Fave Things of the 1st wk of...

1. AUGUUUUUUUUUUST! Who knew it would ever come? Now I would say that it came fast, but this has without a doubt been the longest and poorest year of my life, so although I welcome August with open arms, I kind of feel like it should have been here six months ago. And I stand by that point. I've been talking to my AmeriCorps pals and it seems we all have a serious bout of senioritis kicking in with only ten days left in our service year. I'm throwing down some serious work next wk. Why? Because I have to. Holy Christ, it's going to be a killer.

You know what, I'm going to be completely honest with you guys. The only thing that really really is my favorite thing is that in nine days, NINE, I will have banged out the longest commitment of my life. One year. Not to a dude. Not to a job. But to something that I still believe is bigger than myself.

As this blog only caught the last halvsie of my struggles, I'm not going to blow sunshine up the ass of this experience. Making $250/wk sucked hard and I'm in negative dollars because of it. I'm in no shape for pending unemployment, that's for gosh-darned sure. My living arrangements have all been so-so, and my social agenda has been bare-bones and a lot of nights cuddled up with my laptop. Interestingly enough, it has gotten consistently beefier as I head closer and closer to departure, and that figures. But isnt that always the way? Sigh.

On the flip-side, I gained some important insights on life, the non-profit world, and Massachusetts weather.

1) Life really is like a bunch of chocolates. Considering the fact that I dont really like chocolate that much and theres nothing worse than picking out the chocolate that looks awesome only to realize its not chocolate at all, but a turd of sadness.

2) Non-Profits are great. For a lot of things. But I'm pretty sure I'm not interested in doing this ever. Until I'm an old geezer with a ton of $$ to throw around and I'm the one making all the decisions. Hopefully, at the expense of the people that work there.

3) There is nothing redeeming about Massachusetts weather. Ok, fine. The five days when fall is in full bloom and the trees are all on fire with reds and yellows and oranges. I liked that. But the other 360 can die a hard death. 361 in the case of a leap year.

As far as the personal jobby part of my year reflection, well, I've met alot of GREAT people. Great. The majority of the people that work at the HK are beyond fabulous, wonderful people with awesome intentions for bettering the lives of others, and they do it on a daily basis. We've got a team of incredible animals that are the closest things to angels put on this earth. Not to get mushy, but therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy have completely showed a different side of the world that moved me and gave me a newfound respect for the animals that have been so much a part of my life.

It's an amazing thing to see a child grow and respond, and its doubly amazing to me that the horse who tried to bite me five seconds earlier turns into the most quiet, gentle being once they're in the company of a child. Even you, Dan. Ya big jerk.

So for those of my HK people who read this blog, you guys made this experience. So many hugs in your direction. Not only are you a favorite thing of the first wk of August, you are the favorite thing of the past year of my life.

As far as the AmeriCorps year goes, well, I'm really looking forward to the day when my paycheck doesnt make my cry a little. I'd like to think it's closeby, but another thing the AmeriCorps taught me was to be a realist, not an idealist, so I'm not gonna hold my breath.