Opening Day!

Opening Day was awesome!

It was a day where we were able to introduce ourselves to the community, be inspired, inspire others, and truly get a jump start for the year. Though we've been in schools for a month now, this "kick-off" event actually happened at the perfect time. I love what I'm doing, but I think we all share moments of  thinking, "Why am I doing this again?" Opening Day reminded us of why we're doing what we're doing. 

Why we're waking up before the sun... Why we're putting in over 50 hours a week .... Why we're there longer than any staff member and receiving a stipend amounting to a small fraction of what they make...Why we put up with attitudes...Why we plea with students to just turn in their work... Why we don't just go back to where we came from and do something else...

...because they need us

 these students, these schools, and this city 

...because statistics from last year showed that having CY there made a difference ...because for every bad attitude there are at least three good ones that are glad you asked them about their day ...because by the end of the year our students will learn that it pays to do your work... because there are people who could have used City Year while they were growing up, and now have trouble finding their way ...because we want to be advocates, cheerleaders,  and champions for these kids. ...because we want them to feel empowered ...because we know these kids and want to see them succeed ...because we know if we keeping "bugging" them and reminding them to do their work, eventually they will ...because when one of our students is having a rough day, we want to be there to talk to them ...because we want to be there to see the clicking light bulb later this year when our students finally begin to understand ...because we see in them an abundance of potential just waiting to be unlocked and we're hoping to help them turn the key. 

...because we truly aspire to #MakeBetterHappen 

Goodbye Alex

Some pictures from our Freshman dorm Holiday party

Last night I read some very disheartening news. My friend Alex who had been battling cancer for the past few years passed away. I was shocked. I haven't talked to Alex since the beginning of sophomore year and had thought he was getting better, not worse. It's weird being in California when all of my friends who know and love Alex are in Austin. It's hard being in California when all of my big support systems are in Austin.  But really it's hard knowing that this terrible thing called cancer isn't going away. Young people, people who are 20 years old should not be dying because of this terrible disease, and it's hard to see this happen. I met Alex my freshman year at UT, and like many others Nola and my dorm room became a hangout/sleep spot for him. While Alex and I didn't talk a ton, we saw each other a lot and got to be pretty good friends. When I think about Alex, I think about his smile and how he never seemed to let cancer bring him down. And when I picture him, I remember my freshman year, him and Nola arguing over pillow pets, Lucy and him rolling their eyes at each other  and all of us staying up late playing card games and making memories last. Alex was a wonderful person and I am honored to have had the pleasure of knowing him. I'll leave you all with the sweet words my friend Lucy wrote about him,

" I will continue on with no regrets, because that's what you would have wanted. But the least I need to do is give you a proper goodbye, since I didn't give myself the chance. You changed the life of every person you met with your kind words and even kinder spirit. When your body betrayed you, your soul never wavered. That strength has radiated to everyone who loves you . We now have a new purpose and a new motivation in life - to do things that you would have done, to make decisions you would have made. Thank you for being in my life, and for continuing to do so until we meet again. Goodbye, Alex - rest in peace and happiness forever." 

Lucy said it better than I ever could have. Alex's death is a good reminder to us all that none of us are guaranteed to live to be 100. Choose today, choose now to be doing what you what to be doing. Choose now to do more good for others than yourself. Choose now to be who you were meant to be. ...Because we never know when our "now" could be too late.

Thank you Alex, for being my friend.

Be the good

I love this. This is my next craft project! 

So, I've finally caught up with my blogging. I'm going to try to be better about posting, because if I don't do it right away, I forget. This really the perfect sign though. I'm always saying that I believe there is more good in this word than evil, but have I made it a point to not just recognize the good, but become it myself? We shouldn't just be sitting around believing things and hoping for things, we should be out there making things happen. Actions speak louder than words, and it's our job to be living full lives. I think this is what a huge part of this year is to me. My time to live out the "be the good". But should I just be dedicating a year of  my life to the greater good? No, I should be dedicating all my years. I'm still unsure about what I'm going to be doing next year (don't worry I'll figure it out before next August, lol) But, what I do know is that I need to be serving others in some way next year and it doesn't taking being a part of a service organization to do that. Maybe I'll serve another year with Americorps or somewhere else. The point is wherever you are at in your life, BE THE GOOD. We can be the good when we offer a friend a ride, a place to stay, send a sweet letter, wash their dishes, play jump rope and tea parties with second graders, challenge students to be better, celebrate with friends, and even when we do something as small as smile. There are opportunites to be the good everywhere. Thank you to all the people in my life who have shown me how to be the good, and who have been a constant source of goodness in my life! 

#MakeBetterHappen 

Rain, Rain, Come and Stay!

Today I spent my Saturday with this chicken . 

Her name is Hermione. 

We helped with an event called Paint the Town today! We went into a neighborhood that needed some extra help, repainting trims, fixing fences, and doing whatever we could to help.

The Crew before the rain

... And after!

Also  I was very excited to get a letter today! I really want to start having pen pals! And because I had proof of address I got a library card!!!! So let me know of any books you'd recommend!

You can't say you don't have my address now!

The weekend I got chocolate wasted...

This weekend was full. FULL OF FUN. 

I finally went out with people on my City Year team! We went to get sushi, and also checked out the nightlife! Don't worry I was still home by 12:30. Remember my new sleeping schedule. It was really fun and we celebrated my friend Jade's birthday. 

Saturday we went to a really cool Irish style pub restaurant. They had really great biscuits and gravy, which I had really been craving. Later we went to our team bbq, where I was only there for about an hour, because next thing I knew I was on my way to San Jose!

My friend Stephani Joseph moved to San Jose (which is only about 2 hours from Sac) in December to pursue her Masters in nutrition/dietetics. She's awesome! We met fall of my freshman year when we both attended Longhorn Awakening 49 ( a retreat put on by the Catholic Center at UT). Anyways, now that we both live in Cali, it was time to meet up. And almost equally importantly it was time for the San Francisco Girardelli Chocolate Festival.  

We had so much fun and it was great to get together with an old friend! Saturday night I even got to meet some of her friends as we explored nightlife in San Jose! By the end of the day on Sunday we were so filled up on chocolate...and wine that we had to get some "real" food...

Phenomenal Teachers

Skip video to 0.31.

I felt for a moment like I was sitting in the classroom with Hilary Swank. We got our teacher placements this week. (which teachers we'll be with for the year), and I must say I got the cream of the crop! For first- third period I'm in an English class with the best teacher ever. And for fourth period I head to the STARS class. STARS is similar to AVID. It's like a high school readiness class, where the teacher I'm with is helping them stay afloat in all their classes, while throwing in other activities. Today in the STARS class this truly STAR teacher did an activity similar to the one above, only it was with seventh graders. She started by asking simple questions like "Step to the line if you like pizza....if you have any pets...if you have siblings." and moved on to deeper questions " if you know anyone who is in jail....if you've ever tried drugs...drank...seen a gun...know anyone in a gang, been asked to join a gang." Granted it wasn't near as intense as the scene above, but it was powerful. And it was surprising how honest the kids were being. We don't deal with racism as huge as it is in Freedom Writers, but it was neat for them to see how much in common they all had. It also let me know how important it is that we are here supporting these kids, and doing everything we know how to keep them in school and on the road to success. Thanks to phenomenal teachers like the two I'll be working with these are not lofty goals!

One Saturday Morning...

I started my Saturday morning with some garage-saleing to find stuff for my new casa. Then I found myself at this really awesome farmer's marker right now the street from where I live. It was so cool! They have everything from fresh produce, to flowers, to a live band. The best part is this happens every Saturday morning. 

Later, I went in search for Mexican food and a strawberry margarita comparable to my favorite Austin eateries like Chuy's and Trudy's. Some of my City Year friends joined me, and we ended up at Tres Hermanas. I had a really good crab enchilada, but my margarita was less than impressive. And it was super expensive. It was nice to have Mexican food, but it made me miss good 'ole Tex Mex. 

Texas Forever

Physical Training...yep, I said it

Today all of City Year Sacramento got together to practice Physical Training for our big opening day on Sept. 25th at the capitol steps, where we will recite our pledge, hear from speakers, and officially kick-off our service year in the community! 

City Year, why do we do PT?: "To practice service, discipline, purpose, and pride!"

Never thought I would be doing something that involved doing synchronized jumping jacks. hahaha But I am, and while PT is not my favorite thing, I think I sort of like it! :)  

I'll share with you our City Year pledge: 

I pledge to serve as a City Year corps member to the very best of my ability,

to honor the rules and expectations of City Year,

to respect my colleagues and the people and communities we serve,

to provide excellent service,

to lead by example and be a role model to children,

to celebrate the diversity of people, ideas, and cultures around me,

to serve with an open heart and an open mind,

to be quick to help and slow to judge,

to do my best to make a difference in the lives of others, and

to build a stronger community, nation, and world for all of us.

Peace.

Ice cream, soda, cherry on top, who's your boyfriend?  I forgot! Is it A..B..C..D...E...F..G

So and So's having a baby, her boyfriend's driving her crazy, will it be a girl, boy, twins, or alien, girl, boy, twins or alien? 

Back in my day we just stuck to the good old 

"Cinderella dressed in yella, went upstairs to kiss her fella, made a mistake, kissed a snake, how many doctors will it take...1..2...3...4...ect"

Today I had a blast monitoring recess. I felt like a little kid again! I even got to jump rope, by the way I'm marring someone who's name starts with an E, I'll go on to have an alien baby, and it took 4 doctors to fix me after I mistook a snake for my fella. :) 

My days are crazy long, but they have been full! Full of laughter, full of running around, and full of Rosa Parks students. Even in three days, I already feel like I've gotten to know so many kids! It's awesome! The day doesn't really get hard until three. By the time the after school program rolls around, we are already so tired and so are the kids. But I think once we really get rolling with everything it'll all be good. 

Also today I had coffee with the Capernaum director for Sacramento! Which was 100% awesome! We were able to swamp stories and talk about how much we love people with special needs! You know how when you're telling someone new about your story and what you're doing it often re-energizes you and gets you even more excited about life? Well, that's what Colleen did for me today! 

Cheers to God, who keeps impressing me with how much good He is throwing in my life, even though I deserve none of it. 

Hi, My name is Sammie, and you know what I got? 

I got a school that's Hotter than Hot!

Batman and Superman, ugh huh ugh huh

Can't do it like Rosa Parks k-8 Can! 

Rosa Parks Pride, readyto #MakeBetterHappen

I love the first day of school. I always have and today and yesterday have been no exception. We've been floating around all over the school wherever we're needed, which has been everywhere lol. One of my favorite things I've gotten to do is monitor breakfast and lunch, it's the best way to start conversations with kids, even if I'm driving them crazy with my twenty question interview while they're trying to stuff down their french toast. I love it. I love it when I ask them questions and they don't respond. I love it when cute second graders need help finding their classrooms. I love when they remember my name. I really love it when I remember theirs. I love when they high five me, hug me, and chat with me! I love it all! These kids are great and it's been awesome getting to know them! It's also so hard learning all the names. I have a new found respect for teachers and people working in big schools, you cannot remember it all, but they all expect you to! Also at lunch  I was able to talk and interact with the special needs class, which made me soooooo happy! I can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings! 

love to all. 

Labor Day weekend

Hello friends!

The whirlwind continues...

So Friday I got settled in and was finally able to unpack my car! Saturday I woke up early to hit up garage sales, which ultimately failed because my GPS kept messing up, and I cannot navigate without it. lol But I seriously cannot at all I didn't let this keep me from being productive though. I was able to get my oil changed and make stops at goodwill and Ikea! Later I met up with friends to explore oldtown Sac and watch a jazz band play at a restaurant on a hotel boat! Pretty cool! It was neat being in old town too, because for labor day weekend during the day it's all decked out in oldies, and gold rush scenes are recreated!

Oldtown Sac

Sunday was crazy busy, despite staying up late the night before, I knew I had to hit the garage sales early if I was going to get anything good. I came away with a desk, night stand, chair, and a couple of cool and completely unnecessary nick knaks. Then I went to Home Depot to get some paint, and set off the paint all of my new stuff! This was great but I learned that painting with a roller or brush is a lot more work than painting with spray paint. I also forgot to eat lunch until about three which was a major mistake. Sunday was great though, I got a lot accomplished! Even more importantly I think I found my new church! City Year is the first time I'm on a team that doesn't stem from Christianity, so not having that faith component would make this year hard. I knew I needed to find a church home and I new I had found it the moment I walked into the Sac State Newman center. I was immediately greeted at the door and was asked if I could EM ( assist with distributing communion) I hadn't EMed in so long and was happy to be able to do it again! And even though it's a really small group, you'd never guess it by their choir! They were amazing! I wanted to cry I was so happy. The priest was wonderful! All the music was perfect and the people reminded me a lot of my UCC friends! I even hung around afterwards for an ice cream social! Wonderful! Trust in Christ and he will not lead you astray. 

the desk I painted and some cool bookends 

Today was nice. After such a crazy week, I spent time relaxing, grocery shopping, getting prepared for tomorrow, our first day of school. Today was also national free day of yoga day. So, I made sure to hit that up! While I was there, I met some girls that were talking in ASL, and it was really cool to be able to communicate! And as I was leaving the studio after a day of rain, the water had cleared up and a beautiful rainbow guided me to by car! Can't wait to start getting to know kids tomorrow!