One of my favorite vocalists is Josh Groban, and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes! He has a song titled "You are Loved" which is a small anthem in my life. When I left for JVC, my mom's best friend, Mary O'Connor, gave me a Celtic heart necklace to remind me I am loved. I wear it most days to work (the exceptions being when I wake up with 10 minutes to get ready) and it has gotten a bit tarnished already. Whenever I wear it, I hum that song in my head.
Tuesday was Valentine's Day, and as Cher and many others have sang, "Love was in the Air." (The lyric is actually "Love is in the air" but I had to have verb agreement.) Nothing awful happened at the park and everybody was happy. It was especially windy, but that only reminded me of home!
The week at the park has been relatively uneventful, as has life at the casa. Same old, same old! Parents have invaded the house- Tess's mom came in last night, Laura's parents came in this morning, and Kathleen's parents and siblings will be here in a few minutes! Everyone (except for Krystal and I) will be gone this weekend, and we have the house to ourselves! Chick flicks and hot cocoa- here we come!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Give me one reason to stay here. . .
Why am I here? Here's a reason:
A letter of condemnation was written to Sacramento mayor, Kevin Johnson, by a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights. Catarina de Albuquerque visited Sacramento in 2011 and found it appalling that the city targets the homeless specifically by denying access to clean water and public restrooms. She called this treatment “cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment” under international law, comparing the homeless plight in Sacramento to that of a second world country.
That's right- Sacramento is violating human rights. The city shuts of water fountains, locks park and other local bathrooms, and tickets the homeless for public urination/defecation and illegal camping. SafeGround, the illegal tent city, has offered to pay for a portable bathroom if they were allowed to legally camp in a plot of land. The city denies them.
Now the U.N. has stepped in, and the mayor "understands the frustration" and the homelessness problem and it "has kept him awake most nights." He went on to say, "No one is more frustrated than me by the lack of progress in fully addressing our homelessness challenges."
Really? Well this is an election year. . .
Read for yourself-
Here's the Letter
Here is the best press release
Here's a general follow-up with links to other press
Here is a Huffington Post article
SafeGround held a press conference on this letter and little press coverage was given to this issue. Our major newspaper had a press clipping. This issue was not on the agenda to discuss in the city council meeting.
Our mayor loses sleep because of this issue, but is doing nothing to resolve it.
A letter of condemnation was written to Sacramento mayor, Kevin Johnson, by a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights. Catarina de Albuquerque visited Sacramento in 2011 and found it appalling that the city targets the homeless specifically by denying access to clean water and public restrooms. She called this treatment “cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment” under international law, comparing the homeless plight in Sacramento to that of a second world country.
That's right- Sacramento is violating human rights. The city shuts of water fountains, locks park and other local bathrooms, and tickets the homeless for public urination/defecation and illegal camping. SafeGround, the illegal tent city, has offered to pay for a portable bathroom if they were allowed to legally camp in a plot of land. The city denies them.
Now the U.N. has stepped in, and the mayor "understands the frustration" and the homelessness problem and it "has kept him awake most nights." He went on to say, "No one is more frustrated than me by the lack of progress in fully addressing our homelessness challenges."
Really? Well this is an election year. . .
Read for yourself-
Here's the Letter
Here is the best press release
Here's a general follow-up with links to other press
Here is a Huffington Post article
SafeGround held a press conference on this letter and little press coverage was given to this issue. Our major newspaper had a press clipping. This issue was not on the agenda to discuss in the city council meeting.
Our mayor loses sleep because of this issue, but is doing nothing to resolve it.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Here It Goes Again. . .
This song ("Here It Goes Again", by OK Go) just happened to start playing when I started writing this post. And it couldn't be more perfect.
I was gone on a Re-Orientation retreat for the JVC in the past week. I was back at the same camp in Aptos, CA, examining my life, again. This time, six months later, I knew my casa-mates better, and a few other JVs, too. It was a time to rededicate ourselves to the four tenants, particularly Social Justice. (In case you don't remember, the four tenants that I have dedicated my life to are Community, Social Justice, Simple Living, and Spirituality.)
There were lots of talks on the Pastoral Circle and the Ignatian method of discernment. (St. Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of the Jesuits and who my casa is named after!) We examined our experiences, social analysis, theological reflections, discernment, and action. We had fantastic prayers held by different casas in the Southwest region, a wonderful homily given by another Sacramento JV, and different activities every night.
And now I'm back in Sacramento, at my job, in my casa. I have six months left. Six months. Six months to deepen my relationships with my community members, co-workers, friends, and guests. Six months to live in this fantastic house, live off of $100 a month, not pay any bills, receive a food box whenever I ask, and be generally protected by almost everyone I meet. I have one particularly protective guest, James, that asks me every day if I have a problem with anyone at the park. If I do, he'll take care of it. Every day my answer is the same- "Not today, James, but I'll let you know." Yesterday, my co-worker Tim and I went to an elementary school to talk with the classes and pick up recycled bikes from their service learning class. The one thing I tried to stress in each class is how well we are taken care of- protected and safe. It truly feels like a family!
So here I go again- and I can't wait!
I was gone on a Re-Orientation retreat for the JVC in the past week. I was back at the same camp in Aptos, CA, examining my life, again. This time, six months later, I knew my casa-mates better, and a few other JVs, too. It was a time to rededicate ourselves to the four tenants, particularly Social Justice. (In case you don't remember, the four tenants that I have dedicated my life to are Community, Social Justice, Simple Living, and Spirituality.)
There were lots of talks on the Pastoral Circle and the Ignatian method of discernment. (St. Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of the Jesuits and who my casa is named after!) We examined our experiences, social analysis, theological reflections, discernment, and action. We had fantastic prayers held by different casas in the Southwest region, a wonderful homily given by another Sacramento JV, and different activities every night.
And now I'm back in Sacramento, at my job, in my casa. I have six months left. Six months. Six months to deepen my relationships with my community members, co-workers, friends, and guests. Six months to live in this fantastic house, live off of $100 a month, not pay any bills, receive a food box whenever I ask, and be generally protected by almost everyone I meet. I have one particularly protective guest, James, that asks me every day if I have a problem with anyone at the park. If I do, he'll take care of it. Every day my answer is the same- "Not today, James, but I'll let you know." Yesterday, my co-worker Tim and I went to an elementary school to talk with the classes and pick up recycled bikes from their service learning class. The one thing I tried to stress in each class is how well we are taken care of- protected and safe. It truly feels like a family!
So here I go again- and I can't wait!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
I Hate Technology. . . but Not as Much as You, You See
So the major event of this week has been the rain. In normal winter climates, places get snow. We get rain, more like torrential downpours! The rain started last Friday, continued through the weekend (minus my birthday) and stopped Monday night. Not only was it unpleasant to be in the rain, but I exchanged so many shoes!
This is why I hate technology. I didn't bring my camera to work (nor did anybody else) but the 100+ wet shoes were a sight to behold! I took a picture with my phone to show you lovely viewers, but I cannot get it to my computer! Oh well. Imagine a bookshelf full with wet shoes smashed in, and that's what this picture looked like. Then add mildew, mud, shoe odor, and wetness, and this is what it smelled like.
I also hate technology this week because I'm starting to job search/find a path in life. I made a vow not to think about the future until February. . . I almost made it. I have not applied for any jobs or updated my resume, yet. I am thinking about non-profit work, more volunteer work, or continued education, but I am overwhelmed. I've been glued to my computer for the past week and it feels awful. If you have any suggestions for my future, please let me know! I'm always very interested in others' opinions.
This blog post is a day early due to the fact that I will be going to re-orientation tomorrow! We will be re-dedicating ourselves to this service year and examining more social justice issues in depth.
I'll tell you how it goes next post!!
This is why I hate technology. I didn't bring my camera to work (nor did anybody else) but the 100+ wet shoes were a sight to behold! I took a picture with my phone to show you lovely viewers, but I cannot get it to my computer! Oh well. Imagine a bookshelf full with wet shoes smashed in, and that's what this picture looked like. Then add mildew, mud, shoe odor, and wetness, and this is what it smelled like.
I also hate technology this week because I'm starting to job search/find a path in life. I made a vow not to think about the future until February. . . I almost made it. I have not applied for any jobs or updated my resume, yet. I am thinking about non-profit work, more volunteer work, or continued education, but I am overwhelmed. I've been glued to my computer for the past week and it feels awful. If you have any suggestions for my future, please let me know! I'm always very interested in others' opinions.
This blog post is a day early due to the fact that I will be going to re-orientation tomorrow! We will be re-dedicating ourselves to this service year and examining more social justice issues in depth.
I'll tell you how it goes next post!!
Friday, January 20, 2012
We're gonna party like it's your birthday!
Yes, it is my 24th birthday tomorrow (January 21st). Birthdays have never been that big of a deal for me, but I do like to feel special! Today at work, I felt very special!! I went out to lunch with Garren and had a little emotional check-in, I was sung "Happy Birthday" two times over the intercom, and I was wished a happy birthday at least a hundred times! Not to shabby!
Birthday plans are as follows:
-Attend a wedding of two of the guests at the park
-Dinner with casa at a nearby restaurant
-Drinks at a local karaoke bar to follow!!! (The karaoke is what I'm really looking forward to!)
Fantastic highlight of the week:
During the Christmas season, Mustard Seed School was given a very generous donation by Sacramentans to purchase shoes. The had some surplus money, and generously gave the park $400 in Wal-Mart gift cards, just for shoes! My casamate Kathleen (who works at Mustard Seed) and I went to buy them. Unfortunately, as we approached the register, all their systems failed, and we could only use cash. The woman ahead of us in line saw our odd cart piled high with shoes and asked us about it. After hearing where we worked and what we did, she pulled out all of her cash and offered to buy as many as she could- over $100 worth! Thanks Babette! (If the systems weren't down, she would of paid for them all!) After her kind gesture she said, "We all have to remember how lucky we are!"
Here, here Babette!
I'm lucky to live in a great house with a phenomenal casa, have a great job with loving co-workers, have a fantastic family and wonderful friends, and be alive!
24 is going to be a great age!
Birthday plans are as follows:
-Attend a wedding of two of the guests at the park
-Dinner with casa at a nearby restaurant
-Drinks at a local karaoke bar to follow!!! (The karaoke is what I'm really looking forward to!)
Fantastic highlight of the week:
During the Christmas season, Mustard Seed School was given a very generous donation by Sacramentans to purchase shoes. The had some surplus money, and generously gave the park $400 in Wal-Mart gift cards, just for shoes! My casamate Kathleen (who works at Mustard Seed) and I went to buy them. Unfortunately, as we approached the register, all their systems failed, and we could only use cash. The woman ahead of us in line saw our odd cart piled high with shoes and asked us about it. After hearing where we worked and what we did, she pulled out all of her cash and offered to buy as many as she could- over $100 worth! Thanks Babette! (If the systems weren't down, she would of paid for them all!) After her kind gesture she said, "We all have to remember how lucky we are!"
Here, here Babette!
I'm lucky to live in a great house with a phenomenal casa, have a great job with loving co-workers, have a fantastic family and wonderful friends, and be alive!
24 is going to be a great age!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Superstition Ain't the Way
Nothing too terrible happened this week, just the usual terribleness with very little positive to balance it out :(
But I'm trying to be optimistic (though it doesn't always work) so I'll mention the highlights:
1. I came back!!! It was good to be in my casa again, with my casa-mates, and back at work.
2. A loud and wonderful guest, Janine, is getting married on my birthday! It is my birthday present to myself to be there!
3. My casa had great spirituality and community nights this week, complete with our support people, Madonna and Larry!
4. Our casa (Casa Ignatius of Loyola) had a fun community meal with the other JV casa in Sacramento, Casa Jane Adams!
5. Beth and Tom are on their way here! I'll hopefully get to see them Monday!
6. A JV house in San Francisco is having a MLK party tomorrow! Alice, Anne, and I will be attending, and the others in our house are going to Santa Monica for a frisbee tournament!
7. It's Friday! (and the 13th at that!)
Have a great weekend; I hope I have a good one too!
But I'm trying to be optimistic (though it doesn't always work) so I'll mention the highlights:
1. I came back!!! It was good to be in my casa again, with my casa-mates, and back at work.
2. A loud and wonderful guest, Janine, is getting married on my birthday! It is my birthday present to myself to be there!
3. My casa had great spirituality and community nights this week, complete with our support people, Madonna and Larry!
4. Our casa (Casa Ignatius of Loyola) had a fun community meal with the other JV casa in Sacramento, Casa Jane Adams!
5. Beth and Tom are on their way here! I'll hopefully get to see them Monday!
6. A JV house in San Francisco is having a MLK party tomorrow! Alice, Anne, and I will be attending, and the others in our house are going to Santa Monica for a frisbee tournament!
7. It's Friday! (and the 13th at that!)
Have a great weekend; I hope I have a good one too!
Friday, January 6, 2012
'Cause I'm Leaving on a Jetplane. . .
Yesterday (Friday) was my day to post. I apologize that I did not. Since I've been at home, I have been trying to see all of my family and good friends. . . after a week of careful scheduling and mere coincidences, I did get to see almost everyone. (Sorry to those who I was unable to see- I'll try really hard next time!)
You probably don't want a laundry list of the things/places I did/went, so I'll give you highlights (in no particular order):
1. Had a sleepover with my nieces! (Thank goodness for skype, so at least I can see them when I'm far away.)
2. Saw 2 movies!! "War Horse" is a good story, but not really great, and "We Bought a Zoo" was great! I highly recommend it! After I finish writing this, I will see "Breaking Dawn" with my mom . . . yes, we both enjoy Twilight.
3. Had Dunkin' Donuts and Portillo's! Chicago is a great city!
4. Celebrated my Grandma's 90th birthday!! Gram doesn't look or act 90 either! One of my cousin's (Susie's) favorite stories is when she was with Gram a few years ago at the grocery store and my Grandma got hit on by a 70 year old! Still got it Gram!
I am so grateful to be in Chicago, but I can't wait to return to Sacramento! I haven't seen most of my casa-mates in over 3 weeks, and I miss them dearly! I can't wait to get back to work with a rejuvenated spirit, refreshed from my wonderful time at home!
You probably don't want a laundry list of the things/places I did/went, so I'll give you highlights (in no particular order):
1. Had a sleepover with my nieces! (Thank goodness for skype, so at least I can see them when I'm far away.)
2. Saw 2 movies!! "War Horse" is a good story, but not really great, and "We Bought a Zoo" was great! I highly recommend it! After I finish writing this, I will see "Breaking Dawn" with my mom . . . yes, we both enjoy Twilight.
3. Had Dunkin' Donuts and Portillo's! Chicago is a great city!
4. Celebrated my Grandma's 90th birthday!! Gram doesn't look or act 90 either! One of my cousin's (Susie's) favorite stories is when she was with Gram a few years ago at the grocery store and my Grandma got hit on by a 70 year old! Still got it Gram!
I am so grateful to be in Chicago, but I can't wait to return to Sacramento! I haven't seen most of my casa-mates in over 3 weeks, and I miss them dearly! I can't wait to get back to work with a rejuvenated spirit, refreshed from my wonderful time at home!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)