I’m Back Baby…

That’s right, I’m back from Catlanta.  Just to bad I wasn’t there to watch the UK Wildcats but I was there for my next favorite thing.  That would be my new passion which is fighting poverty.  I’m officially now an AmeriCorps VISTA.  Which also means that on Monday, I will start my assignment with the Brighton Center here in Newport, KY as I start getting back on my feet myself.  So, let’s get this going.  A new path in my life is starting.

Catlanta was rainy and more rain.  It didn’t stop until we got on the bus to leave for the airport.  But the whole time down there, I must admit it was a real eye opener for me.  Not to mention I met a lot of people that will probably be friends with for years to come.  So, if you are thinking about becoming an AmeriCorps Volunteer I would wholly recommend that you do.  Everything that happened that was involved with the conference was great.  My only complaint was the very last thing on our way home in Chicago as we were on time until a cargo net got tangled up and we sat on the tarmac for about an hour and was late arriving in Cincinnati.  But know what?  That I can take because that was the only thing that was bad and it was at the very end.

But today is my day of rest before I start looking over my assignment and start working on things for Monday.  I also have some other things to do as well.  I’m also glad to see somebody looked me up from the conference.  I can’t believe somebody actually beat me to the punch on that.  She was going to be the first person I looked up as well.  So, Majal glad to be your friend and hope we can keep in contact as we start our journey.

Also, I realized why I was gone to Catlanta that I really do like Windows Live when it comes doing my blog.  Just couldn’t believe that I couldn’t twitter out my blog post each time I did a blog entry each day.  But now I can.

TL

The End is Here...

It's with sadness that the Vista Conference here in Atlanta, GA has came to an end. Today we got sworn in as we are officially AmeriCorps Vista Volunteers. *jumping for joy* As my group and I are waiting for the shuttle to take us to the airport to start our journey back to KY, I have been thinking back over the last few days. I learned a lot of things here and I meet many friends in the process that no doubt will be seeing down the road. The conference here was planned great. It went smoothly. Not to mention the Emory Conference Hotel did a great job providing great service here at the hotel. The more and more I think about my decision on to become a AmeriCorp Vista Volunteer is one of my greatest choice I possibly could have made. This is where my life will now take a change for the best. This will be that spark that will prevail me to greatness and the path in my life that I like to go. Over the next year, I'm going to grow as a person that a lot of my friends and families will be shocked to see in years time. The conference here might have came to an end but the friendship I have foster and the experience I'll be gaining over the next year will continue. If I had to choose today, I would possibly be serving another year of AmeriCorps!

TL

Day Three Reflection...

Not only is this day coming to an end but also the training here in Atlanta is coming to an end as well. We have a half of day of training tomorrow before we are whisk off to the airport. But before that happens, let me tell you about today. Day three started with me having a headache and it looks like I'm going to end with a headache as well. Overall, today's training was all about understanding our VAD's and how we were choosen to serve in the capacity we are going to be serving.

Over the weekend, I'll be dissecting my VAD a little bit more before I start at the Brighton Center. As I'm starting to get even more excited to be serving my time with the Brighton Center. Also, I'm going to miss the number of people I have met here over these last few days. I hope some of us will keep in touch with me and vice versa. There are a lot of people that have similar stories or in the same situation as me. It's good to feel that I'm not alone.

Something else that I learned today that has nothing to do with AmeriCorps is that I need to freakin get more people to view my blog. I know a few people view my blog but how come you aren't responding? You know how much I hate talking to myself? That's what this is feeling like. Maybe I should do a strip tease and maybe then I'll get people speaking up. Anybody out there? *as I hear crickets cricketing*

Over and out!

TL

Day 2 Reflection...

As day two comes to an end, the information that I gathered today has been overwhelming but at the same time it has helped me better understand the situation that I have been in over the last year and half better. For me, it's like putting a name to the face finally. That's the best way I can finally describe the situation I have been in. You see, everytime I was asked to explain the current situation I'm in, it has been hard for me to explain because I wasn't really homeless even though that's what it seems like. Today, here at training, I learned that I was what is called "situational poverty". Basically "situational poverty" is where a certain situation has put me into poverty. Another example of situational poverty are the people in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. A devasting event can have a devasting affect on people and/or individual. So, I challenge you to see if you can define what is poverty? What does poverty mean to you? Can poverty be totally eliminated? To better understand poverty, you have to define poverty. It's not just "lack of money", or "lack thereof anything". Defining poverty can be just about anything. Now that I better understand my situation by figuring out the name of it, it has helped me to figure out a roadmap for me to get out of this situation.

So, as today comes to a close, I'm so very glad that I decided to follow this path and become a Vista. I'm excited to get back to the Northern Kentucky area and put to use what I have and will be learning here. Anybody want to help me with this challenge? Poverty can be eliminated but not just totally. We all have to work together. I'm only one, but one can become many.

TL

Day 1 Reflection...

As the first day of my training comes to a close, I thought I would reflect on the common theme of the first day. That is, "Is Vista right for you". In this case that means me. As I sat in the first session today after registration and dinner, I couldn't help to think for now that Vista is right for me. To make a difference in a person's life, let alone a community is a very big thing for me. All my times growing up, I didn't just want to make a difference in a person's life but also in a community. Up to now, all I have been doing is making a difference in somebody's life but I have been leading up to this moment but just didn't realized it until today. So, I'm beyond thrilled to be starting this new chapter in my life. So, as I'm off to bed here shortly, I really can't wait until we start early in the morning with our training sessions.

TL

Coming to you from Atlanta...

As many know today I set off for Atlanta at 5:00 am. I have arrived in Atlanta safe and sound. So, after taking a small nap, I'm about to head off to the registration table to register. But thought I would stop by a computer and do a quick blog.

The trip to Atlanta went a whole lot smoother than the last time I came to Atlanta. All the planes were on time and I didn't even have to walk that far to change planes in Chicago. But the only question I have is "how does one go north to get south?" To start my trip I went from Cincinnati to Chicago and then on to Atlanta. I must say though United Airline's planes were very clean and comfortable. Not to mention the hot stewardesses. Apparently Delta need to checkout the stewardesses hiring processes of United Airlines. And take a cue from United Airlines ontime and take off time as well. Even the shuttle from the airport to the hotel was also in style. We were in a limo bus. Isn't that cool? I think Brad Harris might be happy to know where his tax dollars are going? Not only to volunteerism but I guess you can call it luxury volunteerism, Brad?

Anyway, I'm safe and sound here in Atlanta. I'm about to head down to registration and then dinner starts at 5:30 pm and then our first session of this training starts at 6:45 pm. Then the schedule for Wednesday and thursday is training from 8 am to 5 pm. Then on Friday it's from 8 am to 1 pm. Then I'll be flying back that night which is another mystery like the "flying north" that I mention above. The training and conference ends at 1 pm on Friday. Checkout of our rooms is at 12 pm. So, one will think that planes departure would be two or three hours afterward? Wrong, my plane doesn't leave until 7:30 pm. Which means, I'm going to be doing a whole lotta nothing at the airport. Anyway, I'm off to registration now. Talk to everybody later!

TL

It’s Go Time…

The day has become where I’m going to be heading back to work has finally arrived.  First stop is Atlanta, GA where I’m going to be doing training for AmeriCorps from September 15 to September 18.  Then I will start working at the Brighton Center on Monday, September 21.  I’m so excited but yet somewhat nervous.  Praying that everything will go smoothly as I start this new path in my life.  The only only thing left for me to do is where I find my own place and really start the process of getting back on my feet.  So, I will post more when I can get back from my trip.

TL

8 days and counting…

That’s right, eight days and counting for me before I head out to Atlanta for training to work for AmeriCorps.  Then when I come back, I will start working at the Brighton Center on the 21st of September.  Things are starting to move a little faster now.  Just a few days ago, I received my itinerary for my flight down to Atlanta.  So, things are going to be moving a lot faster.  I can’t wait and I’m excited but at the same time nervous.  But I’m going to love it!

TL

Apartment Searching not going to good…

Let’s see the first place I went to see was to small.  It reminded me more of college dorms.  If it didn’t have the small fridge like back in college I probably would be considering it now.  Even though there would be major drawbacks.  The second place I went to see was very decent in size.  Again some drawbacks like the guy that was renting out the room was also job searching nationwide and said that if he got an offer tomorrow in Hawaii, that he would sell the house and move there.  Which means that I would have to apartment search again.  But they guy choose somebody else to rent that room.  The third place was a little to far away where I wanted to be.  The fourth place which was RiverChase Apartments, the guy never showed up even though I told him I was going to be there.  I might give them a second chance but after being jerked around all last week, I’m not sure.  But would be in an area where I want it to be and within walking distance to the Brighton Center.  But I will continue searching for that apartment.  If I had a car, the search would be a lot easier but since I don’t it’s making it very difficult but of course I love challenges.

So, if anybody is looking for a roommate in Newport, KY, e-mail me.  My cell phone has been temporarily turned off for lack of payment but will probably be back on in October.  I can still receive calls until T-Mobile decides to officially turn it off.  So, if I gave you the number to where I’m staying, please use it when you can’t get a hold of me.  Otherwise, you can e-mail me, facebook me, and etc.

TL

Long week last week…

As you all can tell, it’s been a little over a week since I last wrote an entry into this blog.  A lot has been going on here.  I have been helping the people I’m staying with clean up their place to get ready for a 50th Birthday party on Saturday.  So, there was a lot of carrying stuff here and there and downstairs and etc.  Not to mention, I have been trying to find a place to stay as well.  As most of you all know, I have found a volunteering job that gives me a living allowance.  So, I have been looking at a few places.  I will probably know about one later this week or early next week.  But for the mean time I will continue searching.  I also helped a friend move.  I also had to go and get another months of medication.  And now, I’m resting my ankle as it’s very sore from all the walking, moving, and etc.

TL