This needed to be a stand-alone post. Today is Monday. Typically I go through a couple cups of coffee to get my energy going. But, today is different. Today, as I worked alone in the office, I had a very special visitor.
A grey-haired, elderly man with a braid to his waist and Birkenstocks on his feet walked into GreenTown with a warm smile and many hellos. I greeted him and welcomed him in. He informed me that he only had a few minutes but that he didn't realize he was in THAT Greensburg that had been hit by the tornado. After I told him a little about the town and their road to recovery, I wanted to see where he was coming from and where he was headed. I found out he was headed to Missouri to visit his first grandchild and that he was coming from DAVIS, CA! Yes, MY Davis! THE Davis. I instantly told him where I went to school and we started laughing about how crazy it seemed to run into a fellow Davis-er in the middle of Kansas!
I told him why I was in Greensburg and how I am serving an AmeriCorps term. Once I said that, he extended his arm out, took my hand, and shook it while saying, "Thank you." We proceeded to walk around GreenTown and I told him about the house and the need for smart growth...especially in post-disaster communities. He couldn't agree more, he continued to nod his head, smiling...at everything I said! He got it. He got why this project is important, why I am here, and why someone from San Diego, California would want to move to Greensburg, Kansas. A perfect stranger didn't need me to explain my reasoning, he just got it. He apologized that he couldn't stay longer, but before he left, he gave me a hug and said, "I am so happy to have met a young person like you. You are doing great things. You are going to help save the world."
A stranger. A five minute conversation. He was my capstone visitor. I am in Greensburg, Kansas NOT for the recognition or a pat on the back, I am here to help plan and build a stronger and inspiring future. I am here to learn, to teach, and to meet people like the name-less Davis-ite. In one quick visit, he made my work here matter...and that touched me in a way I couldn't emotionally handle. I can't stop smiling!
I see what he has done for me as a lesson for what I can do for others. There is great work being done everywhere, in various fields, around the globe and by people of all shapes and sizes. The next time I meet someone who makes a positive impact on me and the environment I live in, I am going to shake their hand, give them a hug, and tell them 'thank you'.
This is why I didn't need coffee today. Today is a very good day.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Part II...see, I promised.
Hello, all! I am in a surprisingly good mood for a Monday...but dammit, let there be happiness. Before I tell you why I am in such a cheery mood, I wanted to followup with my last post and tell you about our visit with THE MT Liggett.
Now, this visit to Mr. MT was during the time my dad and Aunti Wen came out for a visit. Just so we all know. If you clicked on the link above, you will see that MT is a very unique character for the area...or really any area. I had never seen the man in the flesh, I had only heard stories...some good, some bad, and some really really ugly.
He lives in Mullinville, KS, which is about 10 miles West of Greensburg. You know that you have reached his place when you see a fence lined with obscure art for about a mile down the road. So obscure in fact, you just HAVE to get a closer look. So we did. On a very windy March day--tumbleweeds flying 10 feet in the air--the three of us went to visit MT Liggett.
As we got out of our car, unsure if we'd get to see the legendary character, a little brown truck emerged from the brush. A hunched-over elderly man with man-sized overalls on flicked his wrist in a 'come hither' motion, enticing us over to the vehicle. IT WAS MT LIGGETT. In his scruffily tone, he said "look around, I don't care. Be sure to look at the world's largest mug collection." An odd and welcoming invitation it was, but we made our way around the property. We had managed to see the world's largest mug collection (more of a hoarding obsession, but it was a record of some kind) and model with some of his most controversial pieces.
When we were making our rounds through the 'art', we saw the little brown truck pull back into the property. A very tall MT came walking towards us asking our names, occupations, and if we'd help clean up some of his tumbleweeds. By clean up, I mean throwing them out towards traffic. But anyways, one art piece that we saw all over his property were metal hearts with names on them. Interesting enough, they were all female names? Hmm. MT asked if we came across a heart with our names on in (he wasn't talking to dad when he said this). I didn't see any with my name on it...so he said he'd make me one. He started his torch without warning, sparks flying, and J-A-N-A was soon on my very own heart. He said he'd deliver it himself to GreenTown...haven't seen it yet...but I hope he remembers to drop it off.
Amongst this art-fest and cultural experience...one of the funniest moments of my life happened. In between torching things and tumbleweed clean-up, MT had to 'excuse himself'. Now, we thought he was just tired of talking to us, but actually, he went around the corner and peed on a furnace...IN his shop. It was one of the strangest moments of my life, but I felt so happy to share it with two of my favorite people...they were also there as witnesses, so I'm mostly grateful for that. MT Liggett took three unphasable people and managed to get us all a little uncomfortable and side-splitting hysterical. The drive back to the 'burg was us basically saying, (G-rated) "did that all really happen?" (R-rated) "what the fuck just happened?"I hope the following pictures paint some kind of picture for you...but it really was a 'had to be there' moment. And fortunately, a tumble weed didn't take us all out and we lived to tell the tale! Enjoy!
Now, this visit to Mr. MT was during the time my dad and Aunti Wen came out for a visit. Just so we all know. If you clicked on the link above, you will see that MT is a very unique character for the area...or really any area. I had never seen the man in the flesh, I had only heard stories...some good, some bad, and some really really ugly.
He lives in Mullinville, KS, which is about 10 miles West of Greensburg. You know that you have reached his place when you see a fence lined with obscure art for about a mile down the road. So obscure in fact, you just HAVE to get a closer look. So we did. On a very windy March day--tumbleweeds flying 10 feet in the air--the three of us went to visit MT Liggett.
As we got out of our car, unsure if we'd get to see the legendary character, a little brown truck emerged from the brush. A hunched-over elderly man with man-sized overalls on flicked his wrist in a 'come hither' motion, enticing us over to the vehicle. IT WAS MT LIGGETT. In his scruffily tone, he said "look around, I don't care. Be sure to look at the world's largest mug collection." An odd and welcoming invitation it was, but we made our way around the property. We had managed to see the world's largest mug collection (more of a hoarding obsession, but it was a record of some kind) and model with some of his most controversial pieces.
When we were making our rounds through the 'art', we saw the little brown truck pull back into the property. A very tall MT came walking towards us asking our names, occupations, and if we'd help clean up some of his tumbleweeds. By clean up, I mean throwing them out towards traffic. But anyways, one art piece that we saw all over his property were metal hearts with names on them. Interesting enough, they were all female names? Hmm. MT asked if we came across a heart with our names on in (he wasn't talking to dad when he said this). I didn't see any with my name on it...so he said he'd make me one. He started his torch without warning, sparks flying, and J-A-N-A was soon on my very own heart. He said he'd deliver it himself to GreenTown...haven't seen it yet...but I hope he remembers to drop it off.
Amongst this art-fest and cultural experience...one of the funniest moments of my life happened. In between torching things and tumbleweed clean-up, MT had to 'excuse himself'. Now, we thought he was just tired of talking to us, but actually, he went around the corner and peed on a furnace...IN his shop. It was one of the strangest moments of my life, but I felt so happy to share it with two of my favorite people...they were also there as witnesses, so I'm mostly grateful for that. MT Liggett took three unphasable people and managed to get us all a little uncomfortable and side-splitting hysterical. The drive back to the 'burg was us basically saying, (G-rated) "did that all really happen?" (R-rated) "what the fuck just happened?"I hope the following pictures paint some kind of picture for you...but it really was a 'had to be there' moment. And fortunately, a tumble weed didn't take us all out and we lived to tell the tale! Enjoy!
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| World's largest mug collection...Part I |
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| Isn't he cute! |
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| Not-so-typical Kansas |
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| Example of road 'art' |
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| Hey, dad! |
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| Excuse the finger, it was windy. Look at those sibs! |
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| Mugs Part II |
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| Sparks a flyin'! MT! |
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| Be still my _______ |
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| Tumbleweed round-up |
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| Pee corner |
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| Massive art piece dedicated to one of my Davis professors aka one of the first AmeriCorps member in Greensburg. |
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| Wrecking ball? |
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| Controversy. |
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| Buds. Thanks for the visit, MT! |
Friday, May 2, 2014
Oh hey, it's been a while...Part 1.
Hello devoted whisked readers. I have returned...and oh, it feels so so good. In the past 2.5 months, I have been off adventuring, gathering materials to share...only to reach this point, a new post.
Well, I will start off by saying that there are too many updates for one post. I also, in the midst of my adventuring, have not uploaded all of my pictures. SO, once I do thatttttt, I can finish up my updates with Part 2.
So since my last post in February (ouch) I have had a few very key events happen...
(01) Chicago with Mom! (+Schwartz-side family time)
(02) Greensburg visit from Dad and Aunti Wen!
(03) Some dog sitting and puzzling
(04) My acceptance to Cal Poly/Return to California in July!!!
(01) Chicago is a wonderful city. Mom and I were blown away from the second we left the airport, seamlessly got onto the metro, and arrived in the heart of the city. Who knew a city with so many people could still be so friendly...especially when it was only about 20 degrees out. We stood on a frozen Lake Michigan, saw great shows (my cousin Maya did a great job on lighting!!), and ate WAY yummy food. We also saw some great art, like this guy!:
Well, I will start off by saying that there are too many updates for one post. I also, in the midst of my adventuring, have not uploaded all of my pictures. SO, once I do thatttttt, I can finish up my updates with Part 2.
So since my last post in February (ouch) I have had a few very key events happen...
(01) Chicago with Mom! (+Schwartz-side family time)
(02) Greensburg visit from Dad and Aunti Wen!
(03) Some dog sitting and puzzling
(04) My acceptance to Cal Poly/Return to California in July!!!
(01) Chicago is a wonderful city. Mom and I were blown away from the second we left the airport, seamlessly got onto the metro, and arrived in the heart of the city. Who knew a city with so many people could still be so friendly...especially when it was only about 20 degrees out. We stood on a frozen Lake Michigan, saw great shows (my cousin Maya did a great job on lighting!!), and ate WAY yummy food. We also saw some great art, like this guy!:
It was fantastic seeing my mom and family and spending a little time away from the 'burg. I miss the quickened pace and new faces; the noises and people watching. It was a new and exciting experience, one that I was so grateful to share with such an amazing woman.
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| 'Bean' there...tourist picture. |
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| SNL tribute...it was horrifying and awesome all at once. |
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| Frozen lake and tailored skyline. |
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| Did I mention that these were taken from the bathroom? Hope you're not afraid of heights (but if so, I guess I'm glad you're in the bathroom?)
(02) So this trip will have to mostly be in Part 2 (due to pictures). This trip was hilarious, fun, and often just weird. All I need to say is MT to any of the three of us and I think we'll just start laughing. I promise I will come back to this.
In this short March visit we saw Oklahoma, bats, a lot of tumbleweeds (which sell for $12 a pop we learned), a lot of fried food, and my home of Greensburg. Dad always had to watch his speed of 30mph when we got into town and we learned that you can find a gluten-free and vegetarian meal in town. Well done, Greensburg. There were a lot of great and honest conversations with locals when we visited the Big Well, the Soda Fountain, and Freedom, OK (population: 200). I think the visit was educational and enjoyable for all...but having them in town meant a lot to me, and I was so excited to have them here.
The cows that were not too amused by Dad.
Just getting batty.
Past life.
So batty.
Great moment captured by Aunti Wen.
Our bat friend, Stellaluna!
(03)/(04) I did in fact dogwatch...
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and I puzzle often. But, I am very excited to have a plan for after my term and head to the central coast of California to attend Cal Poly in September. I will be working on my Master's in City and Regional Planning. I don't think I would have gained enough experience or confidence to enter this program if it wasn't for my Greensburg experience...so I am very grateful for that.
But, there is still a lot to do here, and I am so excited to finish up my term here strong. My term is up July 19th and there will be a lot of changes and work that will happen in that time. Keep an eye out for Part 2 coming to a computer/iPad/mobile device near you soon.
Till then, lots of love,
-J
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