What in the world is 'lapidary'?

Everyday, there's something new happening at the Rec Center.  Of course there are the same ol' day to day things like keeping the place tidy and running short errands here and there.  However, I'm confident that I have learned or experienced something new every day of my internship so far.  I suppose this is pretty much the point of an internship so I shouldn't be surprised, but it's still fascinating to me.  Even the simple, little things are fun, new adventures.  For instance, today I learned how to transfer calls.  So simple and yet so helpful! It's a little thing that helps me have more confidence when doing my job.  

I also got to take a field trip to the Glendale Adult Center.  This, as the name implies, is a recreation center for adults.  I went with Lori, who works in my facility, but organizes all Special Interest Classes for the entire City of Glendale Parks & Rec Department.  She had to check on some things at the Adult Center and invited my to tag along.  She introduced me to several people and took me on a tour of the facility.  It was crazy!  There were so many people just hanging out playing cards, shooting pool, playing shuffleboard, chillin' in the computer lab, and even practicing dance.  I never would have thought there would be so many people there.  And then...we went into the Lapidary room.  I'm pretty sure I had never even hear the word 'lapidary' before today, but one of the lead guys explained that lapidary is all about engraving and cutting gems.  They take glass and rough gems and turn them into pretty, shiny stones for jewelry and other things.  It's really amazing!  I think it would be so great to get to take the time to make a ring or something someday.  We'll see.  

And, while learning new words and how to transfer calls was great, I think the best thing I took home from this day was a first-hand observation of the importance of recreation facilities.  It really was great to see so many people utilizing the Adult Center.  There were so many smiles and so much laughter around me when I was there.  I don't intend to make assumptions about the lives of the people who were there, but I can't help but to think that their lives are enhanced by their participation in recreation activities.  It's great for people to have a place to go to socialize, challenge their skills and knowledge, and learn new things.  I close with sad thoughts of how our poor economy threatens such facilities and organizations.  I hate to think about those people not having such a special place to go.