Irreplaceable Gems

Things I've been Loving Lately

2012-02-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

I took 5 1/2 months off before the LV program started and the question I got the most was, "What do you do all day?" This would have been the perfect answer. Except I was busier in my time off than when I working.

Source: Uploaded by user via Jaime on Pinterest

I wish I had somewhere fabulous to put this chair. I am too obsessed with the chevron print.

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Jaime on Pinterest

I want this entrie outfit now. Especially the hair.

Source: blueberrylake.tumblr.com via Jaime on Pinterest

I love this...

Source: echquo.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Ms. Chis...?

2012-01-30T23:00:00.000-08:00

I think I have mentioned before that I teach 5th grade religion at my school. It really is my favorite 30 minutes everyday. I attempt to know what I am talking about when it comes to Catholiscism. Some days it just doesn't pan out the way you imagined class to go and they ask me ridiculously good questions that I have myself. After talking about sin for twenty minutes last week I get bombarded with the following in consecutive order...

Ms. Chis, Why doesn't God just kill the devil?

Ms. Chis, Do you believe in purgatory? Can you explain it us?

Ms. Chis, Is suicide a sin?

Ms. Chis, Who invented time?

Ms. Chis, how come people used to be able to see Jesus and we can't see him?

Seriously this happens more often than not. I get stumped and hope the clock will run down and hope they forget so I can avoid all of the questions just asked. But really these kids are SMART and I love that they think about this stuff and aren't afraid to ask. Makes me the happiest teacher around even when I don't know what I am doing.

Tough Week

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Last week was a tough week. The kind that makes you feel everything is working against you and I am pretty sure all I wanted to do and did was sleep when I wasn't at school. I am glad it's over. As much as I have fun 99% of the time the kids can exhaust you. That's what happened.

100th Day of School

2012-01-29T07:41:00.000-08:00

Last week we had our 100th day of school! The kindergarten class celebrated and I obviously wanted to be there. I seem to like to sneak into this class more often than any other. I really just loves these little faces.

I am pretty sure everyone was in a sugarcoma the rest of the day.

My weekend in Photos

2012-01-22T19:59:00.000-08:00

Finally ate at Soul Fish and it didn't dissappoint

Went to CVS for conditioner and came across this handy Wav Enforcer

Was grocery shopping at Kroger and came across this Gem of a car

Went to a Farmer's Market that consisted of about 8 vendors...not quite CA standards

Got a Tour of the Gibson Guitar Factory

Solid weekend. Now tornado warnings are going off... awesome, NOT!

Martin Luther King Jr.

2012-01-18T00:27:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I was in upstate NY for our LV Mid-year retreat. It was beautiful and relaxing.

When I got back to teaching today I wanted to have my 4th grade computer class tell me what they knew about Martin Luther King Jr. in their daily typing assignment. Below are some of the insightful things they wrote.

"I know that he was a person who didn’t use violence. He was born on January 15 in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up to be a pastor like his father. During the days of the boycott, Martin was arrested, his home was bombed, he was subjected to personal abuse, but at the same time he was emerged as a Negro leader of the first rank. He gave his famous “I HAVE A DREAM” speech in Washington D.C. Sadly he died on the afternoon of April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee."- Kassandra

"Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very good man. He was basically a man of word, and was a clergyman , activist , and a African American leader in the civil rights movement in 1955. He is best known for preaching and a role of advancement civil rights in The Untied States. He led the 1955 Montgomery boycott and helped African Americans. African American stopped getting on the buses into they could sit in the front. He was killed 18 years later. He was born in 1929. He went to jail for two months."- Jibril

"I know that he had a dream that every kid could be together. In Septembe r 1958 he wrote his first book called Stride Toward Freedom. In Memphis,Tennessee he lead striking sanitation workers on a march that tragically ended in violence. Martin Luther King was arrested several times. He was killed on April 4,1968."- Jaqui

One of my very favorite things in Memphis is the Civil Rights Museum better known as the Lorraine Motel where MLK Jr. was assasinated. I remember feeling so many emotions walking through it the first time... enlightened, sad, overwhelmed, fascinated and most of all empowered. If you are in ever in Memphis it is a MUST see.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

- MLK Jr.

The Daily Love

2012-01-17T07:15:00.000-08:00

"The key is to listen to your heart and let it carry you in the direction of your dreams. I've learned that it's possible to set your sights high and achieve your dreams and do it with integrity, character, and love. And each day that you're moving toward your dreams without compromising who you are, you're winning."

Michael Dell, Dell founded Dell Computer.

5 Regrets

2012-01-10T20:39:00.000-08:00

When Ms. Bronnie Ware, a woman who worked for years with the dying, wrote a list of the top 5 regrets people say aloud on their deathbed. May it be as much a blessing to you as it was for me.

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.

Some people can't catch a break...

2012-01-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

One of my 4th grade students lost her Mother on Monday in a terrible tragic accident. This is a family of Bhutanese refugees who have been in the US for about a year. It breaks my heart to think of what the family is going through. They live in poverty amongst many other struggles.

In this type of situation I realize how life can be so unfair. Some people have everything stacked against them. You just hope that they can get out on the other side of grieving and be ok. Below is a chip in account that one of our teachers started. The family is not able to pay for the funeral. If you are able to donate anything I would SO appreciate it.

http://memphisrefugeeassistance.chipin.com/mypages/view/id/9cea949efbe15833

MIA

2012-01-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

I went home and went off the blog radar. Going off the blog world was nice for awhile but I was also forced to in a way because my computer got a virus and I couldn't use it for about a week. Anyways being home was awesome. It's always hard to leave. I really don't think it will ever be easy to leave this place.

I am on my way back to Memphis today. I am SO excited to see my students tomorrow.

It seems the older I get the years seem to get better. 2011 was a pretty fantastic year for me but I have high hopes for 2012.

New Year. New Dreams. New Hopes.

On my way HOME!

2011-12-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

I am flying home today. I can't believe I haven't been home since the middle of July. Way too long in my opinion but what's a girl to do on a volunteer budget. I am so excited to see my family, friends, and most importantly sleep in my OWN bed and be back in my house!

I am pretty sure nothing beats home.

Teacher's vs. Children

2011-12-15T19:09:00.000-08:00

I think that teacher's look forward to the Christmas Break way more than the children. This time of year all the kids are certifiably insane because 1. they think Santa is coming today/ tomorrow/ sometime soon or 2. they know their off school for about two weeks. They are also all so hyped up on sugar that formulating sentances can be quite the task. Not only do teacher's have to deal with the kids but all the other teacher's who are on edge about 1. finishing grades 2. Christmas performances 3. wrapping up everything for the quarter 4. making it through the day without killing a child hopped up on sugar.

I will experience the insanity for one more day then I will be on my way home!!

Lucky

2011-12-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

When I left my last job the hardest part was leaving certain people I worked with. I thought I would never find such awesome co-workers. We went to happy hour, dinner or out on the weekends together quite often considering we already spend 40+ hours a week together. I feel lucky to be at the school I am at because our teachers and staff are AMAZING! I really enjoy all of them individually and they give my previous co-workers a big run for their money.

We have a newsletter that goes out to our Donors and I had to write a small blurb about myself and the below is an honest recap of how I feel about being here...

I grew up in a small beach town in Southern California. I have had sixteen years of Catholic Education starting in 1st grade and going the whole way through College. Once I graduated from College I worked in the Marketing industry for three years before deciding to leave and take a year to volunteer. Lasallian Volunteers placed me in Memphis at De La Salle. Being at De La Salle has brought back so many good memories of my elementary Catholic Education. My experience here has been wonderful not only with the students but the Teachers and Staff as well. The reason I left my corporate job was to have an impact on kids from different socio-econonmic backgrounds and to help fight social injustice on some level. I feel like I am doing that at De La Salle even if I am only making a ripple in the big pond. The students have already taught me more than I could ever teach them and for that I am forever grateful.

Happy Saturday!

No School

2011-12-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

Today we had no school. Since I work at a Catholic School it recognizes Holy Days of obligation and it was the Immaculate Conception. It was weird having a Thursday off but I definitely am not complaining. I am hoping tomorrow will go by fast since it is Friday but this is a weird week so who knows.

It was funny not spending a Thursday with these ones....

Snow

2011-12-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

I woke up Tuesday morning to snow. It was beautiful and pristine. However, I am just not a cold weather person. Memphis does not even get that cold but I am spoiled growing up and living in Southern California.

I of course texted a picture to my family. This was my Dad's response:

A beautiful sight. Brings back many memories from Cleveland. I will need a sweater this morning a crisp 64 degrees here in SoCal. Lots of Love, Pops.

Monday Shenanigans

2011-12-05T18:58:00.001-08:00

Mondays always pan out to be very entertaining and today did not disappoint. Highlights of my day included...

- A second grade boy rolls up to breakfast in a brown peacoat that looks like it should be on a 50 yr old man. He looked like a man stuck in a kids body.

- A kindergartener girl comes to school in a shower cap. Not sure if it because it's raining or her mom put a relaxer in her hair.

- During my 5th grade religion class I get asked if I believe in purgatory while we are studying about the Introductory Rites. Revelant? I think not!

- A 3rd grade boy was crying hysterically in the hall because he got frustrated with himself. Sometimes hugs just don't do crying justice.

- A 1st grader asked me to operate on one of the library books because it was falling apart. I was able to work some magic.

I used to dread Monday and sometimes I still do but most of the time they are pretty amazing!

2011-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

I feel like these quotes sum up my life perfectly at the moment.

Smile

2011-11-30T05:00:00.001-08:00

I was going to use these cute faces and create a bulletin board for my library. Sadly I got lazy but at least I have the pictures to make smile.

My kids are the best! Well most days...

How to leave comments

2011-11-29T20:32:00.001-08:00

I have had a lot of people ask me how leave comments on my blog posts. I finally broke it down into steps so hopefully this means I might start getting some ~~more~~ comments? Who knows.

Step 1
At the bottom of every blog post there is a grey box. Inside that grey box you must click on the thing that says: 0 comments. (sad no one leaves me comments!)

Step 2
Once you do this a new box will pop up in your browser that says Leave Your Comment. There is a space for you to write something.

Step 3
Finally you choose an identity. The easiest to choose is Name/URL. You only have to fill in your name so don't worry about the URL.

Step 4
Click on: Publish Your Comment. Your done!

Ok I am ready to hear from you so pretty please start leaving comments!

Three Weeks

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

In 3 weeks I will be back on California soil and that makes me the most happy. I am loving Memphis and the school I work at, as if I haven't said that enough already. However, there is something about going home that just makes everything seem a little bit easier. I can re-charge for the second half of the year which I am sure will go just as fast as the first half.

Besides missing people. I seriously miss this view!

21 days woohoo!

Thankful

2011-11-27T16:00:00.000-08:00

If I listed all the things I was thankful for you might be reading for a few days. I had the most fun in Charlotte for Thanksgiving. However it does always seem weird when I am not at home for Turkey day. With that being said I will leave you with this...

Think about it

Loving...

2011-11-21T20:49:00.000-08:00

I can't handle people who update their FB status multple times a day.

Source: someecards.com via Jaime on Pinterest

This just makes me happy.

Source: reocities.com via Jaime on Pinterest

This couldn't hold more true for me.

Source: girlfromparis.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Sick

2011-11-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

I forgot how much being sick really blows. I started getting something earlier this week and started taking NyQuil right away since it pretty much is my go to. Unfortauntely didn't do the trick and a couple days later I am spending my weekend in bed, NO FUN!

Sums up my life at the moment... Chicken Noddle Soup, Spotify, Letters, Meds, and Papers.

Throw Back

2011-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Since I have been in Memphis I decided to start journaling. Nothing crazy just 2-3 sentences on my day and how it went. If it was anything more than that I wouldn't stick with it. I tried to do this while living in Rome back in 2006 and I did really good up until October and then I just stopped journaling. I wish I would not have done that because when your living and in the middle of it you truly believe you will never forget and you do. Those feelings, thoughts, and experiences never get put down on paper.

I have been writing in the same book that I did for Rome. I am starting to get toward the end and I came across a page that says this...

What I will miss about Italy:
- open markets
- the amazing churches
- cafes and cappucino's
- the history and culture
- trastevere
- tomatoes
- Campo di Fiori
- Gelato
- every single day

Things I will not miss about Italy:
- my apartment
- pasta pasta pasta
- public transportation
- living far from school
- the people in Rome

I started on my lists for Memphis. I don't want to forget the good, the bad, all of it. Unfortuately sooner or later I will and I can look back on my lists and journals and try to remember what it felt like to be here.

Things I am sad about...

2011-11-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

My Parents leaving Memphis.

The Jets getting worked this weekend.

When my kids have a bad day at school.

The NBA lockout.

Starting to feel sick really stinks.

Loving

2011-11-08T04:32:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been letting other people's actions effect me. It makes mad and then I saw this and printed it out and placed it on door to look at before I walk out in the morning.

Source: via Jaime on Pinterest

I would eat this everyday for breakfast or any meal for that matter.

Source: via Jaime on Pinterest

I wish I had some where to wear this so I could have an excuse to buy it. Then again do I really need an excuse??

Source: oasis-stores.com via Jaime on Pinterest

These faces kill me

If I haven't said it enough my Parentals are in town this week! I feel like a 1st grader waiting for my birthday party but instead I am waiting for them to get here...

I forgot..

2011-11-06T11:46:00.000-08:00

I forgot how much I enjoy working out at a gym. I don't know why it took me so long to check out the 24 hour fitness in Memphis but I am so glad I did today. It is about 20 minutes away and worth every minute because it restored my sanity. I will now be driving here instead of the rinky dink room CBU calls a workout room.

I spent some quality time with my little friend the Stairmaster. Oh how I have missed you.

This afternoon I want to nap, lesson plan and watch my Jets win.

Happy Sunday!

Gus's Fried Chicken

2011-11-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am not usually a fried food person. I don't know if my stomach can't handle it or if I mentally make myself sick from eating fried food and so my stomach hurts. Anyways, I went to Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken. I can't recall ever having fried chicken before this. It was delicious, everything I hoped it would be.

I then had stomach ache the rest of the day.

Fall Break

2011-11-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

I have had the last 5 days off school and it was much needed. I feel refreshed and ready to see my munchkins bright and early at 7:15am tomorrow morning. We also only have 3 days this week which is awesome!

Most of my weekend was spent in Minneapolis for the LV run. Besides running my weekend included going to Mall of America, a Scultpure Garden, celebratory drinking, a drag show, and of course hanging out with other LV's. Thank you Minneapolis people... I am pretty sure you are all awesome!!

Off to Minneapolis

2011-10-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

I am off to Minneapolis this weekend for our LV run. Thank you so much for all those who donated! If yo still want to donate go HERE! I appreciate it ALOT and promise updates on how the run went.

I found this picture about a month ago and it cracks me up every time I look at it. I am pretty sure that it summarizes the way I look running perfectly.

Happy Weekend!

Love this....

2011-10-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

Source: imarunnerlover.tumblr.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Fall Festival

2011-10-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

This Saturday our school had Fall Festival for the kids. We had games set-up in the gym, a bounce house, food and well lots of candy and toys for them to win. It is always great to see parents and the older students step up and volunteer for events like this. I am pretty sure everyone had a good time.

This little girl is the youngest of many siblings (not quite sure how many, maybe 8 or 9?). She has four older siblings at our school currently. She had the cutest personality and I'm pretty sure I wanted to hold her all day.

Never a dull moment

2011-10-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

My week has gone by pretty fast even though some hours seemed to drag on. I find the below things so amusing and I can't believe they are part of my life these days...

- Watching a 1st grader enthusiastically dance in after school. She was so excited that her feet flew out from under her and she went 2-3 feet in the air and landed on her side. I started lauging hysterically and then realized maybe I should check if she was ok. After some tears she was fine.

- Sending kids to face the door or wall when they have been bad. I did this a lot this week.

- I tried to teach a 3rd grader how to play Uno in after school. Some how the game ended up being Go Fish.

- One of our fourth grade boys wants his after school persona to be called Shunookie. Enough said.

- I am the first person most of the kids see each morning at school. I wait for them at the door and say good morning. Every morning this one kindergarten girl has greeted me with "HEY GIRL!" then hugs me.

- Thursday's we have an all school Mass. I sit with the 2nd graders. We always make sure to give them a bathroom break before going to Church. One of my ~~favorite~~ students looks at me about 20 minutes into Mass and gives me the signal to go to the bathroom and I look at him and say no we just went. About 7 more mins pass and he looks at me and is like Ms. Chis I am going to be sick. I run him out of Church and to the bathroom where he throws-up for the next 5 minutes. All the while he is saying "I don't like being sick!" "This really stinks!" It made me the most sad!

Never a dull moment!

What Teachers Make- Taylor Mali

2011-10-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

I saw this for the first time at our LV orientation and thought it was brilliant. Taylor Mali is a hilarious Slam Poet that also has a teaching background. Below is his video on "What Teachers Make". Watch it, you won't regret it!

My Students...

2011-10-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been snapping some pictures after my kids take their reading quizzes. They are always so excited when they do well and its a great time for pictures because they have a grin from ear to ear. Some of my ~~favorite~~ students are below. These kids are the most awesome. I seriously wish I could adopt some of them and bring them back to California with me. I thought the hardest part of volunteering was going to be being with the kids. Boy was I wrong, it is the most fun ever. Even on the days where it's not fun and I am tired the ones below make me seem to forget about all the that.

My "Year Off"

2011-10-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

I was recently on the Lasallian Volunteer website and came across this article that a previous LV had written. It made me rethink why I decided to take a "year off" and commit to this. He sums up perfectly a lot of thoughts I have had regarding how uncomfortable community can be, and the exact reason I quit my corporate job was because I heard a voice inside my head saying that now is the time to live and experience somewhere else and address issues that are important to me.

My "Year Off"

Letter to the Editor

By Joe Kolar and Mike Hebbeler
In preparation for last night’s Postgraduate Service Fair, the Center for Social Concerns interviewed Joe Kolar, current AR in Duncan and former Lasallian volunteer. Among other things, Joe was asked why he took a year off. This is what he said:

If by a “year off” you mean confronting structural injustice while living and serving with people who taught me more about myself than I could ever teach them, then yes, I took a “year off” from the “real world” of academic and corporate success and discovered just how unreal my own world had been.

A year of service as an inner-city teacher taught me just how much I had yet to learn about what the “real world” really is. I was worried I’d fall behind, but actually, I fell ahead. Thousands of job seekers and grad school applicants have great grades and extraordinary involvement in clubs, but how many can say they spent a year in a foreign country ministering to children with AIDS? Or walking the streets of Detroit to assist street women with health care? Or living in a homeless shelter in Phoenix providing meals day in and day out to the hungry? Experiences like that set a person apart, not behind.

If you’re ready and pumped for the corporate world or grad school, go for it. But if the smallest of voices inside says, hey man, now is the time to live and explore and put your hands to work addressing these urgent issues crippling the least of my sisters and brothers, then consider delaying your start date. Corporate firms and graduate schools have granted delayed starts and deferments to past graduates. If the company or school is not receptive to your desire to do service, well, that should tell you something about their values.

And yes, living in community was uncomfortable. It was uncomfortable because I was challenged to confront those personality traits in myself that build walls instead of bridges; uncomfortable because for the first time I was invited to commit to a mission greater than myself and to share the struggles and joys of that mission with others; uncomfortable because in a community I came to see how Christ works through the hands and feet of all people, not just my own.

Joe Kolar, Graduate Student, Lasallian Volunteer 07-09, Sept. 28
Mike Hebbeler, Center for Social Concerns, Jesuit Volunteer Corps 03-04, Sept. 28
Published: The Observer, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011

Trolley Stop Market

2011-10-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

I started my weekend at the Trolley Stop Market with a friend on Friday night. I had never heard of it before but I am so glad we went. It is farmer operated and owned. Totally my kind of place because I love supporting local farmers. It is very rare that you can go to a restaurant and know not only where your food came from, but who was responsible for raising it. I had veggie pizza and beer.

I then went home and watched Wedding Crashers. It was seriously an awesome Friday night. I forgot how much I loved that movie.

After my run and morning Brunch with community on Saturday I went to watch some friends coach their schools 1 & 2nd grade soccer team. It was funny because the other team didn't show up so they played themselves. I wish our school could have a soccer team like this. I would love to be the coach. It brough back many memories of me at that age playing soccer.

Today I started with my Sunday morning run, Church, target and lesson planning. This afternoon I hope to nap and watch football. I love weekends.

I Wish...

2011-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

I think that excitement of living in a new place is starting to wear off. My favorite time in Southern California is September and October. I am starting to miss the sunsets, weather, comforts of home and obviously all you friends and family who read my little blog. I wish I could keep you all in my back pocket and pull you out when I need you. Wouldn't that be amazing?!?

Today these thoughts crossed my mind....

I wish I could sit in my backyard, have a vodka tonic and enjoy this lovely view for a night

I wish I could walk down to strands and feel the sand on my feet

I wish I could cook in my own kitchen

I wish I could go out with this lady and be ridiculous and dance

I wish I could be curled up on my couch at home hanging out with my family

It's nice to wish for a minute then reality hits you in the face. I obviously love the school and kids I work with. I just wish somedays I could be transplanted with them back to the comforts of home.

Perspective

2011-10-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

My last job gave me alot of perspective. Perspective on how to treat people, how not to treat people, how to manage people, what to stress over and what not to stress over but most importantly perspective on what is important in life. Of course I didn't realize all this until I left but this has helped my substantially at school in the classroom.

I felt like everything at my last job was high stress. Everything felt like my life would be over if it didn't run smoothly or if the client was unhappy. Many sleepless nights before events or anxiety over things that honestly didn't matter in the long run. It had major effect on my pysche and I was super unhappy well miserable is a better word. I come from a family of what we like to call "grinders". We stick it out until the bitter end. I stuck it out at my last job until I could take no more. I remember the day I finally decided I was going to leave my job. Everything seemed to be on the upside. That day I promised myself I would do my best to never let a job get to me like this one did.

This has helped so much in Memphis. There is definitely a lot of things I could be stressing out about but me stressing out isn't going to help anyone. Stress is one of those things that will eat you alive if you don't manage it. As much as I didn't enjoy my last job toward the end it taught me things that I am so grateful for. It is much easier to see these things now that I have taken a step back and I am somewhere new, working with new colleagues and personalities. Those things I learned I apply everyday at school.

Currently Loving

2011-10-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

This little face melts my heart.

Dog Sitting

2011-10-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

One of the wonderful ladies I work with went to New Orleans with her family this weekend and asked us to Dog/ House Sit. Pretty much it was the best get away ever. She lives in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Memphis. I tired to do it justice with the pictures below.

Little Margo had the funniest personality ever. I loved her and miss having a dog around.

There was a lake in her neighborhood that I ran around each morning. Seriously it was amazing.

I fell in love with this adorable house

My weekend also consisted of starting a new book, relaxing, going to two different craft fairs and maybe purchasing both of the shoes below.

Friday...

2011-10-07T07:08:00.000-07:00

I have today off! Woohoo. I am pretty sure three day weekends are the BEST. I don't have anything planned either which makes me the happiest. I am sure I will be spending a lot of time outside, on pinterst and my new obsession punchfork. Has anyone ever heard of this website before??

Punchfork makes it easy to find recipes the best new recipes from populare websites. I am pretty sure I am in love with it. Check it out! PUNCHFORK

Here are some pictures that make my mouth water....

Anti-Social

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have been anti-social since I have gotten to Memphis. I think I burned myself out before coming here with being around people too much, going out too much, happy houring too much, everything too much. Having six months off was pretty fantastic and I will forever be grateful for it however during this time I felt like it was my job to be social. It was not uncommon for me to have something every night of the week with different friends. I loved it but it was also exhausting. It was hard to say no to people when they think that you did nothing all day. I honestly felt more busy not working then when I was working 40-50 hours during the week.

These first two months in Memphis I honestly have had absolutely no desire to go out or hang out with people I don't want to. It has become really easy for me to just say no. I have liked being a bit of a recluse and thoroughly enjoy my alone time. I was reading one of my fellow LV's blog and she stated perfectly what I was thinking, "It’s not that I want to be by myself all the time–I just need to so I can enjoy being around people." Thank you Angela Toomer because you just made me feel better about wanting to be by myself.

I think everyone should check out her blog because well she is fantastic writer. Down by the Bay

I Love Sundays

2011-10-03T03:33:00.000-07:00

My Sunday yesterday was pretty fantastic. It included lots of things but the highlight was sitting at a local Memphis Coffee Shop trying to lesson plan but instead got sidetracked by people watching. People watching is one of my favorite past times. In the South I have noticed that there is never a dull minute when you sit and watch people.

I drank this fabulous latte and ordered these strange biscuits covered in some sort of honey/molasses jam and enjoyed my afternoon.

Side note the coffee mug is the size of a small child's head. It took me about an hour and a half but I drank every last drop.

I thought this was fabulous until I talked to my family who is currently in Kaui for the next two weeks. Their Sunday consisted of a Kayaking and finding a festival they could kayak upto and check out. Then they got to have some Pina Colodas and Lava Flows. I realized my Sunday was not as great as it could be... I seriously love Kaui.

Community Living

2011-10-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

To say that community living is interesting is an understatement.

I live next to a Church technically in the rectory (a house). The Priest and the Secretary for the Church have their offices in the bottom floor of our house. It is strange to have people coming in an out that do not live in your house.

I live with two Christian Brothers. People ask me what is a Christian Brother? My best response is a male version of a modern day Nun. The Brothers mission is “to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry entrusted to them by the church.” I also live with another LV who recently graduated from UC Berkeley.

This is a different type of community than family or college living for many reasons. For starters you do not pick who you live with. We have a set dinner together 4 nights a week and brunch on Saturdays. Three of us work together and live together which is a lot of togetherness for me. We all are very different and very different interests. Community conversation are entertaining. While they are happening I sometimes wish a camera was rolling. These people I would have never come in contact if I didn't decide to do this program.

I guess the community part I am still adjusting to. I think I may be trying to figure it out all year.

October

2011-10-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

I am so excited that it is October. I'm pretty sure that I am going to love Fall. I can't wait for trees changing colors, brisk mornings, drinking hot tea, and wearing my boots and scarves!

I went to bed early last night because I wanted to get a lot of accomplished before we have Brunch at 11. I started my morning with a 4mile run down by the river. It was so COLD! I need to invest in some long sleeve t-shirts.

I then finally made it over to the lovely downtown Memphis Farmers Market. I am spoiled with having Farmer's Markets year round in CA. Well here they only run April-Mid October. Sad day for me since it's already October!

MEMPHIS FARMER'S MARKET

I bought some tasty granola and rosemary olive oil bread that rocks my world. It is seriously some of the best bread I have ever had

GRANOLA

Rosemary Olive Oil Bread =Amazingness

Other things accomplised today: going to the bank, getting fruit for brunch, cleaning my room, trip to Knowledge Tree (Teacher store), Memphis Library to try and get a library card, redecroating bulleting board in my library, lesson planned, returned something at old navy, and CVS run for sweet treats for my 5th grade religion class. Produtive Day? I think so.

October I am so happy your are here.

Looking Forward to...

2011-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

LV's run at the end of October! Would still love anyone's help with support and donations :-) You can do that here DONATIONS. To donate you hit the sponsor me button in the left corner. Love you all who have helped me out, sent me emails and support!

My parents are coming to town the second week in November! Woohoo. If you know me at all you, know me and my Mom are pretty much attached at the hip. Well my family is really close in general. You can see pictures of them on this Anniversary Post. I cannot wait to see my parents faces and hug them. It will be a much needed visit.

I am going to North Carolina for Turkey Day to visit my Aunt and Uncle! I am so looking forward to this because my Aunt and Uncle are awesome to say the least and I haven't been to Charlotte in 10 years! Too long in my opinion.

Good things are coming my way!

Handwritten Letters

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends, Ashley, is the queen of handwritten letters. I think we started writing each other in college or around that time. I got bad about writing hand written letters back to her when I was at my last job. For awhile she would write me a letter and I would respond in an email. Awful I know! While now that I have been in Memphis we are full force pen pals again. There's something about a handwritten letter that is way better than an email. I now am a stationary connoisseur.

Anyone else want to be my pen pal?

Source: daisychaindreaming.tumblr.com via Georgina on Pinterest

Let me know. I'll write the first letter!

Going into Week 8...

2011-09-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

It baffles me that we are going into week 8 of school. Like I said in my previous post time here is flying. As much as I wish Sundays wouldn't end I miss the smiling faces over the weekend. I look forward to waking up each day because these kids are seriously amazing and they are pretty darn cute too.

We have a teacher who lives on our street and she has two girls at our school. On my way home from my run passing by her house I was bombarded by several of my students who saw me from her window and came running out and nearly tackled me in the street while yelling Ms. Chis. I was sweaty, gross and out of breathe and these kids still wanted hugs, wanted to know what I was upto, and had a billion of questions for me. It's like they hadn't seen me in months when in reality I saw them the day before.

Funny kids I tell you. Funny kids that I adore.

Things I could do without...

2011-09-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

So I have been in Memphis for almost two months now, CRAZY! As much as I am enjoying my time here I have discovered some things I could do without.

-BBQ Beans. No thanks.

-Mosiquitos. I currently have 16 bites on my body. Can they please find someone else they like better!

-Coleslaw. I never really eat it but it is served with everything here and it's nasty.

-Cracked and broken sidewalks. I've almost broken my ankle running quite a few times.

I am sure that things will be added to the list but for now that is all I got.

Happy Saturday!

Happy Birthday Brother!!

2011-09-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Brother!

This picture KILLS me everytime, so funny

I miss hanging out with you a lot. It pretty much stinks being across the country from you.

Please don't hate me for the below pictures :-)

Thanks for always giving me your honest opinion and support, keeping me grounded, calling me out when I need it and being the coolest person I know.

Love,

Your awesome and sometimes pesky little sister

Quotes that I have been living by in the last few weeks

2011-09-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is something I can just imagine my Dad saying. He has many infamous lines and one of them is "Did you bring your A game?" or "Make sure you bring your A game!" Well the below will now be my response...

I wish I could make my students see this about themselves.

I should hang the below in my Library.

Source: piccsy.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Good Discovery or Bad Discovery?

2011-09-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

I recently came across something and I am not sure if this is good or bad. I live close to a William Sonoma AND Pottery Barn Outlet. Normally I would consider this good. However, now that I am on a volunteer budget and live across the country from where I want to live pemanently I can't really buy anything which makes this a bad and torturous discovery.

For those of you who don't know, I worked at William Sonoma in College for one semester. I spent more money than I made because I got a fabulous discount at not only William Sonoma but Pottery Barn and West Elm. I am fully equppied to fill my kitchen up with everything I bought while working there. There is just one small thing I need in order to do this and that's a House.

I tried to refrain from taking too many pictures while walking around.

In true Rachel Zoe fashion "I die".

Cooper Young Festival

2011-09-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went to the Cooper Young Festival. It was a beautiful and hot day out in Memphis. I got to spend it with a 100,000 of my closest friends as we all walked up and down the streets lined with different vendors. I came to a conclusion that I don't do well in big crowds like this. I like to walk fast and pretty much everyone else likes to take their time and in my opinion walk slow. Here are some pictures I took while I was there.

Part of the reason I took this is because it says Sweet Spicy Love... Only in the South

Then I walked back to my car which was at least a mile away and started taking pictures of the cute bungalow houses I liked.

I ended my Saturday with watching Ohio State blow up in flames.

It was SAD.

Happy Wednesday!

2011-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Things I am loving...

Source: bakersroyale.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: thirtyhandmadedays.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: None via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: thehandmadehome.net via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: youknowyoulovefashion.com via Jaime on Pinterest

This is my new kind of normal

2011-09-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

I forgot how funny kids can be. My students seriously crack me up.

Happenings from Today...

1. Hot Wings- All of my students love Hot Wings. I don't quite get the craze...

Me- "Hot Wings really? of all the foods Hot Wings is your favorite?"

Students- "Ms. Chis have you ever felt this way? When you look at them you get this taste in your mouth and you just imagine how amazing they are going to be. You want to have them all the time."

Me- "Nope never felt that way. Glad you all love Hot Wings so much but it is strange!"

2. All About Me Presentations- I am making all of my computer classes do All About Me Power Point Presentations in front of their class. My 6th graders were deathly afraid to stand in front of the class and do this. One boy raised his hand and asked this,

"Ms. Chis don't you get nervous standing/ teaching in front of us? Do your palms sweat?

3. Kindergarten recess- The kindergarten class was amused by a Cicada Bug that they all spent the entire 20 minutes of recess trying to mess with it/kill it and screaming and running around it. Crazy kids I tell you!

4. After School- We were able to wear out our last two kids in after school by 5:15. Below is the state they were in

Enough Said

9/11

2011-09-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it has been 10 years since 9/11 happened. Surreal is an understatement.

I remember this day as clearly as it was yesterday. I was a sophmore in High School. I was up early to straighten my hair. I had my morning radio on listening to Ryan Seacrest and then he said it,

"The Twin Towers have been hit".

I paused and realized I was in NYC just a handful of days before on a trip with my parents. I took some of the most amazing pictures of the Twin Towers.

In my brain I seem to have so much to say about this day but when I go to write I can't seem to find the words. My heart goes out to everyone who were affected by what happened... large or small.

These photos remind me to always tell the people you care about how much you love them because one day you won't get the chance.

Where I live...

2011-09-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

Some of you have been asking for pictures of my House, Room, and Classroom. I am finally getting around to it, sorry it has taken so long!

I'll start with our lovely abode. My room is the window on the upper left.

I am standing at the upper building of our school looking at the back of our house.

My bedroom

Looking in from the hallway

Desk

Classroom

Made my day

2011-09-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Getting a text from my friend saying "I'm watching your cheeseheads and thinking of you!"

I am so HAPPY Football season is upon us

Me celebrating the Packers Super Bowl win

Resilience

2011-09-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Children always amaze at how resilient they can be. Some of the kids that I teach have insanely difficult lives at home. I seem to forget sometimes that the ones in junior high aren't in High School. They are mature beyond their years from life experiences. I constantly need to remember that they are 12-14yr olds. The younger ones are easier to read and act out based on things that go on at home.

No matter what is going on in their lives I love that every day when I open the doors for breakfast at school I always get a big smile and hug.

I love this prayer and I think about it constantly since I have been here in Memphis...

"We pray for children who like to be tickled,
sneak popsicles before supper,
and can never find their shoes;
We pray for the children who stare at photographers
from behind barbed wire,
Who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers;
Who were born in places we wouldn't be caught dead in;
Who never go to the circus and live in an X-rated world.

We pray for children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions;
Who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
But we also pray for those children who never get dessert,
Who have no safe blankets to drag behind them,
Who watch their parents die,
Who can't find any bread to steal,
Who don't have any room to clean up,
Whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser and whose monsters are real."

Hi September

2011-09-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have officially been in Memphis for 1 month and one week. August seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. Funny to think how some days seem to drag on but you wake up and realize a month of your life is gone.

When people ask me how things are going I usually answer with this: It is the strangest thing being on the teaching side of a classroom. I am loving every minute of it. I think I am learning more from the kids than they are learning from me.

For the longest time I always said "Oh I would never have enough patience to be a teacher. The kids would drive me utterly insane."

I am trying to decide if I love this because I know it is only a year or two of my life or if I have found something I want to pursue...

I need your Help!

2011-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy the long weekend!

I am writing this because I need your support...

You may be asking yourself why Jaime decided to volunteer for a year? To leave her beloved Dana Point, a job where she made amazing friendships and her close knit support system. Well the answer is simple Life is too short to end up with regrets. I was doing everything I thought I always wanted to be doing and once I was in it I realized it wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to wake up in 10, 20, or 30 years and say to myself why didn’t you try that?

I was pretty much set on the Peace Corps until Lasallian Volunteer (LV) program popped into my life by one of my good friends. Now you’re probably asking yourself what the heck is Lasallian Volunteers?? I asked myself the same question. It is a Non-Profit organization that brings young people together for one common goal and that is to educate the poor. I am living in Midtown Memphis and working at De La Salle Blessed Sacrament Elementary School. I am the K-2 Librarian, 5th grade Religion Teacher, 4,6,7 & 8th grade Computer Teacher and also do Administrative work and help run the After school program.

LVs Run has become a tradition in which the Volunteers choose to participate. This year, we will be meeting up in Minneapolis, MN for the Halloween Weekend races to run the 5k, 10 miler or half marathon.

I write this fundraising page with and uneasy state of mind. One of my least favorite things to do is ask for donations however this is program is something I strongly believe in. I am also not only writing this to raise money for this amazing organization but to raise awareness about what I and 51 other volunteers are doing across the country. To help kids to see and meet their potential. We are giving a year of our lives to serve those less fortunate than us.

I want to leave you with this because it currently sums up my state of mind… “You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you were meant to be.”

Here is the link to my fundraising page (click on the help me): HELP ME I would appreciate any and all support you can give and especially prayers and good thoughts sent my way for this year :-)!

This is what I keep telling myself when I wake up before school to workout/run...

Source: healthy-slim.tumblr.com via Marjukka on Pinterest

P.S. I owe a BIG thank you to those who have already donated, I appreciate it more than you know!

True Story: This Happened

2011-08-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

One thing I do not like about the South is the cockroaches. They are so gross. Moving into our house we found two dead ones in my closet, a dead one in our bathtub and another dead one in my roommates closet. Key word DEAD.

Today I was teaching 6th grade computers and was at my desk and noticed something rather large scurrying across the room. I tried not to let my fear show but next thing you know it I am standing/ maybe kneeling on my chair (I don't quite remember) with my feet off floor. I say outloud "ahhh uh oh" my students look at me and stare. I ask if they can see what I see scurrying across the floor. Next thing you know I hear girls screams and boys yelling "Ms. Chis! Ms. Chis! Can I kill it?". I am yelling for all my students to be quiet, clearly it's not working. I finally let a boy try try and kill it but the sucker wouldn't die. It took three students to take it down with their shoes.

I did not get off my chair until that baby was killed better known as annihilated and in the trash can. I then could move on with my lesson.

My fear of cockroaches will win everytime. Sad Day.

Turn Signals

2011-08-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

I don't enjoy driving. Unless I am going up/down PCH with my music blaring and feel the cool ocean breeze. Other than that I would rather have someone else drive. Not a road trip person at all. Lets be honest I would rather fly.

If you know me well then you know that I have a bad case of road rage. The road rage has gotten better over time but sometimes it flares up.

In Memphis noone uses a turn signals! What is that about?!? Someone please explain this me. It makes my bad case of road rage flare up. I constantly think good things about Memphis when this happens... Southern Accents, Sweet Tea, BBQ, etc...

Memphians please use your TURN SIGNALS!

Thanks,
Jaime

Highlights and Lowlights of my Week

2011-08-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

- Having a Kindergartener sneeze and have snot hanging from his nose to his belly button for at least a minute. I was in a gag phase and then realize I had to help him wipe if off... DISGUSTING

- Being called Ms. Chis, definitely a highlight.

- 4th graders eating me alive in computer class. I have never felt more inadeqaute as an adult. Who knew I would like teaching junior high more.

- Quizzing my 5th grade religion class on what we have studied and having them actually remember almost everything I taught them!

- I never realized the beauty of silence until you have a class of loud rambunctious kids in a small classroom.

This is me at the moment...

Source: ascotfriday.typepad.com via Angelica on Pinterest

If I had some energy I would like to doing this...

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Michele on Pinterest

Happy Friday!!

After School

2011-08-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

Part of my job here in Memphis is helping to run the after school program. Our kids are dismissed at 3:00pm but myself and the other volunteer run after school until 5:30pm. This was part of my day that I was least looking forward to and who knew it would be the part I enjoy the most.

I feel like I get to know my students better at this time of the day. I can help them with homework and find out what they like to do for fun. I don't have to be as strict as I am in the classroom where I am constantly making the following comments...

"Sit quietly in your chair and don't touch your neighbor."
"Stop yelling Ms. Chis, raise your hand if you have a question."
"Do we swivel in our chairs? No!"
"Noone is going to bathroom or to get a drink of water. You just came from lunch.."

I love that I don't have to say any of the above in after school. I love that it is an area where the kids personalities really come out. Not only do I get to know them better but they get to know me better too.

Happy Anniversary!

2011-08-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Happy 31st Anniversary to my AMAZING parents!

I could talk about how both of you are so great for days but I'll refrain.

This is for you since I am sure I only have about 8 people who read my blog and you are two of them!

I can't wait until your are here in Memphis!

Love

Monday: Back to the grind

2011-08-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot how Monday's seem to creep up on you. How the weekend flies by and on Sunday night you ask yourself what you really did this weekend? Well that is how my Sunday night was spent. Wondering just where this weekend went.

It's days like today where I miss my extended hiatus of figuring out my life. For the last few months my Monday's usually consisted of going to the gym around 9am, grabbing lunch with my mom and brother, hitting the beach for a few hours, and making dinner.

I do miss this a lot but at least now I am a productive member of society again.

LVs Run

2011-08-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

LVs Run has become a tradition in which the Volunteers choose to participate. This year, we will be meeting up in Minneapolis, MN for the Halloween Weekend races to run the 5k or half marathon. I am super excited for the running part however the fundraising part not so much.

If you would like to monetarily support me or if you would like to check out my story I would greatly appreciate it! You can check it out here: Jaime's Fundraising Page

I finally got some BBQ in Memphis. Let me tell you it was TASTY! We went to Central bbq and I ordered the pulled pork sandwhich. I am so looking forward to eating lots of awesome bbq this year.

Places I plan on checking out this year:

The BBQ Shop

Corkys

Rendezvous

If anyone know of good food/BBQ in Memphis please tell me!

Powerful Stuff

2011-08-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

I had Monday off school since it was a Holy Day of Obligation. Perks of being at a Catholic school! We went downtown and decided to go to the National Civil Rights Museum. This is one of the places I was most interested in visiting before coming to Memphis. The Musuem is actually the old Lorraine Hotel, more commonly known as the place whre Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

Today I realized that Memphis is definitely where I am meant to give a year of my life. Being impacted by the photos, videos, and other information about the Civil Rights Movement in the Museum had fascinated me. I am here to make a difference in other people lives. I may not be able to do it forever or even for that long but right now that is my focus.

Below are a few of MLK quotes that summed up the reason I decided to volunteer in the first place...

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

"The time is always right to do what is right."

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

(Balcony where he was killed)

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Happy Birthday!

2011-08-15T02:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Pops!

Thanks for always supporting me, coaching me through countless sports, showing me how to throw and awesome party, giving the best advice, being a voice of reason, passing on your love of music and wine, and most importantly making me feel like I can do anything if I put my mind to it.

Wish I was there to celebrate with you. Just know that I will be thinking about you all day!

Highlights of the first Three days of School...

2011-08-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

HIGHLIGHTS

Getting hugs from the kids

Having them remember your name

Reading them books, and they are actually silent

Finally learning my way around the programs we use

After this three day weekend I start teaching Computer and Religion classes to the older kids (4th-8th). It will be interesting to say the least. Off to lesson plan...

My Main Man: Dr. Seuss

2011-08-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

My first day of school was awesome. I loved getting to know and introduce myself to the students. I originally planned on going by Miss Jaime. Last Friday at registration I was introducing myself to the kids as Miss Jaime. However, at our Monday meeting this topic came up and the teachers perferred that I go by Miss Chis since all the other teachers go by their last name. So today when students arrived calling me Miss Jaime it made it quite interesting to tell them I am now Miss Chis.

I have always been a lover of Dr. Seuss. I mean how can you not be, right? In my eyes he's brilliant. He makes reading fun and playful which is exactly what it should be.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

He is going to be a staple in my Library. I already have one Dr. Seuss bulletin board set-up (pictures to come). I am sure some of his quotes will periodically pop-up on my blog considering some of my favorites come from him.

Day 1 of school down. A lot more to go...

School, School, School

2011-08-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

We start school TOMORROW! I am more excited than anything to meet all of the kids and have my year of service finally begin. This last week in Memphis has been full of prepping, getting to know the faculty and staff, team building, organizing, bulletin boards and having doubts about what I got myself into.

I think it is ironic that I always said I would never be able to be a teacher. I don't have enough patience to handle kids. Funny what life has in store you...

LVs RIDE: To Break the Cycle of Poverty

2011-08-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday myself and my roomie Chay rode around to try and find this local Farmer's Market I have been wanting to check it out since we arrived in Memphis and saw the postcard on our refrigerator. I am strong believer in Farmers Market and pretty much love to wonder around aimlessly checking everything out. We finally found it and were quite surprised at how small it was. We both had high expectations that it would be similar to the ones in CA where you have several rows to meander through.

After doing one loop around the square of tables I heard a voice behind me ask about my t-shirt and a saying that it had on it "To break the cycle of poverty". I completely forgot that I had my LVs Ride shirt on and did not realize she was talking to me until I turned around. It was great to explain about our program to someone who was interested. The riders are amazing and what they are doing for LVs is even more amazing. Please check out their site- http://lvsride.com/home.php

Hooked on Pinterest

2011-08-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

In my free time lately I have been spending time on Pinterest. It is a website that lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can create pinboards based around certain interests such as home decor, books, food, etc..

Below are a few of the things I have been day dreaming about. Clearly my imagination thinks I am still on a salary job and not volunteering for a year. Mind adjustment? I think so...

Source: topshop.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: cheapchicas.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: lookbook.nu via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: heavenlybloomsblog.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: husohem.se via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: designspongeonline.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Hello Memphis

2011-08-03T14:40:00.000-07:00

I am finally in Memphis. Let me tell you it's HOT. A kind of hot I know absolutely nothing about or how to dress for since you go from humid heat to air conditioning. Today its about 105, nuts I know. I have been here about 48 hours and this is what I have learned. Don't put lotion on because you'll just sweat it off. My hair will consistently be worn up. You need to have a surplus of deodorant. You don't want to be in a kitchen cooking so PB sandwhiches it is. Ice melts in 25 seconds. Onto the good things... we have a fig tree in our yard (not sure if I like them yet or not). I live right next to the school I will be at. I have an awesome roomate! (see picture below) I know that I am going to learn a lot from her this year. One of the Brothers I live with loves House Hunters so we've bonded :-)

Me and my new Roomie

Orientation... Check

2011-08-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

I spent the last 10 days at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL for Orientation for this upcoming year. It reminded me alot of being a freshmen in college.

1. Meeting the other volunteers felt like the first time I met my college friends
2. We slept in dorms
3. I had to wear shower shoes
4. We ate in a cafeteria
5. I was back in a classroon for lectures and speakers

It's funny how 10 days can fly by. What I loved most about my time in Romeoville was to hear the stories and backgrounds of my fellow LV's and why they decided to volunteer. I definitely took a different path to get here but I am glad to be here. I forgot what it is like to be empowered by living around young people all working toward the same goal.

One of the nights we were told about the The Ripples Project. It is about a man from Wisconsin whose passion was to help others get excited about work, school and life. He sends out an inspirational email every monday to help people remember the gigantic potential of tiny actions. Long story short each of us received a business card from The Ripples Project that had a quote on the back. My quote said:

"You really can change the world if you care enough."- Marian Wright Edelman

This hit home for me. It seemed to tie loose ends together. I know to many people it is just a silly quote but for me it summarizes the reason why I decided to volunteer. I want to have an impact on other people lives. I want to be present when working with my kids. I want to be aware of my actions. This past year has had its ups and its downs and deciding to walk away from a job where I felt I had nothing more to give was the best decision I could have ever made for myself.

Packing...

2011-07-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

I am starting think there should be classes on how to properly pack. I feel like I am out of my mind trying to decide what to pack for a year away. I can of course have someone ship me something I forgot or just buy something new but I have plenty of clothes that it should be easy to choose things, NOT! I think I have too many choices and it is making my brain go crazy.

I wish someday to have a closest that looks as organized as this...

It looks like it would conducive to better packing.

Can't believe that I will be packed and on my way tomorrow!

1 week countdown

2011-07-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

I officially leave in 1 week! I am beyond excited but today it hit me how much stuff I have to get done before next Thursday and got a tad bit stressed.

It's crazy to think that I have not been "working" since the middle of January. This has been the most AMAZING time off ever and I am so thankful I got the opportunity to take this much time off. However, I am ready to be a productive member of society again. So as much I dread what I have to get done in the next 7 days I am more ready for this adventure to finally start!

Besides missing my family and friends ALOT below are some of the other things I am not looking forward to having across the country from me...

Family
Favorite people on the planet.

In-N-Out
I dont eat at In-N-Out all the often but I still love it.

The Beach/ Cool Ocean Breeze
I am totally spoiled when it comes to weather. I pretty much loving having it be consistently in the 70's with a breeze. Memphis is going to rock my world in this area. I don't do that well in hot humid weather or rain and I think this is what Memphis specializes in.

Pedros/ Hole in the wall Mexican
Growing up in Socal you come to expect great Mexican food. I am spoiled when it comes to the good stuff.

Wedding weekend in the Bay

2011-07-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

I always love weddings. This past weekend I was in the San Francisco bay area to celebrate my two friends from college wedding. The ceremony and reception were both on my college campus. Below sums up my weekend pretty well!

The weekend was wonderful in every way.

4th of July weekend will include the following...

2011-07-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

Things I am most Excited to do in Memphis

2011-06-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

On my free time I hope to be able to explore Memphis and below are some of the things I can't wait to experience!

Charlie Vergos Rendezvous- I love food entirely too much and am excited to get my hands on great BBQ! This place is supposed to have some of the greatest stuff around.

Graceland- Whenever I think of Graceland I think of my Grandma and her love for Elvis music. It is supposed to be second in popularity only to the White House.

Beale Street- Im not to familiar with Blues and Jazz but I am hoping that I will listen to the music scene Memphis has. Beale Street is home to great blues clubs and theaters.

The Pink Palace Museum- It is one of the largest museums in the Mid-South. It features exhibits and artifacts from the Mid-South's cultural history, Planetarium, and a replica of the original Piggly Wiggly.

Memphis Zoo- I always love the Zoo. Doesn't matter how old I get, they are still super fun.

Memphis is all about Blues and BBQ and I plan on taking full advantage of that!

The Beginning

2011-06-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

I am starting this blog in the hopes that my family and friends will get to read and hear about my adventure of moving from Southern California to Memphis Tennesse to volunteer for a year.

I have been thinking about starting a blog for a really long time, but I have never known what I should write about. I recently left my job in Marketing and Special Events in hopes of finding a career path that I am more passionate about. I want to have a job that I look forward to doing everyday. Well that change came in the form of me moving to Memphis for a year to be a Lasallian Volunteer. I will be working in a Catholic Elementary School downtown Memphis.

I leave in 30 days and I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity! As much as I love my home in Dana Point, I am entirely too comfortable here! Not that there is anything wrong with being comfortable but I need to get out and see things from a new perspective to appreciate this place even more.