First off, just to let everyone know my parents are safe and fine. The house and roof are still intact. Ike knocked down a couple of our trees but they managed to land between houses and onto our back patio. The part of La Porte which is on the water (where Anderson Cooper had his people) is still off limits until Wednesday. My parent’s part of the city got back electricity this afternoon.
This weekend was interesting. I worked for a homeless ministry held at this Baptist church in Downtown. There program is really good. They give free breakfast, showers, clothing exchange, this week was chiropractic medical care, and a really nice lunch. They also do a worship service. It was all about the rapture. About what it will look like and how to be a part of it. It was all done on a DVD. Also, there was a section that was a demonstration using screws of different metals and a magnet. Oh yeah. I am serious. Furthermore (I just want to use that word), the magnetic screws all contained “Christ’s DNA.” Oh yeah. They went there. They totally screwed up biology (slight pun intended). They also showed a clip from the ending of I am Legend which I haven’t seen. Will Smith is Christ if you haven’t guessed.
A 17 year old was shot and killed this past weekend in Overtown. He was a boyfriend of one the girls that goes to TML. She came in all upset. Violence is horrible. That is all I can say about it right now.
To end on a funnier note. Another thing, was I read a curriculum called “Don’t laugh at me” which uses the song Puff the Magic Dragon. Really? How could I play that to the high schoolers.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
First Post - Very creative title I know
Hi Everyone!
It’s Rachael here in rainy Miami. Don’t get me wrong. I am extremely grateful that it was only rain and not a hurricane. I am writing just to let y’all know what is going on with me. I miss you very much.
I started my job on Monday and although I get to work with youth and children there is also a ton of paperwork. Grants require a lot of information and paperwork to show that you are accomplishing and documenting everything you do. I like working with the elementary kids because I can put them in time out. I tried that once with my 6th graders it didn’t really work. The High School youth definitely have issues and need to be taught manners and boundaries.
The area where I work is not the safest place. I had to sign all of these things about safety. I am also required to carry around pepper spray since I will be standing at bus stops and walking a distance. I got some tonight to start carrying with me. My first impression of Overtown (the area I work) was that of a lot of black men calling out to me and a fire dept ambulance pulling over to ask me if I knew where I was. They kept saying “are you sure?” It turns out white people get asked that a lot by police and fire officials. Interesting twist on the classic pullover.
I live near Little Havana. Everybody in my subdivision speaks Spanish. I have yet to meet someone who speaks English. They all assume because of where I am living that I speak Spanish. In Miami, people actually talk to strangers on the bus. In Austin, I only had conversations with homeless people. Here I have had so many conversations. I have been given 3 phone numbers by random guys on the bus as well though. The first time I said I had a boyfriend. The next couple of times I said I am married to the church (well that was really all the Italian guy could understand in English). It is sort of true because I am not allowed to date until after December and then my house has to approve the guy.
The people I live with are all different. I am staying in a room with Julie. She is real cool. Our schedules are off though. I don’t start work until 11 and she has to leave here at 6. That means I end up getting up really early as well.
It’s Rachael here in rainy Miami. Don’t get me wrong. I am extremely grateful that it was only rain and not a hurricane. I am writing just to let y’all know what is going on with me. I miss you very much.
I started my job on Monday and although I get to work with youth and children there is also a ton of paperwork. Grants require a lot of information and paperwork to show that you are accomplishing and documenting everything you do. I like working with the elementary kids because I can put them in time out. I tried that once with my 6th graders it didn’t really work. The High School youth definitely have issues and need to be taught manners and boundaries.
The area where I work is not the safest place. I had to sign all of these things about safety. I am also required to carry around pepper spray since I will be standing at bus stops and walking a distance. I got some tonight to start carrying with me. My first impression of Overtown (the area I work) was that of a lot of black men calling out to me and a fire dept ambulance pulling over to ask me if I knew where I was. They kept saying “are you sure?” It turns out white people get asked that a lot by police and fire officials. Interesting twist on the classic pullover.
I live near Little Havana. Everybody in my subdivision speaks Spanish. I have yet to meet someone who speaks English. They all assume because of where I am living that I speak Spanish. In Miami, people actually talk to strangers on the bus. In Austin, I only had conversations with homeless people. Here I have had so many conversations. I have been given 3 phone numbers by random guys on the bus as well though. The first time I said I had a boyfriend. The next couple of times I said I am married to the church (well that was really all the Italian guy could understand in English). It is sort of true because I am not allowed to date until after December and then my house has to approve the guy.
The people I live with are all different. I am staying in a room with Julie. She is real cool. Our schedules are off though. I don’t start work until 11 and she has to leave here at 6. That means I end up getting up really early as well.
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