Busy day, but a good busy

So much happened today I don't even know what to write about.  I could definitely talk about each and every thing that happened and this would be the longest blog post of life.  I could keep typing until tomorrow around this same time non-stop.  So much to process and think about.  I think I am going to start a list of things that I want to talk about but haven't gotten to and then I days when I don't know what to write, I will refer to the list.

Ok so today we met in downtown for this 'scavenger hunt' which meant we had to take the bus because the scavenger hunt would lead us all around the city.  As I was walking to the bus stop, I said hi to my friends who hold up signs for food on the corner.  They are really awesome.  I didn't have much time to stop and chat, but on my way home today I stopped for a bit to say hi.  It's really cool that they recognize me already, but also really sad that they are there everyday.  (These are the guys with the couch.)

So the scavenger hunt was pretty awesome.  Lehigh people, it was similar in some ways to the Housing Simulation we do with the CSO, except for we actually had to go to the real agencies across Seattle.  We had to kind of pretend that we were homeless youth and go around to a bunch of different agencies including the DSHS to pick up a food stamp application (you need a valid ID to get food stamps), the Department of Licencing to get an ID (this is almost impossible with no home address), and the Social Security Administration to get a new card (which you also need a valid ID for).  We also had to get a job application for someone who is 16, use a public restroom twice during the day, call to check on a housing application at 10:30 sharp from a payphone, and fill up a water bottle twice during the day.  We were given $3 each for the phone call, any bus tickets, and at least one food item.  Besides some things being impossible without an ID or a home address, none of it proved to be super difficult.  This was the case because none of us LOOKED like homeless youth.  It would be a much different story if a young kid who looks like they slept on the street the previous night asked for change for a dollar to ride the bus, to fill up their water bottle, to use the restroom, or simply ask a stranger the time or for directions.  So it was a really great exercise, but the simulation can only be taken so far because we all look like kids that have graduated college and have a job, and not like kids who don't have a place to sleep.  I can't even imagine how difficult life on the streets for these kids is.  I am sure I will hear lots of horror stories from the youth.

Then in the afternoon we did some more training stuff which was really awesome and informative on how to interact with the youth in an empowering way.  And lastly there was a panel of previous AmeriCorps Growing Roots team members to answer our questions about living on a tight budget, taking care of ourselves, fun things to do in Seattle, etc.

When I got home, a few of my roommates asked how my day was.  It's funny how you can tell if someone wants the long version or the short version of the story.  So most of them wanted the super short version, like yeah it was a good day!  One wanted a medium version with some actual details.  And one of the girls sat down, looked me in the eye, and asked about my day.  We ended up having an almost hour and half conversation about so many life issues: homelessness, racism, classism, working hard, LBGTQ, youth, seniors, etc.  She genuinely cared and genuinely did not know a lot about any of the topics we discussed.  I really appreciated her honesty and curiosity as we discussed these things.  It was such a great conversation and one of the most real ones I've had since I've been here.  We weren't just talking all theory either, we were discussing some things about our own lives and thoughts and beliefs as well.  I was also happy to notice that I have become a lot more articulate with all of this stuff.  I was the one who really started the conversation going in this direction (something that I don't tend to do and I actually questioned if I wanted to go there before I spoke.  I am glad I decided to talk.)  I used to think about this stuff ALL the time, but I didn't talk about it that often and it was hard for me to put my thoughts into words.  Now I think about it ALL the time but am more willing to put myself out there and discuss with other people what I am thinking about.  And, like I said, I was happy and surprised to see that I am much more articulate now.  These are the kinds of issues that do no good floating around in your head.  They only really mean anything if you talk about them, especially with people who do not know much about them.

I feel like I am missing SO MUCH from what happened today, and I am.  This is only a super little tiny bit of what I did and what I am thinking about.  I will try and touch on the other things that are running around in my head from today in the next few weeks, but I can't make any promises because I'm sure they will be filled with lots of new stuff as well and I will have lots of new thoughts to write about.  But already I am feeling super stimulated and it is so good.  I am happy right now :)