"I'm Just A Volunteer."

2009 Theme for Mennonite Volunteer Service Baltimore Unit:    I'm just a volunteer.

That's seems to be the topic in our MVS Unit.  HA!  It's a great one too because now we've heard about it in other units too.  It doesn't make me feel so horrible anymore.  I suppose that's just how life goes.  Yup, that's life!

So what have I been up too?

-Sunday we went to the Lantern Parade (I'll get pictures sometime soon, promise).  They were interesting and pretty fun!

-Had dinner at our unit directors house.  It was amazing and delicious.

-Took music from my housemates computer and I love it!  New favorite at this very moment is Adele.  Love her!

-I may have to move to a different room.  It's not definite yet.  German's might move in (I'll fill you in about that outcome). 
-I still absolutely love all the black women I work with.  They show sooo much compassion and they truly do care.  I love the ladies I work with.

Well tata for now.  I must go to dinner.  Much love from the East Coast!
Pictures and More of a better update later!

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -Helen Keller

Life.  Crazy crazy life.  This week was actually busy for me, that's a new concept for me.  I usually haven't been busy much at all but it was strange.  I've been helping with the Shelter plus Care part of Project PLASE.  I know nothing about Shelter plus Care and the lady who normally does stuff, was on vacation this last week and we have orientation meeting next week.  I just found out a lot about Project PLASE this last week.  First thing I found out is that I don't like how no one talks to each other in the agency.  What happened to teamwork?  I hate how they just assume I know what they are talking about or they knew I was helping them.  I know nothing.  People need to learn to talk to others and let them know they are helping out here etc.  No one can just assume.  But of course that's not going to happen.  Second, I hope to never become one of those crazy old white lady's who works at a non-profit organization.  They all seem to be a little strange.  But they are definitely great people.  Third, I've learned that I absolutely love the people I work with no matter how crazy they are.  Everyone is so supportive and willing to help I absolutely love it. 

Seriously though, nothing exciting is going on here in BMore.  We're starting to get into a routine.  We work.  We eat.  We sleep.  We find time to do random things every once in a while.  We have time to talk and be satisfied.  We dream about what we really want our room to look like and some even do it (ok only two have dreamed and painted, hopefully they won't get in trouble, haha).  We do what we do!

I've decided and may have already said this, but I like BMore.  There isn't much to offer but it's not too big but it's not too small.  This town has a lot to offer, most I haven't found yet but I like it.  I love the neighborhoods.  They are all unique and interesting and yes even in the nice neighborhoods, there is bad stuff going on there too but who cares.  You can't live in fear always, I'd never have fun then.  But yeah, BMore is great.  Love it!  People are great.  What a great start to a new beginning, of course give me more time, I'll find something wrong, I'm sure.  But I guess I might change one thing about where we live, I wish we were closer to things like restaurants.  We are quite a few blocks away from anything so that kind of sucks but still I enjoy our neighborhood.

My personal favorite thing about our neighborhood is the few number of white people that live here in Reservoir Hill.  So in the mornings when we're walking to work or in the evenings when we're coming home, it's great to just see a bunch of white people and think, oh there are white people who live on this street or in this neighborhood.  Strange?!?!  This last week on Thursday while Melissa and I were walking home from work, we got to the second block of Linden Street and I saw a few white people sitting on a porch.  All of a sudden out of no where we see 7 heads pop up over the ledge.  I felt like a foreigner being stared at by Amish people.  It was funny and strange.  Very strange but very funny! 

Well I should get going.  Sometime, I promise to just put pictures up.  Yeah I know you'll enjoy!  I'm a slacker but I didn't have a camera or liked the camera I had but no fear, I have a new camera to document all my exciting or "daring adventures".   Gotta run. Take care!
--Love Ya'll
PS I've been here for only 70 days.  How strange?  Seems like forever but it's not even close!

Short and Sweet

Life is rough.  Yeah yeah I know this but man, I just can't believe what some people go through.  I'm so thankful for my friends, my family, and for everyone I know who truly cares about me.  And another random side note, if we're friends now and things fall apart between know that if you're going through a rough and difficult time, I will and would be there for you at time day or night.  No one ever deserves to go through a horrible time alone, and even if we are "strangers" and totally different people than when we were friends, know I will be there. 

"The whole world is moving, but I'm standing still...The night is here and the day is gone...And the world spins madly on"  I guess that's it, the world spins madly on in the midst of this crazy mess and frustrating time.  I just have to tell myself that God will always be there even in the midst of my troubled, heartbreaking moments.  Those are times I can not control and I can only do so much.

If I only I could do more!

Charmed City Life

Here's a list of the latest things I've done and for the most part enjoyed.

1. Visited Delaware shore with the parents. (see picture @ below)

2.  Found where Charm City Cakes is.  Later met someone who Duff nodded to.  OMG!  How exciting?!?  (see picture @ left)

3.  Met more volunteers here in Baltimore!  I've met Lutherans, Brethren, AmeriCorps Vista, Jesuites, Mercy Corps, Project Serve (they're Catholic)....the list could go on but so far I've met those people.  It's exciting!
4. Hampden is my new favorite neighborhood in BMore.  It's just north of our place and very fun and also where I had my first fish tacos that were absolutely delicious!!

5.  Watched the Baltimore Marathon for a while.  Ran across the road to get to the market through them.  It was funny!!!

6.  Had spinach ice cream and it was really good.

7.  Heard the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO).  They were really good!  And it was free.  And we knew someone who was singing in the choir that sang along with them.

8.  I have a host family at church.  They should be lots of fun!

9.  I work with the best people in the entire world.  They are so friendly, caring, and great role models. 

Yup those are a few of the things that have happened just in the last 2 weeks or that last time that I wrote on this blog, which I think was 2 weeks ago.

Work is ok.  It still sucks to turn down people and tell them we have a waiting list.  They all sigh and then get angry.  But it’s not my fault they are living on the streets.  Where is there family?  Do they not have some sort of support system?  Obviously, I sound harsh, that is just the bitter person inside of me coming out.  Some people even live with their families but they live in such horrible conditions or there just isn’t enough room, or something and that’s why they can’t stay there.  Oh…it’s the most annoying thing ever.  And then there are people who don’t want a bed that’s available because of the neighborhood.  Now, why did they even want to be placed on to the waitlist then?  I just do not understand.  It makes me upset though!  I find that to be the most frustrating thing in the world.  Ah World….

The city is great.  I am enjoying it!  I still don’t feel comfortable to go too far on my own unless I was determined to get somewhere, then I'm positive I could do it!  Here's a view from outside our living room.   We live in a fairly nice neighbor.  Like I had mentioned in previous posts you never know what a neighbor is like, it changes from street to street.

And here is what many people may be waiting for, a picture of my hosuemates, the other MVSers.  We are quite the bunch.  This is when we went out to eat at Holy Frijoles con mis padres (the resturant is called Holy Frijoles and we were with my parents).  It was a good time.  That was our first time in Hampden, we like it there!

I should sign off.  Take care!
Lots of Love from BMore!