G is for Goodwill

It is what I do.

When I say Goodwill you probably think of the store you take your donations to after Spring cleaning, but stick around to see what kind of treasures and deals you can score. Goodwill is those things but it is also something much closer to my heart. Goodwill is education with a mission. The Excel Centers at Goodwill are giving second chances to adults who want to earn their high school diploma (note: this is not a GED program) and better their lives. All of our graduates leave school not only with a diploma but also a certification (in a program of their choice) and/or college credits. High school graduates that were once dropouts, have a diploma! High school graduates that were once told they couldn't do it, have a diploma! High school graduates that just needed a little love, encouragement and a different time in their lives, HAVE A DIPLOMA! Goodwill is proving term after term, year after year, and student after student that they are doing something right. {12 Excel Centers in Indiana, 1 traditional high school, and Excel Centers opening up around the country}

To some I may just sit behind a desk, but I would like to think I am making a difference, and with me things are able to run more efficiently. I love my job. I love my co-workers (from all over the state). I love the company. I feel good about what I do, and most of all LOVE hearing all the success stories. Even better than hearing and seeing things happen from "behind the scenes" is seeing everything happen first hand and in real time. Andrew, my husband, is a student at one of our Excel Centers and sometimes the school work can be hard and often times challenging but it is so fun and rewarding to see him NOT give-up but push through.  When there is a victory the joy and triumph on Andrew's face is priceless. Andrew's story is unique, (like everyone's) he was not a dropout just married an American and couldn't work for awhile and wanted to pass the time.  Now that he is legal to work, he has something to prove to himself and he isn't giving up or throwing the towel in on education (although, yes he has thought about it). He also recognizes the importance of education and how much further it will take him. I am proud of him and all our students.

There has never been a better time to donate or get your diploma!

This is why I do what I do!

Excel Center Locations:

Anderson, IN

Austin, TX

Indianapolis, IN (6 locations)

Kokomo, IN

Lafayette, IN

Memphis, TN (in the works)

Noblesville, IN

Richmond, IN

South Bend, IN (opening September 2015)

Washington D.C. (in the works)

Pirates vs Knights

Two nights.  Two dinner shows.  One winner.

Who would have the better show?

Andrew and I have both seen a Medieval Times show before and thought it would be a fun dinner/date night so we planned and bought tickets before leaving for our honeymoon.

We liked the idea of a dinner and show {more bang for our buck} that we decided to also see Pirates Voyage.

The pre-show was almost just as amazing as the actually show!

We were all learning to talk like pirates

Salty the Sea Lion

This was only the beginning...

The stack was taller than him!

We had great seats

Once our cups were filled, there was never less than the rim, it was like magic.  

Me Harties Feast!

Simply put, the show was amazing!

Red pirates vs blue pirates, we were the red.
Each team's captain was trying to find the treasure.

There was always something happening.  From pirates, mermaids, sea lions, acrobats and more no one ever lost interest.  Everything was done very {very} well. Kids were even picked to be in different races to help their teams. Everyone from guests to the stars of the show appeared to be having a great time. 

The food was great, service even better and the show was the topper!

The next night we went to Medieval Times...

We got there early, really early, and there was NOTHING nearby to explore so we walked around the castle and took silly pictures. 

 Once inside, it was unfortunate but we immediately were not as impressed as we were when we walked into Pirates Voyage. 

It was still pretty inside, but with no pre-show it just felt like a long wait. 

The bar that sold drinks that cost an arm and a leg and were gone in one sip

The green, red & yellow, and blue knights were all in alliance

Metal plate and bowl with no silverware, because in Medieval Times there was no such thing.
But Pepsi...I guess there was Pepsi.

They spent LOTS of money on those fancy hats.   

Seats for this show were pretty awesome as well

We should have seen Medieval Times before Pirates Voyage.  I think we would have enjoyed Medieval Times more.

The food was good, service was poor, and the show was sub-par .

There just wasn't as much going, the knights appeared to be exhausted and not having fun, and from one activity to the next time just seemed to drag.  I just don't know what to say, we were disappointed in the show and ourselves for having such high hopes.

I was disappointed because I remember having so much fun when I had gone before, but like I said had we done the shows in reverse order I think we would have had more fun with the knights.  The pirates would have still won our vote for best show but knights may have had more of a fighting chance.

All in all, both nights were fun.  We had dinner and a show for one price and we did it together.  Anything together is better.

What is your favorite dinner show?