Let's Try Again....June 2015

Ok. SO I kinda stink at writing blogs about xthins that are happening. But, I am going to try again. 

My daughter and I volunteered all day today at The Academy Of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in the changing exhibits area where the Animal Grossology exhibit is. And what can I say, it is an awesome hands on exhibit. 

So we actually worked outside the exhibit with one of the Carts of Curiosity, Invertebrate Cart. We had Darkling Beetles and a Hermit Crab. And we got to talk to people of all ages about them. They are very interesting critters. The Hermit Crab was being kind of hermity today and hiding in the cactus skeleton in its terrarium. The Darkling Beetles were a bit more interesting. We had 3 and they were very active for a liitle while, trying to climb out of their terrarium and burrow into the soil at te bottom. One just wanted to nap. It would walk a round for a minute or two and then burrow a bit an nap for about 30 minutes, while the others just wandered around and tried to walk over each other.

The adults and children were both receptive and curious, although we did encounter a few people who would not get close to the cart becasue there were bugs on it, but all in all everyone seemed to enjoy the up close look at the critters. We were asked many questions, like can they hear us, can they fly, are they slimy and many more. I just can't get over how curious children are all the time. It makes me wonder sometimes where that goes in adults. Not all adults can harnes the curiosity of children. 

I can't wait until the next time we can go to the museum and volunteer again. 

Happy day!

First days....2013

I should have posted this last year in May but I guess I'm a little behind.....

Ok, so I've never formally volunteered in my life. You know, I've helped out at school and doing odd jobs for friends and family and stuff but never for any length of time or anywhere out of my little life circle.

I found out that a place I absolutely love to go takes volunteers and decided that I was going to do it. At first everyone was looking at me kind of funny because I don't tend to have the best people skills all the time. But I was determined to show them they were very wrong and I could do it. So I went to orientation for one area and thought, "I can do all of this", the second orientation I went to was on my daughters birthday, so I asked her if she minded if I went to that orientation. She said sure. She was happy when I told her that she was going with me. The orientation went well. I admit that I was getting a bit skeptical myself during orientation because I started think, "what did I get myself into? I can't do some of this!" But I stuck through it and in the end it's not only me who is volunteering, my daughter as well. We are doing family volunteering together. We are both so very excited. I was a little nervous at first stepping out of my comfort zone and into a place I was comfortable as a visitor , not as a worker. But I did it anyway.

I've only been in for volunteering twice so far. I told my daughter that I wanted to go solo at first to get a feel and she's still in school right now. I've learned more in those 2 days than I thought I would and everyone is extremely nice and helpful.

Now we are both going. And it is wonderful. We chat with each other while we are working and we get to talk to the visitors as well. She loves answering the kids questions. This is a good experience for both of us in many ways.

So long for now.