Charter Miscommunications

So way back in August I went to return all of my equipment to Charter and asked the lady to give me the complete and full amount I owed so that I would be done with my account. I paid it and thought I was done...until I received a bill in the mail for $0.01!! A PENNY.

I ignored it and received a second bill. So I called in Charter and explained how ridonkeylous it was that I had one cent to pay (he was shocked that it was one cent). So he tells me I can use my credit card to pay for it, but there'd be a $1.99 charge. I tell him that's crazy because it's not my fault the lady miscalculated. When I told him I went to the Charter office to pay last time, he suggested I go back and give her the penny (he was serious). So I yelled back and said that was RIDICULOUS for me to take my time + gas + missing work (all worth more than $0.01) to give her A PENNY, and after putting me on hold 5 times, he finally told me "ok, you don't have to pay anymore, it's all taken care of." No shit, Einstein.

Thank you Charter for being so understanding.

Survival of the angry and uncooperative

As AmeriCorps members, we have to recruit volunteers to work for us, like 20 each. And we're also competing with all other schools in the district as well as AmeriCorps VISTA members (whose main job seems to be volunteer recruitment). My little group of 4 has been trying to share sources, but it got a little ugly. It kind of sucks that we've resorted to engaging in this whole predatoriness. But one guy stepped up and wants to organize a whole system of being honest and cooperative with each other about this, and I couldn't have been more pleased with the decision. It's ugly out there for all us volunteer recruiters!!

Since my desk is in a classroom, the kids in that class have been introduced to me. Today one kid (who always says hi to me) tried to give me a hug this morning. It made me smile, because he already opened up to me without even knowing me, even though I technically couldn't hug him because of physical touching policies. Reminds me of "NO TOUCHING! NO TOUCHING!!" (NAME THAT SOURCE!!! hint: best show ever) I gave him a "side hug." I remember recently my older bro and sis told me how they would get their asses beat in elementary school, like the "paddling." Then again, this WAS in Texas, the most liberal and human rights-friendly state. *snicker*

Anyway, I'm sick of sitting in the computer lab and having to bring all my work with me when I have a laptop to use!!! I need internet installed at my desk ASAP.

It's Friday! Woo!

Actually, that means nothing now that I'm old and "responsible."

Food for thought

I'm into my 2nd week at the school and I'm loving it. Although things are a little slow in terms of service (but with so much to do, it's understandable). For example, I JUST moved into my own personal space in the corner of the new teacher's classroom. But she's a sweetheart and I couldn't have been paired with anyone better. And it's nice we're both transitioning into the school together.

But I feel awful because we kicked out the music teacher since there was an overcapacity of students. She had tons of musical instruments and equipment and now has to share her space among the hallway, computer lab, library, and art room. I realized just how hard it must be for her when I was given a desk with tons of stuff in it. So the new teacher told me the music teacher had been done cleaning out her stuff, so I put it all in a box and brought it to her to see if she wanted it. She turned and looked at me and asked "oh, they gave you my desk? You can just put it in the hall and I'll get to it" and forced a smile. God I felt awful.

The computers at the school are quite primitive: Windows 98, no USB port, just old skool. I guess I took all the fancy ass computers at UW for granted. Elementary schools are the last in line to receive hand me downs, which I think is ridiculous because these are critical years in academic development in young children.

There are some new district policies that are...not very pleasing. They've started this new "wellness policy" in which staff are no longer allowed to offer food as a reward for children (that includes candy). This will make finding incentives extremely hard since children are suckers for candy. I guess the district wants kids to have "healthier diets," calculating %s of fat. Snacks must be given by the district and parents are encouraged to NOT give junk food to their children for lunch. Children who bring in snacks for the whole class must either follow these % guidelines or else get the food from the district. It's a good thing in the long run....but I have to change a lot of things about my program now because I can't give candy and I can't have my end of the program pizza party. Bummer.

I received my first batch of potential volunteers today. I'm so excited!! People are desperate for volunteer opportunities. In my program, we're having 3 stations within the 1.5 hours:

1) One-on-one tutoring
2) Reading and literacy games
3) LeapPads (new product we're piloting this year)

I had more to write about, but I'm too tired/lazy/forgetful.

Right now it's a lot of training, emailing, and adjusting. Sometimes I wonder how I even got the job (desperation?). I know I can get the job done, but I can't help but feel like something's holding me back. I see everyone around me with so many more experiences than myself and it's hard not to compare myself to them. A lot of what I wanted to accomplish during my starting weeks, I haven't quite pushed myself to those points. But I'm thankful for the opportunity and I just have to prove that I can do it. But everyone is so nice and welcoming and I can't help but love it.

Life of the giftless

You know what? I wish I was one of those people who have natural charisma and can get away with winking at people. Although I am an adorable and charming person, me trying to wink at someone (you know, like in the middle of a conversation and not to be flirty) really just projects a muscle spasm image. I just don't qualify as a charismatic winker. Sad.

Best name for a town EVER

This happened about 1.5wks ago, but I needed to share my joy with the world.

I was driving with my mom from Manitowoc to Osh Kosh after visiting my grandma. A little while outside Manitowoc I'm bobbing my head to great music when I turn my head and see a sign that says "WHITELAW, POPULATION XXXX" (can't remember how many people). I did a quadruple take. And each time it did indeed say WHITELAW.

WHITELAW!!!!!!!!!

IN WISCONSIN!

I screamed and my mom thought I was crazy, but then she realized what I screamed about and started laughing herself, mentioning how WHITE everything was (houses, buildings, cars, etc...). And everything was Catholic...Catholic Church, Catholic Radio, Catholic Shop. I saw a gas station with gas price $2.79/gal. (going rate was $2.86ish in Madison) and wanted to stop for cheaper gas but I told my mom I was afraid of the White Law so we sped through. I stared straight ahead and tried not to make any eye contact with the White people.

I know there exist a million funny ass town names, but this one just had to top it all, especially being in such a white law state like Wisconsin.

By the way, when I got back to Madison, gas was going for $2.76/gal.

Introduction to my new position

***Nothing I write about reflects AmeriCorps or the U.S. government but is merely a reflection of my personal thoughts, observations, and perspectives. My entries about work may be boring and uneventful, but I am using this blog for my own personal memory and you are all more than welcome to indulge**

I began my first day at the elementary school I'll be working at for the year. My supervisor is great and seems really cool, so it should be a pleasure to work under her. She showed me around the school and I got to meet most of the staff, all of whom I can probably remember 1% of the names.

It's a 2 floor building, K-3 first floor, 4th and 5th in lower level. Because the school is wayyyy over capacity this year, space is incredibly limited. For example, they are now turning the music room into another first grade classroom. And this is where my new "desk space" will be located. I am given a corner of this new classroom, and whether or not I get an actual desk is questionable. I may have to settle for a counter. Oh, and while this transition is taking place, I am sitting in a corner of the staff lounge next to the printer, using counter space underneathe the mailboxes and next to the lunch table. Oh, did I mention the staff lounge is a former gym locker? So yes, the staff lounge is neighbor to the gymnasium/cafeteria. I will begin bringing ear plugs to work, or else blast my Ipod so loud I will become deaf, which in turn will allow me to be immune to the loudness.

MSCR has been working at this school for 5 years already, so I am glad that there has already been a relationship established. This means (theoretically) that I am well accepted as part of the school district and there (hopefully) will not be any animosity between the 2 organizations.

I also have to say I love the school's surroundings. It's located in a quiet neighborhood and is surrounded by a plethora of greenness and trees, making it more in tune with a nature and more pleasurable for viewing.

Anyway, in case you're wondering what I'll be doing exactly, I'll be running an afterschool literacy/tutoring program called "Reading Buddies" for K-3 students with low proficiency in reading. I'll be recruiting volunteers (anyone interested apply within!!!!! desperately needed) to tutor and help run these activities. I'll also be tutoring ~8 students one-to-one throughout the week, helping with other club activities, planning service-learning projects, and helping with family literacy nights. Busy but hopefully rewarding and good learning experience for me, the school, and the children.

Oh yea, I met a Hmong art teacher who 1) knows my older brother 2) met my mom 3) lives in my neighborhood along with my supervisor 4) is from Sheboygan, and most importantly 5) created a program for the new refugee kids to help them intergrate into American way of life (how to answer a teacher's question, go to the bathroom, pull out tissue from a tissue box, etc...). Pretty good program, I think.

Today's highlight/lowlight:
+: yummy (but rich) chocolate delicacies at the staff meeting
-: my can of cherry coke from the vending machine was busted and leaking