Breaking New Grounds

I mentioned in that last post that I was really excited for this ISP with Breaking New Grounds, well hot damn, I think it was my favorite ISP so far.

What Breaking New Grounds has done is created an urban farm. It's really more of a large garden, but it is in the middle of this neighborhood and is for anyone to come and harvest from the plants. What the organization is setting out to do is provide healthy meal options, show that commercial and factory farming isn't the only way to do things, and to set up a place where the community can get involved in taking care of itself.

It was absolutely incredible! After working in Florida and on this ISP I have realized working outside, with my hands, is definitely something I enjoy and want to make a part of my everyday life. This community garden idea is such an amazing thing, I would love to set one up wherever I decide to live after NCCC.

Not only is it a great healthy option but there is something so fulfilling about the thought of working for and producing your own food. I love it.

If you didn't check out their website like I told you to do in the last post, check it out now:
http://www.breakingnewgrounds.org/

Greenhouse growing

Compost sifting

In the middle of a neighborhood!

Preparing the garden for winter.

Harvested tomatoes.

I don't really feel like updating...

...but I'm updating anyways!

Things are going really well with the project. We finished all the tagging of bags and data entry ahead of schedule and have been given busy work to tie us over until mall setup, which actually kind of sucks at times, but it doesn't take much to remember why we're here which provides a nice morale boost.

Today we went to the Muhammad Ali Center which was phenomenal. Obviously he was an amazing boxer, but I had no idea of his humanitarian efforts or his strong and extremely deep religious beliefs. Both of which I plan on finding out more about and hopefully apply some of that focus and drive to my own life.

Chelsea and I also went to the Blue Dog Cafe and Bakery which was delicious. I had this pear, walnut, and maple bacon salad... oh my dang. It was so delicious. We got coffee afterward and relaxed at another cafe. I think Chelsea and I use each other as a source to get away and relax a bit. It's really great to be able to have someone to do that with.

I mentioned on my last entry some goals I'm looking to accomplish.
 PT goals are currently going really well. I work out twice a week with the entire team and three times a week (starting this last week) I am at the YMCA making Leroy kick my ass.Aaron and Tommy are their too. We did an extensive arm workout yesterday and I found out that my max benching weight is 80
lbs. Not bad for a girl who has never lifted before, right? I fully expect my arms to not work in the morning, however. We did abs this week too, on Monday, I still feel a little sore from that. I'm holding my own though working out with those boys. It's such a great feeling too.

We have an ISP tomorrow that is centered around gardening which is so great! A nice change of pace from working in a warehouse. Its with Breaking New Grounds which is an incredible organization that promotes urban farming and community connections (google them). I'm excited for it.

Thanksgiving it also coming up! I live to far away to travel home, but I am going to Kari's whose home is 2 hours away. It should be a good time. I cant wait for some stuffing and some pie.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I'm all for giving turkey day its own day and don't like to acknowledge Christmas until the thanksgiving leftovers are tucked safely in the fridge, but I couldn't wait. I miss home and I needed something to take comfort in. So Chelsea and I decorated the tree in our common area:

It makes me feel happy. And warm. And cozy. And a little less homesick.

Whuddup 502?

So I am currently living in Louisville.
In the basement of a school, which is freezing.
Eating out of a soup kitchen, which is hearty and delicious but not so healthy.
I am overwhelmed with the realization that next transition means I am half way done with this program and I still have no idea with what I am going to do with my life when it is over.

One could say my life is kind of shitty right now.
But I am so in love with it.
Exhaustion? Who cares. I still get out of bed every morning with joy.

The work is tedious and  boring. I sit on my butt all day either in front of the computer doing data entry or labeling bags that will be filled with goodies come Christmas. I eat candy all day to help stay awake and inhale incredibly weak coffee. It makes me feel gross, fat, and lethargic.

I can't tell you how much I love this project. It's not the most fun right now, but in a couple of weeks I am sure we will see the pay off. One more week of computing and labeling and we begin mall set up. I'm working with the Salvation Army to help organize and setup their Christmas Tree Angel Program, have I mentioned that? We're giving children a Christmas! That's so great.

I am really really happy.

I have some goals I would like to have accomplished by December 16 which is the day we leave.

PT goals: run 1.5 miles in 14 minutes, strengthen my upper leg muscles (I am already beginning to see definition!), 20 real pushups (none of that on-your-knees-shit).

SLI goals: (its AmeriCorps jargon, I'm too lazy to explain)

Personal goals: money, relationships, inner happiness. I don't want to go into detail on the world wide web.

Labeling! We label the bag, the angel tag, and tape the tag to the bag. Then a counter counts ten, a checker checks the number/names, then we box 'em up.

Chels, rubberbanding her ten count like a pro

Denny with the data entering.

These fools, getting things done because that's how we do in the AmeriCorps.

Oh! And living in a large, urban, skyscraper filled city... I get lattes often.
Because a coffee filled Ashley, is a happy Ashley.