I'm Moving to DC!!

Since I last wrote on Wednesday, not too much has passed...

With the exception that my future has been decided!

Last week I found out that I was accepted to Teach For America in Washington, D.C. to teach High School Spanish. I was thrilled at the location, but nervous about the assignment. Could I really teach Spanish? What would it be like trying to work in a highschool being so young? Was I ready for this kind of a challenge? And most importantly, this isn't PR- so why should I accept it?

I began a frenzy of research about what my life might really be like. If you've never heard of Teach For America before, it is a non-profit organization that is part of Americorps. After a thorough and extremely rigorous interview process, the nation's best and brightest college grads are invited to teach for two years in some of our country's worst school districts. The program is extremely competitive, but you've got to want more than a nice blip on your resume. You've got to be dedicated unwaveringly to social justice and the belief that you can touch lives.

The TFA network is extremely supportive and from the moment I was accepted I began receiving phone calls from people on every level of the organization. Program directors from D.C., Syracuse graduates, and Spanish teachers in the corps started calling me. I even had a faith-based community relations team member call me since I checkmarked that "Catholic" box. One by one, I started getting my questions answered.

It sounds like teaching highschool is a unique opportunity to help students get on the college track, and out of their bad neighborhoods. Especially as a language teacher, I'll be working with students who have a chance at higher education. I'll be able to offer real world advice, since I'll be working with young adults. The teachers I spoke to said over and over again that they felt so lucky to be a role model to young people every day. They knew they were making a real impression on these kids. As a language teacher, I'll also have a lot more freedom in creating my curriculum, and I won't have to worry about standardized tests and bars being passed. 

And what about my PR degree? Well , the staff at TFA was amazing at connecting me with PR professionals that had been through the corps. All of them explained that their experience ended up being invaluable in their career. To know how to communicate, to think outside the box, to manage people in a completely different light helped them grow as professionals and as people. And as one girl put it, "How is this NOT PR? You've got to sell the idea of learning Spanish to the hardest market possible. You're going to attack your classroom like and public...and you're going to HAVE to get your message across." The professionals I spoke to now work in PR for law and non-profit. It was great to get their perspective and really eased my worries about my transition after the corps. 

Everyone was very honest that this was going to be one of the most challenging experiences in my life. They said I would cry, they said I would be upset, they said at some points that I would want to quit. But they also said that for this kind of struggle, the rewards would far surpass the challenge. They said that I'll walk away from it a different person. They guaranteed me that I will make a difference. 

It was a hard decision at first, but as the week went on the choice became clear to me. To live in DC, to do this kind of work, and to have this chance to grow- I'll never have this chance again. The one final doubt holding me back was the memories of my job last summer in Los Angeles. I finally got a hold of my boss and confirmed what I already knew: there was no salaried job for me in LA, and nothing that could compare to my offer from TFA. My boss gave me his blessing, assured me that no bridges were burned, and that he still wanted me back at the end of this two-year stint. Moreover, he told me this could only help my baseball career. I'd come out knowing Spanish better than ever, and having a deeper connection and understanding with communities very similar to those that make up the fan base for a team like the Dodgers. 

So that's it- to DC I go on June 21, to start my new life!

I'd encourage you to check out the Teach For America Website:

www.teachforamerica.org

and learn about where I'll be working:

http://www.teachforamerica.org/corps/placement_regions/dc_region/dc_region.htm

Peace and Love!

Habitat!

And now, the long-awaited Habitat story. 

I thought that getting up at 4 am on a Saturday morning would have been a more difficult task, but it wasn't that hard when I never really fell asleep all night. I felt like a kid before the first day of school, excited but a little nervous! Everything was packed and ready to go, and I would be the primary driver of our Hyundai Sonata that we would be taking on the 23-hour trek to Palm Beach. (Sidenote: I cannot praise Hyundai cars enough. That thing was a DREAM to drive all the way down. It was comfortable, big and fast...and somehow got 38mpg.)

We were supposed to hit the road at 4:00, stop for gas and coffee and go- but inevitably we got a late start. Coordinating 20 people in 4 vehicles for gas, food, and bathroom breaks was a bit nuts! The first day of driving landed us in Columbia, SC. It was an adorable college town, and the people were so friendly. We ate at a sonic (it was just as fun as the commercials) and slept on the office floor of the Habitat Affiliate in the city. Then, the next day at 5 am- we were off again! This time, we painted our cars up and only had 9 hours to go. 

I can't describe how much I enjoyed the south. It was warm, friendly and beautiful. Everything I ate was delicious, and people look at you, smile and say hello. We drove from 81 to 77 south, and finally to 95 for the final stretch. Sunday night, we arrived at our campsite in Jonathan Dickenson State Park, just a 5 minute drive from the beach in Jupiter, Florida. We were set up in little cabins, complete with kitchenettes and full bathrooms. Not too shabby! 

The park was full of wildlife: deer, lizards, birds, alligators, and wild boar! There were always things scurrying around in the woods, but the bugs weren't too bad. As long as you didn't cross any fire ants or poisonous snakes, you were fine!

On Monday, we didn't go to our buildsite. We instead went to help clean and organize the local "Re-Store." Think of a Re-Store as a Goodwill for items that you would find in Home Depot. Lighting, paint, furniture, doors and cabinets, toilets and stoves and TV's- anything you could imagine you would need to build or furnish a home, you could buy here for 80% off its original price. Many materials and items are donated by contractors or families, and all the proceeds from the sale go to help support Habitat. The place was staffed by volunteers, employees, and future Habitat Homeowners, but they could really use our help, as you can see in the pictures! It was a sweaty, hot day and we were glad to get home and shower. 

That night we headed off to a Spring Training Baseball game! Nothing gets me going more than a warm, clear night, the sound of a crowd and the colors and feel of a game. I know it's corny, but I just LOVE it, it doesn't matter big or small park, good team or bad team. We saw the Marlins and Tigers play, and I loved the family atmosphere and beautiful park. It was a great evening and our group had a ball. Pun...intended. 

The rest of the week, we were on-site, making homes happen. We worked on a "blitz-build," where Habitat creates a neighborhood all in one place to conserve time and resources. This neighborhood had 27 homes going up, and our group worked on 5 of them in various stages. So we didn't build a house from the ground up, but we got a lot of work done. We did roofing, sodding, framework, painting, sawing, digging- you name it! I learned a lot of skills and had a lot of fun. We had excellent site managers named Donnie and Chuckie. If you've ever watched any Sunday-morning hunting shows, these guys fit the bill. Mustaches, dip and camo, they were a different breed then us New York and New England kids, but they had tremendous patience and great senses of humor. We couldn't have done it without them. 

Each day, we'd get up at 6:45- but we were off the site by 2:30, plenty of time to hit up the beach! Yes, I did get tan, and now I'm back in Syracuse where the forecast tomorrow is for snow. It was magic to sit under the sun, dive in huge waves to bodysurf, collect shells and peoplewatch. One day, we had a break from the worksite and got to hang out all day in the sand and sun, even barbecuing our dinner right there. Then, in the evenings we'd head off to a local bar to catch the Big East tournament. I don't know how we had the energy to go, go, go- maybe we didn't, because I think it's safe to say that by the last day of the trip, everyone was catching winks wherever they could!

Overall, the experience was wonderful and I'm glad I got to work on someones home. I do wish that the trip was a little more structured- planning meals for everyone and making the day's schedule on the fly always had me stressed, but that's just part of my personality. Also, I was bummed that we didn't meet any of the families that the houses will go to- but such is life. 

Here is the photoalbum from the trip: click here

This upcoming week is a crazy one. Relay is so close- and I got accepted to TFA in Washington, DC- so I will be making a decision about that (a different story for a different day!) Peace and Love to all. 

Catching Up

Since I decided to do a public service announcement for my last blog post, I decided that it's time for an all-encompassing catch up on my life for the past two weeks!

Last weekend, a group called "Rain" came to Syracuse. They were a Beatles cover band, and I did a little research online about the show. It was an extravaganza! The guys in the band looked and sounded so much like the Beatles it was eerie. The show itself was a huge production- costume changes for the times, set changes, tv screens- the works. You felt right back in the 60's, a screaming fan in a black and white audience. It was a great time, and better still it was held in the Landmark Theatre. I've never been to the Landmark before- It's one of those theatres from the gilded twenties, completely decked in elaborate sculpture and gold leaf and red velvet. If you ever get a chance to see a show here, you must go!

Last Saturday, Justin and I took a day trip to Watertown, NY. I got to meet his family, and he gave me a tour of his childhood- old battlegrounds and parks, highschools and strip malls. Watertown is a quiet place, an old paper mill town rich in War of 1812 history and little points of pride- its boasts the world's oldest enclosed mall and lifesavers were invented there. We also drove up to the 1,000 islands region just a few miles north to the Canadian border. It was beautiful, and I thought about what my Grandparent's honeymoon there must have been like so many years ago. Our family has a little teapot that says "1,000 Islands" on it, a souvenir from their trip, and now I've finally seen at least a few of the islands after using that teapot so many times!

This past weekend was so much fun. My mom came up for a day, and we had the BEST day shopping, gossiping and eating. It seems like I never make it to the Carousel Mall unless mom is in town, but I have had excellent luck there when she does. After 2 years of fruitless searching, I finally found a suit! Yes, the classic grey professional interview-worthy suit and pants. Tall Ladies- go to the Limited! I finally found pants there suitable for a tower like me! 

The real reason mom came up wasn't to shop. This weekend was also DANCEWORKS, the once-a-year show that my roommate Stacey has been in each spring. This year, she was the Producer of the entire production of more than 120 girls. The lighting, costumes and choreography were so professional, and I was so proud of her! Stacey is a lyrical dancer, and she's been dancing since the age of 3. All those years of hard work were evident in the amazing production! Whew, to be so flexible, graceful and strong!

The other major event of the weekend was a massive "Grilled Cheese to Fight the Disease," sale that Justin organized and ran on Friday and Saturday night. The idea was simple: make grilled cheese, stuff them in coolers, and roam the streets selling them to the Syracuse weekend party crowd for a buck a piece. The event was a smash, making more than $200 to benefit the Relay For Life. But think of how that translates- 200 sandwiches. I'm proud to say I only burned myself 3 times, set the fire alarm off twice, and ruined 2 sandwiches. With all four burners going, the oven keeping sandwiches warm and a George Foreman plugged in, I can't believe I didn't blow a fuse or burn the house down! I think we plan on doing the event once more, the weekend before Relay. 

Finally, A bit of exciting news. Each year, Syracuse hosts a "Women of Distinction" event. This year, I was nominated! It's a huge honor and the keynote speaker is Idina Menzel, one of Broadway's hottest stars. Seeing as my screen name may or may not have been broadwaytor1111, and I've been eating up musicals since I could talk, I am pretty excited. Also, it's just so exciting to be a nominee! The awards ceremony is March 20, in honor of Women's history month. We'll hear the winners then, but I'm just so excited to go! 

I think that's it for this week. 

Peace and Love- next week is SPRING BREAK WITH HABITAT IN FLORIDA! So no entry next Monday, but expect a whopper follow up from my trip!