Getting SERVED

I'm now in the midst of a 4-day convention called SERVES, held in Yakima, and hosting all Americorps members from across Washington. We arrived yesterday, and today we essentially spent all day attending workshops on various topics (mine included "working the system" in schools, building relationships with hard-to-reach kids, helping ELL students, and managing a budget. The day was long but enjoyable, plus we get 16 service hours a day (even though we're actually attending sessions from 8-5).

Although we're meant to meet new people at SERVES, I've mostly enjoyed getting to spend lots of time with my team members, especially those who I don't see more than once or twice a week. FURTHERMORE, Mr. Wyatt Duea is in attendance, so we've had some good times in classes. Tomorrow I have to do an all-day emergency response training, which according to the people who did it today, SUCKS. I'm planning to bring my ipod touch so i'll have something to do.

Last week on the school front, we finally started the Afterschool program. Thursday was a highlight because I got to play basketball with the junior high kids. It was so much fun, my endorphines were pumping for the rest of the evening. And it was really satisfying to put those junior high boys in their place. I'm hoping to make basketball a regular activity.

Best name on the attendance list at the conference: BEAUTIFUL EXISTENCE. No joke. I'm hoping to take a picture with her.