An AmeriChristmas

Campus is dead. Seriously, dead. Almost post-apocalyptic dead, but not quite. Yesterday, I slept for 14 hours and nobody noticed. There is only one person on my floor right now and he works most days. So, yeah, it's been lonely. Last week went by relatively fast though. I tried to keep busy. Here's the rundown.

Before everyone left there was a flood in the building. Some kids decided to play Frisbee in the hallway, and subsequently broke the sprinkler head. Half of the first floor was flooded, a steady stream of water poured for what felt like hours. The fire department came and shut off the water, but unfortunately a laptop was already washed away. Thanks to some fast acting Corps Members it was one of the few casualties. They are still trying to repair the hall way, and the people that live there have yet to return home. The majority of my weekend was spent hanging out with people before they left town. Monday, I went to Davis and got my first, and most likely last Tattoo. I don't have much more to say on the subject. It itches and the guy was a jerk. I would suggest to only go to Urban Body for piercings. The piercer was really friendly and according to my friend has an excellent touch. The tattoo guy was not impressed by what I wanted. At least it was quick.
Tuesday I worked at the Urban League, with the Sacramento Kings. We handed out 300 food boxes. It was really cool to get to see the people we helped. Although, it was a little awkward to load food boxes into Mercedes. I know that there were some boxes donated to organizations as well; I feel better thinking that the Mercedes belonged to people who were picking up the food boxes for others. I did get to make fun of Tyreke Evans and his watch cell phone. I feel like picking on professional basketball players in person is one of those things that few people get to do in their lifetime. So I can cross that off my list. All of the people affiliated with the Kings were really cool, even Tyreke. Wednesday and Thursday I wrapped presents for the kids at the St. John's Shelter. It was really cool project. I felt like an elf in Santa's Workshop, and took pride in wrapping each gift and hoping the the recipient would love it. I was fortunate to find out that the kids were really appreciative of their gifts. Each kid received at least 10 gifts to unwrap. What a cool thing that St. John's Shelter was able to do for it's clients.Christmas was spent at the Shelter again. We cooked dinner for the families, and hung out with Willie who was a team leader for West Coast campus class one. He was probably my favorite part about that day. As a retiree he spends his free time volunteering for the shelter and possibly other organizations. Apparently, AmeriCorps has that affect on people, it turns you into a life long volunteer. I look forward to that. I left before dinner was served, to be served by my Project Sponsor. Jay, one of the members of my team, and I went to Irma's house to have a Mexican style Christmas dinner. We ate Rice and Green chillies on chicken, and other food I can't pronounce, one of which was meat stuffed with meat. Also, Buñuelos my new favorite pastry. We stayed for awhile and chatted. Irma had a slew stories to share with us. She told us love stories about her husband and her parents . It was cute, touching and the perfect way to end the evening.Saturday, I had an early morning project with the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. We worked the mobile food bank and passed out food and toiletries to people that needed it. After which we went to the Goodwill to find ugly sweaters to wear at our feast. We had an AmeriChristmas dinner, complete with ham and turkey donated to us by Loaves and Fishes. It was really great to be able to have a Traditional meal with friends. Afterward everyone left to play Laser tag, I stayed back because I missed the van. All in all it was a great day.

Sunday, I slept for 14 hours.

That was my Christmas week. It was really great, and unlike any Christmas I've ever experienced. I'm looking forward to my friends to return from their respective homes.


These are the cool new shoes I got for Christmas from my brother. Speaking of whom. I was talking to Joe and he and I had this awesome conversation. He was telling me all about his new ... Hi Susan.


Sara