Moving spaces and moving wisdom
Starting with some good news. After months of waiting, disappointment, phone calls, lack of follow through, and more waiting, the wait is finally over...
WE'RE MOVING THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I could begin to describe how excited I am! This has been such a long and trying journey for my sister and I and it is such a relief to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're moving to a 2 bedroom duplex in Richmond (about 15 miles north of Berea, for those of you not familiar with the area), and we'll be paying about $100 LESS in rent than what we pay now! So, unfortunately this eliminates walking to work from my schedule, but...it's less money spent in the long run. I think it balances itself out.
In other news, I guess VISTA-related news, I have one month of service left. ONE. MONTH. LEFT. I am...well, I am blown away at how fast it went. It really feels like the time just ran away from me and left me behind. One year is just about finished, and, somehow, I have managed to stay afloat financially (some months were definitely easier than others), learn something, and make some pretty awesome friends. Our offices have also undergone a bit of a change, and that is the arrival of a new VISTA. It's an interesting time for me; she's just starting, and I'm about to finish. I'm hoping that over the next year, I will be able to impart some of my VISTA-y wisdom, since I am fortunate enough to be sticking around at Grow for a little while.
Also, earlier today I had a conversation with our state office VISTA leader, and we were talking about how essentially the first month of our service, for all of us, was a blur, just because of the amount of information thrown at us in a short amount of time. Later in the day I was taking a brief break from running an errand on campus, and I got to thinking about some of what I've learned, or some of what others have passed on to me, during this past year. So for any of you new VISTAs, or those of you who are, like me, about to finish, I give you these:
-Don't ever, ever be afraid to ask for help! Part of the nature of service is realizing that you can't do it all by yourself.
-If you are not confident in your handshake, do something to remedy that. You will be shaking a lot of hands this next year.
-Take time for yourself. Even working at a computer all day can be taxing. You can't be expected to help your organization be its best if you aren't at your best.
-Get to know other VISTAs in your city, region or umbrella organization. I cannot stress enough how invaluable networking with my VISTA peers, and spending time with them outside of service, has been for me.
-Sometimes last-minute deadlines happen. That's just the nature of the work we are a part of- things come up. Roll with the punches and do the best you can.
-Realize that highs and lows will come. You are not immune to discouragement and frustration. Some days you will be really motivated and excited, and some days you will ask yourself, "Is there a point to any of this at all?"
-Get used to constructive criticism, especially in the first quarter of your service. Remember that your supervisors want you to be successful!
-Be respectful of people's time. If you're going to be late, try to give as much notice as possible. Your organization is relying on you!
-Anything you can do to help lighten the load of your supervisors and/or staff members is helpful! I really do mean anything.
-If you say you're going to do something, do it.
-Know that you are NOT alone! You have supervisors, state office VISTA leaders, a VISTA leader (if your site has one), and a wide network of individuals that are here for you. They will listen to you!
-If all else fails, remember this: The staff members that interviewed you saw potential and promise in you. They are willing to invest in you and, potentially, take a risk because of you. They selected you for a reason. You are important and you are needed! This VISTA work is important and it is needed!
WE'RE MOVING THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I could begin to describe how excited I am! This has been such a long and trying journey for my sister and I and it is such a relief to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're moving to a 2 bedroom duplex in Richmond (about 15 miles north of Berea, for those of you not familiar with the area), and we'll be paying about $100 LESS in rent than what we pay now! So, unfortunately this eliminates walking to work from my schedule, but...it's less money spent in the long run. I think it balances itself out.
In other news, I guess VISTA-related news, I have one month of service left. ONE. MONTH. LEFT. I am...well, I am blown away at how fast it went. It really feels like the time just ran away from me and left me behind. One year is just about finished, and, somehow, I have managed to stay afloat financially (some months were definitely easier than others), learn something, and make some pretty awesome friends. Our offices have also undergone a bit of a change, and that is the arrival of a new VISTA. It's an interesting time for me; she's just starting, and I'm about to finish. I'm hoping that over the next year, I will be able to impart some of my VISTA-y wisdom, since I am fortunate enough to be sticking around at Grow for a little while.
Also, earlier today I had a conversation with our state office VISTA leader, and we were talking about how essentially the first month of our service, for all of us, was a blur, just because of the amount of information thrown at us in a short amount of time. Later in the day I was taking a brief break from running an errand on campus, and I got to thinking about some of what I've learned, or some of what others have passed on to me, during this past year. So for any of you new VISTAs, or those of you who are, like me, about to finish, I give you these:
-Don't ever, ever be afraid to ask for help! Part of the nature of service is realizing that you can't do it all by yourself.
-If you are not confident in your handshake, do something to remedy that. You will be shaking a lot of hands this next year.
-Take time for yourself. Even working at a computer all day can be taxing. You can't be expected to help your organization be its best if you aren't at your best.
-Get to know other VISTAs in your city, region or umbrella organization. I cannot stress enough how invaluable networking with my VISTA peers, and spending time with them outside of service, has been for me.
-Sometimes last-minute deadlines happen. That's just the nature of the work we are a part of- things come up. Roll with the punches and do the best you can.
-Realize that highs and lows will come. You are not immune to discouragement and frustration. Some days you will be really motivated and excited, and some days you will ask yourself, "Is there a point to any of this at all?"
-Get used to constructive criticism, especially in the first quarter of your service. Remember that your supervisors want you to be successful!
-Be respectful of people's time. If you're going to be late, try to give as much notice as possible. Your organization is relying on you!
-Anything you can do to help lighten the load of your supervisors and/or staff members is helpful! I really do mean anything.
-If you say you're going to do something, do it.
-Know that you are NOT alone! You have supervisors, state office VISTA leaders, a VISTA leader (if your site has one), and a wide network of individuals that are here for you. They will listen to you!
-If all else fails, remember this: The staff members that interviewed you saw potential and promise in you. They are willing to invest in you and, potentially, take a risk because of you. They selected you for a reason. You are important and you are needed! This VISTA work is important and it is needed!
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