Imagine asking a nonprofit to help re-build your house after it was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Imagine that when they come to your house to see what needs to be done, they find more problems than just the roof. Imagine hearing that your WHOLE house needs to be torn down and re-built.
This is the scenario of an older couple in Gulfport, MS. The Hope Community Development Agency is working to tear down and re-build their house. Today we worked on the demolition.
When we got to the site, we were all given various tasks - move wood to the dumpster, tear up the flooring, remove shingles from the roof, knock down walls, sweeping away dust, sawing wood, and the list goes on. We worked for hours and hours doing tedious, yet super important, tasks. And at the end of the day, we got to do one of the biggest tasks- physically knock down the building with our bare hands. We started with the frame of a house and ended with a pile of wood.
I felt kind of like a brat today. While I was sitting there complaining about my back hurting and having a few splinters, it made me realize that the couple whose house we were tearing apart had nothing. They thought they were getting a simple roof repair, but instead they were having their house knocked down and re-built.
I've been so blessed to have the things I do. And the next time I complain about not not getting something that I want, I'll remind myself that I have everything I need. And I'll remind myself of this couple that has nothing. But they still have hope. Through adversity, they have hope that one day they will have their home back. Because like I was told today, there's no place like home.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
First day in Mississippi
Today I, along with 21 other FGCU students, headed to Biloxi, Mississippi for alternative fall break. On this trip we will be addressing issues such as disaster recovery, poverty, and educational inequality.
We left at midnight and got to Mississippi at 11:15am local time (12:15pm Florida time). When we arrived we took a tour of Camp Victor, the place we'll be staying for the week.
After getting settled, we went to lunch for our first taste of the local cuisine the food was incredible and the people were so helpful. Then we did ice breakers and introductions, took naps, then headed on a journey to find the beach.
On this trip we got lost a few times and truly learned how nice the people of Mississippi are. Local residents helped us find our way and took time to talk to us. The encounter we had on the way back to Camp Victor is one I will remember for a long time.
He was walking into his house and asked us where we were from and why we were here. We answered and explained that we were building houses for Hurricane Katrina victims. He ran into his house and brought out a small box. He explained that he was here during the hurricane and is constantly amazed by how people keep coming and coming to help. The box of chocolate was his way of saying thank you to us for helping.
It was truly a heartwarming experience and one I will remember throughout this trip and when I head back to Florida. THIS is why we are here. To make a difference. To give back. To inspire change in this world.
We left at midnight and got to Mississippi at 11:15am local time (12:15pm Florida time). When we arrived we took a tour of Camp Victor, the place we'll be staying for the week.
After getting settled, we went to lunch for our first taste of the local cuisine the food was incredible and the people were so helpful. Then we did ice breakers and introductions, took naps, then headed on a journey to find the beach.
On this trip we got lost a few times and truly learned how nice the people of Mississippi are. Local residents helped us find our way and took time to talk to us. The encounter we had on the way back to Camp Victor is one I will remember for a long time.
He was walking into his house and asked us where we were from and why we were here. We answered and explained that we were building houses for Hurricane Katrina victims. He ran into his house and brought out a small box. He explained that he was here during the hurricane and is constantly amazed by how people keep coming and coming to help. The box of chocolate was his way of saying thank you to us for helping.
It was truly a heartwarming experience and one I will remember throughout this trip and when I head back to Florida. THIS is why we are here. To make a difference. To give back. To inspire change in this world.
Friday, December 16, 2011
I'm 22!
Happy birthday to me!!!!
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! It's been an amazing day so far, and it's only going to get better. Twenty-two isn't so bad <3
Expect some major blog updates coming soon. I leave for Biloxi, MS tomorrow for alternative break, and I'll be posting about my experiences on the trip. Thank goodness for the Blogger app on my iPhone.
Keep Calm and Party On!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Dear Inspired Reader
Dear Inspired Reader,
I have no idea who you are, where you live, or how long you've been reading my blog. But I want to say a huge THANK YOU for my letter and presents.
Last Wednesday, when I arrived at the last day of my internship, I saw an envelope on my desk. When I saw it was for me, I thought two things. (1) I never receive mail here, and (2) this must be some sort of joke. But I opened the envelope and read the beautiful letter inside.
I had no idea that anyone even read my blogs...and never in a million years could I have imagined I'd be an inspiration to someone out there. Your letter means the world to me, and I read it every day as a reminder that I'm doing something right in this world. I will write more about my weight loss journey...especially since I'm going to be kicking things up a notch very soon. I hope you will comment on my posts letting me know how your journey is going too.
Inspired Reader....YOU inspire me <3
I have no idea who you are, where you live, or how long you've been reading my blog. But I want to say a huge THANK YOU for my letter and presents.
Last Wednesday, when I arrived at the last day of my internship, I saw an envelope on my desk. When I saw it was for me, I thought two things. (1) I never receive mail here, and (2) this must be some sort of joke. But I opened the envelope and read the beautiful letter inside.
I had no idea that anyone even read my blogs...and never in a million years could I have imagined I'd be an inspiration to someone out there. Your letter means the world to me, and I read it every day as a reminder that I'm doing something right in this world. I will write more about my weight loss journey...especially since I'm going to be kicking things up a notch very soon. I hope you will comment on my posts letting me know how your journey is going too.
Inspired Reader....YOU inspire me <3
xoxo, Christina
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Grad School War
With all but one of my grad school applications in, I have a lot to think about. How will I afford these schools? Where will I live? Am I ready for all that grad school brings? But most importantly...where do I really want to go?
This is where I'm torn. I have my top four (4) schools, and they are divided by two categories: college football and city life.
As I sit here during rivalry weekend in college football, I want nothing more than to have this experience. I want the experience of going to one of these games and cheering for my school. FGCU couldn't give me this experience. And while I know that grad school requires me to "grow up," I still really want to be able to have the football season experience.
On the other hand, I would love to move to a big city. Both of my parents went to school in New York City, and I would love to have a similar experience as them. I would love to take the subway/metro to get to campus. I would love to walk out of a college building and step into the streets of one of the nation's biggest cities. I would love to have opportunities at my fingertips.
So what is it? Florida State or Alabama? Georgetown or NYU? Or will I end up at one of my back up schools...USF or FIU?
I guess only time and tears will tell.
This is where I'm torn. I have my top four (4) schools, and they are divided by two categories: college football and city life.
So what is it? Florida State or Alabama? Georgetown or NYU? Or will I end up at one of my back up schools...USF or FIU?
I guess only time and tears will tell.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Why I Hate Christmas Music
Okay, so before you call me Scrooge or some other terrible name, you should know that I don't actually hate Christmas music itself. I hate Christmas music when it's played out of season.
We all know that stores put out holiday decorations a little too soon. For example, Halloween decorations are out at the beginning of September, and Christmas decorations are out the day after Halloween.
This in itself bugs the heck out of me, but what bothers me more is when Christmas music is played out of season. So what's season you ask? Black Friday to the end of December.
The other day I was in Bath and Body Works and they were playing Christmas music. I couldn't stand it. I had to leave. All I could think was, "It's not even Thanksgiving yet!! You're playing Christmas music and your fall scents are already on clearance." Maybe it's just me, but I have a huge problem with that picture.
Justin Bieber released his Christmas album last month and Glee just released their Christmas album on Tuesday. I'm sorry, but Christmas isn't until December 25th.
I guess it bothers me so much because we're practically skipping over Thanksgiving. I know there are no Thanksgiving albums out there, but it's the fact of the matter. Thanksgiving deserves to have it's time. And the day after Thanksgiving, we can all begin to focus on Christmas.
Since people usually forget my birthday because of Christmas, I know what it's like to be Thanksgiving. I know what it's like to be forgotten about for something "more important."
On the bright side, only one more week until it's Christmas music season!
We all know that stores put out holiday decorations a little too soon. For example, Halloween decorations are out at the beginning of September, and Christmas decorations are out the day after Halloween.
This in itself bugs the heck out of me, but what bothers me more is when Christmas music is played out of season. So what's season you ask? Black Friday to the end of December.
The other day I was in Bath and Body Works and they were playing Christmas music. I couldn't stand it. I had to leave. All I could think was, "It's not even Thanksgiving yet!! You're playing Christmas music and your fall scents are already on clearance." Maybe it's just me, but I have a huge problem with that picture.
I guess it bothers me so much because we're practically skipping over Thanksgiving. I know there are no Thanksgiving albums out there, but it's the fact of the matter. Thanksgiving deserves to have it's time. And the day after Thanksgiving, we can all begin to focus on Christmas.
Since people usually forget my birthday because of Christmas, I know what it's like to be Thanksgiving. I know what it's like to be forgotten about for something "more important."
On the bright side, only one more week until it's Christmas music season!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Two weeks until the end
Two weeks from today will be my last day at my internship. It's an incredibly bittersweet moment, and I've never been so sad for something to end.
Four months ago, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do after graduation. I still don't, but I have a better clue. I'm more sure of myself and my future. I have a sense of where I want to be five and ten years from now. I can actually see myself in the field of public relations.
When I started my internship back in August, I didn't have any expectations. I was desperate and needed an internship. But interning at a PR agency was my dream. Never for a second did I think it would be a reality for me.
I didn't have a typical PR internship experience. I never wrote a press release or worked directly with the media. I never wrote PSAs for a nonprofit or coordinated an event. But the experience I had was unique, different, and life changing. I wrote blogs and scheduled tweets. I updated content schedules and Facebook pages. I created paper.lis and
There were days where I got so mad at myself because I felt like I couldn't do a single thing right. There were days where I wondered if I was cut out for this. There were days when I took way too long to complete a task. But there were days when I walked in and was told, "You did a great job." There were days when tasks finally got accomplished. Moments like that made it all worth it. It made me realize that though I was nervous about the work I was doing, it was paying off. It wasn't perfect, but people were happy. Clients were happy. That made me happy.
I can't even begin to list all of the things I've learned. This internship has taught me far more than any of my classes have. My time at Pushing the Envelope has been incredible, and I truly have nothing to complain about.
I'm going to take these next two weeks to be the best intern I can possibly be. I'm going to push myself a little harder, work a little longer, and enjoy the time I have left with my co-workers. The experience would not have been the same without them.
Four months ago, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do after graduation. I still don't, but I have a better clue. I'm more sure of myself and my future. I have a sense of where I want to be five and ten years from now. I can actually see myself in the field of public relations.
When I started my internship back in August, I didn't have any expectations. I was desperate and needed an internship. But interning at a PR agency was my dream. Never for a second did I think it would be a reality for me.
I didn't have a typical PR internship experience. I never wrote a press release or worked directly with the media. I never wrote PSAs for a nonprofit or coordinated an event. But the experience I had was unique, different, and life changing. I wrote blogs and scheduled tweets. I updated content schedules and Facebook pages. I created paper.lis and
There were days where I got so mad at myself because I felt like I couldn't do a single thing right. There were days where I wondered if I was cut out for this. There were days when I took way too long to complete a task. But there were days when I walked in and was told, "You did a great job." There were days when tasks finally got accomplished. Moments like that made it all worth it. It made me realize that though I was nervous about the work I was doing, it was paying off. It wasn't perfect, but people were happy. Clients were happy. That made me happy.
I can't even begin to list all of the things I've learned. This internship has taught me far more than any of my classes have. My time at Pushing the Envelope has been incredible, and I truly have nothing to complain about.
I'm going to take these next two weeks to be the best intern I can possibly be. I'm going to push myself a little harder, work a little longer, and enjoy the time I have left with my co-workers. The experience would not have been the same without them.
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