we made it!

The adventure officially began yesterday at 325am. A cluster of things happened between the time I woke up and the time my plane took off. As I went to bed the night before, I set my alarm for 245am (mind you, I went to bed at 1130). I chose to ignore the sleep button when instead I turned off my alarm and kept sleeping. Smart. My Dad woke me up at 3:25 am, saying we have to leave in 5 minutes, turned into 35 minutes for the last minute running around. Flight is at 5:25am, on the road at 4, we get about 10 minutes away when I realized I forgot my passport. Are you overwhelmed ready this? We go back home, turn around, and it’s about 4:17am. We get to the airport at about 4:45am and I have about 40 minutes to check 2 bags and get to security. Thank God my Dad was there to open up the next security line so I didnt have to wait in another one, rather, I was the first one thru. 

I arrived at the home close to 3 and have becoming acclimated since. I am the volunteer in the same house of 20 boys, Casa Santo Domingo, ages 9-14 as well as my Special Projects job. Since, we have done lots of reading, hanging out, and relaxing. It’s great to be back, but different at the same time because I am playing more of a permanent role, rather then leaving after 6 weeks. Off to play some basketball and eat some delicious bollo (which is a flour dumpling with salami and onions on top...want some?)  for dinner. :)  Pictures to come! 

My Dream Is...

When we are young, we have dreams upon dreams about what we want to do with our lives when we grow up. For many, it's becoming a doctor, a dentist, an architect, or as I wrote in kindergarten, a waitress. As we go through school, we start to see the world in different ways and the dreams start to become more narrow as the reality of life starts to sink in. Some stay on the path of becoming a doctor, a successful business man or woman, and live a rich lifestyle, but I believe that this year will give me a perspective on life that I have not yet come across. We never know what the future has in store. 


George Bernard Shaw once said, "Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself." To me, this quote is about taking every experience for what it is, learning from it, and growing from it. It's a continuous process, a never ending process that you literally have to take for what it is and most don't realize it until it's over. Creating yourself. Following the path and going the direction in which you are called. There are realities to this (for me, student loans), but having faith that this year will only benefit me for the future, gives me the strength I need for the year and the doubts I have. Regis University shaped who I am today. Looking back, the reality of staying at Regis was doubtful, but what kept me strong throughout those 4 years was faith. Regis has given me opportunity, they have given me the ability to narrow the doubts and go confidently in the direction of my dreams in order to make those dreams a reality. 


As we grow and learn about who we are as people, we start to lose sight of those dreams, the dreams of becoming a doctor, a dentist, or an architect. But faith is what keeps us grounded. Having faith in that dreams do come true and as scary as that is, people will be supporting you along the way. Believe that. 


Below is a video of the children I will be working with. They are the inspiration behind my work and passion. They keep me determined and motivated on a day to day basis. They keep me following my dreams. 

My position in the DR will be special projects, which means an array of things. Some of what I'll be doing is instilling new programs within the home, improving existing programs, fundraising, etc. I will also be in charge of 20 boys, ages 8-13, who all live in the same house together. I am quite excited as these are the same boys I have worked with for the past two summers and I am looking forward to be able to watch them grow over this next year. Along with my position at the orphanage, I will also be taking part in supporting a friend, Kristina Cavit, a fellow DR volunteer, who has just started a new international fundraising office for NPH in her native land of New Zealand. My position with the new office is Social Media and Communications in which I am in charge of twitter, facebook, and blogging. Regis University has played a huge role in making this dream a reality for me. Because their impacts on my life and their generous donation, I will be able to do the work I love and work with the children in which I have worked with for the past 2 years. They have made it possible for me to turn my volunteer position into a job where I will be able to tend to my financial obligations. Thank You!!! 


Check out the tabs at the top of my blog! They are recently updated and fully equipped with videos to inform you about where I will be