Poverty

For my job, I attended a Poverty Simulation about a week and a half ago. I was pretty skeptical beforehand (no surprise there.) I really squirm when people try to simplify the problems of any class of people and allow others to feel like they can truly understand the struggles and joys of a particular culture. There are certainly movies, books, articles, or visits to other geographical locations that exploit the culture being described and allow the viewer to "sympathize" and voyeuristically abuse from afar. I worried that a mock poverty demonstration might lean towards mockery.
I will make no claims that I better understand the hardships that poverty brings. I can't even say it was an accurate representation of what many of my students face. But I can draw conclusions about myself and how I interact with my occupation.
In the simulation, we were put into families, given roles, money, a few resources. Our task was to survive for a month. You had to go to work/school/the grocery store, pay rent/utilities/loans, find transportation/childcare, navigate social service organizations (DSS, food bank, other non-profits).
You had to prioritize, scheme, and, in some cases, fight off other families or the police so that you could make it. Afterwards, we found out that my "family" of 4 was the only one (out of about 10) that was able to eat every week.
My conclusions:
1. In my role, I was supposed to attend the community college. However, at 21 I was the head of the house and quickly learned that there was no way I could attend school and provide for my family. By the end, I had dropped out and became a security guard. I see this ALL THE TIME at work. It is so frustrating. Students come in who have so much desire and potential and then something in their lives happens and education (necessarily so) gets put to the side. I have to remind myself that even though an education may have long-term benefits, short-term survival impedes the very thing (education) that will provide security from the short term problems. It is such a cycle.
2. UGH. The poverty simulation's social services were so unhelpful. The workers were frustratingly slow and uninformed. The services provided couldn't fill the needs of my family. I quickly grew short-tempered and argumentative with the very people who were trying to help me. This has always been a sore spot with me at work. Most parts of most days at work I am hands-on helping people. I come across very abrasive personalities. Many of my students simultaneously possess a sense of entitlement and feelings of mistrust towards me and my organization. I have many times wanted to scream, "COME ON, for the love, I am just trying to help, why are you making it so hard to help you!" I can't say those combative personalities will be any easier to deal with, but at least I can remember how I felt like the only way to get what I needed was to fight. I can try and fight "the fight" with more patience and less judgment.
3. Greenville HAS to get a better public transportation system for so many reasons.

Best Concert Ever

Part of my birthday present from Michael was a chance to get to see Mason Jennings (my all-time favorite musical artist) in concert. The whole trip up to Asheville was one of the top-dates we've been on. A fun city, cool art galleries, delicious Mexican/Caribbean dinner, fancy chocolates we snuck in to the show, and a kickin' concert.

Mason, of course, did not disappoint. So many of his songs are tied tightly to my soul. He played all the right songs (even obscure ones that I love.) Being at a concert where I know 90% of lyrics to sing-along is my definition of joy. And (we swear) he was looking at us the whole time.

The best part of the concert was that both openers exceeded expectations. Missy Higgins (amy's keywords: Australian accent, piano/guitar, good lyrics, rockin' female voice, good storyteller) and Brett Dennen (amy's keywords: high energy, Caribbean influence, unique voice, great performer and audience involvement.) And most importantly, Brett Dennen looked like Ed Bynum with a Amy-wig on. Try and picture it from the picture below. He is, as his website says, "an unlikely frontman for 2008." With glasses he put on to tune his guitar, funny dance moves, and a smooth awkwardness, he is about as cool as Michael in the middle school years (no offense to Ed or my hair or Michael in middle school). But he was just awesome. I am getting his cd, but I sure it won't compare to seeing him live. If you have the chance- do it.

what's in a name?

I got an email from proflowers.com with this subject:
"Reminder! Need an Anniversary gift for Enter Name? Get Flowers for $29.99"

Here is my letter (an impromptu poem, if you will)

Dear "Enter Name?"
I love you.
My love blossoms like a bubble-wrapped bouquet
with a pink "Happy Anniversary" card Times-Roman-typed
with evidence of our deep, personal connection.
A love so rare, so captivating, so utterly unique-
Only the mailman could properly deliver proof.
Our three years have felt like a day- a very long day.
Soon I will find out your name
and be able to fill it into every spam form I can find online.
I will bombard the internet
with messages of our love.



Oh how fun the internet can be! I much preferred the anniversary email from The Melting Pot offering free chocolate fondue for two!