Wednesday, October 30, 2013

I am getting more and more excited as the days go on. It is starting to become more real as I get to know each of the wonderful group members. I am so excited to get to know all of you even better and I just think that this is going to be such an incredible experience!!!! :D I am excited for more fundraisers (the first bake sale was the past two days)  I am excited for our first regular meeting this friday…and really I'm just excited about it all!! I already love you guys! :)

Kendall Valente
Class of 2015

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Hi all! So we have done a few fundraisers so far including the Duets show, and our bake sale that we just wrapped up today! I thought they both went great, and while working the Bake Sale tables I really got to know some of the ASB members that I did not know that well. Just like everyone else I am sure, I have been beyond busy this semester doing things for work, clubs, and grad school. I feel like I am so consumed sometimes by everything, and I am finding less and less time for myself. However, I have been really thinking about this trip and how genuinely excited I am for it! At the end of the day when I am thinking about everything, I really do realize how lucky I am to be going on a trip like this. Even though it is four months away, I am going to challenge myself to really take this experience all in as much as I can. Because before I know it, it is going to be March and we are going to be off to Oklahoma! I can't wait to become more acquainted with everyone, and start to really build those friendships that I have been waiting to create. Stay awesome everyone!

Sam Ghika
Class of 2014

Monday, October 28, 2013

Here... We... Go...


So I felt particularly inspired to blog last week after our first fundraising show, “Duets Doing Good,” because it was the first time the group was all-together in an informal setting. I could just look ahead and see how well we were all going to get along and how much the new members are going to get out of this experience. I officially met about half of the group during our first meeting Monday, but didn’t get the chance to introduce myself to everyone. After the show, I definitely feel like it’ll be easier to get to know everyone else I haven’t met and get to know those I have, better. Helping out at these fundraisers is going to be like group bonding activities, which will make me excited to get those fundraising hours done! I’m getting very excited for this trip and everything is looking up.

Avarie Cook
Class of 2016

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

"Everybody is great..."

As we begin this journey together, I feel so hopeful.  Not only because I have total confidence in the great work this team will accomplish, but because I believe that we are embarking together on a path to greatness.

I was trying to find words to express some of my thoughts about the beginning of this journey and as usual, someone else said it better, so I quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”


As we start this journey to OK, this journey as a team working together towards a common goal, and as individuals reflecting upon our own place in this world and our ability to affect change, I challenge us all to keep our "hearts full of grace."

As midterms turn into finals, and fall into winter - as we lose hours of daylight in exchange for an earlier night, I know our lives fill up with competing priorities and responsibilities.  Remember to take time to reflect on our journey, to absorb the greatness of our path, and rely on your ASB team to inspire, support and encourage you.

Greatness lies ahead, and I am looking forward to being a witness to it!

Claire Ostrander
Associate Director, SILD

Monday, October 21, 2013

OKLAHOMA HERE WE COME

Today is the first official day of ASB 2014! I am really excited to see what this year has in store for us, I know it will be a good one. Our group is going to be incredibly hardworking and I know we all want the same thing: to go to Oklahoma to serve the community and kick some serious butt on the worksite! Before we can do that we have a ton of fundraising and learning to do. I know I am up for the challenge whose ready to join me?! Here we come!

-TL Brandon