School started today, and it was a pretty exciting day. Starting in September, I will be teaching a full course. I have a lot of freedom and will be able to make my own course title, description, syllabus, course objectives, etc... I will definitely make it an economics class, but I am interested in spreading out into other topic areas. I will include some personal finance stuff, intro to economics, how to understand economic news in the newspaper, business etiquette/resumes/interviewing, etc... If anyone has any other ideas, I would love to hear them!
Though it was a short class day, a lot happened. First, there was a staff meeting addressing the change to a block schedule and some of the effects of the economic recession. At 10:00, the entire school went to convocation. It was there that I first saw the work of the student leaders. They are essentially responsible for running most of the school - maintaining order, cleaning the school, and setting the schedule for the day.
I will be the assistant coach for the water polo team (summer and spring) and for the swim team (fall and winter). We practice six days a week and there are meets at least once a week - starting in September. I have a feeling there is a lot of talent on the team. One recent graduate from Saint Benedict's Prep just set the American record for the 50 freestyle and won gold in the 4X100 freestyle relay in Beijing- Cullen Jones.
Starting in the fall, I am scheduled to teach one block (80 minute period) each day, cover for absent teachers - during my open blocks, and coach. The days will be full, but I will make sure I have some spare time now and then for myself. I will also remain a part of the monastic community - probably attending midday prayer and vespers and eating breakfast and lunch in the monastery. However, we are expected to eat dinner with the students living on campus (about 60) and help keep things orderly.
It has been an exciting experience so far, and I expect things to get busy very soon.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
NYC
My parents and I arrived in NYC Tuesday, and began our stay in a hotel on the border of Soho and Chinatown. After we got settled in, we spent some time walking around Soho, and Nolita. With the help of a guide book, we had lunch at a great place called Bread. It was a good introduction to my new surroundings: I am pretty sure every person in the restaurant was a model, the food was very good, prices were reasonable, and it had a great atmosphere. (I think I will be stopping by in the future). Wednesday was spent entirely in the southern part of Manhattan. We walked through the financial district and Tribeca, and took a trip on the FREE Staten Island Ferry. The ferry provided a great view of the Statue of Liberty, and twenty minutes later we were on Staten Island. Not being aware of anything to do on Staten Island, we boarded the next ferry back to Manhattan.
Thursday, previous BVC volunteers Michael Hahn and Andy Dirkson, as well as Brother Dan Morgan drove from the Newark to pick up my parents and I and take us back to the Newark Abbey and school. After I got settled in, Brother Dan and Michael walked my parents to Penn Station, Newark and took the Path train to Manhattan. Along the way they encountered some colorful characters who felt compelled to contribute to the already on-going conversation. Thursday night, fellow BVC volunteers Jake and Pat showed me around some of the Portugeese section of Newark, and we met up with Michael, Andy, and Dan later that night.
Friday morning, everyone who went out the night before and I journeyed to Manhattan via the Newark Path. We spent some time on the Brooklyn bridge and spent the rest of the day walking back to the western part of the island.
Over the course of the weekend, Father Augustine and Brother Patrick showed us around Newark by car, and Father Mark and I went for a walk through the downtown area.
So far, I have learned a few interesting things about the city: It has great tap water - spuring on the development of many breweries throughout the years, Thomas Edison spent some of his life in Newark - as a result, military park in Newark had the first public electric lights in the U.S., at one point the intersection of Broad and Market was the busiest in the U.S. - 280,000 pedestrian crossings were recorded in a thirteen hour period, and the climate is classified as humid subtropical - meaning the winters are not extremely harsh.
This weekend, Jake, Pat, Father Augustine, and Mike Hawking - a volunteer who went to Notre Dame, and I will be visiting the Abbey's cabin up in Munsee, New Jersey.
Thursday, previous BVC volunteers Michael Hahn and Andy Dirkson, as well as Brother Dan Morgan drove from the Newark to pick up my parents and I and take us back to the Newark Abbey and school. After I got settled in, Brother Dan and Michael walked my parents to Penn Station, Newark and took the Path train to Manhattan. Along the way they encountered some colorful characters who felt compelled to contribute to the already on-going conversation. Thursday night, fellow BVC volunteers Jake and Pat showed me around some of the Portugeese section of Newark, and we met up with Michael, Andy, and Dan later that night.
Friday morning, everyone who went out the night before and I journeyed to Manhattan via the Newark Path. We spent some time on the Brooklyn bridge and spent the rest of the day walking back to the western part of the island.
Over the course of the weekend, Father Augustine and Brother Patrick showed us around Newark by car, and Father Mark and I went for a walk through the downtown area.
So far, I have learned a few interesting things about the city: It has great tap water - spuring on the development of many breweries throughout the years, Thomas Edison spent some of his life in Newark - as a result, military park in Newark had the first public electric lights in the U.S., at one point the intersection of Broad and Market was the busiest in the U.S. - 280,000 pedestrian crossings were recorded in a thirteen hour period, and the climate is classified as humid subtropical - meaning the winters are not extremely harsh.
This weekend, Jake, Pat, Father Augustine, and Mike Hawking - a volunteer who went to Notre Dame, and I will be visiting the Abbey's cabin up in Munsee, New Jersey.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Benedictine Volunteer Corps - Newark, NJ
Hello!
My name is Will Gilbert. I graduated from the College of Saint Benedict| Saint John's University in May, and will be a part of the Benedictine Volunteer Corps. I will be hosted by the Newark Abbey, and working at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School. My volunteer experience will span the entire academic year at SBP (Saint Benedict's Prep) - beginning 27 July 2009 and concluding May 2010.
I will be living and working with fellow CSB|SJU graduates Pat Hayes and Jake Barnes, as well as another volunteer named Mike Hawking. We will be living in the Turrell House - on the SBP campus, across the street from the Newark Abbey. Websites for the school and Abbey provide additional information regarding the mission and setting for my volunteer experience.
At the moment, beyond knowing that my work will involve SBP, specific responsibilities and scheduling are a little vague. However, it is clear that once the community in Newark has a feel for my skills and interests, I will be assigned accordingly. As soon as I am settled in and better understand my role, I will update the blog.
I hope to use this blog to keep friends and family updated, help inform those interested in the Benedictine Volunteer Corps, and to preserve my observations, feelings, and experiences for my own future benefit.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment or send me a message!
Will Gilbert
My name is Will Gilbert. I graduated from the College of Saint Benedict| Saint John's University in May, and will be a part of the Benedictine Volunteer Corps. I will be hosted by the Newark Abbey, and working at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School. My volunteer experience will span the entire academic year at SBP (Saint Benedict's Prep) - beginning 27 July 2009 and concluding May 2010.
I will be living and working with fellow CSB|SJU graduates Pat Hayes and Jake Barnes, as well as another volunteer named Mike Hawking. We will be living in the Turrell House - on the SBP campus, across the street from the Newark Abbey. Websites for the school and Abbey provide additional information regarding the mission and setting for my volunteer experience.
At the moment, beyond knowing that my work will involve SBP, specific responsibilities and scheduling are a little vague. However, it is clear that once the community in Newark has a feel for my skills and interests, I will be assigned accordingly. As soon as I am settled in and better understand my role, I will update the blog.
I hope to use this blog to keep friends and family updated, help inform those interested in the Benedictine Volunteer Corps, and to preserve my observations, feelings, and experiences for my own future benefit.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment or send me a message!
Will Gilbert
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