Settling In-Orientation weekend

Good morning! Guess what? I am moved in!

Everything has been fast-paced since move in on Friday because we have had so much to do: decisions to be made about house chores and house expectations; decisions on social outings and planning weekly reflection times; getting to know the area of Old Brooklyn, Ohio City and more of the surrounding areas, orientating ourselves with each other and with the community; lots of food preparation and clean up (eating together is a joy in itself); getting used to this computer (and how the mouse moves on its own, eventually to the top left corner, if you were wondering).

Move in day was really exciting, when I wasn’t busying myself and I had a chance to take in what was going on- it was unreal. It was like a dream, maybe because I have been dreaming about doing Project Affinity (PA) since I was a sophomore. EEE! ^_^

Later in the day, we munched on some delicious muffins Sara (student director) had made for us and before we knew it, we were on our way to a tour of the house. The house is spacious; it’s a great size for eight people, cozy and comfortable, and if you want to find a secret place to be alone you can (the attic is sorta magical). I got to know my new roomie (“roomie" is not a word according to Microsoft?), Julie, who just got back from her semester study aboard. The girls sleep on the 2nd floor and the guys are downstairs. I am sure the guys will fight off any creepers if they choose to mess with us. I have to say to you…what a wonderful bunch! Everyone is so kind-hearted, willing to be open and respectful and real. I can see great potential for lots of good to be done this summer through these fokes. I am looking forward to the community that is already being built as I type to you.

So…I am going in such detail this may be the longest blog ever, so fast forwarding the rest of the first day:

1 hour van tour around Cleveland and surrounding areas
-we have the 2nd oldest bowling ally in the US!
-Steelyard is pretty cool
-there is a Diana's electronics, i didn't get the memo
-the bridge currently under construction by the zoo is going to be beautiful
-the zoo sells zoo poo as fertilizer, you can probably figure that one out
-the owners of "Ugly Broad bar" are really nice
-the nicest houses I have ever seen
-Cleveland is cooler and sweeter than I previously thought, and i had high hopes!

Get to know you time
-learned a new game (finish the sentence “I will never….” And “I will always…”), if you choose to make comments, please consider telling me what you would write.
-Here are mine:
I will always be a listening ear whenever anyone needs it. I will never give up hope on Cleveland. I will always floss everyday. I will never let a friend down if I can help it. I will always flush. ^_^

Decision making galore and house business. I found out that Johnny and Jared also love to wash the dishes! (we have already started to fight over the dishes...weird uh?)

First dinner together: home made pizzas! (I want to show you pictures!) (and of course I have been taking loads of pictures…surprised?) Do you think i can be a photo jounralist?

Guests to talk about street smarts and safety
- i may get some pepper spray even though we are in a pretty safe place while it's daytime

Hang out time
We talked about America’s next top model, tv shows we liked
And later we talked about faith and spirituality
… haha ^_^ "I know, right" (tehee Jakeb) we talked about spirituality and organized religion for about two hours or so. It was a really open and peaceful conversation, but don't get me wrong, the conversation did have it's times of heatedness. I was incredibly blessed by it; I absolutely love learning about others point of view, just LOVE IT! We each have very many different views, some strong and most very inclusive views (Brian would have lots of appropriate terms here to be more detailed). I had lots on my mind before bed, so I felt led to journal about them…WOW! I totally felt God strengthening my faith and groundedness (not a word, it should be: Diana Dictionary!) in Him. What a blessings, as I open my heart and mind to accept and love the people around me I learn so much about the God I serve. How sweet is that?

May 30th,2009

So many things from this day, here are some highlights because my time on the computer is short:

We talked about Person First Language:
We read an article about the correct kind of language when addressing or talking about a person who is disabled…errk “who has a disability.” See? By stating the former I have labeled this person disabled, "how would you feel if someone labeled you by the wart on your bum?". Disability is normal; it is a normal part of living on this earth. I believe there needs to be a change of heart and attitude about this (mind included) not just a PC way of talking (this can often times be more hurtful). If you ever want to talk to me about this, I am totally open to share more. Diana's personal attitude needed to be changed (DPANC)--i'll think of something better, maybe--: I want to see individuals as individuals. I want to embrace our similarities and embrace our differences, but at the end of the day I want the core of a person’s individuality (for lack of better word, their personality and values, their soul?) to be what I value the most!

The bus system…ohhh the bus system:
We paired up to find our work sites (so each pair had to locate and find 4 sites and our mystery dinner place in 2 hours using $9 to buy 2 all-day RTA passes) Julie and I used the handy-and-not-so-dandy trip planner to plan out our most efficient route. We ended up not making to any of our sites, but still taking the bus to 9th and Superior, we took some fun pictures and made it on time for dinner at….(drum roll please) …Johnny Mango! Yum!

Dinner, to be or not to be….
Julie, Sam, Lexi and I got to the restaurant and found out that the other two teams would not get there until much later so we went to the library by St Patrick’s church and the playground. It was there that I met Vicki and Alexander (who already knew Sam from one of her previous volunteer times and they all remembered each other!). Vicki told me her story, I am not sure what is appropriate to disclose here on the internet, but I can tell you her story broke my heart. We spoke for a while and I listened as intently as possible as I tried to piece together her story, I don’t think she meant to deliberately share her story of the past year but she was so emotionally filled with pain, regret, struggle, betrayal and disappointment that she had to tell someone. There was a reason, there was a reason we were waiting for everyone to come for dinner, there was a reason we were at the playground, there was a reason we met Vicki.

I was filled with empathy for Vicki and I offered words of encouragement, she is a strong, she’s made it this far, never give up hope, Alexander is a wonderful child, he is so happy…I started to feel her burden and it was deep and heavy, so I did the only thing I knew what to do in a situation when I am burden by heartbreak, I asked Vicki if I could pray for her and she timidly yet enthusiastically said “yes.” God reminded me of how David was being chased and hunted down and how David expressed his pain and longings to God in the book of Psalm. God hears. That gave me hope and I think it gave Vicki hope too.

So please pray for Vicki if she comes to your mind, pray for Alexander, he’s only 5.

If you think others would benefit from reading this blog, I wouldn’t mind the recommendation. Sharing my experience is what I want to do. Changing your heart one story at a time is what I want God to do. God bless you :0D

Gal 5:13 Purpose

The best way to start a blog...is to state it's purpose. Which I will do so here :)

It is my hope that this blog will be used to share my thoughts, emotions, experiences, good days, tough days, inspirational moments, heartbreaking stories and everything in between regarding my time at Archwood House (and beyond) while participating in Project Affinity through BWC's Office of Community Outreach. Project runs May 29, 2009-July 24th, 2009.

Inspiration verse to keep me going: Galatians 5:13

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." (NLT)

To whomever reads this: I pray your time of viewing my words will not be wasted but that these moments will be encouraging, positive, truth-provoking, inspiring and even heart-changing. It is my prayer that fear will decrease and the truth in love will win out. Through the many experiences life gives us, we have the opportunity to learn and choose to change for the better--this is the documentation of such an experience. Enjoy!