what's new. 13

This week's goal was to volunteer, and while I found somewhere to do that, I haven't yet had the volunteer experience.  So, if you don't mind I'm going to save this one until Saturday afternoon when I get back from spending the morning reading kids books ad doing crafts.  I'll keep you posted on how it went and what I learned.  Also, this way will give you something to look forward too!

ADDENDUM!

You guys I had so much fun this Saturday morning!  My friend Ann and I ended up at a Brenneman Elementary on the Northside working with first graders on their reading and then working on some art.  The kids were hi-larious, they worked really hard and created some awesome art, and did I mention it was suuuuuuper fun?  Over all, I have nothing but good things to say about this whole thing.  The kids took turns reading aloud (with our help), then there was a fun worksheet, and then we made posters and books.  I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a super easy and fun way to spend 2 hours on a Saturday volunteering.  I'm going back on the 30th, so if you're interested, let me know!

Here are a few other things I learned for the week:

-The Chicago cares website is soooooo easy, you should use it.  Like right now.

-Its is very easy to help, if you do something you're passionate about.

-If you're volunteering with 1st graders, when all else fails, talk about Justin Beiber.

-Really, the idea of finding somewhere to volunteer seemed overwhelming, but so many people need help right now, there are opportunities everywhere.

-I have not gotten as much accomplished on a Saturday as I did after getting back from Brennemann.

-Volunteering is easy, just do it!

I love you New York.

This weekend I made a really quick trip to New York for work.  It was kind of a whirl wind of early flights and longish days, but I had oh so much fun sprinkled in.  I got a chance to walk around and relax, I had dinner with a good friend, and of course- I got cannoli!

I hope you had a great weekend too!  Enjoy the pictures :)

that was easy.

This was so easy, like sooooooo easy.  Guys, if you were thinking about volunteering and were waiting because you didn't know how/where may I present to you Chicago Cares.

Go there.  

It's such a brilliant idea.  A website where organizations can post volunteer opportunities and 'we the people' can peruse them, and decide where to help.  Did I mention it was super easy!?!  I actually did it from my phone... 5 clicks, 4 questions, and a submit button later, I'm signed up with a confirmation e-mail and all.  I'll be spending a couple hours next Saturday morning reading with 3rd-5th graders and doing fun crafts!  Really seriously, check out Chicago Cares... and have a good Thursday! 

P.S.  There are still a few spaces open if you want to come with me!  It's Saturday April 9th from 9:30-12.  Just leave me a comment if you want details...

we are experiencing technical difficulties...

I've spent my whole morning researching volunteer opportunities.

Kind of.

Really, I think I found a cool place to volunteer, but since you don't want to hear about me filling out forms, and trying to figure out why my computer keeps reloading this one page over and over again, you should go here.  While waiting for my computer to get its act together I've been checking out the prints and looking at all the pretty pictures available on the cheap.  I think I'll get the one above for my living room.  Also, helping out a struggling artist is kind of like volunteering right?

Dear Shannon, XOXO The Universe

Me: sitting on couch twiddling thumbs

Universe: Hey Shan, you should change things up.

Me:  I'm good.

Universe:  No really, you should mix it up.

Me:  Nope, I'm fine thanks.

Universe:  hold. on. tight.

It turns out there is going to be a whole lot of change for me this year.  I'm excited.  Really excited.  My comfortable complacent existence is going to get totally shaken up, and while I'm welcoming what's to come, it's also a little scary.  Just so we're all on the same page, last week I found out my roommate is moving to her own place, and my job is moving to California, and I'm not going with either of them.  This means that in the next 8 months I'll be welcoming a new roommate, finding a new job, and embracing a whole new decade.

Change.
Big. Change.

I thought that this week I'd work on my resume, or roommate search, or both, but I'm feeling a little rudderless right now, and I think I may need to work on that first.  I decided to spend this week finding a place to volunteer on the regular.  I don't think that I'll change the world in just a few weeks or 'find my calling', but I do think it will be good to do something that reminds me how great I've got it (changes or not).