One of My Best Week…

It’s going to be hard for me to explain my feelings on how this week was for me.  This week was very huge for me both from work and personal life perspective.  It’s been now one month since I started working at the Brighton Center as an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer.  According to our manual this is supposed to be about the time that we are supposedly start second guessing our self about joining AmeriCorps and possibly be over our heads at the job.  Well, I’m totally the opposite as I look back.  I can’t even be more happier about my decision to join AmeriCorps and do what I’m doing now.  As I’m typing this blog up, I really think doing this was one of my better decisions I ever made.  Just got to keep up the great work I’m doing.  But since I made the decision to become an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer, nothing but good things have been happening to me.  And I don’t mean good things but good things as in getting back on my feet.

This week alone, several things are happening in my life.  On Monday, I was able to get my IDA Orientation done one on one with the person in charge of the IDA program.  Then on Tuesday, I opened up my IDA Savings Account with the Bank of Kentucky with $100.  I have decided that each time that my paycheck gets direct deposited into my checking account which I opened last week that I’m going to put $100 into my IDA account.  So, that means that every month I’m going to be saving $200.  The minimum that I can put into the IDA account is $25.  Once I saved $2000, the Brighton Center will match that same about meaning I will be getting $4000.  I had a choice on how I was going to spend that money but I decided to use that money to buy a car.  But first I have to save $2000 before that happens.  I decided to go with $100 a month because I can but I will probably have to adjust that when I find an apartment.  But I will probably know more or at least become clearer after next week when the HEARTH Program starts which I’m hoping that I will be eligible for.  But for now I will continue to put in $100 per direct deposit that I get.

On Thursday, I went to my last of two finance class that I have to attend which now means that the counselor that taught the class can pull my credit report and I can start repairing my credit.  Not only is the credit repairing is critical but I will start learning on how to create a budget and keep to it.  Which is another huge reason why I went with AmeriCorps.  I knew once I was with Brighton Center that I could take advantage of these programs that were offered to become a better me and start the process of getting back on my feet.  So, I’m thrilled on how things are going for me in the financial department.  Just have to keep the momentum going that I have created.

Other things also happened to me this last week.  Some of my old bills got paid by the Butler Foundation.  I’m very grateful of the people from the Butler Foundation that took care of those three bills.  The three bills were my old Duke Energy from my last place was paid off.  My damage bill from my last place was paid off as well.  Then my past cell phone bill was paid off as well.  As many of you all know, I didn’t have cell phone service for about the last month.  But on Wednesday, my cell service was paid which meant I was able to get my cell service back.  Also, on Friday, I received the other two cell phones from my friend Michael.  So, now I have four phones and lines which I’m only using one of them.

Now, all the above mentioned things was just about my personal life.  Let’s talk about my work.  I couldn’t be more happier about work than I am right now.  The things I’m doing is what I really want to be doing.  I just can’t believe it took me this long to figure it out but at least I have figured it out.  Now I know where I want to go in my life.  Over this next year, I’m going to be doing some more personal growing as I try to get as much training as possible for what I want to do.  One of my goal is to start a non-profit organization to help fight poverty.  This goal is probably why I’m always so happy when I get to work and get ready to work.  I just love what I’m doing and can’t wait to see the end product.

Then as I was coming home today from work, I was wondering how could things get any better for me as things were this week?  Well, can you all believe that I forgot what happens tonight?  I actually did!  Tonight was the first official start of the NCAA College Basketball teams can practice.  Which of course means just one thing?  BIG BLUE MADNESS!!!!!!  Do I need to say any more?  I was actually able to watch it on the internet.  I’m so excited for UK this year.  But not because we got rid of Gillispe but because that excitement is back and I can’t wait to watch that excitement!  GO CATS!!!!!  So, what a perfect way to end a great week by watching my all-time favorite sports team, THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS!!!!  Or should I say the 2010 National Champions Kentucky Wildcats?  Actually, I’m thrilled and can’t wait for the season.  I want to see how Calipari will blend this team together with 6 newcomers and 7 returnees?  I want to see a “team”.  Calipari is right that it’s “one heartbeat…if this team can become one heartbeat, they will be unbreakable and unbeatable.”  Can’t wait until the exhibition games to really see this team in action before I will make a prediction on this season and some of the players.  But couldn’t think of any better way to end this great week than to watch the BIG BLUE MADNESS!!!!

TL