Fri 7/25/08 8:25 pm – PR
Currently Listening to: “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly
Two weeks of groups have come and gone since my last post. Last week was great as we had two giant Catholic groups who were very hard workers. They complained quite a bit and were veterans to Pine Ridge, but again, were great when it came to doing the work at the Work Project sites or Kid’s Club. Something of significance is that the two groups had Mass together, while Father Jim presided, during Church Group Time on Wednesday night. It was great to see these groups come together with their similarities, since we often have diverse groups from different denominations every week.
Last weekend we “went Rapid!” The kids here are all excited to go to Rapid City, because to them, it is the cultural center of their world. Now, Rapid City isn’t that big, but has quite a bit if you’ve ever been to a reservation, which has hardly anything. My only plan was to see The Dark Knight. That’s all I wanted to do. But our weekend started with us leaving from our site, meeting the other sites in Rapid, Jimmy John’s, Crazy Horse, a glimpse of Mt. Rushmore, Sonic for drinks, then off to bed. Saturday was glorious as TDK (The Dark Knight) was going to happen. I got a “little” frustrated (little is an understatement, as I almost completely blew up when one of the drivers drove us to the wrong theater. Man, I need anger management when it comes to miscommunication errors and frustrations surrounding TDK and other things I want to do…), but we eventually made it, even though the previews started. What a glorious film! If I could only own 10 movies, it would make the list. After TDK, Sonic was visited again (this time for lunch), then I hit up a music store and Alternative Fuel (a coffee shop) with Alissa and Y-Vo (from PR2). Most of the crew went over to Hills Alive! (a free Christian music festival in Rapid featuring Superchick and Toby Mac that night), and I stayed for a few songs of Superchick’s. But I was itching to sit in a dark theater once more, so I headed to Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Worth viewing for the visuals and humor alone, it was great – but not as good as TDK of course. I contemplated staying for Hancock (3 superhero movies in one day???), but didn’t… We came back to PR1 to get some sleep and the next group came in fast…
This week also went by fast – but I was emotionally exhausted. Not enough mental rest on the weekend in Rapid. No time to mentally check out. Curveballs were thrown left and right this week. Evening activities being switched around, loose end to tie up, and other stuff all made appearances. Guy and I ate at Bette’s Kitchen, and it was glorious! It was literally eating in a ladies’ house and having her nieces serve us. Anytime you’re near Manderson, hit up Bette’s! A great group this week as they showed us staff they were processing all that is hitting them – plus they loved my stories… Back to resting – peace!
Finished while in Higher Grounds Coffeehouse with a song by Reba McEntire??
Friday, July 25, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Beard...
I have decided not to shave since I left Denver for Pine Ridge. Here is a brief look at the beard's progress:
Photo 1: At the airport in Appleton, WI. Bright-eyed and having no idea shaving would not happen. Notice the trimmed sideburns and goatee. A must for a guy looking to work with youth.
Photo 1: At the airport in Appleton, WI. Bright-eyed and having no idea shaving would not happen. Notice the trimmed sideburns and goatee. A must for a guy looking to work with youth.
Photo 2: Two weeks after the first picture was taken. Noticeable beardage has taken place. Not quite full, but getting there.
Photo 3: Five weeks have passed since the first. While I may look upset, the beard is smiling for me.
Photo 4: Taken today, 50 days into no shaving... Beautiful.
So I am torn between trimming, shaving, or waiting until I get back to Denver. 50 days looks a bit bushy, but we'll see. What do you think? Leave me your comments...
Sat 7/12/08 12:42 pm – PR
Currently Listening to: “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton
Well in the last week, I got hired full-time by YouthWorks! for a real position in their Minneapolis HQ. I will be moving out there soon after I get home and start September 2nd, right after Labor Day. The job consists of answering calls and getting churches to jump on board with YouthWorks! for the summer. This week also went real well, and this weekend we will be sure to rest up for another jam-packed week. On Thursday during our community cookout, the White River Creek Singers came out and led us in social dances. It was a total blast! Anyways, time to rest…
Finished while Listening to: “I Don’t Want to Lose You” by REO Speedwagon
Well in the last week, I got hired full-time by YouthWorks! for a real position in their Minneapolis HQ. I will be moving out there soon after I get home and start September 2nd, right after Labor Day. The job consists of answering calls and getting churches to jump on board with YouthWorks! for the summer. This week also went real well, and this weekend we will be sure to rest up for another jam-packed week. On Thursday during our community cookout, the White River Creek Singers came out and led us in social dances. It was a total blast! Anyways, time to rest…
Finished while Listening to: “I Don’t Want to Lose You” by REO Speedwagon
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sat 7/5/08 7:40 pm – Martin, SD
Currently Watching: The Office – “The Convict #3.9”
Since the Rapid City entry, we’ve all been really busy. Had 3 entirely different weeks. Here’s a breakdown of what happened.
Week 1: This was our first week all alone and we had 4 churches come and enjoy our site. There were a few kinks with that week. I think what happened is that we were focused on our job and not enough on the people. There were some great groups (4 churches in all), but we were inwardly focused on getting the job done. Our attitudes and dynamics with each other not the greatest they could be. On Tuesday, we had a tornado warning while driving to one of our evening activities, a hike. Ugh… it wasn’t very fun. Nothing happened, but we were on the road and had to turn around and get into the basements. When the time for evaluations came around from the adults and students, we were devastated. The leaders pointed out a lot that we didn’t notice, but I am glad that happened. We really sat down and hashed out what we need to do as a team, and act on them. That weekend, Alissa and I went to a pow-wow in Kyle. Although we took a roundabout way to get there, it was cool to be at one where we saw active competition. And then…
Week 2: A complete turnaround! 4 churches came again, but this time after our re-tooling, it totally rocked. There was a couple there: Joe and Maria from St. Maria Garetti’s in WI. They were the best encouragers I’ve ever met and had glowing reviews for me as Program staff and a leader. All throughout the week, hardly any trouble happened with the exception of us leaving the site for staff time at night and there was another tornado hitting Shannon County. When we were at Big Bat’s, I met my Vietnam vet friend, Dave Little. He was cool to talk to about different things, but our time was cut short by that tornado. Either way, we got back to the site, but again, nothing happened. Later that night, around 1:30 am, Alissa came into our roon to tell us Gennie was shaking and her legs hurt badly. We went into diagnose, but our limited first aid training ranged in diagnoses from diabetes, lyme disease, shock, and a fever. The next day, Guy took her to the Martin clinic where our AD, Faith, was staying. That morning, I had to become the Work Projects guy. I also had to meet our tour guide for Wounded Knee, Emerson Elk, at his house. His sister, Gerilyn, and him make beautiful beadwork and other art. While talking to him, he lit sage and sweetgrass to purify the air and lighten the mood. It was a great time to meet and hang out with community members. That week in our adult leader evals, we got the comment that we were the “most professional YouthWorks staff” they ever had. Talk about a turnaround! After they left, our coach for family mission trips, Mayme from the YouthWorks! office, came out. We had a good weekend, which led to…
Week 3: Family Mission Trip week. We had 36 people who ranged in age from 8 to 60’s. It was fun to bring families on board, because it was a really laid back week and Mayme was there to help. This week, I was tossing around the idea of applying for a full-time position at YouthWorks! Mayme was telling about an exciting position, the Marketing Service Center Associate. It’s a little like my job at Kodak but 8 million times better. I made and sent out a resume and cover letter on Saturday, received an email on Tuesday, a phone call on Thursday for an interview on Friday the 4th. It went great BTW. Since FMT was a day shorter, we got extra time to hang out and chill. Mayme headed out on Thursday and we did our shopping at Wal-Mart that day. Faith showed up to hang out and we headed out on Friday to Martin for a 4th of July weekend celebration. We swung on swings in the park, hung out on the roof of the school, watched the fireworks up there, learned how to “Get Silly” and “Soldier Boy,” had a bonfire at a lake, and pretty much rested up as much as possible before heading out on Sunday.
Finished While Watching: The Office – “Traveling Salesmen #3.12”
Since the Rapid City entry, we’ve all been really busy. Had 3 entirely different weeks. Here’s a breakdown of what happened.
Week 1: This was our first week all alone and we had 4 churches come and enjoy our site. There were a few kinks with that week. I think what happened is that we were focused on our job and not enough on the people. There were some great groups (4 churches in all), but we were inwardly focused on getting the job done. Our attitudes and dynamics with each other not the greatest they could be. On Tuesday, we had a tornado warning while driving to one of our evening activities, a hike. Ugh… it wasn’t very fun. Nothing happened, but we were on the road and had to turn around and get into the basements. When the time for evaluations came around from the adults and students, we were devastated. The leaders pointed out a lot that we didn’t notice, but I am glad that happened. We really sat down and hashed out what we need to do as a team, and act on them. That weekend, Alissa and I went to a pow-wow in Kyle. Although we took a roundabout way to get there, it was cool to be at one where we saw active competition. And then…
Week 2: A complete turnaround! 4 churches came again, but this time after our re-tooling, it totally rocked. There was a couple there: Joe and Maria from St. Maria Garetti’s in WI. They were the best encouragers I’ve ever met and had glowing reviews for me as Program staff and a leader. All throughout the week, hardly any trouble happened with the exception of us leaving the site for staff time at night and there was another tornado hitting Shannon County. When we were at Big Bat’s, I met my Vietnam vet friend, Dave Little. He was cool to talk to about different things, but our time was cut short by that tornado. Either way, we got back to the site, but again, nothing happened. Later that night, around 1:30 am, Alissa came into our roon to tell us Gennie was shaking and her legs hurt badly. We went into diagnose, but our limited first aid training ranged in diagnoses from diabetes, lyme disease, shock, and a fever. The next day, Guy took her to the Martin clinic where our AD, Faith, was staying. That morning, I had to become the Work Projects guy. I also had to meet our tour guide for Wounded Knee, Emerson Elk, at his house. His sister, Gerilyn, and him make beautiful beadwork and other art. While talking to him, he lit sage and sweetgrass to purify the air and lighten the mood. It was a great time to meet and hang out with community members. That week in our adult leader evals, we got the comment that we were the “most professional YouthWorks staff” they ever had. Talk about a turnaround! After they left, our coach for family mission trips, Mayme from the YouthWorks! office, came out. We had a good weekend, which led to…
Week 3: Family Mission Trip week. We had 36 people who ranged in age from 8 to 60’s. It was fun to bring families on board, because it was a really laid back week and Mayme was there to help. This week, I was tossing around the idea of applying for a full-time position at YouthWorks! Mayme was telling about an exciting position, the Marketing Service Center Associate. It’s a little like my job at Kodak but 8 million times better. I made and sent out a resume and cover letter on Saturday, received an email on Tuesday, a phone call on Thursday for an interview on Friday the 4th. It went great BTW. Since FMT was a day shorter, we got extra time to hang out and chill. Mayme headed out on Thursday and we did our shopping at Wal-Mart that day. Faith showed up to hang out and we headed out on Friday to Martin for a 4th of July weekend celebration. We swung on swings in the park, hung out on the roof of the school, watched the fireworks up there, learned how to “Get Silly” and “Soldier Boy,” had a bonfire at a lake, and pretty much rested up as much as possible before heading out on Sunday.
Finished While Watching: The Office – “Traveling Salesmen #3.12”
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