Month: January 2014

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Going to Texas

The time has gone by so quickly, I can’t believe I will be leaving tomorrow!  I told myself I would slowly start packing a week in advance.  However, I did not even touch my suitcase until Wednesday.  Even though I have done some traveling I have not been so far from home on my own.  Also, this time I am not going for vacation or to just relax.  This trip to Texas will involve lots of learning and great new experiences.  The hardest right now is packing though.  I’m not sure what I should take with me or what I would need and I do not have much room for packing either.

Although, the flight is early I’m excited to go to Texas.  We will be right by the border and I have never been so far South before.  I think the culture in the town is greatly influenced by its proximity to Mexico.  So we won’t just be exposed to the Southern US culture but also the Mexican culture.  I am very excited to compare the northeast suburban culture to this new culture that I will experience.

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Down jacket is all packed, ready to brave that brisk Chicago tundra!

I can’t believe that tomorrow I will be going to Chicago! It’s crazy to think that winter break is almost over, but I am so excited that I have the opportunity to go on this trip. I am currently trying to help Jackie pack all of her winter clothes into one small carry-on bag, but I’m sure we’ll succeed. I am looking forward to learning more about the Chicago school system and the difference between charter, public, and private schools. I think I am most excited about working with kids and tutoring them, as well as visiting Chicago in general. I know that this will be a very interesting and rewarding trip and I can’t wait for it to begin!

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ROOTS!

What a great way to end this long winter break! I can’t wait to be on the road this Saturday heading for the Smoky Mountains in order to help out members of the Cherokee community while also getting some cool experience homesteading and removing invasive species. I’m also really looking forward to getting to know my teammates more over this next week and bonding over our service while also learning about the history and culture of the region. Ideally well get to spend as much time outside as possible as I’ve heard the area we’re going to is beautiful.  I should probably start packing though because its getting pretty close to Saturday! Whoooo road trip!!!

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ROOTS: ready to go!

I am so excited to leave for TN this Saturday; I’ve never been to this part of the country! I am looking forward to meeting members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee and spending some much-needed time outdoors. I have had so much fun getting to know my teammates this past fall so I know this trip is going to be amazing. I am eager to learn more about the customs and daily life of this culture. I know very little about the tribe, but I know I will learn a great deal as this week goes on. The Eastern Band of Cherokee avoided the Trail of Tears, which is why they are able to remain in North Carolina and Tennessee, along the Great Smoky Mountains. I am excited to see how they interact with their environment. I am eager learn about homesteading, help with trail repair, remove invasive species, interact with the community, and see what else our hosts have in store for us! Maybe we’ll get to do some hiking too! I hear we are going to learn some Cherokee games. Hopefully, we will learn more about their history and the Smoky Mountain region from their perspective! No matter what our hosts have planned, I know this will be a rewarding and unforgettable experience for all of us :D LET’S GO ROOTS!

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We put the Ten in Tennessee!

As the trip swiftly approaches I’m getting more excited! The preservice information we learned concerning sustainability of food in the environment gave me great insight into what to look for in this environment. As a whole, my mind has been buzzing with curiosity and excitement ever since we finished our preservice. I’m excited to engage in all the service activity and also learning about the Cherokee way of life. It’s truly a once in a life time experience and I’m glad I get to spend it with all my awesome team members in a few days! Tennessee here we come!

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Let the Adventure Begin!

Only five more days until we leave for Tennessee; it’s crazy how fast the trip is approaching! With such a wide variety of service (homesteading, park preservation, and giving back to the Cherokee community) I’m not totally sure what to expect this week. We could rebuild homes and learn about the natural disasters that rip through the area, work to remove invasive species, or begin to learn about living off the land. Luckily we had the chance to talk with Professor Brandes about sustainable farming and water use, so our week of education and service has already begun.  Regardless of the adventures we embark on I know it’s going to be an amazing week for this entire ROOTS team, who has done a superb job preparing all fall. With the stunning Smokey Mountains as a backdrop and so much to learn from our hosts and the Cherokee community, I can’t wait to head out on this adventure and begin a memorable week of service in Tennessee!

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it’s that time already?

I can’t believe I leave for Tennessee in a week.  Where did December and all of January go?  I’m not complaining, though, because quite frankly I’m going stir crazy.  I’m so excited for ASB 2014.  I can already tell ROOTS is going to be an amazing trip.  I can’t wait to really get to know my team members, but most importantly, come to understand the lives of the Cherokee Indians that occupy the region we’ll be exploring.  I’ve really never studied anything pertaining to Native Americans, except of course how the white man pushed them out of their own territories.  I’m hoping to build unforgettable relationships with these beautiful people while giving back to their community.  Plus, I’ve heard the Smoky Mountains are pretty breath-taking, so that’s also a plus.  I should probably start packing in these next few days…  See you soon, Tennessee!