Today was extremely eventful for I went to Master's Hands Bible Church this morning, which I've been trying to visit since I moved here. Met Pr. Otto whom some missionaries from Church of the Bible, where I grew up, met my parents who knew of this church. I feel like my life is the way it is because someone became friends with someone else. I wouldn't have been able to stay at the Wulf's house last year if they hadn't moved to CT years ago and befriended my mom. I wouldn't have known about Master's Hands if those missionaries didn't know my parents.
The church was nice, small, but it was great to meet some Deaf people. Everyone was over 50 which seems to be typical of good bible churches here. In Ithaca, I had no worries because it's a college-town. Here is a different story. My new friend from a Christian group I joined last week, Kristin, gave me a few names of churches to try. I don't want a mega-church because I feel lost in the sea of people quite easily and the sense of community isn't really there. Also, many (not all) mega-churches teach watered down Christianity; I just have to be careful.
This afternoon after a 20 minute change of clothes and eat lunch, I hoped on a bus to Coors Field where the Rockies baseball team was playing. Their field is HUGE! I don't think I've been in that big of a stadium before. The closest experience was when going to a Josh Groban concert in Boston. Kristin and I had such a hard time finding the group, the Christian Professionals/Social Denver Christians. It must have been a good half hour of searching before we found them. Part of the issue was that we didn't know them. We had met the leader of the Social Denver Christians last week and some other people, but they didn't come to the game. It was mostly the people from the Christian Professionals group. Regardless, it was a lot of fun getting to know more people and making new friends. Didn't watch a whole lot of the game, but the idea was to have fun and that's what I did! Overall, a great ending to the weekend!
To be honest, there is one flaw to Denver -- actually all cities -- which is the amount of times I have to walk by and hold my breath due to the smoke coming from white or brown cylinder items between their fingers. I get dizzy when I inhale second-hand smoke. Other than that, Denver is awesome! Come visit!
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Birthday Success
My co-workers are amazing! They are quite creative as you can see....my desk is quite festive. My boss of sorts (she doesn't work directly over me, but in another department) bought me one of my favorite desserts, APPLE FRITTER!!!!!! It was huge, the picture doesn't do it justice at all!
Voodoo Donuts is (according to many Denver residents) the best donut shop in the city. So if you're ever here, I recommend them. They have a weird menu I will admit, but they are oh so good! If you're on a diet, just don't eat any sugar for the next couple days.
Considering this is the first year where I hadn't really planned on anything, I had fun! I'm really glad God helped me get this new position at Reading Partners. I can tell I will learn a lot and these people will become good friends.
(Wish I didn't have to work....but oh well. Can't have it all).
Voodoo Donuts is (according to many Denver residents) the best donut shop in the city. So if you're ever here, I recommend them. They have a weird menu I will admit, but they are oh so good! If you're on a diet, just don't eat any sugar for the next couple days.
Considering this is the first year where I hadn't really planned on anything, I had fun! I'm really glad God helped me get this new position at Reading Partners. I can tell I will learn a lot and these people will become good friends.
(Wish I didn't have to work....but oh well. Can't have it all).
Making New Friends Is the Bomb!
Friends are something that everyone needs. No one likes to be alone. I remember my high school days feeling rejected and as an independent "woman" I strive to go out of my way to meet others that share my values and/or interests. So on Thursday, I decided to go to Deaf Chat at Panera Bread.
With every new venture, nerves creep in but I was also excited because ASL is a language I love and want to continue using personally and professionally. This group was so much fun to get to know. The mix of personalities was just right. In some ways, I felt like a novice because I am not used to putting myself out there. On the other hand, this group made me feel right at home because they weren't signing super fast like my co-workers at Aspen Camp. I want so much to get to that point, but to this group I was the fast signer, which was nice for a change. I was able to teach them some new signs and by conversing with them, I had to teach myself how to sign slowly. I don't know for sure in what capacity I want to use ASL professionally, but this group takes me back to my HOP days as a Director, which I enjoyed immensely signing to my heart's content. This is definitely a group I want to continue growing with and I look forward to getting to know them better and seeing who else joins.
The first few weeks here, I have felt lonely after work simply because my roommate has a social life already with her fiancee and friends. Apart from her, I don't really know anyone in Denver. Though tomorrow, I'm excited to see my friend, Melissa, from Cornell/FCA who lives in Littleton, a town south of Denver. Friends really do make a new place truly feel like home and I'm stoked to continue my journey of making Denver home. Eventually, I plan on joining a soccer team, a gym and a church where I will find more people I can relate to.
My Ithaca friends taught me to be myself and wait for those who want to be my friend to come into my life rather than changing who I am in order to fit in. Some people will like me and others won't. No one should have to be someone else. My motto: Be genuine and others will find your light!
With every new venture, nerves creep in but I was also excited because ASL is a language I love and want to continue using personally and professionally. This group was so much fun to get to know. The mix of personalities was just right. In some ways, I felt like a novice because I am not used to putting myself out there. On the other hand, this group made me feel right at home because they weren't signing super fast like my co-workers at Aspen Camp. I want so much to get to that point, but to this group I was the fast signer, which was nice for a change. I was able to teach them some new signs and by conversing with them, I had to teach myself how to sign slowly. I don't know for sure in what capacity I want to use ASL professionally, but this group takes me back to my HOP days as a Director, which I enjoyed immensely signing to my heart's content. This is definitely a group I want to continue growing with and I look forward to getting to know them better and seeing who else joins.
The first few weeks here, I have felt lonely after work simply because my roommate has a social life already with her fiancee and friends. Apart from her, I don't really know anyone in Denver. Though tomorrow, I'm excited to see my friend, Melissa, from Cornell/FCA who lives in Littleton, a town south of Denver. Friends really do make a new place truly feel like home and I'm stoked to continue my journey of making Denver home. Eventually, I plan on joining a soccer team, a gym and a church where I will find more people I can relate to.
My Ithaca friends taught me to be myself and wait for those who want to be my friend to come into my life rather than changing who I am in order to fit in. Some people will like me and others won't. No one should have to be someone else. My motto: Be genuine and others will find your light!
Saturday, September 3, 2016
SURPRISE!
Last Saturday, I went back down to Falcon for a "You Survived Your First Week!" party at the Wulf's house. Little did I know, there was something else in store for me. They arrived at my apartment a couple hours after the original time they said, but I just figured that they ran into traffic. You never know with Denver or what the highway will be like between the Springs and here since there's only one direct route.
They arrive early afternoon and they ask about my week at work. It's been stressful, but I know once I get the hang of it, I'll be a pro as someone in the office said to me. We needed to go to Walmart on the way back since my Trolley Dolly, an insulated grocery cart that April found for me a couple weeks ago, zipper doesn't work. After I exchanged the cart, April and Mrs. Wulf needed to get new shoes. I thought nothing of this since April is quite a shopper. We spent maybe an hour in Walmart total. So I just rolled with it.
We get to the house and nothing seemed out of the ordinary though I did see a new car in the driveway. My thoughts were it was either Gina's new car, since she had been talking about getting one, or someone from church. So I didn't really pay that close attention to it. I walk inside and put my things in April's room since that is where I usually crash. I come back out and sit on the couch looking through emails on my phone. I have no idea what the plans are for that night regarding my "party" but I figured they would tell me whenever. No big deal.
I happened to glance up when I saw people standing in the middle of the living room. I then notice one of them has a camera pointed in my direction. Thinking to myself, "What's with the camera?" I'm trying to process what could be going on, when Breazyi opens the bedroom door and as I'm watching her run away from it, I see out of the corner of my eye a head from the doorway.
I look up and see my parents' smiling faces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought I was about to have a heart attack. A million questions flow through my brain like, "How did they get here? How did I not figure out this was coming? Is this payback?" According to my mother, the answer to the last question is, YES! Months earlier, I had surprised them Mother's Day weekend.
After the shock wore off after a couple hours, I was able to enjoy their visit and now that they are gone I'm kinda of sad. Funny, how the more time you spend away from your parents the more you actually miss them. There are times when all I want is to talk to my mom. It's weird yet good to be on my own, but still have my parents' numbers on speed dial. <3
They arrive early afternoon and they ask about my week at work. It's been stressful, but I know once I get the hang of it, I'll be a pro as someone in the office said to me. We needed to go to Walmart on the way back since my Trolley Dolly, an insulated grocery cart that April found for me a couple weeks ago, zipper doesn't work. After I exchanged the cart, April and Mrs. Wulf needed to get new shoes. I thought nothing of this since April is quite a shopper. We spent maybe an hour in Walmart total. So I just rolled with it.
We get to the house and nothing seemed out of the ordinary though I did see a new car in the driveway. My thoughts were it was either Gina's new car, since she had been talking about getting one, or someone from church. So I didn't really pay that close attention to it. I walk inside and put my things in April's room since that is where I usually crash. I come back out and sit on the couch looking through emails on my phone. I have no idea what the plans are for that night regarding my "party" but I figured they would tell me whenever. No big deal.
I happened to glance up when I saw people standing in the middle of the living room. I then notice one of them has a camera pointed in my direction. Thinking to myself, "What's with the camera?" I'm trying to process what could be going on, when Breazyi opens the bedroom door and as I'm watching her run away from it, I see out of the corner of my eye a head from the doorway.
I look up and see my parents' smiling faces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought I was about to have a heart attack. A million questions flow through my brain like, "How did they get here? How did I not figure out this was coming? Is this payback?" According to my mother, the answer to the last question is, YES! Months earlier, I had surprised them Mother's Day weekend.
After the shock wore off after a couple hours, I was able to enjoy their visit and now that they are gone I'm kinda of sad. Funny, how the more time you spend away from your parents the more you actually miss them. There are times when all I want is to talk to my mom. It's weird yet good to be on my own, but still have my parents' numbers on speed dial. <3
Friday, August 26, 2016
One Week Down!
I survived my first week as Reading Partners' new Development Coordinator VISTA!! YAYYYY! I wish it were more exciting, but like every job....you have to go through training before one does anything remotely interesting. Unfortunately, this week has been a bit of a headache, no one's fault but nevertheless annoying.
Day 1 was all about team building and having fun and we did just that. I can already tell I will have a great time at work and after work with this group. They are all outgoing and enjoy being silly (the men too; there are only three of them). It's tradition every year -- each Reading Partners office creates a video welcoming the others to the new year. Our video was to the whole network from CA to DC. We decided to do our video as if we were all a part of Reading Addicts Anonymous.(Get it!?!?!) We were each a different city or state that Reading Partners was located in such as Sacramento, Twin Cities, NYC, North Carolina etc. As Jess panned the room with her Iphone, we each introduced ourselves as the state or city we were acting as while wearing or holding something that represented it. I had South Carolina and I was pretending to eat a peach. "Hi, my name is South Carolina and yes....I'm a Reading Addict." "Hi South Carolina!" says the group. I can't wait to see it!
Tuesday through Friday were tough for I had trainings to do online as well as getting myself familiar with SalesForce, a platform we use to organize donations from organizations etc. It's a whole nother world to me because of language I don't know and the protocol I have to learn as well. On top of all that, the person who had my position last year left before his full year was up. As an AmeriCorps member, you're required to serve a full year unless something urgent happens and in this case the person joined the military. Also, the Development Manager, who is supposed to be "in charge" of me and train me quit unexpectedly and therefore the Executive Director has been doing that instead. She's super supportive and I already love her, but she's swamped every single day and I'm just glad she wants to be there for me.
Plus, I know more problems!? Yes, for whatever reason I didn't have access to email until Tuesday afternoon. The National office in LA had been sending me important emails since early August that I hadn't gotten till then. So all week, I was playing catch up with paperwork that needed to be done and office programs that I needed to learn my way around. Then there was an issue with getting into these different programs and setting up an account and all that. Then there was an issue of getting my own computer, meaning a computer without someone else's passwords already saved. One computer locked me out completely after trying to reimaging it (setting it back to factory settings). Another computer would only let me into my email and Sales Force, nothing else. Finally tried another computer today and the WiFi won't turn on. Crazy huh!? I guess the computers are boycotting my presence? Maybe it's just cause they are all Macs. (I'm not a fan of them either).
Oh, well. Monday will be a new day and possibly a better one. This weekend, I'm going back to Colorado Springs for the Wulfs are throwing me a "You Survived!" party. lol It should be a fun weekend!
Below are pictures from my office. Don't I have such a magnificent view! So glad we are on the 7th floor and not the basement!!
Until the next installment of Ruth's escapades! See you later.
Day 1 was all about team building and having fun and we did just that. I can already tell I will have a great time at work and after work with this group. They are all outgoing and enjoy being silly (the men too; there are only three of them). It's tradition every year -- each Reading Partners office creates a video welcoming the others to the new year. Our video was to the whole network from CA to DC. We decided to do our video as if we were all a part of Reading Addicts Anonymous.(Get it!?!?!) We were each a different city or state that Reading Partners was located in such as Sacramento, Twin Cities, NYC, North Carolina etc. As Jess panned the room with her Iphone, we each introduced ourselves as the state or city we were acting as while wearing or holding something that represented it. I had South Carolina and I was pretending to eat a peach. "Hi, my name is South Carolina and yes....I'm a Reading Addict." "Hi South Carolina!" says the group. I can't wait to see it!
Tuesday through Friday were tough for I had trainings to do online as well as getting myself familiar with SalesForce, a platform we use to organize donations from organizations etc. It's a whole nother world to me because of language I don't know and the protocol I have to learn as well. On top of all that, the person who had my position last year left before his full year was up. As an AmeriCorps member, you're required to serve a full year unless something urgent happens and in this case the person joined the military. Also, the Development Manager, who is supposed to be "in charge" of me and train me quit unexpectedly and therefore the Executive Director has been doing that instead. She's super supportive and I already love her, but she's swamped every single day and I'm just glad she wants to be there for me.
Plus, I know more problems!? Yes, for whatever reason I didn't have access to email until Tuesday afternoon. The National office in LA had been sending me important emails since early August that I hadn't gotten till then. So all week, I was playing catch up with paperwork that needed to be done and office programs that I needed to learn my way around. Then there was an issue with getting into these different programs and setting up an account and all that. Then there was an issue of getting my own computer, meaning a computer without someone else's passwords already saved. One computer locked me out completely after trying to reimaging it (setting it back to factory settings). Another computer would only let me into my email and Sales Force, nothing else. Finally tried another computer today and the WiFi won't turn on. Crazy huh!? I guess the computers are boycotting my presence? Maybe it's just cause they are all Macs. (I'm not a fan of them either).
Oh, well. Monday will be a new day and possibly a better one. This weekend, I'm going back to Colorado Springs for the Wulfs are throwing me a "You Survived!" party. lol It should be a fun weekend!
Below are pictures from my office. Don't I have such a magnificent view! So glad we are on the 7th floor and not the basement!!
Until the next installment of Ruth's escapades! See you later.
Friday, August 19, 2016
Pre-Service Orientation
Just a few hours ago, I returned from my PSO (Pre-Service Orientation) and have been catching up on emails and relaxing. Basically, around 100 of us serving in CA,OK, AK, AZ, CO, MO, TX and LA were gathered together in order to better understand what AmeriCorps is all about and to learn things about being in service as well as nonprofit work and poverty. We had group, solo and paired activities that allowed us to practice our elevator speeches, writing a targeted recruitment message and assessing what poverty is exactly. The time was well spent and some of us wish it were longer so that we could better understand everything. The sessions were so jammed packed with things to cover that I think some of it went over our heads.
Each day went from 7am breakfast to 5:30pm dinner with about four sessions each day. I arrived via taxi on Tuesday, which was an experience in itself to the hotel, Westin Westminster around 2:30pm. I used an app called Ztrip and was trying not to panic since I didn't get a confirmation at all until 5 minutes prior to the time I wanted a taxi (1:30). I told the man the address of the hotel and he didn't seem to understand his ipad's keypad at all since he took a full two minutes or more trying to type in the address. We finally got going after what seemed like more than five minutes of getting it put in correctly. Other than that, the trip went smoothly. Thank goodness, AmeriCorps is reimbursing me for the ride since it cost $45.
When I arrived to the hotel, my room wasn't ready. Really, at almost 3pm? This is a fancy hotel, by the way. Whatever. There were plenty of places to sit plus, I still had to check in with AmeriCorps. Within 45 minutes, I got a call saying my room was ready. So I went up and it was gorgeous! The bathroom was huge! the view was amazing! Every day I love Colorado more and more. The diverse landscape never ceases to bring a smile. So after unpacking, I took a walk since I had a little over two hours before dinner. Like every where else it seems, there's construction. On my walk, I passed an ice-skating rink, a man-made pond with a fountain in it and quite a few stores/restaurants.
One thing I must mention about PSO is the food! OMYGOODNESS! Our first meal was delicious. We had strips of tender beef, mashed potatoes, salad and rolls. For a fancy hotel, yea they better have good food, but I wasn't expecting this! Almost every meal was like this; just filled with mouthwatering you-have-have-seconds food.
The sessions were fun and I especially liked our instructor, Jean. She's very creative and allowed for all learning styles. The first day, she explained why there were markers and toys on the table. If we needed to do something while listening to her, we could. I am one of those who can't for obvious reasons so I only drew or colored during break time or if I finished my assignments early. I hope be able to keep in touch with her!
I met a lot of cool people and a few serving in Denver at various organizations. I love the fact that I could connect quite easily with most and am glad I made this choice more than ever! It's amazing to feel appreciated and valued versus how I was treated growing up. I've had many conversations filled with laughter and love. When you meet people who have a heart for others, it comes out every time one open's their mouth. I have a feeling I will always remember this experience.
Overall, I think it was an enjoyable time and I look forward to starting my year with Reading Partners as a VISTA! Thank you Lord for everything you've given me.
Each day went from 7am breakfast to 5:30pm dinner with about four sessions each day. I arrived via taxi on Tuesday, which was an experience in itself to the hotel, Westin Westminster around 2:30pm. I used an app called Ztrip and was trying not to panic since I didn't get a confirmation at all until 5 minutes prior to the time I wanted a taxi (1:30). I told the man the address of the hotel and he didn't seem to understand his ipad's keypad at all since he took a full two minutes or more trying to type in the address. We finally got going after what seemed like more than five minutes of getting it put in correctly. Other than that, the trip went smoothly. Thank goodness, AmeriCorps is reimbursing me for the ride since it cost $45.
When I arrived to the hotel, my room wasn't ready. Really, at almost 3pm? This is a fancy hotel, by the way. Whatever. There were plenty of places to sit plus, I still had to check in with AmeriCorps. Within 45 minutes, I got a call saying my room was ready. So I went up and it was gorgeous! The bathroom was huge! the view was amazing! Every day I love Colorado more and more. The diverse landscape never ceases to bring a smile. So after unpacking, I took a walk since I had a little over two hours before dinner. Like every where else it seems, there's construction. On my walk, I passed an ice-skating rink, a man-made pond with a fountain in it and quite a few stores/restaurants.
One thing I must mention about PSO is the food! OMYGOODNESS! Our first meal was delicious. We had strips of tender beef, mashed potatoes, salad and rolls. For a fancy hotel, yea they better have good food, but I wasn't expecting this! Almost every meal was like this; just filled with mouthwatering you-have-have-seconds food.
The sessions were fun and I especially liked our instructor, Jean. She's very creative and allowed for all learning styles. The first day, she explained why there were markers and toys on the table. If we needed to do something while listening to her, we could. I am one of those who can't for obvious reasons so I only drew or colored during break time or if I finished my assignments early. I hope be able to keep in touch with her!
I met a lot of cool people and a few serving in Denver at various organizations. I love the fact that I could connect quite easily with most and am glad I made this choice more than ever! It's amazing to feel appreciated and valued versus how I was treated growing up. I've had many conversations filled with laughter and love. When you meet people who have a heart for others, it comes out every time one open's their mouth. I have a feeling I will always remember this experience.
Overall, I think it was an enjoyable time and I look forward to starting my year with Reading Partners as a VISTA! Thank you Lord for everything you've given me.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Feeling the Love
I went back to Colorado Springs/Falcon this weekend and was greeted so warmly it was overwhelming. Some people like "Uncle Dan" weren't as nice as they could be, but I could tell they all missed me. He reminds me of my real uncle, Uncle Bill. They are both sarcastic and love to joke around. Though I was only gone a week, Sue practically jumped on me when she saw me on her lawn Saturday morning. "You came! You came!" she shouted.
The card party was fun as always and they all wanted to hear about my first week in Denver. I was happy to be with my other family and share my experiences such as getting a bit lost and trying to find the rest of the items I needed to get my started on this life on my own. While I'm not completely financially independent yet, I am proud of how far I've come and been able to manage money and be my own person. Dona and Mrs. Wulf taught me how to play Mexican Train, which honestly is so difficult to learn at first. When the Wulfs had taught me Head and Foot, my mind was on play and rewind at the same time. Like anything new, it takes time to learn and to get the hang of it. Will have to continue playing if I want to get good at it like I am at Dutch Blitz.
At church, everyone was so surprised to see me. (I think I like surprising people). The looks on their faces are priceless and it always feels good to be loved. After going through four years in high school feeling like I didn't matter, this is a great change. I'm glad I held on and overcame adversity. I will surely miss them as I already do. I hope the next church I choose will become another family.
<3
The card party was fun as always and they all wanted to hear about my first week in Denver. I was happy to be with my other family and share my experiences such as getting a bit lost and trying to find the rest of the items I needed to get my started on this life on my own. While I'm not completely financially independent yet, I am proud of how far I've come and been able to manage money and be my own person. Dona and Mrs. Wulf taught me how to play Mexican Train, which honestly is so difficult to learn at first. When the Wulfs had taught me Head and Foot, my mind was on play and rewind at the same time. Like anything new, it takes time to learn and to get the hang of it. Will have to continue playing if I want to get good at it like I am at Dutch Blitz.
At church, everyone was so surprised to see me. (I think I like surprising people). The looks on their faces are priceless and it always feels good to be loved. After going through four years in high school feeling like I didn't matter, this is a great change. I'm glad I held on and overcame adversity. I will surely miss them as I already do. I hope the next church I choose will become another family.
<3
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