urgent care

So the adventure of my day today was my trip to the Urgent Care at Ave Maria.

Woke up at 4:30 a.m. with extreme pain coming from my right ear. Aside from the extreme pain, it hurt to talk, move my mouth at all, and the right side of my head and face felt swollen. It had me up until 6:30am. I finally fell back asleep until around 8:30am, and when I woke up again, I was unable to hear out of my right ear. It was at that point I was VERY thankful for my ASL courses I took in college, because I was convinced I was going to lose my hearing.

*Sidenote* I shot up quickly from bed, in pain, and not very coherent since I was dead tired, and ended up stepping on my laptop, and cracking the screen. WOMP WOMP. Good thing I'm not attached to material things to to much...but it does stink.


Thankfully, Ave Maria has an Urgent Care, and thankfully they accepted my insurance plan,  so I didn't have to drive out to Fort Myers or Naples to see a doctor. 

What ended up happening was there was a back-up of hardened ear wax (ew) in my ear (not the left ear, that one was in perfect condition). My ear had to be flushed out, which was super weird, and felt uncomfortable. After flushing out my ear, they also found part of a q-tip that had been lodged in my ear. This was super weird, because I have no idea how long it was in there. I generally don't use q-tips to often because I am afraid of penetrating my eardrum.

Anyways, the end result after the flushing, was the doctor checking the ear again, only to find it inflated, raw and swollen. Thus causing the pain.

The pain didn't hit me until last night while chatting on Skype, after awhile of talking my ear began to ache.  The pain I felt in the middle of the night though was horrendous, and I did not want to feel that again. So that made me take off work and begin the doctor search. Thankfully, we had after-school off today already, so I didn't need to worry about calling off for that as well.

I got some antibiotics/eardrops prescribed, so that's good. I get to be that fool walking around with cottonballs in my ears. But I can hear again, so that's lovely.

My words of advice: Don't put q-tips in your ears. Be careful when cleaning out the ears. I had never had this problem before, and I asked the doctor what could be done to prevent it (it being the formulating of earwax). He suggested using hydrogen peroxide and warm water to clean out the ears. So, that might be good to try rather than poking around with q-tips.

Also, don't take your senses for granted. I fail to appreciate being able to smell, taste, touch, hear, and see, because I have the ability to do all these things. For the few hours that I couldn't hear out of my ear today, I became very much aware of my appreciation for it. It was a scary thought, the possibility of having my hearing limited. Don't take that stuff for granted. Smell a flower, try some new food, look at art...embrace your senses, they truly are a gift.

*Also returned to Ave Maria later on for a coffee date with Vitina. So that was lovely. :)

"And I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and 
I’ve been locked inside that house all the while You hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing where to go, promise I’m going because
I gotta get outta here 
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I gotta get outta here 
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You, I’m begging You to be my escape."

friends are coming soon!! :)

SO EXCITED FOR JACKIE AND DONNIE TO COME VISIT ON THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's SO cute how excited we are!!!

Jackie made this for me on the three day countdown :)

And I sent her this today :)

St. Patricks Day/FINAL DAY OF THE MARCH! :)

St. Patty's Day looked a little different for me this year.

The only green that I sported were some bright green sunglasses from the Goodwill,

to go along with my CIW outfit :)

Today was the final day of the March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food

2 weeks, 200 miles.

I drove from Immokalee almost three hours this morning out to Lakeland,

to join in the final miles of the march.

It was INCREDIBLE.

Soooo many people, sooo amazing to be part of something SO huge!!

Today, I marched with men and women,

I marched with old and young,

I marched with farmers and students, 

religious, and organizers, 

I marched with black friends, white friends, asian friends,

latino friends, biracial friends.

We marched together, united in one cause:

Rights, Respect, Dignity, fair wages, freedom from sexual harassment, modern day slavery, abuse and discrimination.

We marched for a New Day in the fields of Florida.

I just reflect so much on how sore I am after not walking long at all in comparison to those who have walked the full two weeks. But even the pain felt from the sun burn, achy backs, sore legs and feet with blisters...it's nothing compared to the pain and suffering people face from the inequality and injustice in the fields.

It's something I am so blessed to be part of down here in Immokalee.

Enjoy the pictures. LOOK AT ALL THOSE PEOPLE!

If you hurt one of us, you hurt ALL of us.

The people united, will never be defeated.

Si, se puede!

New Day for Farmworkers

Nuevo Dia para Trabajadores

In closing, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, this is an excerpt of a prayer by St. Patrick. 

It speaks to exactly what I experienced today, while marching alongside so many incredible and beautiful people.

Christ with me, Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,

Christ when I stand,

Stay blessed, folks!

80s dance party (in my room) kinda day :)

Today was meant to be super productive, as I have a lot of paperwork and planning and projects I should be doing. But I guess that will have to be tomorrow. Today was one of those days that called for dancing. I was feeling in an 80s mood, and being that I am VERY theatrical, I had to dress the part. *See photo below*. Some people may view this as a waste of time, but I say, move when the Spirit moves you. And if I'm moved to dance, by George, I will dance!! Plus, it's a good stress reliever and way to calm me down (AND EXERCISE) so...that's just the way it is. I'm willing to bet my lovely roommate Clarissa is so sad she was not home today to witness my 80s dance party. It's okay, I'm up for a repeat any time. :)

SPRING BREAK!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SPRING BREAK IS HERE!!!!!! PARTY ON THE BEACHES IN FLORIDAAAAAAA!!!!!!.............Oh wait, just kidding. That's everyone else. I live in Florida, so being here for Spring Break is a given. We've also had immersion groups here, so no partying or beach-going for us. I am, however, fortunate enough to have a "break" from my job placements. Since I work with the schools, I am off when they have their break, and lucky for me, Highlands and Pace are both off this week. So that means I have time during the day to do, well, whatever I want. I've really been enjoying getting to spend time with the immersion group while they were here (they leave tomorrow, we had to say our goodbyes tonight) :( I've also been taking advantage of being outside in the sun. I went to Ave Maria twice this week to take a walk, and be outside. It's very quiet and calming there and it brings me a lot of peace. I also laid outside in my backyard today and read. Not the most productive thing ever, but something I very much needed. We had a bonfire tonight with the girls for their final night here. They also bought a pinata, and we all got to take our turn swinging at it, so THAT was fun. I think the last time I hit a pinata was when I was here in Immokalee for my 16th birthday. :) 

I'm really thankful for the time off---and time to myself to kind of enjoy the days with no time crunches of having to be at work. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. But breaks are always nice :)

So many of my friends were in Florida for break though...was a shame I didn't see any of them. HOWEVER, Jackie and Donnie are coming next week, a week from today they will be here, and I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

In tomorrow's forecast, there is a 90% chance a lot of paperwork and little projects will need to be accomplished. Yippee for that. I've realized there are a lot of things I've blogged about starting, that I never really finished or carried out. And that kinda stinks. I wanna be better at starting something AND finishing it. Or keeping up with it. 

I have a lot of things I said I'd do or that I want to do before leaving, and it's time I actually start doing them. 

I need to be more motivated.
AND I need to be more willing to step out of my comfort zone.
It's hard having to be a grown up and having to do adult things :(

Wah..


Well, that might be it. Hope you all are having a wonderful night, or day, depending on when you are reading this. :) Be blessed.

Not a cloud in the sky :)

3-14-13

Ave Maria :)

Enjoying my backyard :)

Viva il Papa!

Yesterday, the new leader of the Catholic Church was announced to the world. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, from Argentina, was chosen to be Pope Francis I. He chose the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, who had a great love of the poor. History was made with this man becoming the first pope born in Latin America. He is of Italian heritage, 76 years old, and seems to be such a humble and good man. I'm SO excited. When he was Archbishop in Argentina, instead of being driven around in a limo, he chose to either walk or take the public bus to get where he needed to be. HE CHOSE TO TAKE THE BUS OVER A LIMO. He also chose to live in a simple apartment. This man has a true heart for simplicity, humility and the poor. When he came out to greet the people, he first asked for their prayers and their blessing. It was a beautiful thing to witness, even behind a tv screen. It was so refreshing to see SO many people waiting in St. Peter's Square, in the rain. SO many young faces filled the screen, which was incredible. There IS STILL HOPE in my generation. There is and I saw it. I'm so hopeful and full of joy for the future of our Church. Viva il Papa!

Look at me now ;)

:)

So Sunday morning after church, I brought the Nerinx group back to where they were staying to change for our walking tour. Got to see Mare and Meghan, again before they left with their Duquesne group! Was so great seeing and talking with them while they were here in Immokalee! And I'm so glad they got to experience it :)

Then, we headed out to the CIW's March for Rights, Respect and Fair Food. Always so amazing to be part of such an awesome movement. We were there Sunday, and part of Monday.  The energy and enthusiasm was so great--music, colorful artwork, flags, chants, I got to pass out flyers to onlookers, it was great. Just great. We slept on a hard floor, I had a towel and a tshirt for my covers. Woke up at 6am. Feet, legs and back are so sore but it's so incredibly worth it. And I only walked for a day...These people are on day 10. I have no room to complain. Looking to go back for the final day, Sunday, where they will have finally made it to Lakeland, FL (Publix HQ). It's going to be amazing, finally making it there after 200 miles and 2 weeks!

Had a snack break with Pacific Tomato Growers-the first company to sign on to the Fair Food Agreement years ago...Amazing!

And this is just for pure enjoyment, and absolutely hilarious. My roommate had this on her phone, which I just saw this weekend while on a snack break at the March. Hahahaha. I had no idea she had recorded it. I was trying to do that thing that football players do when they run in place then drop down to a push-up position...hahaha you can see I'm very good with my terminology...Hahahaha.

As always, thanks for reading the blog!

Enjoy! :)

(Make sure the volume is on!) :)

next immersion group is here! :)

Nerinx immersion group is here :)  They are all around my sister's age and make me miss her so so much. Love my Hopey. :)

                                                                     This is my Hopey.

 Met them at the airport, came back to town, picked up gorditas, came back to the house, played some cards while waiting for the rest of the group, listened to music, and then ate. Then we went to the church they are staying at, got them settled in, and I took a small group to the Winn Dixie, then ran to the bank. For some reason I am beat. So so tired. The thought of leaving my bed and walking to the living room to get my phone charger is daunting right now.....so SO tired. Wah :(

I'm excited to welcome a new group to Immokalee, though. :)
It will be a good week. :)


Highlight of my day: Waking up from a brief nap, hearing my neighbor man playing guitar and singing church songs. So precious. Great way to wake up from a nap. 

I hate when I try to be there for someone, not for my own benefit but for theirs; because I don't want anyone to feel as though they are alone. I hate that giving of myself becomes rejected and ignored. They say "give until it hurts", well it hurts. I feel, sometimes, as though I have nothing left to give.

mindless ramblings :)

Today I had one of those "Life is beautiful" moments. Driving through town, windows rolled down, a good song on the radio, volume turned up, fresh air....These moments just make me feel so alive, and so content. So happy to just be in the moment, so happy to be here. 

I did yoga with the girls again at Pace today. Think it's safe to say I was less of a hot mess this time around, since I've been stretching more religiously each night. :) It was very relaxing and is helping me become more flexible and less tense. So can't really complain there.

I spent some time at the lake today, it was such a beautiful day and I couldn't resist. 

We had Jim Keen over to speak to the JCU group tonight. He is a volunteer social worker at Catholic Charities/Guadalupe Social Services. He brought with him a young man who is a freshman over at the high school, who came from Mexico. We got to hear his stories and learn more about him and life in Immokalee. It was truly an inspiring and moving time, and even though I have been living here 7 months, I still continue to learn more about my town, the people in it , and continue to fall more and more in love with it each day. I'm thankful for these beautiful people who are willing to come talk to us and share their lives with us.

We are coming to a close with the JCU group who will be leaving us on Saturday, and we are looking forward to welcoming our next immersion group in to Immokalee Saturday night. It's stressful and tiring at times, but I really do love having immersion groups here. It's so nice to be able to share this wonderful town with people, and help them experience it for themselves. And, it's nice to have more people around, of course :)

Today in after school, I was having one of my groups practice their writing. By the end of the list, I got tired of the same old 4-5 letter words, and threw in a tricky one....

Hip Hip Lolly Pop.

They make me smile. :)

Immersions, Crafts, and Fair Food

John Carroll immersion group 2 has arrived. Well, they arrived on Saturday. Immokalee is bursting with immersion groups this week (JCU, Duquesne, Bowling Green, Loyola, and next week, Nerinx, a high school group, is coming down). We have them going around to Pace, Habitat, and Social Services this week, as well as the Early Child Care Center in the afternoons. The group who came to Pace with me today did a craft with some of the girls. There is some Women's History Month luncheon taking place next week at the casino in Immokalee and the girls were asked to make the centerpieces. I came up with the craft idea (thanks Pinterest) and in my opinion, they turned out awesome!! 

The CIW set out on Sunday for their two-week March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food, from Fort Myers to Lakeland (Publix HQ). It's a 200-mile march, and it's such an incredible and moving action.

We can't wait to join them on their final day.

Check out the video here: http://ciw-online.org/