Sunday May 3, 2009
This is the last day of the Flying Pig Marathon. Today we had to get up at 5am and be down at the finish line at 6am. It wasn’t easy getting up when the sun wasn’t even out yet, and the rain was misty and slightly chilly weather. Even after working two hard and long days before today. this was the event that made all the previous hard work make sense. We all met up at the Mount again and car pooled down to the Marathon. We didn’t know what to expect on the ride down due to already having the race going on by this time. We where worried about finding parking. When we got down to Newport we just got there in time because there was already some runners starting to running down two streets over from where we parked. We walked over to bridge to Cincinnati and the finish line where we would be working as “Info pigs”. Our duty today was to assist all runners and families where they could go if they where lost or didn’t know where something was.
Many of the main questions that I got asked was “where do I go to pick up my claim and belongings off the shuttle buses?” We also had to make sure that all runners had a clear path to get out of the marathon and find their families in an orderly manner. There were thousands of runners coming out the exit of the marathon and one of my jobs was to make sure they did this in a safe order. There was a list of rules that we where given and the main rule that they wanted to too make sure was followed and no re-entry of the gates for runners or even non runners. A lot of family member’s wanted to go into the gates where the runners would be coming out to congratulate them right away. There isn’t enough room or space for all runners and family members to be inside the gates. I had one man step right in front of me and had to ask him to please step behind me. At this time when I said this he wasn’t very happy with me and got an attitude with me. I tried to be calm with him because I was representing the Flying Pig Marathon. After a few minutes of listening to this man complain wanting to move where the barricades were set up, another worker came over and helped me out. I found this hard but also a learning experience about what all goes on about keeping participants and their families in order.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Flying Pig Marathon 2009: Saturday May 2, 2009
Saturday May 2, 2009
We knew this day was going to be a long day. We were told Friday what they need us three to get done in order to help. We were told to get there at 9am and help type in all of the data and information for each and every runner that wasn’t into the computer data yet. Our job today wasn’t as much running around or standing on our feet, but rather to use our abilities with computers and keyboard skills to get the work done/ Josh told us what we needed to do and showed us what was to be expected and let us do the job. I found it hard at times to read some hand writings. I didn’t want to make any mistakes so at times Brittanee and I would consult with each other and ask what letter do you think this is? We wanted to get to our task at hand but also had to make sure we didn’t make mistakes.
Kellie was needed to help at the registration desk with lat registrations, similar to the work we did on Friday. For about four hours Brittanee and I just worked non stop and we were surprised how much we got done. I think it was easier for us because our generation is used to working on computers and we know our way around computer programs. After about the 1st four hours we walked around to give our backs and fingers a break and had some lunch they had for us. I learned a lot about the importance of good records that are needed to make sure this huge community event was organized and successful. All in all, it really was fun and informational at the same time.
We knew this day was going to be a long day. We were told Friday what they need us three to get done in order to help. We were told to get there at 9am and help type in all of the data and information for each and every runner that wasn’t into the computer data yet. Our job today wasn’t as much running around or standing on our feet, but rather to use our abilities with computers and keyboard skills to get the work done/ Josh told us what we needed to do and showed us what was to be expected and let us do the job. I found it hard at times to read some hand writings. I didn’t want to make any mistakes so at times Brittanee and I would consult with each other and ask what letter do you think this is? We wanted to get to our task at hand but also had to make sure we didn’t make mistakes.
Kellie was needed to help at the registration desk with lat registrations, similar to the work we did on Friday. For about four hours Brittanee and I just worked non stop and we were surprised how much we got done. I think it was easier for us because our generation is used to working on computers and we know our way around computer programs. After about the 1st four hours we walked around to give our backs and fingers a break and had some lunch they had for us. I learned a lot about the importance of good records that are needed to make sure this huge community event was organized and successful. All in all, it really was fun and informational at the same time.
Flying Pig Marathon 2009: Friday May 1, 2009
Friday May 1, 2009:
On Friday May 1, 2009, Kellie Kammer, Brittanee Brauning and myself all met up at the College of Mount St. Josephs parking lot to car pool and all drive and be together going down to they Convention Center in Down Town Cincinnati. This is where we will be working and helping out with anything the organizers needed at the Flying Pig Expo. When we first got there we knew we had to find Mary to get assigned tour work location and to get our assignment on what she wanted us to help her with. At first we just help set up with getting information packets together with maps, questions about that marathon participants might have together to hand out at the beginning of the expo. Myself and Kellie started to get the packets of information together while Brittanee and a few high school volunteers handed out the packets. One thing that I learn when I was putting together the packets of information is that it is time consuming. A lot of people don’t think about the behind the scene little things that all make a organization come together. I didn’t think that we where going to be handing out papers but come to find out that the only reason we got placed to hand out papers was because they thought us three were part of the high school volunteers.
After about less than an hour Mary came over and found us and told us that she needs our help and fast. The three of us looked at her concern on her face and knew it had to be something important. We put down all our packets and followed Mary to help assist her in the problem she needed us to help with. When we walked over to the area there was a huge line of people all waiting to get their information for late registrations for the marathons, half marathon, relays, 10k, 5k and all little piglet events. Mary then introduced us to Jim and said “Jim these three ladies are here to help you.” He then quickly gave us a quick run though of what he needs us to do. All three of us picked up the task at hand pretty fast. We knew what we had to in order to help assist all the people waiting in the lines.
We where assisted to check and register all runners, their bib numbers and running chips for their up coming event or marathon of choice. I found myself learning a lot about myself and how I had to handle each and ever questions or concern that would come up. I had to multitask for each customer that would come up to me. I knew that it was very important that I did each and every step in order to insure that nothing would get lost or not registered. Also many of the customers that would come up with me would be come over whelmed with the amount of information they need to accomplish before getting their event packet. I did have some customers that had some attitudes and I knew that I had to be very professional when handling each situation. I was now working for the Flying Pig marathon and didn’t want to disappoint them. From about 12 pm until 7 pm I was working non stop. This was a lot of physical work on the body both mental and physical. I had to keep my mind focused and also had to keep running back and forth to get each different packed of information for the events. At times many families would come up register all family members at once. It was very hard to keep all their information straight and not mix any bib numbers with the wrong event. It was a lot easier for me to multitask, talk with customers and also keep organized due to my skills I have learn in other jobs. Of course, it helped that I was a runner in the Flying Pig Marathon for the past three years and I was able to answer questions that I myself had the first few years I was a participant.
Even though I found it hard as to the physical aspect of the job, I really liked having the ability to help others and direct them to the right area of the expo. I found it a lot easier for me to help other with questions asked because I’ve been in a few marathons myself. I know all the little things that help make the experience a lot easier and enjoyable. I tried to tell Kellie and Brittanee about many of my own personal experiences also.
On Friday May 1, 2009, Kellie Kammer, Brittanee Brauning and myself all met up at the College of Mount St. Josephs parking lot to car pool and all drive and be together going down to they Convention Center in Down Town Cincinnati. This is where we will be working and helping out with anything the organizers needed at the Flying Pig Expo. When we first got there we knew we had to find Mary to get assigned tour work location and to get our assignment on what she wanted us to help her with. At first we just help set up with getting information packets together with maps, questions about that marathon participants might have together to hand out at the beginning of the expo. Myself and Kellie started to get the packets of information together while Brittanee and a few high school volunteers handed out the packets. One thing that I learn when I was putting together the packets of information is that it is time consuming. A lot of people don’t think about the behind the scene little things that all make a organization come together. I didn’t think that we where going to be handing out papers but come to find out that the only reason we got placed to hand out papers was because they thought us three were part of the high school volunteers.
After about less than an hour Mary came over and found us and told us that she needs our help and fast. The three of us looked at her concern on her face and knew it had to be something important. We put down all our packets and followed Mary to help assist her in the problem she needed us to help with. When we walked over to the area there was a huge line of people all waiting to get their information for late registrations for the marathons, half marathon, relays, 10k, 5k and all little piglet events. Mary then introduced us to Jim and said “Jim these three ladies are here to help you.” He then quickly gave us a quick run though of what he needs us to do. All three of us picked up the task at hand pretty fast. We knew what we had to in order to help assist all the people waiting in the lines.
We where assisted to check and register all runners, their bib numbers and running chips for their up coming event or marathon of choice. I found myself learning a lot about myself and how I had to handle each and ever questions or concern that would come up. I had to multitask for each customer that would come up to me. I knew that it was very important that I did each and every step in order to insure that nothing would get lost or not registered. Also many of the customers that would come up with me would be come over whelmed with the amount of information they need to accomplish before getting their event packet. I did have some customers that had some attitudes and I knew that I had to be very professional when handling each situation. I was now working for the Flying Pig marathon and didn’t want to disappoint them. From about 12 pm until 7 pm I was working non stop. This was a lot of physical work on the body both mental and physical. I had to keep my mind focused and also had to keep running back and forth to get each different packed of information for the events. At times many families would come up register all family members at once. It was very hard to keep all their information straight and not mix any bib numbers with the wrong event. It was a lot easier for me to multitask, talk with customers and also keep organized due to my skills I have learn in other jobs. Of course, it helped that I was a runner in the Flying Pig Marathon for the past three years and I was able to answer questions that I myself had the first few years I was a participant.
Even though I found it hard as to the physical aspect of the job, I really liked having the ability to help others and direct them to the right area of the expo. I found it a lot easier for me to help other with questions asked because I’ve been in a few marathons myself. I know all the little things that help make the experience a lot easier and enjoyable. I tried to tell Kellie and Brittanee about many of my own personal experiences also.
Behind the scenes: Warehouse in Kentucky
Behind the scenes: Warehouse in Kentucky Pre-Flying Pig Marathon 2009
April 17, 2009
Do you ever think about the work and effort that goes into the behind the scenes or getting a marathon together. Brittanne, Kelli, and myself arranged to get arrange some quality service hours before and during the big weekend of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. After our first evening assisting with putting together welcome bags for the thousands of attendees, we asked Mary, the event coordinator, what else she wanted us to help out with so we could get our hours accomplished. She told us that they could really use our help in stuffing additional goodie bags for each and every participant in the events for the marathon weekend.
We were asked to meet the event coordination team at a warehouse in Kentucky. We all drove together on Friday to insure that we wouldn’t get lost and we definitely felt safer when were all together. When we got to the warehouse we saw long tables put together and a lot of boxes. Our task was to get all brochures and pamphlets and get them placed in piles on the long tables, to get them set up for the next days activities planned when high school students where going to come in and stuff the bags. A lot of the work was more physical work then mental work. At times we had to open boxes, tear them apart and get the thousands of brochures and pamphlets in piles to make the stuffing process a lot easier and faster. We worked very hard lifting boxes that evening getting the items organized and lined up for the next days volunteers. The entire process took approximately two hours for the three of us to set things up.
April 17, 2009
Do you ever think about the work and effort that goes into the behind the scenes or getting a marathon together. Brittanne, Kelli, and myself arranged to get arrange some quality service hours before and during the big weekend of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. After our first evening assisting with putting together welcome bags for the thousands of attendees, we asked Mary, the event coordinator, what else she wanted us to help out with so we could get our hours accomplished. She told us that they could really use our help in stuffing additional goodie bags for each and every participant in the events for the marathon weekend.
We were asked to meet the event coordination team at a warehouse in Kentucky. We all drove together on Friday to insure that we wouldn’t get lost and we definitely felt safer when were all together. When we got to the warehouse we saw long tables put together and a lot of boxes. Our task was to get all brochures and pamphlets and get them placed in piles on the long tables, to get them set up for the next days activities planned when high school students where going to come in and stuff the bags. A lot of the work was more physical work then mental work. At times we had to open boxes, tear them apart and get the thousands of brochures and pamphlets in piles to make the stuffing process a lot easier and faster. We worked very hard lifting boxes that evening getting the items organized and lined up for the next days volunteers. The entire process took approximately two hours for the three of us to set things up.
Service Learning Credit
United Methodist Church
As a college student I find it very lucky that I have the ability to go to college. Many people don’t even have the money or ability to go to college. On the first Tuesday of March, I was asked to go to United Methodist Church and work with young children at an after school program. Dr. Reed works with these under privileged children regularly. When I was asked to assist, I knew I couldn’t turn this opportunity down. I love working with kids and I was told that it was in lower Price Hill so I knew that many of these young kids didn’t have much or if any one to talk to or help them with everyday things.
I remember riding down with Father John and asking him what I was going to experience at the church. He told me Dr. Reed is helping United Methodist Church out to help give the kids in the area a better start and to keep them off the street from getting involved in drugs or other events that wouldn’t lead them to a positive road. I walked into the room where all the kids where starting to work on egg projects and talking about Jesus with the upcoming holiday Easter. I walked over to a table of young boys who where about four years old. I had to help assisted them with there egg projects. I found it hard at times to keep an eye on one little boy who wouldn’t stay in his chair he wanted to be everywhere. He even tried to run out of the door once. After working on their egg projects the kids were treated to some LaRossa’s pizza. A bonus was a drawing for their name to be called out of a drawing where they got a cookie. I had to deal with an issue of one boy in my little group of young boys who started to cry because he didn’t think he was going to get a cookie. He told me that his mom never buys him cookies because she doesn’t have any money. My heart dropped down to the floor when, I heard him say this to me. I couldn’t help but think about how when I was his age I wasn’t worried about getting cookies because my grandma and mom would always have them around.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The bond between us.
How can one of my nieces cling to me as if I was her own mother? My nieces Lauren always wants her “Sammie” no matter where or who she is with she is always asking for me. I love both my nieces just the same but I guess there is just a greater bond between us. Bailey will come to me but can’t quite say my name yet. If you where to ask Bailey if she wanted to play with Sammie or her very ball she would say her ball. On the other hand Lauren is quite different even when she is with or not with me she always wants her “Sammie” to save her. I always hear stories from her other aunts, grandmas and even her own mother and father about how when she does something wrong or gets into something she knows she shouldn’t be getting into she said “ I want Sammie”. I never want to favor one of my nieces over the other but I think there is just a greater bond that Lauren and I have.
Here we go again…
Last Monday my sister asked if I could watch her daughter Bailey for a few hours on Wednesday, but I told her I couldn’t because I had to meet with my group to work on a group project. I asked her why she needs me to watch her, because it wasn’t like her to not tell why she need me to help her out. I asked is everything okay and she said yes. But I had something in the back of my mind that kind of gave me the idea that she might be pregnant again. Then on Wednesday right as I was getting ready to leave to meet up with my group to work on our project she stop by my house. At this time I knew something was up. She came down to my room and told me guess what? And I said “What”. Then she replied ” I’m pregnant again”, “I said I knew it”. At this time I was very excited to have another nieces or nephew in the family. I just wish that everything works out and the baby to come will be healthy.
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