Kenyan Drip Black Coffee, Stained Glass Windows and Charcoal Mixed Sand

Tia, Kristyn and I headed over to Nob Hill this morning to meet Jade, the founder of Break Through the Static at Contraband, your typical 'San Francisco coffee shop' that grinds the beans in front of you and uses a shnazzy drip process of brewing them (no more starbucks for me). I had my interview with Jade yesterday, so I wandered the area while Tia and Kristyn had their interviews for the internship.
Jade recommended we see the Grace Cathedral, just up the hill from Contraband. It was beautiful and reminded me of the churches that I visited in Europe. Filled with breathtaking stained glass windows and high arching ceilings, I was in awe. There's something about the stillness in a church like this. It's quiet and peaceful and you can just feel a deeper presence around you.

Kristyn and I wandered to the Fairmont hotel next, as she heard somewhere that you can drink coffee on the rooftop. Not sure if that's true but we did wander around the ritzy lobby and up and down elevators and stairs receiving many quizzical looks from the staff. We found a little hole in the wall Chinese restaurant for lunch, 'Sam's' super authentic stuff.

We took the 47 to the 21 back to the house and quick changes for a bonfire at the beach. We caught the 5 to take us down to Ocean Beach, located at the end of Golden Gate Park. Jade invited us to the bonfire so we could meet some of the teens that we may potentially be working with if we get the internship. There were about 20 girls that came, all Juniors in high school at a private Catholic college prep school. They've lost 3 friends due to suicide at their school, 2 in just the past couple months and they didn't feel that their school was handling it well. We did an icebreaker and split up into small groups. The girls in my group expressed their grief for their close friends that they've lost and their frustration with how the school's used the same speech at each assembly and funeral regarding the deaths. 'suicide' becomes a taboo subject, no one will say the word 'suicide' or take the time to talk about it. Teachers continue on with their routines and lesson plans and although the school's agreed to hire a psychotherapist for the students and screen the incoming freshmen, it doesn't appear that this is helping or reaching to the students.
My heart went out to them, and I admired their bravery and strength in coming to this group and talking about what has happened, that's not easy in the least. I don't know if God is calling me to this internship. I loved my experience at the bonfire, but I also feel that He's calling me elsewhere. Either way, I'll be finding out soon, and if not Break Through the Static, I'd love to still be apart of their events and help Jade out as much as I can. She's a beautiful woman with a great energy that people are just drawn to. If you want to check out more about her story and organization, I encourage you to check out: www.breakthroughthestatic.org
Her TED video is powerful and so moving.