Today was absolutely amazing. You know that feeling, it's really hard to describe, but it's just good, inside and out.

This morning we left St. Bonaventure at 9, stopped at Dunkin for breakfast (Yay!) and then made our way over to the Seneca Nation of Indians Library where we talked to Jacob. Jacob is an enrolled Seneca and works for the Nation at the library, his mother is native, his father is Polish. He was a great resource and provided a different view and elaborated on some of the things that we had discussed with Sandy the previous day. I had the opportunity to read one of the books in the Native room. It was a bunch of life stories of elders and people who were alive when the original territory was flooded by the government and they were forced to relocate. I read the stories of two women and was fascinated by what they had to say. Devon actually signed up for a library card so he could

After leaving the SNI Library we went over to the Seneca Community Center. The Seneca Community Center was opened about a year ago and only enrolled Seneca's are allowed to use the facility. This facility was immaculate, stunning, polished, and looked like a resort on the inside. The floors were all marble and had mosaic's imbedded in the floor. They had a pool, a full size gymnasium with a walking track above it, an intense game room, a fitness center, concession stands, and an indoor roller hockey rink. This place was great. And empty. The entire time we were walking around we received strange looks from the employees (all enrolled) because we didn't belong, and they knew it. I thought that was interesting. It seems that the place that needs the help & money isn't the place that's receiving it, which is a shame.

We took a field trip to the Perkins in Bradford, Pennsylvania for lunch. It was a good meal and good conversation as always.

Now to the part of my day that made it amazing. I don't know if I can do it justice so bear with me.

The weather in Salamanca was perfect for outdoor play today, so outside we were. Fern ran over and gave me a hug when she saw me. It was definitely a good start to the day. If you know me (which I'm thinking you might) then you know how much of a tomboy I am and how much I love to play sports. That's exactly what I did today from 2:30 until about 6:15. If I were a kid, it was my dream day. It still is my dream day. We played soccer, frisbee, football, jump rope, kick ball, basketball, and a new game called squirrel. I was surrounded by kids, all going through different stages in their lives and dealing with things that I have never had to, but for the afternoon they were just kids. They didn't have to worry about dinner or any issues, they could play and be kids. I guess childhood is a privilege that I was lucky enough to have. I realized some people don't get that opportunity.

The kids were all raving about Devon's soccer skills today, one even said he should go pro. After everyone got comfortable the game started to pick up, the kids got more comfortable asking for the ball and dribbling it themselves. It was nice to watch the children open up and get more comfortable. We also played a game that I've never played before called squirrel. Squirrel would be a reckless game if I were in shorts and playing a bunch of people my age. So the concept is basically sharks and minnows, on land. You start with two squirrels in the middle of the rectangle and they have to be on their hands and knees and people. The squirrels lunge at the people running by. If the squirrel taps a runner, the runner joins the squirrels. Its complete madness. I loved it.

I was the only female playing football and I'm pretty sure I had the most receptions and interceptions of the day. Being the only girl was important because it showed some of the girls that they could play with the boys. I hope the girls understand that their gender shouldn't, and doesn't decide what they can and can't do.

I could probably go on about all the games we played today for forever, but I won't because that wouldn't be fun for people who don't like sports.

Today I met a 16 year old sophomore named Phil. His maturity and understanding blew me away. After spending time getting to know him, I know that he is a unique individual; a leader that truly cares. He loves to play basketball and football, it's what he wants to go school for. He's motivated to stay in school and go on to college to play football at LSU or North Carolina. He's definitely got the build for it. He says he sometimes struggles with school because of his ADD, but he's honestly trying, and I can tell that he's going to be just fine. Beyond Phil's drive to succeed is his kind-hearted nature. The younger kids look up to him and listen to what he says. I watched him stick up for/to kids that were saying inappropriate things. He said moving in with his Aunt was a great thing for him. She taught him how to treat other people with respect.

I want to tell his Aunt that she has raised one of the most respectful and kind people I've met.

I finished my night with a group reflection after dinner, talking to some people I care about, and James decided he wanted to be Dr. Phil. 

I hope the post captured a bit of what the day was to me,
-Bree