The Service Within

When Sal brought up the Community Service portion of class, I went from a slouch to an instant perfect posture. My attention shot up and I knew this is what I love and live for. I am very passionate about community service and always have been. In the past I have done soup kitchens, food pantries, and have done Best Buddies (which I recommend to anyone interested). At my Church, we went Downtown and it was an all day event for the soup kitchen. While we were on our way up there, I had no idea what to expect because it was my first community service I have done. When we got to our destination, the realization set in. There were hundreds of people lined up around the building as far as the eye could see in the freezing cold. I knew that there are people out there in the world that are less fortunate than others and that they don't have a lot, but just seeing it for the first time really hit me hard. I took it upon myself to make these people have the best night yet. So when we walked in to the building I made sure the heat was blasting in the huge dining room. While in the kitchen we started to take the warm food and set it out while the people were pouring on in and taking seats. While we were serving food on the floor, I made sure to make conversation with as many as I could. Learning about these people's stories makes me have a new outlook on life and having that just helps you grow as a person. The best part after everthing was over was seeing their smiling faces or just to see a laugh. Seeing is better than believing and the feeling is incredible. Being mindful of others and how you act towards others is a big part in life and you have to see that to become a better person. By going through community service helps you to see the world from a different point of view and helps you grow. I can not wait to get more involved and help others by just seeing a smile goes a long way.

Awkward Silence...?

Yes, starting off first class for second semester in silence was different from what I am used to, but was it awkward? I don't believe so. I thought it was sort of  funny at first, but I knew Sal wanted us to start off the class and I fell that I understood the point of the silence. To me the silence gives us, the students, a chance to get out of our shells and out of what we have been trained to do for most of our lives, when the teacher teaches and we sit and listen. It explained to me that different is a good thing for us and allows anyone to take a chance. Change is good. Having silence in our lives gives us a chance or time to have reflection, time for ourselves, and thought. Silence is good to have once in while to gather up either what you just heard or thoughts that you've been having. People usually avoid silence by having the need to do something 24/7 like watching television or listening music or just socializing in general. Some are scared that once they have silence they will have a need to fill it and have a hard time to think about questions in life. You need to have silence in life and less technology that revolves around your life all day every day to have time for yourself. Just the other night I asked for some quiet for homework in my house while the T.V. was on. No one ended up turning off the T.V.  and still stood talking around me. Just to fill the silence in the room they were talking and watching T.V. I understand that football is very important to you, but so is me getting into college. By having noise, we drown out the important and now are brainwashed with not just having the teacher starting the class but now having noise and technology around us all the time. 

Who Am I?

You ask who I am. And I would have to tell you that I am still figuring myself out. I would say I am outgoing, funny, and down-to-earth. I love all kinds of sports and like to be around family and friends. I love the outdoors, animals, and physical activities (even though I am competitive). I would rather give back to the community and help others rather than go and hang out with friends on a weekend. Even though I love to read and watch some reality television here and there, that doesn't mean I don't like to have fun with friends. I like to be friendly with new people either at school or while I'm out and talkative to them to make them feel welcomed. I am an enthusiastic and energetic person who loves to be surrounded by people and activity. I have very strong values such as ways to behave or be polite and consider myself to be responsible, even though my parents tell me my room is a mess, I know where everything is and almost never lose anything.  My parents are who influence me in life and same goes for my older brother. My older brother is because he's following his dreams already at the young age of 19, and working other than going to college. My goals in life are almost the same as my brother by following my dreams. While I keep up my values I tend to impose my beliefs on others being the outspoken person I am. Taking everything into consideration, I strive to the goals I want to reach and to my dreams that I'll never give up on. All in all, I think that sums up Who I Am.
-Kelsey