Resurrection!

I want to write, but I don't know what to write. So I will write what comes to mind.

I'm joining the Peace Corps. I think you both know that, even though I don't think I told you personally. This blog should have been the first to know, officially, considering it was made with the thought of keeping in touch for major movements/life occurrences & whatnot. I found out in June that my official destination is the Federated States of Micronesia & Palau. I leave for LA on September 2; the flight is the morning of the 3rd, but we have orientation stuff the day before. I'm nervous. I wasn't nervous really this whole time, but now it's getting closer, you know? I want to see you both before I go, and I think that will happen. I think my location will overlap with each of you for at least a few days this month, right?

I've been home since early July, and the time has gone slowly & without a lot of fuss. I'm not doing much more than reading occasionally and vegging out often. There's been lots of time for reflection, but very few revelations have occurred. I'd like to talk to you both. Because I miss you, and because hearing from what's new in your lives oftentimes lends me such perspective on my own. Family is wonderful for support & love & going over the details, but they're not the best for perspective. I guess it depends.

Anyway, I miss you both & I've been thinking about you. Hope you're well & that the world is a better place where you are.

Lots of love,
Mollie

A homeless man walked me home this morning

A homeless man walked me home this morning

“Can I recite you a poem?”

“Well I’m kinda in a hurry… (I’m sweaty. it’s hot outside. too bright. I smell like sex. And all I want is a shower.)

…But... you can walk with me if you want” (I don’t have money for you
because some scumbag stole my wallet. I probably wouldn’t give it to
you anyway)

We walk. (I glance at my cleavage wishing I was covered)

He recites -about politicians and media and something about a golden egg.

Are you finished? Will you leave me now?

He asks about me. He doesn’t stutter. He’s engaged. Almost like a
friend. Almost more like a friend than my friends.

I’m graduating. He wants to know more. He doesn’t have to ask. He
doesn’t have an obligation. Doesn’t need to pretend to care.

He asks and I’m thankful.

At the corner we shake hands. I think his name was Paul. (But I can’t
be sure because I was making a mental note to wash my hands)

He left. I felt good.

I wanted to call you and tell you. To let you know

I’m like you – a good person. The kind of good person that lets a
homeless man walk her home.

But I didn’t. Because I’m not. A good person. Well not for that reason.

It would have been a lie. I didn’t let a homeless man walk me home.

In fact that’s not what happened at all.

A poet just happened to save me from the worst part of myself.

No longer unemployed!

I GOT THE JOB!! a real, big kid job! :] 

Musings from the unemployed.

Ah, I'm so close to finishing up my season of unemployment. So close that if I lose now, I'll be devastated. Without hope. Without drive. This is my fourth week of unemployment and I'm nearly at the end of my rope. I've read and caught up with friends. I helped my brother moved to Seattle and successfully went to the OBGYN. I've walked and ran miles on end and started a Bible study through my church. I've been to meetings about loan repayment and sent out my resume to at least 30 potential employers. 

To be honest, I don't know how much more of this unemployment business I can handle. And God-willing... I'll only have another week of it. 

I applied for a AmeriCorps VISTA position, which is a sanction of AmeriCorps towards ending poverty. I would be working in a non-profit called Girls on the Run, which empowers 3rd through 5th graders to run their first 5k with a holistic approach of body image and positive thinking. I would be doing research on how to better outreach to high-risk girls in need. I would be going out into the community and asking questions. I would be a running mentor. And I would create a system to recruit these 'underprivileged' girls of Seattle. Hopefully giving them a better view of themselves and their own decision making. 

My compensation would be health care, a gym membership, a $4,700 stipend at the end of the year for my loans, and a meager living allowance (which is at the poverty-line for Seattle). Living at the poverty-line is something that I've always wanted to do. I want to experience living on food stamps and really working for a living. So many people in our country live at or below the poverty line. Is is really possible? Can you really live on $900 a month? 

I have my third interview next week, and then hopefully my unemployment will end. Cross your fingers, ladies! 

On a side note, being a graduate is wonderful, but weird at first. It's like seeing the world through a whole new set of eyes. Sure unemployment isn't great, but it's so empowering to do things for myself... not just because some professor told me that I must in order to pass his class for a degree. I'm starting to feel human again--connected to the world in a whole new different way. 

I, Chelsea Elizabeth Hodgson, am a twenty-one year old college graduate living in Seattle. Sounds kinda nice, huh? I am my own person. No longer do I fall under the broad category of student. I now fall under the even more broad category of human. 

RABBITS!

Ok, so I'm East Coast cheating right now, but it's April Fool's Day anyway, so I guess that works.

I owe both of you a phone call, which I can hopefully redeem after this weekend ... the CityStep show makes it a hectic one for me.

Either way, happy new month! Happy Springtime! Lots of love!

~Mollie

Collaboration!

http://thru-you.com/

Very cool project.

Blue Dot.

"I'm blue" she said.
you look green to me
it isn't something you can see
...silly
well how do you know? he asked.
i feel it. right behind where my sternum normally is
What's a sternum?
The thing that protects your heart...
from your blue spot of course.
mines on vacation and left me all alone
it was quiet unexpected i must say
no leave of absence or two week notice
What's it like?
not having a sternum?
Will you die?
It's like sinking. or a weight. more like
a heaviness in your soul
but no i wont die
will it go away? Will your sternum come back?
Yes. i think. most of the time. so far.
When?
i don't know. soon. i hope