VISTA Sundae

Building our KaBoom Playground!

BANANA Costumes at the Fair!
Halloween

It’s three nineteen p.m. on a sunny seventy-seven degree Sunday afternoon and I’m lounging in the Navy Yard’s River Front Park attempting to write a long overdue blog entry. Jealous? Not really? Oh did I mention that it’s also November and this beautiful weather ain’t no rarity? Well it’s true and this is why I’m starting to appreciate living in the south. A lot has happened since my last entry any the infamous Kathy Griffin show (which was AWESOME) and over the past month so let me catch you up…

As you know, my year of service here is dedicated to working with the Community Wellness Initiative (CWI) to promote active living and healthy eating in an effort to reduce obesity and obesity related diseases in North Charleston. CWI is a brand new initiative that has still needs a lot of structure and tweaking. Still a sore subject to me, I have indirectly realized that I was recruited into this position based on a large grant that never fell through. It seems that my supervisors got ahead of themselves and assumed they were a shoe-in for the grant money but soon found out that other than lint and crumpled old gum wrappers there was no money to be found in their CWI pockets. You know what they say about ASSuming. As a result they have an eager VISTA seeking work and productivity but no money to assist in this search. This, I have realized, is the sole reason for my lack of guidance and assignment description. I’ve now decided that if anyone’s going to make this a good experience for me it has to be me. I’m going to have to take matters in my own hands, grab the bull by its horns, insert additional analogies here, etc. Stay tuned.

I can’t get over how much has happened/changed here since my last chat with “ya’ll.” Let’s see…I had an interesting and fun Halloween (as a zombie 40s “Desperate” housewife) that ended at a 24-hour IHOP where I scared all of its customers with my cuts and zombie-esque features and tried convincing our waitress that she looked like Mena Suvari. I was on a Charleston morning radio show where I spoke about Diabetes Awareness month and healthy eating (still waiting on a copy to share). I BUILT A PLAYGROUND! BY HAND aaand as a bonus developed arthritis from it! I went to the Coastal Carolina Fair, judged a Sugar-Free Halloween costume contest at MUSC, gained another roommate named Mary, and became a “Lunch Buddy” mentor at a local elementary school. I recently went to an improv show and decided to take classes starting in January with VISTA Celia! Funny stories are sure to come! Most importantly I had a wonderful 26^th birthday thanks to all my friends’ and family’s birthday wishes. I was lucky enough to have Christian here for the festivities and to share such a special day with me! Thanksgiving was a Manley Ave. blast. All of the VISTAs who did not make it home for the holiday joined in on a potluck dinner! The following day a group of us took a day trip to Savannah, toured around while sipping on Bloody Marys, saw baby alligators while eating at the infamous Crab Shack, and on our way home "dropped in" to play some slots on a casino boat which turned out to be an unexpected 6 hour casino boat cruise! Christian ended up staying past his original departure date and decided to hitchhike home. It SEEMED like a exciting idea at the time but after his 26 hour journey back to MD I think his answer would be “no” if you ever asked him to do it again. Ahh life is full of lessons. The cherry on the top of my 2 month blog hiatus sundae is…drum roll please…Shmiane was fired! Our concerns were voiced which must have been the last straw for the Noisette Company Camel’s back. I can’t say that things here are perfect now but I can, however, say that the big Shmiane weight has been lifted. Cheers to weight loss!

time travel: the most emo entry i'll ever post i promise.

slackin at work
traffic jam!

Preface: I started this entry ten days ago and began it out of frustration and anger. Take my

tone lightly seeing as things have (slightly) changed since then. I considered deleting the entire thing

and approaching this entry with a different mindset. But instead of denying these potentially

reoccurring feelings I decided to include them while adding a not so "whoa is me" ending :)

Rewind to 10 days ago:

I knew this would happen. I aimed to write in this blog once a week but it's been more like once a month. I will try to do better I promise. Right now I'm sitting in my pseudo office at the college of nursing and figured "hey what better time to write in my blog than when I'm doing nothing at work!" I know it's just a temporary emotional/frustrated/confused/unmotivated mood that I'm in right now but I can't help feeling anger toward myself, my VISTA site, or Americorps in general...I haven't quite figured out who's to blame here.

I'm feeling spread so thin among different supervisors, sites, and projects that I can't even keep track or tell them apart anymore. I know things will improve and become clearer soon but it's the lack of patience I have in getting there that is the problem. Since conversing with fellow VISTAs I know I'm not alone in these feelings of frustration. A lot of us volunteers seem to be thrown into things without much training or experience (though I assume this is common within the non-profit world). A lot of VISTAs that I've met are feeling unsatisfied with their work because there's nothing or not enough for them to do!

Another contributor to these feelings is the discovery of whom my VISTA supervisor/coordinator really is. Let me tell you a little story... [In order to preserve anonymity I will refer to her as Shmiane (phonetically spelled Shmeye-anne iif you catch my drift)]. When I first began my service here (I thought) my supervisor was fantastic. She went out of her way to make my parents and me feel comfortable about the move and everything that went along with it. She made sure to personally meet my parents, take them out to breakfast, and even invite them to their church. It seemed that Shmiane really wanted to make her new VISTAs feel at home. Although a few issues arose along the way (i.e. taking a few extra weeks after move-in to furnish the "semi-furnished" apartments, making harmless yet unnecessary comments about other VISTAs, focusing more on VISTA social events than on giving SUPERVISING me etc.) they could easily be overlooked since I knew (well thought rather) how good Shmiane's intentions really were deep down. But the breaking point was when Shmiane spitefully and unjustifiably did not let my roommate Maggie move in to our house after driving 12 hours from New Jersey. She claimed that Maggie never informed Shmiane of her move in date and time. As a consequence, and since traveling with her cutie patootie pooch, Maggie had to quickly find a pet-friendly hotel in a unfamiliar city to spend the night. This unnecessary issue was later nipped in the bud when Maggie victoriously found an archived emailed that had been previously sent to Shmiane in late August which stated her exact move in details. IN YOUR FACE. I'm leaving out many many details and other events but I don't want to waste both your and my valuable time...but I think you get the gist.

Fast forward to the present:

It's currently Sunday Oct. 18th and I'm sprawled out on my couch eagerly awaiting the Kathy Griffin standup show tonight! My friend Ashley and I, the day before the deadline, entered The City Paper's drawing to win free Kathy Griffin tickets. We promised to take the other if either of us won...lo and behold Ashley found the golden ticket and her lucky date is yours truly! I'm super stoked if you can't tell.

In other news my mood has taken a near 180 degree turn. My anxiety's peak came to a head when I realized that the specific project, my VAD (VISTA Assignment Description), that I am expected to complete by the end of the year and soul reason for me being here has not even been addressed. Though partly my own fault, I assumed that the projects currently being given to me were my VAD. It finally clicked that I have a whole other individual job to do other than the side tasks I've been given. Silly me, I thought that everyone knew this and was guiding me in the direction of VAD completion. After expressing my frustrations with another VISTA site supervisor I realized that I have to take charge if I want anything accomplished. I realized that though everyone knows I'm an Americorps VISTA they may not necessarily know what that means. (I guess I give people too much credit sometimes.) Since my newfound enlightenment I've sat down with one of my many supervisors and "reminded" her of my assignment. I still have some other supervisory "reminding" to do but I already feel more motivated and purposeful.

Not knowing every task and project I've been given as well as what's specifically on my VAD I'm sure this synopsis seems a bit vague. But the important thing is that since learning my true role here I now know that I have more power and discretion as to what I should and shouldn't be doing. ALSO some of the ideas I have floating around concerning my VAD include: creating radio (and hopefully TV) PSAs encouraging "Active Living and Healthy Eating"; in addition to (and with the same purpose) implementing a community garden in the Noisette community that a (still undetermined) student group with maintain. My life here is slowly but surely falling into place which is helping to set my mind at ease :)

P.S. If anyone has suggestions or advice I'd love to hear them!

KaBoom

top pic) i'm officially a MUSC volunteer. bottom pic) farmer's market at marion square in charleston

I'm on my third week here in the Navy Yard.  So far so good I must say.  Aside from a few kinks in the road i.e. my lawn growing well over knee length and constant spider invasions I'm feeling quite comfortable on Manley Avenue.  I should probably bite my tongue but I feel compelled to admit that sometimes I'd prefer having to deal with roaches and rats like I did at my old house.  But I guess it's a compromise I have to accept and appreciate if I'm going to live in a one story house in a tree shaded neighborhood with central air and plenty of parking!  But I digress...  To compensate for these obstacles, my house is slowly coming together, my AC has recently been fixed, I'm getting to know the neighborhood a little better, my jumps of fright have declined to an all time low (maybe only 2 feet high rather than 5) after hearing strange noises at night, and my living allowance plus moving reimbursement were deposited into my bank account $$ cha ching $$.  

This past weekend a few friends (Ashley, Erin, and Michelle) and I went to visit our other friend Becky.  She and her husband live in a beautifully decorated and perfectly located house on the Isle of Palms.  We relaxed on the beach while talking and watching a million adorable puppies trot by.  The sunshiny scenery and close proximity to the beach almost made it too difficult to return back to Spanish Mossy Manley Avenue.  But with some group effort we all made it back to our little neighborhood for a fun filled night of card games and beer.  I have to say, it's been extremely nice having weekends (as opposed to working).  I highly recommend having them ;)

My work week in general hasn't really changed a whole lot.  I'm still spending a portion of the week at Noisette and the other portion at MUSC.  HOWEVER, as you can see I'm finally an official volunteer at MUSC.  It took a lot of running back and forth on campus plus a Tuberculosis screening shot here and there but I now have clearance to act (kind of) important.  There are also a lot community activities coming up to look forward to.  For example, I'll be attending a "three day celebration of lowcountry cuisine" called "Taste of Charleston" at Boone Hall Plantation next month.  In the same week I'll also be going on a three day VISTA retreat in western? northern? SC.  A few interesting things that I've already done include a poverty simulation hosted by East Cooper Community Outreach (moultrienews.com/news/ECCO-to-hold-poverty-simulation-event-2009-09-09T06-24-54).  It was really interesting and surprisingly fun?  Kind of a potentially non pc way of describing it I suppose.  It was very eye-opening...is that better?  But basically it was a role playing event which was supposed to simulate living in poverty.  Another really cool thing I attended was a community planning of a sustainable KaBoom playground (kaboom.org).  KaBoom is a playground building inspiring non-profit.  They recently chose a neighborhood in N. Charleston to build their FIRST green and sustainable playground.  With the help of sponsors and volunteers KaBoom designs and builds amazing playgrounds in neighborhoods all around the country.  I should also mention that KaBoom uses playground ideas created by the children living in that community (which was the most fun part of attending the meeting).  I'm looking forward to "build day."  I'll make sure to post some pics...

All in all I'm doing well down here in SC though I do miss everyone in MD and NJ!  I hope you're all doing well and please come visit me whenever you feel the need for warmth!  I'm not opposed to sharing especially since there's enough to go around.

movin down south

top pic) one of my first nights. lacking a table, chairs, and the motivation to unpack my dishes doesn't prevent me from doing what I do best: eating and watchin my favorite ladies. 

bottom pic) my house :)   




When I returned from my Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) in Atlanta, GA I had about a week to pack up all of my belongings in Baltimore, MD and say my farewells.  I had such mixed feelings.  I was really excited to make a much needed change in my life but I was also really sad to say goodbye.  I am used to uprooting myself (i.e. college, studying abroad, etc.) and creating a home elsewhere but this time it felt different.  I had genuinely made a home in Bmore...afterall I had been there (off and on) for about seven years.  Other than my (then) current job situation I was quite content in Charm City.  I lived only three hours away from my parents, had wonderful friends, an endearing boyfriend, and fabulous roommates one of which being my best friend and sister.  Though it was sad, considering what I would be leaving behind, I couldn't overcome the intense and not too common feeling of total assurance that this is what I was meant to do.  After some major packing and a memorable goodbye party I was ready to head down south!

 On Friday the 28th of August, my parents and I finally arrived in North Charleston, SC.  I soon realized that the term "approximate location" used on the google maps street view option has complete validity.  The house I was assigned to was, well, not exactly what I pictured.  But hey, for $25o/mo. including utilities, I really couldn't complain.  After some serious cleaning and unloading I was ready to start a life in my very "humble" abode.  My parents left on Sunday the 30th...and that is when I finally asked myself, "Am I really doing this?"  I experienced sudden but short lived panic spells for maybe the first half of the day.  I couldn't understand why I was feeling this way.  It's not like I haven't been in a situation like this before.  But I just chalked it up to being a common feeling I've had in past/similar situations that I chose not to remember.

The next day I started work which was only two blocks away from my house!  Ok let's just take a minute and explain my work/living situation.  This gets kind of confusing (I'm still trying to understand it) so try to stay with me.  I, as well as a handful of other VISTAs, live in the Navy Yard http://www.navyyardsc.com/.  It's an old naval base that closed down in the 1990s.  Since then the property was sold to the Noisette Company  http://www.noisettesc.com/over_whatisnoisette.html.  The Noisette Company has turned the Navy Yard into a sustainable community (a.k.a. a model of The New American City) focusing on the idea that "cities must be equally responsive to social needs, environmental responsibility, and economic vitality."  The Noisette Company hopes to improve, perfect, and spread this concept to other communities.  Soo within this company there are non-profits helping to achieve these goals.  I work for the one of these non-profits called the Noisette Foundation http://www.noisettefoundation.org/.  Within the foundation I am working with the Community Wellness Initiative (CWI).  The Noisette Foundation has partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina - College of Nursing (MUSC- CON) to work with this initiative.  I will be working half of the week at the Noisette Foundation and the other half at the CON to, in essence,  prevent obesity and diabetes in the impoverished areas of North Charleston.  I will spare you the other details haha as if I haven't detailed enough already.  Anyway, I started work on the 31st and unfortunately it's been pretty anticlimactic.  I've done a whole lot of sitting at my computer (which I am so not used to) running odd and I mean odd errands, and occasionally (the most exciting part) going over to CON to be overwhelmed with information and future tasks I will be expected to complete.  But not to worry, I know things will change.  

I've been down in the Lowcountry (coastal counties of SC) for little over a week now.  Since then I have (surprisingly) already started to appreciate the distinct smell of the nearby paper mill, battled large hairy spiders in my living room eek!, encountered the cutest little frogs I ever did see, dodged a familiar "Carolina grocery store bagger incident", and began working in an office that belongs on a movie set.  Most importantly I've already met some amazing people.  I'm surrounded by people who are going through the same experiences that I am and who also share most of the same values and beliefs that I do.  This helps to reassure me that I will make it through my one year VISTA experience.