HOBY WLC 2015---Own Every Second

Different color shirts fill the University of Chicago Loyola campus on Saturday afternoon with 450 high school students.  Some have big smiles and others are loopy from their travels. Some arrive with their parents, but most are alone.  Some have 2 bags full of who knows what and others just a carry on.  After 30 minutes of check in they’re all in the same navy t shirts walking with new found friends to join in cheers and activities.  What’s on the front of those t-shirts? “HOBY”. What does it mean? Family.   Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) is an international organization that teaches young people how to think not what to think. The mission is simple…. Develop the global community of youth to a life of leadership and service.  Six years ago my life was changed by this organization which is why this year I wanted to be a facilitator for the 8 day World Leadership Congress (WLC) in Chicago.  I was given the opportunity back in February and I couldn’t turn it down.  I turned down a couple of jobs to be here because I so strongly believe in the organization.  Throughout the course of the week a transformation occurred among the 450 ambassadors and 90 volunteer staff from 10 countries and 47 states.  Acquaintances became best friends. Dreams became plans. Ideas became goals. 

Saturday- The welcome and Opening Ceremonies began as 10 flag bearers from their respective countries marched in.  Students quickly found their 11 or 12 other ambassadors in the their groups (arranged by color).  After they found each other they found their facilitators who were just as eager to meet them.  Andy Stoll gave a speech about his 4 year journey around the world.  This talk inspired many to go out and live.  

speaks for itself

Sunday-  Personal Leadership .   Arthur Woods gave a dynamic presentation about creating your own impact plan asking “what is it that you want to do in this world?”  He asked what grinded people’s gears and the answers ranged from a lack of respect toward the GLBT to suicide to destroying our environment.

Jennifer Santoro discussed living life with purpose.  Living a life with a purpose takes courage and happiness is what drives you to get there.  The #1 regret of people when they die is they wish they would’ve lived a life for themselves versus the one others expected of them.  My favorite quote of the day was “To do this or not to do this….which will I regret more?”

International presentations were today with ambassadors singing, dancing and sharing about their countries.  Every presentation was unique especially since most ambassadors have never been out of the US. 

Monday- Group leadership.  The World Café activity was presented by Eric Jones, a fellow 2009 WLC ambassador with me.  Students sat in different groups and talked about their goals and hopes are and what kind of difference they can make on their communities.  It got their juices flowing!

       We took a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry where we were given full range to explore the maze, how to make tornadoes, and life aboard a submarine.  Check out this museum if you’re in Chicago because it’s a lot of fun for everyone, especially the ice cream parlor on the main level!

           Ms. Diane came and electrified the crowd with her story of getting “kids off the block”.  She is a CNN hero and lives in the south side of Chicago.  She saw a need in her community that kids were on the street and needed help so she opened doors to the homeless and helpless youth.  She sometimes has kids from two different gangs sitting in her living room because they want to change their lives.  She feeds them, lets them stay over, drives them to school and does anything she can to keep them off the streets.  The next time you think about helping someone, think about this incredible women who lets gang members sleep in her living room!

Tuesday- Leadership for Service.  550 ambassadors and staff loaded school buses to head to Humboldt Park for a day of service.  After lots of dancing and singing we were scattered around the park some picking up trash, painting fences, or mulching trees.  This day of service saved the park community over $100,000 in man power! The best part is how excited everyone was to help out and get dirty.

             Dave Gamache or “uncle Dave” as he likes to be known as lit up the whole crowd with his presentation about building your championship team throughout life.  That team first starts with yourself and builds from there.  Leaders build leaders.  Crave connections and be ambassadors of compassion.  Everyone is going through different things in life so why not have each other’s backs?  You’ll always have goalies in front of you trying to block your shots in this life, but see nothing but net and score!

            Suehaila Amen discussed life as an American Muslim.  For most students their view of Islam is similar to the majority of Americans; that they are violent, disrespectful and not good people.  Her speech changed many perspectives enlightening the crowd about how much easier life would be if we just shared more smiles and respect with one another.

Free high fives in downtown Chicago

Wednesday- Global Citizenship.  Ambassadors were broken into groups to discuss what everyone deserves in the world.  Big issues like water, education, and food were some of the most commonly discussed, but what it boiled down to was love and connections.  We really do craze love, connections and affection but we don’t do a good enough giving that to others.  We’re all looking for love and respect to help make this world a better place. 

             Each facilitator took their 12 or 13 ambassadors on an Amazing Race into the city. Never in my life have I felt like more of a mom and I have mad respect for parents who take big families into big cities.  We followed clues to see the Water Tower, Hancock building and the Bean, but along the way we participated in acts of paying it forward.  We gave out free high fives by making a high five tunnel on the sidewalk.  We also took sticky notes and wrote compliments to strangers on them.  My favorite part was dancing while listening to a street performer.  We danced with strangers and they turned from frowning passerby’s to smiling friends.

             All of us met up along the lake for a dinner of Giordono’s deep dish pizza and some ice cream.  We broke up into sections (5 facilitators and 60 ambassadors) to have our section nights. Luke, our assistant section leader led one of my favorite activities.  It’s called “tap somebody who”  Everyone is sitting in a big circle with their eyes closed and 5 students rotate being in the middle each round.  Luke says things like “tap somebody who has made a difference in your life”, “tap somebody who as inspired you”, “tap somebody who you want to stay in contact with”.  It’s like a giant warm and fuzzy activity that makes everyone feel good.  This activity turned to lots of tears and students expressing that they have never felt this loved or accepted by anyone in their entire life.  One boy said he hasn’t cried in 14 years but he cried tonight because how amazing he felt.  One girl said she was bullied at school and didn’t realize people noticed her, but now she felt loved.  International ambassadors cried knowing that even if they hadn’t talked much throughout their first few days here they were still making a profound impact on people.  This is a night I will never forget as I hugged by ambassadors and let me cry and release all these negative feelings they had.   We watched fireworks and then took the L back to campus.

section night by the lake with Luke as our fearless leader

Thursday-  Global Citizenship.   Hunger is a topic that doesn’t really affect most people in my immediate community but it is a HUGE problem.  We participated in a series of trivia games and activities that showed everyone problems around the world involving women’s rights, water, and hunger among others. We had a simulation about how there is enough food to feed the entire world, but it is not dispersed correctly.  Our students were divided among different regions of the world split up according to the amount of people in each region.  Pizza’s were divided among the countries with Asia have 200+ people in it and less than 15 pizzas for everyone to share.  Countries like America waste millions of pounds of food every year while other countries can’t produce enough.    Think about your food waste the next time you eat or shop at the grocery store.  Ask grocery stores or restaurants if you can take left over food to shelters or people in need. Whole Foods is a good example of this, Dunkin Doughnuts is a bad example.  

making 53,000 meals for local students

Jarrod Fucci, Vice President of Development of Feeding Children Everywhere led an activity to package 53,000 meals for local Chicagoans.  Ambassadors were broken up into teams of about 10 while music was blasting and they packaged meals of lentils, rice and vegetables.  The event took less than an hour, but seemed longer with all the dancing the staff did throughout the room.  Thanks Jarrod for bringing such a fun activity to help the community!

After an exciting talent show with acts varying from poetry reading to rapping to baton twirling and break dancing it was time to head outside for the HOBY story under the stars.  Marcus Kelly, HOBY daddy, and his assistant Mike Roy shared what it means to live HOBY.  Living HOBY means embracing each day, helping people every chance you get and doing your part to change the world.  The theme song this year is “I Lived” by One Republic.  This has been my favorite song for 2 years now especially while living abroad.  Some of the lyrics include “Hope when the moment comes you’ll say I did it all”, “I owned every second that this world could give”, “saw so many places, the things that I did and with every broken bone I swear I lived.”  Talk about compelling lyrics.  The staff had our arms around one another during the song and of course I cried but was embraced by big hugs from Luke and Joel on either side of me.  That’s what community is like folks, it’s real!!!

Friday- A wrap up with thank you letters to all those who made this conference possible.  Another discussion about what it means to live HOBY and then an activity with Lamarr Womble about turning your passions into planning.  How do you go from an idea to a plan? 

            We took school buses downtown to the Palmer House for the closing dinner and banquet.  Our bus driver managed to hit a pole and break his mirror which led to panic and laughter, all were safe! Dinner was a three course meal and general confusion amongst ambassadors about what utensils to use when.  It’s a tradition for the ambassadors to sing songs to the audience that no one knows and this year they mixed it up with some beat boxing and rapping.  The staff got together and sang “If you’re out there“   by John Legend.  We danced the night away and said some goodbyes before returning back to campus. 

            We had our final group time with my 12 ambassadors which again led to many tears.  This week my ambassadors talked a lot about not being able to love themselves fully, but by the end of the week they shared how they look in the mirror now and are happy with who they are.  Talk about a powerful moment and a proud moment as a facilitator.  I don’t think I did much this week but when you hear students say that they have never felt so loved, inspired and happy in their life you know you did something right.  It broke my heart hearing that these students didn’t love themselves fully because every day of my life I have woken up happy with myself and gone to bed happy with who I am and what I have done.  Sometimes all people need is someone to tell them what they admire in them and what they love which is why we had an affirmation circle that let everyone share one thing they loved about the other person and the person in the middle to share one thing they love about themselves. 

            So love yourselves people because as one of Ryan’s favorite quotes goes “If you can’t love yourself then how the hell are you going to love anyone else?”

my B5 ambassadors from around the world. From strangers to family

Saturday- a long day with no sleep making sure ambassadors got to the airport.  Campus was clear of ambassadors by 11am and staff had a party.  We went to a comedy show, had dinner and then played trivia.  Such a happy day, but also such a sad day.

Luke, Megan and myself

            

Marcus Edwards 

Returning to WLC I wasn’t really sure what to expect since I hadn’t been in 6 years. I knew that it was the best week of my life when I went in 2009 so I was hoping these ambassadors felt the same.  I was so inspired by what these 16 year olds want to do with their lives and pained with the trials they have faced.  I met staff that changed my life especially my blue crew.  Jeremy, Luke, Megan, Ryan, JT, and Dawn you were the core of empowering our 60 ambassadors.  You made the coffee runs, gave bountiful hugs and led me to snort more this week than I have in a long time! Luke you were an example to us with your big smile and open mind. JT your silent leadership is noticeable and commanding. Megan your spunky personality engages everyone. Dawn you are always on the ball ready for anything coming your way. Ryan you dance like everyone is watching in the best way and show the world how much you truly love yourself. Jeremy your leadership as a section leader led us to have a group that worked incredibly well with one another and made each of us feel empowered.  Marcus Kelly and the entire operations team you somehow got 452 names on paper to appear as ambassadors in Chicago on Loyola’s campus which is truly amazing.  You kept everyone safe and kept the staff in the know.  Angie Magazino and the program team you created a program that had speakers and activities that were impactful and inspiring.  As a first time WLC volunteer I thank God that Marcus Edwards took a chance on me and believed in me.  And Jeremy I couldn’t have asked for a better section leader to have drafted me my first year.  Everyone on staff you played a role in empowering me to empower my ambassadors.  Whether that has a simple hello or a big hug you kept me going even after only 3 hours of sleep.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the entire HOBY organization for allowing me this opportunity.  Thank you to my friends who shared their favorite quotes so that I could share them with my ambassadors. It truly was a team effort.  If you want to learn more please talk to me because I could spend hours talking about what HOBY means to me! If you feel compelled to give to an organization that is empowering future leaders then do it!

            But at the end of the day really it’s pretty simple.  Laugh often, love much, and never miss an opportunity to smile!

Blue Crew: Luke, Ryan, JT, Dawn, Megan, Erin, Jeremy 

The end of the best

 

PC:  camwelchphotography.com

Move in day, JMAC, September 2011

Since middle school I've been writing "2015" as my anticipated college graduation date.  That always seemed like a far off date until IT HAPPENED! June 6, 2015 was the day I graduated from the University of Denver.  I graduated with 2 degrees (psychology and international studies), 3 minors (leadership, religious studies, and biology) and studied abroad in Vina del Mar, Chile and Florence, Italy and did it all in 4 years taking a full course load each quarter. If anyone had half the college experience I had they'd have the best time of their life.  If college is the best four years of my life, well they sure were incredible!

       I didn't graduate with a 4.0GPA, I don't have a job, and I'm not in a relationship. But what do I have? A passport filled with stamps from 16 countries traveled in 4 years, five thousand+ pictures, rocks from climbing 14,000 foot mountains, medals from winning ice skating competitions, journals filled with funny stories.  I have waterskied in Minnesota, ice skated at Dartmouth, played lacrosse coast to coast, been on the wrong side of the bridge in St. Louis, spent full days at Disneyland, been to 5 NHL games, watched the Broncos on a sunny day, shot guns in Wyoming, white water rafted in Aspen, skied at 15 resorts.  I've seen the sunrise multiple times, stargazed in the mountains, and snowshoed at midnight.  I've skied the Alps and bungee jumped at the highest bungee in Latin America. I got to coach lacrosse, ice skating and Girls on the Run. I've volunteered over 500 hours for organizations in Utah and Colorado including the presidential debate and Colorado Adaptive Sports Foundation each offering unique and life altering experiences. I've tried curling and played on broomball and flag football teams.

Quandry Peak 14er, fall 2012

     But what I really graduated with are friends that will last a lifetime (mom always said your college friends will be friends forever) Friends who I've spent holidays with and their families have become like my own.  Friends who we've cried together with and laughed until we cried. Friends who have seen me at the ice rink on my worst days and my best.  Friends who know more about me after spending 4 years with me, than people I've known a lifetime.  Friends who are down to go on random drives, rollerblade to the grocery store at midnight to buy ice cream, or try out a new church on Sundays.  We've shared talks on the megabed till 3am, ate entire party pails of ice cream in a week, and baked goodies for the homeless.  I'm friends with the nerds, pot heads, athletes, alcoholics, outdoorsy, hipsters and everything in between and they've all been influences on my life.  I've had lots of firsts in college- seeing weed  (still have never tried it), stand up paddle boarding, NHL&NFL games, camping with friends instead of family, a cross country road trip.  I learned that even if people make decisions that I may never want for my own life, they're still great people and have something to share with the world.  People's actions don't make them a "bad" person; we're all here to pursue our own ideas of happiness.  Every one of you has taught me something about myself or the world and I truly could not be more grateful! You've shown me what unconditional love looks like. I mean-I still say hi to the people I met freshman year and people still seem to want to hang out with me even after I dance like a fool and snort at my own jokes!

Friends in town, winter 2013

     So thanks for the mems and the big hugs.  I came to a state where climbing mountains and rafting rivers are normal weekend activities. I came to a city where there are 7 professional sports teams and Rockies tickets are $4. I came to a school were I babysit for my professors and they take me out to coffee and watch my skating shows.  I came to a place where 25 students was a big class. I came to a place where it isn't a question of whether you study abroad it's a question of where you want to go. I came to a place where most of us had similar upbringings-sports, church, musical activities, traveling and working parents but we each have different enough experiences to make us unique. A school where there are students from all 50 states and 46 countries with 63% of the students not being from Colorado.

Winter Carnival 2013

     Thank you to all the roommates I've had who have put up with my schedule and have helped me day in and day out (even finding my phone buried in snow at Beaver Creek), thanks to cousin Maggie for taking me out to dinners to talk about life, thanks to the figure skating team for letting me be your president, thanks to professors for caring about my success. To the countless people who came to ice skating performances, celebrated birthdays, and drove me to and from the airport thank you.  Thanks for traveling with me abroad and sleeping in airports. Thank you for helping me with schoolwork and letting me cry on your shoulders. Thanks for keeping track of how many times you can make me snort in a night. Thanks to all the visitors who have come to experience my college life whether you stayed in JMAC, Nelson, Florence or Unit 3.
 
   

Mom and Dad, Rocky Mountain NP fall 2014

Most importantly thanks mom and dad.  Thank you for listening to me cry on the phone when I didn't know what to study. Thanks for for writing those tuition checks every quarter. Thanks for reading and editing my papers. Thanks for the care packages full of cookie cakes and random holiday decorations. Thanks for letting me travel the world and supporting me even if I was traveling alone on sketchy trains. Thanks for encouraging me to have internships instead of babysitting during the summers. Thanks for coming to visit and taking my friends to Park Burger and Koas pizza. Thanks for opening our home and cabin to my friends who you may have never met. Thanks for cooking a Thanksgiving feast for 20 of us in Chile. Thanks for coming to national lacrosse games and my final ice skating show.  I'll never forget you crying in the stands mom during my last performance knowing that you've been in ice rinks for 19 years watching your little girl perform alone on the ice.  Thank you for making me a book of stories and pictures complied from dozens of friends about our journey together (best gift ever). Thanks for believing in me!

The boys, Atacama Desert fall 2013

   I really hope you know how grateful I am for this expensive experience. I've gotten to do more things and travel more places in four years than most people experience in a lifetime.  I do realize that and hope I have made the most of opportunities that have come my way.  I may not know exactly what I'm doing in this world, but I go to bed every night happy with the person I am. I wake up excited for the day and all the adventures a new day brings. This is an exciting time in my life where I have no strings attached and all the freedom I could ever want.  I thank God for 4 years of learning and growing and can only pray that the next 80 years of my life is half as fun as the past 4 years.  So raise a glass of water, Fireball, or champagne and toast to an unforgettable 4 years!!! Cheers
 

Figure Skating and hockey team, spring 2015

Patagonia, winter 2013

Florence, Italy spring 2014

Jasmine and Laurel visit to Voodoo, winter 2015

Santa Barbara Lacrosse, 2015

Pioneer Leadership Program, spring 2015 

Unit 3 roommates, Spring 2015
PC:   camwelchphotography.com

Travel

December 10, 2014- 525,600 minutes ago I was flying home from Santiago, Chile carrying exhaustion, sadness and excitement in my bags, but more importantly memories and friendships that I knew would stick with me forever.  There hasn't been a single day during the past year that I haven't thought about my time in Chile because it really did change my life.  It solidified my love for adventure and my confidence to embrace seemingly scary situations.  Today I am flying home from San Jose, CA.  Maybe December 10 will just have to be an annual travel day!

Brandan Valdivia, Chile

    This past year has been so incredibly fun especially with the addition of new adventurers who have joined me in some way.  I am continuously inspired by my friends taking on new adventures.  Brandan is currently backpacking through Asia, Jake spontaneously books plane tickets and figures out how to make it work, Mario started tour company in Madrid.  The theme connecting these people is a love for travel and a passion to try new things and meet new people.  (Check out Mario's company if you're ever in Madrid because he's an awesome guy and would give a rad tour  http://www.showmemadrid.es/  both in English and Spanish).  Each of these friends has found something they love and I hope to travel with each of them someday.

Budapest

       I've learned to sleep on planes, trains, boats, futons, floors and everywhere else.  I've learned to go a full day without eating or eating 3 different cakes when your host mom makes you food. I've learned that it is possible to get from point A to point B even if you wind up making stops at C,D and E before getting back to B.   I still laugh at the times in Europe wondering which country we'd choose to sleep in that night and how we would get there.  I've learned that it doesn't hurt to ask for something, because the worst that can happen is the response is "no" (dad you've always told me this!).  But most importantly I've learned that there is so much hope and love in this world if you take the time to see it. If you take the time to sit next to someone on an airplane and form a connection and really, truly honestly listen to them.  If you take the time to sit down with someone and ask them about them self.  People love talking about who they are, what they do, what they like.  I am an extremely curious person who loves to ask questions (if you know me well you're laughing at this point).   That curiosity has led to conversations with Danny the taxi driver in San Francisco supporting his family in the Philippines,  the French teenagers on the metro at midnight in Paris with Angie, Maria the Australian wandering through Italy alone, Sally the ex CIA agent turned flight attendant and so many more.  All these people have contributed to my baggage that I carry with me. Everyone has a story so take the time to listen to it because you never know what you may learn about yourself or the world.

Angie, Almalfi Coast, Italy

          I hope I never lose the kid in me that still loves watching airplanes fly. I hope when I'm 90 years old I'm still traveling and meeting new friends, finding things that scare me. Angie has tried to live the motto "do something that scares you everyday" and I really like that. Go somewhere different each day, try a new food, meet a new friend and you'll be amazed at how diverse and exciting this gift of life is!

Jake, Santa Clara, California

"If man is to survive, he will have learned to take a delight in the essential differences between men and between cultures. He will learn that differences between ideas and attitudes are a delight, part of life's exciting variety, not something to fear." -Gene Roddenberry

Erin the intern

The summer before senior year is often a time for people to have an internship. This is the norm and the thought is to have a leg up on your counterparts when applying for jobs (not sure how I feel about it). We'll see how this goes in the next year but I followed right along like most of my friends this summer. I wasn't doing it for credit, since I would've had to pay for that, I wasn't paid, and I wasn't required to have one because of my major.  As I deemed myself a "glorified volunteer" here is my experience from the 3 months I spent as the Competition Programs&Events intern at the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah.

The National Ability Center is a non-profit located in Park City that is committed to providing recreational opportunities to people of all abilities. They have a campus which allows for horse back riding, archery, ropes course rock climbing, and cycling. Off campus there's the ability to take people paddle boarding, kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding and in the winter alpine skiing and other winter sports. The largest population we serve are veterans and those on the autism spectrum.  The organization is 25 years old, but still up and coming. They've expanded to programs overseas as well and people from around the world come to Park City for these opportunities.  Check out www.discovernac.org for ways to get involved!

I got involved when I was 16 and helped out some participants water ski. Helping a paralyzed participant water ski and watching his huge smile with the wind blowing in his face made me want to be involved more. This summer, after I decided to come home I applied and then started my summer!

I've always said that sports have the power to change people's lives. I've seen this throughout my life. After freshman year I was an intern at Cooperstown Dreams Park in NY in the baseball operations department, sophomore year I worked with a team and helped the Colorado Adaptive Sports Foundation share their story and spread adaptive awareness, while in Italy I did a cross cultural comparison on sports between Italians and Americans, so this summer it seemed fitting to do something related to sports.

The beginning of June brought about special olympics where I helped coach a participant in the cycling program. The next three months were spent planning and preparing for the annual Summit Challenge benefit ride for the National Ability Center. My role was to recruit adaptive athletes from around the country and make sure they were supported along the ride.  I also helped out with all the little details from finding sponsors, making raffle baskets, planning a short ride to showcase adaptive cycles, securing vendors and rest stops sponsors, preparing the swag bags, and a million other little tasks that come up when planning an event for 600+ people.   I've always loved organizing and planning events, but this was the biggest event I've been instrumental with.

August 23 came in with a thunderstorm drenching much of Salt Lake and Park City. As 3:45am came and I drove up to Park City I was nervous the weather would put a damper on the whole event. After a couple of hours setting up in the rain it cleared! The mountains were snowcapped and it was beautiful! The sun came out and didn't impact the event as much as we anticipated.  The day was busy trying to make everyone happy. Of course when you're behind the scenes you think of everything that should be happening or was supposed to be happening and it's easy to get caught up in and forget that the majority of the participants are having a great time and don't know all the things going wrong.  One smile from a blind participant or hug from a child with autism changes everything. Watching a veteran who has fought for our freedom ride 52 miles on a hand cycle at over 6000ft is impressive, but seeing them come in and thank you for empowering them and giving this opportunity is something that will stick with me forever.  We had 100 adaptive riders who all rode for free based on the 500+ able bodied riders who participated.  Watching people who never thought they could ride 18 miles because they don't have the use of their right side come across the finish line with a smile and a Tiger Woods fist pump is phenomenal. What sticks out the most to me is hearing from participants "I never thought I'd ride a bike again till I came across this organization and event." That day I knew I had helped make the lives of many people better, but what I didn't realize is how much better my day was because of them.  Thank you to my family and friends who helped out with the event in some way or another. Cole, Jake, Carol, Tom, mom&dad, Allison, and Mary you help make the world even better :)


   


















 Yes, during my internship I did make coffee and copies once in awhile, but every employee was there to help out one another and sometimes that means making a fresh pot of coffee. I did sit at a desk with a computer, but I also got to have meetings while walking around outside. Yes sometimes I was bored or unsure of myself, but I gained confidence. I knew I was capable of planning and running organizations and events, but I didn't know how much of difference I could make within an organization. I learned how to be "forcefully remindful" and how to remind people they are here to help you. I saw a variety of leadership styles and was trusted to perform tasks.  I wore my "Erin intern" nametag proudly, but laughed when people came to me with questions and I'd say "I'm just an intern." They'd respond with "never say you're JUST an intern." I loved working with committed people and that really makes a difference in an organization or business. I never heard anyone complain about taking a Wounded Warriors group to the airport at 5am or working 16 hour days. Every staff, intern and volunteer was really committed to helping others. So my advise to every student is if you're going to have an internship find one that supports your passion. The late nights at the office and lack of pay float to the back of your mind when you have your passion and goal in mind. Find your passion, find your goal and find an organization that supports you!

21st birthday

Birthdays come once a year and it's a day to feel loved by all those exciting people in your life.  Facebook has turned birthdays into casual "HBD" posts on your wall.  It allows people to remember your birthday though.  Thanks to all my friends and family for the phone calls, texts, emails and cards. You made my day!

My present from my parents was a trip to Denver to celebrate my 21st.  The trip to my other home was incredible.  I spent 3.5 days wandering around DU and seeing friends. I have never had a homecoming quite like this. One of my favorite things in the entire world is hugs.  I LOVE hugs and some of the best hugs of my life occurred this week.

I haven't seen most of these friends in a year. We reminisced how a year ago at this time we were saying goodbyes, a little weary and nervous about all going abroad, but excited for our adventures. It does not seem like that long ago.

I got to celebrate my birthday with so many people and even though it was 40 degrees with some snow on the ground we had fun.  I got to roller blade, ride bikes, get waffle fries at Chick-Fil-A and truffle fries at Park Burger, watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs, eat red velvet cake, make chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, go to Trader Joes and Sprouts, eat lunch at Illegal Pete's and several meals with different friends, walk around the park and spend nights out way past my usual bed time!

Friends would call or text me and I would walk around catching up with people here and there.
Catching up with friends whom I've literally traveled the country and world with was so fun.  Each one makes me proud. Proud when people from home ask what my friends are doing this summer and I say they're "interning with Merrill Lynch, hiking Switzerland, researching environmental impacts of diving in Caribbean" They're inspirational, but still 20/21 year old kids always ready to have fun.

I'm so excited to go back to DU in the fall for senior year.  Three years ago I was debating between attending Loyola Marymount University, Gonzaga University, and the University of Denver. I was so undecided and after this year I can surely so I'm incredibly happy with my decision to attend DU. The people are adventurous, kind, compassionate, intelligent and happy to be alive!

So thank you to all who made my trip fantastic. To old friends and some new ones thanks for celebrating my return to the US and my 21st birthday. Thanks for caring about me and being genuinely interested in my life. Thank you for the hugs, dancing, singing, sleepovers, rides to/from the airport and the cakes. It was definitely a birthday to remember (yes I remember my entire 21st!)

coming home

The journey home back to the US of A. The country that  I truly love the most. These past four months have been an experience and adventure that's for sure. The journey really began June 5, 2013 when good friend Mur and I set out from Denver with Boston on our minds and 6 days to get there.  That's when I really learned the importance of friendships and calling people up to stay with them. That's the trip I learned to say "yes" to new experiences. I think my favorite word this past year has been "adventure". Approaching each day as an adventure means that you're always sure to have a different experience. You approach a task with a new mindset; you embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly. When you say the word "adventure" it sounds like you're a little kid in search of gold at the end of the rainbow.  It just has a positive ring to it.  I'm home now and hope to keep saying "adventure" on a daily basis.

No one will ever truly know what you have experienced unless they are there with you. I've already had people ask "you slept in hostels? were they dirty and gross?" and "you spent nights at an airport?" and "you traveled alone?". Well yes I did and I loved my adventures.  One day when I'm older maybe I won't be sleeping on trains or in airports or staying in hostels, but for now I'm content with my sleeping accommodations.

Mur and I at the CNN tower in Toronto, CAN

Another common comment-"you must've met a lot of really cool people". Oh if only I could successfully convey all the amazing people I've met and give glimpses of their lives. We all learn not to talk to strangers, but I tend to make some exceptions to that rule while still following my instinct. If I wouldn't have talked to strangers then I wouldn't have left my room.

Another common question-"so did you actually go to school or what'd you did the past 9 months?"  Yes. I really promise, but pictures from school just aren't as cool as pictures from the Eiffel tower or on top of a volcano. I earned 49.5 credits to be transferred back to DU. I did have homework (maybe 80 hours in total including studying for finals). I earned A's and B+'s.  I learned some in the classroom and actually enjoyed studying philosophy and the Italian language, but I learned a whole lot more in my larger classroom....the world.

One major thing I've learned is our dependence on one another. We depend on the bagger at the grocery store and the mail man to bring us our mail. We depend on our friends to listen and laugh with us. We depend on our family to love us. We depend on the taxi driver, pilot, conductor to take us to our destination safely.  And because we depend on one another we should help each other out. Someone once asked me how I try and live my life and I said that I try to treat others how I wish to be treated. If I needed help with directions I'd hope I could ask someone and they'd try to help because I would do the same for someone else. Let me get this point across-YOU ARE NEVER TOO BUSY TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED.  If the 15 people in Munich hadn't helped us we wouldn't have Angie's phone, if people on the bus and in the streets in Salerno wouldn't have directed us to the train station we would've been out $70 and missed our train. If the workers at the Patagonia store in Prague hadn't taken out a map to help me to get my hostel I would've continued walking in the opposite direction.  I've really realized how much we need one another and I'm not afraid to ask for help-for someone to give directions, let me borrow their phone, or take a picture for me.

Chile core 

I hope this is not the end of my time abroad. I hope that I have to opportunity to work or study abroad again because talking to strangers and becoming friends is one of my favorite things.  After reading my blog you might never want to travel with me, but if you're up for an adventure and flying by the seat or your pants then I invite you to come along!

Things I learned: 

-I like eggplant, avocado, chorizo, schoopwaffle and zucchini 

-it is possible to fall asleep with headphones in your ears and country music playing

-most strangers don't want to hurt you 

-it's possible to run through large crowds, dog pooped streets and taxi jams

-if you miss a train/bus, there's always a next one

-16 hour bus rides aren't as bad as they sound

-sometimes people don't love Americans, but most of the time they do and it's okay to be proud to be an American (plus owning being American is better than trying to conceal it)

-most dogs don't want to attack you

Julie and I in Prague

Things I'll remember from my travels:

-love, happiness, and kindness are universal

-everyone laughs in the same language

-NOTHING will go exactly as planned

-facebook can be the best address book ever (or provide one time waiters a way to ask you on a date)

-maps are not as popular as they once were, but there are lots of free map apps on smartphones

-your friends and family will be there when you get home, you don't need to spend all day snapchatting, facebooking, texting, instagraming or twittering to stay up date date

-but technology can make you feel so connected and happy and that is perfectly OKAY

-breathe right strips are key to a good night sleep if you're stuffy

-I'm pretty good at interpreting handsignals  

-sometimes non-Americans have really insightful opinions about America

-when a group of you are trying to figure out what a native is saying, you can't all pretend to understand

-we might have to pay a lot for health care in America, but it is pretty nice

-people love having their picture taken and sharing their stories

My little brother has always loved the motto "whether you think you can or you think you can't you're right" and there have been many instances where it was crucial to think that I could.  Like the time I tried escargot, or sprinted to catch a train in Switzerland.  Your mind really wants to help your body succeed to what you've set out to do.

My Favorites/the best In Europe:

-big city: Amsterdam

-small city: Bruges, Belgium or Bled, Slovenia

-airport: Schipol, Amsterdam and Vaclav Havel, Prague

-train station: Antwerp Central

-pizza: Gusta Pizza in Florence

-pasta: prosciutto and cheese tortillini with truffles at ZaZas in Florence

-train ride: from Zermatt to Lucerne Switzerland

-car ride-from Lake Garda to Cinque Terre Italy

-stranger turned friend: Mario, met in Budapest

-hostel: 5 Terre Backpacks in Corvara, Italy and Castle Hostel Bled, Slovenia

-church: Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, Italy

-gelato: caramelized pear flavor at Garden Tea Room in Florence

-nicest people: the French

-best food: Hungary, Amsterdam and Krakow

-best metro system: Paris

-most walkable city: Prague

-oldest city: Agrigento, Sicily 

-best brownie: Coffe Heaven Krakow 

-non-European food: Nam Nam Thai in Munich

-ski resort: Mont Blonc Chamonix, France

-museum: Anne Frank Amsterdam, Netherlands

-coastal town: Portofino, Italy

Kelly, Jen, Meghan and me at the dunes

embrace life

Brittney wrote me a letter last year before I left and said "You have more faith than anyone I know-not just in God but in life. This experience is going to reinforce your faith in life." It's safe to say the past year has definitely reinforced my faith in life and I'm forever happy and grateful.

So thank you from my whole heart. To Emily, Constantine, Max, Sascha, Leah, Alex, Sam, Clayton, and Matt for housing me at some point this past year.  To the countless new friends I have for experiencing life and adventures with me. To my friends from the states who provided stability, support and love from abroad. And to my family for supporting this journey and never getting too mad even if I traveled alone.

Hannah and I in Patagonia, Chile

casual selfies with Rob at Machu Picchu