ASB 2011

Cheyenne River Youth Project, Eagle Butte, South Dakota

This week was really awesome. I was relaxed, carefree, and really happy for the first time this semester (all three at once). My group clicked pretty well, too, and we were hilariously funny. Many, many cooking adventures.

- First time I've flown with a group of friends.
- Coldddd in SD! But beautiful, too.
- Went to Mt. Rushmore when we got off the plane. It was super fun...we just messed around in the snow, threw snowballs at each other, and played.
- Went to the Crazy Horse monument after that. It's also a carving in a mountain, but on a much larger scale than Mr. Rushmore.
- Worked with both the teens and the younger kids. First teen I met was in 8th grade, but looked much older than that. He told me his life story, and it was really sad. Father died, grandma died, mother argues with him and siblings all the time. He's the scapegoat; family on food stamps (everyone there is); does weed and smokes; is beaten; can't sleep; alcoholism is rampant in the family; has tried to run away four times--always turned back; does all the chores in the house (no help from siblings); can drive; is the designated driver when his mother's ex-fiance comes and drinks it up with them. Has enemies; carries a blade on him or some weapon at all times for protection; is weary and tired of people who are against him; doesn't even know why. Dropped out of school; can't go back because his mother won't enroll him; in 8th grade.
- Met another girl: part Native American, French, and white. Very smart; wants to go to college; wants to get out of Eagle Butte. Was abused by her father until she was seven; mother was abused by him, too; the girl is hoping to live with her aunt this summer.
- And another girl: lives with her friend. Father died last summer; she doesn't get along with her mother at all, so she moved out.
- All very sad stories. Drugs (mainly weed), smoking, alcohol, teenage pregnancies, poverty. All real.
- There was also a range of kids there, from the jocks to the emo/goth.
- The teens loved basketball though. And they were amazing at it.

- Okay onto happier thoughts.
- Cleaned/organized in the mornings. Didn't eat dinner until 10pm every night since the center was open 4-9pm. It was good though.
- Dyed the rice blue, then purple. Dyed ricotta cheese green (for the lasagna).
- Many, many quotes and memorable moments =].
- Cold. Very cold.
- Also dry.
- Got a couple of bruises on my arm from slamming into the corner of a TV shelf thing.
- Also got a bruise on my forearm from being bitten by a kid! (Through my hoodie, too.)
- Ate Indian tacos, which included Indian fried bread. Sooooo goood.
- Really, really enjoyed this trip.
- Played some basketball; figured out the secret to shooting (or some basic pointers...) 3's; am actually excited now to play basketball when I get the chance. But by no means am I good.
- Figured out kind of how to throw a frisbee flicking the wrist toward the body (as opposed to flicking it outward).
- Let a little girl "paint" my nails with lip gloss and chapstick. And I let her do my hair. That hurt.
- Did get really frustrated one day working with the younger kids. They were just so crazy, and some of the volunteers were just not helping out at all. Aalkdjflasjf;iiajwef;sd.
- All in all, though, this was one of the best spring breaks I've ever had!


Pictures are up on Facebook...and now I need to sleep. Night!