My Birthday Wish

One day out of the year people receive Happy Birthday messages on their Facebook page from friends, family, and acquaintances. Well today is my turn and before you post that nice note I would like to share something with you…

"Everybody can be great because everybody 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 need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love" - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The quote above is one of my favorites! Being a servant is one thing that brings me great joy.

In 2006 less than a year after Hurricane Katrina I had my first experience with alternative breaks in New Orleans, Louisiana. You may be wondering “What exactly are alternative breaks?”  An alternative break is a trip (usually during spring, fall, or summer break) where a group of college students engage in direct service and reflection. That experience had an impact on my life and was one of the main reasons I looked at New Orleans as a place to further my education years later.

Currently I am back in New Orleans attending a conference that is focused on the journey towards justice by creating change through partnerships. And just a couple of weeks ago I was attending a Break Away board meeting in Atlanta.  Break Away is a national non-profit organization that promotes the development of quality alternative break programs. It’s interesting how things connect in life.

So if you feel inclined to help me celebrate this day near or far I ask that you to join me in supporting Break Away by sending a donation along with your birthday greeting. J

Lastly, the countdown starts today for something special. Only 365~ days left! 

What makes a city likeable?

Over the past six years I have lived in five different cities ranging from a population of approximately 10,700 to 2,099,450. Each time I have moved, someone has asked me “how do you like insert city?” Most of the time I just say it is okay. What do they want me to say?

When I think about the cities I have enjoyed the most, the city itself has little to do with it. Malls, clubs, cultural events, et cetera have very little to do with how I have felt about a city. It has always been about the relationships I was able to build that made my time in a particular place enjoyable. I look forward to visiting certain cities because that’s where my friends live and we had fun doing some of everything.

There are some places I dread going to, such as my hometown, because I don’t have close friendships with anyone there. Some people who get excited about going home but that is not me. As long as I can talk to my mom when I want to I am satisfied.

Recently I moved to the capital city of my home state and I have not been impressed to stay. Mostly because I haven’t built the type of friendships (or any at all) I had in other cities. Starting from scratch with relationships is probably the toughest part about moving around but that doesn’t deter me. I have my sights on a new city in the near future. Hopefully I will meet some Cajuns and Creoles that will welcome me and I will fall in love with a city!

Can you be single and share a home with your family?

This morning on CBS This Morning I saw a new story about extended families living under one roof. There is a builder in Florida who specializes in homes that house multi-generations. The grandparents have their own private suites.

I think it is an awesome idea. It cuts down on bills, travel, and support plus everyone still has their privacy. (The grandparents had their own entrance from outside to their suites.) I have always thought that my mother would live with me once I settle in a place, well if that ever happens. However, does the idea work for single adults? Wouldn’t they just be considered living at home with their parents?

I read a post the other day that stated that there was an issue with guys who still lived with their parents. Now I see where this could be an unattractive especially if they guy had never lived outside the home and had never supported his self. But what if the tables were turned and the parents had moved in with the son? Does that make a difference?