Settling In

Its hard to believe that we have already been in LVC for two and a half weeks and at our placements for a week and a half. August is ending (in fact, it will probably be over before I am done writing this post), and soon we at Winona House will start our first full month of living as a community in LVC. But at the same time its hard to believe that its only been that long. Its been an intense few weeks!

First was orientation, also known as information overload. While the vast majority was good and necessary, it was TIRING. Then we spent the last weeks moving in and starting to figure out the logistics of six people living together-- cleaning schedules, cooking, budgeting, house rules, getting a six person joint bank account... For example, our guest policy for non-LVC guests: "You can stay, but must bring either chocolate, baked goods and/or adult beverages to share." My personal battle over the last few weeks has been figuring out how to get the best, fastest internet for under the subsidized 36 dollars a month- definitely a challenge! But as of Sunday, I can claim success (knock on wood!), although not without considerable help and advice from my Dad. Thanks, Dad!

Then of course there are our placements. We all have such different jobs but I think I can safely say that we are all stepping into roles that are a bit of a stretch for us in one way or another. That's good in the long run because we will explore new areas, learn new skills and grow as people and all that, but right now it translates to a lot of adjustment and training. Below are the list of everyone's placements to save everyone from asking (we have been asked A LOT)
Allie- Program Assistant at English Learning Center
Michelle- Refugee Services at Lutheran Social Services
Lindsay- Volunteer Coordinator at Kaleidoscope after school program
Reuben- Coordinator for LGBT issues at Brethren Mennonite Council
Margarite- Case Manager at Our Savior's Housing
Sarah- Events Assistant at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Aside from all the complicated and brain crunching, headache-inducing stuff, we've also managed to have some good times. We have biked down the Midtown Greenway and run/biked around Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. We went to one of Lindsay's orchestra concerts and a potluck at Wellstone house last weekend and the State Fair as a house on Saturday (although the experience was a bit overwhelming to the newbies). We attended several picnics and potlucks and have received copious amounts of food as gifts. We have bonded over Boggle and spontaneous interpretive dance sessions. And we're starting to plan lots of other cool things to do in the Twin Cities, so we shouldn't ever be bored. Overall, I think its been a pretty good start to our LVC year together. Here's hoping we keep it up!

Peace, Sarah