Girls Engineering Day

Samantha's school hosted a Saturday event focused on engineering.  There were career presentations by women and plenty of activities, including sessions on building different things.  Samantha chose to join me where I volunteered to help build catapults.  Most of the girls hadn't worked with any power tools, so I taught them how to use the drill.  Their faces lit up when they did it.  It seemed that the girls were expecting me to do the drilling for them, so when I handed them the drill I saw fear at first, then the excitement of doing it on your own.  The whole experience was fantastic for everyone!

Here's Samantha about to launch another volley with her catapult!

Volunteering with Samantha

I regularly discuss volunteer opportunities with the girls.  They have it so good and I want them to be aware of it.  Hopefully they will never be in the situation themselves.  I have experienced homelessness (though I had a car to sleep in if I couldn't crash somewhere) and in my opinion if you are able, it's your duty to give back.

To mark President Obama's inauguration for his 2nd term and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the weekend was focused on a "Day of Service".  Our synagogue organized activities and we chose to make blankets.  I didn't get confirmation whether they were going to a homeless shelter or to hospital patients.  Originally Sofia was going to join us, but she was ill.  We brought enough fabric to make 4 blankets and they were all completed.

Considering it was Samantha's first time, she did very well.  It was distracting, but we got it all done.  I think we'll do it again soon!