Wednesday, November 26, 2008

BRANDED

It has been quite the week (and a while since I have posted anything). I don't actually know where my week ends and my week begins but either way...

I volunteer for a group called Branded: A movement against the sexual exploitation of children (http://brandedphx.com/). I'm learning alot and for the first time in a really long time I have felt completely drawn to something that I can't convince myself to leave. It would be so easy to walk away and shield myself, my heart, and my mind from the things that I have seen, the things that I have heard, and the things that I will inevitably come across. But turning away is exactly what we need to not do. It's selfish. The entire thing is incredible!
On Monday there was a court hearing that involved a young girl who had spent time on the streets, forced to do the things we can't imagine and shouldn't have to imagine. Unlike most girls who are in her situation she was taken off the streets, given a place to stay, people to protect her, and the chance to overcome the fear so she would give her pimps name and location so he could be prosecuted. This is not something that happens often because it takes on average 30 days for a girl to give this information and there just isn't the time and resources (YET!) for her to feel safe enough to relinquish that information.
So the day finally came for his sentencing and although I think that the death sentence would have been appropriate, the law states otherwise and justice was served: 18 years of hard time and 5 years of intense probation. It is exciting to see this process all the way through and to see that these people can be taken off the streets and to see that justice can be served.
I am proud to be involved with this group and can't wait to see the future work that can be done. I am impressed that this organization is supported and works together within the community and works with VICE (often times the first contact with these young girls) all the way to those of us sitting around a table brainstorming new ways and new ideas to education and protect.
This is only the success story of one girl. There are many more who are out there, waiting...

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

A day OFF!

I have always been a fan of Veteran's Day and not just because that means that I don't have to go to school. Especially since I have been a "grown up", I have understood more and more the meaning of the day and why it is so important. I am so thankful to our troops and all that have ever served our country.
I would be lying however, if this particular Veteran's Day I said I wasn't very happy that I didn't have school! This semester has been so hard and so long and I was so excited that today I was allowed to sleep and relax.
My car has been broken and today was the perfect day to drop it off at the shop to get fixed. After dropping it off I was able to talk to my BFF Lacy who I haven't talked to in WEEKS since the cross country move away from me!!! It was a rather incoherent conversation as I was tired after my over night shift but I was so happy to hear her and talk for a bit. I can't wait till next week when we can actually talk and have a more in depth conversation. After that I had a wonderful breakfast of eggs and toast (a meal I rarely have) and then I was off to bed for a few hours. SLEEP on a TUESDAY! I was so excited I almost couldn't sleep! Wouldn't that have been a bummer?? I slept until the shop called me and told me my car was fixed and then I was up and in the shower (another gift on a Tuesday!) Showering on a Tuesday usually doesn't happen until 9PM if at all depending on if I was able to go to sleep at 4PM or 6PM (since I have to go to work at 10PM I have been known to skip the shower in order get a full 3 hours of sleep). After getting my car I made dinner with a friend which ended in a smokey kitchen due to burnt cheese but a delicious meal anyway. I played Tetris for a few hours with him until I had to go to work (in which I totally WON!).
It was a wonderful day and exactly what I needed. Of course now I am at work and waiting for the morning to come so I can go home and get more sleep but that is the true cycle of my life. Only 5 weeks left! Today was a true blessing in the semester!