This blog entry was supposed to be posted yesterday. It was Mother’s Day and I was just not motivated to do much. Sorry. Happy belated Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
I have been dog-sitting for a few days, so I got up yesterday around 7am and took my new best friend Ruben for a walk. Meandering around Washington early in the morning was so peaceful. There was very little traffic and I had some time to reflect on my Mom. I wish that I could put into words how much I miss her. I know that she would have loved the Year of Giving.
After a long walk, I grabbed a copy of El Tiempo Latino newspaper and made our way over to Dupont Circle. I played with Ruben in the shaded grass for a while and then we found a sunny bench to relax on. I read through the paper and Ruben slipped in and out of a slumber.
Photo: Reed
Last Wednesday I had an opportunity to participate in the Gala Celebration of the re-opening of the Safeway grocery store located at 1855 Wisconsin Avenue. My friend Patricia works for Dufour and Company, one of the nation’s most respected event management firms that was hired to make the Gala a spectacular experience. She invited me to help with the reopening. It was incredible. I have never seen a grocery store turn into such an elegant locale. Props to the Dufour team!
Photo: Reed
This Safeway is amazing too! The produce section was flawless, every pepper and bean was in it’s place. I could go into detail about how phenomenal this grocery store is, but check out Bonnie Benwick’s write-up in the Washington Post.
While I was there, I met Angie who was also there helping out with the event. She is a 26-year-old District of Columbia resident who, like me, is currently unemployed. She has a background in nonprofits and marketing. I really liked Angie’s answer when I asked her what she wanted to do professionaly. “I recently did my 10 year plan. During the next 10 years I want to start my own marketing firm that focuses on the needs of nonprofits, schools, and small businesses.”
Angie (Photo: Reed)
I asked Angie to tell me a little about herself and she said, “I love traveling, laughing, and great ideas. And I love cheese…Gouda and other soft cheeses!” We talked about some of her favorite places she has visited. “I really like San Juan, Puerto Rico. The people are so welcoming.” She went on to say, “I love that you can get a delicious meal, a drink, and dessert for $12 there!”
She came to Washington five years ago and enjoys every minute of living here. “There is so much to do in DC. There isn’t a monotonous culture here like some places.”
In response to my question about what she would do about with the $10, Angie said, “Well, I’m a pedestrian. There are a lot of times that I haven’t had enough money to go from point A to point B. So, I am going to keep the money until I find someone who needs help getting someplace.”
Angie allowed me to take speak with her on camera for a few minutes. She talks about the most influential person in her life; her mother. As I said earlier, this was supposed to be posted yesterday. It would have been a perfect tribute to Mother’s Day. Angie also talks about Rwanda, where she was born, and how the genocide there has affected her life.
Year of Giving 
I’m writing to say kudos. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog…..(I can’t remember how I initially came across it)……
If there were a manual for how to DO unemployment right, you are living it…..
It was nice that you gave the $10 to another fellow “unemployee”
Myself, also in the same boat, have not been adhering to the manual of which i speak of……..but you inspire me..thank you..
Just one question…how do you stay motivated?
Steve, thanks for your ocmment. The energy and emotion I feel from the thousands who have reached out to me as a result of my project fuels my energy. Every day is exciting. Every day I have the opportunity to meet someone truly amazing. The beauty is that this opportunity is not unique to me and this project. We all have this opportunity, every day. It’s a question of acting upon those opportunities. All the best, Reed
It seems mothers are often influential-might be good if more of us admitted this. Hope Angie gets what she wants during the next 10 years.
Angie , you possess one of the most beautiful smiles i have ever
seen and i wish you only the best in whatever you do .
I am curious to know if you are still close to all your siblings
and what you all did for Mother’s Day , if you don’t mind my asking . Stay strong and know you are not alone in your quest to find employment as there are many talented and experienced people out of work .
Reed , i don’t know exactly how you choose the recipient but you really choose some quite interesting people and i know that even after the project ends you will still be doing something to help others in some way .
Thanks L.W. I love to smile! I am still close to my two brothers and sister. For Mothers Day, I had to work *sad* a Mothers Day event *ironic* so I didn’t get to see my mom. I called her and surprised her by designing her business cards for her side job (apparel design). I’m also designing her business’ marketing materials.
I was really upset but I will see her this weekend if I don’t have to work a gig (I work events and promos on the weekend to pay my bills).
Thank you so much for the encouragement *smiles*! Have a glorious day.
Wow , I can’t believe you saw my comments but am
quite happy you did . Trying to survive and make a living
often prevents us from being with family and friends , but
i am sure they understand , though often we miss little
moments we can never recapture . Anyway , enough with
my philosophical ramblings .
You have a really nice day and i hope you keep all the readers on Reed’s blog updated on your status .
It is quite amazing what he is doing and i look foward to the new posts . Also , do you have a MySpace or Twitter
page?