Work/casual

So, I've uploaded some of my photos from the AmeriCorps conference I attended in Estes Park.  I snagged a few from the Good Works for Youth album - GWFY is the umbrella organization for VISTAs (AmeriCorps members) in CO organizations focused on youth and the environment...roughly.  It's complicated, but I was in Estes Park for 1) a conference for all AmeriCorps members in Colorado and 2) a conference for GWFY VISTAs.  Anyway, you should be able to view the pictures here: 

http://picasaweb.google.com/gates.sarahk/EstesPark?feat=directlink

We stayed at a YMCA, which was pretty amazing!  And I went roller skating - no big deal.

Overall, the conference helped a lot in terms of connecting with other people who are doing work similar to mine. Some of the other VISTAs (AmeriCorps members; it stands for Volunteers in Service to America) have done a lot of curriculum development in their programs, which is something I'm interested in pursuing.  This would be anything from environmental education to civic engagement to job readiness training.  A lot of people were generally knowledgeable about affordable recreation activities (if you discount the gas money it takes to get to them) throughout Colorado, like these classes that REI (an outdoor store) offers on everything from mapping to snow survival skills for women.  Pretty cool, hmm?

My mom was here this weekend, and we had a good time visiting the Denver Art Museum, eating upscale tamales, and seeing the debut run of House of Spirits at the Denver Performing Arts Center.  I stuck around in Denver on Sunday morning and bought 2 books...so what? 

Today I met with a lot? of high school counselors at the main district building to talk about WCYCC's (Weld County Youth Conservation Corps) AmeriCorps program for 17-24 year-olds, and it was interesting, but strange.  I felt weirdly comfortable, which is rare, but I think brought on partly by the fact that I was so tired and feeling slightly sick.  I thought about buying a cup of tea afterwards but then I didn't. 

From this sickness, or something, I'm feeling a bit bummed and stressed - so I'd appreciate any words of encouragement you might have to send along.  I think I might try to lessen the load, or the feeling of it, with a new pair of work/casual pants..um.
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(Here are some links that might clarify what I'm doing: http://www.cyca.org - Colorado Youth Corps Association;
http://www.co.weld.co.us/Departments/HumanServices/EmploymentServices/YouthServices/WeldCountyYouthConservationCorps.html - WCYCC)

Proof

A quick note before I go to bed to say that I've been in Estes Park this week for an AmeriCorps conference, so I have lots to tell!  Today I went hiking before I left... This is proof. 

Butternut squash

The car that is always parked right there, which we would fear being moved, since it would mean that our 90-some odd year old neighbor had gone for a drive. 

So these aren't quite pictures of butternut squash, but two of them have been cooked in our house since last Sunday.  Somehow both my roommate and I managed to cut ourselves in the process, so it's hard to tell if it's worth it.  After I finished my soup, I thought so - with ginger, apples, and curry.

I feel like I'm finally starting to adapt to my job - last week I had a meeting with some case managers at this organization called Youth and Family Connections to tell them about some of our programs for youth.  After saying "y'all" about fifteen times, the director asked me where I was from.  I think I turn the accent on higher when I'm nervous so people will pay more attention to that instead of what I'm actually saying.  But apparently I convinced them I was a real employee from a real organization... On Thursday, I went to an open house for another youth organization, where I didn't know anybody, so I took some networking professional's advice and introduced myself to a woman, and it worked.  Though I said, "Can I introduce myself to you?" so there wasn't really any hiding what was going on. 

I wish this were more fascinating than "butternut squash," but I think I'm trying to rest for whatever is coming next.  This week I feel I have all of these actual work things to do, involving me acting like a young professional, which seems kind of like lifting weights. I'm giving a presentation at a high school in the county and meeting with some different people about different things.  Habitat for Humanity and a garden in town.  Oh, and I started taking Spanish lessons with the county, which gives me an opportunity to ask really specific questions about the sounds vowels make.  Then next week, I'm going to Estes Park, a sort of mountain town that is actually vacated in the winter, for a conference, and my mom will be here for the weekend. But today, I think I'm just tired, or allergic... 

Inconspicuously

I may have mentioned that I went to a conference on volunteerism in Ft. Collins a few weeks ago.  Then I looked at the conference materials online and realized I'd walked into someone's photo...