How I spend my days

I need to tell the curious internets what I'm doing with my life in Arkansas. 

Dear Internet, 

I've been spending my time volunteering at the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Center/Library. I love it. I love the people, I love the subject matter. I'm very happy to be there. I was asked to be a docent (tour guide) so I had to study like I haven't studied since I had to take actual final exams in college (over ten years ago!) My husband has never seen me study like this. I'm very proud to be a docent and learn everything I possibly can about this institution. 

I've split my time giving tours, volunteering on lectures and events and recently I worked on a naturalization ceremony. It was very special and moving and made me cry several times, it was so precious. 

147 people from 38 different nations became citizens. It was moving and precious and I'm so honored to have been in that room. Most were dressed up and brought their entire families or handfulls of friends. 

It was a lot like a graduation ceremony, except it's a legal proceeding facilitated by a judge. 

They stepped to the microphone and announced their name, country of origin, and some gave excited charges or simple a "God bless the USA!" which were all greeted with rousing applause. They shook the judge and the mayor's hands and received a certificate and other American paraphernalia. There was a little reception outside with refreshments for them at the end. 

I give tours and volunteer on lectures and events like this one. I'm getting an amazing American history education and the other volunteers and employees are so wonderful. Most are adorable and funny too. I've even spent some time "off-campus" with a favorite lady. 

There is a dress code. Scarves are involved. I've been researching how to tie a scarf tutorials.

But that's how I'm spending my days here in Little Rock. I've been back living here for about three months and in month two, I got myself back to the point where I keep my schedule full.  Reaching the full google calendar schedule status was a happy day. 

How to get involved with Planned Parenthood NYC

I volunteer for Planned Parenthood, and often get asked how to get involved. This is the path I took. New round of trainings starts soon and here's the info. 

The PPNYC Activist Council is a great opportunity to make a difference, gain some skills, and build your resume while meeting other fun, like-minded New York City pro-choice activists!

New members are introduced to the Activist Council in 4 trainings. Once trained, members are free to decide what types of projects and issues interest them most. Beyond the monthly meetings, the level of time commitment is up to each person. The training for new members always fill up fast - RSVP Here. 

You have to attend all 4, super-informative, interesting and inspirational trainings. We always had/have Two Boots Pizza for dinner. It's amazing to be around such like-minded, intelligent people. It's mostly young women, peppered with a few guys. The energy of being around such progressive group is invigorating. 

I forgot that I never wrote a post about how awesome it was to march with Planned Parenthood in last summer's Gay Pride Parade. I meant to do a big post because it was such an awesome day and weekend, but I never got around to it. It was just too much, I guess. 

It was extra-specially electric in NYC that weekend, because the Friday before the parade, same-sex marriage became legalized. 

I've been meaning to get a video of Elspeth and me telling the story of how Bill Cunningham took our picture at the parade after I screamed his name right in his face "BILL!!!!" Because I know he's very hard of hearing. 

The picture he took of us would have looked something like this: 

PP went with a Sports theme and our get-ups were like badminton themed and shirts said "Serving up Safe Sex, Pride NYC" something like that. It was fun to wave our racquets of rainbow birdies around while we marched. Elspeth's girlfriend told us that our Planned Parenthood gang was one of the few groups that got cheers from the parade goers. 

We really did hand out high-fives the whole way down the parade route. We felt loved. 

Here are Els. & Allie maxin' and relaxin' after the parade. 

Same-sex marriage got legalized the same day me and Elspeth saw Florence Welch twice in one day. 

Me and Els met at 5am to see Florence on GMA here: 

Then we went back later that night to sit and listen to her concert in the same spot. 

Even Bonnie went! She loves Florence and other red-heads in general. 

Best weekend of Summer, no question.