Ailana’s Journal — 2026-01-05 (Patreon)

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GOOD MORNING

The hair is almost dry and the coffee has cooled down to perfect drinking temperature. Time to push through the fog and finish getting ready for today.

If you’ve been elsewhere for a few days, Jason, Josh, Geoni, Sasha, Clay, and I are in Houston after two weeks in St. Croix. The remodel isn’t quite finished, so we altered the plan so that we could stay out of the workers’ and inspectors’ way.

We came to Houston where we are going to do a couple of days of volunteering at the Houston Food Bank. I’ll tell you more about that when we get there.

To wrap up this post, I’ll say thank you to everyone who’s made comments on the other folks’ posts in the Journal. I’m intrigued to find out what’s going on with them!

When I said I wanted Ailana’s Journal to expand, I was thinking of more from Dad, Kirina, Sasha… the gang I know. The new folks are a welcome surprise, though. Hope you’re liking what you’re reading there.

With that, I’ll finish getting ready. I’ll be back later with an update from the food bank See you then!

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BOXES OF HOPE

It’s a simple concept, but it has a huge impact. Donated items come in. They get sorted, packed, and distributed to people who need them.

The Houston Food Bank is one of the largest food-distribution organizations in the United States. They collect food and essential supplies, then work with hundreds of partner agencies to get that food into the hands of families, seniors, kids, and people facing hard times. In a region of millions of people, many still live with food insecurity—being uncertain where their next meal is coming from.

So, for instance, they get a pallet of green beans… (I’m making this up to illustrate what happens.) Obviously, one family doesn’t need that much of one thing! Volunteers unpack, inspect, sort, and then repack into what makes sense for whoever is going to receive it.

The food bank doesn’t just hand out groceries; it supports community programs, education, and outreach so people can have more stability and dignity. I’m grateful we get to spend time learning and helping where we can.

I’ll add that most larger communities have something similar going on. And in small communities, oftentimes churches will run something—they might call it a food pantry.

There’s a lot of ways people can help out besides showing up and putting in the hours. I’ve heard of school clubs doing food drives to collect canned goods for donations. Obviously cash donations work, too.

So, that’s what we’re up to today. Working in a group makes it fun as well.

And of course, I’ll definitely check in later for a goodnight! See you then!

BREAKING EVEN by Vanessa Lenen

A little life lesson—no charge… You never know exactly which of your skills you’re going to need.

Flash back…

David Gregory hunted me down at the infectious disease symposium, having recognized my name from lab reports I sent to the CDC on which I had added little bits of nonsense. Lunch… Dinner… We hit it off, but I had no job and lived in CA.

I took the wrong train, got off in Brooklyn and some random girl saw me teary-eyed in a coffee shop, and eventually asked something like whether I’d rather run up some credit card debt or go back to CA and always wonder if I missed out on something.

Hello, Visa—can I stay a few days?

So, David knows a man at his church, Don Whitaker, who owns and operates PriorityCare Ambulance Services. It serves the NYC area, doing mostly medical transports and occasional 911 overflow runs.

David called Don. It’s a big company with lots of EMTs. One of them is out on maternity leave… FMLA if you want to be 21st-century about it.

It’s an interim position. She’s taking six weeks total—four more to go. Mr. Whitaker, as a favor to David, fast-tracked me through HR and onto a rig.

I found an extended stay hotel in Queens. Basically, I’m breaking even, but David and I get to see if there’s really anything going on we want to pursue further. A month should give us enough time to decide.

So, back to that life lesson… PhDs in immunology and microbiology notwithstanding, it’s my EMT training that’s letting me see if David and I are in the middle of some Hallmark movie or if it was a terrible idea all around.

GOOD NIGHT

We had a great day at the Houston Food Bank. Now we are at the Houston Downtown Aquarium.

We’re looking at all the exhibits, of course, and we’re also planning to have dinner here at the restaurant. But am I the only one who thinks it’s a little… something… that the restaurant at the aquarium serves seafood?

I’m sure it’s fine, right?

The aquarium opened in the early 2000s as a public aquarium and restaurant complex where people can see fascinating marine life up close, from colorful fish to sharks and rays. It also has interactive displays, touch tanks, and even a train and rides that help make learning about marine life fun.

And if you ask me, having a train is kinda the chef’s kiss!

The aquarium is a conservation-focused educational space as well as a community gathering spot.People can explore aquatic ecosystems, enjoy a meal, and experience a bit of wonder in the middle of the city. And don’t forget about the train!

So, we’ve been wandering around and taking things in. And definitely working up an appetite. Next up is the restaurant, and I believe everyone is waiting for me.

This will be the goodnight post, so let me wrap up. Serving earlier today and then walking past these glowing tanks tonight made me realize how big and small the world can feel at the same time.

May you find ways to give back to those around you in need, and may you find ways to share life with those you love in places that inspire you and give you new ideas.

Good night.

Be your best you!

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