Running and Moon Bounces!

This past week I had one trial and error during my internship and one success story. Sarah, me current mentor, informed me that a race was going on in the Brooklyn area. She thought it might be a good idea for me to attend the race and talk to people about starting a runners group. I was very excited because I hope to make this group one of my main projects. She told me that the race started at 2:30pm and I got there about 3:00. There was only a couple of guys milling about and I soon found out that not only was the race starting at 5:00pm, but that it was a high school race. I thought maybe Sarah had came and gone and was a bit confused so I left. While I am not opposed to working with high school kids, I am hoping to start the running group with people who are over eighteen, less legal possibilities. Sarah and I talked and she had been told the wrong time so it wasn’t a big deal that I left. She also said that some of the coaches were members of running organizations and would be interested in a Brooklyn running club. Great news in the end! I’m getting their e-mails sent to me this week and will get in touch with them.

The success story involved Missy and I working at an event called ‘Led Sled.’ Located near a soccer pavilion in Curtis Bay, the event featured vintage cars and activities surrounding them. There was a tent area dedicated to Curtis Bay and the Mason Cove recreation center that I am hoping to teach at. Raffles were held for prizes and there was food and games. Luckily, the event started at three so I made it in time once off work. Missy and I were in charge of the moon bounce, yes, that’s right! It was an interesting experience for sure. First, we were located at the five and under, but Missy left me to help with the moon bounce for older kids. She looked very stressed because the kids were playing so rough and once the bigger volunteers left it became somewhat out of control. Most of the kids who I oversaw were rowdy, but no fights broke out. Missy was glad when her bounce had to be deflated because it started to tip over with kids in it!
It was nice to see all the parents out with their children, the event brought locals and people from other counties. I got to talk to parents while there kids were bouncing and asked them if they lived in the area. I also got to talk with Sarah’s boss; she is one of the head coordinators for the Curtis Bay organization. I told her that I would be willing to a number of necessary jobs and she seemed very interested in utilizing me. I may do some basic computer work as well as work on a project taking oral histories of locals as a way to preserve stories based around the cove itself.

Sarah suggested I come down to one of her two offices this week to start my research on the vegetarian class I hope to teach. She thinks it will be a good way for me to continue meeting new people and getting my face out there. I think it is a great idea. It makes me feel that I am really participating in what I am doing. My goals for the week are to e-mail the running people and to make an informative outline about a vegetarian lifestyle. I have been looking up information on how to start a runners group too. I may have to start posting my info at the cove center or soccer pavilion to see who is interested as well. I am glad that I have some ideas in mind for my projects though, I was nervous as to where my internship would leave but there seems to be plenty of work to be done which is good.

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