September Reflections

September is over.  It's hard to believe, but I've already completed a month of service with AmeriCorps.  I was officially inducted on Wednesday with four others (hopefully five), and I've been working a lot.  I went on my first field trip with the day program this past week.  I really enjoyed doing that, because I love exposing and involving my people to the community.  I also love enriching peoples lives by tasting and trying new scenes.  We went to the Miniature Museum and then over to Tucson Mall to eat.  I drove the van, and I was gripping the steering wheel like I was about to have a baby! But I made it through, and we all got there safely and back to Arts for All. 

I enjoy working with the adults.  I feel like I'm already appreciating how they celebrate, care for each other, and express themselves with such vigor.  I think of Tommy's smile and dancing, Olga's beautiful clothes and concerns, Roxanne's helpfulness, sweetness, big heart.  I think I see how all of us have some basic needs, like looking nice and feeling good about ourselves, making friends, eating, thinking, learning, making phone calls, dreaming, having someone cheer us on.  I say Hi to a participant every day but he is non-verbal and doesn't respond.  Today after he danced with a staff member, I cheered and saw him smile.  That made my day.  I see the challenges that we all face, and individuals with disabilities face even more.  I enjoyed describing things to one of our participants that is blind.  I tried to help him see things with his hands, and I detailed what I was seeing to him.  I was touched by his eagerness to take pictures and fascinated just as much.  That's the thing- people are people and we all seem to want the same things.  We want to share with others what we are experiencing, we want to be connected to the world, not isolated. 

I haven't had much down time.  I need my down time, and I find that when you care for others, you really need to make time to care for yourself.  Last night I slept 14 hours.  I've been going nonstop and exhausted from early mornings, long days, and late meetings.  I have a little time at night, though, and sometimes in the mornings.  I've been enjoying my Trader Joe's pumpkin spice coffee.  Yum.  So delicious!

I've also been relaxing with Ruth Reichl's food memoir, Garlic and Sapphires.  It is the perfect light and interesting read.  I am completely mesmerized by her stories and cleverness.  If you haven't checked out her writing yet, stop reading and go do that immediately!
Inspired by one of her recipes, I cooked spaghetti carbonara tonight.  I had all the ingredients- garlic, bacon, eggs, and spaghetti, but I didn't have any cheese on hand.  I made it anyway, and it was so tasty.  I can't wait to try it again with cheese.  Sometimes you need a little pasta!

Tomorrow if Friday and the weekend if before us.  I hope you all have a great weekend, and do something to care for your body and soul.  There aren't any changing leaves here in Tucson, but there is a nice cool in the mornings and evening.  Happy October, friends!