Dear Aunt Laura: 2012

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Home for the Holidays

Dear Blog,

To explain your temporary abandonment and recent lack of posts, I must inform you that I am home for the holidays. Connecticut, where I grew up, has kept me quite busy. This place is bustling with things to do and people to see.

I'll be in touch and update you on my adventures soon!

Happy Holidays,
and 2013 here we come...

Monday, December 17, 2012

HOW TO GET MONEY FOR COLLEGE

Want to get money for college? Want an affordable education? Here's the secret: most times it's going to come down to hard work, luck, and the paperwork-based judgments of someone you've never met before.

The magic formula: Hard work + Luck = Education

I sit at the library computer with a library book. The library book is roughly the dimensions of a standard-size telephone book. The book is Peterson's How to Get Money for College 2013 guidebook. This post will take longer to create than the thirty minutes I am designating at present. Coupled with my experience in the jungle of our tertiary education system, I will attempt to shine light on an incredibly pertinent subject.

My number 1 piece of advice: Avoid debt at all costs; until it is something you are willing to live with and settle into repaying. Don't hesitate to take some time for self-discovery or to pursue life goals. Education comes in many shapes and forms. Education is free in the most random of life experiences, the wisdom of elders, and of course, the public library.

<<<I read, I read, I read, I realize it's all the same hoopla that I've been reading since high school>>>

Going to college, then? You've decided?
Okay Step 1. Jump through the hoops of Federal Aid. Know what FAFSA is and how badly they are going to fuck you over. Make heads & tails of SAR. What is the SAR? Good question. Also known as the Student Aid Report, this will give you your EFC. EFC? Yes, yes, that is also know as 'Expected Family Contribution'. If your family has saved up no money for this college education business, then this will tell you just how much debt you can expect to assume in your own name. Congratulations! And good luck making sense of what this number is going to mean for you in the long term.

Asking yourself what to do about
high cost of education?

Number 1 tip that nobody gave me: "...if you think your EFC is too high (hint: your EFC is always too high - it's like a yard sale - you are ALWAYS grappling for the lowest possible price), you should contact the college's financial aid office and ask whether additional aid is available. Many private high-cost colleges are willing to work with families to help make attendance at their institutions possible. Most colleges also allow applicants to appeal their financial aid awards, the budget used for you, or any of the elements used to determine the family contribution, especially if there are extenuating circumstance (somebody died or is dying) (both your parents lost their jobs and your family's heartless, personal account ran off with all your college savings) or if the information has changed since the application was submitted. Some colleges may also reconsider an award based on a "competitive appeal," from another college (but you're gonna have to be pretty damn special)." (Peterson 3)
If the appeal is unsuccessful, Peterson tells us there are 2 options:

Your kid goes to a cheaper school (assuming your brat was smart enough to include a low-cost institution on their original list)
Look into alternative methods of financing

Alternative methods of financing, you ask? There is need based parental loans (similar to those offered when buying a house; the interest rates and repayment plans are far more reasonable) (hope you've got a good relationship with mom, pops, and their bank account).

Then there's quote-on-quote non-need based aid. Don't be fooled. You still need the money just as much. In this sector, the options are seemingly infinite:

Lemonade stand
Sell your soul
Weekly bakesales
Get a job, maybe two (because, let's get serious, being a student isn't enough)
Write a book, sell millions of copies
Cyber-marry yourself to a scholarship website
Rob a bank and other creative, ballsy, unethical schemes (moral cost high) ("dirty money")(do not major in philosophy)
Join ROTC (pray you get the scholarship)
Write wealthy person, eloquently beg for funds
Church/community scholarships
Awards based on ethnicity, parent's job, specialty circumstances
Talent-based athletic, merit, or performing arts scholarships
National scholarships (Mational Meritt Scholarship Program, the Coca-Cola Scholarship, Gates Millenium Scholars, Intel Science Talent Search, and the U.S. Senate Youth Program)
School-specific scholarships (Note: many of these will be limited to Freshman applicants only)

More on cyber-marriage to scholarship sites:

Useful Scholarship Sites

Interesting Site Relevant to This Post:

http://www.collegehumor.com/article/3533843/college-cost-fact

Savings 'for your child's education' are a good idea if they ARE IN THE PARENTS' name. "When it comes to maximizing aid eligibility, it is important to understand that student assets are assessed at a 20 percent rate and parental assets at about 5 percent."

Also, a fun tidbit: "In searching for merit-based scholarships, keep in mind that there are relatively few awards (compared to those that are need-based), and most of them are highly competitive." (Peterson 4)

In other words, good luck, sucker.

Going to college is similar to buying a house. An investment. The "average college graduate will make a projected $1 million more than those with only a high school diploma". A worthwhile investment. Fine. BUT WAKEUP WORLD. You wouldn't let the average eighteen year-old go off and buy their own house right out of high school. You wouldn't let them hop on a boat and navigate treacherous waters without any knowledge of sailing.

Or maybe you would. Or maybe you didn't know better, or you didn't know how to help. Feel as helplessly lost and directionless as your college-thirsty young person? Education comes in many shapes and forms.

I've immersed myself in national/federal service programs. Through my work with organizations such as AmeriCorps and the California Conservation Corps, I've had the opportunity to expand my leadership experience, gain practical work skills, network for future job opportunities, and above all, serve people in communities across the nation. I have been fed, housed, trained, paid a minimal stipend, and given the opportunity to earn scholarship. I have also been given the opportunity to make lifelong friends and unforgettable experiences. I have been given time to live debt-free and to save up money for backpacking adventures and bucket list dreams. I am lucky to know what I want to study when I return to school, but for anyone who is uncertain, do not be afraid to leave the institution. Knowledge of what you want to study comes with knowledge of self. Take some time to do self-exploration. Knowledge, I repeat, comes in many forms.
Experience is an excellent teacher.

Real teachers are great too - educational institutions too - but lets get this straight:

if you are passionate about what you're going to school for it helps to feel like you're not squandering class time, your time, and precious dollars to attend that school for a degree that you may or may not have even needed. In that respect, know before you go.

"One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning."

- JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, Among My Books

"A baby has brains, but it doesn't know much. Experience is the only thing that brings knowledge, and the longer you are on earth the more experience you are sure to get."

- L. FRANK BAUM, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

"Experience, if we only learn by it, is cheap at any price."

- IVAN PANIN, Thoughts

"Experience gives us the tests first and the lessons later."

- NAOMI JUDD, public radio interview, 1994

"Whoso is content with pure experience and acts upon it has enough of truth."

- JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE, The Maxims and Reflections of Goethe

"The field of experience is the whole universe in all directions. Theory remains shut up within the limits of human faculties."

- JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE, The Maxims and Reflections of Goethe

"To describe externals, you become a scientist. To describe experience, you become an artist."

- TIMOTHY LEARY, Change Your Brain

"The trouble with learning from experience is that you never graduate."

- DOUG LARSON, attributed, The Ship of Thought

"It's easy to say yes to being happy, but it's harder to agree to grief and loss and transience and to the fact that desire is fathomless and ultimately unfillable. At some point I realized that you don't get a full human life if you try to cut off one end of it, that you need to agree to the entire experience, to the full spectrum of what happens."

- JANE HIRSHFIELD, The Atlantic Online, Sep. 18, 1997

"All experience is an enrichment rather than an impoverishment."

- EUDORA WELTY, One Writer's Beginnings

"We learn of great things by little experiences."

- BRAM STOKER, "The Jewel of the Seven Stars"

I attach myself to these quotes because I believe, so passionately, in learning. I learned, after a semester in school, that I was fresh out of the starting gate - 18 and not yet ready for massive amounts of debt. I attended, at a cost of roughly $18,000, a private liberal arts institution for 1 semester (plus a one month winter term). I had the time of my life.

I went sailing in the waters of tertiary education, if only briefly, and learned (out of necessity) a great deal about how to plan for the successful navigation of the waters I had jumped into -

For now, I explore the skies. When I return to the seas, I will be more prepared. And, having learned a great deal of what was to be learned from the skies, I will have a stronger sense of self and my place in the world. Then I've got the rest of my life to explore other realms, of land, of course, and of the unknown.

Best of luck,

S.A.M.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

$10 Walmart Phone That I Can Part With... & Text Messages I Can't Bring Myself to Delete

This holiday season I will be receiving a smartphone replacement for my loyal and durable $10 Walmart go-phone. The time fast approaches for me to part with my old pal; and the screen blinks with what may be the last "96% memory used" message that I ever read.

Times like these make me terribly sentimental. As I begin to browse my message inbox and sentbox, deleting old messages, I write this post to salvage a few.

Spelling errors and ego boosts galore.

Here goes:

Sami
12-28-2011 WED 10:24PM
"There's a better time and place for this. The parks close at dusk."

Allie
01-09-2012 MON 08:40PM
I love you, Sam.

Mad
01-16-2012 MON 10:47AM
to me, A teacup's emptiness is when I have cleared all the baggage from my head and wake unburdened to the cool spots in the sheets. Goodnight

Sami
01-17-2012 TUE 09:54PM
I am getting married at the New York Public Library!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zachary David
01-31-2012 TUE 11:53AM
Love you too and thanks im trying havent smoked all day fml

Allie
02-03-2012 FRI 08:45PM
I don't even know what to say. I'm really glad I chose Elon, if for nothing else than because I met you.

Cody B.
02-04-2012 SAT 12:42AM
Sam

Katie Soulmate
02-11-2012 SAT 01:08AM
Your email address

Meg
02-12-2012 SUN 11:49PM
my roommate smacks loudly.......you can imagine my level of insanity right now (thought youd appreciate this since you know my pet peeves so well)

[April 23-September 26 I give up my phone and spend 5+ months in the woods without technology.]

Jay NCCC
11-06-2012 TUE 11:54PM
Im sorry you're conflicted but im glad you're feeling better. There is a thing called spiratien that you can buy at vitamine cottage and it will ensure that you get your full protein intake.

Zac (downtown)
11-07-2012 WED 06:54AM
Ha think you failed to mention (or sing) that. I don't think that jerkey could have made anybody else happier

Cedar NCCC
11-07-2012 WED 05:42PM
Thanks drill sergeant. Watchin chapelle if you want to hang.

Corri Swiss Roll
11-07-2012 WED 09:41PM
Love ya too let's talk this weekend

Carlos Denver
11-07-2012 WED 09:54PM
Thanks. I love your speech and I know your going to do amazing tomorrow.

Carlos Denver
11-07-2012 WED 10:28PM
Your so cool.

MAX NCCC
11-08-2012 THU 11:29AM
Sam, I really enjoy your speech. You're a fantastic writer!

MAX NCCC
11-09-2012 FRI 12:45PM
I regret not saying a proper goodbye, relying on a finger-gun point instead.

Antoinette
11-12-2012 MON 03:36PM
Samee!! Miss you love...i talkd 2 ur aunt ystrdy..so awesum lol hope all is well
<3cheries;*

Griffin
11-15-2012 THU 09:06PM
I need a good snuggle. You should owe me one when i see you.

Griffin
11-18-2012 SUN 09:31AM
I think your dream stone may or may not be contributing to the insane dreams i've been having.

Griffin
11-19-2012 MON 07:57AM
I was underwater. I was connected to some kind of machine by a thick cord of a nature i didn't quite understand. Perhaps it brought air for me to breathe. 'There aren't many fish here' said a voice from the insides of my metal companion. I agreed while wondering if whoever was inside could stay warm inside all that cold steel. I go back into my container while we travel. I never remember my thoughts while inside it. Maybe it draws them out the same way it steals heat from the man in the machine. As i emerge from my confined space i feel no less free. The water is awhirl with the movement of fish. They form a bubble around me just beyond my reach of my tether but at least i have my thoughts out here in here. Perhaps if i stood on the steel construct i could reach them. They do not move away from me but continue to keep a safe distance from my encased partner. I no longer wish to have them but instead find myself content to watch then swirl around me. They nearly block all the light and begin to be fish no longer. Their inky forms begin to blend and their forms are finaly lost to the movement. I am not afraid but there is still a strong send of urgency.

Griffin
11-19-2012 MON 03:34PM
Been thinking about you a lot today. And i'm glad you like my dreams. I figured out of anyone i could have sent that to you would appreciate it the most. When we get back we should do an art project.

Sami
11-19-2012 MON 04;32PM
Hey girl! How are you?

Antoinette
11-21-2012 WED 11;17AM
Awwwww.....i miss you!!
<3cheries;*

Dad
11-21-2012 WED 01:18PM
Marriage The Silent Killer

Dad

11-21-2012 WED 02:25PM

You make me PROUD.

Griffin
11-21-2012 WED 04:15PM
Just ran a 9:52

Thanksgiving messages from: Griffin, MAX NCCC, Antoinette, Zac (downtown)

Mama
11-22-2012 THU 06:41PM
Heads up your brother was talking about going to Paris in march not sure if it's just talk might want to have a conversation with him

Griffin
11-24-2012 SAT 11:35AM
There is a park that i only ever see from one direction. Perhaps i'll break with tradition some day.

Mama
11-24-2012 SAT 03:47PM
Awesome! Thank you Paige! Love you Sam

Mama
11-24-2012 SAT 03:56PM
Mitch says hi! Says he knows he owes you a letter

Griffin
11-24-2012 SAT 08:48PM
...u're down there make sure you get to Bryce canyon. On the top 5 for most beautiful places i have ever seen. Dont miss the chance. That and antelop canyon in az are the coolest of all.

Meg
11-24-2012 SAT 10:10PM
My life has been crazy the past week

Mad
11-24-2012 SAT 10:23PM
We are at Disney and I miss you

Griffin
11-25-2012 SUN 07:02AM
I want to build my house into the side of a canyon wall.

Griffin
11-25-2012 SUN 07:07AM
When i read your text right after you sent it i wasn't awake enough to know what you were talking about. I was so confused. So i went back to sleep and then dreamed about children made from broken pottery. I have a neat visual image of you in that room with the pottery now.

Griffin
11-25-2012 SUN 11;46AM
And i like the way you do things and then think about the things that were done.

Marla
11-26-2012 MON 01:32PM
your current one and the one after that and the one after that :)

Sami
11-28-2012
School stuff. I have a quiz, an essay, a proposal for a 10 - 15 page essay, and a huge poster project all due this week. Plus, it's Sagar's birthday on Friday

Zac (downtown)
11-29-2012 THU 03:00PM
I wielded a machete yesterday and worked a tractor today, both with no instructions. It' a good week. How are the boys & girls?

Chelsea NCCC
12-01-2012 SAT 04:02PM
Radsauce

Mad
12-03-2012 MON 05:26AM
I am really glad you love zack as optimistically as you do. I love you both so much. I think that is why I am so hard on you, you come to mature decisions quicker. I am glad you went to elon because then you wouldn't have had all this woods and stuff.

Cedar NCCC
12-04-2012 TUE 10:00AM
I wrote a poem for you. It's my first time writing a poem for someone else.
Pork for Sam
When I first saw you, I was scared to even talk, afraid that I would start then balk, that day when you first sat by me, I was scared to turn my head and see, why a girl like you would bother sitting with a guy like me. Once I started talking to you, and you talked to me, our friendship started there like a fire flare. Your friendship and time we share I cherish more, than squirrel, a nut tree, and my mom and her coffee. This is how important you are to me.

Hope you like it.

Don't laugh, though I know you will. It was on my bucket list.

Thanks for providing the inspiration for my poem and for inspiring me to say how I feel about others, and be more confident in general. You can cross inspire someone off you of your (bucket) list. You taught me that life's too short and to take some risks. You also got me to make my own bucket list.

Would you mind helping with some of my bucket list? I'll help with some of yours.

Allie
12-04-2012 TUE 05:33PM
I was talking to my aunt and she told me something that really struck me. I said "I just want to be one of those people who find a school they love and go there for four years." she said "Maybe it's not so much they love their school but that they love their life."

Allie
12-04-2012 TUE 06:52PM
What if I did Americorps?

And like, got over myself.

And then did school when I figured my shit out.

Maybe I just need to take my life less seriously.

Griffin
12-10-2012 MON 07:51AM
You are a really great person and i'm glad that i know you. Your compassion for people and your fortitude are things that i really admire. Please don't ever lose that.

Fei TL
12-10-2012 MON 09:33AM
Thanks sam. No one has approached me as of yet. But we should talk later, maybe after dinner

Antoinette
12-10-2012 MON 12:30PM
Hey love..jus letn u knw im tinkn of u and miss u

Griffin
12-10-2012 MON 08:21PM
From the butt dial i recieved it sounds as though hell has quite a few children.

09:48PM
I'd like to see some of your journal thoughts at some point.

Kelly NCCC
12-11-2012 TUE 01:20PM
Seriously, what are you trying to gain out of this situation?

01:22PM
I am not understanding it at all

01:31PM
You are breaking up the team in more ways than just one and not everyone knows

Griffin
12-11-2012 TUE 02;15PM
Heart hot head cold. You can only build half a bridge; it takes the other person to build the other half. A month from now you are going to look back through this and you will be a stronger person because of it.

02:16PM
I'm going commando the rest of the day in your honor.

Zachary David
12-11-2012 TUE 09:18PM
Are you ok

Jamie Counselor
12-12-2012 WED 09:51AM
Do your best to be mindful to make decisions today that help you feel better by staying in balance. It can be very healing to honor your feelings by practicing good self care, and not indulging in any negativity. Let me know how I can be of help to you, Samantha.

Griffin
12-12-2012 WED 02:02PM
Happy last repeating date we will see in our lifetime! Use it wisely!

07:30PM
Thinking of you.

Mad
12-12-2012 WED 07:34PM
Okay pickle

Bear NCCC
12-13-2012 THU 11:37AM
Cottage Noodle Bake 8 oz. curly noodles, cooked and drained 1 lb. ground beef 1 1/4 t garlic salt 8 oz. tomato sauce 1 1/2 c cottage cheese 1/2 c sour cream 1 bunch green onions grated cheddar cheese for top Cook meet and drain , add garlic salt, simmer a few minutes, add a little water if it seems too dry. Put this in a bowl and mix in remaining ingredient, put in pan and top with grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. ENJOY!!

Justin
12-14-2012 FRI 04:37AM
Ha :) it's true you're a very unique person and I have the utmost respect for you and what you do and who you are

Alex
12-14-2012 FRI 09:54AM
Saw your post. refreshing. I just recently decided to change my major to history and pursue what I love instead of what society and my family want me to pursue..

(ATeusaw@gmail.com)

Bear NCCC
12-14-2012 FRI 11:28AM
Sam, ill love you no matter what you did you were doing your job and by that I messed up what (*that) much I can say trust me i learn from my mistakes

Griffin
12-14-2012 FRI 09:45PM
Also that sad awkward moment when you realize that like no one is going to show up to a lock in because twenty children were murdered today.

Sami
12-15-2012 SAT 11:51AM
Aw! I miss you too! I am def excited to see you and here about your secret plans!!

Cedar
12-15-2012 SAT 06:41PM
You shall not text! (context was dorky LOTR conversation)

Bear NCCC
12-15-2012 SAT 09:10PM
Im leaving you some more little note books to write in because I know how mic you love that, I'm gonna slide them under your door Before I leave monday

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Farmington New Mexico Library Volunteering

My relationship with the Farmington Public Library was love at first sight.

I knew I had to volunteer here the moment I walked through the door. The following blogpost is a sneak peak into my (too brief!) time working with the Farmington Public Library & its excellent staff. The letters included are stolen from an email exchange between the Youth Services Coordinator, Flo Trujillo, and myself.

This photo (and all below it) taken from this library enthusiast's blogpost: Big Blue Globe: Farmington Public Library.
Excerpt from their post:

"Back in 2006, we almost moved to Farmington, New Mexico
just because of this library. We decided that although a good
library is a contributing factor on where to live, it shouldn't
be the only factor. As a result, we decided that
Grand Junction was a better option. However, we visit the
library in Farmington every time we're in the area and
even if the book selection was lousy (it isn't...Lynn says that it
has the best fiber arts collection she's seen), it would be worth
visiting just for the architecture. It was designed by Hidell &

Associates Architects in 2003 and takes into account the local

Navajo heritage by being built in the shape of a kiva. The building
is round and all sections spoke from the center, like a wheel.
It even has markings on the floor marking the summer and
winter solstices, when light will shine in from the ceiling at
these particular times. It's a fantastic library and the people
of Farmington are lucky to have it."

Flo,

I am very excited for MTAC on Thursday. Some of my crewmates, if not all, will be there.

Byron is a truly excellent guy, yes. And his passion for the Guys Read project is evident. I really hope it gets off the ground. I feel honored to be able to help in the planning stage.

Ah, yes! I forgot about the Sunday schedule difference. With crew activities, I might not get much opportunity to come in this weekend and volunteer. But I am going to keep a close eye on my schedule and try to pop in at some point. We are doing trail work at Simon Canyon on Saturday and have an afternoon crew activity planned on Sunday, but if I can stop in before 5pm on either day, I will.

I'm glad you like the flyers. I am waiting to hear from Byron on whether he wants to get my guy crewmates together as a think tank. Byron said something about his being in on weekdays next week (except Wed.) - Will he be in during the evening hours?

You mentioned: "Another thing... our past Youth Services Librarian is now at Pikes Peak in the Colorado Spring area. Her name is Barbara Huff, she is a dynamo! You may want to touch base with her if you are looking to volunteer in a library." I can barely express how much your sharing of that contact excites me! I love the library community. I will certainly have to look her up during my next project round. Is she working at the public library there?

Below is a quick blurb about my service time at the library & in AmeriCorps NCCC. Don't hesitate to make any edit, run it by me, & then share away.

All Best,
Sam

Blurb / Press Release:
My name is Samantha Mairson and I am currently a member of AmeriCorps NCCC. My team, of 10 highly diverse 18-24 year olds, is stationed at the Boys and Girls Club of Farmington. Our job includes, but is not limited to, the facilitation of activities at the club and the mentoring of local youth. Though my time here is shorter than I would like (November 10 - December 19), my program prides itself on the flexibility of our crews. We have the ability to respond immediately to disaster relief work and self-prescribed community needs are the main focus of NCCC. I am based out of the Southwest Region Campus (Denver, CO) and my NCCC campus serves 8 states. In addition to the work we do at the Farmington Boys & Girls Club, ECHO Food Bank, and elsewhere, my crewmates and I are challenged to complete 80+ "Independent Service Project" hours. The hours can be obtained by serving in any of the communities that we are a part of. A personal goal of mine is to spend 30+ of those hours working with pubic libraries. I have been and continue to be impressed by the Farmington Public Library. I was welcomed into the local library family and the time I volunteer there is spent assisting patrons and staff members, program planning and brainstorming, and learning about how a successful library functions. I hope to one day get a degree in library sciences. In funding my own education, I have faced many obstacles. I have learned that education extends immeasurably far outside the classroom. I have the Farmington Public Library to thank for some of my most recent learning and I hope my relationship with the library extends far into the future.

More on my time here...
I have been so welcomed into this library family that it makes leaving very difficult. It is December 15, 2012 and my crew departs from the Farmington, NM Boys & Girls Club (down the street from the library) on December 19th (this coming Wednesday). I sit behind the desk in the youth section of the library. Beth sits to my left. She is a jolly spirit. Employees float by, announcing where they're going. Beth explains the desk position to me like this: "We're like the captain of the ship. Everyone tells you where they're going. In case, for instance, someone calls and needs to know where they're at."

My initial email exchanges with Flo were to coordinate a time for an interview. That time came the evening before Thanksgiving. I had the opportunity to speak with her and a prior AmeriCorps VISTA, Byron, that works at the library. It became immediately clear to me that I had a place at this library and that they would put me to work. I rejoiced!

Byron is working on a program for the library called Guys Read. I was invited to join him in the project planning phase. My first Saturday of library volunteering, I worked with Byron. He gave me an orientation and introduced me to the Guys Read project. I spent 6 hours volunteering that Saturday. After learning more about the project (I recommend visiting the link above!) I could see why he was so passionate about starting a Guys Read program chapter at the Farmington Public Library. He will kick-start the program here in January.

My initial response included a Facebook post:

Samantha Mairson shared a link.

December 1

ATTENTION DUDE FRIENDS: Working on new project at Farmington Public Library ---> http://www.guysread.com/about/. Any thoughts on what or who got you reading? Check out the site and let me know what you think, your personal stories, or if you have any relevant ideas. Don't hesitate to comment or message me. I would be so grateful. Thanks guys. — at Farmington Public Library.

GUYS READ | About

www.guysread.com

Our mission is to motivate boys to read by connecting them with materials they will want to read, in ways they like to read.

Like · · Share · Tag Friends

Byron Tsabetsaye likes this.

Jeff Bell

Cool stuff! My mom got me reading above 1st grade level by the end of kindergarten! In 1st grade the teacher told my mom I wasn't paying attention. Mom asked if she realized she wasn't challenging me. Lol Because of my mother's love of reading, I also was bitten by the book worm. During testing in high school I placed the fastest with the highest level of comprehension the teacher had ever seen. Thanks mom. Wonderful woman and obviously a very powerful influence!!

December 1 at 1:18pm via mobile · Like

Tommy Bentley

My parents definitely were huge factors in getting me reading. I'm glad they did, because I have learned so much from reading. I can't say that I am a big non-fiction reader though, I much prefer fiction. It's definitely too bad that so many guys have this trouble with reading, because it is such an enjoyable and rewarding experience! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to read much in college because I am so busy with various things.

December 1 at 1:56pm · Like

Atticus Woodruff

Game of thrones. I saw the show and couldn't wait till next season so I read the whole series in a month.

December 1 at 3:39pm via mobile · Like

I helped patrons at the front desk. I made posters for the Guys Read Program. I invited Byron to use my guy-AmeriTeammates as a think tank. I brainstormed about how I could help in the future. I departed for the day.

I attended the library's December MTAC (Mayor's Teen Advisory Council) Meeting. I brought my crewmates Steven & Davion with me. Click here to see the minutes for the meeting. I tried my first slice of green jalapeño pizza and met a young man who seemed to be passionately interested in applying to AmeriCorps.

I spent the next Sunday working with Byron. I appeared -poof!- out of the blue. He put me to work on a winter-animals themed display. I learned to use the di-cut shape press and was encouraged to use my creativity with creating & naming the display (Want to learn about penguins and polar bears? SNOW Problem!). I was then given staff lounge holiday treats and free time to roam about the library.

Flash forward to the present: Beth tells me about weeding of the CD collection. We are in the midst of assisting patrons with a variety of book hunts. I compose this blog post.

Why do I compose this blogpost?

This is a wonderful place. It is a model for what modern libraries should be like. They should, architecturally, represent the community. Clean, friendly, helpful, organized, well-stocked, inspirational. The self-checkout system in very impressive. The staff is engaging, inviting, and eager to help patrons. The library cards are artistic. When you get a card, you get to choose a photo (submitted by community members in an annual competition). Your card grants you access to the magical world of computers and books and cardholding benefits (online volunteer log, ebooks, etc.) The programs are constant, exciting, & innovative. The staff is open to receiving eager volunteers, like myself, and enthusiastic about progress. The good energy is tangible.

When I leave, how will my relationship with this library continue? I do not exclude the possibility of applying and returning as an AmeriCorps VISTA. I hope to continue my dialogue with Flo, if ever she should like an AmeriCorps member to speak at MTAC meetings (via Skype) about AmeriCorps & federal service learning opportunities for youth. As I head off into a world of seemingly endless adventure & library exploration, I want my friends at the Farmington Public Library to know that I have not forgotten them. I encourage them to engage with me at any point, for any program. I wholeheartedly support the work that they do & the institution they maintain.

I love the Farmington Public Library. Wherever I end up living in the long-term, this library has set high standards for what I expect my community library to be.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Farmington Boys & Girls Club Project Reflection

Boys & Girls Club (Farmington, New Mexico)

Fire Team 4, Round 1

(November 9 - December 19, 2012)

Reflection By Samantha Mairson

Whomever It May Concern,

Photos provided by teammates Alicia Munchel, Paige Trubatch, or Kelly Cavanaugh.

I am sad.

If one week ago you'd told me that those three words would kick-start my final reflection for this project, I would have been surprised. Disbelieving, I would have raised one eyebrow higher than the other and asked you, "Sad --- to be leaving?" And you, all-knowing spirit, you, would have said, "I'm sorry, no. Just plain sad. The deep, gloomy kind that makes remembering the good stuff more difficult. This is the kind of sadness that can potentially infect your entire memory of the project round."

I would have shaken my head, "That can't be." Then I would have tried to retell all the glorious moments for you. I would have explained, in sequence, the adventure we'd had. We left Colorado Heights campus in high spirits. Region Director Ken's words rang fresh in my mind: We have high expectations for you.

We traveled all day. We stopped in Center, CO and had lunch at a Subway. By the time we arrived at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, I was memorably sick. That didn't stop me from befriending British Columbians and sledding down the dunes. It did, however, invite my sleeping on the floor of the heated campground bathroom (while the rest of the gang went camping the old fashion way).

We arrived at the club. A blur of excitement, exploration, settling. Betty welcomed us.

Switching rooms. Making food. Crew eating at the Blue Moon Diner. Sleeping on cots. Assigned to staff members for training; working with the kids. Morning quotes. Computer training. Feeling funky. Shopping at Walmart. Finding my groove. PT! Cleaning the art room. Ornament making. 5K 10K Alumni Run ISP in Shiprock. Flea market. Mom announces engagement! Habitat for Humanity. SNAPS! Thanksgiving. Twilight. Shooting guns. Made official Public Library volunteer. Festival of trees. Dance party. First time fasting. Habitat for Humanity gift wrapping. Honorary staff feast. Crew prepares float for centennial Christmas parade. Crew ventures to Chaco Canyon. Jolie & Omid. Food bank. Hilltop. Diversity activities. Youth Board. Community Garden. Working with Roger & Debbie. Bathroom makeover? Museum visit. Luminaria. Laughter. Music. Blogging. Cooking club. Locker painting. Cynthia. Simon Canyon trail work. Terrible discovery. Crew tension. CRASH. Envelope stuffing. April saves the day. Brandon leaves. Running in the rain. Alexander Pollock, Izzie, Mikayla, Alicia, Autumn. Last weekend. Secret Santa. Mayor comes for lunch. Cookbook thank you.

Those stream of conscious, semi-chronological snippets are reminders of the infinite moments and memories here. These are the bits and pieces of life here, as an AmeriCorps team.

"So where does the sadness come in?" I ask.

When you made an unfortunate discovery in the gym and lost a teammate as a result. You lost a teammate and the trust of other teammates. You know this because you checked into Facebook before you wrote this reflection and a teammate, still living with you, has deleted you as a friend.

You are working to rebuild bridges, staying strong and confident in the knowledge that your integrity is not among lost things. You miss your crewmate, Brandon, a great deal and worry about him. You think that that AmeriCorps member handbook policy on drug use (Sec. 6) needs to be rewritten. It gives false hope where there ought to be none.

Yet, despite the sadness that tinges all things, you feel like you have really helped people here. Your time has been well spent. You are hopeful for the future and eager for break.

You have gotten things done for America -
making our people safer, stronger, smarter, healthier.
You have brought people together.
You have faced apathy and taken action.
You have face conflict and sought common ground.
You have faced adversity and persevered.

You hope to keep your good memories clean and separate from this sloppy finish.
You have great fondness for New Mexico and the people residing here in Farmington.
You hope future teams will succeed here, explore the culture, treat the staff well.
You hope the staff will remember Fire Team 4 well and for all the good achieved.

You hope your team will move forward gracefully and regain strength.

But yes, you are ready to go home for holiday break.