Tammy is remembering ASB!!!

So, I'm sitting here in the last few weeks of my senior year at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. As we all know, the last stretch is always hectic and stressful. As graduation approaches I sit and I think to myself about all of the things that I need to get done in the next 20 days or so...

Study for my test on Monday, get ready for my presentation on Wednesday, finish my report for my internship by Tuesday, put my group paper together and e-mail it out for MKT 488, go to my friend's wedding, Study for finals, mail out graduation announcements, and get things ready for a graduation party. All while working 20 hours a week waiting tables, 20 hours a week at my internship, and 4 days a week in the classroom. Not to mention trying to maintain SOMEWHAT of a social life... AHHHHHHHHH!!!

But, then I stop! As all of these things cycle through my head, and I lose countless hours of sleep, I take time to reflect. I take myself to a place that is like no where else in this world. A place where the needy are helped, the diverse are the same, the weak are strong, the deprived are empowered, the weary finds hope, and the scared find courage. I take myself to a place where the able are willing, the shy are sociable, the arrogant are humble, the lost are found, the struggling are saved, and the lonesome can find a friend. I take myself to a place where homework doesn’t matter, deadlines don’t exist, grades are not relevant, and as long as you showed up you got an A+!!! I take myself to a place where I can find peace, I can find a friendly face, I can find people helping people, I can find no one passing judgments, I can find myself!!!

I take myself to a place where people Live United. I take myself to ASB!!!

For those of you who are living with stress and strains in your life just take time to reflect. Remember the good things in life, and the memories that we all share. Remember those that we have helped. Remember each other. Remember me. Remember ASB!!

No matter how thin I am stretched for time, I will never be too busy for you. I remember ASB everyday. ASB is not just that, a memory, it is embedded in me. It is a way of life for me now. I am continually trying to find ways to take what ASB has taught me, and imply it in my community and in my life. I have continued my involvement in Vista Maria by becoming a mentor, and it is something that I can never thank ASB enough for. It is my stress relief, and volunteering is now my escape!

I love you all!!!!

Your friend,

Tammy :-)

LIVE UNITED

Hello everyone,

ASB Detroit. What else is there to say? I had a wonderful time in my second home town and I am glad that everyone put forth so much effort to make this happen. This experience definitely changed my life and out look on a lot of things. ASB was way more than I expected. Since ASB Detroit I have been working with my mentor Derrick Davis, along with Randy Dillard, Adam Harris, and many other to help get my plans together for the revamping of a mentoring called Project M.R. This was a program that was started by my principle to groom responsible young men. The program still exist but it is not running well. I am planning on reopening the program in the Fall of 2008. If you have any suggestions or questions send me an email and we will talk about any concerns you have.

P.S
I sometimes refuse to wear my LIVE UNITED shirt because it means so much to me but I would like to say that even when i do not wear it is a part of me and I actually am LIVING UNITED.
Love you all.

PEACE OUT,
Charles P. Ashley

Full Circle

Things coming full circle was sort of my motto for ASB 08. It was great to be in Detroit, because I have always made a difference, but never so close to home...well at home! So this was a great chance for me to connect with young volunteers that lived near me that I could share a passion with and be able to do more work together much past ASB. Boy was I right and more right than I ever knew I would be. I have been working really closely with my teammates since, which is really a blessing for me. I never knew that they would be so close to my heart long after the trip. Two of my members and I are now going to intern at our work site Franklin Wright Settlements to try to get some funding. This is a big project and just the project I was looking for. It give me a chance to really be involved and use my big mouth to get some money!! haha. But really this issue is big and it's real and I'm so blessed to be apart of it. I can't wait until next year, and if the rumors are true..I'll see you guys in Memphis!!

Getting Ready - ASB Reflection

What did ASB Detroit 2008 mean to you?
ASB Detroit meant everything and more to me. It has shown me my passion for life through helping a young boy with homework at Franklin - Wright Settlements. Because of this young boy, I have realized that I want to become a Early Childhood/Elementary Teacher for Privileged and Underprivileged Children.

Was it everything you expected?
Yes It was everything I expected and more. I expected to be building houses or something like that and instead I got to rip up tiles (very fun), paint, make and serve food, do lots of sweeping, pull nails out of boards, and help a boy with his homework.

More?
Yea, see above ^_^

Life changing?
Yes very much so. This was the big break I had been waiting for for a long time.. the moment when it would all become clear to me. And I finally found it. It didn't come until the 1st or 2nd week after ASB was over when I went back to Franklin - Wright Settlements with my boyfriend. It was then that it all became clear. I want to be a preschool teacher (which I was thinking about already) and nothing is going to stop me.

What have you been doing since ASB Detroit 2008 to continue the work we've started here?
Well, I went back to the site once, which was awesome. I've been wearing my ASB jacket everywhere and using my fed-ex bag. Posted a couple of comments on the blog and that's about it.

What are we going to do in 2009 to make it even better?
Have more team building time and less tour like stuff.

Love you guys.
~ Heather Wigley

ASB Lake Charles - Tuesday

Hello all,
KP and I are cutting up another moving which we will show on Wednesday and already have most of the footage we need for another movie on Thursday (or more likely Friday). We are getting lots of great film but without the full Campus Video Team (and only one computer) it is hard to power though it the way we did in Detroit. That said, we are having a great time and it is nice not to be locked away in the CVN office all day and night. I wanted to say thank you/shout out to everyone in Michigan at CVN and the SEM United Way; you are all great and we wish you could be here!!!

dan

do not feed the alligators!!!

ok so they say not to feed the alligators.... so instead we just did a drive by. Yeah...i didn't get eaten by an alligator! Other than that we got to go down to the coast and see the gulf!!! There is just something about an ocean breeze that makes you love life. WE did however get the great BIG ship to honk it's horn!!! Then we came back to an awesome band here at the home sight. They told me these boys could play and they were right!!! I love it here.

But, I have to say that they weren't as good to all of us singing the Top Gun theme song in the shower and the ladies anthem....I will survive!!! To top off the night... the SOUND OF MUSIC WAS ON TV!!!!!!!!! My favorite movie!!!! I am so ready to work now!!!!! "Lake Charles is alive....with the Sound of Music....la..la,la,laaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Give Thanks and Praise

Happy Easter everyone! The Bro. from a nearby church came and gave service this morning and praise him for it. He talked about sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice that many of us have made to be here this week. But, I think that it is well worth it. If you think about this world as a tool box and we are apart of that tool box. God is using me as a tool to do his work and his will. So thank you also for Nathan of United Way SWLA for pointing out that we are God's hands and feet(that si super important)!! I know that this week we will get it done!! There was no better way for me to start my first morning here in SWLA than giving thanks and praise for his purpose. Thank you God! Amen

Leticia