I said I'd post the video when Paul was finished editting it. Click here to watch it on YouTube.
Yes, I know I'm a big dork... I have never denied it! :) Enjoy!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Going to prom?
No, I'm not going to Prom (that would be weird), but Paul and I did dress up for about 3 hours yesterday. Paul's VISTA title is Information Technology Associate, but he's not in charge of making sure the computers work, so I've taken to calling him Starfish's Social Media Specialist. He keeps the office up to date on Facebook and YouTube and anything else that keeps our Scholars connected and engaged with Starfish.So, why were we dressed up? Well, Paul is filming a series of webisodes that keep the Scholars and mentors updated about Starfish events and also provides a fun way for our Scholars to stay engaged. This month's webisode is about going to Prom. It gives advice about picking out your dress/tux, transportation, flowers, dinner, and making healthy choices.
Paul and I had a lot of fun yesterday and I thought I'd post some pictures of the whole deal. I'll post the video when Paul is finished editing it. And, yes, that is my ACTUAL Prom dress from Senior year of high school.
Planning before filming
Choosing a restaurant
Begging my "dad" for money for Prom
Buying our Prom tickets
The flowers are perfect! (courtesy of the curb across street)
Picture from the Blooper Reel
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
National Volunteer Week
April 19-25, 2009 is National Volunteer Week!
National Volunteer Week seeks to honor the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities. Celebrate by getting out there and doing something for your community. Every little bit counts! And don't forget to thank the people in your everyday life that volunteer their time to make a difference.
Here's a big THANKS to the people I see making a difference:
Ambassador's for Children - For all the wonderful work you do for children all over the world. For you at the Butler Chapter, the school that is up in Uganda because of your hard work is greatly appreciated. You have given that community the opportunity to educate their children. You have given them hope for future generations.
Alpha Phi Omega - After 4 wonderful years with this fraternity, I am proud to call myself an alum.
Rebecca Scherpelz - You never stop amazing me with the amount of dedication you give to everything you do. From the US to Uganda, from Best Buddies to Invisible Children, you CAN and WILL change the world. Don't ever let anyone stay in your way.
Butler's ASB-ers - Although I was only able to experience one trip with you all, I know that the time and effort you put in is well worth it. Thank you for taking THIS route instead of going to Cancun. Ever year, while only for a few days, you help change the stereotypes that are placed on college students and, whether or not you realize it, you are doing something wonderful that touches the hearts of many.
My fellow VISTAs - You are all wonderful people that deserve any and all recognition for all that you do. You have made the choice to serve for a whole year (some of you more) for your community. Stay focused and keep fighting poverty in your community. We can make a difference!
I know that there are many more people I should recognize. You all know who you are. Keep up the great work!!
National Volunteer Week seeks to honor the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities. Celebrate by getting out there and doing something for your community. Every little bit counts! And don't forget to thank the people in your everyday life that volunteer their time to make a difference.
Here's a big THANKS to the people I see making a difference:
Ambassador's for Children - For all the wonderful work you do for children all over the world. For you at the Butler Chapter, the school that is up in Uganda because of your hard work is greatly appreciated. You have given that community the opportunity to educate their children. You have given them hope for future generations.
Alpha Phi Omega - After 4 wonderful years with this fraternity, I am proud to call myself an alum.
Rebecca Scherpelz - You never stop amazing me with the amount of dedication you give to everything you do. From the US to Uganda, from Best Buddies to Invisible Children, you CAN and WILL change the world. Don't ever let anyone stay in your way.
Butler's ASB-ers - Although I was only able to experience one trip with you all, I know that the time and effort you put in is well worth it. Thank you for taking THIS route instead of going to Cancun. Ever year, while only for a few days, you help change the stereotypes that are placed on college students and, whether or not you realize it, you are doing something wonderful that touches the hearts of many.
My fellow VISTAs - You are all wonderful people that deserve any and all recognition for all that you do. You have made the choice to serve for a whole year (some of you more) for your community. Stay focused and keep fighting poverty in your community. We can make a difference!
I know that there are many more people I should recognize. You all know who you are. Keep up the great work!!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Weekend here I come!
It's been a week packed full of things to do. Stuff on the agenda:
1. College Cost Estimator on Saturday - This event NEEDS to go over well! While it's not my job to get the families to come, I'm feeling the pressure. I really want people to understand that this workshop is going to be sooooooo helpful in letting our families know that college is doable.
2. Gala venue selection - After about a month of ballroom visits (6 or 7 if I'm remembering correctly), the gala committee FINALLY picked a venue for our March 2010 gala. The vote was so easy yesterday, I only wish the road to the decision would have been less stressful. Because this is Starfish's first gala no one really knows what we want and it's been difficult communicating our needs to some of the venues we've talked to. But the First Annual "Dancing with the Starfish" Gala will be held on March 6, 2010 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Phew!
3. Gleaner's - I've made 2 separate trips to the food bank this week. One Tuesday and one this morning.
4. Open House mailing list - This mailing list has been one of the most involved and mind numbing projects I've worked on in the 4 months I've been a VISTA. You would think that, given an excel template to plug in your contacts, the job of compiling all the staff's personal lists would be a breeze. Well, think again! I've worked on it (with the help of an intern) for 2 days now! And it's still not finished!
5. Sam's Club - Gotta run to Sam's Club to get food for College Cost Estimator and pick up some other stuff for the office. This has to happen tomorrow... in my free time...
6. Webisode filming - Also happening tomorrow, Paul needs help filming his new webisode about prom. It'll be fun, just bad timing for me.
7. A/V set up at Ivy Tech - I have to make a run to Ivy Tech and make sure all the A/V is working and learn how to fix it should something go wrong on Saturday. When do I have to do this? Tomorrow (along with the Sam's Club run and the webisode filming)
As you can see, it's been a busy week and it won't be over until Saturday. The bright side, I have a friend's wedding to go to after the event on Saturday. Good times!
1. College Cost Estimator on Saturday - This event NEEDS to go over well! While it's not my job to get the families to come, I'm feeling the pressure. I really want people to understand that this workshop is going to be sooooooo helpful in letting our families know that college is doable.
2. Gala venue selection - After about a month of ballroom visits (6 or 7 if I'm remembering correctly), the gala committee FINALLY picked a venue for our March 2010 gala. The vote was so easy yesterday, I only wish the road to the decision would have been less stressful. Because this is Starfish's first gala no one really knows what we want and it's been difficult communicating our needs to some of the venues we've talked to. But the First Annual "Dancing with the Starfish" Gala will be held on March 6, 2010 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Phew!
3. Gleaner's - I've made 2 separate trips to the food bank this week. One Tuesday and one this morning.
4. Open House mailing list - This mailing list has been one of the most involved and mind numbing projects I've worked on in the 4 months I've been a VISTA. You would think that, given an excel template to plug in your contacts, the job of compiling all the staff's personal lists would be a breeze. Well, think again! I've worked on it (with the help of an intern) for 2 days now! And it's still not finished!
5. Sam's Club - Gotta run to Sam's Club to get food for College Cost Estimator and pick up some other stuff for the office. This has to happen tomorrow... in my free time...
6. Webisode filming - Also happening tomorrow, Paul needs help filming his new webisode about prom. It'll be fun, just bad timing for me.
7. A/V set up at Ivy Tech - I have to make a run to Ivy Tech and make sure all the A/V is working and learn how to fix it should something go wrong on Saturday. When do I have to do this? Tomorrow (along with the Sam's Club run and the webisode filming)
As you can see, it's been a busy week and it won't be over until Saturday. The bright side, I have a friend's wedding to go to after the event on Saturday. Good times!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
More SallieMae and some VISTA updates
I had another run in with SallieMae today. I think I'm going to have to retract last post. Justin, the wonderful customer service professional, didn't solve any of my problems. I am now 28 days delinquent on my stupid private loan. AND I even called Chase (the lender for my loan) and they couldn't help me at all, they told me to call SallieMae. Big vicious cycle!
On a better note, my job getting donations is going pretty well. Yesterday, I called several Starbucks and finally got the one in Broad Ripple to donate a bunch of travel totes of coffee for College Cost Estimator on the 18th. Sam's Club is giving us a $25 gift card for food and I just placed an order with Gleaners for breakfast food (also for the 18th). I'm in the mists of planning this College Cost Estimator program at Ivy Tech, Starfish's open house on May 30th, getting food for Math Camp in June, the Aloha Party June 14th, and I'm trying to plan my vacation to San Diego/trip to the Nation Conference on Volunteering and Service in San Francisco. Keep your fingers crossed... I need to get a scholarship for the conference (I find out on the 15th) and then try to find some other funds that will help pay for my lodging and food.
That's all for now. I get to go up to Tinley for Easter... I haven't been up there since Christmas :) Have a wonderful hump day!
On a better note, my job getting donations is going pretty well. Yesterday, I called several Starbucks and finally got the one in Broad Ripple to donate a bunch of travel totes of coffee for College Cost Estimator on the 18th. Sam's Club is giving us a $25 gift card for food and I just placed an order with Gleaners for breakfast food (also for the 18th). I'm in the mists of planning this College Cost Estimator program at Ivy Tech, Starfish's open house on May 30th, getting food for Math Camp in June, the Aloha Party June 14th, and I'm trying to plan my vacation to San Diego/trip to the Nation Conference on Volunteering and Service in San Francisco. Keep your fingers crossed... I need to get a scholarship for the conference (I find out on the 15th) and then try to find some other funds that will help pay for my lodging and food.
That's all for now. I get to go up to Tinley for Easter... I haven't been up there since Christmas :) Have a wonderful hump day!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Still hate SallieMae
So, called them back and the man I talked to fixed my loan forbearance in about 2 minutes!! What the hell? Why could no one else that I talked to do that?? Past due amount is gone, so is the late fee.
I would just like to thank Justin for making loan world a little more sane. Justin you are my honorary best friend today. Thank you!
I would just like to thank Justin for making loan world a little more sane. Justin you are my honorary best friend today. Thank you!
I HATE SallieMae!
I'm on hold with SallieMae right now, and have been for 21 minutes. I'm being transferred to a manager because no one can help me. Because I'm serving with AmeriCorps until December 2009 I have to put all of my loans into forbearance. While this is a simple task if all you have are Federal loans (those automatically get put into forbearance because I'm a VISTA), private loans are a different story.
When I started VISTA in December 2008, I had initial trouble getting everything squared away because the Corporation (for National & Community Service) doesn't tell you that private loans don't qualify for their special forbearance. I eventually got it all figured out and was able to put my one private loan with SallieMae in forbearance for 3 months and would have to apply for it again (with a $50 charge) every time after that. Fine, whatever... it has to happen. Well, on March 23, 2009 I called SallieMae and put my loan into forbearance again and was charged the $50. Yesterday (April 2, 2009), I got an email that said something had changed on my account website. I went to check it out and discovered that my loan was 22 days delinquent! I gave them a call... Well guess what? JP Morgan (my lender) denied my request for forbearance this time!!!!! Why? I have no clue!!! And guess what else? One payment for this loan is about the same a my living stipend for 2 weeks! Just great!
At this point, no one have answered and I think I've been hung up on. I will call them back... wish me luck...
When I started VISTA in December 2008, I had initial trouble getting everything squared away because the Corporation (for National & Community Service) doesn't tell you that private loans don't qualify for their special forbearance. I eventually got it all figured out and was able to put my one private loan with SallieMae in forbearance for 3 months and would have to apply for it again (with a $50 charge) every time after that. Fine, whatever... it has to happen. Well, on March 23, 2009 I called SallieMae and put my loan into forbearance again and was charged the $50. Yesterday (April 2, 2009), I got an email that said something had changed on my account website. I went to check it out and discovered that my loan was 22 days delinquent! I gave them a call... Well guess what? JP Morgan (my lender) denied my request for forbearance this time!!!!! Why? I have no clue!!! And guess what else? One payment for this loan is about the same a my living stipend for 2 weeks! Just great!
At this point, no one have answered and I think I've been hung up on. I will call them back... wish me luck...
Thursday, April 2, 2009
NEW OFFICE!!
The front part of our building is almost finished!!! But finished enough for us to move into our offices, complete with a REAL desk! It's amazing how much everything has changed in a few short weeks. Here are some before and after pictures. The befores were taken on March 17 and the afters were taken today.
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