So I have a little secret - I am terrified of getting lost. I am always scared of driving to new places, whether it be a restaurant, a friend's house or any random place. Because of this insecurity, I was nervous all week about volunteering at the San Jose Clinic. Learning that the new building was located in downtown made it all the more scary for me. I know, I am almost 22 years old and there are much worse things than getting lost in the middle of downtown, but I can't help how I feel. So as I sat in my history class this morning, I carefully studied the directions to the clinic a gazillion times and discussed them with Vania just to be on the safe side. As I got out of my 12:00pm class, I nervously walked to my car, praying that I wouldn't get lost. So I began driving, trying to remember every little street name I had seen on the map. But before I knew it, I had found the building and parked my car!! I felt so relieved getting out of my car knowing that I had not gotten lost.
So I walked into the building and met with Samantha, the lady from the clinic that I had been in correspondance with. She took me on a quick tour of the new facility, explaining what happens on each of the three floors. She also told about the conditions of the patients that come to the clinic - all are uninsured and from low-income backgrounds. By this time, Vania had met up with us and I was happy to see a familiar face. Samantha then told us that we would be working with a lady named Sue and helping her work out the details of the San Jose Art Auction that will be held on May 15 (the day of our graduation!!!). So Vania and I were directed into a cubical-like area and we were asked to put together the RSVP envelopes for the Art Auction. Vania decided to put the labels on the envelope while I folded them. For two hours, Vania and I worked together like an assembly line. We talked about everything from Fashion Week to wedding cake toppers and before we knew it, it was time to leave :(
So besides becoming an expert envelope folder, my experience at the clinic reminded me that the success of any event is the result of hundreds of people that work in the background. All these people may not always be recognized, but their contribution is important nonethless. Although I did not cure the world of cancer today, I am happy to say that my two hour contribution to the clinic will play a small but important role in the success of the Art Auction because at the end of the day, if there are no RSVP envelopes, the number of attendees will be a mystery and the rest of the details cannot finalized.
Wrapping up, I'm happy to say that I had a wonderful first day at the clinic and I look forward to next Friday - mainly because I won't be scared of getting lost on my way there and of course, the possibility of helping someone out in whatever way I can :)
Until next time,
-Rachel (the brown one) -
