Journal Entry: Day 2

A very full day! we started with breakfast a 9:00. Our group is helping 3 different families and we got to meet them today at breakfast. My group is helping a woman named Tere and her daughter. We will be painting the inside of their apartment this week. I enjoyed the way the introductions were conducted. Gerardo had the president of Adelante Alliance, Carla, greet and thank us volunteers, and talk about how our work was useful to the community. Then, 2 people from UC (a trip leader and myself) spoke about why we came to NYC. Then, the families got to talk about their backgrounds. Tere's daughter is 16 and was very impressive and well spoken. I got to practice my Spanish talking to two adult sisters living together, and it went well, I think. My verbal skills seem to be OK, even after a few years of non-use. I think I'm a bit more confident with my Spanish then the other trip members, because they don't attempt much in Spanish.

Then Gerardo took us on a tour of Manhattan. We took the subway up from Brooklyn, and walked through Grand Central Station, to Rockefeller Plaza, and Times Square. Then we were on our own to explore. Our group split up and some of us got pizza, went to M&M world (hectic and crowded), got cupcakes, walked, walked, split up again, and finally went to these tents that were selling hand-crafted, Christmas-themed goods. Then we took the subway homer. There was some confusion on the subway because I was being dumb, but we got home fine. I assumed something about the subway map I shouldn't have, and it cost us about 10 minutes. This reminds me to avoid assumptions, especially when it comes to directions.

Then we had dinner at the monastery and hung out until about 10:00 pm. It was a really great day. I'm getting to know the other UC students, and I'm thrilled to speak with Tere tomorrow. I need to remember to thank Gerardo tomorrow.

Grand Central

Chrysler Building

Rockefeller Center

NBC Studios

Radio City Hall

Journal Entry: Day 1

Today we drove from Cincinnati to NYC. There are 14 people total on the trip, and we took 2 vans. I am the only male traveler. It was a 12 hour journey to NY, but we are here in one piece. We are staying at the Precious Blood Monastery in Brooklyn. It is a very cool building. There are sisters here but we cannot talk to them face to face. Gerardo, who coordinated all of this, seems like a very capable trip leader. He got us dinner (Mexican food, yum!) and helped us get to know each other through conversational ice breakers. He is clearly passionate about what he is doing, and that is motivating and encouraging. He talks to me as if I were one of the UC trip leaders, which I am not, but I am OK with that. I have been talking to him the most with questions I've had.
I get my own room in the monastery in the men's wing. My room is next to Gerardo's, and about 50 feet from the women's wing, where all the other trip members are staying. I knew I was going to be the only guy coming into the trip, and it should be OK for a week.
My goals for this week focus around enhancing my personal interaction skills. I will...

1. Make more eye contact with others
2. Ask more questions (and listen to the answers!)
3. Improve the experience of others through meaningful interaction
4. Keep up with Gerardo to make sure he knows we appreciate all of his efforts
5. Practice my Spanish

We are having breakfast in the morning with a few of the families we are helping. Should be great!