Habitat for Humanity

I was greatly touched by the photos of a dear friend of mine recently.  She had just returned from her second trip to a 3rd world country building homes for a family less fortunate than most.  She has managed to travel the world by helping others.  

For years now I have been kicking myself for not traveling yet, even studying abroad would have sufficed.  Can you believe I have never been out of the country?

And then came the issue of helping others.  I have always wanted to help others, been touched by peoples stories in memoirs and television specials.  But, for no better reason than a lack of time, I have not given much of my time to those in need.

My friend came from the same background as me, if she can do it, why can't I?  NO REASON!  Within the hour I had done my research and applied for Habitat for Humanity's Global Village Program.  I am going to travel.  But not in the same way most people travel.  I am going to be in the poorest community of that country.  I am going to see their true culture, be blown away by their humility, their smiles at everyday things that we take for granted.  With my team members help, we are going to build a home for a family.  This is going to be so exciting!

I had no idea what the process would entail, and how long I would have to wait for a response after submitting my application.  I kid you not, within 4 days I had received a response from HFH that my application was approved, and I was matched with 3 GV trips.  The next step was to email the team leaders of each, wait for their response, and hope we made a good enough fit that they would offer me a spot on the team.  Immediately after receiving the response from HFH, I emailed 2 of the team leaders, giving them my phone number so we could set up a phone interview.  The team leader from Fiji called me within 30 minutes, we talked for roughly 15 minutes about my background, why I wanted to embark on this journey, and what his and my goals were.  He extended me an offer right then and there, and emailed me confirmation information almost immediately.  WOW!  This was all happening so fast!  I was going to go to...

 FIJI! 




Wait, not so fast.  I might see the paradise that is Fiji while in an airplane, or at intermittent parts of the journey.  But the place we are going is far from a paradise:

According to the Fiji Island Bureau of Statistics' 2008/2009 census about 43% of the rural population lives in poverty.  This is compared to 16.6% of Americans living outside of metropolitan centers in 2009.  There are children living in these types of conditions who need a better home.  They need shelter so they can be more easily protected from disease and the weather.  My team and I are going to build brick and stone homes for a particular family in Fiji.  I have not been introduced to the family yet, but hope to provide that information to you as soon as I receive it.

Come July 2nd, I will be on my way to Fiji.  You can check out my page on HFH's official website.  I hope to post more information as it arrives.  The anticipation for this trip is weighing on me every day.  Please peruse my site.  Note that the home being built for this family is only possible because of volunteers.  We are volunteering our time, but we are also contributing the cost of building the home.  If you can help us achieve that goal, it would be so greatly appreciated.  

Lost Connection

I've been working many hours in the last few months...too many!  Leaving my apartment when it was still dark in the morning, then leaving the office when it was just as dark.  No, it was not dawn or dusk, it was dark.  As a result, I proceeded to be a grumpy girl.  That's not like me!  I was snapping at the people who meant the most to me.  Then it hit me, I haven't been spoiling myself with the little pleasures that I love so much.  (Well, that is not entirely true, I did indulge in a whole-lotta Halloween candy.  But I would say that probably contributed to my grumpy-state, as I watched the scale increase).  Doing the little things for myself are what make me happy, and hopefully a joy to be around ;). Here are just a few of the things I forgot to treat myself to:

• California Chicken Cafe's Original Wrap
• A plant for my new office (although I did install a bulletin board with pictures of my family and friends) - see the images below
• Reading a good bestselling novel, or lets face it, with my time constraints, I just need to read an interesting article of sorts
• A glass (or three) of my favorite wine, Chianti
• CRAFTS
• Painting my toe nails
• Wearing pretty things
• Working out (in all fairness, my iPod is broken, which is a HUGE contributing factor to me not working out)

With all that said, I have been making a consistent effort to reintroduce these niceties into my life. 


My lovely bulletin board arrangement:

Below are some of the images used on my bulletin board.  It looks very boring for now, but I can't spend much time at work sprucing it up.  With time I will beautify my office.



At my college graduation - with my cousin - oh the joy!




Same day as graduation above, and same cousin.  We were enjoying Free Birds in IV, CA




My birthday celebration with my bestie




My other bestie and me




Left to the right - bestie, mama, me, and "the man"




Vegas with another great friend




Gino's East in Chicago




Mama, me, and my dad at my graduation - p.s. my cousin is "that guy" in the background




P A R A D I S E



These next images are also in my office, but not on my bulletin board.  They are more visible to me, so that I can see them on a frequent basis, for a quick smile: