My Last Day

*written at work*

Here I sit. In the Satellite Centre for my last day of Volunteer with Providence Row. I am so happy and yet so sad. I am happy to have been able to have had this experience. Getting to know my work friends, getting to know clients. Getting to the in's and out's of a fully functional Day Centre for the Homeless of London. From day one everyone welcomed me with open arms, trusted me to do a good job and treated me with love and respect. I was able to thrive in my volunteer position and be creative in how I was to accomplish my tasks. I am happy to have met and gotten to know quite of few of the clients as well. Learning there stories, building trust, nudging them into activities. Helping to build there lives back together in small ways.

I had one polish gentleman tell me yesterday.........

"Your so nice, this place is so nice. You always have a smile and it feels good to be able to come here and just feel normal for a little while"

I almost cried when he said this. My heart has been touched by this like you don't even know.

We got an email from the head of the charity today. She was telling us the results of the latest client survey. I was mentioned as one of the good parts about Providence Row.

I want to cry just thinking about this. I really did make a difference. They had a party for us today, a little going away "Funeral Tea" for me and another gentleman named John who was working here for 3 months. I am honored to be honored by them. They said nice words, and clapped and everything. The head of the Charity remarked how the participation was up by leaps and bounds in the programs since I have been here. There even creating a new position at Providence Row, sort of like a promotions person. Making sure people now about activities and pushing them to get involved.

I don't think the volunteers normally get a party. (in fact I've seen 3 leave so far who have been here longer than me that didn't get a party!)

What can I say, I have a winning personality. In fact, they said that. Its my ability to engage people that made me the right choice for this position.

So, My last day, proves to be an emotional one. I said a speech almost without crying.

I leave this place with a heavy heart.

Thank you Providence Row for giving me so much more than I ever gave you. My heart will always carry a piece of you with it. The lessons I've learned are more than I can even imagine right now, how this will affect the rest of my life we'll soon see.

I look forward to my two weeks off. But it is with sadness that I walk away today.

Jessica Ellis

-- Accomplished Volunteer

Last week of Volunteer

I can't believe its here.

Tomorrow starts my last week of volunteering at Providence Row. I've been there for 6 weeks and it feels like family. I am going to be SO sad to leave. Working here has brought me so many valuable lessons, new friends and a life of memories. I'm talking like its over already. 5 more days of work here in lovely London then....... HOLIDAY!!

Now that, is really something to look forward to. (you can tell I've been here too long, I've called it holiday instead of vacation) I am going to Devon for a weekend and Paris for 4 days. I'm am so thrilled I can't even believe its really happening. I won't be excited till the day before. Right now I'm like, "yea, I'm going to Paris, so what" but when I step on the plane I'm going to have a shit eating grin on my face.

Lets see, where shall I take you on this weeks rantings? First let me tell you how I made biscuits today. I made biscuits to bring to work with me and for all the people I've been trying to explain what we Americans call biscuits. To the Brits, its cookies. But they've never experienced the wonder of a huge plate of biscuits and gravy with eggs and bacon and grits and all the wonderful extras that make the people that inhabit the southern part of our country overweight. (including me)

The other day I came close when I had a proper English Creme Tea. Which is just tea, with a scone smothered with what we would call cream cheese and jelly. It really was a lovely experience and the creme was tasty. The scone was the closest thing to a biscuit I've found so far. Although a scone here is more like a roll but just as flaky as what we call biscuits.

ANYWAY. Biscuits this, biscuits that, biscuits call me every night.

Moving on from Biscuits.

HERE YE HERE YE, I've got something to tell ya.

We went to Stonehenge last Sunday and I bought a shot glass. I find this extremely hilarious. Such a place of wonder and magic, turned into a spectacle on the side of the road. They sell t-shirts with pictures of Stonehenge that so cleverly state "Stonehenge Rocks"

Do I need to say more? About their merchandising campaign I am finished. In regards to its placement. I continue. We hired a coach and we all went together, it was only about an hour and half away, maybe more. While your driving up the road you come around a bend and there it is. On the side of the road. You don't really have to get out of your car, its just right there. But of course we parked and paid the 6.60 to gain entry. Although again, you could just park and walk to the fence and take pictures. We were given free listening tour devices which no one told us how to use and had already missed the first 3 speeches when we finally figured them out. Then this guy is yammering on about stuff they just suppose about these mystical rocks and there's some music every once in a while and the sound of men carving stone. There are tons of tourist walking in a line to get in and the guys voice blabbing almost made me want to freak out, rip my clothes off, climb to the top of the stone closest to me and yell "I AM A GOLDEN GOD"

Of course I didn't do that, I mean I wasn't even drunk. So anyway, I stopped listening to the stuffy British guy in the little machine and found a nice spot where people were few and far between. And just started meditating. The minute I cleared my mind from all the madness, I instantly felt the power in this location. I got a vision in my mind of a circle and a cross and a diamond of light in the center shining out in all directions. I felt like I was this power and I slowly melted away and just let it flow through me. It was so powerful, the wind here was amazing, it could practically blow you over and its nonstop. I gave thanks for my awesome life and everything I have been able to achieve and promised to keep my mind still and to give as much as possible.

After this, I walked back into the stream of tourist heading out, purchased my shot glass and made my way back to the bus.

We then went to a town called Salisbury. There is a really old Gothic Cathedral there that was immense and amazing. I told my party I probably shouldn't go in since it is holy ground and I didn't want the building to fall down around us. I went in for 5 minutes had a look, it was beautiful and then made my way out. At which point, something did fall from the scaffolding located on the side of the church. Fell 4 floors down. Don't know what it was, but I warned them. If had stayed in there any longer, we would have had an international incident on our hands.

Then, there was the Magna Carta, a proper tea session and cider at the local JG Wigglesby's. (that's not its name, but that's what I call it. its a chain pub that serves cheap booze)

Oh right, a little follow up from the last post. I am still slightly sick. Every time I think I'm feeling better I end up in bed the following night. I don't think I allowing myself proper time for resting. But I only live once this time around and damn it, I'll sleep when I'm back in NJ.

My rash is finally disappearing. Only TWO weeks with stupid red bumps on my legs. Oh yea, I feel so attractive.

I haven't been robbed this week, so that's good. My replacement card made it here by Thursday. Although Gemma and the WCV folks were really helpful and made sure I had some cash to get me through.

I went out the last 2 nights with my awesome new friends from the US and from the UK. Over all I'm still loving it. Its hard to believe I've been here for a month and a half. It feels like no time at all. I wish I could stay here longer. I love exploring this city, there is SO much to do. Everywhere you look there's old architecture, new shops, some monument you need to see. There's food from around the world (except I've noticed a lack of Mexican food, we're spoiled with that in the states being so close to Mexico and all) There's good people every where you go.

Cheers to you London. For making this Jersey Girl feel at home. (that's NEW not the Isle of)

Stay classy Blog readers, Stay Classy.

Jessica Ellis

not so itchy Volunteer

OKAY, finally having some dark days

SO

they can't all be great.

Someone said that once, and if not, I just did. I've been here for 5 weeks and having a grand old time until the last few days. And even through a bit of choppy seas I am keeping my spirits up and taking it all in stride by thinking to myself "they can't all be great" I mean really, they don't have to be even Mediocre so I have been blessed with as many wonderful days here I think than a human is allowed and now I have had the unlucky task of remembering that I am a mere human and we have good days and bad ones.

It all starts with a rash I have on my calves. I think I picked it up on that lovely trip to Cambridge, whether it was an allergy to the grass I was sitting in or something at the river. I don't know. It still itches, it hasn't gone away, but it hasn't spread either. It doesn't make me feel very attractive I will tell you that. Although it just looks like razor burn. But what is a 32 year old woman doing with razor burn. (that's what runs through my head when I where my Capri pants)

Next we move onto me getting a cold. I have chest congestion, runny nose, sore throat and a cough. Right now in London Swine Flu is rampant. 16 people have died in the UK. 10 in London alone. Tower Hamlets (where I work) being the biggest hot spot. Hackney (where I live) currently having a large outbreak. Now, after giving you all these lovely facts I will assure you. I don't have swine flu. One of the most important symptoms is a fever with achy body which hurts like hell. And I haven't had a fever at all. Although I don't have swine flu, I still feel like crap. But I've gone to work and smiled all day and done my job and everyone is happy and then come home and fall asleep at 8pm and sleep all night. Hoping it will be gone soon. I've been taking an overload of vitamin C to help boost my immune and all I've been able to accomplish is to make myself extremely constipated. (this might fall into the too much info column)

Moving on, next my stalker situation. Its been handled, the gentleman has been banned from my work place. And it never got to a point that I was in danger physically. The gentleman in question has a slight mental illness and doesn't understand boundaries. I feel bad about it because he's not going to be able to get the help he needs from our organization. But they were right in cutting it off before it became too much. Now, I don't want all my loved ones worried. The guy is harmless really. And everyone at work is really being supportive and walking me to lunch and my bus stop to make sure everything is cool. Even though none of us feel it is necessary. But every once in all while my rational side jumps out the window and it just doesn't feel good. So, theres that.

There's more? You ask.

yes.

I had my wallet stolen. With 50 (i don't have a pound sign on my American computer) but it would be the equivalent of 82$ dollars. And my one bank card. (I don't have any other cards) It sucked. Felt like a total violation. It had to of happened either on the street on my way over to the Satellite Centre where I was running to bring the snacks and help run the Newsletter meeting. Or at the Satellite Centre which would mean it was one of the clients. And I knew most of them that were there that day. Except for 3 guys. So I am hoping it was someone I didn't know. I normally leave my bag in the locked office. But they were already starting the meeting and the office was locked. So I just went into the room with my stuff. Where I did leave it unattended for 5 minutes with another worker in the room. Then left the bag in an unlocked but closed cabinet for 10 minutes while I went upstairs to check on the art rooms. Or it could have been an old fashioned London pick pocket. These things happen. But MAN did it suck. When I first noticed I was panicking and yet still had to close up the computer lab and library room before I could RUN to the Tesco which was the last place I used it at noon to buy the snacks. They didn't have it. I check and rechecked both centre's. NO LUCK. I had been robbed. Providence Row offered to loan me money until my card comes, Winant and Clayton also said I wouldn't be without. Everyone has been so supportive and so nice.

Let me tell you. I HATE BEING NEEDY. I hate needing other people. I hate asking for someone to walk me to buy my lunch. I HATE borrowing money from someone. I have always lived life as a strong independent female who doesn't need other people. SO here is yet one more lesson for me to learn whilst discovering the wonders of London. How to need people. And how sometimes its okay, and sometimes its quite necessary. And in a small way it helps me to better relate to my clients. Because I can see in them that anger. And in some it makes them sad, and in others it makes them pushy. But it all comes down to this. We all need each other. Its the Human Condition.

Yet, these thoughts don't quite raise my spirits. So what did I do last night? A Friday night in London where I was on the guest list at an awesome dance club supposed to go with some girl friends?

I put on my pj's and laid in my tiny little bed in my prison sauna (that's my endearing nick name for my room in Sir John Cass Hall) and took some cold pills and threw the blankets over my head and told the world, its just gonna have to wait. And that, when I get back, it had better be a bit nicer.


Jessica Ellis

Itchy Global Volunteer

Tired in the City

Man oh man, today at work it was a doozy. I am absolutely exhausted from the go go go of working at Providence Row. Well, that combined with an extremely busy weekend of sight seeing. It all adds up to me being pooped in my little tiny dorm room wishing I had enough energy to go lay on a blanket in a park and sleep under a tree.

On Friday night a bunch of us went out to the Shoreditch area. Which, if your from here you would pronounce "Shordidge" We ended up dancing at a bunch of different clubs and running into a bunch of the other volunteers from the US at another place. Over all it was an evening of debauchery which lead to us being up till 4am which subsequently lead to us being late for our planned group trip to Cambridge. Much to the dismay of our coordinator Gemma. Who quickly got over it when she saw the condition we were in.

We took a lovely coach ride out of the city. FINALLY, a chance to get out of the little box called London I've been living and working in for a month. Its a big city, but I was so happy to glance out the window at a field passing by and then see wildlife and nothing for a short while. When we arrived in Cambridge we first stopped at a coffee shop who shooed us away from there outdoor seating area even after all 14 of us purchased coffee from there store, all because we told them we wanted it in To-Go cups. (called Take-Away over here) Having ordered the coffee for Take Away, they were serious about us getting it away from their store. Had we ordered in regular old mugs we could have happily sat there all damn day. Anyways, I'm going off on a tangent about coffee cups. I will now get back to the story. Cambridge. After what I will refer to from now on as "The Great Coffee Incident of 2009" we decided to start our day with the highlight of our trip. That was hitting the river and hiring boats so we could go punting. What is Punting you ask? Well its a long boat that can be as small for 3 or 4 people or as big for 12 and you stand on one end using a pole to push the boat down the river. Here is a diagram for you.....

Pictures of us on the boat are currently on my camera who's battery is dead and will need to charge before I can post.

It was so freakin relaxing, I think the first time on this trip I have been able to sit back and breath deep. Slowly going down river with our cute guide David telling us a bit of history about the buildings we were passing. Here's a pic of Cambridge for you, imagine me on a boat in the center of it.

After punting we all went our different directions to explore the town which of course brought me straight to a pub. Turns out it was one that the members of Pink Floyd enjoyed frequenting they even had a nice painting on the wall in tribute.

When we got back together we headed over to one of the Trustee's houses nearby where Peter and his wife Doris, opened up their home and even supplied a feast to boot. We all sat around tables in the back yard drinking wine and eating some of the best home cooked food I've had since I've been here. (that doesn't say much for my own culinary talents)

We headed back around 7pm. We got back to our dorm around 9pm, needless to say we were pooped. Me and my new friend Monica ended up drinking a few drinks and planning the next day before heading to bed.

When we woke up Sunday it was 9am and we were ready to tackle the Tower of London. Here's a nice aerial view of it for you, and obviously I didn't take this picture.

That's right, its that freakin castle from the 2nd video. Its a damn castle. Right in the middle of the city. You'll never see that in the US. The closest we have is medieval times with the fake castle facade out front. Anyhow, We arrived around 10am and walked all about this place till around 1pm. We saw the crown jewels, took a picture with a beefeater.

That's one of these


















NOT one of these


Walked down to London Bridge and checked out the Borough Market. Over all its been a really full weekend. On top of that I booked my travel for a trip to Paris for the last 2 weeks of free time we have. I am riding on top of the world and wishing to bury myself under the covers for a month.

That brings us back to Monday, today. Getting to work, all tired from the weekend. But that doesn't matter. I have to work just as hard and smile just as big. Although, after a weekend of Rough Sleeping (that's the term they use over here for sleeping on the streets) the clients come in on a Monday morning and I can only imagine not having a comfortable bed to rest on at night and seeing how nice you want to be to people. Monday's are tough. Some harder than others. Today was non-stop. There was even an incident where someone threw over a computer in a fit and the police had to be called in. But then there are the moments where I am flying high cause I am remembering everybodys names and we are connecting and I can talk them into joining one of the groups, or one of the clients comes to me with a poem he wrote that he's proud of and I encourage him to join the newsletter and another one comes to me with a problem and I am able to help them, not just refer them to the Project Workers.

Its really so amazing. How hard and how rewarding it is. Although I now have a stalker. So that would fall into the difficult category. I will go into that another time.

I hope this message finds you with a smile on your face and love in your hearts.

Be good to yourselves and others.

Jessica Ellis - Global Volunteer

Video #4 is finally here

Hello my pets,

Here is the next installment of Jessica Ellis Global Volunteer.



CHEERS

Jessica Ellis

Volunteer

London is fantastic.

Hey everyone out there in cyberspace.

Thanks for turning on your computers, connecting via your networks and traveling all the way to my little plot of land out here on the world wide interweb. I'm just being silly. Let me say I hope that all of you are doing well, I hope that you have smiles on your faces and this day brings you much joy.

I find myself in an almost zen like state today. I have just arrived home from a lovely boat trip down the River Thames where we stopped in Greenwich and ate lunch at the market there. Not only did we eat lunch, we sampled I think, a little something from every vendor at the damn market, there was Mexican, Brazilian, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Turkish, Polish. We went hog wild trying all the different delicacies. We had ourselves a grand old time and then walked to a Greenwich park and laid in the grass in the shade of a beautiful tree. Its summer time in London, where else would I find myself, but in a park laying in the shade. Seems that's what everyone does here SINCE THERE IS NO AIR CONDITIONING. (I believe I may have already discussed that point)

It was a long week.

Work was non-stop. All day long its something. One of the front liners was on vacation. The sister that runs the laundry is gone for the month. So this week I really stepped it up and helped out hard core. I even got an accolade at a meeting for how hard I've been working. (Did you expect any less) This week is going to be more of the same. My boss is on vacation. So I will be running all his groups and organizing all the activities. I think they have really put me in the perfect place. Because running things, its kind of my forte. I am starting up a client newsletter. I have a bunch of guys lined up to write for it. We have our first meeting this week. (this is me excited) Needless to say I have been so busy at work, then all of that busy makes me want to drink, I end up at a pub, and then by the time I get home I'm too tired or too sloshed to write. I know, its a poor excuse buts its all I got.

I have a few more videos to post. As soon as I finish editing. But I know you will love them.

OH, yesterday was 4th of July. I was in London. It was quite strange. I didn't even have a flag. I felt so unprepared and so out of touch with all my friends and family since I could see in my mind's eye what they each would be doing on that day. I love them so much. There's the barbque-ers, the stay at homer's, the go to the fire-workers. Everybody has there own ritual for 4th of July, but at least everyone is doing something.

You wanna know what I did? (Of course you do, you wouldn't have read this far into the blog if you weren't interested) I went to Hyde Park and attended the Wireless 2009 Music Festival featuring Basement Jaxx and Sneaky Sound System (the last being one of my favorites from Australia you never get to see in the States) SO, needless to say I was occupied enough to not miss home too much.

I danced my ass off, I drank Cider. Which in the States I would be deemed a pussy for drinking solely Cider. Yet here in Jolly old England, EVERYONE does it. You know what else, I like mayonnaise on my french fries. At home, people look at me funny for doing that. I really feel like one of the natives. On second thought, no one makes fun of me for my skinny cigarettes. I think I might just never leave. Although if I have to hear the words "top-up" one more time I might punch myself in the face till I pass out and have to go to hospital.

I am hoping that tomorrow after work I will have some free moments to catch up with loved ones, get the new video's edited and all that jazz.

I will leave you with this. You only live once, this time around.

Jessica Loveless

Zen Master / Global Volunteer

OMG

HOW COULD I FORGET TO PUT AIR CONDITIONING ON THAT LIST?



That's really the thing I miss the most.

Sweet, Cool, Refreshing, Relaxing, mood enhancing, outfit perfecting, Sweat Stopping, Good Ole Fashioned AIR CONDITIONING!!!!!


My lover, my sweet, my breeze

how I miss you the most.

Jessica Ellis

Sweaty Global Volunteer