Service Project: I know that if I’m not there, there are very few people who bring simple little fun into the children’s days.

12-9-15

The quote “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” by Mahatma Gandhi seems to be playing a huge role in my life over the past few years.

  When I was in middle school and high school I always I had this idea that I would become a nurse. That may have stemmed off the fact that my mother works in the medical field but it was just what I always thought I would be when I grew up. I also grew up in a big family, and my parents had several family friends so there were always children in and out of my home constantly. So it may have been forced but I’ve always chosen a loud room full of children over a quiet room. I just never saw myself becoming a teacher. My senior year of high school I started working for an after school program at the elementary school I attended when I was younger. My first day of work I was placed with kindergarten, and in the mist of all the chaos that the first day of school brings my boss came up to me and handed me a little boys hand and said “he belongs with you, but be careful he runs”. Turns out the little boy has autism and from that moment forward it became my task to watch his every move for the rest of the school year. So through all the melt downs and constantly running across campus to catch him I had realized I formed a bond with this little boy I never saw coming. I was the only one he would listen to and by the end of the year with both knew each other well enough that neither one of us would test each other’s limits. 

After taking care of this little boy for a year I realized this was something I wanted to continue to do. Over the past couple of years I have met many more children with different disabilities that have all found themselves a special place in my heart. I’m currently preparing myself to get into the Exceptional Student Education program at FSU so I can someday teach students with disabilities. So just like Mahatma Gandhi said, by giving my service to others I slowly began to learn more about myself and what I was interested in.

            The great act of service I chose to write about is the work I began doing at the HOPE Community Center this semester. It started as a requirement in my introduction to education course I was enrolled in this semester. We were required to do at least twelve service hours working with students from our desired grade levels. There were many different options I could have choose, such as providing extra help in a teachers classroom, working with students at a tutoring center, or even helping out at an afterschool program. But because I work at an after school program I wanted to choose something I don’t already do every day. I choose to work with the children residing at the HOPE Community Center. The HOPE Center is a place for women and families to live while they are trying to get back on their feet and into a stable home. During the time I spend at the HOPE center I either help the children with their homework or provide the children with activities to do during their free time. I mainly visit on Sundays so I mostly spend my time helping with lunch and playing with the children. Since the families residing in the HOPE facilities are very low income the children don’t have many resources for school work or entertainment. When I visit, depending on the day, I bring coloring books, various crafts and sports equipment to create activities to keep the kids busy during some of their free time. When I first started volunteering at the HOPE center it was hard because the children would constantly fight and it was hard to get them to listen to anything they were told. After a while they began to get used to me and they knew if they didn’t follow my directions they would have to go back inside. Even though I got my twelve hours shortly after I started volunteering at the HOPE center I still continue to go. I enjoy the time I spend with the children there and I know that if I’m not there, there are very few people who bring simple little fun into the children’s days.

            The point of the assignment for both this history class and my introduction to education was to take part in helping people in a way that it would encourage what I choose to do in the future. I truly do feel that I have made an impact on the children at the HOPE center, even if some of them only look forward to the things I bring them. Although I have already decided I want to work with children with disabilities working at the HOPE center definitely changed some of my views on my future career. I think when I begin my teaching career I want to work with children that fall into the lower income categories. I want to make a difference in their education that without caring teachers they would never have. I may even someday want to further my career and work for the department of education in either something along the lines of ESE compliance or something that focuses on protecting low income students. Over all the more I find myself serving others the more I am able to find what I am interested in the most and I know one day I find my perfect career by doing just so.

Service Project: GG's Angel

 (....student essay Fall 2015)

We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that. - Ellen DeGeneres

Growing up, I remember several adults who helped out my mom while we were struggling. I’ll never forget Ms. Ginger and all the times she let me, my mom and  my sisters stay at her house or all the Christmas presents she bought us because my mom couldn’t afford any that year. I’ll always remember how Ms. Ginger took care of our cats when we went to the women’s shelter to hide from John. Looking back on the God sent people in my life, I’ve realized that I can be the Ms. Ginger to a child and the child’s family who needs help. Tony, Tauny, Kalesia and GG are very special people and I’m so grateful that I met them and get the chance to change their lives, even in the smallest way.

            When I saw GG pick up Tony, Tauny and Kalesia it was obvious that she’s not their mother, because she’s an older lady. Eventually, I learned that GG is the great grandmother of the twins and Kalesia! I think it’s so honorable to look after children that aren’t your own, especially when it’s time to enjoy retirement. The kids have been through so much and I can tell that GG really loves them and tries her hardest to care for them. Tony, Tauny and Kalesia’s father is in jail for attempted murder and their mother is simply not around. It’s hard for me to imagine not wanting to be in your child’s life, especially when the kids that they’ve abandoned are so special. I knew after a few conversations with GG that she needed some help and GG definitely deserves a break from her chaotic home life. GG and I planned that every other Saturday I would take the kids for several hours. I’m really excited to get to know her and her family even more than I do now. I’m excited to share all of the adventures that I’ve had with the twins and Kalesia!

            The first Saturday that I watched Tony, Tauny and Kalesia was a very memorable day. Tony had been asking at the daycare if we could eat pizza and popcorn, so I ordered 2 pizzas and made sure that there was plenty of popcorn for everyone. We made a big “nest” on the floor with lots of blankets and pillows and we watched “Inside Out.” Tauny enjoyed playing with my dog, Stella. Stella was really good with the kids, which is something that I was a little worried about. Stella actually laid down on the “nest” with us and she enjoyed cuddling with the twins. The next Saturday that I saw the twins and Kalesia, I took them to Lake Ella and Chick Fil A. The kids had the best time feeding the ducks the bread that I got and they really enjoyed Chick Fil A. Tony told me that he loves me and he hopes that I’ll bring him bread to feed the ducks more often. Kalesia said that they don’t get to go to Tallahassee often she’s really excited for the next time that I take them. I’m planning this Saturday to give them the Christmas presents that I got for them and to also have a Home Alone marathon to help celebrate Christmas with them.

            I’ve had the best time showing this family that there are people who care in the world. GG says that she’s been so blessed by the cookies and the snacks that I’ve brought her. I’m so excited to learn more about this family and help them in the future. It’s a really special feeling to be able to help someone, especially when I’ve been in a similar situation myself. I’ve discovered through this experience that helping others is truly what I’m called to do. Also, I can see that I’ve grown emotionally and spiritually. I wanted to help GG and her great grandchildren because I remember how much my mom struggled when I was younger. I remember how much hurt I felt after what happened with John and I knew that I never wanted anyone to feel the way that I used to. I told myself that I would be the one person in someone’s life who could help them heal from whatever they’ve been through. I wanted to be someone that the twins and Kalesia can go to when they need someone to talk to or when they need a hug. I feel so fulfilled from the help that I’ve given GG and her family. I’m looking forward to spending more time with the kids and giving them the love that they deserve.

Service Project: There’s people out in this world that are actually struggling more than me

(Student Essay Fall 2015)

            “We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, and more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.” Ellen Degenes

As a little girl, my mother has always taught me that giving is a good thing especially to the homeless or to even people that wake up in the morning with no food to eat or even clothing to put on their backs. So when my professor gave the class a service project that was one of the first things that came into my head. I didn’t quite know my exactly plan on how I was going to be donating to or even volunteering to help with anything. But, when Dr. Soldani told us her story on how she helps out with donating food to the veteran’s village a little light flicked in my head. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, two others and myself from the class decided that we were going to cook pans of food for the Veteran’s Village.

 On Thanksgiving morning, the two classmates and I all gathered at my house to cook two pans of green beans, one pan of cornbread, and we also brought desert. We knew that other people were bringing food so we didn’t want to bring too much of the same thing. The opportunity persisted when I was sad I couldn’t go home to be with my family because my job required me to work. There’s someone out here that’s doesn’t have a family or is fortunate enough to get even to their family who isn’t local.  I didn’t bother me that I had to cook because I knew that we were going to fill bellies with joy. I’ve meet so many people from different places and even two people that were from my hometown Miami. It felt good knowing that many people appreciate everything you did to make them happy and help them enjoy their thanksgiving that I wanted to come back and do it again. Which we did, this time was a much smaller crowd not a lot of veterans (although I found out everybody who stay in veteran village isn’t a veteran.)

 I got to meet a few, this guy (I don’t know his name) but he says he is a dentist, and this guy namedAlex (who is a veteran). After serving the food and dessert we got deep into conversation with Alex, and one thing I can say I walked away with was the wisdom of knowledge. You never know what you may encounter in life that can change your whole life at an instant. I can honestly say that this is one experience that I’ll never forget because it actually made my semester more interesting, and anxious to even do more activities with the people from the Veteran’s Village. And I thank you Dr. Soldani for allowing me to experience the different things and learning how there’s people out in this world that are actually struggling more than me and you’ll never notice.

Service Project: I also threw in some M&Ms in the bag

(Student Essay Fall 2015) 

 

“We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.” - Ellen DeGeneres

           

            Growing up I was always told to give back as much as possible because it was the right thing to do in our religious belief. I remember giving any spare change we could find in the car to the homeless man that always stood at the corner of our road, the smile on his face was so reassuring that we were helping him. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized what they would actually spend the money we gave them, or at least majority of the time would spend their money on. When I was younger I would always assumed they would buy dinner or something to wear to keep them comfortable in the Florida weather since we all know how rapidly it changes. Turns out most of the time they bought drugs or alcohol; I’m not going to lie, I lost a lot of respect for them when I found that out. 

My parents would always tell me and my brother that it’s not our job to judge people, it’s our job to help them in need and that is all. Like Ellen DeGeneres said, we need more compassion, this world is so full of judgment and hate that sometimes people forget everyone is going through their own hardship. So maybe homeless people use the money we donate to them to buy drugs and alcohol? Maybe their life is so difficult for them to handle they need something to make it easier, they need something to make them smile again.

          

   Learning that I would have the opportunity to give to someone in need, without just giving them cash gave me satisfaction. As weird as it sounds, I actually got excited to donate something to the people of Veteran’s Village, I began planning what I could do for them at the beginning of the semester when I originally learned about this project. I wanted to attend the dinners that were held every Thursday, especially since over half of my family members are veterans from some sort of war but my other classes interfered with the timing. 

Since I missed those dinners I wanted to do something that would really help them so I asked my dad and Papa for some ideas. I chose to donate bedroom supplies like flannel sheets and a fuzzy blanket for the cold weather approaching. From this experience I learned that I shouldn’t just wait to do something good for someone else just because it was an assignment through school. I should try to find the time to donate my helping hand to those in need as much as I can because it really does have a greater affect on them in the long run. Whether its donating clothes and essentials for their personal needs or taking the time to sit with them and talk to them or let them tell you their story, they appreciate everything you do. Most people just want someone to talk to, they want to feel cared about and they love hearing other stories about life and adventures, so donating some free time shouldn’t be so hard to do. 

After I got everything wrapped and decorated (since I’m giving it to a veteran as a Christmas present), I had a feeling of excitement rush over me. I feel so proud of myself for taking the time and money to go shopping for someone I didn’t know, I’m sure it sounds silly but this feeling is motivating and it makes me want to do something like this more often. I want to try to donate my time again so next time I can sit down with some of the veterans and learn about their story, if they tell me. I want to create a connection with them so when I visit again they know who I am, I will know who they are, and we can just pick up where we left off last time. I think everyone secretly wants to just tell a stranger what they go through in their personal life, their triumphs and their hardships. Getting that sort of weight off your chest is freeing and sometimes it just helps to say what hurts out loud so you can move on, it’s like being a therapist to a stranger.

          

  Thank you for introducing me to this local place because I honestly didn’t know it existed, it warms my heart to know Tallahassee established a safe and comfortable place for homeless veterans to turn too. I hope my veteran enjoys the present I got him, I know it’s not much but I figured they were essentials and he could always use some clean, warm sheets and a fluffy blanket to wrap up in for the holidays., I know that’s my favorite part of opening my stocking on Christmas, seeing what kind of candy my parents got me. It’s the child inside of me that will never grow up, I think we all still have it in us and still hope to get our favorite sweet treat on special holidays, so I hope he enjoys them and has a wonderful Christmas.

Service Project: There’s not a better feeling then making a difference in someone’s life that doesn’t have that much.

 (Student Essay Fall 2015)

“Try not to become a person of success rather become a person of value.” –Albert Einstein. This quote means to me, don’t be a person that is just doing what is told just to get a good grade out of that something. But be a person that will make a difference in something in the community or in someone’s life. For this service project It really made me feel a great amount of pride and joy to be able to make a difference in someone else’s life.

 The point of this project was to create a gift of goods that you will pass on to a veteran at Veterans Village. For me, I really wanted to go far beyond the expectations as far as giving. While I was at Walmart shopping for goods I wanted to get goods that will really make James (the Veteran I was assigned) feel worthy and things he can use every day for a long time. So the goods I got James was, (two long sleeve shirts, two sweat pants, a pair of gloves, ten pair of sox, a grooming box, towels, wash clothes, plus a $20-dollar gift card to Walmart and a $10-dollar gift card to McDonalds as well). I really wanted to give James a box of goods that he will remember for a long time. I also kept in mind that James was also a United States Veteran that served for our country, which he should get a good amount of goodies for his act of service he displayed in the war. I’m really happy that I could be a part of this project and I’m joyed I could make a difference for James when he receives his gift on Christmas.

As being president of my Interact Club back in high school I knew I wanted to go far beyond the normal giving amount when doing this project. Back in high school our club was a part of Shoe Boxes for Haiti. Which I’ve participated every year since middle school and I’m happy I could be able to be a part of giving a gift to a worthy veteran. The act of giving, just makes you feel a sense of pride and value in your life. As being a Christian I always wanted to give to the ones that don’t have that much of anything. A couple of Bible quotes that meant the most to me about giving is Isaiah 43:7 “The purpose of Christian giving is the same as the purpose of Christian living. We were created for the glory of God”. The other Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 10:31 “We are to do all for the glory for God”. The point of giving to me, is to show the glory of God and how he died for our sins. I’m happy to say I am a Christian and there’s not a better feeling then making a difference in someone’s life that doesn’t have that much. 

Service Project: Alex's Story: The fantastic thing is that when you plant a seed of love, support, and appreciation in someone, that seed grows.

 (Student Essay Fall 2015)

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

            During the fall semester of my sophomore year of college, I was surprised to discover that my American history class would include completing an act of service. Despite being someone who has participated in many community service projects and volunteering, I quickly found out that it would not be a simple task to find the time within my busy schedule - as a full time student by day and part time employee by night – to dedicate to the proper undertaking of an act of service. When I learned of Alex’s story through history class, I decided sending a holiday care package to him would be the ideal opportunity to show appreciation and respect for such an inspirational peer that sat in the same classroom as I did, yet did not have the fortune of experiencing the same privilege I did.

 Following his time as a student at Tallahassee Community College, the subsequent novel he co-wrote, “Prayer of the Laughing Yoga Frog”, illustrated the injustice Alex and many other differently abled people had to face. Around this same time of year not long ago, Alex discovered that his aid, who entrusted to guide him and protect his safety while at school, betrayed him by abusing him financially with the continuous withdrawal of funds from Alex’s account throughout the fall semester. Personally, the detail of Alex’s story that stung me the most was how this realization came after Alex attempted to purchase a Christmas present for the aid. As a reader, this epitomizes the genuine nature of Alex’s heart and the outrageousness of the offense against him. Many abusers come from a background of being abused, and for someone in Alex’s position it would have been all too easy to be broken by the transgression and forever remained sullied and spread that pain to others. I’m thankful for Alex’s ability to continue steadfast and strong despite setbacks like this experience was.

Empathizing, I imagine that every Christmas this poignant memory re-emerges for Alex, and in spirit of his generosity and thoughtfulness he tried to show the aid, I believe that Alex is the person who deserves his own Holiday care package. Armed with the knowledge from Dr. Soldani that Alex adores candy, I embarked on a search around Tallahassee for the best quality candy I could acquire. Snickers, skittles, and butterfingers were all too ordinary and over-produced for such an exceptional person as Alex, so my first stop on my quest was to Lofty Pursuits, a novelty ice cream store that creates their own old-fashioned hard candies right there in the shop. Under the title of “Victorian Hard Candies” I bought three different varieties: brightly colored cherry-lemon tomahawks in true Tallahassee pride, an American flag themed flavor called “Old Glory”, and a bag of holiday flavors such as eggnog and peppermint. One more detail, a tutti frutti candy cane, seemed to complete the holiday spirit.

Determined to cover all the fundamental principles of candy, I knew my holiday packaged was not yet complete. The World Market Bazaar was like stepping into candy-land and an assortment was selected after a great amount of thought – it’s not easy candy shopping for someone you’ve never personally met, so I attempted to be as eclectic as possible. I chose a packet of gourmet peppermint flavored hot cocoa mix, an assortment of English gourmet licorice, fruit-flavored bubblegum, kiwi gummies from Japan, and of course, a hefty chocolate bar combined with crisp honeycomb pieces. The only thing missing was a hand written note including a drawing I made of my own frog, inspired by Alex. As an artist it is imperative to me to include a piece of my own artwork to show my appreciation. I felt at peace as I boxed up Alex’s gifts at the post office in a flat rate box and handed it off with its shipping label – awaiting its opening merely days later in Palm Coast, Florida.

It is impossible for me to entirely know how Alex will feel about my gift to him, but I can anticipate that it will bring him some happiness and if it can bring him just an inch more of peace of mind and assurance about the people in this world, then I will have considered this a success. Alex and I come from entirely different perspectives on this world we share, however I very well know the feeling of being betrayed by someone you trusted and how it can rob you of all desire to trust new people or forgive those who have hurt you. That type pain has the power to incapacitate people, and thus in a way completing this act of service helped me reach out to someone else and let go of some of the fear I have held on to from my betrayal as well. Alex’s story called on me to attempt to see through his perspective, and then see his experience through my perspective. Satisfaction was brought to me by setting aside hours dedicated solely for discovering the best candies I could for Alex and thinking of how he will feel when he finally eats them.

            I do know that for Alex this transcends far beyond a simple American history class assignment. Receiving his holiday care package, schedule to arrive Monday December 14^th, will likely stick in his memory as a mere detail in the expanse of his great journey. The fantastic thing is that when you plant a seed of love, support, and appreciation in someone, that seed grows. Reading Alex’s story planted that seed in me and my hopes are that my package will help the seed that already exists in Alex’s heart to grow and flourish with beautifully tinted flowers and the delicious fruits of his labor.

Service Project: We’ve played bingo, decorated cupcakes and talked about war experiences.

(Student Essay Fall 2015) 

 

                  “The wise man does not lay up his own treasures.

                  The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.”

― Lao Tzu

My service project was visiting Veteran’s Village to “adopt” a veteran whom I gave clothes to, while also spending my time there serving food, talking with veterans and encouraging them to make crafts such as candle holders and painted pumpkins.

 We’ve played bingo, decorated cupcakes and talked about war experiences. I picked going to Veteran’s Village and adopting a veteran as my service project because after just one time of visiting there and forming a bond with one veteran in particular, Ron, it sparked something in me that wanted to keep going back. I enjoyed meeting with people who have gone through unique experiences that only select people have gone through and it excited me that I would be spending time with courageous, humble people that had wisdom and experience to offer me, personally. This is the first time in my life that I’ve been prompted by a professor or school in general to do something meaningful in my community. Instead of making something, researching a well-known event in history or doing an uninteresting project, I was prompted to do something significant and beneficial. Not only am I doing something for the community and helping others, I’m helping myself as well. Going to Veteran’s Village and just having a simple conversation with a veteran, spending time with them betters me in ways such as: I’m branching out in a community that I’m not from, I’m meeting people in an environment that’s not familiar and I’m using my resources and giving them to someone else which benefits me because I’m exposing myself to my selfless side.

This service project impacted my educational journey by making me want to do better in school. If I’m being honest, having a teacher that goes outside of the box to motivate students to focus not only on their schoolwork but their contribution to the community builds respect and gratitude. It has also affected me in the way that it makes me want to continue to do my best in school so that I can always try to have a backup plan in life. It has made me more thankful for the opportunities and privilege I’ve had and will have in school.

Having somewhat of a bond with Ron has made me grateful that I started visiting Veteran’s Village and have continued to go back when I can. It makes me happy knowing that talking to me or showing me something makes him happy. I know he appreciates having something to show me and having someone to share his military knowledge with. One man, I’m not sure of his name, told us a few weeks back that he was so grateful that every week, we show up and bring food and sit and talk and make things with them. He said how great of cooks we were and how he simply appreciates our time. That moved me because here I am, thinking how grateful I am for these people that served for our country and how much I respect their humbleness and kindness and he’s telling us how thankful for us he is. That made me realize how happy these people are that we show up every week and how thankful for us they are. That moment has impacted me the most so far. I’m waiting for another moment to top that.

Update since I’ve last worked on this paper, decorating ornaments and picture frames last week was a fun way to get myself and other students and the veterans into the Christmas spirit. I decorated a “2015” ornament and gave it to Ron. He actually started tearing up and opening up to me about his past of being in the hospital for some time. He told me how amazing it was that we come here and bother to give them the crafts that we make and that he’s met few people along the way with such kindness. It’s like he seesme. It’s a weird feeling to empathize with someone who is thankful for an ornament. He’s thankful for much more than just the ornament. It’s what the offering of the ornament represents. But still, hes thankful for the bare minimum of kindness and that’s what’s amazing.

In conclusion, I’ll continue to go to Veteran’s Village all the Thursdays that I can and will continue to feel blessed by this experience. I’m extremely grateful that my college experience can be more than just studies and benefiting myself. It can be about bettering someone else’s life and give my educational journey more meaning and more to look back on than stressing myself out over a grade.

Service Project: Michael Z: with a little hope and inspiration, anyone can overcome obstacles in life

 (First in a series of student essays from Fall 2015 - enjoy*)

 

As a child growing up in Savannah Ga. I found myself facing struggles that helped me prepare for the up-hill battles I would encounter in life. Before the age of one, for some unapparent reason my biological mother placed me in a foster home, a government funded agency that houses and finds different homes for children who had various reasons for being there. The agency placed me in homes with people who qualified to be a foster parent for a few month’s here, 4-6 month’s there until I was placed into a home at the age of four that would change my course. A godly woman by the name of Alma Lilly Z. become the last mother I would know or call mom. She took me in and taught me more than enough about life, everything it offers, and the things it throws at you. Being taught responsibilities that consisted of daily chores such as cleaning all the bathrooms, emptying all the trashcans, cooking, vacuuming, dusting furniture, maintaining the lawn, and etc. taught me how to appreciate things, how important a person’s hygiene is, and how to survive without depending on anyone else for my well-being. My actual experience as a child led me to find understanding, peace, and a heart that cared; which leads to the reason I felt that cutting veterans hair for free at veterans village would uplift hearts of people who may be discouraged for unknown reasons.

 Veterans Village is a government funded program designed for people who once served for the United States military. I was introduced to Veterans Village by a lovely lady name Melissa Soldani, an American History teacher at Tallahassee Community College. My first time volunteering to participate in an event that can be considered as giving back to the community, I had a chance to up-lift hearts of people who have found themselves a little off track with the pressures life has to offer. My first contribution to this event was food such as cake, chips, sodas, garlic bread, skittles and cookies. After seeing the expressions on the veteran’s faces gave me an idea that would improve this event. This idea was cutting their hair free-of-charge, while holding conversations that may help up-lift spirits. Every Thursday I would go and cut hair and eventually I got to know everyone and they got use to looking forward to the free haircut and conversations we would have. 

 The first day of cutting I met a few people who are current residents to this establishment by the names of Waverly Sterling, an ex-military veteran; Philly, an Air Force veteran; Tiffany Hill, an ex-military veteran who retired from the army; Alex Marquez Jr., a veteran; Rick, a veteran; and Houston, who was also a veteran. I was giving an opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with these people and exchange situations that we both had encountered throughout our lives. Everyone of these veterans had interesting stories, but there was one of them who was currently about to relocate to another housing complex due to meeting the 2 year living agreement of Veterans Village; this was Houston, who has a dog named Toby that follows him everywhere he goes and all the veterans seemed to like him. Houston was the only vet who had a pet that follows him everywhere he goes and always seemed to have a spirit of joyfulness each time we met.

The next week I was able to convince Tiffany Hill to get a haircut after she witness the outcome of haircuts of her fellow vets. Hill wore a particular hairstyle known as the “Mohawk,” and after receiving my cutting services stated she loved it. She also had a story about her life experiences but seemed to be very determined in publishing news articles and later moved from the village after receiving a job opportunity in writing. Another person who always was on the computer when I came was Alex Marquez Jr.; he wouldn’t talk much until he began to know me but always smiled and had an accent that was not of the south. While enjoying various types of gourmet dishes and elegant pastries that was donated by volunteers, veterans would receive the gift of sharing, caring, and loving from people who may be a little more fortunate than others.

As weeks pass, it was evident that the veterans was getting use to me by the way they would greet me upon arrival. After being told that I drive over 30 miles on a day that I am not scheduled to go to school, several vets started adding me to their prayers and showed even more gratitude. Meeting people who have served for this country and having the opportunity to hear stories of survival, bravery, and heroic tactics is a pleasure to have the honor to be able to write a story project on. Every week there were entries’ that seemed to have come from gourmet restaurants of pure elegance, foods such lasagna, spaghetti, bake chicken, salads, checkerboard cake, and many different types of vegetables.

In conclusion, helping others is something everyone should consider no matter what the individuals situation is. There are people in the world who have gone through controversies that may even be unbearable to the strongest human being. The Bible states “Do unto others as you would like to do unto you,” it is also stated that God gave his only begotten son in order for all humans to have life on earth. So if God can make sacrifices, why can’t people do the same? The world we live in can be better place if people reached out to a fellow citizen in helpful ways that will make even the sadist individual have a brighter spirit. At times a person may feel like there is not a reason to carry on in their life but with a little hope and inspiration, anyone can overcome obstacles in life.

How to Publish a Book for Free

(Originally Published 11/25/2014*) 

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For my students and anyone who wants to know.....

There are many ways to publish a book for free.

Here are instructions on publishing through Amazon's Createspace.  

Step 1: Tell a story that has never been told before. 

If you don't know what you're going to write about, stay at Step 1 as long as you need to, unless you are one of my students, in which case I need to approve your manuscript by 2pm on December 1, 2014.

Step 2:  Write your story, edit it, rewrite it and then have a few friends check it for grammar etc.  

Step 3: Go to https://www.createspace.com and create an account.  

Step 4: When it asks "What type of media are you considering publishing?" click on Book. 

Heads up, if you find this step "challenging" then this endeavor might be a bit too hard to do on your own.  
 I'm sure that if your book is meant to be published, then the universe will send you help. Ask for it. 

Step 5: Click "Set Up Your Book Now" then give it a working name. You can change it later. 

If the pressure is too grand now, this whole thing might be overwhelming. Type something in and keep going.  You will now get the screen to type in stuff like subtitle. 

Have at it. You can change it later. Keep going!

Step 6:  Alright. You have a choice. Get a free ISBN  (this is like a fingerprint for your book so that it can be found around the world) and have Createspace be your publisher OR you can be your own publisher (what? what? I know, we live in a magical universe). 

I created my own Publishing House that I call Santa Catalina Press. I haven't published books with that imprint yet, but in my head I have a stack of cards to hand out with a cool logo and "PUBLISHER" written under my name. I digress. 

For most of you, stay in the "free" zone and get the CreateSpace ISBN.

You can't get around this step. If you don't want an ISBN, you don't want to publish a book  and if you don't want to publish a book then definitely go catch up on your Netflix or whatever. No one is judging you, be free. 

Step 7: Start making design decisions. You can change these later.

 I suggest my students start with black and white interior with white paper and pick the SMALLEST book format -- click "Trim Size" (this means book size in normal English, but now you know a publishing word, isn't this fun?) then pick "5x8" Or another size. 

Pick and keep going. You can change it all later before you publish.

Step 8: Download a formatted Word document.    Once the template is on your computer, you can type in the things you are cued to enter (Title, author, ISBN, dedication....) then paste your manuscript in the template and have fun.

For a bunch of you, this is the last step you will need help with, in fact, you are probably already giddy with book joy, designing a cover and changing fonts and styles.

If working in a template is scary for you, I bet you have a friend who thinks this is fun. In fact, offer to credit them with Book Cover design and Book Interior Design. 

Step 9: In case you haven't figured it out on your own, go play in the cover designer.  Pick matte or glossy (go look at some of your favorite books to see which you like better) and then click "Build Your Cover Online" You will be launched into the Cover Creator and some of you might stay there for awhile. Have fun. Take screenshots of your different ideas and keep playing. 

Step 10: Finish your manuscript (interior) and cover and submit them for approval by createspace. This could take about 24 hours, so don't expect that to be too fast.  They check to make sure you put the right ISBN in, and that you don't have major formatting errors. If they see issues they flag you and tell you to either fix them or admit you WANT it that way.  

Step 11: Final proof. Print it out OR order a copy (yep, your first copy!) but that will take longer.

Step 12: Make changes, submit for approval and finish up with the screens CreateSpace gives you regarding distribution. I suggest going with the free options, but you're free to be less free. 

Step 13: You will be given the option to convert the book to an ebook on Kindle for free. Yes yes yes, do that. Unless you don't want to. But either way, please know this should be free. 

I know about an author who was charged $1500 to convert their book file to an ebook and that author thought the fee was normal. No. No. No.  Convert it for free, and then decide what you want the pricing and availability to be.

I choose the options that let me create "campaigns" that give my books away for free 5 days out of every 90. 

You can't make your book permanently free using Amazon/Createspace/Kindle, but because YOU are the author, you can save your ebook to your computer and then distribute it directly to your readers yourself. 

Step 14: Yayyyy! You published a book! As the author you can go back into CreateSpace and make changes to the cover and the interior. You can add chapters, fix grammar and move things around and then republish your book. I know. Too much right?

Step 15: Now that you've published a book, you can help others publish THEIR books, and maybe even make some money.

 Go for it and expect the best.

Anonymous Workplace Art, Found in the Faculty Break Room

I found this on top of the microwave, next to the shredder. 

Unsigned inspiration...*

No Island is an Island: Chapter 30: My Hole

(From 2012)

The plane ride was quiet and uneventful. I tried to read my new Marian Keyes book. I tried to play solitaire. I thought even to pick up a pen and write something, anything, but my brain was still stuck in "record" mode.

 The crew spoke English amongst themselves and spots of Spanish to passengers here and there.  They brought cups of soda, not in a cart, not with bags decorated by dancing nuts, then collected them back up.

 I shouldn't tell you that a lot of us started pulling out our electronic devices and checking email and voice mail. I shouldn't tell you that I saw texting and emailing going on from up in the sky, because you might then think of these post-Cold War warriors as not obeying the rules.  Forgive us, forgive them, the pull of a first world nation, of connectedness on Facebook and Twitter and gmail and iMessage after such deprivation was too much.

When the plane lands and the pilot announces we are in Miami, the plane bursts out into a Superbowl celebration. We did it. Together. Alone. All of us. Up and over the Mount Everest Berlin Wall Cold War Hologram that separates Florida and Cuba, and back to tell the tales, or free to keep it secret.

Being in the back of the plane, Mom and I are among the last to disembark, leaving the ones who are waiting for wheelchairs and attendants and all the things they need to get into and through the megalopolis Miami Airport.  We catch a train to another area where too many people are funneled into a small space, like on Haunted Mansion at Disney.  Mom says she wonders what Ellis Island was like, and I don't even answer, leaving that off for another day.

  After passing through that narrow area we are fed into lines. Everyone goes into the longest lines, those must be the right lines.

Again, our Disney training comes through; we seek the shortest line, go to the right, all the way over there, and step into a spot with no line.  An unremarkable pass of our documents, a smile and wave, we are through to baggage claim, which is so big and bright after Cuba that I almost need to shade my eyes. We have no luggage and go on further, out the gate, out to meet Dad.

I recognize this gate from years ago. One day I was at my Abuelo's house when he got a call that a relative had landed in Miami. He was practically 90, and in no place to navigate that airport by himself, not with me around to help.  Where do we pick her up, I asked, and he didn't know. He really didn't know.  I needed to know where to park, what part of that megalith to aim at, but he couldn't tell me.

So I called the information number to the Miami International Airport. I didn't think anyone would answer, I thought I would push 9 and then 6 and then whatever whatever.   A man answered. I wasn't ready.  May I help you, he asked in English and Spanish.

I, um, I just got a call and um, I need to pick up... a Cuban? I can't believe my English is suddenly as bad as my Spanish.

Silence on his end.

Gate E.  

Gate E. Thank you so much.   Abuelo is ready, we go, we pick up a cousin that miraculously arrived here from there.

Now I'm coming here from there, and even at Gate E. Mom and I walk over and around and we can't find Dad. I start to text him. Then I realize I'm standing next to him.  Hugs, hugs, he gets us right out the door and two steps to the best parking. The parking fairy loves my Dad.  As he packs our bags I ask please are we really going to Versailles? Or was he just teasing?

Yes, he was really taking us there. It wasn't that far, but I can't tell you how long it took because I just stared at all the lights. All the cars. All the bright electric everything on and going that was buzzing around us on our way to Versailles. No horses, no meandering bikers, almost no pedestrians.

We park and pass the spot, the famous spot where Abuela threw her fit many years ago, way back when we used to be able tell secrets out loud in Spanish in South Florida except in a few pockets here and there.  Here, outside the restaurant, we pull up. Dad, Mom, my brother, myself, Abuela. Maybe we were in Miami for a concert. Maybe we were visiting Tiafi. I can only tell you that whatever the occasion was, it drove Abuela to wear pantyhose with her pretty skirt.

Pantyhose that ripped as she slid indelicately out of the car.

My Dad was standing there, holding the door, offering a hand to Abuela to help her out of the backseat. She refused and screamed, AYYYYYYY, My HOLE,  in English, followed by a stream of Spanish expletives I wouldn't dare to translate to any language, peppered with LOOK AT MY HOLE in English.A man walking by with his son covered his son's ears and crossed the street to get away from whatever was going on.  I stood there and laughed and laughed and laughed until Abuela figured out how to rip off her pantyhose instead of wearing them.

This tale comes with us every time we come to Versailles, reminds us of Abuela, of how she was here and now she isn't.

 I see this restaurant with new eyes. I understand why Cubans from Cienfuegos would have a restaurant based on a French palace. Now it makes sense. Before I thought maybe the place just happened to have a lot of mirrors.

pepsi, a grilled sandwich with turkey, jelly and cream cheese.  The drink is so good I want another and another but I stop after one.

The people at the table next to us appear to be from China. Two businessmen across from me speak English (loudly) and keep checking their phones for something that still hasn't arrived.

Quickly enough we are back in the car and heading for Abuelo's house. I stare at the maze of lights, I see the food, the stores, the car dealerships like flowers now, flowers that weave on a long vine twisting us all together here. It doesn't even seem fair Cuba is left out of all this fried chicken.

My timing isn't perfect. I arrive while Abuelo is watching his favorite show, so he stays in his chair a minute and I drop my bags and pour myself a normal, American size glass of red wine then join him.

Have you seen this before, he asks, pointing at the screen.

Yes, it's a pawn shop in Detroit, I tell him.

Gosh, these people, Abuelo says, fixated at the goings on of bargaining and haggling and loaning and buying, spectator sports in America.

I think to tell him about Cuba about everything now - his father's grave, his sister's wisdom, the views, the people. But it's too much, not now, I can't even do it justice now.

I love this show too, I tell him, and we spend the rest of the evening completely happy in each other's company.

The Veteran I Didn't Meet this Thanksgiving: Let Him Eat Cake

Thanksgiving went very well at Veterans Village this year.  In my tradition of not taking pictures, I didn't take pictures, but I did keep a mental list of what we brought and served: turkey, ham (2), three kinds of green bean casserole, four types of stuffing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese,  several trays of corn casserole, bananas, pies, cakes, breads. If there was salad, I didn't see it, but then again, I'm very good at not seeing vegetables.

I didn't eat. My job (that I created and hired myself to do) involves introducing student volunteers to veterans and maximizing points of contact between people who might never else have met. 

Many vets aren't there today, which is not a sad thing. Several other organizations reached out to offer meals, and because #America, they were free to choose being somewhere else today. They know we will leave them leftovers in the fridge and be back next Thursday anyway.

In between introducing Ron to Rachael and figuring out why people are using spoons as forks I see one of my favorite Veterans (let's call him James) walking down the stairs carrying a closed to-go container.

We stop next to the pillar next the picnic table and chat and he tells me all this food is for his roommate. He won't come out of his room, he doesn't want to come see the food and see the people, he just wants to be left alone.

I get that, completely.

 It's like if he can't have Thanksgiving with his Mom, he doesn't want Thanksgiving at all. 

James nods and agrees. We've both been there. And today on this Thanksgiving neither of us are with our Moms. But still, we get him.

 I ask James if he packed some of my checkerboard cake for his roommate and he says yes and with that we smile at ourselves for being awesome, if only for a few minutes now and then,  and go on with Thanksgiving.

7 Thanksgiving Guests

(From 2007) 


On Thanksgiving, the official start to the holiday season (which, in my mind, ends around the 4th of July) I get the impression these crazy people who live in my house want me to cook for them.

I can't cook until the house is bleached down clean, and I don't feel like cleaning because, well, I'm the Mom and I say so.

 Anyway, I have something more important to do – I have to warn you about the 7 guests that will be visiting you this long Thanksgiving Weekend.

Shopping.  

She might've hit your house three weeks ago, when someone went through recipes and "planned." I hear She visits   some people predawn hours, possessing them to drive towards bright lights that line Box-shaped buildings.

She likes to drop in around noon drag you to that ONLY place which is open to find that ONE thing you didn't get.

To be brutally honest, I was hoping Shopping wouldn't stop by this year,  and when she called me at 8pm the night before Thanksgiving my stomach hurt as I drove to Publix expecting it to be a loud bright crowded holiday nightmare. 

It was quiet and empty. In less than 20 minutes, I  got everything I needed for under $100 and was out the door.

I enjoyed my time with Shopping and I hope she comes back to visit soon.

Cleaning. 

It's inevitable she's coming by, so you might as well prepare.  She can sometimes be a bitch and try to keep you distracted all day, so watch out.

Before she arrives, set a timer for 30 minutes and get ready to work. Spray her favorite perfume around (Clorox Cleanup), clean off a few counters and toss some laundry in the wash. Or at least kick the clothes completely under the sofa. 

Take clutter off the refrigerator, sweep the Legos into the shoebox science project and put it all in the closet where you keep your board games (the ones with the missing pieces).


To make sure Cleaning doesn't stay all day and drive you crazy, I suggest you turn on some music and introduce her to your family and friends if at all possible. With all that attention, Cleaning gets all shy and slips away. (Then the fun begins).

Regret.

He is going to show up - He *always* does - so be ready. Hopefully he will not bring his favorite date, Punishment, because when they arrive together their idea of a good time is ruining the holiday for the rest of the guests.

Maybe he will give you a surprise and unwelcome bear hug after you ate that last piece of pie standing up in the kitchen with your back to the chaos.

Maybe he will bring up the grief you hoped wouldn't visit today, reminding you of loved ones you can't see and a places you can't be.

Perhaps he will just punch you in the arm and say "you deserve something so much better."


You have two options when Regret inevitably arrives.

1) Spray Clorox Cleanup right into his (invisible) face and shout "AWAY" while spinning around three time or 2) take a deep long breath of the air that is around you and come back into the present.

Regret loves to drag you through time (forwards and backwards) but if you make space for him to visit for just one or two breaths, he will go quickly on his way to visit someone who welcomes his presence.

Dancing and/or Football:

I promise Dancing (and/or Football) will visit you this holiday weekend.

Maybe dancing with a baby, a grandparent, or because that Wii game is FORCING you to, you will be visited by Dance (and/or watch Football).

I'll just say what I say every year when they come over: Hopefully no one gets hurt.

Celebration.

The Guest of Honor, Celebration rare arrives on cue.

She might come early, at the airport, in a tearful hug.

She could hug you when that awesome dress zips up.

She might show up late, when “they” packup and finally leave. 

On a rare lucky occasion, she will show up at the meal intended for her.

If you recognize her and call her by name when you see her, Celebration will make herself a constant companion. 

Generosity.

Generosity is a shape-shifting guest who likes to disguise himself in gestures of patience and hospitality.  

Make sure to leave extra room for him because Generosity’s constant companion is Gratitude.

Silence.

The guest few people expect visits everyone, every year, and many of them dread it.

Sometimes she visits everyone at once, covering the table with an awkward stillness.

She may swing by when they all leave and you feel alone. (Please don’t take the wine if she offers).

She might be sitting on your chest when you wake up, alone.

When she comes to visit this year, please don’t  be a rude host and shoo Silence away, because she’s just trying to introduce you to her best friend, Peace.


Happy Thanksgiving*


(I 'm not cooking, let it go.)

*************************** 



From Marvin's Book, The Story of a Professor and a Promise, with permission giving by me, lol.  
Happy Turkey Day, I'm going to Cracker Barrel on my broken-foot-wondergirl-scooter and eating fried eggs and biscuits FYI

Don't Frost Me!

Its been over a month since my trip to Cuba and I'm still not ready to write about it. The stories walk with me still, twisting themselves in shapes that fall apart and leave question marks at the end.

So instead of writing, I've been baking. Yes, me. I know, right? Ever since I gave up diet coke I've become someone else, someone who owns a cupcake tote and can dip strawberries in chocolate without burning herself.

It started with a batch of brownies that looked too plain so I put chocolate chip cookie dough on top of them and viola, "brookies."

Next came strawberry layer cake that looked to plain and pink so I studded it with chocolate chips and strawberry halves.

After that was spice cake with cream cheese icing covered in roasted pecans, followed by cupcakes, potpies and a baked Ziti thing that was too good to be anything but dessert.

I bake in the morning, I bake after school, and last night in particular I baked 8 cakes that are destined to become two large checkerboard cakes while watching Scream Queens and American Horror Story.

I bake so much that my children fear me.

Zack has asked, more than once, if I'm going to fatten him up and eat him like the witch from Hansel and Gretel.  I tell him no, of course no, and anyway the cakes are for veterans anyway so stop looking at them and get back in your cage etc.

I bake so much that I must bake in my children's dreams because this morning while I was gently waking Zoe up at the horrible pre-dawn hour highschoolers must be awoken, she winced at my touch and while still mostly asleep begged "Please don't frost me!"