A personal goal I had during may term was to try and connect with kids on a personal level. The first week this was hard. Names came slowly and sometimes we would not get the same kids back each day. But as time went on I began to remember kids, the movie we watched yesterday, or what their brother or sister’s name was. Remembering these things and having something to say to relate to the child who probably doesn’t remember my name was neat to learn. I found that after asking them a question directly relating to them instantly made them more comfortable and easier to interact with.
More than 'what I took away from volunteering,' I found working here to be simply fun. All of the kids were amazing and came from really good families. The parent’s who came in seemed like they really cared about the child care program and had invested interest in their children’s safety. It was also neat for me to see parents confident in our abilities to take care of twenty lively children at one given time. Their confidence in me made me more confident and hopefully I taught them something new in the little amount of time we get with them.
All in all I had a great experience at the YMCA. Even with having a long background with kids, I learned so much and appreciate the job of a mother greatly. I actually had such a good experience I am looking into working their next semester part-time in the same Kid’s Place. They are optimistic about the job so I am looking forward to maybe getting to be an actual employee!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
YMCA life
I have always been a very kids oriented person. I have two younger siblings, a history of babysitting, and an obsession for the little ones who look at you like you’re everything. That said, I thought that volunteering somewhere where I could solely interact with kids sounded great.
Although it is more structured than day care, the atmosphere at Kid’s Place is very laid back. While some of the staff are good about giving the kids attention, some of the older women usually take their spot in a rocking chair and stay seated until a child cries or the little ones start eating the crayons. It was weird for me to realize that even though kids interest me, for some it is simply a 9-5 job with hourly pay and a free Y membership.
One of my favorites is a little boy named Ryan. He’s 3, will climb into your lap to listen to a story, and has the prettiest eyelashes in the world. He’s adorable. Having now been volunteering for over a week he has started remembering me and just today came in and hurled himself into my arms. He’s actually really bright. We were reading this animal book today that matched the animals to colors and when I pointed to one he would make the sound like “moo” for cow. It was so cute to see his eyes get bigger when he knew the animal and would look to me for recognition.
Today we didn’t have a very busy day. With not a lot of kid traffic it allowed me to spend one-on-one time with individual kids instead of constantly picking up the crying ones and balancing them on my hip while I play a movie for several others and find coloring sheets for the other 5.
Jack was the little 8 month old I got to follow around today. He is not walking yet but still very mobile. I’ve found it’s almost harder when their not walking because that means their trying to walk and climbing on everything! So, trying to engage the curious one, I got out our little plastic colored pianos and started pushing buttons, thinking the sounds would spark some interest and they did! For five to ten minutes… then he was off climbing on chair legs and counter railings!
Although it is more structured than day care, the atmosphere at Kid’s Place is very laid back. While some of the staff are good about giving the kids attention, some of the older women usually take their spot in a rocking chair and stay seated until a child cries or the little ones start eating the crayons. It was weird for me to realize that even though kids interest me, for some it is simply a 9-5 job with hourly pay and a free Y membership.
One of my favorites is a little boy named Ryan. He’s 3, will climb into your lap to listen to a story, and has the prettiest eyelashes in the world. He’s adorable. Having now been volunteering for over a week he has started remembering me and just today came in and hurled himself into my arms. He’s actually really bright. We were reading this animal book today that matched the animals to colors and when I pointed to one he would make the sound like “moo” for cow. It was so cute to see his eyes get bigger when he knew the animal and would look to me for recognition.
Today we didn’t have a very busy day. With not a lot of kid traffic it allowed me to spend one-on-one time with individual kids instead of constantly picking up the crying ones and balancing them on my hip while I play a movie for several others and find coloring sheets for the other 5.
Jack was the little 8 month old I got to follow around today. He is not walking yet but still very mobile. I’ve found it’s almost harder when their not walking because that means their trying to walk and climbing on everything! So, trying to engage the curious one, I got out our little plastic colored pianos and started pushing buttons, thinking the sounds would spark some interest and they did! For five to ten minutes… then he was off climbing on chair legs and counter railings!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Birthdays all around!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Christian whose 9!!!! and Ali whose 20!!!!!
I wish I could spend your birthdays with both of you but I'm sending all of my love! =)
I hope you two had an amazing day and I'm so excited to be home and see you soon!!
xoxo
I wish I could spend your birthdays with both of you but I'm sending all of my love! =)
I hope you two had an amazing day and I'm so excited to be home and see you soon!!
xoxo
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mothers Day!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY mommy! :)
I'm alive! (Not kidnapped, raped, taken and thrown in the forest, or lost)
I gave my mother quite a scare this morning when I did not call early enough. It's okay, she only called my phone 12 times, texted my friends, contacted campus security, and alerted my floor CA.
When I called her she was glad (maybe the understatement of the century)
SO LONG STORY SHORT.. I love my mommy!!! and would never disappear ever ever =)
I love my mom because she:
- makes the best food
- always gives the best advice
- calms me down when I have freak outs
- sends me cute cards at college
- makes my bed (when I'm home)
- goes tanning with me :)
- takes walks with me
- sends me baked goods (along with megan)
and so many more reason!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
xoxo♥
I'm alive! (Not kidnapped, raped, taken and thrown in the forest, or lost)
I gave my mother quite a scare this morning when I did not call early enough. It's okay, she only called my phone 12 times, texted my friends, contacted campus security, and alerted my floor CA.
When I called her she was glad (maybe the understatement of the century)
SO LONG STORY SHORT.. I love my mommy!!! and would never disappear ever ever =)
I love my mom because she:
- makes the best food
- always gives the best advice
- calms me down when I have freak outs
- sends me cute cards at college
- makes my bed (when I'm home)
- goes tanning with me :)
- takes walks with me
- sends me baked goods (along with megan)
and so many more reason!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
xoxo♥
Saturday, May 10, 2008
the journey
Sometimes it's just the right song that makes you suddenly realize something that seemed so completely obvious. Sometimes it's the right person saying something that maybe doesn't mean much to them but finds refuge somewhere inside you.
For me, it was a commercial during our amazing ANTM marathons that made me take a second to think. It was this cheesy thing that had like a dog running through a sunny park and then a couple strolling not far behind, happy and smiling. It was for one of those American Express ad's for "money can't buy happiness" and although I've seen like a million of these for some reason I took this one in.
I think it was because a lot of my friends have been talking about majors lately and what classes they have to take for what major and what majors will lead you to a certain career. It's interesting for me to listen to some of my friends complain about the classes they have next semester or the requirements they have to fulfill. College is a place for you to take classes that interest you, to specialize in certain areas that you enjoy and have a passion for. I couldn't imagine dreading my next three years here only hanging on to the hope of a career that 'sounds good.'
I don't know exactly where majoring in English will lead me, but I know that I will enjoy the classes along the way.
And I have learned that more times than not, it is the journey not the destination that matters most.
For me, it was a commercial during our amazing ANTM marathons that made me take a second to think. It was this cheesy thing that had like a dog running through a sunny park and then a couple strolling not far behind, happy and smiling. It was for one of those American Express ad's for "money can't buy happiness" and although I've seen like a million of these for some reason I took this one in.
I think it was because a lot of my friends have been talking about majors lately and what classes they have to take for what major and what majors will lead you to a certain career. It's interesting for me to listen to some of my friends complain about the classes they have next semester or the requirements they have to fulfill. College is a place for you to take classes that interest you, to specialize in certain areas that you enjoy and have a passion for. I couldn't imagine dreading my next three years here only hanging on to the hope of a career that 'sounds good.'
I don't know exactly where majoring in English will lead me, but I know that I will enjoy the classes along the way.
And I have learned that more times than not, it is the journey not the destination that matters most.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
for my mom,
... who said she wanted less "diary" entries.
A Moment
As I wait for the clouds to clear
and that ever present sun to shine
I sit.
My nails are bitten
that tan line from that one ring
I lost last Saturday.
And I start laughing.
No one said anything,
my roommate turned around
assuming I am probably just crazy.
Why was I laughing?
because of that one one thing you said
on Saturday...
that one thing that made us hit the floor,
crying to the point of no return.
the exact moment I realized,
"truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget." G. Randolf
A Moment
As I wait for the clouds to clear
and that ever present sun to shine
I sit.
My nails are bitten
that tan line from that one ring
I lost last Saturday.
And I start laughing.
No one said anything,
my roommate turned around
assuming I am probably just crazy.
Why was I laughing?
because of that one one thing you said
on Saturday...
that one thing that made us hit the floor,
crying to the point of no return.
the exact moment I realized,
"truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget." G. Randolf
the simple things in life
Well, my freshman year of college is nearing the end and now with may term I have had a chance to reflect on my past year here at Redlands. I have learned my fair share of truths, be it through friends, experiences, school work, or simply adapting to a new way of life. I know that this year has not only made me more aware of myself but the things I need to do to live a happy and fulfilling life.
I started this blog so that I would never forget the feelings I felt those first few months of college or the friends that had got lost in the mix.
What I have learned about myself:
* I hate beer
* I cannot sit in a class for more than an hour and a half without getting distracted
* I love the sun
* I have a passion for tennis and love having it be apart of my college life
* Weather affects my moods
* Family is paramount in my life
* Shoes in the shower suck
* I missed the green trees
* I love wearing flip flops everyday no matter the season
* I can't have nothing to do. I go crazy
* I love the pre-cut fruit bar in the commons.. and get angry when I go home and am deprived
* I love being in a sorority
* Writing is my outlet
* I am learning to accept people for their flaws and admire them for their efforts
* I almost died during pledging.. but not quite~!
* I am thankful for the relationships in life and do not take them for granted
I have also learned how hard it is to maintain friendships. Not saying that in the taxing sense, but more so that it just takes effort. You have to call, leave a message, send an email or you'll end up losing ones that you didn't realize you actually needed to hang on to.
So I guess to sum things up, I have learned how to keep old friends and at the same time make new ones. New ones that I hope will turn out to be the kinds of friends that without constantly being around them, I will want call, leave messages, or email.
I started this blog so that I would never forget the feelings I felt those first few months of college or the friends that had got lost in the mix.
What I have learned about myself:
* I hate beer
* I cannot sit in a class for more than an hour and a half without getting distracted
* I love the sun
* I have a passion for tennis and love having it be apart of my college life
* Weather affects my moods
* Family is paramount in my life
* Shoes in the shower suck
* I missed the green trees
* I love wearing flip flops everyday no matter the season
* I can't have nothing to do. I go crazy
* I love the pre-cut fruit bar in the commons.. and get angry when I go home and am deprived
* I love being in a sorority
* Writing is my outlet
* I am learning to accept people for their flaws and admire them for their efforts
* I almost died during pledging.. but not quite~!
* I am thankful for the relationships in life and do not take them for granted
I have also learned how hard it is to maintain friendships. Not saying that in the taxing sense, but more so that it just takes effort. You have to call, leave a message, send an email or you'll end up losing ones that you didn't realize you actually needed to hang on to.
So I guess to sum things up, I have learned how to keep old friends and at the same time make new ones. New ones that I hope will turn out to be the kinds of friends that without constantly being around them, I will want call, leave messages, or email.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)