When I discovered that I was going have a friend come to visit Memphis just a month after pulling a U-haul up my driveway on Young Avenue I frantically brainstormed how I could entertain him. The frenzy subsided as I realized how well I knew Memphis relative to how long I’ve called this city home. It may sound corny, but because of Volunteer Odyssey and everyone I met during the process I feel connected to Memphis.
If I didn’t have my daily blogs to reflect on, I might remember the journey as a dream, blended into one unique experience instead of seven individual days. Regardless of how I look back on my adventure, it will undoubtedly be my first memory of Memphis. The smiles and greetings of the men and women on both sides of the soup kitchen line exposed me to the soul of the city. Hours spent working under the sun in Shelby forest gave me a picturesque sense of a hard days work in the Mid South. The spirit of southern hospitality was embodied in everyone I worked with throughout the week. It was a lot to take in a week, but I appreciate the cultural submersion I received.
My friend’s visit was a success and I’m convinced I could pass has a full-fledged Memphian (I hope to erase the biggest blemish on my Memphis resident resume by attending a Grizzlies game in the up coming season)! After my Volunteer Odyssey week I jumped head first into my job hunt. Job hunts are daunting, but a throw in being new to a city and desperation beings to creep in. The resources and community I received with Volunteer Odyssey gave me the confidence and determination to achieve my goal of landing a job with a small local business. Next week I’ll start at Quality Incentive Company and couldn’t be more excited for my next adventure in Memphis!
————————————————————————————————————————————
If you like our work, please DONATE to keep it going!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Want the insider story and more pictures? Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!
Looking for great volunteer opportunities in Memphis? Check out our calendar of volunteer opportunities.