***Song lyrics (in title of blog) taken from "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri.
*Thursday, Jan. 26th, 2012: Today I am going to cheat and be grateful for last night. My co-workers and I volunteered for the Point in Time survey in which we walked around DC from 9pm-2am, looking for homeless people living on the streets to ask them to take a survey with us. Although my partner and I (shoutout to Therese) only found one man, it was a really good experience. We were cold (but bundled up) and tired (but were walking after a full night's sleep) so it was good to think about our feelings and compare them to how a homeless person feels at night. PLUS it was a wonderful opportunity to talk with Therese about life and chat her up for a bit. I'm so blessed to have incredible people and experiences throughout my life.
*Friday, Jan. 27th, 2012: Each day at work I have to pinch myself because of the amazing-ness that surrounds me. Guests can be difficult and unruly at times but even in that unruliness, I am challenged to see Jesus in them. I remind myself that although I am frustrated because it is the 6th man in a row to get angry at me because of fill-in-the-blank, each person has a story and a reason to be edgy and even in that edginess, there is an opportunity to love them anyway. So that's where the title of this blog kind of comes in: "I will be brave. I will not let anything take away. What's standing in front of me." Although they are difficult at times, I need to remember that nothing can take away from the person that is standing in front of me. I am thankful for that strength today.
*Saturday, Jan. 28th, 2012: Today I am grateful for chick flicks. Tonight I watched "The Wedding Date" with Cara as our one-on-one date and it was really fun. It's my guilty pleasure movie for sure because it is such a mindless movie, but it tears at my heart and makes me laugh in certain places. Plus, I got to watch it with my roommate, so that was a nice time for us to bond over the silliness of this movie.
*Sunday, Jan. 29th, 2012: Today I am grateful for Mass at St. Augustine's. It's Catholic Schools week so they had a children's choir kick off the week by singing at Mass. It was really beautiful and touching and I enjoyed the pour joy and silliness they exhibited when they thought no one was watching them. Kids are funny and I certainly do miss working with them, but God has a funny way of dropping them in my life from time to time and I am grateful for that today.
*Monday, Jan. 30th, 2012: Today I am grateful to have my fellow JV co-worker back at work (and not just because she gave me a ride to work this morning). I enjoy her company and friendship so much and am so pleased to have her back at work after not working with her since Wednesday. She just makes me feel a little more confident when I go to work with a guest on something I'm not sure about so to have her back today was wonderful.
*Tuesday, Jan. 31st, 2012: Today I am thankful for that same guest who I had been helping at Miriam's who came in today with a huge grin on his face as he showed me his DC non-driver's ID he had just gotten...after three weeks, many difficulties and a lot of paperwork, my illiterate, kind-hearted friend had gotten his DC ID. I was like a proud mama...props to him today.
*Wednesday, Feb. 1st, 2012: Today I got to go to Christ House, a shelter for homeless men who are just recently out of surgery or have been just released from the hospital, to visit with a man I have never met. The man had been a long-term Miriam's guest and is known as a crotchety, old, mean and slightly racist man. All I saw, when his thin, boney arm held the door open for me, was a kind, scared and tired old man. He is dying of lung cancer. As I looked around his bedroom, which resembled a hospital room, he had five dress shirts, one basket with pants, socks and underwear, a lint brush, towel, toothbrush and a giant painting of the Mona Lisa in his room. That was all...I was struck by many things with this man, but the most important one, besides his lack of possessions, was his kind sunken in eyes as he looked at me and asked me questions. I am thankful for him today.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
"Grant that I may never seek so much to be consolded as to console, to be understood as to understand."
***Song lyrics (in title) taken from the song, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" (also known as the Prayer to St. Francis).
*Friday, Jan. 20th, 2012: Today I am thankful for a guest who lit up my day. A man, who's name I won't use for obvious reasons, came up to me today. Taped together glasses, missing most of his teeth, stumbling a little because he has a bad leg and he began asking me about sports. We talked about the Wizards and how awful they are and we laughed about the silly comparisons between my Seahawks' terrible season and his Redskins' terrible season. At the end of our conversation he looked at me and said, "ya know what? People are gonna love you here because you smile a lot and like to laugh." That made my entire weekend and I am grateful for him today.
*Saturday, Jan. 21st, 2012: I am grateful for my one-on-one with Brittney today. All we did was run errands, but it was good to catch up, talk about important and not-so important things and just be there for one another. I am grateful that God has placed her in my life because our friendship has just come so easily and so organically; and because she pushed me and challenges me to dig deeper into myself and pull out parts of myself I didn't know existed. So I am thankful for our time together today.
*Sunday, Jan. 22nd, 2012: I am grateful for playoff football...I am sad that the Super Bowl is the only game left! I love going to a bar and watching the games with crazy fans and yelling a the TV screen/people who stand in my way of the screens. I am grateful for the silly friendships I've made throughout this football season at bars because although I may never see them again, they made my football watching experience more memorable and more entertaining...Go G-Men!!!
*Monday, Jan. 23rd, 2012: I am grateful for the Miriam's case management staff. I had my first staff meeting today and it was such a loving and supportive environment! They all were excited for me when I shared my "favorite" during the segment called "favorites". It's where we chose a favorite guest of the week and share the story with the staff. Everyone was attentive and excited to hear about my favorite...it was wonderful to feel that kind of support.
*Tuesday, Jan. 24th, 2012: Today was a rough day, full of bad moods and negative energy...so coming home tonight to lead spirituality night was not on the top of my "want to do" list. BUT I stole this half-idea from the current JVC Bridgeport house of taking a prayer, splitting it up four ways and having each member of my community draw whatever the words in the prayer compelled them to draw. I chose the "Prayer to St. Francis" because it was used often in my time as the Agape camp director and it carries a lot of weight to me. This is also why it is the title of this blog post. Each member of my community shared something really profound on their drawings and it shed light onto a lot of our inner experiences that we wouldn't have shared otherwise. It was a good way to "save" the crappy day I was having.
*Wednesday, Jan. 25th, 2012: Today I am grateful for a specific interaction I had today...I looked up from the desk as someone was saying, "hey, you were the one who helped me last time...can I talk with you?" I recognized his deep brown eyes, big smile and soft-spoken nature and couldn't help but smile. This man came in on my first day, looking to get his DC Non-Drivers ID (which is a poop to try and get if you don't have any documentation on you). So we had to sign him up to get food stamps, medicaid and his birth certificate (because all three are needed for him to attain his DC Non-Drivers ID). So today he came in, smiling all big and I was happy that I finally remembered a guest's name! I walked with him over to a table and read aloud his mail because he's illiterate and we both were so excited that he was granted food stamps and Medicaid. It was a wonderful moment where I actually got to be there for him from start to finish of the process and share in his successes. Such a good morning.
*Friday, Jan. 20th, 2012: Today I am thankful for a guest who lit up my day. A man, who's name I won't use for obvious reasons, came up to me today. Taped together glasses, missing most of his teeth, stumbling a little because he has a bad leg and he began asking me about sports. We talked about the Wizards and how awful they are and we laughed about the silly comparisons between my Seahawks' terrible season and his Redskins' terrible season. At the end of our conversation he looked at me and said, "ya know what? People are gonna love you here because you smile a lot and like to laugh." That made my entire weekend and I am grateful for him today.
*Saturday, Jan. 21st, 2012: I am grateful for my one-on-one with Brittney today. All we did was run errands, but it was good to catch up, talk about important and not-so important things and just be there for one another. I am grateful that God has placed her in my life because our friendship has just come so easily and so organically; and because she pushed me and challenges me to dig deeper into myself and pull out parts of myself I didn't know existed. So I am thankful for our time together today.
*Sunday, Jan. 22nd, 2012: I am grateful for playoff football...I am sad that the Super Bowl is the only game left! I love going to a bar and watching the games with crazy fans and yelling a the TV screen/people who stand in my way of the screens. I am grateful for the silly friendships I've made throughout this football season at bars because although I may never see them again, they made my football watching experience more memorable and more entertaining...Go G-Men!!!
*Monday, Jan. 23rd, 2012: I am grateful for the Miriam's case management staff. I had my first staff meeting today and it was such a loving and supportive environment! They all were excited for me when I shared my "favorite" during the segment called "favorites". It's where we chose a favorite guest of the week and share the story with the staff. Everyone was attentive and excited to hear about my favorite...it was wonderful to feel that kind of support.
*Tuesday, Jan. 24th, 2012: Today was a rough day, full of bad moods and negative energy...so coming home tonight to lead spirituality night was not on the top of my "want to do" list. BUT I stole this half-idea from the current JVC Bridgeport house of taking a prayer, splitting it up four ways and having each member of my community draw whatever the words in the prayer compelled them to draw. I chose the "Prayer to St. Francis" because it was used often in my time as the Agape camp director and it carries a lot of weight to me. This is also why it is the title of this blog post. Each member of my community shared something really profound on their drawings and it shed light onto a lot of our inner experiences that we wouldn't have shared otherwise. It was a good way to "save" the crappy day I was having.
*Wednesday, Jan. 25th, 2012: Today I am grateful for a specific interaction I had today...I looked up from the desk as someone was saying, "hey, you were the one who helped me last time...can I talk with you?" I recognized his deep brown eyes, big smile and soft-spoken nature and couldn't help but smile. This man came in on my first day, looking to get his DC Non-Drivers ID (which is a poop to try and get if you don't have any documentation on you). So we had to sign him up to get food stamps, medicaid and his birth certificate (because all three are needed for him to attain his DC Non-Drivers ID). So today he came in, smiling all big and I was happy that I finally remembered a guest's name! I walked with him over to a table and read aloud his mail because he's illiterate and we both were so excited that he was granted food stamps and Medicaid. It was a wonderful moment where I actually got to be there for him from start to finish of the process and share in his successes. Such a good morning.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
"Smiles light up as we walk in. Old conversations begin again. Hey, everything's right, everything's right tonight."
***Song lyrics (in title of blog) from the song "Everything's Right" by Matt Wertz.
*Thursday, Jan. 12th, 2012: ROAD TRIPPIN'!!! I am thankful for a fun-filled road trip up to Re-O today. Sitting in between Britt and Andy was hilarious and I am so thankful for the inside jokes we created (and continued) and the good memories we created in that almost five hour long experience.
*Friday, Jan. 13th, 2012: I am thankful for an amazing conversation and catch up time with an amazing individual. Time seemed to fly by tonight as we sat in the peace room (set up for quiet reflection during the retreat) and talked. It was so good to unload and process and hear him talk about his life/struggles/etc. I am thankful for that time with him tonight.
*Saturday, Jan. 14th, 2012: Today I am grateful for the time I got to spend running with Britt and Colleen. During our two hour chunk of time/break, we decided to run together. It was great to laugh and run and talk about stuff with one another. I really enjoyed how fast the run went by because I was running with two amazing women. It was a lot of fun and I am grateful for that time with them and for a good work out with them today.
*Sunday, Jan. 15th, 2012: I am grateful for Mass last night. It was incredibly powerful to think back to where I was at during this time last year and to look around at the people who are riding out this roller coaster ride with me. The renewal of my commitment to JVC and the blessing of hands was amazing...it was a blessing to have that time with God and my community and my greater JVC community at Mass last night especially because it helped begin my day today on a positive note and I am thankful for that.
*Monday, Jan. 16th, 2012: Today I am grateful for my time at Re-O this weekend. It was wonderful to just be and to hear from people I haven't heard from in a long time. It was an amazing opportunity for self-reflection and processing the past five months with Emmaus. I am so incredibly thankful for the time I was given to spend with people and myself.
*Tuesday, Jan. 17th, 2012: First day at Miriam's Kitchen and it was great! A lot to take in, but sooooo good. The staff is incredible and their approach to homelessness and how to "treat" it is beautiful. I was exhausted but felt so rejuvenated to be doing work that means a lot to my heart and to the hearts around me. I am thankful for a wonderful first day today. Also, Britt led our community in an amazingly powerful community night about death and dying. It was so powerful and so moving to hear from my community members and myself about our views on death and dying. I am thankful for that safe space to explore and learn from each other tonight.
*Wednesday, Jan. 18th, 2012: AHHHH! I am thankful for my amazing friends back home in Bellingham, WA. More specifically, for Sarah and Lucas! I am thankful for their beautiful relationship and the inspiration they give me in finding love and keeping/nurturing love. I am grateful for them tonight because Sarah called and asked me to be a bridesmaid in their wedding!!! AHHHHH! Of course I said no...hahaha...just kidding. I am so honored to be a part in their amazing day and love story. I can't wait to be an active participant in their wedding. It's going to be soooooo good! Love you both so so so much!
*Thursday, Jan. 19th, 2012: Went to a Point in Time training this morning to go over the procedures we need to go through for a survey we're going to conduct on Jan. 25th to count the homeless people in DC and there was a man who pulled Emily and me aside after the meeting and he told us this: "I used to be here. I used to come here to eat, to meet up with friends and then after two years, I pulled myself out of it. It was hard work and many, many trials but I am a success story." He told us about his background and what he's doing now and it was great. It was a nice way to remind ourselves that we plant the seeds that we may not see grow...because the JV from a few years ago probably didn't think he/she was making much of a difference with him, but he/she did. Today, I am thankful for success stories.
*Thursday, Jan. 12th, 2012: ROAD TRIPPIN'!!! I am thankful for a fun-filled road trip up to Re-O today. Sitting in between Britt and Andy was hilarious and I am so thankful for the inside jokes we created (and continued) and the good memories we created in that almost five hour long experience.
*Friday, Jan. 13th, 2012: I am thankful for an amazing conversation and catch up time with an amazing individual. Time seemed to fly by tonight as we sat in the peace room (set up for quiet reflection during the retreat) and talked. It was so good to unload and process and hear him talk about his life/struggles/etc. I am thankful for that time with him tonight.
*Saturday, Jan. 14th, 2012: Today I am grateful for the time I got to spend running with Britt and Colleen. During our two hour chunk of time/break, we decided to run together. It was great to laugh and run and talk about stuff with one another. I really enjoyed how fast the run went by because I was running with two amazing women. It was a lot of fun and I am grateful for that time with them and for a good work out with them today.
*Sunday, Jan. 15th, 2012: I am grateful for Mass last night. It was incredibly powerful to think back to where I was at during this time last year and to look around at the people who are riding out this roller coaster ride with me. The renewal of my commitment to JVC and the blessing of hands was amazing...it was a blessing to have that time with God and my community and my greater JVC community at Mass last night especially because it helped begin my day today on a positive note and I am thankful for that.
*Monday, Jan. 16th, 2012: Today I am grateful for my time at Re-O this weekend. It was wonderful to just be and to hear from people I haven't heard from in a long time. It was an amazing opportunity for self-reflection and processing the past five months with Emmaus. I am so incredibly thankful for the time I was given to spend with people and myself.
*Tuesday, Jan. 17th, 2012: First day at Miriam's Kitchen and it was great! A lot to take in, but sooooo good. The staff is incredible and their approach to homelessness and how to "treat" it is beautiful. I was exhausted but felt so rejuvenated to be doing work that means a lot to my heart and to the hearts around me. I am thankful for a wonderful first day today. Also, Britt led our community in an amazingly powerful community night about death and dying. It was so powerful and so moving to hear from my community members and myself about our views on death and dying. I am thankful for that safe space to explore and learn from each other tonight.
*Wednesday, Jan. 18th, 2012: AHHHH! I am thankful for my amazing friends back home in Bellingham, WA. More specifically, for Sarah and Lucas! I am thankful for their beautiful relationship and the inspiration they give me in finding love and keeping/nurturing love. I am grateful for them tonight because Sarah called and asked me to be a bridesmaid in their wedding!!! AHHHHH! Of course I said no...hahaha...just kidding. I am so honored to be a part in their amazing day and love story. I can't wait to be an active participant in their wedding. It's going to be soooooo good! Love you both so so so much!
*Thursday, Jan. 19th, 2012: Went to a Point in Time training this morning to go over the procedures we need to go through for a survey we're going to conduct on Jan. 25th to count the homeless people in DC and there was a man who pulled Emily and me aside after the meeting and he told us this: "I used to be here. I used to come here to eat, to meet up with friends and then after two years, I pulled myself out of it. It was hard work and many, many trials but I am a success story." He told us about his background and what he's doing now and it was great. It was a nice way to remind ourselves that we plant the seeds that we may not see grow...because the JV from a few years ago probably didn't think he/she was making much of a difference with him, but he/she did. Today, I am thankful for success stories.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
"Blue skies smilin' at me. Nothin' but blue skies do I see."
***Song lyrics (in title of blog) taken from "Blue Skies" by Irving Berlin.
*Tuesday, Jan. 10th, 2012: Today I am grateful for reminders of my past. We watched "Dying to Live" tonight...a fabulous movie on immigration and migrant workers and it reminded me of the work I was privileged to do with Agape in the summers of 2009 and 2010. We used to use the movie during Agape to show the experiences of a migrant and to show a humanistic portrayal of immigration. I led a conversation about it all with my housemates after that and it was so fruitful to share the stories of the families I met through my summers working with the migrant camps in Lynden, WA. I showed my housemates pictures and told them about funny moments, sad moments and my opinions on immigration and the US agricultural department(s). It was great to re-live and dust off those old Agape journals and remember those I love. I am grateful for that time and space to share tonight.
*Wednesday, Jan. 11th, 2012: I guess when you are on your way out and the finish line is more in range it is easier to be appreciative of the things that have challenged you or the things you are struggling with. That's how I'm feeling today. Although Emmaus was difficult and messy and trying at time, I end my day today (my last day at Emmaus) grateful. I am eternally grateful for the love I've felt from the seniors, our laughter, the memories I'll hold dear and the pain that we've experience. I will carry their stories and lives with me everywhere I go because they loved me from the moment I stepped foot into that building on 1426 9th Street NW. They have challenged me and surprised me; they have encouraged me and loved me for who I am (except that they keep bugging me to find a man). I love them and will miss each and every one of them. I am grateful for my supervisor, who has been nothing but encouraging and loving and supportive throughout everything. She has such a heart of love and a heart of compassion that I am grateful for her. Thank you, Emmaus for so many, many reasons.
*Tuesday, Jan. 10th, 2012: Today I am grateful for reminders of my past. We watched "Dying to Live" tonight...a fabulous movie on immigration and migrant workers and it reminded me of the work I was privileged to do with Agape in the summers of 2009 and 2010. We used to use the movie during Agape to show the experiences of a migrant and to show a humanistic portrayal of immigration. I led a conversation about it all with my housemates after that and it was so fruitful to share the stories of the families I met through my summers working with the migrant camps in Lynden, WA. I showed my housemates pictures and told them about funny moments, sad moments and my opinions on immigration and the US agricultural department(s). It was great to re-live and dust off those old Agape journals and remember those I love. I am grateful for that time and space to share tonight.
*Wednesday, Jan. 11th, 2012: I guess when you are on your way out and the finish line is more in range it is easier to be appreciative of the things that have challenged you or the things you are struggling with. That's how I'm feeling today. Although Emmaus was difficult and messy and trying at time, I end my day today (my last day at Emmaus) grateful. I am eternally grateful for the love I've felt from the seniors, our laughter, the memories I'll hold dear and the pain that we've experience. I will carry their stories and lives with me everywhere I go because they loved me from the moment I stepped foot into that building on 1426 9th Street NW. They have challenged me and surprised me; they have encouraged me and loved me for who I am (except that they keep bugging me to find a man). I love them and will miss each and every one of them. I am grateful for my supervisor, who has been nothing but encouraging and loving and supportive throughout everything. She has such a heart of love and a heart of compassion that I am grateful for her. Thank you, Emmaus for so many, many reasons.
Monday, January 9, 2012
"I'm not gonna let it get me down; I'm not gonna cry and I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight."
***Song lyrics (in title of blog) taken from "Bring on the Rain" by Jo Dee Messina. "I'm not gonna let it get me down. I'm not gonna cry. And I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight ('cause) tomorrow's another day and I am not afraid so bring on the rain."
*Saturday, Jan. 7th, 2012: Today was a day full of fun and tourism! I went to a handful of Smithsonians and it was fabulous. The National Art Gallery was amazing and I plan to go back as soon as I can. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. It was exactly what I needed after a long week of ups and downs, it was nice just to look at beautiful paintings and remember why I love art so much. Then, I met up with Brittney and her friend at the American History museum and we goofed around on all the transportation exhibits; taking pictures and being silly. Today I am grateful for down time and living in an incredible city, full of history.
*Sunday, Jan. 8th, 2012: I am so grateful for Mass this morning. It was phenomenal. The Gospel reading was all about the Epiphany, and how Herod asked the Maggi to find Jesus and then report back to him. The priest took this reading and related it to two things: 1) Greeting everyday as a gift and 2) Relinquishing our allusions of control. For the first part, he said it reminded him of an old "Hi and Lois" comic strip. He explained it like the Dad wakes up and says, "ugh, another dumb day at my dumb job, doing the same dumb work." Then it shows the Mom, "ugh, another dumb day, doing dumb housework and cooking the same dumb meal." Then it shows the teenager, "ugh, another dumb day going to another dumb day of school, doing the same dumb homework." Then it finally shows the two-year-old girl, Trixie, with big eyes, just waking up in her crib: "Another Day!" The priest talked about how we need to greet each day like Trixie, with big Christmas eyes and thanking the Lord for the greatest gift, life itself. THEN, he related Herod's desperation to cling onto control to how we each have a little Herod in us...we each think we have control and desperately want control, but the true wisdom, the sign of adulthood comes when we learn to relinquish the little Herod in us, when we learn to let go of our allusions of control. It was a really, really wonderful homily and I'm so happy I got to hear it today.
*Monday, Jan. 9th, 2012: Today, I am thankful for my encouraging supervisor. She was such a source of strength and support today. Today I had to meet with my ED about my departure from Emmaus and he was less than pleased. Beforehand, my supervisor was encouraging, supportive and as I told her I was nervous and scared she said, "Katie, don't you give him that power to make you feel that way." It was such a beautiful thing to say. Her words carried with me into the meeting with my ED and gave me such strength and courage. I am so incredibly grateful for her today.
*Saturday, Jan. 7th, 2012: Today was a day full of fun and tourism! I went to a handful of Smithsonians and it was fabulous. The National Art Gallery was amazing and I plan to go back as soon as I can. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. It was exactly what I needed after a long week of ups and downs, it was nice just to look at beautiful paintings and remember why I love art so much. Then, I met up with Brittney and her friend at the American History museum and we goofed around on all the transportation exhibits; taking pictures and being silly. Today I am grateful for down time and living in an incredible city, full of history.
*Sunday, Jan. 8th, 2012: I am so grateful for Mass this morning. It was phenomenal. The Gospel reading was all about the Epiphany, and how Herod asked the Maggi to find Jesus and then report back to him. The priest took this reading and related it to two things: 1) Greeting everyday as a gift and 2) Relinquishing our allusions of control. For the first part, he said it reminded him of an old "Hi and Lois" comic strip. He explained it like the Dad wakes up and says, "ugh, another dumb day at my dumb job, doing the same dumb work." Then it shows the Mom, "ugh, another dumb day, doing dumb housework and cooking the same dumb meal." Then it shows the teenager, "ugh, another dumb day going to another dumb day of school, doing the same dumb homework." Then it finally shows the two-year-old girl, Trixie, with big eyes, just waking up in her crib: "Another Day!" The priest talked about how we need to greet each day like Trixie, with big Christmas eyes and thanking the Lord for the greatest gift, life itself. THEN, he related Herod's desperation to cling onto control to how we each have a little Herod in us...we each think we have control and desperately want control, but the true wisdom, the sign of adulthood comes when we learn to relinquish the little Herod in us, when we learn to let go of our allusions of control. It was a really, really wonderful homily and I'm so happy I got to hear it today.
*Monday, Jan. 9th, 2012: Today, I am thankful for my encouraging supervisor. She was such a source of strength and support today. Today I had to meet with my ED about my departure from Emmaus and he was less than pleased. Beforehand, my supervisor was encouraging, supportive and as I told her I was nervous and scared she said, "Katie, don't you give him that power to make you feel that way." It was such a beautiful thing to say. Her words carried with me into the meeting with my ED and gave me such strength and courage. I am so incredibly grateful for her today.
Friday, January 6, 2012
"You can go your own way. Go your own way."
***Song lyrics (in title of blog) taken from "Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac.
*Wednesday, Jan. 4th, 2012: Last night was rough...yesterday was rough. I got rejected from the placement I was really hoping for. It's my fault that I put all my eggs in one basket and it's my fault I got my hopes up so I can only really blame myself for the poopiness I was feeling last night. On a brighter note, I am thankful for my roommates (a-hem, I mean community mates) today. After I fell apart during our check-in last night, they were there for me. They just listened to me...didn't respond, let me sit in my silence and then tears with blubbering words and then silence and then tears with blubbering words again. After our check-in, one of my community mates came up to me and kissed my forehead, that's all...no words, no advice, just a kiss...it was perfect. Then one of my other community mates told me (when it was just the two of us) that she was amazed by my strength and so proud. I am grateful for them today...they gave me strength to come into Emmaus and begin from square one and look for another placement.
*Thursday, Jan. 5th, 2012: Today I am thankful for one of my seniors, *Ms. 007. I had to make a poopy announcement that our lunch delivery people didn't show up and all I could do was order pizza and some of the seniors were angry and then lectured me about the devil playing a role in why Emmaus is failing...then, Ms. 007 said, "well I think she's doing the best she can and I LOVE pizza." She made me smile and made me feel like I hadn't completely failed. She is my angel. She is the reason I will miss Emmaus...such a beautiful human being. I am grateful for Ms. 007 today.
*Friday, Jan. 6th, 2012: This is the grand-daddy of BIG news and important things filled with gratitude! I FOUND A NEW PLACEMENT!!! I will be working at a new placement come January 17th. I accepted the position this afternoon and am excited to see where this new chapter will take me. I am nervous because my current ED is finding out this weekend that I am leaving, and I fear his response, but I need to look to the future. I am leaving this really ugly, really messy situation and going my own way to a new placement. I will be working at Miriam's Kitchen: http://www.miriamskitchen.org/. I am excited and beyond ecstatic about the news because it's a great placement (it's a placement I applied for last year). So thank you for all your prayers, all your support and all your love. God had a plan for me from the get-go and I just needed to rest assure in that. :) P.S. This song, "Go Your Own Way" came on the radio as soon as I got to my desk at Emmaus today...thought it fitting.
*Names changed for obvious reasons
*Wednesday, Jan. 4th, 2012: Last night was rough...yesterday was rough. I got rejected from the placement I was really hoping for. It's my fault that I put all my eggs in one basket and it's my fault I got my hopes up so I can only really blame myself for the poopiness I was feeling last night. On a brighter note, I am thankful for my roommates (a-hem, I mean community mates) today. After I fell apart during our check-in last night, they were there for me. They just listened to me...didn't respond, let me sit in my silence and then tears with blubbering words and then silence and then tears with blubbering words again. After our check-in, one of my community mates came up to me and kissed my forehead, that's all...no words, no advice, just a kiss...it was perfect. Then one of my other community mates told me (when it was just the two of us) that she was amazed by my strength and so proud. I am grateful for them today...they gave me strength to come into Emmaus and begin from square one and look for another placement.
*Thursday, Jan. 5th, 2012: Today I am thankful for one of my seniors, *Ms. 007. I had to make a poopy announcement that our lunch delivery people didn't show up and all I could do was order pizza and some of the seniors were angry and then lectured me about the devil playing a role in why Emmaus is failing...then, Ms. 007 said, "well I think she's doing the best she can and I LOVE pizza." She made me smile and made me feel like I hadn't completely failed. She is my angel. She is the reason I will miss Emmaus...such a beautiful human being. I am grateful for Ms. 007 today.
*Friday, Jan. 6th, 2012: This is the grand-daddy of BIG news and important things filled with gratitude! I FOUND A NEW PLACEMENT!!! I will be working at a new placement come January 17th. I accepted the position this afternoon and am excited to see where this new chapter will take me. I am nervous because my current ED is finding out this weekend that I am leaving, and I fear his response, but I need to look to the future. I am leaving this really ugly, really messy situation and going my own way to a new placement. I will be working at Miriam's Kitchen: http://www.miriamskitchen.org/. I am excited and beyond ecstatic about the news because it's a great placement (it's a placement I applied for last year). So thank you for all your prayers, all your support and all your love. God had a plan for me from the get-go and I just needed to rest assure in that. :) P.S. This song, "Go Your Own Way" came on the radio as soon as I got to my desk at Emmaus today...thought it fitting.
*Names changed for obvious reasons
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
"There you go making me feel like a kid. Won't you do it and do it one time."
***Song lyrics (in blog title) taken from “Stuck Like Glue” by Sugerland. I have had this song stuck in my head for the past four days...it's so upbeat and fun! :)
*Thursday, Dec. 29th, 2011: Woke up early and made my return back to DC today. Today I am thankful for the nice United airlines desk person. My flight to DC was canceled when I got to Chicago and the nice desk person got me on the next flight out of Chicago...I was supposed to originally leave Chicago at 1pm but instead left on the next flight at 3pm because of her quick thinking and kindness. Other people from my cancelled flight were put on stand-by (like 30 people on the stand-by list) and I swooped right in on the 3pm flight...that desk woman was such a blessing today.
*Friday, Dec. 30th, 2011: So I am having a hard time letting go of Christmas and today I watched "The Polar Express". I am grateful for Christmas movies and the "Polar Express" that remind us that "seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."
*Saturday, Dec. 31st, 2011: NEW YEAR'S EVE!!! I am grateful for my community mate, Brittney, and her parents today. We had such a good time going out to eat, talking about Britt's childhood and then going into Alexandria for the First Night celebration. After we got our tickets to First Night, we went to a bar and proceeded to welcome in the New Year a little faded (to say the least). It was fun celebrating with them and watching the Times Square ball drop on TV and just bring in the new year with amazing people.
*Sunday, Jan. 1st, 2012: I am grateful for football today. I love watching the games and I had such a blast watching ALL of the 1 o'clock games today and watching the Eagles win, sadly watching the Jets lose and the Lions lose :(. I was holding out for a Jets win today but it didn't happen. I love the bar sports atmosphere of fans and craziness that you just don't get in the Pacific Northwest. I am grateful for east coast sports bars and fans today. :)
*Monday, Jan. 2nd, 2012: All of my community mates came home today! I am grateful for their safe return! It felt like our home was complete when everyone came back tonight. I was sitting on the couch, crocheting and watching Jeopardy, when Cara and Colleen came home about 15 minutes apart. It was nice to have them back and excited to share about their travels and holidays. I am grateful for them and the break we had away from each other to help me appreciate them more.
*Tuesday, Jan. 3rd, 2012: Back to the wind and grind of work. I am still at Emmaus and am working to find other options for me as a JV. I am hoping that 2012 proves to be a wonderful volunteer year for me and for those I will be and have served. Today I am grateful for the receptionist at Emmaus. I hadn't seen her since Dec. 9th so having her back in the office is really nice. She had inside jokes with me and laughs with me about silly things. She shares stories with me and asks about my family all the time so I'm grateful she's back...she's such a silver lining to this dark cloud.
*Thursday, Dec. 29th, 2011: Woke up early and made my return back to DC today. Today I am thankful for the nice United airlines desk person. My flight to DC was canceled when I got to Chicago and the nice desk person got me on the next flight out of Chicago...I was supposed to originally leave Chicago at 1pm but instead left on the next flight at 3pm because of her quick thinking and kindness. Other people from my cancelled flight were put on stand-by (like 30 people on the stand-by list) and I swooped right in on the 3pm flight...that desk woman was such a blessing today.
*Friday, Dec. 30th, 2011: So I am having a hard time letting go of Christmas and today I watched "The Polar Express". I am grateful for Christmas movies and the "Polar Express" that remind us that "seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."
*Saturday, Dec. 31st, 2011: NEW YEAR'S EVE!!! I am grateful for my community mate, Brittney, and her parents today. We had such a good time going out to eat, talking about Britt's childhood and then going into Alexandria for the First Night celebration. After we got our tickets to First Night, we went to a bar and proceeded to welcome in the New Year a little faded (to say the least). It was fun celebrating with them and watching the Times Square ball drop on TV and just bring in the new year with amazing people.
*Sunday, Jan. 1st, 2012: I am grateful for football today. I love watching the games and I had such a blast watching ALL of the 1 o'clock games today and watching the Eagles win, sadly watching the Jets lose and the Lions lose :(. I was holding out for a Jets win today but it didn't happen. I love the bar sports atmosphere of fans and craziness that you just don't get in the Pacific Northwest. I am grateful for east coast sports bars and fans today. :)
*Monday, Jan. 2nd, 2012: All of my community mates came home today! I am grateful for their safe return! It felt like our home was complete when everyone came back tonight. I was sitting on the couch, crocheting and watching Jeopardy, when Cara and Colleen came home about 15 minutes apart. It was nice to have them back and excited to share about their travels and holidays. I am grateful for them and the break we had away from each other to help me appreciate them more.
*Tuesday, Jan. 3rd, 2012: Back to the wind and grind of work. I am still at Emmaus and am working to find other options for me as a JV. I am hoping that 2012 proves to be a wonderful volunteer year for me and for those I will be and have served. Today I am grateful for the receptionist at Emmaus. I hadn't seen her since Dec. 9th so having her back in the office is really nice. She had inside jokes with me and laughs with me about silly things. She shares stories with me and asks about my family all the time so I'm grateful she's back...she's such a silver lining to this dark cloud.
"When My Heart Finds Christmas, I Hope it Finds You Too"
***Song lyrics (in blog title) taken from "When My Heart Finds Christmas" by Harry Connick Jr.
*Wednesday, Dec. 21st, 2011: Last day of work in 2011!!! Today was rough and irritating and stressful but I am thankful for vacation time away from my messy work situation. I am thankful for the opportunity and the gift to leave this craziness and the time to take a break away from everything. I just need time away and it's coming TOMORROW! I am so excited to see my parents and see my brother for Christmas. I can't wait...I am grateful for this gift!
*Thursday, Dec. 22nd, 2011: Today I am thankful for kind travelers, willing to give up their seat on a plane. I got on my flight to Chicago perfectly but when I got to my gate at Chicago, I didn't have a seat assignment. They over-booked the flight and didn't have a seat for me...I was freaking out because I know zero people in Chicago I could contact in case I was stranded overnight. After they boarded everyone and closed the gate doors, I started to tear up because it thought that was it for me and I'd have to play my odds to get on a flight the next day...THEN some people gave up their seats. Two very nice young women stepped forward to give up their seats and I got my seat assignment. What holiday spirit...what kindness. I am grateful for their kindness today because I got into Boise at 11:30pm because of their kindness.
*Friday, Dec. 23rd, 2011: I am grateful for quality Mommy and Katie time today. I woke up early, went for a run and went out to breakfast with my parents, and then my mom and I hit the stores. As soon as she saw my wardrobe, she was startled by my lack of "big girl clothes" so she took me shopping. I don't know how simple living it is or what have you, but she spent money on a relatively new wardrobe for me. More importantly, I spent about five hours with my mom, making fun of the crazy styles out there, laughing about our past shopping trips and just spending quality time together. I miss my mama so much and this little shopping trip reminded me of how much peace and joy she brings to my life.
*Saturday, Dec. 24th, 2011: CHRISTMAS EVE!!! I am thankful for my brother because he and I made Christmas Eve Mass memorable...or maybe that was the off key, out of tune choir...hmmmm. The church was beautiful, but that was probably the extent of the meaningfulness of the Mass. It was a very disappointing Mass because the priest seemed like he didn't want to be there, the choir was awful and the congregation seemed out of it as well...BUT despite this, my brother and I bonded over the terrible choir and reflected on the readings after Mass. I am thankful for his reflections and willingness to make the most out of the disappointing Mass.
*Sunday, Dec. 25th, 2011: CHRISTMAS DAY!!! I am grateful for my sister(s) today. Although they weren't able to make it up to Boise for Christmas, they called during our opening of gifts and opened two of theirs while we were on the phone with them. It was as if they were there. Not having them there was a bummer because their presence(s) were definitely missed but I love that they made up for it by calling and opening gifts with us over the phone. It was a bright idea and I am grateful for both of them today.
*Monday, Dec. 26th, 2011: I am grateful for a whole day of football and a whole day of laziness. My brother and I watched football together and our silly comments about the game made me realize how similar we are sometimes. After watching countless college games, we watched Jeopardy with my parents (a favorite past time). I am amazed by my father's knowledge and his ability to wait until we have all guessed every possible answer before he chimes in his (correct) answer. He is so smart and I hope to one day beat him in Jeopardy...hahaha...I am grateful for bonding over similar TV watching styles and laziness today.
*Tuesday, Dec. 27th, 2011: I am grateful for Conway fun family day! My parents, brother and I went to see the new Muppets movie and then did a family tradition of scouting out the "pretties" (Christmas lights) of the neighborhood. It was like we were kids again...it was fun to goof around and laugh together and just spend a lot of quality time together. I loved every minute of our family fun time. It also made me very thankful for our ability to enjoy each other's company without any added "stuff". We have a good time just hanging out together and simply driving around in a car and looking at Christmas lights together is the epitome of our simple leisure activities. I am grateful for them and that today.
*Wednesday, Dec. 28th, 2011: My last day in Boise...I am grateful for this time I've gotten to spend with my family. I am incredibly grateful for the kindness of my brother (for buying me a plane ticket home), for my sister(s) (for thinking of us from so far away), for my dad (for his silly humor and challenging questions about my life and future choices) and for my mama (for just being a wonderful and loving human being). This trip reminded me of everything I love in life. It helped me to remember who I am at my core and who I want to be. Tonight, I went on a pie date with my mama (our tradition from years ago) and we got to have really in-depth conversations about family, friends and relationships. I am so grateful for my family and so grateful for this gift to be with them during the holidays (especially when there are many who don't get to be with their loved ones during the holidays). This was a wonderful week of gratitude and humility.
*Wednesday, Dec. 21st, 2011: Last day of work in 2011!!! Today was rough and irritating and stressful but I am thankful for vacation time away from my messy work situation. I am thankful for the opportunity and the gift to leave this craziness and the time to take a break away from everything. I just need time away and it's coming TOMORROW! I am so excited to see my parents and see my brother for Christmas. I can't wait...I am grateful for this gift!
*Thursday, Dec. 22nd, 2011: Today I am thankful for kind travelers, willing to give up their seat on a plane. I got on my flight to Chicago perfectly but when I got to my gate at Chicago, I didn't have a seat assignment. They over-booked the flight and didn't have a seat for me...I was freaking out because I know zero people in Chicago I could contact in case I was stranded overnight. After they boarded everyone and closed the gate doors, I started to tear up because it thought that was it for me and I'd have to play my odds to get on a flight the next day...THEN some people gave up their seats. Two very nice young women stepped forward to give up their seats and I got my seat assignment. What holiday spirit...what kindness. I am grateful for their kindness today because I got into Boise at 11:30pm because of their kindness.
*Friday, Dec. 23rd, 2011: I am grateful for quality Mommy and Katie time today. I woke up early, went for a run and went out to breakfast with my parents, and then my mom and I hit the stores. As soon as she saw my wardrobe, she was startled by my lack of "big girl clothes" so she took me shopping. I don't know how simple living it is or what have you, but she spent money on a relatively new wardrobe for me. More importantly, I spent about five hours with my mom, making fun of the crazy styles out there, laughing about our past shopping trips and just spending quality time together. I miss my mama so much and this little shopping trip reminded me of how much peace and joy she brings to my life.
*Saturday, Dec. 24th, 2011: CHRISTMAS EVE!!! I am thankful for my brother because he and I made Christmas Eve Mass memorable...or maybe that was the off key, out of tune choir...hmmmm. The church was beautiful, but that was probably the extent of the meaningfulness of the Mass. It was a very disappointing Mass because the priest seemed like he didn't want to be there, the choir was awful and the congregation seemed out of it as well...BUT despite this, my brother and I bonded over the terrible choir and reflected on the readings after Mass. I am thankful for his reflections and willingness to make the most out of the disappointing Mass.
*Sunday, Dec. 25th, 2011: CHRISTMAS DAY!!! I am grateful for my sister(s) today. Although they weren't able to make it up to Boise for Christmas, they called during our opening of gifts and opened two of theirs while we were on the phone with them. It was as if they were there. Not having them there was a bummer because their presence(s) were definitely missed but I love that they made up for it by calling and opening gifts with us over the phone. It was a bright idea and I am grateful for both of them today.
*Monday, Dec. 26th, 2011: I am grateful for a whole day of football and a whole day of laziness. My brother and I watched football together and our silly comments about the game made me realize how similar we are sometimes. After watching countless college games, we watched Jeopardy with my parents (a favorite past time). I am amazed by my father's knowledge and his ability to wait until we have all guessed every possible answer before he chimes in his (correct) answer. He is so smart and I hope to one day beat him in Jeopardy...hahaha...I am grateful for bonding over similar TV watching styles and laziness today.
*Tuesday, Dec. 27th, 2011: I am grateful for Conway fun family day! My parents, brother and I went to see the new Muppets movie and then did a family tradition of scouting out the "pretties" (Christmas lights) of the neighborhood. It was like we were kids again...it was fun to goof around and laugh together and just spend a lot of quality time together. I loved every minute of our family fun time. It also made me very thankful for our ability to enjoy each other's company without any added "stuff". We have a good time just hanging out together and simply driving around in a car and looking at Christmas lights together is the epitome of our simple leisure activities. I am grateful for them and that today.
*Wednesday, Dec. 28th, 2011: My last day in Boise...I am grateful for this time I've gotten to spend with my family. I am incredibly grateful for the kindness of my brother (for buying me a plane ticket home), for my sister(s) (for thinking of us from so far away), for my dad (for his silly humor and challenging questions about my life and future choices) and for my mama (for just being a wonderful and loving human being). This trip reminded me of everything I love in life. It helped me to remember who I am at my core and who I want to be. Tonight, I went on a pie date with my mama (our tradition from years ago) and we got to have really in-depth conversations about family, friends and relationships. I am so grateful for my family and so grateful for this gift to be with them during the holidays (especially when there are many who don't get to be with their loved ones during the holidays). This was a wonderful week of gratitude and humility.
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