Young Heroes rock my Tims off

I’m soooo hyped up from the crazy night that just happened. I can’t sleep. So I’ll tell you about my day.

We had Heroes Training Academy yesterday. I’m one of the team leaders for the Young Heroes so along with Evelyn (a nice lady from the community who volunteered to be a team leader as well) we have a great team of about 13 middle school kids who signed up to be in City Year’s Young Heroes program. I woke up at 5:45 to go help set up. The training lasted from 8-6. We did PT in the morning. I was on PT crew which means I got to help lead PT. It was a blast! The kids were all really into it! And of course I was too. We got to meet our teams and have our “hour one” with them. This was basically a name game, Evelyn and I gave our testimonials and why we decided to be a Young Heroes Team Leader. Then we asked all the kids why they joined Young Heroes and what they hope to get out of it. We went over some rules and expectations and had the kids make a full value contract. We ended with a couple team builders. It was a good time; the kids were great and full of energy. During lunch they got to write a letter to another middle schooler who is also doing the Young Heroes program at another City Year site. They’ll get to be pen pals with this person and talk about this experience. I thought that was really cool. We watched My Friend Martin and then played MLK jeopardy. Jill explained what a hero is and the four Cs (compassion, cooperation, courage, and commitment). We then broke off into our teams and discussed who we think is a hero and which of the four Cs they displayed. Then we made up a skit as a team to portray courage. I think all the kids on our team had a really good time coming up with the skit. And that was basically the day. I had a spectacular time. I am so glad I’m going to be a YH Team Leader. I know it’s extra time on my Saturdays, but it’s time spent doing something I really really really enjoy.

So after the training we went to see A Christmas Carol at the San Pedro Playhouse. It was the musical version so I like it a lot. Some guy fell asleep right behind Jill and I and snored up a storm. Jill left during intermission because she was zonked from the day. After we left the play is when the insanity happened.

So Matt and Robert dropped me off at Jill’s because my car was there. I go inside to get my stuff. Charles and Kristen are there so I chat with them for a minute, but no more than 15. I’m walking back out to my car and when I’m in sight of it I think I see people in my car. I thought I hallucinated. It was the trippiest thing ever. I walk closer and there are definitely people in my car so I start to think maybe it’s not my car. I’m looking around, but as I get close enough to see that it is most definitely my car and there are definitely two guys in the passenger seat and the seat behind that I just stare at them for a second. It clicks for them too that it’s my car so they hop out and run. Thank goodness… So I open my car and the paneling from around the steering wheel is gone. My car won’t start. I go back inside and wake Jill up. And everyone comes out with me. We call the cops, they do their thing and I get it towed back to my house. Basically, I walked out there and two punks were stealing my car! I don’t know what kind of karma it was, good or bad, a little of both I guess. So I’m taking it to this guy to have it fixed today. Like my dad said, just one of those real life things.

A whole month!!!

Wow. I can't believe it's been a month since I've updated. I'm so bad at this. It's been one hell of a month too. Times were tough for a long while. City Year is amazing, but intense. It kind of started to hit everyone. I was taking it in stride until Laurent left. Then things were pretty much rock bottom. I was still loving it. I mean, who wouldn't love hanging out with kids and when you aren't hanging out with them you're planning ways to teach, inspire, and connect with them. But it's typical to get burned out and we were all feeling that. But the couple weeks before Thanksgiving break things started to miraculously look up. My team had been having some issues, which were finally resolved. The connections with our kids were getting stronger and they were filling us with this unbelievable energy. So now I feel myself on the steady climb up. Back to the top of mountain where I know I belong because let's be honest. I dig this place, this work we're doing, and I wouldn't trade this experience for any other.

Jill, Kristen and I went up to Lilly's parents' place for Thanksgiving. It reminded me a lot of my dad's and that helped with the homesickness that comes along with the first holiday away from family. But my family here was a great substitute. I definitely can't wait to go back to Georgia over Christmas. Two whole weeks!!! I know it's going to fly by, but I'm going to soak up as much dad, lexie, leigh, mom, sarah, brooke, ashley, katy, layton, meredith, Athens, and pure Georgia goodness as much as humanly possible. I'm sure Koda and Falkor are going to soak up as much farm time as caninely possible.

Jill and I have been checking out the Unitarian Universalist church here. I really like it, but I've been reminded lately of what attracts me to seminary so much. It's made me think about the importance of finding a Presbyterian church here. This past weekend I went to University Pres and it seemed to fit nicely. It's kinda small, but not too small. There was an inviting group of young adults and decent youth group that I can be involved with. What really sold me is this SOL learning center the church runs. And starting in January one of the classes you can sign up for is cooking: quick, fresh and local. Needless to say I'm definitely sold. I think it's important for me to find an outlet other than City Year. As much as I love living, breathing and embodying City Year to the best of my abilty, I know it'll be healthy for me to have something else passionate in my life.

That's all the updating for now. More to come soon, I promise.

Peace.