The benefits of being a social worker

While the rest of Bloomington was probably drinking or doing something outrageous, like throwing cinderblocks through people's bedroom windows, the social service agencies in town participated in a "homeless count" on Wednesday night. Most communities across the U.S. participated in the homeless count, which includes a day count and a night count. During the day, volunteers interview willing participants at the local day shelters and soup kitchens, acquiring the data to maintain our much needed funding. The homeless participants are given incentives to participate, such as winter hats, long johns, and bus tickets. I volunteered for the night count, which is a little different. Small teams are sent to more remote areas of the community, known to be safe havens and camps for the homeless. My team was sent to the west side of town to follow the railroad tracks. We even got our very own police officer to keep us "safe." While there are some potential dangers, like running into someone who is beligerently drunk or out of their mind, my biggest fear was related to trying to walk down the railroad tracks without breaking my ankle. This fear made me very glad to have a police officer (with a radio) ready and available for whatever emergency situation we might find ourselves in. Mostly I felt like I was in a movie, walking around the railroad tracks at night looking for "fresh prints" with our giant flashlights. We did find some footprints, which we of course followed into the woods. Sadly we never found any homeless people, only a broken grocery cart in the middle of the woods. Of course I'm not actually sad that we didn't find anyone to interview - I am very grateful those who live outside did find a place out of the snow for the night. I'm not really sure why the national organizers of the homeless count choose January for the count, most of us in colder regions can't give accurate numbers. Those who choose to live outside for most of the year are very resourceful in finding a shelter during the colder winter months, sleeping on someone's couch (like Jenn?), on a porch, in an apartment with 10 other homeless men, and the list goes on and on. Maybe one day we'll have a count in the summer that can be an accurate picture of just how many people actually live outside in camps. Until then, I'll stick to counting them in the snow, doing what any good social worker would do - abiding by the rules of the funding source.

Model Mania!

For those of you who don't know, the fashion world is being turned upside down due to the rising popularity of the plus-size model. I know this, of course, because I read one fashion blog. Now, if you aren't impressed yet, please hold your breath, because there is more! I, Annie B. Cheek, am a plus-size model. Yes, it's true. My modeling career began back in 2006, when my friend Sarah needed a subject for a last-minute photo shoot. I, being a great friend and also having nothing else to do, was given the honor of being the subject. Here is one of my favorite pictures from the shoot - me holding the accordian and did not (and still don't) know how to play.

I gained a lot of popularity in the modeling world after this photo shoot. It was not long after that another friend working for IWU needed subjects for a Financial Aid brochure she was working on. My brother and I were among a few who were chosen for the task. Look at that smile! Who wouldn't want to finance their education after seeing the brochure? My brother's picture, which I sadly do not have a copy of, was even better than mine - he had to have a ketchup stain photoshopped out of his t-shirt and looked sort of crippled. We are an amazing family.

My next opportunity came when my friends Jennie and Lyndsey began their own Etsy shop, making the cutest headbands ever. They needed some models to show off the headbands and I quickly volunteered. As you can see, I was really great at working with the camera to show off the details of the carefully made headband. Jess & Maggie also volunteered and I believe you can see their photos on Facebook if you are interested.

Most recently I was allowed to participate in a photo shop for a hair salon my friend Laura works in. She even colored my hair for free! Laura gave me this awesome updo, and my husband says it looks good enough to eat. I felt like royalty, walking around in that hair do, especially when I forgot my hair was all pinned up (and my eyebrows were darkened) and walked into the Hardee's for some snacks.

So, here's to another year of successful modeling! And here's two very enthusatic thumbs up for all the other plus-size models out there, struggling to climb to the top. It's a rough climb, and I should know.

Also...

I am no longer ashamed to reveal that I read Twilight and am now in the middle of New Moon. What can I say? I love teenage drama. I also borrowed the first season of the OC - thanks to my friend Lindsay who loves it just as much as I do. It helps me forget about all the adult drama I deal with at work. So stop judging me because you know that you love stupid things, too, like awful 70's sitcoms. Also, if you like Twilight, you should really watch the 90's TV show Roswell, which is basically the same story only with aliens.

Just wanted you to see this:

That's my girl.

Turning into my mother

As some of you may have read in Jessica's post, we had an awesome ladies weekend. It was my first trip to Ikea, and although they have some nice things, it was total sensory overload. I wasn't sure I'd make it through the whole store, but I did. Mostly I was grateful there was only one escalator. We stayed in a fancy hotel and watched some home makeover show about a guy in the marines who lost his leg and was raising 4 children on his own. Naturally, I cried my eyes out. I tried to block out the show by reading some Twilight, but ended up crying anyway. And then I realized: my mom watches this show and cries her eyes out too! I am totally becoming my mother! I guess that is okay, since my mom is pretty great. I just thought I would become her later in life - like when I'm in my forties. But it's starting early, in my twenties. I also realized after buying an animal print cardigan, that I am starting to dress like an old lady. I think I am okay with this, as well, because I love that cardigan AND my cardigan with the faux fur collar. I also love broaches and cat-eye glasses and putting my hair into a bun. I also cry my eyes out about everything, just like my mother and her mother. I think this must be the natural progression of life. One day you wake up and realize you are your mother.

My BFF

This is Jessica, the best friend a girl could ask for. What would I do without her? Please tell your friends how amazing she is so everyone one in the whole wide world knows.

Graduate School, here I come.

I have been preparing my application for IU's School of Social Work graduate program, and it has been a rather trying experience. I started my application late, mostly due to my own procrastination, but also due to an unexpected surgery and needed recovery time. I'm applying for advanced standing, so I had to have a letter of recommendation from a professor in my undergraduate program. It took some time getting in contact with one and getting my letter back. I finally received it on Wednesday morning, with my application due on Friday. I was all excited to overnight it when I realized I was still waiting on a letter from my boss. I finally got that Wed night, and before I overnighted it, found out that Jessica (my BFF) and Colleen would be driving to the school on Thursday morning. They were kind enough to hand deliver it to the school for me. Jess, the best friend in the universe, was kind enough to leave me a voicemail indicating that the school would not accept my application because the envelope had been torn and taped back together. Before my heart attack was over she was kind enough to also report she had punched them in the face for me, which is when I realized she was joking. Thank you, Jessica. So - a couple month's worth of work and worrying is turned in and done, and hopefully I'll find out if they will accept me by the end of February.

Rough day?

You look good, like a solid gold candy bar.

Time for something serious

I list my name as "Annie B. Cheek" because my grandmother has always called me Annie Bones. I know this sounds a little weird, and I have no idea where she came up with it. I'm pretty sure, though, that she calls all of her grandchildren their name followed by "Bones." My grandmother is probably the most amazing woman I know. She knows how to do everything! How do women just know how to do everything? How do you just know how to cook and clean and sew and knit and quilt and can vegetables and tend a garden and raise a family? My friend Ashley is the same way. She just knows how to do things. Like domestic things. I do not know how to do domestic things. I know how to sit in front of the tv watching Lost and eating Salt & Vinegar chips. I know how to dump all my clothes in a pile on the floor. I guess my talents must lie elsewhere.

Here is what I do know how to do: I know how to make someone feel like I understand what they are saying and feeling. I can listen to you and empathize with you, even if I have never been in your position. I have led (and continue to live) a comfortable life - but I work with people every day who have gone through terrible things and done terrible things themselves. Yet I can make them feel I understand. Maybe this is my talent and maybe I will never be a domestic genius. So, I am applying to grad school, hoping to earn a Masters degree in social work. I can continue using my talent at a high stress, low paying job, and possibly learn how to do a few domestic things. My grandmother also has a love for people, and if I cannot follow her footsteps to the quilting hall of fame, I can at least strive to love the way she does.

Shiny and Bright

I am currently watching Mad Men with Jessica. I know what happens, but I refuse to tell her. She will have to wait to find out what really happened to Peggy's baby.

Jared made me make a Twitter account, but I haven't quite figured out why you Twitter yet. Plus Twitter sounds like a dirty word and there are a lot of dirty jokes I can make about it. Nevertheless, I have tweeted 3 times already.

Watching Mad Men makes me want to smoke, wear a girdle, and wear red lipstick.

Snowballs

Today Jared Cheek attacked me with snowballs. I was not prepared for this, nor did I have appropriate snowball fight clothing on. I tried to push him down in the snow, but he is too tall and strong for me and did not fall. Also, he made me sign up for Twitter. Now I am going to check my Twitter a million times a day. I already have 13 followers! Also, Jessica and I video chatted with our lovely friend Jenn, who is all the way in California. It was awesome and we wore a moon-face while we talked to her. Welcome to the age of technology, Annie. Well thank you.

SLUMBER PARTY

This is my first post as a blogger. My heat is out and we are slumbering at the Adams's. We are going to play spin the bottle and Scrabble all night long baby. We brought the honorable King James, as well. He is currently sitting in an opposite corner from Peytonmanning, staring at each other and hissing occasionally. We expect them to be best buds by morning. Also, I love to shop.