Once upon a time, not too long ago, a @#%%& like myself had to strong-arm a ho.

Based on zero scientific inquiry or conversation with my fellow stagemates, I feel confident saying that, for most of us, the second year is getting off to a much smoother start than the first.

Things are just EASIER all of a sudden. I have a better idea of who I can rely on in my community, what kind of projects my kids want to do, what will work, what's not worth the effort, etc. I even have cool new kids coming to Dar Chabab. I didn't expect to get many new recruits in my second year, but there are three in particular that I'm already quite fond of.

There is so much stuff that I'm more comfortable with, too. Last year, if I had too much downtime I started freaking out that I wasn't serving my community well enough or something, that I was being lazy.

Five seasons of West Wing later, I think it's safe to assume I got over that.

If a kid is giving me lip, I'm not worried that if I'm strict with him he won't come back to Dar Chabab. THEY ALL COME BACK. And if they don't (THEY DO) then chances are there wasn't much you could do for them anyway. I know now to invest my time in kids that want my help.

I'm also taking a lot less shit from people this year. Examples of how none of my problems are a bitch:

-A counterpart tried to insert himself into Dar Chabab activities, re-working the schedule I so carefully crafted based on student needs, and I shut him down in a meeting in front of his peers. I should also note that he made these suggestions after coming an hour late to a meeting he set up, wearing the dumbest, most ridiculously over-sized wristwatch I've ever seen. This is awkward because my role as a Volunteer here shouldn't be taking control over everything, but when someone is demanding to have large blocks of time alloted to them for doing activities that kids aren't really that interested in (and acting like a douchebag while doing it), you see where I feel the need to step in.

-Some punk made kissy noises at me in the street and I confronted him about right then and there. I'm not sure if it actually did any good, but I certainly felt a lot better about myself.

I'm sure I'm headed for disaster soon, but for right now I'm glad to be here. How are you?