United Under Facebook

This past month, Facebook introduced its users to its whole new look - new friend lists, larger pictures on the News Feed page and the beginning of the Timeline concept.

As the new formatting began creeping into our lives, so did the upset Facebook patrons, wondering where to readjust their privacy settings, what "subscribing" means and stating their opinions on the larger pictures.

As we have all learned with any time of uproar or protest, get a few unhappy people started and few more will follow. But with outlets like Facebook a few hundred more will following. The complaints, confusion and frustrations piled onto my news feed like a line of Starbucks patrons from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. waiting for their coffee and not afraid to voice their opinion.

What I found most interesting among Facebook users is the unity to stand up and give their opinion, out in the open for all to read. I wonder if half of the vocal Facebook patrons are half as willing to share their opinions on politics, war and other controversial issues. And if so; is Facebook the match that starts the fire? Does take it Facebook and layout changes to unite our generation to voice its opinion. I certainly hope not.

Following the Facebook layout changes, several issues came to national limelight - which were completely unrelated to the change in the most popular social network. Would Americans had been as vocal about these issues if Facebook had not changed days before? Were we united with a previous national event - the changes in Facebook; really? I certainly hope not.

So what I am really asking is if our generation can only be united through Facebook; and if so, is it flame for change caused by some Facebook activity that leads to the Facebook users to make a stand against other issues in our society.

Do we only unite together because of a website like Facebook; is it that influencing? If so, Facebook should have a new change each week, so we begin our weeks with a Facebook rant and then begin to tell people how we feel about current, political and social issues, such as education, taxes and the economy.

We should be a generation who care about more than where our pictures are, where our friends can be "found" or what music someone is listening to; but instead work to change the issues we really care about - we all have something to be passionate about. So go find your passions and enjoy changing your life.

I'm not a runner

As I reflected over my last blog post, I was constantly reminded of something in the later added image. The image of an individual holding up a poster where the last line reads, "Live your dream and share your passion." What really resonated with me was "share your passion." So here it goes, I want to share with you my love of running.

I have never considered myself a runner. My high school physical education teacher spent several months asking me to consider joining the track team, I said "I'll think about" every time. I could tell he thought I had potential and I just did not have it in me to tell him "no."

Flash forward about four years later to my junior year of college, when I started interval running. I quickly learned it was the best way to figure out what was going on in my life. Running became my way of thinking, running outdoors gave me the room to think.

I've always considered myself a thinker. I over analyze everything, from what clothes I wear to how I send a text message. It's ridiculous, but running gives me the room to think and somehow the room to realize there is much more to life than thinking.

After years of not having new year's resolutions, I woke up at the beginning of January one morning and announced that I would like to run a half marathon this year. Well September has rolled around, it is still 90 degrees outside and I find the end of the year fast approaching without a half marathon completed.

But fear not, I have paid my registration fee for one in December and I'm still running. So how I am still running, loving it more than I have in a long time and ready for so much more?

So much of my training is figuring out where my limits are, how to expand them and to use the resources I have closest to me. I contacted a friend of mine who runs marathons to see how he trains, he directed me towards a website and from there I found the training program that fits me best. Texas summers came and I switched to treadmills and began training as if I was running a full marathon, in order to make for the difference between treadmill and outdoor running.

September 13 rolled around - my ultimatum date, start running outside no matter what. I got up about an hour earlier, ate my breakfast, tied my shoes and went out to pound some pavement for 3 miles. Okay, the pounding was not for all three miles, it was more of half a mile I pounded and the rest I sped  walked. Finishing right at my goal time, it appeared as though running on the treadmill had not hurt me as much as I thought it might.

Today, marks the beginning of my second week outside, there was a bit of rain as I began running, but before long, the sun was out and the trail of full of runners, bikers and strollers. Four miles down today and I'm ready for some more.

But there is more to running than just running. I am beginning to learn the value of cross training and stretching. I have always had trouble with the whole stretching routine, but seems to be getting better. During my Jesuit Volunteer year, I began practicing yoga about once a week and have a carried my practice back to Dallas. Beginning my Saturdays with yoga, is a wonderful way to have a relaxing weekend, but also to stretch in preparation for my long run.  

Yoga also helps me to learn to focus on my breathing and just how much pressure my body can handle. So much of one's yoga practice is listening to what your body needs to feel better, to challenge itself and to enjoy life. This is accomplished through deep breathing and by paying attention to your muscles and joints. I take this philosophy to my running and it makes for a much more enjoyable expierence.

Following my yoga class, I bike, either stationary or on the Katy Trail for about half an hour. So much of working towards any athletic goal is working all the muscles in your body so they are there to support the muscles that experience the brunt of the force.

I find because running provides me with thinking time, I prefer to run by myself - at least for now. However I make certain to remind myself, that without the presence of others I would not be able to do run nearly as well as I am. This lesson is a wonderful way to start out each day, remembering that even though we are each our own individual people it is within groups that we make the most change.

Badger Call for Change

There is a part of growing up that is sad; the part where you realize what you remember as once was, is no longer that way. As an alum, who will openly admit my fond memories of Spring Hill are probably sugar coated, I love Spring Hill with my whole heart and hold it dear to me. The memories that flood my mind are of wonderful people, who stood tall with pride, with hope and with respect for their friends, for themselves and for their fellow Badgers.

But where my respect is lost is when I walked down my dorm hallway to find chairs thrown everywhere, fire extinguishers extinguished and holes in walls. I know this is not some badger right of passage and therefore not all students are taking part in the fun. I am not asking for hall monitors to bring back flashbacks of Middle School or episodes of Even Stevens (for those of us whose schools was too small for hall monitors); but what flame I am trying to ignite is one of change.

I could go on for hours with Gandhi’s, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” or Martin Luther King quotes about how change must begin within before you can demand it from others; but that would be boring and less than helpful. What I am most tempted to do, is go into a “back when I was badger” story; but maybe that will help explain my frustrations.

I used to leave my door to my dorm wide open, not a problem in the world. I would walk around campus at 3 a.m. due to insomnia and be fine, no fear of attacks by visitors or by students. Honestly, it was some what normal to see sober students walking around at 3 a.m. enjoying all that is Spring Hill. There was a mentality that nothing could happen to you on campus and sleeping through the night was not abnormal because the music would stop playing, the fire alarm did not sound and students respected each other. But it appears as though that maybe changing.

I picked Spring Hill as my home of four years for many reasons; but I graduated loving it for many more reasons. I graduated from a small high school and loved knowing who my teachers were, I desperately wanted that same feel in college. Stumbling upon Spring Hill, I knew I found home after a weekend visit to the Hill. I love that feel, I knew everyone and everyone at least pretended to know me.

But Spring Hill is also a funny place because as a student, it is hard to fully appreciate it until the status of Alum is gained. During a student’s time at Spring Hill, their heart is usually torn in two, half loving the Hill and the other half frustrated by parking tickets, homework piles and mass e-mails; but there is a turning point. For some it is the moment of the looming real world, the walk down the Avenue of Oaks or the visit months after graduation when you begin to truly love Spring Hill.

The respect you once had for your fellow classmates and badgers finds its place again, you realize Spring Hill will always have a special place in your heart, you realize what it means to be Jesuit educated, to live with Service for Others and to fight for what is right.

I did a year in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) and so much of that year was focused on respect, service, social justice and belief; so I hope the ways I have grown and matured are not just because of JVC, but also because of Spring Hill.

I hope it does not take an other drastic event on campus to make Spring Hill students aware that  change can be created. Certainly there are times when it feels like no one is on your side, shoot I’ve been there; but I survived and I made change for the people behind me. There is something to Gahdi’s quote and to my new rule in life - Don’t complain if you aren’t willing to consider the other options or changes.

When St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order bid his Jesuits farewell before they left on their mission work, he told them, “Go, set the world on fire and in flame.” I tell you this, so you know there comes a time when change is necessary, that time maybe now and that change has to come from within yourself, it must be within reason and it must begin and take off.

Life is terribly complicated, but only because we insist on making it that way, so let’s simplify it - Do what you love and change what you do not. So if you are no longer happy with how things are at Spring Hill - stand up and do something about it. Don’t blame the administration; but instead recognize their jobs; make changes when you see something you do not think is right, whether that is messy common areas, a drink spilt in the hallway or something bigger. This is your campus and your life.

How bad is the summer drought?

This passed Fourth of July, Central Texans had to come to the harsh reality that Fireworks were not going to a part of this year's festivities. As the summer progressed, IH 35 started being covered in signs reminding drivers and residents to conserve on water. Rumor has it, this harsh reality is no where near ending.

To put things a little more in perspective, Hill Country Conservatory (HCC), based in Austin, Texas sent out a few interesting statistics on just how bad the drought has gotten. In a very creative way, HCC linked the statistics to donation suggestions - I give them props for this. Here is what HCC says:

We are asking for donations based on some of the recent records we have been breaking - every little bit counts!

$11 - Total amount of rain (in inches) in Central Texas since October 2010 (20 inches below average)

$27 - Number of Consecutive Days above 100 in July and August 2011

$63 - Total Number of Days in 2011 with Temperatures in excess of 100 degrees

$79 - Predicted Low Temperature on Tuesday (8/16)

$105 - Predicted High Temperature for Tuesday (8/16)

If you are interested in donating, click here. 

Placement Spotlight: Catholic Charities of Central Texas

Using the foundations of Catholic Social Teaching - love, service, advocacy, integrity and stewardship, Catholic Charities of Central Texas (CCCTX) works to help individuals and families through out Central Texas.

Serving a total of 25 counties stretching through Central Texas, CCCTX has three offices - one administrative in Austin and two satellite offices in Bryan and Waco. CCCTX has a variety of different services including the Gabriel Project Life Center, Immigration Legal Services, Marywood Children & Family Services and Access for Central Texas.

Gabriel Project Life Center allows pregnant women and children up to age one to receive assistance by helping mothers through every step of their pregnancy and through the beginning phases of their child's life. The mothers are able to attend classes, receive baby products and gain a since of community full of support.

Immigration Legal Services opens it doors to clients the first three Tuesdays of each month for clients trying to gain legal residency in the United States. Immigration Legal Services only takes family related cases, U-visas or V-visas. U-visas are for victims of a violent crime and U-visas are for spouses or children of Legal Permanent Residents (LPR).

Marywood Children & Families helps anyone interested in adoption or any pregnant mother who is wanting to give up her child for adoption.

Access for Central Texas (ACT) helps Austinites apply for state benefits such a Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF), Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid. This program frequently meets families at their need and outreach specialists travel to local schools, community centers and office. 

Joel & I at the beginning of our
JV year. 

While at CCCTX, this year's (2010 - 2011) Jesuit Volunteers (JVs) assisted in the coordination of the Angels of Hope Food Pantry. Designated for individuals and families from the 78702 and 78741 zip codes, this client-choice based food pantry served every Friday, excluding national or Catholic holidays. Several years ago, the pantry client attendance grew so much that CCCTX started offering Senior Days to clients on fixed income or above certain age. 

Additionally, the two JVs worked in the case management department. Towards August 2010, CCCTX offered clients the choice to go through their case management program. Both JVs had case management clients through this program, but the majority contact CCCTX because of extraordinary circumstances - such as disaster relief or an eviction notice.

Lauren and Robert, food

pantry volunteers. 

September 4 brought Tropical Storm Hermine, which brought flooding to Bell, Travis and Williamson counties. In response to the diaster, CCCTX worked with the Long Term Recovery Committee of the Williamson County VOAD to help families in need. Additionally, CCCTX set aside funding to assist individuals and families in Bell County. Many of the families effected by the storm, became case management clients through CCCTX and even more were able to benefit from the financial assistance that CCCTX was able to provide.

The third type of case management came through funding from the county. Best Single Source, an Austin collaboration of non-profits got together to aid individuals and families throughout Travis county, who through unplanned emergencies have found themselves short funds to pay bills; but with a little assistance and some case management could be back on their feet again.  A very similar program, which CCCTX was able to assist families and individuals through was Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP). This program allowed CCCTX to help people with eviction notices or notification of discontinued utilities.

JVC: Austin (Texas) takes on South Dakota

Towards the beginning of our year as Jesuit Volunteers, Casa Dorothy Day (also known as the JVC: Austin community) came up with a plan to visit to another Jesuit Volunteer community in St Francis, South Dakota. The following are stories of our adventures and how we grew to truly appreciate living in Austin, Texas.

Friday, June 18

We left Austin around 6 p.m. and made our way to Dallas. Fortunately for us, Monroe is also from Dallas. So between the two homes we were able to stay in Dallas on Friday.

Saturday, June 19

4:45 a.m. - Wake-up alarms sound. I asked my community members to text me when all four of them were awake; I found this to be especially helpful in preventing my waiting in the lobby of my mother's residence.

5:45 a.m. - We hit the open road heading North on IH-35 towards Oklahoma.

The rest of the day was filled with beautiful views of Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and the excitement of finally reaching our destination. We stopped every once and a while for gas and even found a locally owned sub shop to pick-up lunch from somewhere in Kansas. But for the most part, our trip was filled with seeing the Midwest of the United States.

8:45 p.m. - We arrive to Saint Francis, South Dakota. Just over the South Dakota / Nebraska state line; St. Francis, South Dakota is part of the Lakota Reservation. Arriving in time for a home cooked meal and a beautiful sunset, we took the rest of the evening to catch up with our fellow Jesuit Volunteers and just relax after an 18 hour road trip.

Sunday, June 20

We began our day by attending the local church, found only one block from the JV house. Painted a bright shade of lavender the Jesuit church provides a wonderful since of community and source of spirituality for members of it's congregation. The attendance is small enough at this church, the priest felt the need to explain the presence of five new attendees. Following the service, we were welcomed to attend the celebration of a local deacon, who was celebrating 35 years of service.

The mid-afternoon brought our real adventures. Eight of us pilled into a St. Francis Mission van and headed off to Mt. Rushmore National Park. Driving through towns such as Wall, South Dakota we weaved our way through the state to see George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. While there we saw a video about the carving of the sculptures and the Black Hills. We also completed the hiking trail. This trail allowed us to see a different perspective of the presidents.

On the way back from Mount Rushmore, we stopped in Rapid City at Firehouse Brewery Co. for dinner and live music. During our drive back to St. Francis we saw the most beautiful lightening and thunderstorm. The lightening strikes the lit up the sky so you could see the land all around.

Monday, June 20 

We took this chance to sleep in and enjoy local life. We adventured to the Lakota Museum located a block away from the Jesuit Volunteer community home. We then traveled to Mission, South Dakota to a local art gallery and to the grocery store. Realizing that the store did not have everything we needed, we continued our shopping Valentine, Nebraska. Following our trip to Valentine, we went to the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge and were able to see buffalo within 20 feet of our car. At the end of the day, we came home and Casa Dorothy Day cooked enchiladas and just spent quality time together for the rest of the evening.

Tuesday, June 21
First Day of Summer

Two of the South Dakota Jesuit Volunteers (JVs) joined us as we adventured to the Badlands National Park. Because it was the first day of summer, we did not have to pay an entrance fee - which we double appreciated as JVs.

Once inside the park, we stopped by the Vistors Center and then drove to a parking lot that would allow us to divide into two different groups. Pamela, Maggie (a SD JV) and Rachel went the more adventurous route, while Monroe, Joel, Neil (a SD JV) and I adventured more towards the sauntering route.

Once back on the Reservation, we swung by the local radio station, where on the current JVs works. The KINI station serves as the main means of communication on the Lakota Reservation.

Wednesday, June 22 

5:30 a.m. - We left St. Francis, S.D. and headed back to Austin, Texas.
By 7:00 a.m. - Navigator, at the moment played by myself to Pamela's driver, had us going on an alternate route. The plus side, we didn't loose any time and we got to see an entirely differently parts of Nebraska and Kansas.
10:15 p.m. - Pulled over for going 5 miles over the speed limit. When the cop learned of where we began our trip that day, we allowed us to go with a
non-financial warning and he reminded us to be safe.
11:00 p.m. - Home Sweet Home, Back in hot Austin, Texas.

Lessons Learned:
-Just how awesome Mount Rushmore is and that it took to build it
- A bit about the Lakota Reservation
-How far apart everything is in South Dakota and really everywhere in the Mid-West
-How beautiful the United States is
-But most importantly, that we can survive over 50 hours in the car together and that we love each other even more after the trip.

Placement Spotlight: Casa Marinella

An emergency shelter for immigrants and people seeking asylum, the houses that make up Casa Marianella provide a home, a community and a hope for its residents. Its sister organization, Posada Esperanza is shelter for immigrant women and children. In many cases residents of both shelters have no where else to turn, they have no income and are struggling to make ends meet. 

Opening in January 1986, Casa Marinella was named after human rights lawyer Marinella Garcia Villas, who was murdered in El Salvador by death squads. Housing up to 30 residents per night, Casa works to help residents to form roots with the United States. Providing daily English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, case management and community meals. 

Casa also serves as a community center for current residents, past residents and community members in need of information. They assist with: 

• accepting and distributing donations of clothing and household goods
• acting as a liaison between employers and workers from Casa (to announce jobs, help with wage claims, etc.)
• helping political refugees seek asylum
• referring those in need to appropriate organizations in and around Austin (according to Casa Marinella Web site) 

Additionally, Posada Esperanza, is an emergency shelter for immigrant women and children located in East Austin, Posada helps moms and their children to get back onto their feet and receive the necessary care for themselves and their families. Providing a safe environment for its residents, Posada also provides education tutoring, resource assistance and guidance for its residents and families. Many of the families who are part of this community have suffered in ways unimaginable by most and yet Posada provides its residents with hope, care and support which these women in turn give to each other. 

The community displayed in these two emergency shelter programs is unsurpassed by the majority of other emergency shelter programs. An example of this atmosphere can be found in the monthly celebration, appropriately named Convivio which is held each month at Casa. Convivio, which means "with life," is a celebration for all those who are part of the Casa community. A mixture of current and passed residents, current and passed staff members, friends and family of staff or anyone who found themselves with an invitation can find themselves in for a treat. Last month's Convivio featured home cooked specialities, live Hispanic music and documentaries about Casa. 

Some of the documentaries about Casa are through a project out of the University of Texas Film School called East Side Stories. The project asks students to focus on different non-profits, companies or individuals that make East Austin what it is; several stories have been done on Casa. They can be found on the East Austin Stories Web site.