tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46974042028036846902023-11-16T02:34:41.663-08:00a great big beautiful lifeall the little journeys i have taken, am taking, or want to take!samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-78630157792267292142011-12-31T18:39:00.000-08:002011-12-31T18:39:10.574-08:00a year unlike any other...Oh what a year it has been! I'm a lucky girl, as I am constantly reminded. In order to reflect on this wonderful year I've decided to make a top ten list. This list compiles not only the best moments of the year, but rather the defining moments. <br />
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Playing the trombone, going to the opera for the first time, Hamlet (Jenn and I had a pet hamster), being nominated for a Grammy, a new car, and running MTSO all were important but missed the cut...sorry.<br />
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10. <strong>Going to my first NFL Game.</strong> And in turn, winning my Fantasy League. I mean, I know these things aren't related but I had to take the opportunity to brag. In all seriousness, the Colts losing while I was living in Indiana was awesome. I had the chance to see two games at Lucas Oil and though I have nothing to compare it to, I think it has to be the coolest NFL stadium. Plus, it is the host of the Super Bowl this year...so that's pretty cool. <br />
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9. <strong>Traveling. </strong>I traveled more this year than any other (or at least it sure feels that way). Chicago, Saratoga, West Laf, Atlanta and Indy were all a first but I had the pleasure of traveling back to New Hampshire, the shore, Ithaca, NYC, PA, and everywhere in between. Man, flying is so cool....even if I complained about Newark Airport every time I was there. <br />
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8. <strong>Visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.</strong> Yup, this pretty much confirmed my desire to be a rockstar. Standing next to Michael Jacksons Thriller jacket OUTSIDE of glass was just a little overwhelming and I may have had difficulty breathing. All I know is that I'm holding tight to my first guitar before one of you suckers sells it for millions once I'm famous.<br />
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<strong>7. Road trippin' across the country with my sister.</strong> Anyone who has experienced us on a daily basis knows this seems dangerous, however, the magic of a road trip took over and it was AWESOME. "Buckle up, next thousand miles!"<br />
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6. <strong>Having my parents visit me at my apartment. </strong>Sure, they came to visit when I lived in Montclair but it's way different when they fly to visit you. If you ever want to feel like a grown up...get yourself a studio apartment 13 hours away and ask your parents to visit. (Mom, thanks for cooking that Buffalo Chicken Dip and Dad, for making me try that new restaurant I was too nervous to try)<br />
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<strong>5. My Senior Recital. </strong>Hands down the best night of my year. And most likely my life. So lucky to have such wonderful friends... And so it goes....<br />
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<strong>4. Ringing in the new year in Times Square</strong>. This has been a dream of mine since I was....well old enough to go to the city alone. I was so blessed to be in the greatest city in the world, at the biggest celebration with wonderful people in BEAUTIFUL Dec/Jan weather. It was so incredible and something that everyone should do once in their life....it isn't as crowded as you would imagine and you don't have to wear a diaper. <br />
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<strong>3. Fake Graduating/ friends actually graduating. </strong>May was definitely a great month for me. Being part of so much celebrating (cinco de mayo included...the neighborhood children are STILL scarred from our kickball game) and so much accomplishment. Watching my best friend graduate from Lehigh in the most beautiful setting, fake dressing up for formal with my Ithaca babies, my successful last night at Alexus with my #trepz and other loves. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by so many smart, pretty people. Thanks for making me look great, guys.<br />
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<strong>2. Movin to Indianapolis.</strong> Packing my bags and moving to a new city? Yeah, that takes the cake as a defining moment of my year...oh and also a defining moment of my life. What a great experience. (more on that in my last post...ya know, the one where I cried in a Walgreens).<br />
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<strong>1. Finishing my degree.</strong> It's been a long 4 (plus 6 months) years and I'm finally done. Sure I don't have my board certification yet, and I can't wear a cap and gown until May but I am a degree recipient and that is something I'm certainly proud of. Take that college, I kicked your butt. <br />
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Ahhh, I am so thankful for this year and all of the NEW people in it as well as the oldies but goodies. Sure there were probably an equal amount of things I'd like to forget but hey, I'm gonna go right ahead and forget them and so should you. Let's count our blessings and get ready for a new start.<br />
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sk xxsamanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-91778241866498709472011-12-09T14:20:00.000-08:002011-12-09T14:20:58.513-08:00i just cried in a walgreens. lesson number 8.Yes, I cried in Walgreens. And no, I'm not ashamed. <br />
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I know it's been a while, a long while in fact, but the truth is I've just been learning too many lessons to keep up. In the past four weeks I've flown to Atlanta, reunited with KATE and the rest of the MSU professors, sat behind Ben Folds at our National Conference, learned so much and was so inspired to keep doing this wonderful job from INCREDIBLE music therapists, flew back to Indy, celebrated Thanksgiving in West Laf with an Ashley Farms turkey, turned 23 in Chicago with wonderful wonderful people, saw Buddy Guy perform LIVE and so close to my face, went back to Indy, worked my butt off on a final presentation (a job proposal for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital), had amazing patients to work with, celebrated the end of my internship and got to meet baby Emerson (SO SWEET), celebrated again, and again, and again....packed and packed and packed, and now here I am in the business center of my apartment because I have no more internet since I'm leaving for NJ in 12 hours.<br />
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So why did I cry in a Walgreens? <br />
<br />
Well you see, July 4th took a toll on my camera if you all remember. It went in the river when we went canoeing, worked for a few days, before finally giving up. So I've been camera-less and for anyone who knows me, you know how I love my photog skills. I've been using a lovely 35 mm camera throughout my journey and today something was not right. The film wouldn't advance or rewind. So I opened it up (very scared) to find that it had disconnected from the container. I took it to Walgreens and they determined that the film had broken in half and possibly only 12 pictures could be developed.<br />
<br />
Well, zero were.<br />
<br />
And so I cried.<br />
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You see, I've had a lovely little life here in Indianapolis and those pictures are what I have to remember it by. Or so I thought. I realized after I cried...in a Walgreens...that it isn't about the pictures. Yes, there were pictures of a thanksgiving turkey, and of the beautiful Christmas decorations downtown, and of my birthday breakfast made by the lovely Nina and of beautiful baby Emerson and of me at my desk on my last day in the office (oh no, about to cry again)....but those are all things that are saved on my heart as well. They are moment in time that will be a part of me forever, even if they don't exist on a piece of paper and I can't remember the exact details like what I was wearing (although, maybe it'll be a good thing when I'm so unfashionable years from now).<br />
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The biggest things that I want to remember are things I didn't have pictures of at all. It is moments like sitting in the office sharing cafe au lait with my supervisors and trying not to cry thinking about leaving this wonderful home. (Yup, crying) It's moments in a session where an incredible patient of mine wouldn't let go of a hug on my last day. It's sitting around a table on my birthday with new friends and old friends on Skype and feeling just so incredibly loved. My heart is heavy to think about leaving it all tomorrow, but I'm SO lucky to have lived this life.<br />
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I am so honored to have been a part of the team at Riley, a staff of 25ish? incredible women with huge hearts and so much to offer. A year ago (almost exactly to the day) I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I accepted the internship, but I had a feeling it would be something great. That feeling was beyond accurate. Not only have I grown as a music therapist but as a person, in so many ways and I'm just so thankful to have had this opportunity. <br />
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So what is the overall lesson that I learned here in Indiana?<br />
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<strong>trust yourself.... </strong><br />
<em>the payoff is huge. find a supportive team, they are around you in the least expected places. take risks. say what you need to say when you need to say it. give everything you can, in whatever way you can, and the return will be the best reward of all. </em><br />
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So here I am....1,067 hours later. About to spend my last night in this incredible city. <br />
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You've been a really hoot, Indiana. I'm not quite sure I'm done with the midwest yet.....I think you'll see me again.samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-87198121661178763132011-09-18T09:25:00.000-07:002011-09-18T12:26:35.498-07:00five lumberjacks walk upto a bar.......and after having their ID's checked by a bouncer who complains that the Banana Suit is over done, are instantly greeted by Ron Burgundy who tells them he "misses babe too". Moments after, a scantily clad Dorothy and her creepy Flying Monkey request a picture. By the time these lumberjacks get their first screwdriver, they've found Waldo. "Britney Spears" is also there...only looking more like a 6' 5" hairy man than the real deal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a.yfrog.com/img44/6825/4pwy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a.yfrog.com/img44/6825/4pwy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Did I mention that it's still dark out? And oh yeah, it's 7 am?<br />
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This is breakfast club. A long standing Purdue University tradition and something I got to experience for the first time this weekend.<br />
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After standing around, in awe of the sight around me, us lumberjacks finally found a table. From our perch we could see a game of words with friends, a couple Cactus mugs (a Purdue bar, famous for it's piano man and neon colored mugs), and Napoleon Dynamite. Smokey the bear, a friend to the lumberjacks, was in attendance along with Mario and Luigi, Captain and Coke, and the Mystery Machine complete with all the characters.<br />
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The scene inside Jakes, a local bar, is energizing. Every home game at Purdue, students wake up early (or just never go to bed) to get ready in their well thought out and intricate costumes, wait on line, and enter the bars at 7am. The windows of the bars are covered to block out the daylight as the sun rises....inside you have no idea what time it is or how long you have been there. You can hear the bartender come over the loudspeaker and say "LOOK OUT FOR FREE DONUTS" to which everyone cheers and continues on singing Piano Man or whatever hit happens to be blaring. No one seems to notice that it's 7:30, or at least no one cares.<br />
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It's like Halloween every Saturday, mixed with a ton of school spirit and a lot more "orange juice"...<br />
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Just in case you were wondering....the lumberjacks (complete with plastic ax's) were a hit, getting our picture posted on the B1G mobile twitter and getting our picture taken for the local paper. <br />
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Now I know what you're all thinking. Since you are all dedicated readers of the blog, you know that the purpose is to share all of the lessons I've learned while living in the midwest. So while my story about perpetual drunken halloween-esque escapes might be riviting, where are the lessons? Well, good thing you asked, because here they are...<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>1. Suspenders should be utilized whenever possible.</b><br />
<b> </b>I'm tellin ya, they really work. They held my pants up the whole day. Not once did I have to worry about my pants movin around and my bum hanging out. Thanks, suspenders.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>2. Puns are HILARIOUS</b><br />
<b> </b>When dressed in a ridiculous costume, try and find as many witty puns to say as possible. This will make you more intriguing/funny/in character. For instance, as a lumberjack I enjoyed using "It was an ax-ident", "ax-ually", "you have a funny ax-cent" and "can i ax you something?" throughout the morning and into the afternoon hours before my nap. People thought it was hilarious, I thought it was hilarious, we all laughed. <br />
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<b>3. Don't encourage someone dressed as Frogger to hop across the road into oncoming traffic because it's "what frogger would do".</b><br />
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Since my real camera bit the bullet earlier this summer, I will be waiting on Ms. Bunder's documentation of all things Breakfast Club, but promise to include photos in this blog.<br />
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Until next time....samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-83381554832079586892011-08-28T12:24:00.000-07:002011-08-28T12:24:54.258-07:00lesson 5? 6? always wear pajamas to bed.I'm officially a sleepwalker.<br />
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This lesson was NOT learned the hard way, thank god. But the lesson remains, wear your pajamas to bed.<br />
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I started sleepwalking a few years ago. It's nothing consistent, in fact its very sporadic, however it does occur. Other than walking to my kitchen or waking up washing my hands in the bathroom, there have been two incidents in which I have found myself in compromising situations. The first was in New Orleans when I hopped out of bed and walked to the elevator in my underwear and tshirt informing Emily that we were going to miss the continental breakfast. The second is when I was convinced the bathroom was outside of my friend Carli's studio apartment and woke up trying to unlatch the locks. <br />
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Until last night.<br />
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When I was moving into my studio apartment I halfjoked about how I would probably sleepwalk out, because I have found in my self case study that I only try and leave where I am if there isn't a door on the bedroom. If there is a door on my bedroom I'm satisfied just walking to another area of the house. Well I was right because last night I got out of my studio apartment. I woke up in the elevator, standing there, with no buttons pressed. Thank Jesus I had put pajamas on (let's be real, I live alone and usually don't bother). However, I was barefoot and obviously hadn't thought to grab my keys. So there I am a with nothing but myself, barefoot. Waking up while sleepwalking is one of the most disorienting things ever. I actually thought that I was at work when I woke up because of the elevator. Weird. <br />
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Anyway, thank god my building has a 24 hour front desk. I get there to get my keys and no one is there but they left a number. Welp, seeing that I don't have a phone, I'm completely unable to get in touch with him. So I use the computer and go on facebook to see if anyone is awake (it's like 5:30am). Good thing the East Coast had a hurricane so no one has power. After trying to message anyone online (sorry guys, desperate times) finally the guy comes back and lets me into my apartment. Horrifying 30 minutes of my life. But at least I wasn't naked.<br />
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The experience inspired me to do some research on sleepwalking because, well, I'm apparently a danger to myself. Here's the possible reasons I sleepwalk: <br />
Fatigue, lack of sleep, anxiety, alcohol, sedatives, other medication, medical conditions such as partial complex seizures, mental disorders, organic brain syndrome, or REM behavior disorder.<br />
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Pretty much it just means I can't get too stressed or too tired. I can't drink, have anxiety or conflicts. Well, I guess I'll work on it.<br />
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In the meantime, I'm creating an elaborate doorblocker since I can apparently unlock my doors. I'll also be wearing a straitjacket to bed.<br />
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Until next time, wear your PJs. <br />
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samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-79933056507274057012011-08-20T09:55:00.000-07:002011-08-20T10:25:53.364-07:00fried food, bad jokes and uncomparable strengthWell, here I am again.<br />
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I'm lying in my bed recovering from the vast amount of friend food I ate last night and from the 4 hours of sleep I had the night before. The good news is it's only Saturday so the weekend is still in full swing.<br />
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I've continued my study on the people of Indiana and I've found three things I'd like to comment on. This blog will be a little longer than in the past but I think it's all important.<br />
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<b>Hoosiers love Fried Food</b><br />
<b> </b><span style="color: black;">Last night I attended the State Fair. The Indiana State Fair is.....unlike anything I've really ever seen before. The entire length of the fair on "main street" is filled with food vendors. All of which provide their own unique disgustingly unhealthy but incredibly delicious food. Emily and I started the night off with some pineapple freeze from Dole. Figured, we'd get our serving of fruit in for the day. As we continued to walk past the fried corn stands and chicken parfait stands (chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy) I spotted it. There it was, in all it's glory. Sandwhiched in between "Twisted Burger", where you could get a burger served on French Toast, and a french fry cart was <i>Deep Fried Treats</i>. Deep Fried treats was promoting their newest item, fried Kool Aid. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjn685Tq3BVP6CUDq12DQhJX9K07Yp04AyT9srMtk4h1PfY9GwLWVcReh8kq13mO5-XumjNR8akVwMWO5nKeQa-ZKMUVQtKLQB47mY7K33y4iWhOG-E06KFCL1o64JGMFFBhwURhNRSXP/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjn685Tq3BVP6CUDq12DQhJX9K07Yp04AyT9srMtk4h1PfY9GwLWVcReh8kq13mO5-XumjNR8akVwMWO5nKeQa-ZKMUVQtKLQB47mY7K33y4iWhOG-E06KFCL1o64JGMFFBhwURhNRSXP/s320/IMG_0317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: black;">I was deeply saddened when we arrived at the cart only to find they were SOLD OUT of deep fried Kool Aid. Not until later did I realize....it's utterly disgusting how much they must have sold in order to sell out. I settled on Deep Fried Cookie Dough and Emily chowed down on her Deep Fried Snickers. I've never eaten anything better and I never will. I understand the obsession, Hoosiers, and I respect it. The end.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mMo7BFQEeS1uP9-UfWEt0PrgZb7MZThEiHWgoQTO9oHKY-FzwUvE8mzcFghYYHEZT-3Kdi6PLpedQR-6LlHJonL-fMLle2x0Cj4LbprA0_C-iSihJAMSwYQN_3mhz67u40Q0jBHGhN9v/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mMo7BFQEeS1uP9-UfWEt0PrgZb7MZThEiHWgoQTO9oHKY-FzwUvE8mzcFghYYHEZT-3Kdi6PLpedQR-6LlHJonL-fMLle2x0Cj4LbprA0_C-iSihJAMSwYQN_3mhz67u40Q0jBHGhN9v/s320/IMG_0322.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I forgot to mention we also had a corn dog and fresh lemonade at some point. Then we went on the "blizzard", the ride formerly known as the Himalaya, and almost died from wanting to barf/laughing so hard. Also, I won a fish. His name is either Tater or MacBait (in honor of Hamlet the Hamster who passed earlier this year). He isn't responding to either yet and it also living in a wine glass.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">THANKS INDY STATE FAIR!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b>Hoosiers have great jokes....just kidding. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b> </b>In my hours at the fair and in discussing trends among the Hoosier race, I noticed another common thread beyond the love of fried food. There is one joke that is utilized at any moment possible. "Just kidding". On the way to the fair, Emily shared a moment in which she was crushed when a waiter told her they were OUT of chicken fingers and french fries (she's a hoosier). He followed her look of disappointment with a "just kidding!'. As Emily would say "WHO DOES THAT, WHO JOKES ABOUT NOT HAVING CHICKEN FINGERS."....well Hoosiers would.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b> </b>As we pulled into the fair, after waiting in traffic and pulling a highly illegal U-Turn in the middle of a 6 lane road, we were approached by the parking man. Because of the weekends events (more on that next) the fair was free and so was parking! Also, we had seen Maroon 5 (mmm) and Train the night before which meant free admission and parking, also. Pretty much they should've paid me to go to the fair because it was double-free. As the parking man approached the car he said "alright, 2? That'll be 10 dollars each". The Jersey in me gets instantly defensive. <i>How dare they try and make me pay. I'm getting in for DOUBLE FREE. </i>Instead of yelling this I whip out my ticket stub and explain calmly that "I thought with this ticket we get in for free and get free parking." The man just looks at me and says "<b>uhhh I was uh just kidding. everything is free."</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Not funny. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b> </b>Once that was over and my heart rate was back at baseline it was into the fair we go. Our first stop, the pineapple freeze, was actually in a pineapple similar to spongebob's house. A girl walks up next to me and requests the same delicious treat that I have just been served to which the woman dressed in a Hawaiian print shirt states "I'm sorry we're all out"..................."JUST KIDDING OF COURSE YOU CAN HUNNY".</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Why, Hoosiers, why? It's not funny.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Just imagine my disappointment and SHOCK when I'm told that they are out of Fried Kool Aid and it isn't followed by a "just kidding". Torture. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><b>Hoosiers are absolutely incredible and inspiring</b></span><br />
Last weekend I was at the Jersey Shore, getting in touch with my inner east coaster by swimming in an OCEAN and being able to see the shore line. I spent all day Saturday lounging on the beach, starting a 1,000 piece puzzle (that would be COMPLETED by the time I left on Tuesday) and reading my book. Around 10 pm a wonderful Hoosier friend of mine broke the news to me about the state fair. I was heartbroken.<br />
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Over the next 24 hours <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRkdwrmzYXg&has_verified=1">video</a>, photos, and stories from the scene were pouring out into the media. Twitter was covered in #prayersforindy that was trending worldwide after a few hours. It was devestating. But out of all the terror and heartbreak there was an overwhelming theme. The moment after the stage hit the ground, everyone who had been running from the scene turned around and ran towards it to help.<br />
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Groups of people were trying to lift the metal structures, emergency first aid departments were set up almost immediately, and lives were saved. One of the greatest <a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20110818/NEWS15/108180366/Little-girl-hurt-collapse-had-many-angels?odyssey=mod%7Cmostcom">articles </a>I've read was published by the Indianapolis Star and follows a 3 year old from when the stage collapsed to her time at Riley. The RN, Natalie, in the story works on the Peds Rehab unit where I'm currently interning. I had seen her earlier in the morning on Thursday at staff rounds, not knowing what she had done to save this little girl. Her shift was over by the time I read the article but you better believe I'm buying her something to recognize her strength in a time of crisis. The video attached to the article is nothing short of bone chilling but to see and hear the strength of the Hoosiers is absolutely inspiring. <br />
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Train and Maroon 5 were set to perform at the grandstands the following Thursday. Having bought tickets, the last thing on my mind was if that concert would go on at all. But, it did. On Thursday night, Conseco fieldhouse donated their space, everyone working from the janitors to the stagehands donated their time, and Train and Maroon 5 donated 100% of the money they make to the Memorial Fund for those lost in this tragic accident. To be at that concert was a beautiful opportunity and far different from what I had imagined when we bought the tickets over a month ago.<br />
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As the lead singer of Train said "the fact that you are all here really shows that Indianapolis is the greatest city on the planet....people could learn a lot from coming here for just one day."<br />
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So bad jokes and obsession with fried food aside, the Hoosiers are a beautiful people and I'm happy to identify myself as one.<br />
samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-35311010147604087872011-07-26T18:52:00.000-07:002011-07-26T18:54:36.595-07:00A lesson in investmentsI know. It's been a month. I apologize. Work has been incredible and in the month of July I have only been in Indiana for 1 weekend (most of which I spent napping). I promise I've continued to learn lessons and I will blog about them all. The most recent lesson I've learned is about investing. <br />
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One week a year I escape to Sandy Island in New Hampshire. Every year has been "our last year at camp" and somehow I find myself back on the porch of my cabin every third week of July. This year was no different. I had said my goodbyes last summer knowing that I'd be interning this summer and accepted that I wouldn't be in attendance. Until about May. Then I decided I just had to go back. So I made the arrangements with work and was able to make it to the island on Thursday of the week. It hit me the first night that there were reasons I was drawn to Sandy Island that stem beyond the beautiful lake and the bugs that share the shower. It is part of who I am.<br />
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Sure, it isn't tough to love a camp that has 3 meals a day prepared for you and signaled by a bell. It isn't hard to love a place with so much to offer from kayaking to bocce to an absurd water carnival. It isn't a challenge to want to be a part of seriously hokey traditions that were started when the camp opened in 1898 in a lodge that was built in 1938. But it's something else that brings me, and many others, back year after year.<br />
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It's the emotional investment, not only that I've put into the island but also that the people have put into me. When I was six that investment was nothing more than having thirty surrogate parents making sure I was okay. But now that I'm 22, it's the investment each of them have made year after year. It's the reason that without second thought someone volunteers a boat to come pick me up. It's the reason I heard more than five times "If there is anything I can do to help in the job search, please call". It's the reason that people I see once a year read my blog to see what I'm up to. And it's the reason that, though I no longer need parenting in the disciplining sense, I could ask anyone on the island for advice and receive more than I bargained for.<br />
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The best part is that it has essentially come for free. Sure at age 5 I had cute looks on my side, but we all saw me between the ages of 11-14 and know that looks were not included as a redeeming quality. But it is without hesitation that the people at camp want to be involved in my life. And I'm so grateful.<br />
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It isn't just the adults, it's also the kids I've grown up with. Sure, now we aren't kids, in fact we are far from it drinking our cocktails at dinner, but our friendship comes as easily as it did on the 4-square court 15 years ago. It's easy. It's fun. It's real friendship. It's why I received text messages and phone calls and pictures and facebook posts for the 4 days I wasn't at camp. And it's why I was up until 3 am my first night on the beach, solving the problems of the world and hearing about what has happened in the year past. <br />
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In the same line of thought, I've learned that your investment in relationships is the best investment you can make. And that doesn't stop with strangers or friends. I had the chance to spend a lot of time with family while I was home, though they "love you unconditionally", it doesn't hurt even a little bit to invest in your family relationships. Whether it was my parents, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins, my cousins kids, I realized that I could be better at thanking them for their investment in me. So pick up a pen and paper, the phone, or your email and send your family a letter. Whether it's a postcard to say hello, or a long detailed description of your day to your great-aunt, it will be appreciated and you'll feel better about doing it.<br />
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I forget which lesson number I'm on, but this is it:<b> make one investment that doesn't cost you anything. it'll pay you back more than you realize.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcYLItSW7RYia3bFfXIV9mgx4FbRNOnERIW5amtl95v1AMsBdOd1mPdAtJO0f0yZZ_9erRPN0v_z48jbhTz7hp6Eb7VX7zdvFR5O4yeFxvjCs11xcvrSVB1AE0LVS5jLP434PUHOBI4xS/s1600/sandylove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcYLItSW7RYia3bFfXIV9mgx4FbRNOnERIW5amtl95v1AMsBdOd1mPdAtJO0f0yZZ_9erRPN0v_z48jbhTz7hp6Eb7VX7zdvFR5O4yeFxvjCs11xcvrSVB1AE0LVS5jLP434PUHOBI4xS/s1600/sandylove.jpg" /></a></div>samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-7647130617270051102011-06-26T15:31:00.000-07:002011-06-26T15:56:56.816-07:00Lesson Number 4So here I am! Have you missed me?<br /><br />Once you read today's blog entry you'll realize why last weekend was just way too taxing for me to put together my thoughts for you to read. However, this weekend has been full of ... a lot of nothing, leaving me plenty of time to share yet another lesson I've learned, landlocked in Indiana.<br /><br />I know I've been talking about my lesson in obesity, but the fact is everyday I find something else about the fat people here that is shocking. So I'm giving it another week to keep track of all of the factors that go into being a fat person in the mid-west. I kid you not, I heard a 2 year old say McDonalds at Target the other day. She said it 5 times, I was NOT hearing things.<br /><br /><br />So instead of my lesson in how to avoid entering the 30% of people in Indiana that are overweight (stats as of 2009, congrats NJ...only 22% of us are tipping the scales) I will share with you a lesson I learned last weekend.<br /><br /><br />After another exhausting week of interning (it's kick ass by the way...I am LOVING every bit of it!) I was feeling a little down. I was missing friends, pouting over the fact that <a href="http://clinkyqueues.blogspot.com/">2 of my best friends are backpacking through Europe</a> and 1 is on the sunny beaches in Jamaica offering Music therapy services to small villages, and overall just being a Debbie Downer.<br /><br />I read through a great book, called "Walking Backwards in High Heels", which I highly recommend to any ladies out there looking for a new perspective on things, and then got the urge. About a 5 minute walk from my house is a place called yogulatte. It is incredible. The frozen yogurt is the best I've ever tasted and they make the most delicious oatmeal and shakes with fresh fruits! (They also sell gift cards, if anyone wants to send them my way!) So, yes around 10:00pm, the urge hits and I try and stop it. But while I've moped around all day, I tell myself that if I eat the frozen yogurt I need to perk up. I then convinced myself that I had to make sure everything was clean before I left. Well, that lasted all of five minutes but I had at least compromised and tied up the garbage to take out.<br /><br /><br />This is where the trouble starts.<br /><br /><br />I live in a 15 or so story building, which is actually one of the tallest buildings in Indianapolis and I can spot it from work!! On each floor, by the elevator, is a "rubbish room". I am quite fond of the name. There is a "rubbish shoot" in which you can place tied up garbage bags that "shoots" somewhere or another into the depths of the building or leave boxes and such in the closet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lesson Number 4, don't hold your keys in the same hand as your garbage. </span><br /><br />Yup. There went the keys right down the "rubbish shoot". I stopped for a moment in disbelief. Could this have REALLY happened? No. It couldn't have. There must have been something in my trash that just sounded like keys...right? Wrong. I checked my purse and lo and behold no keys.<br /><br />So now what. Thoroughly embarrassed, I arrived at the front desk knowing full well they would give me a spare set of keys to my apartment. But I could feel my face heating up as I started to say the next question "So, uh, do you know where the rubbish shoot leads to?" Only a blank stare met me in return. Then after what felt like an eternity "Um, no, I just started here last week."<br /><br />Great.<br /><br /><br />Let me also share another background detail.....my only spare car key is in Succasunna, NJ. And for the record, that trick where you can unlock a car door through a cell phone, does NOT work halfway across the country.<br /><br /><br /><br />The way the story ends is that I actually follow my nose into a creepy stairway in the basement of my building with a friend of mine and convince the doorman to give us a key to let us in to said unmarked smelly door. Then my friend proceeded to search all of the garbage from my building until...yes...we found the keys. Dirty, next to a chicken bone, and greasy as all get out. However, if you ever need to wash your keys, know that the clicker will still work even after you wash them, clorox wipe them down, wash them again and anti bacterial them.<br /><br /><br /><br />Remember this friends. Put your keys somewhere else before you throw away the garbage.<br /><br />P.S. I never got the frozen yogurt. So I treated myself on Friday after another successful week of interning and a 10 hour shift :)samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-70288942962191580172011-06-11T06:50:00.000-07:002011-06-11T08:26:17.910-07:00Week One in the Real WorldWell, thank GOODNESS for the weekend. I've never had a normal weekly schedule. My classes were always at odd times, the weekends usually meant some random rehearsal or work, and Friday was just like any other day. But man oh man, after this week I truly understand the meaning of TGIF.<br /><br />Other than adjusting to the schedule, I am in love with my internship. It's been 5 days and I want to work there for the rest of my life. I want to be at work right now. I can't stop thinking about the kids and what we'll do next. But, instead of turning this into a Music Therapy blog, I'll try and remain on task with what I've learned out here in the mid-west.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lesson number 3</span> comes as less of a lesson and more of a pleasant surprise. As I was rushing around last week trying to get things together before I started being an adult (with a pager...I have a pager at work), I had two encounters. Some might say this is chance, others might say it's my good looks and charm, I however blame it on the mid-west. In both of these encounters, I ended up with a free item. Now, I'm not talking about "encounters" as I'm walking down the street and my free item is a pamphlet saying <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Sorry we messed up, but the world IS ending soon....Don't stone us, even though that's what the bible says to do to false prophets"</span>. Although this did happen, and I obviously didn't stone them...mainly because stoning in this day and age serves little to no purpose. I'm talking about incidents in which I walked away with items of significant value.<br /><br />Fist encounter. While driving to orientation, I spotted a Starbucks. Not only was it a Starbucks, but a Drive-Through Starbucks. You can read more on this later in the week in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lesson number 4, obesity epidemic.</span> I had to stop. It might just be me but I've never come across a drive-through Starbucks before. Seeing that it has been 98 degrees here and I felt like I needed to walk into orientation with an iced coffee to help solidify the image of the girl from New Jersey, I decided to test my drive through skills. I also stopped because I have no idea how long it takes me to get anywhere in this city and I would have been about a half hour early. For the record, ordering a venti hazelnut iced with skim and two splenda doesn't sound any less pretentious over a drive through window. As I pulled around to the window to pick up my order, I was thrilled. An iced coffee before a 4 hour orientation? Yes please! Then the minutes began to pass. Two minutes turned into five minutes, then seven minutes and before I knew it I began to sweat. HOW COULD THIS BE? Just moments ago I was going to be a half hour early and now I'll probably be sprinting to the auditorium. I didn't even know where the auditorium was! Was I even wearing appropriate attire? I think it was then that I began to feverishly check my phone for alternate routes to the hospital. I looked behind me to see several cars lined up. Then I started to get mad...IT'S JUST AN ICED COFFEE, IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT HARD TO MAKE! The people behind me would now think I ordered 14 specialty drinks just to piss them off. "Great, look at that car from <span style="font-weight: bold;">new jerrrseyy </span>holding everything up...doesn't she know I'm a neurosurgeron and I NEED to get to the hospital!?" The shame, the embarrassment, and it wasn't even my fault. What were you doing in there starbucks baristas?!<br /><br />Then it happened, the windows opened and she said "Um, my computer isn't working...have a good day" and handed me an iced coffee.<br /><br />Confused, I grabbed the coffee, looked at my hand holding three singles and said "But I didn't..." and she said "Have a nice day" before very politely closing the window in my face.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">One free iced coffee for Sam.<br /><br /></span>The next encounter occurred just a few days later as I rushed to meet deadlines for my online class. I thought I could use the fax machine in my building to fax all of my assignments to the instructor, but as it turns out it only makes local faxes. So I found a FedEx that did faxing and rushed to get there before it closed. As I ran inside (with 10 minutes to spare) to the copier, I read that each long distance fax would cost me 3 dollars. This just wouldn't do. I had at least 10 pages to fax. So I asked the guy behind the counter if there was a way to use the scanner. After giving me the run around, telling me it would cost 99 cents to scan each page then 90 cents a minute on the computer, I felt defeated. The thought *I can just take the class next summer* popped into my head. That's when I knew things were bad. As I started to weigh the options, failing the class VS a 30 dollar charge at FedEx that would most likely wipe out my debit card, he spoke. "Hold on, I think I have an idea". He pulled out a flash drive and said "I'll just scan them on this scanner back here on to the flashdrive..then you'll just have to pay for the time it takes you to email it out." Genius. Genius and thrifty. This was going to work out quite well. Finally all the documents were scanned and I entered my credit card into the computer. I raced to gmail like never before and sent off those assignments into cyberspace. For all I know I had emailed them to my grandmother. I didn't care, I just wanted to get off the computer ASAP. As I got up to leave, I walked up to the counter where my new found best friend was helping another kind mid-westerner who was stressed about getting her presentation laminated before she presented it at the conference being held at the hotel. I said "Thanks so much, here's your flash drive." To which he responded "Oh keep it, someone left it here a few weeks ago and there is nothing on it so we can't give it back to them...it's yours".<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A free flash drive. Thanks, Indiana.</span><br /><br />Now you might question his intentions in giving me the free flash drive. However, what I left out was that we bonded over color guard. He used to be a music student and is now teaching color guard at a local high school. He was most definitely a friend of Dorothy<span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lesson Number 3: Free means free in Indiana</span><br /><br />Speaking of friends of Dorothy, today is Pride Parade and from my window I can hear the marching bands. I'm about to head over to Mass Ave and share some support. My week has been awfully busy but there is so much that I want to share. Hopefully I'll find time to manage the cR@zI333 social life I have here, work, and blogging. Stay tuned for Lesson 4: Obesity Epidem<span style="font-style: italic;">ic.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span>samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-31316461320624098262011-06-02T10:35:00.000-07:002011-06-02T11:37:22.112-07:00A Jersey Girl in the Medium Sized CitySo here I am.<br /><br />Sitting in my apartment, on the floor, eating an icepop and staring at 16 & Pregnant. I just got cable/internet and I can feel my productivity reducing rapidly. However, that hasn't been the case since I've arrived. But let's start at the beginning shall we.<br /><br />In November, I accepted a great internship opportunity at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. I hate that it's called an internship when it literally determines the large majority of my undergraduate career. This "internship" comes after countless hours of undergrad work, more hours of applications and interviews, followed by even more stressful hours of waiting. Then for six months we work at our chosen location before sitting for the board exam.<br /><br />Six months. No stipend (at my location at least). Full-time Monday through Friday. Hardly deserves the title of internship to me.<br /><br />But regardless, here I am in Indiana.<br /><br /><br /><br />On Thursday I packed nearly my entire life into my (little) car and drove west. Several pandora stations, our first trip to KFC, and about three hundred miles on route 80 later, we were nearing Cleveland. After stopping for the night at DoubleTree (free cookies!) we got up early for the free breakfast and to check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Talk about inspiration. I've never wanted to be a rock star more than that morning....good thing I'm moving to Indiana? Standing next to the jacket from the Thriller video was a little much for me...but that's a story for another day.<br /><br />Then it was back on the road and even more driving west. By Friday evening we were in Indianapolis. After we moved in furniture, ate pizza, and took a 1 am trip to Meijers (pronounced meyers for all you East Coasters) for pillows it was time for bed.<br /><br />I woke up only to find a Indy 500 parade....standard Saturday in Indianapolis? Not so much. When I say parade, I mean parade. I mean, the little sister of the Thanksgiving Day parade. I've seen a lot of parades in my day (oddly enough) and this was a great one. Mostly because the people are so nice and move out of your way so you can see. But what a cool weekend to explore. After walking downtown, finding some lunch and seeing some celebs in the parade (hellllllo Silver Fox), we checked out the Zoo and the canal area of Indy.<br /><br />Big day, huge day I guess. Another run to Target and some "bloset" (my bathroom/closet) organizing ended the day at 2 am....before Amy's 5:20 am flight.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As I drove home at 5:30 am through a city (that does indeed sleep, unlike NYC) that was new and unfamiliar, I noticed a tinge of excitement run through my blood. Here I am, on my own.<br /><br />So here's where I'll start the point of this whole blog<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> Lessons from Landlocked America<br />(An East Coast girl meets the Mid-West)<br /></div><br /><br />From the point that I left Amy at security on I've been here, learning about the city and myself. I've read a book and a half. I've got a sunburn, I've learned that walking to the mall at 10:30 when its 70 degrees is a good idea but walking home at 12:30 when its 95 is a bad idea. I've donated to Indianapolis' own homeless, I've also learned how to avoid them.<br /><br />But I've learned, above all, that people in this part of the county LOVE to talk. I think I'll fit right in..<br /><br /><br />No matter where I've been, or what interactions I've had....everyone wants to talk...about nothing and everything. About "the race", about my sunburn, about the price of corn, about the temperature, about the holiday, about the parking meters (oh the parking meters). There is nothing too mundane to have a 30 minute conversation about, trust me.<br /><br />The Parking Meters deserves it's own explanation, as I've spoken to three different people about the meters and I've only lived here 6 days. The city of Indianapolis is switching to parking meters that you pay at those boxes instead of putting in coins...just like NYC...just like MSU's campus...just like...well, a LOT of places. But it is causing an UPROAR here in the midwest. People. Are. Mad. (as hell, And they aren't going to take it anymore)<br /><br />The first person I heard talking about this was a rather large woman and her daugher (oh another thing, the obesity epidemic is HERE with a vengeance, more on that later). They were walking to the parade in front of Amy, Emily and I complaining about the change to the new meters.<br /><br />The next time I heard about the meters was at my (new) local grocery store, Marsh. And yes, I did just have to go find my little key ring card to remember the name. The woman at the register asked me if I wanted help carrying my (2) bags to the car. I explained that I had walked 5 minutes from my apartment to which she responded "Well, at least you don't have to park at those stupid metered spots then".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PEOPLE. THEY ARE JUST METERS.<br /></span><br />The last time was this morning when my comedy/cable troupe of dumb and dumber came in to install my internet and cable. The first people I've met that didn't want to talk but seeing that my studio apartment has no where else for me to go, I had to make conversation. I talked about going down to the mall without realizing where this conversation would go. Yup, the meters<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span></span>Note to self, ever need a conversation starter...ask their opinion on the meters.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br />So, lesson number 1, people love to talk.<br />Lesson number 2, the parking meters are a HUGE deal.<br /><br /><br /></span></span>samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-59054505829162276732010-11-25T06:58:00.000-08:002010-11-25T07:02:03.495-08:00ThanksgivingToday I'm Thankful for so many things it would be impossible to list them all. From huge issues like my health to trivial things like Jugs of Wine, I feel lucky and thankful every day of the year. But I'm most thankful for where my life has taken me and the opportunities I've been given. I'm learning more and more about myself as a person and doing what I need for me. It's working, I'm the happiest I've ever been and the good things are coming to me in handfuls. This year is going to be the best one yet.<br /><br />What're you thankful for?samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-81134339455286558372010-11-11T05:57:00.000-08:002010-11-11T06:26:09.800-08:00veterans dayToday is Veterans Day. Both of my grampas are veterans, a lot of my friends parents, and a lot of my friends. I am so humbled to know them and know how selfless they are. They take a lot more than a week of their lives to build a house for someone. They risk everything so I can sit here, on my macbook, and procrastinate studying for my psych exam at 1 pm.<br /><br />Like everyone, I feel eternally grateful to the work they have done and continue to do. It's inspiring and incredibly powerful.<br /><br />But I'd like to talk about where I was four years ago today.<br /><br />I was a Senior at Roxbury High School. It was November, so I was just catching my breath after the fall show and mb season. It was veterans day, and traditionally, our school put on a assembly every other year. They were always good assemblies, with speakers who had fought in various wars, movie clips, ect. I remembered my Sophomore year assembly vividly (mostly because I was sitting in the balcony with the Seniors and thought I. was. AWESOME.) but this year would be different.<br /><br />A week prior to Veterans Day, Lance Cpl. Don Brown was killed in action in Iraq. Don was two years older than me (and was probably sitting in the balcony two years prior at the assembly). He played football, went to church youth groups, ran track and was generally a nice guy. I had met him a few times, but never enough that he would have remembered my name (or at least I don't think he would have). I had been startled by the news of his death, as most of us were, but it didn't hit home until the veterans day assembly.<br /><br />The spring prior, our Jazz Choir had sang New York Voices arrangement of I'll Be Seeing You. An emotional song from WWII, that always made me think of my grandparents. The day before the assembly, four of us were asked to sing the National Anthem. We agreed, practiced a little, and were ready to go. The morning of the assembly, we were then asked to sing I'll Be Seeing You. Since the majority of the group had graduated in June, it would only be 6 of us singing. I was petrified. I'd be on stage in front of the entire school singing a song with intricate minor harmonies and I hadn't sang it in 6 months. AAHHH! What were they thinking? They wanted <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">me</span> to be an integral part of this phenomenal and emotional assembly! But I sucked it up, we rehearsed and sat in the front row on the left hand side of the auditorium waiting for our turn.<br /><br />There were clips from movies, letters from the civil war, stories of hope, the list goes on and on. And then the assembly took a turn to honor Don Brown. I will never forget where his parents were sitting, what they were wearing, what I was wearing, what the lighting was like, I won't forget any of it. As Donegan spoke about Don, I started to cry, as the majority of my classmates did. Since we had been a last minute addition we weren't in the program, but suddenly we got the high sign from our directior. It was our turn to go on stage, we would be singing as Dons photograph, in full uniform, would be projected onto the stage. As we walked on stage, I realized that the reason I was singing the song was no longer to serve the music and its integrity but to comfort those who were experiencing a loss larger than I will ever grasp. It was to use music to send the message that it would get better. It was to use the only thing I knew well, music, to say that I was sorry he was gone. It was, essentially, my first endeavor into music therapy. It wasn't about the quarter notes and half steps, it was about a family who was mouring. About a town who had lost a 19 year old boy to a war. It was about what it is to lose everything because you are proud of your country. And about how there were countless people who have, and will, feel the depth of pain of losing someone to war.<br /><br />There is no recording from that day, but I am glad there isn't. I'm sure it wasn't technically phenomenal, but it was the most heartfelt it would ever be. I remember having the veterans sitting behind us on the stage, the flag hung in the back, the picture on the wall, and the sense of connection to something much bigger than myself. I haven't sang the song since then. It's preserved in time on the stage at Roxbury with my friends.<br /><br />I didn't know Don Brown well. I hardly knew him at all, but I will remember the lesson he taught me. He changed my entire life. The way I looked at the world, what I wanted to do, who I wanted to be. I grew up a lot in the 40 seconds it took me to walk on to the stage at that assembly, all because he gave his life so I could.<br /><br /><br />Happy Veterans Day.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN-BJhI1F1I">I'll Be Seeing You</a>samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-83945665834032622552010-08-31T13:31:00.000-07:002010-08-31T13:45:24.866-07:00an attemptI've been going back and forth about whether or not to completely delete this, try and keep up with it, or leave it alone for the past few weeks.<br /><br />I've finally reached my decision. It's time to try again, and perhaps a bit harder.<br /><br />I let myself realize it's not about writing everyday, but writing what means a lot to me and what I'll want to look back on. Because, let's be real, how many of you are reading this?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Let's start here.<br />Two nights ago I was on Bourbon Street in front of statues of great musicians getting my palm read by a woman who dreamed of going to New York. As she read my tarot cards, eerily creepy statements came from her mouth that related direction to who I am, who I want to be and what I'm struggling with. I'm not talking about the generic "You will get married" statements. I'm talking, peoples names, major health concerns, and other specifics that there was no way she could have known.<br /><br />It's been on my mind the past few days and I can't help but kick myself for not asking her more questions. Specifically "BUT WHAT THE HECK DOES IT ALL MEAN?!"<br /><br />In two days I'll start my Senior Year of college. I'll be at Montclair State University, 4 hours away from where I started my first day of college. I'll run a book sale for the MTSO which I am now a president of and I'll know many familiar faces. But I can't help but wonder if leaving Ithaca is the "mistake I made that leads to many doors I would have never seen" that she was talking about.<br /><br />Let's take a look at where the last 3 years of decision have lead me.<br />Senior year of high school I decided to attend Ithaca College.<br />A year at Ithaca left me at a crossroad with a huge pro and con list.<br />I ended up transferring to Montclair State and living at home.<br />Because I was living at home, I decided to sign up for alternative spring break.<br />I got accepted and because I went on ASB, I met the core of friends who love NOLA.<br />Because I met them, I went back my Junior year spring break.<br />Because I went back and worked with St. Bernard Project, I entered a contest.<br />That contest put me back in New Orleans.<br />And I've been back once more on my own.<br /><br />But here's the thing. Was leaving Ithaca the "mistake"? Would I have gone on ASB my sophomore year if I had stayed? Probably not. But now, because of that one trip. I see my future including many things that I would have never included.<br /><br />And that is New Orleans, Americorp State with St. Bernard Project. (Oh yeah, I mean after I finish my Music Therapy Internship in New Orleans).<br /><br /><br /><br />So I'm going to make it happen. As for the rest of the things she said, I'll take it with a grain of salt....samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-82111659245597883612010-05-27T18:13:00.000-07:002010-05-27T18:17:14.841-07:00So I never finished my blog about my original trip to New Orleans. Life just happened way too fast and instead of sitting down to write I got swept away in it. It's okay though. Is there anyone reading?<br /><br /><br />Anyway since that point I've been back to New Orleans, finished my Junior year of college, traveled to PA, Ithaca, babysat a whole bunch, went to the city with one of my dearest friends, had a night out with some lovely girls and have been soaking in as much vitamin D as possible. I'm loving summer and all it has to offer.<br /><br />So here's where I'll be for the next seven days<br />Tomorrow: hangin around, being a bum then out to Bethlehem, PA<br />Saturday: Philly for cheesesteaks (my first one!) and a ghost tour (i might pee my pants in public)<br />Sunday: Back home to see some of my lovely friends!<br />Monday: To the apartment to back then driving to MA<br />Tuesday-Friday: Babysitting my adorable cousin's baby girl Addison<br />Saturday-Sunday: Having a girls weekend with Tommy in Boston<br />Monday- Wedneday: Babysitting for Addison again<br />Thursday: Heading to my grandparents 9832th wedding anniversary or something of the sort.<br /><br /><br />phew!samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-56677074116884816212010-03-30T04:13:00.000-07:002010-03-30T04:16:36.034-07:00a brief interruptionsorry i haven't finished writing about the trip. i promise i will, but my 14 page music history paper is hanging over my head ugh. the draft is supposed to be ready at 8:30 for peer editing. i didn't get on a roll (or even slightly interested in my paper) until around 2 am yesterday orrr i guess today. so really i'm just going to finish it up after class tonight and e-mail it to her later. besides, i need the sleepy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">a haiku about my late night/early morning</span><br /><br />got home at two thirty,<br />kitchen full of tiny ants<br />a&p still open!<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> a haiku about my morning</span><br /><br />dead ants on the ground,<br />paper isn't finished yet<br />going back to bed.<br /></div>samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-66946274078046253362010-03-25T18:06:00.000-07:002010-03-25T19:22:43.621-07:00Has it really been that long?Oh jeeeze. So it seems as though I didn't do that great of a job at keeping up with this page. What is that saying anyway? Boring girls keep journals, interesting girls don't have time? I'd like to think that's exactly what happened. After the first day there, the week flew by. I'll try and write about everything that happened, but I'm sure I will leave things out.<br />So on Monday, we had the morning off and got ready to start our first work day at 2! We headed over to St. Bernard Project for orientation and to find out what our project would be. St. Bernard Project was founded in March 2006 after a couple came down to help and saw that there were so many people need. They moved back to St. Bernards parish in June and the organization has been helping people in community ever since. The build a house in 8-12 weeks depending on volunteer flow and how long it takes to get permits. In the month of March there was such an influx in volunteers that they hoped to get a large amount of houses moving along quicker than usual. When we got to orientation we found out that our group was going to be split into two different houses, which we were kind of bummed about but knew we'd be helping more people! The other group was assigned to a home that needed the electric wired. When they got there, they found that the house, which was almost completed with counters and doors, had to be torn down because it had been built with Chinese Drywall which can cause serious health problems. They ended up doing demolition for the next two days! The home that we got assigned to was just starting to have drywall installed. We worked from 2-8, but there was a group in the morning as well. We got to the house, had a quick orientation on how to do the drywall and then...were on our own. That night we really came together as a team and got two complete ceilings out (with a little bit of help from the other team since we ended up staying after 8). We left feeling pretty great and ready to go for the rest of the week!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is us putting up the final piece around the fireplace in the living room</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVopjjVvmNywsrWeQL1q4Sq7TzFMov0bfk3of0wiXI6neWElCP3OAVfndfioMUN0dAk94BEm6dWNEaZJXqGqDmO1GnP4DKNx-lFPpNJ0JIc9GO-Hmc5LoxNRtzizpQHpd07nHz87cnxai/s1600/24236_1269710380770_1170150061_30786040_768379_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVopjjVvmNywsrWeQL1q4Sq7TzFMov0bfk3of0wiXI6neWElCP3OAVfndfioMUN0dAk94BEm6dWNEaZJXqGqDmO1GnP4DKNx-lFPpNJ0JIc9GO-Hmc5LoxNRtzizpQHpd07nHz87cnxai/s320/24236_1269710380770_1170150061_30786040_768379_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452747692426703810" border="0" /></a><br />The next day we got up and went for a bike ride around the neighborhood! Camp Hope is located in the lower ninth ward so it isn't the best of neighborhoods, but Chuck (the leader of Camp Hope) told us where to go and what streets to stay on. There isn't much to see other than empty lots. We found a lot with a My Size Barbie leg still on the property and another with a kitchen knife. Amongst all of the destruction is new homes. Homes that have flags out front and most importantly a million things displaying their support for the Saints. Having the Saints win the Super Bowl is one of the biggest morale boosters for this city. You can't go anywhere without seeing something about the Saints. It is such an exciting time to be around the locals. We ended our bike ride, and headed back to camp before day two of work. Our work today ended up being in a closet in the garage. The closet will be home to the washer and dryer so we had to cut around all of the outlets and water hook-ups. Emily, Jasna and I rocked it out. We got it so close on the first cut and finished up the closet by the end of the night. It was a great feeling and we were looking forward to day 3. At night we TRIED to go bowling. Something about New Orleans is that they just do whatever they want. So we called to see when they were closing and they said they would be there until at least midnight. Welp, when we arrived at 10:00-10:30 they were closed leaving us with limited options. THEN for whatever reason, they closed the bridge we needed to take to get home. So using one of the iPhones present in the Mardi V (our huge 15 passenger van) we found an alternate route that took us to the interstate. Well, of course, they had arbitrarily JUST closed down. So after taking to a rather rude police man, we ended up driving completely around a few towns and a lake to get back and got home around 1:30. Though we didn't actually do anything, we spent some quality bonding time in the van and called it a night.<br />On Wednesday we got up early to go on a two and a half bus tour. We got to see some Katrina damage as well as some of the most beautiful areas of the town. It was really interesting to hear about the history of New Orleans as well as facts about what happened during the storm. One thing that we found while being there is that most people want to talk to you about their storm stories. I will get to that a little later on. But anyway, the tour took us through places like the lower ninth as well as through the Garden District which is home to some of the biggest and most beautiful mansions I have ever seen. One of the interesting things we found out about Katrina was the use of markings on the homes. Each home was labeled with an X. On the top of the X was the date, on the left was initials of the person or the organization that came to check. The right was if they could access the house, common markings are NE for no entry or 2nd floor only since the water was so high. The bottom was a number. This number was the number of bodies they found in the house. Since the death toll was so high they didn't have time to remove the bodies and simply had to mark. You hope to see a zero, but occasionally see "possibly body", "1 attic", or even "dog". This was incredibly heart breaking to see and as you saw the x's from far away you hoped that as you got closer you would see a zero. Going from seeing that to seeing where the city was flourishing was inspiring, though.<br /><br />On Wednesday we got to the site to see that they had taken out one of our pieces in the closet since we didn't do it with the right drywall. They had replaced part of the panel and left this horrid corner piece for us to do. Jasna and I spent about 3 hours trying to do one piece. Then once we finally got that piece in we worked on another horrid piece. So from 2-8 pm we got two pieces accomplished. That was....frustrating to say the least. But at least I really love Jasna and am glad we got to spend quality time together.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is Jasna and I working on the impossible closet corner piece</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDof9jbkbvkOvFaxwgKdJGbcBxxoGJhBzderDnQ_3-1ecdLrvFs60FuXyjg3BWGhQxen8buy1mQP80jOrGUUu2FjBPIYazQPezNSdJ4zugtmPAnNGwKhHNJURVddU_cjzE-1H9Uikelsl/s1600/23494_407263322159_301155102159_5086302_3189337_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDof9jbkbvkOvFaxwgKdJGbcBxxoGJhBzderDnQ_3-1ecdLrvFs60FuXyjg3BWGhQxen8buy1mQP80jOrGUUu2FjBPIYazQPezNSdJ4zugtmPAnNGwKhHNJURVddU_cjzE-1H9Uikelsl/s320/23494_407263322159_301155102159_5086302_3189337_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452761374961393618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Okay so I know I've only gotten though half the week but I really need to participate on real life. I'll write about the rest of the week tomorrow.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Feeling inspired? I can still take donations (and need them!) until the end of the month <a href="http://www.razoo.com/story/Sam-s-Spring-Break-In-New-Orleans">at this website</a></span><br /></span></div></div>samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-4273285575121466542010-03-14T14:56:00.000-07:002010-03-14T15:08:15.286-07:00Hello From Camp Hope!Greetings lovers!<br />Well here I am. I am currently writing to you from Camp Hope in St. Bernard's parish. I had a successful plane adventure here and arrived around 9 pm on Friday. Where have I been since then? Well I can't even begin to describe the incredible time that I have had so far. On Friday night I got to experience Bourbon street. A friend of ours from ASB last year currently lives in New Orleans and gave us the official tour. So fantastic. After getting home at 4:45, we woke up the next morning and wondered down to meet my friend from high school, Ryann. She also lives and goes to school in New Orleans. She gave us a heads up that the St. Patrick's Day parade would be in her neighborhood so we figured we would check it out. What she failed to mention was that it would be the best parade I would ever experience. Just so so much fun. It went on for hours. I mean, close to 6 hours, and was just full of beads, flowers, garters and vegetables. Yes, vegetables. Full out cabbages getting launched in the hair. Such a crazy time. Emily and I even made it into the parade for a few minutes. We got slobbered on by a bunch of drunken irishmen, but it was a good time regardless.<br /><br />Today we've been running around picking up people from airports and the like and taking some time to look around the area. It really is so astounding that a town that is still experiencing so much suffering is capable of having such an amazing outlook on life. It is truly remarkable and speaks to the personalities of the people who live here. We are in the 9th ward which is currently where Brad Pitts foundation is working to rebuild and rebuild green. We got a chance to see those houses that they built as well as buy some really kick ass homemade candy that the kids were selling on the street. Pretty smart kids seeing that we found we weren't the only group of people who stopped to check out what progress was being made. Camp Hope is our home base and is in an old school that has been transformed for volunteers. I'm currently in the computer lab that they have for us to get in contact with the world. It is a packed house this week and the AmeriCorps volunteers are actually staying outside in tents.<br /><br />What we know for sure is that our work time will be from 2-8. We have about 18 people on our team and we will all be at the same project. So tomorrow at 2 we will venture over to the St. Bernards Foundation and see what our actual project will be!<br /><br />Thanks again to everyone who donated! If you haven't and you're feeling inspired, the site is a few posts down and there is still plenty of time!samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-34198811217491968432010-03-12T07:34:00.000-08:002010-03-12T07:40:41.132-08:00what a lovely day to travelGood morning!<br /><br />It's 10:30 and I am sitting on my bed, unable to walk in my room because of the assorted crapola that is on the ground. My suitcase however, remains completely empty. There is a lot to think about and a lot to remember. I know I will end up forgetting something silly, but hopefully nothing super important! Packing for ASB is tricky because you never know what you will need.<br /><br />We found out that our work day will be from 2-8. It will be different from working the usual 8-5, but I think we will have some great opportunity to see some more exciting things during the week. I am not sure what our project is yet, but I will keep you posted.<br /><br />Speaking of keeping you posted, I hope I will be able to update this as much as possible. I'm not bringing my laptop just because I love it way too dearly and am afraid of something happening to it. However, my friend Ryan will have his and if I don't update, I'm sure one of my friends will volunteer to let you know how it is going and that we are alive and well.<br /><br />When I get back I will of course update with lots of pictures and videos so you can see all the parts of my adventure!<br /><br />For now, it's finishing packing then my last class from 12-1 and then heading to the airport!<br /><br /><br />OH! And here is something exciting. Long story short, my friend Regina and I found out we are on the same connecting flight to Memphis. NOT ONLY THAT but we were assigned seats in the same row. Very small world but I am glad to have a travel buddy for the first half of my trip.<br /><br />Okay, off to put shampoo into regulation sized bottles and try and fit everything into my bag.<br /><br />xosamsamanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-1895267547192525082010-03-08T11:51:00.001-08:002010-03-08T12:22:40.721-08:00The Countdown Begins!It is finally spring! The sun is out and the birds are chirping. I'm wearing short sleeves and it is just such a lovely way to start a Monday! In just five short days I will be leaving for New Orleans. I just have 13 classes, 2 midterms, 1 paper and a million errands standing between myself and the break. Yuck.<br /><br />In honor of this beautiful day, I was thinking how great a really cold smoothie-esque drink would be. And I found one that I think would be perfect for this unofficial first day of spring!<br /><br /><b>Ingredients</b><table style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" border="0" cellspacing="3"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td align="right" width="50"><b>1/2</b></td> <td> banana, sliced</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right" width="50"><b>6</b></td> <td>oz skim milk</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right" width="50"><b>1</b></td> <td>tsp vanilla extract</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right" width="50"><b>1</b></td> <td>tsp cinnamon</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right" width="50"><b>1/3</b></td> <td>cup ice, crushed</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <b>Directions</b><ol><li>Chop half a banana into slices, place in plastic baggy and freeze overnight. (Do the same with the other half and save for future shake. Trust me, there will be a future shake.)<br /><br /></li><li>Gather ingredients.<br /><br /></li><li>Place half banana (now chopped and frozen) into blender. Add 1/3 cup ice, 6 ounces of skim milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.<br /><br /></li><li>Pour mix into tall glass. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon on shake.<br /></li></ol><br /><br />enjoy!<br /><br />xxosamsamanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-89408430860792982962010-03-06T10:10:00.000-08:002010-03-07T08:42:12.578-08:00Spring Break AdventureSo, speaking of adventures, I figured I should start with the trip that is rapidly approaching.<br /><br />This time last year, I got on a plane in Newark, NJ by myself to fly to Mississippi. I didn't know who would meet me there, or who I would meet. I didn't know what the week ahead would hold but I took a risk, and I am so glad that I did. After a missed connecting flight in Texas and being stuck in the airport for over 10 hours, I eventually made it to the start of a week that changed the way I looked at the world. When it came time for spring break this year, I knew there was no other option than to give my time to someone in need.<br /><br />This year, in just one week I will be in New Orleans, LA. I am seriously looking forward to this trip. Not just because I <span style="font-style: italic;">need</span> a break from school, but also because of the incredible people and the incredible things I will be doing. On Friday after class I am boarding my flight and heading to meet Emily and Ryan in New Orleans, hopefully without the 10 hour delay. Emily goes to Purdue University and Ryan is ..employed. We met last year on our Alternative Spring Break trip to Biloxi, Mississippi.<br /><br />Our alternative spring break trip will help the community of St. Bernards Parish, this spring. So we decided to head down early to check out all of the amazing things N'awlins has to offer, including the amazing culture, food and FUN! I am looking forward to experiencing their St. Patrick's Day parade as well as checking out the historical mansions in the Garden District. I can't wait to have some delicious crawfish as well as checking out the cafe's. Just everything about the area is so rich and full of life and I cannot wait to be a part of it.<br /><br />In looking for great places to check out and things not to miss I happened to come along <a href="http://www.earthcam.com/usa/louisiana/neworleans/bourbonstreet/">this </a>site. If you get a moment on Saturday next week check it out, I'm sure Emily, Ryan and I will try and hunt it down.<br /><br /><br />Though I am looking forward to having a day or two of vacation and fun, what I really am looking forward to is reuniting with even more friends from last spring to do what we all really love; Volunteering our spring break and giving back. AJ and Emily (another one!) are other members from last years "team" that will meeting us when we get to Camp Hope for our week. The people of St. Bernards Parish are still really struggling after close to 5 years after Katrina destroyed their lives. I am excited to be in the heart of where the damage was and am looking forward to meeting new people and hearing their stories. The impact that the family and the neighbors of that family had on me last year is indescribable and it makes it that much more important for me to give back to the people who have nothing. Being in an area where there is just pure destruction really makes me appreciate this couch that I am sitting on, as well as the four walls in this living room, and even more so the apartment building I am lucky to come home to every night. I strongly encourage anyone in college to look into volunteer work, not only over spring break, but in your college community as well... It is so easy to take things for granted on a day to day basis and giving back is such a great way to get your perspective back on track.<br /><br />So those are my plans. I plan on using this as a way to keep you all connected to my trip so you can see what I am up to.<br /><br />If you'd like to help out on my trip to New Orleans, the work part, not the fun part, you can donate through my fundraising page <a href="http://www.razoo.com/story/Sam-s-Spring-Break-In-New-Orleans">here</a>.<br /><br />xoxsamsamanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697404202803684690.post-43442898125755510472010-03-01T09:43:00.001-08:002010-03-01T15:19:09.883-08:00The BeginningHi everyone!<br /><br />It's March 1. The beginning of a new month, and hopefully for myself, the start of my blog that I hope to keep up with over time. I hope it will keep me trying new things and sharing them with you.....good causes, fun activities, delicious recipes, and wonderful experiences.<br /><br />xosamsamanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119940011042064933noreply@blogger.com0