Unlike most weeks where I am at the Welcome Center most days, this week I spent 3 of 4 days at our offsite hotels. On Monday I did a lot of sitting in the office helping people with travel plans, trying to understand the hotel layout, and reorganizing the office space. Tuesday, I was at a different location which did not have a lot of people. We built some shelves which helped clean up the office (a lot). Guests arrived from the Welcome Center in the afternoon, so I helped get people settled in with rooms and dinner. Wednesday, I was at the Welcome Center, a pretty average day except I was gifted an apple and a candy bar each by two different guests. Small gifts from those who have little to give felt more precious than anything I could ever buy.
Thursday I was back at the COVID positive hotel. It was one of my favorite days so far. I finally felt like I had a grasp on what needed to be done. I was proactively addressing needs instead of waiting to be told what to do. Such a good feeling. And my Spanish vocabulary is certainly growing rapidly (Although I did grab a bra for someone when she had asked for a dress. It was a pretty funny interaction.). At one point in the afternoon I mentioned to the site coordinator that I was going to follow up with someone I was talking to earlier in the day. Her whole face lit up and I knew why. It was the first time that I had taken initiative like this. My good intent turned out to not be very helpful though because I had written down the wrong room number, so I still have some learning to do.
Some joys from outside work this week...
We invited another house of young adult volunteers over one evening and made pizza to share!
Got over 50 pounds of produce for $15 with a program that saves produce from being sent to the landfill. We made tomato sauce and chopped and froze the rest!
The views never cease to bring breathtaking joy.
As weeks become more routine, I will have less to write about. I try to write down individual stories throughout the week so I can write about them later; but in addition to that I'd like to hear what you all, my dear readers, would like me to share! Are there things you are curious about? Topics you'd like me to expand upon? Want more pictures? Let me know in the comments or send me a message with some ideas or prompts! Thanks!
Hey, you've come a long way since we first learned to know you as a preschooler in Harrisonburg when your Dad was doing some classes (at MY Alma Mater--grad. 1960). I like the title and tone of your blog, and the mini-descriptive titles of each bog, with all the amazing color pictures. While I don't remember being in Tucson, we've been to Albuquerque, Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Carlsbad several times by car and plane. We've also been to the Border, and across, from Brownsville, TX to Mexicali/Calexico, CA, but before the present dilemma. We wish you well in this year, and hope you get admitted to the med school of your preference! We think of you often. Uncle Dan an…