my internship- the end

I really can't believe that my internship is now over.  It seems just like yesterday that I was packing up for my internship, touring the NNH facilities, and meeting all the staff and kids at NNH.  It really was a wonderful summer and I learned so much about myself as a researcher and as a worker at NNH.  Yes, there were some challenges I faced over the summer, but none of them were so hard that God could not pull me through.  I saw staff leave from NNH after I got close to them, I experienced the difficulties of having to adjust without having an Educational Director, and I also had to learn how to handle disobedient kids (which is not one of my strengths).  All these things did in some ways push me out of my comfort zone.  However, the positives over the summer far exceeded the negatives.  Not only was I able to grow as a person over the summer, but I gained so many friendships that I will always cherish.  Also, I've seen in myself a desire to really want to help people in a way that I've never experienced before.  I've known for a long time that I would like to be in a career that involves helping people hopefully through community development, but I didn't realize how much that desire would be stirred within me over this summer.  There's just something about working at a place like NNH that makes you excited about the people you see everyday and about walking alongside kids who may be struggling at home, in school, with discipline, or any other problems that kids face in life.  I know that there were a number of times where I learned a lot from the kids about life in general and I was humbled on several occasions when my assumptions were challenged.  But that's what I loved about the summer.

In regard to the last week of my internship, it was very busy.  With a 10 page single space written report, a research design critique, two reporting assignments, a weekly log, and a power point presentation, let's just say I didn't get out of the house much (except when I went to coffee shops to also work on my papers).  Overall, the paper writing was not too bad.  It just took a lot of contemplation, reflection, and organization.  When you finally have to sit down and write about everything you've done over the summer, it can be a little overwhelming.  There was definitely a few moments where I just felt like I couldn't do anymore.  But, I realized that I just had to take one step at a time and one day at a time so that I could get through everything.  I began writing my papers last Sunday and finally turned in all of my assignments on Saturday evening.  Also, I did my presentation for NNH on Friday.  I think it went really well even though it was really low key.  I just went through a power point presentation for the new Educational Director and the Executive Director while we were all sitting around a table.  It was very comfortable and conversational.  I liked that both of the people really wanted to know what I had to hear and even took notes while I was talking.  While I know that I didn't come up with some big theory or conclusive information (which I knew I wouldn't), I do feel like I was able to offer NNH something "helpful and sensible" (as one of my community development professors likes to say).  In the end, that was more than I could ask for.  Also, they told me that I should come back and work for them next summer, which was really exciting.  Obviously I don't know for sure my plans for after graduation, but its at least nice to know that there's an option out there for me (and an option I would love to take up on).  

So, that's about it for my past week and really my whole summer.  Thanks to all who've kept up on my blog, have been praying for me, or have contributed financially toward my internship.  My internship would have been much harder if I did not have the support you all have given me.  Most of all, I thank God for all the things he's taught me and all the blessings that he's showered on me this summer!

Coming to an end

Wow, do I really have just one week left?  It seems like this summer has flown by.  I've done so many things, met so many people, and have had such a great time.  This past week was definitely a great way to end the summer program.

One exciting thing about this week was that the new educational director at NNH arrived on Monday.  His name is Matt and is in his late 20s.  Right away, he seemed to fit in with the kids.  He also added some extra structure to the program, which was nice.  Monday was a pretty chill day because Mr. Matt arrived.  We didn't do math centers and the kids heard from a lady who sells insurance.  The kids also had a time where they were able to get to know Mr. Matt a little.  During literacy centers, the kids worked on the summer reading projects, which they've been working on during the second session.  Also, I was able to do two interviews with two of the kids on Monday.  I asked them different questions about their experiences at NNH and their opinions about the mentors/staff at NNH.  On Tuesday, it was just like any other Tuesday.  However, I was able to do three interviews with three of the kids, which was great.  It was nice because on Monday and Tuesday we didn't have that many kids at NNH.  This always makes centers a little more calm and easier to control.

The rest of the week was pretty relaxed and fun.  Wednesday we went to the pool, even though I thought we weren't going to (it was pouring the rain when I arrived, but Ms. Rachel knew that it would clear up by the time we got to Booker T., which was completely correct).  I of course had fun getting in the pool and going on the diving board.  But, the only thing that isn't fun about the pool is that we always have to sit kids out when they do something bad (for instance, I sat out two girls when they were arguing about frogs they found in the grass).  On Wednesday, I was also able to do an interview, but it was with one of the parents.  It was really nice talking with her, especially since her kids have been coming to NNH for about 5 years.  

Thursday was a good day, partially because we had Panera Bagels, orange juice, and coffee for snack.  The kids also learned about Jordan during international study day centers.  After centers, the kids played Jeopardy with Mr. Matt being the host.  The kids really got into it.  Also on Thursday, I conducted a preference ranking exercise (which is a PLA tool- Participatory Learning and Action).  Let's just say that I got what I needed, but it was a little chaotic getting eight kids to take the research seriously.

The last day of the summer program was on Friday.  It was such a crazy busy day, but it was a lot of fun.  First, me and one of the staff had to make a ton of pudding for Messy Day in the morning.  But before doing Messy Day, the kids did a scavenger hunt at NNH in different rooms (since it was still raining).  That went pretty smoothly.  After that, I helped some of the staff fill up tons of water balloons.  My fingers were about to fall off, but we had fun getting wet.  After one of my friends came and gave a speech about theater to the kids, Messy Day began.  The kids did water balloon tosses, an egg toss, the three-legged race, there was a water war, and the kids threw pies at each other.  While none of the staff would get messy, I definitely wanted to participate in the fun (I had been looking forward to this all week).  It first started out with one of the kids throwing a few water balloons at me.  Then, one of the staff told the kids to bring me to the water hose, so I was drenched from that.  When the pie throwing started, I threw a few pies at the kids before one girl nailed me in the face with a plate of pudding.  It was pure chaos from there and the kids ambushed me with plate and plates of pudding.  I was pretty much covered in pudding, but I have to say that I enjoyed every moment of it.  After eventually cleaning up, I was able to give my last goodbyes to the kids.  It was very bittersweet, but it was comforting to know that I will have the opportunity to see the kids during the rest of the year when if I volunteer (which I plan to).

So now, I'm just beginning to start wrapping up all my research and beginning some major paper writing.  I'm really hoping that I can get a lot done at the beginning of the week so that my last few days in Chattanooga aren't too stressful.  Nonetheless, I'm not too worried about it, but it will definitely take some focus and prayer!  Please be praying that God will give me wisdom about finishing my analysis and that I can offer something helpful and sensible to NNH when I do my final presentation on Friday.