Just yesterday I went to Home Depot, a home improvement shop in America, to take the kid's workshop class. I had done this once before when I was younger because my brother was in it and was delighted to see it was still up and running. However, I was nervous that I could be the only girl in the workshop.
When we first walked into the shop, we asked a man at the front door where the session was being held. He said in the back corner of the store. As my father and I walked I pointed to the colorful ecobulbs and explained, "They're eco-friendly and ego-fashionable!" He didn't look too convinced.
Finally after 3 short minutes of walking we reached the back corner. We saw orange buckets holding up planks of wood which held little plastic goggles. (And to my surprise, we saw many young girls performing the projects.) There was also a table full of hammers. We went to the check-in desk and the lady handed us a bag and instructions as to what we were making. She also had me sign-up for the next workshop. Then said we could take a seat and that the regular instructor was not here today.
As we sat and read over the directions unsure if they would instruct us like they did when I was younger, the check-in woman asked us if there were any supplies we didn't have. My dad said we needed sand-paper and glue. Then she ran off to find some.
Now you see, Whyville my dad has helped teach many professional home-builders skills, so when another woman came up and asked us why we hadn't begun he replied, "We're reading the directions and waiting for the sand paper to smooth the edges. We also need glue." Her reply was, "Oh . . . you need to glue those parts? Oops, I had that other girl just put in some nails." Then she walked away and whispered to the check-in worker about how my dad knew what he was doing, unlike most people who don't.
Soon we got all of our supplies and began working on our wooden calendar. It was really fun because my dad explained everything to me, like what's the difference between two hammers and what the wood grain was. Finally, we finished! We still had to stain, sand off the glue, and put on the numbers and months but it looked great. I had such a good time especially since I was recovering from a cold.
When we got home, I decided to sand off the glue on the wood. It was really funny because my dad was sitting in a near-by table going, "Guys look at her go . . . she's better than some pros!" I would just laugh and every few minutes run over and go, "Is it smooth yet!?" Then he'd say some wise advise to make it smoother. It was pretty tough work. But when I finally smoothed out the wood pieces my father informed me we would stain it the next day. And boy am I excited for that to come!
But, what I'm trying to get at here is for you, Whyvillians, the people of the world, to stop lazing around and saying how you have no talent or need more (I do it too), and to start applying yourself to things. The strangest activity could turn out to be the most fun! Here are some ideas to get you started.
If you like to get a little messy and create a yummy outcome . . .
Join Rachael Ray's Yum-O! project.
Yum-O! is a non-profit organization in which children learn to build healthy relationships with food and cooking. Yum-O! is also a partner with groups that help feed Americans who go hungry each year due to lack of funds. Also, Yum-O! gives out scholarships in order to allow children to meet their cooking dreams! That is why their slogan is "COOK. FEED. FUND."
If you like to help make a difference in the world . . .
Try going to a local shelter and asking if you can help watch the animals or raise money for them!
I know many people who like animals and they do in fact go to local shelters and ask to help take care of the animals or ask around to see if anyone would like to adopt the animal. Some even set up boxes around schools to collect toys and food for the animals. It's a great way to become active in your community and hey who knows, you could make a new best friend!
Want some money? Got a camera? No problemo.
If you have a video recorder and you want some cash, perhaps you can enter some contests to win some money! It might open up new ideas for you and get those creative juices flowing!
Got sticky notes?
If you have sticky notes and pen, you're good to go and join Operation Beautiful! Morgan612 has written an article about Operation Beautiful that explains you write messages to build a woman's self esteem, such as "You're beautiful! Remember that!" Then, girls and other women will stick them in public places like weight magazines, hair salons, mirrors in bathrooms, etc.
Do you like dirt? Then, get out a shovel!
If you really like dirt or flowers, then why not ask local churches, parks, schools, or other buildings if you can plant and take care of a garden for them? Not only will they enjoy the colorful flowers, perhaps you'll get a penny here and there. Either way, seeing a smile will make you happy that you did this activity.
Love to read?
Then spread the love and ask your local library if you can read to younger children! You could even ask if you could make up plays for the children to perform. I'm sure this would bring a smile to your face, the children's faces, and the librarians. Who doesn't like seeing kids acting out parts or using silly voices to create emphasis?
Now those are just a few ideas to get you started, there are many more. Just keep an open mind and one will fly into your brain! Just like fishing, you wait until the little guy bites and then you reel it in! Hey! Fishing is a cool idea too! Maybe you should try that if you like water and pretty scenery? Okay, I'll stop giving off ideas and let you venture off into the world! Bye!
Author's Note: Sources: http://www.yum-o.org/#
http://operationbeautiful.com/
Home depot also has a website about the kid's club. You can find it at http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?catalogId&langId=-1&pn=Kids_Workshops&storeId=10051
