Last Week

I forgot to write about my experience with the North Albany Academy, so I will do it now. I loved working at the parade and community day. I felt a little out of place, because I had never been to anything like that before. While people were eating lunch, I sat down at a bunch of different tables and spoke to some of the kids there. Most of them very very receptive, but one table of 5 kids just gave me attitude the entire time that I was trying to talk to them. They asked where I was from, and when I said Connecticut, they immediately began to question my motives and intentions of being there. I told them that I go to Siena and wanted to help out around the community, and one girl said something to the extent of, "Why do you even care? You're from rich Connecticut, and you don't even know anything about my community." I tried to explain that I wanted to learn about it, and that I wanted to get involved, but none of them really wanted to hear it. So I moved on to another table, feeling pretty discouraged, but luckily I spoke to a group of kids that were really nice. I was trying to introduce myself to one girl, and she kept looking around and not really paying attention to me, so I started talking to her friend. Then they started signing to each other, and I realized that the girl was deaf. Her friend translated for us, and we communicated back and forth for a little bit. They taught me a few words and how to say my name, which I thought was pretty cool. It was a great way to bond with the kids, and it helped me to realize that not everyone there was wondering about our motives. I can't wait to go back and help out again soon.
I was looking forward to going to Camp Sully this weekend, but I was sick all last week, and on Friday I went to the health center. They told me that I have an upper respiratory infection, and gave me 3 prescriptions. Friday night while I was doing my laundry I got really sick, and my friend actually went to get the RA's because she was so worried because I was feeling so horrible. So needless to say, I wasn't able to go on Saturday, but I heard that it was a lot of fun. I'm sorry that I had to miss it, but I know that there will be many more opportunities to do things like that.