Babies galore!

So apparently the JVC isn't just about having fun, traveling the country and meeting new people. Work began on Wednesday. I am working at St. Anne's Family and Child Center as an "operations specialist." (If anyone knows what that is, feel free to tell me). St. Anne's is a daycare/preschool for kids from 4 weeks old to 6 years old. They accept a high number of low income children, children who have special needs, and several who have been kicked out of other preschools. The program is young so its still growing, and thus has a much higher number of high income families than low income. It can be hard to see the social justice in it sometimes, but I think it'll be an interesting place to work. One of the reasons that it isn't just a day care for low-income families is that Catholic Charities Spokane wants to work to a classless society, to expose children and families of different economic backgrounds to each other, and to help erase the stigma of poverty.

 I'll be in training for the next few weeks, which basically entails going around to each classroom and spending a day in them with the teachers and kids. The past two days I've been in the infant rooms. Cute, darling, yes, but truthfully, kids aren't that much fun until they can walk. Or talk. Or do something besides projectile vomit on you. After we've gotten settled in at St. Anne's, Kelly and I can decide on a project that we want to work on. Also we are going to 'adopt' a family and work specifically with them. We might also have the chance to work as one on ones with kids who need more attention in the classroom, which is something I'd be interested in doing. 

In other news there is: 

The Full Moon Fiasco. 

The Full Moon Fiasco is a biking event run by the FBC of Spokane. Every full moon, everyone who is anyone hops on a bike and does a bar tour of Spokane. The riding was great, the bars were nothing compared to the Delis, and I felt like I was at Ragbrai again! It was funny to hear everyone talk about how many people there were. There were probably about 50, which is quite large for a night bike ride, quite small for an Iowan adventure. (And yes mom, we all wore helmets and road on well-lit streets). One of the strengths I've heard of Spokane that I've heard over and over again is the community. I think its true. I can't wait till I can run again (ankle injury blah) and can join the Flying Irish Running Club. But more on that when that actually happens.

Sunday some of us went to St. Ann's Church instead of the one at Gonzaga. Gonzaga's church is beautiful, but I think I might become a regular at St. Ann's. I want to go to a church with immigrants, with the homeless, with middle class people, with the L'arche community, where a nun gives a reflection after the homily. It seems like my kind of place.

It's about 96 in Spokane. Its actually warmer than in Williamsburg. Crazy!