The Electric Chocolaty Slide
I went to the store right down the street to grab some items to share at our next AmeriCorps service job. I chose to bring hot chocolate and a gift card from Goodwill for the residents at The Service Center, a temporary housing site for veterans. I did not think the store would have organic foods, in fact I know it wouldn't having been there at least three times, but it was convenient. Sometimes convenience trumps doing the right thing. I saw that they had two types of hot chocolate; one had sugar and corn syrup for the first two ingredients and the second choice, Ovaltine, had sugar and malt extract (malt extract has malted barley in it which sounds good) as the first two ingredients. I went with the Ovaltine. I didn't go for the Ovaltine just for that reason though.
I remember a friend from college who introduced me to Ovaltine. I remember making up a song slogan, or jingle, for it: "Rich and chocolaty Ovaltine. The tastes that sets you free." Maybe part of that song was when I worked at Schlotzky's Deli when I was in college and a co-worker and I would make up songs together.
I went for the Ovaltine, marshmallows, and goats milk. I believe I was the only one that partook in said Ovaltine. I even brought my own mug. It would be fun for all of us to get together and have a hot chocolate and marshmallow and goats milk party. We could all bring our own mugs and sit around the camp fire and tell stories and sing songs. What do you think guys?
I live right down the street from The Servant Center so I chose to ride my bike. Isn't everything in life a choice?
It was not too cold out. You can tell though that winter has finally set in here in Greensboro. It is routinely cold and not getting aboce fifty degrees. It gets around freexing at nighttime.
I saw Gina and Jannifer outside when I got to the center. Gina works with me at Peacehaven Commuity Farm and Jannifer was one of the facilitators who set up the event. Scott, Jannifer's husband and AmeriCoprs member who works at The Servant Center, let us in. The doors, it seems, are always locked. I wonder why that is?
We met in a room with some books and a computer or two. It was like a rec room and library. Many of my AmeriCorps friends were already there. I showed Hayden my goods. He said, "Isn't Ovaltine from the movie A Christmas Story?" He explained it to me and I half-remembered. Here is a clip to refresh your memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdA__2tKoIU
Jannifer gave us the low down along with her co-facilitators Helen and Hayden. Part of that explanation was that we were to move rooms. We grabbed all of our items- cokes, chips, brownies with toasted marshmallows- and headed over.
This was a much bigger room and some of the residents were already there. I remember how sweet the residents were. I sat with Derrick and I can't remember the name of the other resident. We played bingo and sang Karaoke. We danced and ate. Let me tell you, some people got the moves!
This singing and dancing and sharing brings a warm feeling to my heart.
I found myself wanting to talk to the residents to hear their stories. I would love to have a service project called Share Your Story to hear what people in the community have gone and are going through.
Memorable moments were Karizma leading the Electric Slide dance, Elliot with his talk of battle of the dance moves, and the camaraderie of everyone together.
The event was really perfect. We all brought our best selves and did our thing. Sometimes I get excited and lose my best self in the excitement. Some may call this the life of the party. I have learned to be hard on myself at times but I am doing my best to not. I am doing my best to show up, enjoy and make wise choices.
I wish the best for the residents at The Servant Center. I get the name of the non-profit now. The Servant Center. It has a double meaning. One, is where members of the community can be helped when in need and receive services. Two, it is also particularly for residents who have served the country in the armed forces.
Thank you.
It is my wish that the armed services may one day no longer be necessary. May all be calm and steady and enjoy the flow of life.
I remember a friend from college who introduced me to Ovaltine. I remember making up a song slogan, or jingle, for it: "Rich and chocolaty Ovaltine. The tastes that sets you free." Maybe part of that song was when I worked at Schlotzky's Deli when I was in college and a co-worker and I would make up songs together.
I went for the Ovaltine, marshmallows, and goats milk. I believe I was the only one that partook in said Ovaltine. I even brought my own mug. It would be fun for all of us to get together and have a hot chocolate and marshmallow and goats milk party. We could all bring our own mugs and sit around the camp fire and tell stories and sing songs. What do you think guys?
I live right down the street from The Servant Center so I chose to ride my bike. Isn't everything in life a choice?
It was not too cold out. You can tell though that winter has finally set in here in Greensboro. It is routinely cold and not getting aboce fifty degrees. It gets around freexing at nighttime.
I saw Gina and Jannifer outside when I got to the center. Gina works with me at Peacehaven Commuity Farm and Jannifer was one of the facilitators who set up the event. Scott, Jannifer's husband and AmeriCoprs member who works at The Servant Center, let us in. The doors, it seems, are always locked. I wonder why that is?
We met in a room with some books and a computer or two. It was like a rec room and library. Many of my AmeriCorps friends were already there. I showed Hayden my goods. He said, "Isn't Ovaltine from the movie A Christmas Story?" He explained it to me and I half-remembered. Here is a clip to refresh your memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdA__2tKoIU
Jannifer gave us the low down along with her co-facilitators Helen and Hayden. Part of that explanation was that we were to move rooms. We grabbed all of our items- cokes, chips, brownies with toasted marshmallows- and headed over.
This was a much bigger room and some of the residents were already there. I remember how sweet the residents were. I sat with Derrick and I can't remember the name of the other resident. We played bingo and sang Karaoke. We danced and ate. Let me tell you, some people got the moves!
This singing and dancing and sharing brings a warm feeling to my heart.
I found myself wanting to talk to the residents to hear their stories. I would love to have a service project called Share Your Story to hear what people in the community have gone and are going through.
Memorable moments were Karizma leading the Electric Slide dance, Elliot with his talk of battle of the dance moves, and the camaraderie of everyone together.
The event was really perfect. We all brought our best selves and did our thing. Sometimes I get excited and lose my best self in the excitement. Some may call this the life of the party. I have learned to be hard on myself at times but I am doing my best to not. I am doing my best to show up, enjoy and make wise choices.
I wish the best for the residents at The Servant Center. I get the name of the non-profit now. The Servant Center. It has a double meaning. One, is where members of the community can be helped when in need and receive services. Two, it is also particularly for residents who have served the country in the armed forces.
Thank you.
It is my wish that the armed services may one day no longer be necessary. May all be calm and steady and enjoy the flow of life.
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