Getting Things Done For America

Maggie Sparks, my team leader and someone who is known for some of her funnier quotes, summed up those busy days at AmeriCorps best when she said, "I feel like I got a lot done for America today." I think all of us at the office (as well as in the schools and on disaster) have felt that same sentiment quite a bit lately. While I think we sometimes use the quote in jest, it really puts a positive spin on our work, and makes the busy days, weeks, and months worthwhile, because we feel like we're having a positive impact.

This week, and for the unforeseeable future, I'll have to keep this quote in mind. Things have picked up to unprecendeted levels for me and the entire Corps. Today alone I spent nearly 10 hours at the office just to make sure I had things in order for the rest of the week. The rest of the week I'll be out of the office for various functions, including career fairs at Notre Dame and Loyola Chicago. In the past few weeks I've grown accustomed to eating my lunch while at my desk just to try and stay on top of things. In the end, I know that it isn't for naught. While I may never see the end result of the work I'm doing, I can rest easily knowing that at some point someone else's life was made easier by actions that myself and others helped to create.

I think it's one more lesson I've learned while serving with AmeriCorps. Being busy at work shouldn't be a bad thing, it just means you're doing more for others.

It's About Time

So it's been an incredibly long time since I last blogged, almost 3 months to be exact. I can explain myself to some extent. A good portion of that time I didn't have access to the internet at home (Thank you SBC. How convenient it must be that you can now change your name to AT&T). Granted, I can still get on the web at work, but being the productive worker I am, I limit my personal internet time at work to checking my e-mail, reading newspapers, and reading about college basketball. In other words, I didn't have any way to kick out any blogs.

As of yesterday, though, I am re-connected to the modern world. I purchased a wireless network card so I could go to local coffee shops and restaurants to get my internet fix. Right now I'm at St. Louis Bread Company, tomorrow it might be Soulard Coffee Garden. I'm going to try and dedicate 1 night a week to surfing the web and keeping my blog up to date.

So here's what's new with me. I'm still working on my grad school applications. I'm pushing the deadlines now, but I'm Weiss so procrastination is what I do best. My goal is to get into Indiana's School of Public and Environmental Affairs. They have one of the best Master's in Public Administration programs in the nation and are number 1 for non-profit management (my focus area). If all goes well, I'll be moving to Bloomington next August (I'm sure my dad is real excited to hear I'm moving again). If it doesn't work out, I'm looking at schools in Chicago and St. Louis, St. Louis having a slight edge as I wouldn't have to move, and I'm familiar with the area.

As for AmeriCorps, things have been incredibly since break. We've received over 60 applications for positions for September, which is much higher than most years when we don't reach 60 until closer to March. Of those 60+ applicants I have already got to accept 11 new Members (all girls). While it's been exciting to have my hand in hiring and rejecting quite a few people, it has made for some long days of interviewing, calling references and reading applications. My team has been great in helping me out, and I'll need their help in the coming months to try and keep up with everything. Besides the recruitment, I'm also in charge of working with middle school students in planning a Kids for Kids Run that will benefit our program. The idea was started several years ago by a 7th grader to raise money for a program that focuses on literacy. She was connected to our program, and until last year, we've been partnered in this event. I'm working to return the race to its roots, which is kids planning the event for the purpose of helping other kids. While it is going to be a huge project, I think it's an excellent opportunity for kids to take part in a service project while learning how to plan an event (promotion, sponsorship, logisitics, recognition, etc.)

In the coming weeks I'll be attending several career fairs including one at Notre Dame (Indiana) and Loyola Chicago. My goal is to have our program near capacity by the time June rolls around. That's never been done before, but then again we've never received this high a number of applications before.

I tried my best to capture what my life has been like the last few weeks since I saw most of you at Christmas. Since I've been away from the blog for quite some time, it may take a few posts to really get my bearings. I hope all is well with everyone else.