An Active Austinite!

I love showing my UT Longhorn Pride by participating in projects around campus with my fellow longhorns! As a first year college student, it is definitely an exciting experience being able to extend a helping hand to my Austin community!

My buddy Arianne and I have had a marvelous year so far! I was excited to visit her first thing when I returned to Austin from my trip to Bangladesh. She was absolutely taken aback by the souvenir purse I brought back for her (she loves loves loves to dress up)! Valentine’s Day quickly came and I was more than excited to have Arianne as my Valentine this year. Decorating cookies and singing karaoke was a great way to kick off the spirit of love! We had to celebrate even MORE so we went on a “romantic” dinner to a beautiful BURGER STAND. I love burgers and so does Arianne. It was a new experience for both of us and we loved sitting outdoors eating our burgers, milkshakes, and delicious fries! As her Valentine of course I had to give her a little gift. Along with the cliché chocolates, I gave Arianne a cute piggy bank with the words “dream and love” painted on them. We talked about how she can feed her piggy to make him happy and when he is all full we can go on more fun adventures. Arianne loved the idea and I am excited to see where our savings take us! Valentine’s Day passed and before we knew it, it was time for Mardi Gras! Arianne and I attended the Best Buddies Mardi Gras party and we had a marvelous time decorating masks, chatting, and most of all getting down on the dance floor. I definitely learned some new dance moves that day! I am so thrilled to be a part of Best Buddies and I now have a lifetime friend. I am eager to see what adventures the rest of the year has in store for us!

 

Last Friday February 24, I attended a benefit concert for the UT chapter of China Care. Sitting in the audience and watching all the local university talent groups perform ranging from bhangra dance to west campus orchestra; it was definitely an entertaining night.

“The China Care Foundation is dedicated to saving the lives of medically fragile orphaned children in China. Founded in 2000 by a determined teenager, China Care is also committed to empowering young people to use their abilities and creativity to help improve the lives of children in need.”

Children are definitely my weakness and after breaking into tears watching the China Care documentary, I was so honored to be in attendance at this benefit to help raise funds for a young girl’s surgery in China. I am so grateful that I am able to impact children across the world, even in the most menial ways.

Project is University of Texas’ LARGEST day of service. This year, Project 2012 had over 2,100 volunteers and definitely made an impact in the surrounding Austin area.

The Project is a premier service event at The University of Texas at Austin, designed by students to benefit the many Austin neighborhoods surrounding the campus.

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 Started by students who wanted to make a lasting community impact, the Project has partnered with Keep Austin Beautiful since 1999.  Students, faculty, and staff come together for one day, dedicating their time and expertise to complete a variety of community beautification projects. Headquartered at a local elementary school or community center, jobs are spread throughout one neighborhood and include painting, landscaping, trash pick-up, constructing playground equipment, and other general projects specific to the site.

As a team-lead I was in charge of beautifying the neighborhood entrance to the Onion Creek Plantation. After all an entrance is the first impression of the neighborhood and residents want it to be warm and welcoming. My small yet efficient team created a flower bed at the entrance of the neighborhood. It was definitely an experience to remember as we had to dig up the grassy area, map out a garden then go about actually planting the Lantanas. But in the end, the transformation into a warm and beautiful entrance reflected our hard work. After my team was done at the Onion Creek Plantation, I joined my beautiful friend Kim, Miss Texas Collegiate, at the River City Youth Foundation building. Not only were we gardening there but we painted the entire building, inside and out! Kim and I specifically took charge of one of the bathrooms and completely turned it around from a bright green color to a nicer neutral white. We had to get down and dirty for this job as we painted every square inch in that bathroom (even behind the toilet)! I was covered in head to toe in paint and other volunteers jokingly asked, “Did you use your hair as a makeshift paintbrush?” Although I did not, I still bear remnants of Project 2012 in my hair, shoes, pants, and most of all in my heart. I was overjoyed with excitement and pride to see how much our contributions truly affected the Austin community. Residents came out and opened their homes to us! They welcomed us with hospitality tables with snacks and drinks and constantly throughout the day we received numerous “thank yous” and friendly honks and waves. Working in this community I could not understand why everyone has such a bad perception of the area. The neighbors know each other and greet others as they drive by. It is a safe place for children to play outside as the entire block knows one another. Honestly, I felt like a part of a family and the Dove Springs and Onion Creek Plantation represent the true epitome of a “community”.  I am so glad I got the experience to work with Project 2012 and I am excited to continue working with this community with Project in years to come.