Well, after spending way too much time trying to be clever about the titles and layout of this site I've given up and decided to just start writing and let the rest come later. I did manage to come up with a title with some help from my mom. It's an old phrase that was used (as my mom researched) dating back to WWII. People said that something could be created or held together by "using shoelaces and chewing gum". I thought it fit because it speaks to being resourceful when trying to solve a problem. It actually reminded me of a time when I was a kid. I had a basket full of old thread spools and pipe cleaner that I was determined would somehow come together and be the next latest and greatest invention. Obviously, that didn't happen and really only amounted to some odd something my mom must have found and laughed at later on. But, hopefully this blog will be full of stories about me creatively solving new problems thrown my way.
For those reading who don't already know my story (although it is unlikely anyone outside of my immediate friends and family will read this), I will provide a little bit of background. The rest of you can consider this a refresher course.
I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan playing a lot of softball and doing well in school. I didn't often think much about my future. On a whim, I decided to attend Elmhurst College, which is in a suburb of Chicago, and to continue playing softball. I played for two years, wasn't in love with it anymore so I found something else to do. That "something else" was anything I could get my hands on. I had two internships, participated in three clubs (started one of my own related to sustainability) and eventually became our student government president, all while staying academically strong.
I met a lot of great people at school, went through a lot of hard times, and gathered a new appreciation for how awesome my family is. I also came to realize that no matter what happens as long as you learn something new from it, then whatever the experience was, was one worth having. Oh, and I got a handy dandy degree in Marketing and Communications!
Now, I have moved out to South Dakota and am living with my boyfriend's parents and will begin working for AmeriCorps through Volunteers of America, Dakotas in August. As far as I have gathered I get to work in design, project management, event planning, and be doing some miscellaneous grunt work. I haven't been able to ascertain the specifics yet. But, I do know that this is a new program so the position sort of is what I make it. That's the feeling I get anyway and that's kinda cool.
The reason for starting this blog is to document all of my interesting (and profound, I'm sure) thoughts during all of these changes. My friends and family know that I don't like change, but I always seem to throw myself in the middle of it just to see what I can do. I hope it'll make you laugh and maybe get you thinking a little bit. Who knows.
Anyway, I start work in a month, but will be doing research and training during that time. Thus far, I have found out that I will be living at 105% of the poverty level in my area. I will be making just over $10,000. You all can do the math on that. The idea is that I should try to experience what it would be like to live at the poverty level during my year of service. It seems strange that I'm living at 105% of that level and it should be a challenge, yet we all know it is because $10,000 isn't exactly the ideal salary. I like to think that I'm pretty good at budgeting and anticipating but we'll see. I've got some money saved for emergencies, but I'm going to try to do this like it should be done. I have to consciously cut out the excess spending I have been used to for the last year which I had the luxury of because I was fortunate to have two good jobs in my final year of college.
The AmeriCorps site wanted us to live in the impoverished area we would be working, so I guess I'm already cheating on that. But, they did say that if we could find someone to provide us housing at a low cost that was excited to have an AmeriCorps person with them, to take it. So, I'm counting it that way. I'm lucky in that regard and will be doing housework and some miscellaneous work for the McKee's company as payback. I hope to work out a monetary rent in the future as I get a better grip on the financials of it all.
Admittedly, I'm also receiving help from my parents with the car insurance and phone bill. So, those are my confessions and I am very lucky to have such caring people around me.
Things I will have to cut out that I am used to (judge as you will):
Manicures/Pedicures
Shopping trips with the girls
Going out with friends on a consistent basis
Not bargain shopping
Eating out all the time
Buying clothes I don't have a specific need for
Random Trips
On the flip-side, being ten hours away from where I spent the last four years of my life pretty much coupled with the fact that I have 14 hours from my closest family makes life a little interesting as well. So far, I'm mentally freaking out about it but have not shown any visible signs. Just noticed that I'm very focused on settling my living space so that I can feel like there is a little control and some styling of permanency around me. I am very thankful of the hospitality of everyone here, but I am nervous and it's no one's fault but my own. I want to make the best impression on everyone and realize that I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself to be accepted. I know it'll all work out. I'm sure of it. But settling in is going to be a fun process. :)
That's all I can think of for now. All comments are welcome and I hope you follow me through my little journey.
love it. I'm excited to hear about all of your journeys! anddd if it makes you feel any better, I had to cut that same list of things out of my life lol.
ReplyDeleteps love the title, but not as much as i love you
I trust you completely..And I have no doubts that you will conquer SD just like you have everywhere else ;) like you said, everything is a lesson and you are very open to experiencing things that will shape you into the woman you want to be, for better or worse! Love you!
ReplyDeleteI miss you and I'm SO glad you are going to be blogging. I can't wait to see all of the amazing things you CONTINUE to do :)
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