Geography

I'm in Ann Arbor but my heart is in Detroit...

Survival Tips

I am almost finished with my first term of graduate school. Thursday was my last day of class-however, almost represents the four papers, one grant, work, and field hours I have left to complete before I can officially say I'm on break. I thought I would list what I have done lately to get me through the stress:

#1-Drink coffee

#2-Find a good space conducive to studying (Hint: not my apartment or any other place with TV or an internet connection...)

#3-Participate in the School of Social Work Pub Crawl to have fun and forget about the papers, projects, and hours upon hours of work looming in the near future

#4-Drink more coffee

#5-Actually start the papers...and by start, I mean not just the title pages

#6-Daydream about my trip to Spain (less than 20 days Kaela!)

#7-Watch a few episodes of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" for study breaks

#8-Do all my laundry, wash the dishes, clean the bathroom, etc. just to procrastinate until I actually have to start writing

#9-Explore new coffee shops where I can drink more coffee

#10-And of course, blog

Well, there you have it. I have found every possible way imaginable to prolong this activity called completing assignments. I am very much looking forward to enjoying winter break with family and friends, but before this happens I need to write my papers! That said, back to writing about program evaluation... 

Back to Wisconsin in 2 Days!

I am very excited to be back home for a long weekend, starting this Wednesday evening. I just have to get through one more day of field, a class presentation and a paper...not bad, right? I am very glad I've decided to take the Megabus home instead of driving because the weather this week in Michigan is rainy/snowy and I am not eager to travel over 6 hours in it.

Speaking of driving, I was really excited to fill my gas tank up today for just around $20! I heard on the radio this morning that prices have not been this low since 2005, which is great news for me since I am driving to and from Detroit twice a week. My commute seems to have gotten shorter because I'm accustomed to it now. The roads near my field site have also been improved since my first weeks there. I no longer have to swerve around the elevated sewer caps and we actually have a driveway to the parking lot now!

I hope everyone is having fun preparing for Thanksgiving Day. My family and friends are scattered throughout the country and the world this year but I hope you know you are all in my thoughts. 

Be well and eat delicious foods.

Ice Scraper & the State Capitol

What do these two things have in common, you ask? Well, each was an important part of my day and they both remind me of Wisconsin. For the first time in many years I had to scrape ice off my windshield (since I've been without a car since high school) before driving to Lansing for an all-day AmeriCorps training. I learned some useful tips on social media in the morning and how to write better grants in the afternoon. While the training was an overall success, the best part of my day was the trip I took to the state capitol building. It reminded me of the Square in Madison-minus the restaurants and bars...ok, then it was nothing like Madison. Either way, it was fun to take some pictures of the capitol and walk around downtown Lansing before heading back to reality. 

I have an op-ed due on Thursday for my Social Action class, for which I will be writing about an offensive t-shirt on campus that states "Freshmen girls-Get'em while they're skinny." I'm also working with a body image group on campus to develop facilitations for freshmen fraternities and sororities to counter this message that will hopefully kick off next semester. Any ideas on what a counter-t-shirt would look like?

Last night was Creekside's Annual Membership Meeting and we had a great turnout. We held Board elections, approved the revised by-laws and showed a Power Point summing up the year's activities, made by yours truly. I have only a few more weeks in the semester-and I still have to write a grant! I'm also inspired to start a Creekside blog after today's session on social media so stay tuned for that.

I hope everyone is keeping warm as the winter weather settles in. I'm counting down the days until I'm home for Thanksgiving with my family and in Madison to see Tricia! Also, my trip to Spain is fast approaching-Kaela, nos vemos pronto! :)

Be well.

Election Day 2008

Polls in Michigan open in less than seven hours. Voters have already turned out in record numbers across the country and hour-long lines are to be expected throughout the day. It has been so inspiring to hear the stories of first-time voters registering to cast their ballots in this election. I was canvassing in Toledo, Ohio over the weekend and met a 29-year-old woman who is a first-generation high school graduate. For the first time in her life she will go to the polls to make her choice for the next president. These stories are being told all over the country. We are truly living in a historic period, and the U.S.-for better or worse-will look drastically different after tomorrow. 

I hope everyone has a chance to reflect on this incredible moment in which we find ourselves and encourage this type of civic engagement we have seen over the past several months to carry on, after the next president is elected. Our communities are held together by these ties of political participation and we as a nation can no longer afford to remain silent when so many forms of oppression still exist.

Vote people, vote!

Crunch Time

I'm back in Ann Arbor after a short but sweet visit at home in Germantown last weekend. I spent last Saturday carving pumpkins with my family, including my cousins Miranda, Malinda and Madeline :) Our front yard was converted into a pumpkin patch for special effect! Mom had the best food-everything from potato skins to creepy finger cookies and Dad made his famous buttermilk pancakes on Sunday.

I went back to Madison with Kyle and Alyssa to visit friends for a few days. In the time I had, I tried to fit in as much as the city had to offer: waffles at Indie Coffeehouse, cheese curds from the Old Fashioned, $1 taps at the Vintage, and a pumpkin latte from Espresso Royale. It was great to catch up with family and friends but lots of work awaited me in Ann Arbor upon return!

At least I was able to schedule in some fun time for myself during the past week. I had a birthday dinner/ice cream/drinks with friends on Wednesday night to celebrate my 23rd-yikes! Then last night I attended a costume party where I played the part of Governor Palin. I even had a rifle...just in case any wolves or moose wandered in from the streets.

Well, I have two papers due this week, a group project and another paper next week. I'll be spending election night in Detroit so I need to get everything done by this coming Sunday...we'll see how that goes. I'll post some pictures of recent events sometime soon, once all the craziness settles down. 

Peace.

Weekend in Detroit

Last Saturday I was in Detroit to work at Creekside's bike tour fundraiser.  It was a great day because my coworker Rachel and I also made it to two farmers' markets (one in Ypsilanti-a city just outside of Ann Arbor-and the other in Detroit).  She purchased a peck of apples (which is a quarter of a bushel, in case you were wondering) and I got some grape tomatoes, potatoes, and little squash.  We also split an amazing sweet potato pie and 7-up pound cake.  It was fabulous.  After working at the bike tour, Rachel, Sam (another coworker) and I went on a community walk and passed out Creekside information to residents for a few hours.  Then we headed downtown for my first real introduction to the city.  Above is a picture of the GM Renaissance Center which was pretty sweet.  It's a bit tricky to navigate on the inside but it has some interesting architecture, stores, and restaurants on the inside, as well as a hotel!  It's situated on the Detroit River, directly across from Windsor, Canada.

We took the Detroit People Mover to the riverfront.  It was my first experience on a public rail since Europe.  I can't say it was as efficient as the ones I experienced abroad but it definitely lives up to its name!  The rail is elevated well above street level so we got a pretty good view of the buildings.  It snaked around Greektown, one of the most popular parts of the city, and would have eventually looped us back to the beginning (exemplifying how this mode of transportation isn't the most efficient or convenient way

 to get around).  

My favorite stop was at the Labor Legacy Landmark.  It's a gigantic vertical ring with a base of solidarity quotes from famous labor organizers and other activists.  Behind the ring is another shot of the Ren Center.

All in all, the day was tons of fun.  I knew lots of readings, projects, and other work was waiting for me in Ann Arbor but the day made me excited to spend more time in Detroit during this next year.  I am also hoping to find an apartment to sublet downtown during the summer so I can cut my commute time during my days in field.  

Tomorrow starts another busy week.  I'm excited to get through it as quickly as possible because I'm going home next weekend for fall break!  I'll be in Germantown for my sister's birthday weekend and then visit Madison for a few days.  More to come later!

Badgers in Wolverine Territory

Yesterday was a sad day to be a Badger.  After Wisconsin led for three quarters, Michigan decided to show up for the game and pull ahead by two points to deliver a 27-25 defeat over the Badgers. Despite the upset, Ann Arbor fans were gracious enough to let us file out of the Big House unscathed-physically, at least. I have several days of emotional healing ahead of me...

I must say it was great to see the familiar red and white jerseys and the marching band on the field. Also, my dad was in town for the weekend and it was really fun taking him to the Big House.  

                                                                           

Our weekend was jam-packed with lots of events. Between watching the debate at the School of Social Work on Friday night, pre-gaming at a grad house party, watching the game and eating dinner in downtown Ann Arbor on Saturday, and biking along the Huron River on Sunday morning, we definitely covered a lot of ground in only a few days! 

Thanks for a great visit dad-hopefully the next time Wisconsin is in town, we'll come out with a win!

Life as an Intern

I arrived home last night well after 10.  We had our quarterly community meeting at Creekside and it was my first large event with the organization.  It was exciting to see residents, Creekside staff, board members and city officials come together to share concerns and talk about ways to address pressing issues in the neighborhood such as abandoned homes, vacant lots and a lack of police presence.  My favorite part was when a young girl stepped forward during our housing coordinator's presentation to remind everyone to pick up trash and recycle because that was the best way to keep the community clean!  

It was a productive but long meeting.  The upside to leaving late is missing the hair-pulling, teeth-grinding traffic the City of Detroit spits out every day after regular work hours.  The downside: making it home and realizing that I have to get up in 7 hours and do it all over again.  

I can't really complain though, because Tuesdays lack the high energy required to prep for all the meetings that seem to fall on the first day of the week.  I also surprised myself throughout the morning as I answered the phone and I was able to recognize several voices on the other end...I guess there might be something to this community outreach.  By early afternoon I was feeling pretty good about my progress on the board development project I was assigned.  Then we received a visit.

Our visitor called last week and briefly talked to our housing coordinator before the phone was handed over to me because the gentleman spoke Spanish.  I was thrilled to be speaking Spanish again!  He was interested in seeing the floor plans to our Creekside houses and we encouraged him to stop by the office to see them.  He visited us today and I was excited to share the housing details with him, although I too spoke in broken Spanish.  I guess they didn't  teach me how to say "five-star energy rating" in undergrad. 

After spending time with the prospective buyer I realized how much I miss working with Spanish-speaking clients.  I hope we have more situations like today's-but I guess I should brush up on my realtor vocab first!

Biking Culture

So Madison is well known for many things: the Terrace, Badger football, State Street, construction...the list could go on.  What I am particularly interested in reflecting on today is its established biking culture.  That's right, the traditional two-wheeled mode of transportation for so many students on the UW campus.  Now don't get me wrong-I know this is not unique to the UW.  However, after being here at the University of Michigan for nearly a month now, I have picked up on some seemingly subtle differences between this campus and my first love, Madison.  Waiting nearly half an hour for a bus this evening (that apparently stops running every 9-12 minutes after 6pm...news to me) further assisted in my observation of these slightly irritating differences.

First, most "bikers" in Ann Arbor seem to systematically neglect the maintenance of their rides.  Now I'm not talking about a little rust on the chain or a few scratches on the frame-I'm referring to those with severely flat back tires.  Not low, flat.  This has got to make biking around an extremely laborious and uncomfortable experience.  Do they just not notice?  Or not care...

Second, many riders seem to be content with leaving their bike seats unadjusted (perhaps at the height suitable for a younger brother or sister), causing knees to reach handlebars in an awkward display of athletic activity.  Even those riding vintage road bikes (*sigh) seem to feel the need to sit in such a position and waste all potential to absolutely rock out.  Madisonians, you know what I'm talking about.

Third, the U-M has wholeheartedly welcomed a culture in which biking on sidewalks is not only accepted-it is reinforced by all classes and academic programs!  To see a biker on the road here is like seeing Bucky in the Big House.  As I waited for my bus earlier this evening and watched several bikers awkwardly weave through crowds on the Central Campus sidewalks, I flashed back to my first experience as a young biker in Madison.  I wasn't peddling amidst the walkers for 30 seconds before an upperclassman bellowed "GET OFF THE SIDEWALK" as I rolled past.  Terrified, I bolted onto the street, vowing never to be seen again biking along the pedestrian path.  

Graduate school has challenged me to accept new norms, such as switching to three-hour classes and working at a faster pace.  Biking on sidewalks, however, is one norm I refuse to accept.  

I may be learning among the blue and maize but I still have my dignity.

Working in Detroit

As a part of my MSW program, I am required to spend two days per week in field.  My placement is at Creekside Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit that develops affordable housing in a part of Southeastern Detroit.  I am carpooling with another Social Work intern who has been working with Creekside for about a year now, so I am saving gas and learning about the history of the organization during the commute. 

My role at Creekside is to serve as the Youth Engagement Coordinator.  Since this is only my second week with the agency, I  have yet to figure out exactly what I am supposed to be doing.  One potential project I am really excited about is starting recycling initiatives in the local schools.  I met with an elementary school today that is really embracing the idea-they are even recruiting "Recycling Rangers" in each class who will help make sure materials are being collected and sorted in the proper manner.

Other than attending lots of meetings these first few days (including the monthly Board meeting that offered a brief yet interesting snapshot of board member/director and staff dynamics), I have spent lots of time losing connection with my unreliable new email account that I can only access remotely.  I've also become much more confident driving in Detroit traffic, even though obeying red lights and painting lanes on newly paved roads seem to be optional...

Tomorrow I start my assistantship in the Office of Student Services-wish me luck!    

Surviving Week #1

My first "week" of class is over.  I use quotations because I only have classes two days a week. Ok, before you jump on this, realize that each class is three hours long and I have three classes on Thursdays.  Despite a long day of lectures and note-taking, my introduction to the social work classes I will be taking this fall was good.  In addition to the first week of school, I am also having lots of fun entertaining my first guest in Ann Arbor!  Before Kaela heads to Spain for a year to teach English, she was able to squeeze in a trip to see my new city and school.  After picking her up in Detroit yesterday, I gave her a tour of the campus and of course-my new bookstore and coffee shop.  Even though we were caught in the rain two days in a row now, I think she is much better acquainted with the U-M...and the bus system!  Tomorrow she flies back to Wisconsin and I won't see her again until late December when I make my much-anticipated return to Spain.  She will definitely be missed!

Tomorrow I am back in Detroit for a day of AmeriCorps training that will help prepare me for a year as a community organizer in my Detroit agency-oh wait.  I suppose that isn't a position with real responsibilities-right?  Glad to see my year of graduate school education is going to an imaginary career.

Okay, enough of my reactions to the RNC.  Have a wonderful weekend!

   

Welcome

Hello and welcome!  

Through this blog I hope to share my thoughts and experiences during my time as a graduate student at the University of Michigan.  In doing so, I aim to stay better connected with my family and friends at home.  

I began my internship today in Southeastern Detroit and tomorrow marks the first day of my classes.  I have settled into my two-bedroom/two-bath apartment in Ann Arbor. And I am beginning to discover what my current city of residence has to offer: several used bookstores (with plenty of shelf space for Hemingway), endless streets housing fair-trade coffee shops and an energetic campus with lots of green space.  There's no doubt I will fit right in.

I would like to say thank you for taking the time to read what I hope will be an account of my journey as a graduate student in rather unfamiliar territory.  I welcome any and all suggestions that may make this blog more enjoyable to read (not to mention I'd love to hear from you).  So please keep in touch and read often!

Be well,

Caitlyn