Hello everyone. So, I have a list of items I am supposed to bring to my orientation in December and there are two items that I'm having a hard time coming up with ideas for.
The first is fun ice breakers, ideas, and/or games for the kids(we'll be working with kids it seems), and for the volunteer group to use in our gatherings. (though I love bang the bucket, I don't want broken people to be my contribution to the group. I would say the same for buck-buck, though that is mainly because I don't want to play. OH! but that does remind my of Big Booty! I am bringing that one down!)
The second is to bring 25 small souvenirs from your state or region to share with the other volunteers and participants. Please make it small and inexpensive.
With Erin's help we've come up with souvenirs that could have something to do with cherries, snow, apples, or maple syrup. I still don't have any specific ideas though. (no, I haven't thought about it terribly hard or I might have something specific) Maybe I'll just bring apples. As you can see, I need some help. So, if you have any ideas or know of something really Michigany, I would love for you to tell me!
Peace! (please refer to current profile picture for 'peace' reference)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Breaking the Silence
So, it's been awhile since I've posted and I thought I ought to catch everyone up on what's been happening - which isn't much. First, I have not yet received word as to where I will be placed. Second, I finally mailed in the few release forms VIDES sent to me with the email of my acceptance. Now that email was back in October. Why, you might ask, did it take me so very long to send in those few forms? That is a good question, which I will answer here.
Right away I will tell you I did not need to wait that long. Shame on me. However, I first had to purchase a flight to San Antonio. I liked that part! The flight information needed to be included on one of the forms. On that same form I needed to include my health insurance coverage during my time in San Antonio. This is where it gets tricky. I won't be employed after Dec. 19th so I don't know what coverage I will have. I emailed VIDES and let them know this. They sent back a link to a health coverage company that allows coverage to be purchased by the month for a very reasonable cost.
I looked that over. Then a few days later I contacted work about COBRA and other options. After I saw the cost for COBRA, that is no longer an option. She then gave me a little booklet with other options I could purchase and these were much more reasonable. I looked my options over for a few days. Still undecided, I realized the form from VIDES asked for a copy of the insurance card and I won't even have a copy of the new insurance card until shortly before it is active. Realizing this, I made a copy of my current insurance coverage and sent that in the envelope with the other forms. Problem resolved. I'll get coverage later.
I also had the opportunity to talk to Fr. Don, my parish priest, at my friend Jen's apartment blessing. (She made dinner that night of spaghetti with a sausage sauce - so delicious!) He gave me the church's address and told me to send letters on occasion about what is happening and they'll post it in the bulletin. Pretty cool!
Talking to my mom a couple of nights ago she also mentioned that the Daily Press back home (Escanaba, MI) likes to publish pieces on locals and I would probably be able to contact them about a possible article or two. I had also thought about contacting the UP Catholic as well. I've had a subscription to them for the last 2 or 3 years and I like knowing what is going on in the Catholic world back home. They might post an article of my travels as well.
Well, that's a lot of possible places to write to. They might not all be as willing as Fr. Don to publish my work. Can't hurt to ask anyway. The fact that I'll have something to write about is very exciting to me and I want to share it with as many people as possible! Not only that, but I've always thought it would be cool to write for journals and newspapers and the like, and this provides a unique chance to do that.
I'll keep you posted on any more writing opportunities as they become available. And as soon as I know where I'm placed, a blog will be sure to follow!
Right away I will tell you I did not need to wait that long. Shame on me. However, I first had to purchase a flight to San Antonio. I liked that part! The flight information needed to be included on one of the forms. On that same form I needed to include my health insurance coverage during my time in San Antonio. This is where it gets tricky. I won't be employed after Dec. 19th so I don't know what coverage I will have. I emailed VIDES and let them know this. They sent back a link to a health coverage company that allows coverage to be purchased by the month for a very reasonable cost.
I looked that over. Then a few days later I contacted work about COBRA and other options. After I saw the cost for COBRA, that is no longer an option. She then gave me a little booklet with other options I could purchase and these were much more reasonable. I looked my options over for a few days. Still undecided, I realized the form from VIDES asked for a copy of the insurance card and I won't even have a copy of the new insurance card until shortly before it is active. Realizing this, I made a copy of my current insurance coverage and sent that in the envelope with the other forms. Problem resolved. I'll get coverage later.
I also had the opportunity to talk to Fr. Don, my parish priest, at my friend Jen's apartment blessing. (She made dinner that night of spaghetti with a sausage sauce - so delicious!) He gave me the church's address and told me to send letters on occasion about what is happening and they'll post it in the bulletin. Pretty cool!
Talking to my mom a couple of nights ago she also mentioned that the Daily Press back home (Escanaba, MI) likes to publish pieces on locals and I would probably be able to contact them about a possible article or two. I had also thought about contacting the UP Catholic as well. I've had a subscription to them for the last 2 or 3 years and I like knowing what is going on in the Catholic world back home. They might post an article of my travels as well.
Well, that's a lot of possible places to write to. They might not all be as willing as Fr. Don to publish my work. Can't hurt to ask anyway. The fact that I'll have something to write about is very exciting to me and I want to share it with as many people as possible! Not only that, but I've always thought it would be cool to write for journals and newspapers and the like, and this provides a unique chance to do that.
I'll keep you posted on any more writing opportunities as they become available. And as soon as I know where I'm placed, a blog will be sure to follow!
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