katie are sharing a big room upstairs. I have the big room across the hall to myself and Melissa was awesome in volunteering to be downstairs in the room down there. We have already had funny interactions with WILD TURKEYS and leaking toilets/kitchen sinks/basement. We have a huge house...the old JV community moved all the boxes and stuff to our new house and so we spent the first few days moving everything in and around the house. It's nice to have that aspect of "the move" behind us.
My job has been slow thus far...but I can tell I'm going to be challenged but still love it! I'm excited to begin working with kids. Thus far, I've been doing paperwork and flyer distribution so I've definitely had moments of paralell from this to my PM year! It's been great because everyone is so great to work with...very relaxed.
Last night was our first spirituality night...I led it...it seemed to be really good for us. I did the same activity Lucas did for the X-House last year...with the crosses and framing them...anywho, it seemed to work really well.
Looking to the future: My house and I are going to a baseball game on Friday...Go Bluefish! hahaha and I'm reading Harry Potter: The Chamber of Secrets...our house has the whole collection so I feel it's a sign that I need to read them! Anywho, I hope everyone is doing well and this post isn't too lengthy! Loves!
~Katie~
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Here Begins the Journey
So my NEW address in Bridgeport is:
344 Alpine Street
Bridgeport, CT 06610
Write to me. I don't know what kind of internet access I'll have in Bridgeport, so we'll see how this blog thing works out. I'm scrambling for time at the time being because I have more packing to do and stuff to get done before I fly out tonight. I leave SeaTac at 11:45pm tonight and arrive in Baltimore at 9:45am tomorrow morning...so wish me luck! I love you all and here comes the roller coaster ride of JVC! AH!
~Katie~
344 Alpine Street
Bridgeport, CT 06610
Write to me. I don't know what kind of internet access I'll have in Bridgeport, so we'll see how this blog thing works out. I'm scrambling for time at the time being because I have more packing to do and stuff to get done before I fly out tonight. I leave SeaTac at 11:45pm tonight and arrive in Baltimore at 9:45am tomorrow morning...so wish me luck! I love you all and here comes the roller coaster ride of JVC! AH!
~Katie~
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Anxiety
I am feeling very nervous about leaving Bellingham. I think it just hit me that I am moving in three days. I am leaving Bellingham, my roommate, my friends, my easy access to my parents and siblings and all the west coast has to offer in THREE DAYS!
The truth is: I am scared. I am scared that my three future roommates who all live within driving distance of our future home in Bridgeport, won't understand my west coast attitude, opinions, beliefs or ideals. I'm afraid they won't understand why JVC represents more than just a volunteer position, it represents Katie Conway exploring the world and gaining a sense of independence from her ever so planned out life. They won't understand me...that's my biggest fear. I'm afraid that I won't be able to go to church when I'd want to and I'm afraid that I won't have a strong faith life once I leave Bellingham's Evergreens, lakes and gorgeous sunsets. I think I'm also afraid that those I leave behind will forget about me...I will just become another memory; another alumni of the Newman Center. Granted, I don't want them to dwell on me leaving, I also don't want them to forget about me either!
I guess my mind is traveling at 300 miles per second and I'm having a hard time expressing myself...so maybe, just maybe, I should go to bed before I overwhelm myself so much that I keel over and die. Goodnight!
COUNTDOWN: 3 Days
The truth is: I am scared. I am scared that my three future roommates who all live within driving distance of our future home in Bridgeport, won't understand my west coast attitude, opinions, beliefs or ideals. I'm afraid they won't understand why JVC represents more than just a volunteer position, it represents Katie Conway exploring the world and gaining a sense of independence from her ever so planned out life. They won't understand me...that's my biggest fear. I'm afraid that I won't be able to go to church when I'd want to and I'm afraid that I won't have a strong faith life once I leave Bellingham's Evergreens, lakes and gorgeous sunsets. I think I'm also afraid that those I leave behind will forget about me...I will just become another memory; another alumni of the Newman Center. Granted, I don't want them to dwell on me leaving, I also don't want them to forget about me either!
I guess my mind is traveling at 300 miles per second and I'm having a hard time expressing myself...so maybe, just maybe, I should go to bed before I overwhelm myself so much that I keel over and die. Goodnight!
COUNTDOWN: 3 Days
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Address as of August 20th...
When August 20th hits I will be living at 344 Alpine St. Bridgeport, CT 06610. It's been crazy with odd e-mails about address changes and then no address changes so I'm glad it all finally worked out...write me!!! Loves!
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