In the line of duty: My volunteer work

A few days ago, I received an exciting email from the organization in which I happily volunteered for during the 2009-2010 school year. It was three separate emails with references to the assessment testing done to three students that I had worked closely with several hours a week this year. Each email contained the students’ name, grade, and teacher along with their outstanding results.

I felt a sharp pang in my chest as I read each result quietly to myself. I wasn’t sure if the sharp pang was from my painkillers medication or if it was just my cold, beating heart trying to warm up and allow emotions to dawdle within it.

When I first started working with each student, I noticed the uneasiness and the struggles each students had with reading.

My oldest student, who I met with once a week after my cycle class at 24 Hour Fitness, was a very bright student with an interesting Irish name. This student’s picture is featured on the school’s wall of high honor students who excelled in their studies. Given that the student is smart, this student really struggled with reading. I wasn’t sure why since, judging from this student’s personal file: grew up a normal life with two supportive yet adoring parents and a much older half-brother. I won’t disclose anymore details on this students’ normal life, but I’m glad this student was able to jump from being two grade levels behind on reading and rising to an astonishing 2.65 grade levels within a year.

The two other students had unfortunate pasts that affected their school studies greatly along with being unable to read at their respective grade levels. With enough push and shove, I’m proud to say, these two students have improved by moving a little over one grade level up on their reading skills.

Honestly, that makes me tear up a little. A little one on one with each student for a couple of hours a week was all it took to see big improvements and big smiles.

I’m hoping that once September rolls around, I’ll start volunteering as a reading tutor again before I start my full time job in November. I wish there was a way in which I could take two or three hours off a week to tutor more students or the same ones in the program. But knowing how my future job is already, I’m not even too sure if my line of work will permit any time off before 5pm. The world of politics and policies is demanding but I love it. I wish I didn’t have a desire to work in state or federal policies. That way I could focus more time on helping others in need. 

A little advice: helping your community can be therapeutic. It certainly has helped me.

*smug* =)

Surprise and Turkey

How did I make it through last week, unscathed? I'm shocked myself. At least this week will be quick and short. I have an oral quiz today for my Mandarin class, then I'll be out running for 1.5 to 2 hours this evening. Tomorrow I have work then I tutor a new little girl in reading. Afterward, more running. At least there will be daylight. Wednesday, I think I work?? I'll be taking a break from running on Wednesday because Thursday will be the big day. =/ I'm finding it particularly hard these days in coordinating my outfits. I try to make each of my outfits flow from work to school to volunteering at my local elementary school to my night outfits (if I do intend to go out for cocktails that night.) I've talked to Mermaid about this before (she's a teacher) and since we both have interesting choices on how we dress, not tasteless fashion, but the way we dress do cause some eye rollings at our respective schools of work/volunteer. So how would I roll from work to school? Or work to elementary school? Or school to happy hour? Or from work to gym/jogging? Ahhh, quite a dilemma isn't it? What outfits would be most appropriate. Maybe I should talk to Mermaid about documenting our outfit ventures. On another note, Thanksgiving is this week! I can't wait! We're having the traditional turkey and honey ham with yummy stuffing. We're also making curry as an entree dish as well because I'm half South Asian and it just makes sense to have our specialty spicy dish on a cold November evening. Then we got the knick knacks of food to grub on: candy yams, honey biscuits, corn muffins, my mom's secret, my aunt Jenny's secrets, and my aunt Vanny's secret. I hear a persimmon dish will be there too. But that's only a rumor. I'll be making pumpkin pie, chocolate cupcakes (yes Leslyn, I'll drop some off at your place), and maybe tiramisu. Philliam is going to try and "woo" my mom by making cheesecake pumpkin pie. Although, he needs my helps. -___- There will be other people there as well who are bringing dishes over for our evening feast. My glutton ass can't wait!

successful saturday

Friday night, I stayed home, did some cooking, tidy-up the house, and watched The Bodyguard. All alone. I was a bit uneasy being home alone due to the crazy things that has been going on in my neighborhood. Even though I was on high alert for anything that seemed out of the ordinary, my evening spent alone was nice. It's been awhile since I was able to spend Friday nights at home and alone. Saturday morning, I woke up bright and early, did my morning jog. Got home, had some breakfast, shook my brother awake with my foot, called Richard, and got ready for the Ocean Conservancy Lake Clean Up, which I had volunteered for 2 weeks ago. From 9am to 12pm, we picked up other people's trash at Lake Berryessa. It's amazing what we found. The usual trash items were beer bottles and cans, and also broken beer bottles. Although, the most common trash I found littered around the lake were feminine products, i.e. pads, tampons (and lots of it), and panty liners. I'm not kidding. How gross is that? Why would anyone do such an unsanitary thing? Of course, changing your tampons behind some bushes is fine, but at least take the trash with you! How hard is it to place the applicator back into the wrapper and place that in another trash bag and take it with you? I honestly don't get people who just throw their trashes everywhere. Good grief. Some volunteers claimed they found shells from shot guns and rifles. hmm... After we picked up trash, we waited around for the others so we can do a 30 minute drive to where the barbecue was held for volunteers. While we waited, we decided to take some pictures.

Richard and I decide who can make the best sounds on my hungry belly while we waited for the others to show up. Hot day at Lake Berryessa I didn't take many pictures since I was more focused on trash pick up, eating, and enjoying the water.

When we came back from our dip, we were the last ones there. Everyone packed up the food and left. No goodbyes. =(

Top, left to right: Ryo (Japanese exchange student), Jack (UCD Ph. D), and Ken (ex football player) Middle: John (Jasmine's right hand man on issues) and Jasmine (President of ESO) Bottom: Richard and Sunny (my lazy sleeping brothers)