Tonight, I was able to help with the choir singing for HomeComing, which is the 15th annual celebration of Calvary Chapel in Miami Beach. Pastor Robert is amazing as he goes down memory lane of how this church was even planted.
It makes me think of Pastor Chris Yue and how CGBC is doing. I also wonder if I should help out with the Touching Miami with Love ministry that Pastor Chris talked about. I will have to email him and ask for more info after praying about it.
Tonight was wonderful. I arrived at 5:00PM in a black sleeveless dress that went down to my ankles wearing fool's gold metallic pumps and some gold-colored earrings, bearing my tiny cross that my sister gave me for my baptism.
We sit for a while, waiting for other people who are supposed to arrive by 5:00PM. We're all set and ready to practice by 5:15PM. We do a quick run-through then it's time to greet people at 6:00PM. My roommates and a couple friends from CY are able to make it. There are free cupcakes and fizzy fruit punch for people as well as a paying concession stand.
7:00PM rolls around and a bunch of black-clad people are ready to lead worship while the band is already set up on stage. We stroll onto stage and I see my friends in the balcony. The auditorium is small, but the acoustics were awesome. There are these white large circular things hanging to a giant metal rack above the auditorium and the white crosses made on them, although they go with the Christian theme, are actually there for acoustic purposes to send sound waves bouncing back and forth. The seats are dark red with black plastic backing and there is no middle aisle to get through. The stage is a nice cherrywood color. It's pretty. There were a couple of wooden stand set up for us to stagger ourselves so we'd all be seen.
It was a fun night. Afterwards, I went with Erik and Thomas to Van Dyke's to listen to some live jazz. I had a ginger ale and some margherita pizza. They had water and fun. :D
This is a quick list of things I have done here thus far, as I haven't given time to blog outside of City Year events.
I have gone to the beach. I have gone to four art galleries/musuems; 1)Wolfsonian Museum, 2)Britto Central, 3)Art Center Gallery, 4)Miami Art Museum. I have gone to two salsa clubs: 1)Mangos, 2)Yuca! I have attended one church for all services: Calvary Chapel. I have eaten pizza at Pizza Rustica on Washington and 9th. I have gone to I <3 Hair to get a pedicure. I have gone to Belinda's Designs to take a look at wedding gowns. I have taken the bus, a taxi, a car, a bike, the MetroMover (runs on electricity and has no drivers), and the MetroRail. I have done my first promotional modeling gig in front of the Dolphin Stadium (Go Hurricanes!) I have gone to Colony Theatre for Opening Day Ceremony for City Year. I have gone to the Main Library as well as the South Beach Regional Library. I have gone to five malls: 1)Coco Walk, 2)Sun Palace, 3)Aventura Mall, 4)Lincoln Road Mall, 5)The Village I have gone to Haulover Park to try and catch a Dragonboat Festival. I caught the tail end of it and ate funnel cake and Thai doughnuts there. I have had Chinese food at Yummy Chinese and Sushi Bar. I have been many places to buy things: WalMart, Ikea, Goodwill, Target, Publix Grocery Store, Convenient Stores, two girls' apartments, and I have also found free things right outside next to the dumpster in perfect condition. I have seen the Holocaust Memorial. I have helped out at the Overtown Youth Center. I have been to the Miami Chamber of Commerce/City Hall. I have been to Fresh on the 5th. I have been to a gelateria. I have been to a bar: Sandbar (in Coconut Grove) I have been to Green Street (restaurant in Coconut Grove) I have visited other corps member's houses/apartments: Trevor's, Mike D's, Kristyn's, Brian's, and Patty B's.
I might have left something out, but that's about it. Tomorrow night, I'll get to perform with other choir members at the New World Symphony's Lincoln Theatre, so I get to check the theatre out for free. Yeah! :)
Miami has been exciting so far, but I am hoping for a second job so that I can get to know Miami even better.
Yes, we are young adults, but we have traveled far and come with experience. We are here to promote change in Miami, so don't tell us that we're "kids" and that tonight is not the forum for us to speak up.
Why the downplay? Were you not once young yet noble-minded with energy and ideas to change the world? We are dedicating ten full-months of full-time volunteer service. We are not the programs that come in for a couple months and take your children's money and leave. We're not hustlers. We actually work--you should have at least given us a chance to represent tonight at the community meeting before dissing us and thinking that we wouldn't understand the Overtown community because we're not residents. We were there... some of us heard the gun shots. One of us even witnessed the man being shot. How is it not our concern or not our forum to speak?
Just because one person stumped you with the question of what your objective was for the evening does not mean you become intimidated then downplay us so you seem on top of your community-leader-game.
Ignorance is NOT bliss. We will continue to work even harder because apparently the people who are the problem think they're the solution. AHHHH...
We may not be the complete solution either, but we're taking a step in the right direction. Do not take that step away from us nor trip us in the process. We are more than conquerors!
