Bringing my share
Posted on September 11, 2009

So, I haven't written in a while. MY BAD!!! But consider it a good thing, because I haven't written because I've been busy!!! And being busy in a new place is definitely the way to go about being in a new place. Today is Friday, and I just got home from our AmeriCorps Training/National Day of Service for Sept. 11. We learned about volunteer recruitment and then worked for a food bank type place that does deliveries for people. It was pretty sweet.

We had our first week of real work starting on Tuesday. It has been both inspiring and disheartening... I have so many ideas of things to do, but its frustrating to have to start work the same day school starts. There are so many things going on that its really difficult to sit down with the staff to get some solid plans in place - like, for example: part of my job (a huge part) is volunteer recruitment and creating a plan that will be sustainable for the school. I can't really do that until I know what kind of volunteers they need, and what they have in mind for people who want to come frequently, and for people who can only come once a month. But I cant figure that out until I sit down with the principal and get a chance to ask the teachers and other staff where they think the need is. And right now, they've got SOOO much going on, that I don't even want to try to add to their plate. So that kinda sucks. BUUUUTTT, its awesome because this program is really new at my school (as in, brand new) so we (the other volunteers and I) have a lot of leeway in what goes down, the traditions that they start, etc. So that is good. Its just tough getting everything going. But, that comes with the terf.

On the social scene, things are going well... as you all predicted, I have successfully met EVERYONE IN BELLINGHAM!!!!! No, just kidding. I've only met my roommates, some of their friends, and most of the AmeriCorps people. All of whom are VERY nice! They invite me out and I'm trying to go even though sometimes its super awkward not to have a buddy who is familiar. But for the most part, everyone is super cool and really nice to me (it might be because of what they've heard about NC... they think we're slow. just kidding!).

Ok its a lot of work to put pictures inside the blog, but I'm going to upload some more pictures from the trip, and then from my house so those of you who care (dad...) can see where I live!!!!

Anne Dykers
September 13, 2009
hi dear Eliza--sounds like you're off to a great start--and they are sooo lucky to have somebody like you--know I'm sending you heaps of love, Anne
Anne Dykers
September 13, 2009
one other thing--I have an old friend in Bellingham--so old he may not even remember me--His name is John Dancey and we were in a group together at the Pacific Northwest Bioenergetics Conference in Whistler BC in the late 80's. We corresponded and I visited him once in Bellingham--such a beautiful place!!!!--A.

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