at berkeley high
i was at berkeley high today; j and i were to interview some kids in the college career center for our class project. j was delayed on account of a doctor's appointment and i didn't know what the kids looked like, nor did i know their last names. i asked o (who was coordinating the activities in the career center) and he didn't know them either. i do not know if he was a senior at school or if he just volunteered at the center, but he came across as a most responsible young lad, and my heart warmed to see him conduct himself with such sincerity. he was on crutches because of a broken leg, but that didn't stop him from walking all over the center, without a pause.
after i had waited a while, he asked me if i'd like to help tutor while i waited for my friend. the idea had not occurred to me, but i said "sure, why not?" (wondering if i'd know enough to do a good job at it), adding that i'd do it until j came by. and that's when j came by (bummer!), so o asked us if he could help our cause in any way. we told him we needed esl students and he said he'd try to find us some. he found us one, and the kids we were to interview showed up right then as well.
after our interviews were done (and they were most interesting, i must add), we went up to o to thank him. he then said that they were often in need of tutors at the center, and if we could volunteer there, it would be of great help. my first reaction was one of surprise, for volunteering at a high school career center in the u.s. had not been something i had ever considered. i asked him for details anyway (though i wonder if that was more out of politeness and the incapacity to say an outright no), and he gave his email address to me saying i could just email him to find out more, but anytime during the week that i could spare some time at the center would be appreciated. we thanked him again and left.
after i'd said bye to j, i thought more about that entire experience. do these things really just happen by chance? everything is so intricately connected, it seemed. had j not had her eye exam, i wouldn't have taken the time to get to know o better, nor had the time to learn to respect him. had i not, he may not have known to help us out, nor would he have talked to us perhaps. and had he not talked to us, this opportunity would not have presented itself. just yesterday, a and i were talking about the joy of volunteering, and the immense peace it brings to be of service in a way that can be of use to someone. as i walked back home from the school, i marveled at the series of events and how they had aligned themselves to offer me this chance to build good karma :).
as i think more and more about how unexpected this entire set of circumstances has been, i am left with little doubt that we are all tied together, and that there is a god who looks after us, come what may.
after i had waited a while, he asked me if i'd like to help tutor while i waited for my friend. the idea had not occurred to me, but i said "sure, why not?" (wondering if i'd know enough to do a good job at it), adding that i'd do it until j came by. and that's when j came by (bummer!), so o asked us if he could help our cause in any way. we told him we needed esl students and he said he'd try to find us some. he found us one, and the kids we were to interview showed up right then as well.
after our interviews were done (and they were most interesting, i must add), we went up to o to thank him. he then said that they were often in need of tutors at the center, and if we could volunteer there, it would be of great help. my first reaction was one of surprise, for volunteering at a high school career center in the u.s. had not been something i had ever considered. i asked him for details anyway (though i wonder if that was more out of politeness and the incapacity to say an outright no), and he gave his email address to me saying i could just email him to find out more, but anytime during the week that i could spare some time at the center would be appreciated. we thanked him again and left.
after i'd said bye to j, i thought more about that entire experience. do these things really just happen by chance? everything is so intricately connected, it seemed. had j not had her eye exam, i wouldn't have taken the time to get to know o better, nor had the time to learn to respect him. had i not, he may not have known to help us out, nor would he have talked to us perhaps. and had he not talked to us, this opportunity would not have presented itself. just yesterday, a and i were talking about the joy of volunteering, and the immense peace it brings to be of service in a way that can be of use to someone. as i walked back home from the school, i marveled at the series of events and how they had aligned themselves to offer me this chance to build good karma :).
as i think more and more about how unexpected this entire set of circumstances has been, i am left with little doubt that we are all tied together, and that there is a god who looks after us, come what may.
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