Service Learning: Week 1

The sirens of the firetrucks woke me up around 3am. The house across the street was blazing. I have never seen a fire so close. The house is under construction so there was no one inside. However, the image of suffocating was implemented in my mind. I had a bad dream when I went back to sleep. My pillow had the scent of my perfume as I woke up because I received a text. I had to wake up in an hour for my first day of service learning. I was upset that I didn't get a good sleep. The text message was from UrbanTree Connection's site manager. She said it was too cold to work and we didn't have to go. Now, I was disappointed. I couldn't go to service, but I was glad could sleep in.

When I woke up I researched more about UTC. According to their website they are a "nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that engages children and adults from some of Philadelphia's most disadvantaged neighborhoods in community-based, urban-greening projects." When I think of farming, I think about my great-uncle. When I was little he used to grow plantains in Rio Grande, a town about 45 minutes from San Juan. My grandmother says tio Lilo would've had an important job in agriculture in Puerto Rico; but he decided to move to New York City, as many people did in the 40's. He always tells stories about his jobs at different factories and claims he learned Italian.  My grandmother was the only one of her siblings that didn't permanently move to the states.  I always wonder what Lilo's life would've been like if he stayed in Puerto Rico.

Back to Service Learning. I'm excited to start this week. Hopefully my next post will be more eventful.