Puerta-A-Puerta

I wanted to share a volunteer experience that I had last weekend, but I kept forgetting to blog about it, so here it is....

Last Saturday, March 19th I volunteered through Hope Harbor to go "Puerta-A-Puerta" or "Door-to-Door" in a lower class Bowling Green neighborhood. We wanted to give these residents information about safety and health services that are offered in the area. Most of these people are unaware of what Bowling Green has to offer because the majority of them are Hispanic immigrants. 

That morning we were assigned teams of one bilingual person and one non-bilingual person. Each team was assigned about 20-30 homes. I was grouped with a girl and I was considered as the bilingual one. I was kind of nervous at first because I know some Spanish, but I'm not fluent yet. Little did we know, but many of the residents didn't answer their door because it was so early in the morning or they were afraid to answer the door. I did get to speak to one Hispanic man. I asked him questions in Spanish and got my message across, I was proud of myself (although I always could have done better). Later I went out and talked to more English speaking residents and one more Spanish-speaking, but I didn't do much of the talking (in Spanish).

Overall it was great to use my Spanish and do community service. I felt like I was making a difference to those who are not sometimes seen as accepted in out society. 

40 Days for Life

Yesterday the Hilltoppers for Life and I went to Louisville to pray outside the abortion clinic in downtown Louisville. It was really a great experience. I had never done anything like this before, but it really put my beliefs into action.


We arrived at the clinic at 7:45 am on Saturday. Between 7-8 am is when the women come in for their appointment. I was able to see a couple women walk in. When they arrive there are "escorts" to assist them to the building so none of the people praying will disturb them. It was really powerful for us praying the rosary out loud when they passed. Also, there was a young girl who genuinely asked her to not go through it. It amazed me how this young girl already knew how she stood on life and told the woman getting abortion her beliefs. There were around 30 of us there in the morning and we prayed until 9:30 am. We came back from 12-2pm and for awhile it was only us (Hilltoppers for Life). We sang and prayed together once again as a group. We prayed for EVERYONE involved in the abortion process; even for those who passed by us and gave us nasty comments and gestures. 


In the morning they said that 18 women walked in. I'm hoping and praying that yesterday while we were there we saved 18 precious lives. I hope I can do this again in the future!


Website:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/louisville/

School Obeservation

For my EDU 250: Intro to Education class I'm required to observe 15 hours in a school. This week I just started to observing. WKU's Education Department assigned me to a Speech Pathologist at Warren Elementary. Although I've had to wake up really early to observe it has been a great experience. I really enjoy it and I've learned a lot. 


I have never observed a Speech Pathologist in a school setting and so far I think I would like this setting the best once I earn my degree. They are at school from 7am -3pm and give therapy to cute kids all day! I have seen many different types of observations, including AAC device, fluency, language, and articulation. What is really neat is I was able to see testing for an articulation disorder (can't say a certain sound) and for a fluency disorder (stuttering). It amazes me that one day I will be able to do all of that! I'm looking forward to it, but still have a lot to learn! 

Private Practice- Morals- Pro-Life

Last week, Private Practice (March 17th) was filled with the question between right and wrong. Morals were everything. Since I'm pro-life I couldn't stop thinking about how the issue of life is consistently brought up. This particular episode shocked me.


During the episode a pregnant couple comes into the office wanting some help. They have had several miscarriages and now they have a baby, but it has many problems and has a very low rate of surviving once it is born. The couple comes to the doctor wanting to kill the baby and use its' eggs to produce another child that will survive. Some of the doctors are pro-life supporting them, while others aren't. A quote from the show said by Cooper, "That's worse Charlotte it's a baby, with a life! A tragically short one, but that is a LIFE. How are we not on the same side here?....Can't believe you" When they have the child the parents decide they don't want to see the child because they are afraid they will "bond." But the doctor keeps saying that they have always wanted to be parents. In the end, we still are unsure of whether or not they will use the baby's eggs.


Below is a link for the episode:


http://www.hulu.com/watch/222885/private-practice-love-and-lies

ONE YEAR!

Wow, I can't believe it's been one year since I started my blog. I started my blog during my Spring Break last year and I'm still continuing to blog. I'm actually surprised because I thought I would only keep up with it for a few months. It's great to look back to see what I have blogged! This blog is really a great place to say whatever and share with anyone.

On a different note, this Spring Break has been flying by! I've been having a really good time with my family. On Monday I went skiing with Chris. It was soo much fun! I love skiing. I surprisingly didn't fall once. I even went down a diamond (level: hard) hill. It sure was steep, but I made it. On Wednesday I went to NYC with my dad. We went out to lunch and dinner and in between we went to St. Patrick's Cathedral for Ash Wednesday Mass, went to the American Folk Art Museum, and saw Jersey Boys on Broadway. What a day! Mass was so crowded, but it was really neat to have a Mass in there. It was cool to see the thousands of people walking around NYC with ashes on their heads. Jersey Boys was great! Even though I didn't know any of the songs (well I knew one, but that's it) the music was entertaining. I have to say though, I enjoyed American Idiot better, but there's no doubt that Jersey Boys was good!

On Tuesday I bought the book "Water for Elephants" and I finished reading it today! I couldn't put it down. I wanted to read it because I knew it was going to be a movie soon. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Below is the summary for the book from: http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm?book_number=1826

"An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of Riding Lessons.

When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.

Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford."

Here is the trailer for the movie:

Glee Volume 5

Today I bought Glee Volume 5 to add to my collection. My favorite songs on the CD are: "Fat Bottomed Girls," "Take Me or Leave Me," "Firework,", and "Thriller." I watched Glee tonight and they didn't put "Animal" (the song below) on the CD, but I really like that song too!

Enjoy :)

España Este Verano!

Yesterday I received an official email stating that I was accepted into the KIIS Spain I program this summer! I'm so excited! I actually was awarded a scholarship from the Modern Languages Department to study in Spain even before I was accepted. 

I will be studying from May 30- June 30, 2011. Here is the description of my program from kiis.org:

"Since 1979, the KIIS Spain I summer program has offered students intermediate Spanish-language study in the charming city of Segovia. During this month-long program, students develop their language skills and immerse themselves in Spanish life. The program includes a homestay.

Only 60 miles north of Madrid, Segovia is an attractive provincial capital in the foothills of the Guadarrama mountains. The city retains the strong, traditional character of Old Castile and has a visible history that dates back to pre-Roman times— Segovia’s world-renowned castles, aqueducts, museums and beautiful environs provide ample evidence. Segovia also offers a weekly open-air market, picturesque plazas and cafes, a lively nightlife and frequent cultural events such as the weeklong Fiestas de San Juan y San Pedro at the end of June.

The pleasant early-summer weather and congeniality of the Spanish people lend a spirit of cordial hospitality to the city. Segovia's location also makes it ideal for individual and group excursions. In additionl to daily classes, the Spain I program includes an all-day orientation to Madrid and group excursions to world-heritage sites such as Toledo and Salamanca. On select weekends, students may travel independently in Spain and beyond."

I will be taking 6 hours. I applied for Spanish 374: Literature and Culture of Spain and Spanish 331: Business Spanish. I hope enough people applied and they will be offering both of these. 

I submitted four other scholarship applications...just need to wait for those results now. 

TWO MORE DAYS!

I will finally be home in two days for Spring Break! I can't wait because this will be my first time home since spring semester has started. I am flying home Friday night. I will get to see my whole family because Nick will be home for his Spring Break for a couple days while I'm there. While I'm home, I'm going to Boston to drop Nick off at school and I might go to New York City with my dad. It should be fun. I'm ready for a relaxing break (even though I will have to do some homework). This week has been crazy and it still isn't over. I've been so exhausted.


I'M SO READY TO BE HOME!