Friday, August 13, 2010

Birthday + Invitation = Happy Camper!

So yesterday was my day of birth.  23 years ago, I popped out of my mom, and said Hello to the world!

Another great thing that happened was I received my official invitation kit from the Peace Corps, and I'm going to Ukraine!!! Leaving for Sept. 17! Thats a little over a month away...I can hardly contain myself.  Everything is coming to fruition...

I don't know how to feel, I'm scared, happy, excited, nervous, estatic, elated, and all other types of emotions.  I can't wait though.  I've been waiting and working for this moment for the past year, and finally its coming to reality....its time for me to

"Jump with two feet in"

Thursday, August 5, 2010

I miss you My Hawaii

Here are some pictures of my visit back home!!...Gosh I miss the beauty of Hawaii


 Our first full beach day...GOOD stuff!

Can't forget some blasts from the pasts...PCHS 2005


Hanging out at Blessing's Hale

Then some hiking and scenary...


with a shout out to these RDK-247's chicks


It's always nice to remember where you came from...and keep in mind how far you've gone.  That's what I've learned from my time being home, that no matter how long, and spatially how far apart we were, when we reunited, the magic was still intact.  If the bond and relationship have any substance to it...cherish the simple moments!

Special shout out to my mom and bros....they are the rocks in my life!




Wednesday, August 4, 2010

A long process it is...

So...I'm starting this blog so that I can keep everyone that cares about me updated about my whereabouts, and life in general.  Oh, and to keep me sane.

Where to start?...So it all started last summer after getting back from backpacking around Europe.  I had to come back to my repetitive lifestyle in Seattle, and my last year at Univ. of Washington.  In my little self-realization voyage, I realized that I was comfortable with being uncomfortable (traveling-wise).  I loved the uncertainty, immersing myself in the different cultures, attempting to learn new languages along with being lost-in-translation...whilst being on a strict agua, bread, cheese, chorizo diet while on the move, I digress.  I wanted to sort of make that my occupation for a few years....which brought me to consider applying for the Peace Corps.

Once I looked into it, it seemed like something I wanted to do, while I keep discovering myself.  I figured "why not?!" thus began the long process.  Boy, they weren't kidding when they said it was a long application process (9-12 months).  So I turned in the initial application in September, and heard back within a week with more forms to complete.  I turned those forms in within two weeks.  They returned with a phone call from my local recruiter, whom requested that I get volunteering experience before I go ahead in application process.  So after a few months of volunteering, they continued with an interview where I've been nominated to teach English in Eastern Europe.

Boy, I was elated, knowing that this is actually coming to fruition!!!  The forms didn't stop there...next, they gave me more forms to fill out....medical and dental forms....so of course, I was consumed by school that I totally forgot about them for some time.  Thank goodness for being insured because those blood tests, x-rays, and every test you can think of seems a bit costly for a student.

Now, it was all about the wait game....I had to wait to be medically and dentally cleared.  Meanwhile, I spent three long, and great weeks with the people I love back in Hawaii....How I've missed being around those people...

I flew back to Seattle working at UW as a research assistant at the dental school....when I got medically cleared! So hopefully soon I'll hear back...maybe get an invite.  Till then, I'll keep you posted.

Ciao