lollerskate’s blog

"Poisonous snakes found in mail" (Reuters)

Dear Outside,

Tattoos I Would I Consider Had I Chosen Such A Lifestyle:

Med Student:

A tattoo of a syringe sticking into my forearm, plunger half down.  Underneath the needle, it says “Shooting Up the GPA”

Attorney:

A gavel and a scroll, crossed like a skull and crossbones on my right shoulder blade, boldly stating, “REPRESENTIN’”

Chef:

Lower back, written in cursive ink:

“Wanna spoon?”

French:

A 1950s-style pinup-Girl laying on her side wearing a slinky red dress.  “Voulez-Vous Coucher Avec Moi?” lingers from her red lips.

Rapper:

Just tattooed bling all over my body:  Enormous jeweled rings, Rolexes, and gold Mr. T chains.

English Major:

"My life is a goddamn mess."

I can totally sympathize with bassist Smalls, who is in rehab for an internet addiction. :)

I want to try this!:

Matt surprised me with a lovely visit, dinosaur toys, and the new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah record.

Some Loud Thunder

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

So it goes

4-5-07, 7:55: The library puts me into a trance of productivity

I love the feeling of typing on my keyboard buttons with freshly cut fingernails.  The slight clicking makes me feel like I am getting something accomplished.

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Because I'm going to be super-busy within the next two weeks, for now I'm just going to post an email Travis sent everyone last night that just gives a snippet of what we saw and did, Lance and I have been writing more that I'll post later.  Pictures on facebook for now, flickr later!

<3

Never the end....only the beginning....

So the trip has concluded, but you all only see the work that needs to be done.  We met so many wonderful people throughout our 10 days, but the 16 of us, could not be matched by any others.

For this, Megan and I are truly grateful.

I thought I would share with you all one of the journal entries I had....so....

March 30th, 2007

Titled:  The Spring Break
7 months of planning, 16 people and "The City that NEVER Sleeps" is all I could have asked for.  There is NO! better title then "The" Spring Break.  For "the" implies the "one" the "best" and it was in fact more than that.  For 10 days we grew, we learned, we taught, we GAVE!!!!

The driving was nothing short of hilarious.  From drancing w/ truckers, to building forts, to simply talking....22 hours of driving could not have gone by any quicker.

Our housing...a 10 day sleepover.  Ants and shitty refrigirators became our friends and the A and 1 trains became our cars....our housing became our house and the 16 participants our brothers and sisters.

Harlem, who would of thought?  Teaching in a H.S. there....Never!!!  But I did, we did, and I would do it again.  Those students were amazing, even the difficult ones.

Boys and Girls Club.  I felt at home.  These are my kids.  They wear their hearts on their shoulders and they are willing to share.

The "touristy" city felt awkward.  It felt wrong almost. 

So many need the help and we were willing to give, and we recieved so much in return. 

****This poem accompanies the entry******

Untitled (so shoot me some ideas y'all)

Stories are told and live unfold
Hands bear witness to the hearts toll
16 decided to go.  Go and give.
16 came together.  Together to live.
Laughter broke apprehension, Tears brought strength.
16 united and a world of difference they made.

Harlem, what is that?  Gangs and crime...?
No!  It is full of culture, and young inspiring minds.
The Bronx, who would want to live there?  Who knows, but through their strife, we came and showed them we care.
Manhattan, our home, the center of it all.  We came, we showed up, we answered the call.
Brooklyn, full of life, full of memories too.  Hearts and hugs we were given from children trying to make it through. 
State Island we saw.  The many who have lost it all.

16 we stood, but a million times that we gave. Our hearts we showed, our love we gave.
Memories last and actions do to.
The world is better because of each and every one of you.

From the Bottom of my Heart,
I THANK YOU.....

Travis