Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself!

Some Pics from the Road!

2010-11-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

Something New

2010-07-07T11:53:00.001-07:00

Alright Blog Followers a.k.a My Mom! This is Me writing my first Blog for this Semester of Cast B 2010 and I hope to continue regularly this semester and what ever path my life goes after this. So right now I am/Staff are getting ready for the new Cast to arrive this Friday. Always an exciting moment and day for everyone! My Job Title is the same as last semester Marketing and PR Coordinator on the road, but I have taken on a lot more responsibilities this coming semester. Which I am excited and nervous about! I said this before that my life moto is "Don't get Comfortable" and I love having new challenges.

Giving my Blog Some Love, Hope its not too late..

2010-06-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

So we visited Teotihuacan some Pyramids in Mexico and it is my second time there, but lets be honest when visiting one of the "7 Wonders of the World" it's always going to be like the first time! So I ended up getting some great shots and really had a blast there. Such an amazing place and to think that there is still no idea to who built them and the history behind them is incredible. There is no identifying the makers because there has been no bones found or hieroglyphics around the area...Aliens!! haha Enjoy and stay close for more!

This Picture is one of my favorites, because it has the Aztec calender with some guy that looks like a prophet holding it.

"To hold the Unknown"

Not too much to say about this one but a Beautiful day at the Pyramids in Mexico!

2010-03-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

So back in The Philippines and everyday I feel like I am growing and learning more. Whether it is learning more tagalog, about the culture and people here and growing everyday to appreciate life and my mind keeps flowing with ways, ideas, and possibilities on how to put myself into action and plan to what the problems are in the world. Locally and globally. There are so many sparks that have been ignited here where people are doing far beyond more than their share everyday and not asking for anything more! One of the slums projects we are working with Kaibigan. This Program goes around the slum areas and finds families that are striving for more with their kids doing good in school, them making crafts to sell, and also recycling anything they can. Most of the leaders running this program live in that exact area and are Volunteers, So instead of them striving to do whatever they can to make an income they are helping make their community and better place. The other day we went around the families and gathered bottles to recycle for another source of income for them and then we started just grabbing some from the trash, and the kids that follow us around saw us doing this and immediately scattered and gathered bottle from all over! At one point that day I have around 40-50 kids following my and playing games, I feel the energy and excitement these young kids have and I know we can turn that energy into being proactive and cleaning their area, So next week we are going to get trash cans and have a competition on who can gather the most trash and then have a lesson on how to clean themselves, the importance of soap and brushing their teeth! I can't wait! God is doing some great things here with his people showing that "I come second in life" we must live in the mindset that Iamsecond... Iamsecond.com

Why my BLOG Began.. Philippines..

2010-03-22T05:29:00.000-07:00

I started this blog back in September of 2008 when I arrived to The Philippines knowing in my heart something big was about to begin. I focused more on my journal at that time trying to document and express my feelings and growth that way, but I figured my family and some close friends would like to know what the heck I'm doing and what is going on in my life and so became the Blog! Back with Up with People I am now back in the place where my heart got eaten, pressed, loved, and spit back out. I went through quite a bit living in the slums with very little but not feeling the toughness of it because I had a host family that made me feel like I was living on the beach in Cebu sipping margaritas treated like a prince! After my 3 amazing months there I had to say goodbye not knowing when the next time I'd be back to see my family and friends and get to experience this amazing country again.....NOW I am back here in The Philippines and it didn't really hit me until I heard someone say "hey Kuya" and I felt like I just got punched by Hulk in the stomach, I was back!! It's now day 5 here and I'm soaking it all in again and loving every second, from the crazy "I think I might die today driving taxi's" to the food that makes candy the main meal, I'm loving it!

I have not yet contacted my family from Olongapo, and they have no idea I am here. I think about them pretty much everyday of my life since I had left back in 2008 and now I am so close but so far away....I will be going back to surprise them on my first free day I have, and I feel like it will be an episode from Extreme House makeover and it'll be an mixed emotion of excitement and stomach turning! From the time back in December 08 when I saw my Host mom crying as the bus left and I had nothing but a Salamat po (Thank you) and a hug that had to squeeze 3 months of life changing experiences we both knowing that I could possible not ever see eachother again, Life is amazing that way! Such a blessing to be back and here to learn grow and shine light in areas, give hope to the hopeless and rest to the restless! God is doing amazing things here and I can't wait to share that!!

Ingat Po,

Brandon

German/Europe Finish

2009-12-17T15:12:00.000-08:00

Once again late on the update on where I am on my adventures and sorry just been a crazy last couple amazing, unforgettable, passionate, life changing months and have a lot to talk about but will sum it up as much as possible!

So I was in Hamburg, Germany for 4 amazing weeks and so many great stories I don't know where to start, I was working with Sisa from Solvakia again and love that girl so much and has really put a smile on my face working with her! My start in Germany was Cottbus and such a great host family we went canoeing down a stream in the forrest in the middle of nowhere I remember the smell of the mist and fog of the forrest and the feel water spiders crawling all over us and got lost and had to paddle UP STREAM, and I was extremely sick paddling by myself and wanted to give up after every stroke! But carried on and finished the adventure/challenge! So then one month in Hamburg (The most Beautiful city in Dutchland) my host family in Hamburg was for sure one I will never forget and hope to see soon again in the near future, such a wonderful family! I even met a girl on a bus a she took me to see the Lion King Musical in German! Which is like 125 euro's!! Loved it! Also got to goto DOM which is a huge German Carnival with rides and German food (Gluviine) I miss Germany more and more and can't wait to venture back! Soooo Now I am currently traveling with Up with People's Cast A 2010 as Marketing Coordinator!!

Sundsvall, Sweden

2009-10-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

2nd City in Sweden has been yet another great adventure and have loved every moment here! The other day Matt and I dressed up like the Town mascot (Dragon) and went around town!! I'm truly amazed by the culture of Sweden and could really see myself attending University here! So my next journey will be Hamburg, Germany and am so excited for that as well! Until then I don't have too much time to report now but hopfully when I settle in Germany! Peace, Love and all the above!

Yet another Month to Remember!!

2009-10-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

So Wow One Month in NorthernLuleå, Sweden gone just like that, I have met wonderful people that are now lifelong friends, tried interesting but tasty food, learned a language that took me awhile, Seen indescribable sunsets, shared so many laughs with kids, and placed another city in my heart! It kinda hit me today this is my last week in Luleå and it was defiantly a shock, I thought to my self "never in my life did I think I would be in way Northern Sweden watching the ocean" on my bike ride to my host families house! I've had 2 amazing host families and hope one day they will visit me in the US and know I will keep in contact with them for time to come! My Host mom (Irene) and I sit at the dinner table every night and talk about Everything you can imagine (Cultures, Life, Traveled Journeys ect), while others slowly escape to their beds and get some well rested sleep (that we know we both need as well) but just carry on a great conversation! Last Night was the first Snow fall of the Winter, although it didn't really stick at all it was a fun experience to feel snow touch your face across the world near the Arctic! I know that another Journey and City lies ahead of me but really am going to miss Luleå and think this a very unique town that God is doing great things in! Can't wait to Visit again in the Summer and have 24/7 Sunlight!!! Peace, Love, Hope good friends, Please Pray for The Philippines!

Picture in The Newspaper:

Another Day in Paradise, Sweden

2009-09-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

So Almost week 3 in Lulea, Sweden, and learning new things everyday! Fun story though is my little host brother is from Northern Africa and he is 5 years old, more energy than any child I've ever seen in my life, and I've seen alot! We had a crazy dance off competition just the 2 of us outside for like 25 minutes no music but it was a crazy trash talking and beatboxing, never have I laughed so hard in my life, this 5 year old could have his own TV show! Anyway Loved that! The Cast will ARRIVE in 10 days and getting excited this place is just amazing and really can't wait to visit again soon, maybe attend university up here! Hope you all are doing great and enjoying life and letting nothing stop you from where you want to get, How I got here in my life was just being present in life and enjoying but mostly just being a "Yes Man" haha yeah like the movie! But I said yes to something that I didn't want to do and thought would waste my time and thought it was pointless but A year and a half later I'm in Northern Sweden enjoying the People and great Culture!! Anyway what I am trying to say is don't settle for fine and good, you were created with more power than you can even imagine! "The Power of Humans in Unmeasurable!" Love you all and Keep on!

"Blessings in the North"

2009-09-22T04:54:00.000-07:00

Hej Hej, So I have now been in Luleå, Sweden for 2 weeks Exactly and what a place it is, I have plans to visit in the Future and can't wait to one day see the "Ice Hotel" a Hotel in Northern Sweden completely made of Ice, you might have seen it in a James Bond movie! As well as go Ice Skating on the River/Sea/Lake, that they have here, you can Ice Skate to an Island and have "Fika" (Which by the way I am taking Fika to the US, it's A time in the day where everyone stops and goes to for coffee and cookies, couple times in the day!) I always enjoy it and am going to use it where ever I go now! The incredible Beauty of Northern Sweden is a place like no other, I also plan on seeing the Northern Lights pretty soon! In July in Luleå it is Sunny almost all the time, that would be amazing to see! This past weekend I participated in a youth event at a Church called Ny(New) Generation, and its an organization that gathers high school students together and teaches them how to be Leaders in their high school and do it through Christianity! A lot like Young Life in the US that I was a leader for as well! It was great to see high school students with passion and heart to help their classmates and make a difference. I heard testimonies about students that just blew my mind and gave so much hope for a brighter future for Sweden! I hope to hear more about it and made a lot of great friends that are leaders in the program, can't wait to see what they accomplish! It would be great to see Young Life and Ny Generation somehow partnership with one another and send high school students abroad to learn and experience things in a new culture and see that we are not so different after all! Thanks everyone Hope where ever you are you are healthy, blessed, and know life is too short to worry!

Weekend In Luleå

2009-09-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Wonderful! First weekend in Europe and in Sweden! Sweden has been amazing so far and enjoying every second! I am so glad I'm in Lulea up north such great people and just love the north a lot, outdoors and wilderness! We went on the Ocean! Boat riding and had Fika on an Island so amazing, one of the most Beautiful places by far, I could live here! Then had a BBQ with a camp fire in the woods with some of the college students, such great people and cool! Best part though was meeting some people from MEXICO CITY on the bus ride back! Shared so many stories and Mexican things food, jokes, places ect. and have celebrated Mexico's independence day with them in Northern Sweden!! LOVE IT, Well keep praying for us, tough culture to work around for Up with People but we'll get it done Michael from Belgium kicks Ass!

No matter where you travel everyone understands a Smile ( :

2009-09-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

Gotta Love Kids,

Luleå, Sweden

2009-09-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

Wow, So I have traveled the last 1 1/2 years with people from all over Europe! Learned languages, Cultures, and traditions from a lot of them and almost felt as if I've been to those places (I even use Celsius and their Metric system now!) So now I am experience Europe first hand and am Loving every second, I am in the North in Lulea, Sweden, Right outside the Arctic Circle! Buurrr right?, Well not just yet it has been Gorgeous here! Sunny days and we even went for a swim in the Baltic Sea (10c). The people here though are absolutely wonderful and welcoming! I have been working on my Svenska and will hopefully have a conversational level with confidence when I leave! Fika is the greatest thing so far, a twice a day coffee and cookie break that everyone takes to meet and chat a little (Love it). We also visited a school today and what a great educational system here, great relationship with students and teachers! We might go Moose hunting and camping/Boating this weekend! I'll let ya'll know! Thanks for reading and hope and pray you are healthy and enjoying your gift of life! Miss you all!

Where have I been you ask?? Here you go, Sorry for the Delay!

2009-08-02T11:36:00.001-07:00

Sweden,Bermuda,Aspen

Okay So I figure in order to have a good blog I must keep it updated.. So now almost a year later I will update you'll on what I have been up to. The thing I love ready other peoples blogs and stories so I will try my best to keep it exciting and fun! Thank you all who follow!

So since my last post from The Amazing Philippines! I've still been working for Up with People as a Public Relations Coordinator as well as an Admissions rep. and enjoying every moment of it! I did start school again in January 09' and was enjoying it and had great professors, life felt like it was back to normal after 2008 travel year US,Mexico,Thailand,Kauai... Wow right! Anyway I was liking school and planning to backpack around South America for Spring Break, but then I got a phone call from Up with People asking if I would like to set up a city for Cast A 09 in DeRidder, Louisiana.. for all of March, and that cut right into my spring break as well as drop some classes that I couldn't miss for a month. Decisions! It was by far one of the hardest choices I've ever made. So as you can tell I decided yes and went to the middle of know where in Louisiana in change for South America..ha. Well it turns out it was one of the best decisions I've ever made! It was a great success and amazing people, community service and show! So that got me the Job of all jobs! Admissions Rep. in Bermuda! So I took that job in exchange for my summer, spent 2 amazing months in Bermuda, Loved the people and culture o yeah and the beaches I guess. When I found a private beach and named it "Neverland" and thought to my self "Sand I can't Describe, water that makes my dreams alive" and got to cruise on my Mo-ped for 2 months, What a Bliss! So loving life to the fullest and blessings everyday! One thing that was sitting on my heart was what am I going to do next semester? I heard UWP was going to Europe and prayed to get that job...Next day I was asked if I wanted it!! Amazing right! So I just set up a city in Aspen, CO, One of the most beautiful places on earth! Enjoyed that to the fullest and great experiences! SOOOO there is the Scoop on 1 year and a half what you've missed!! So more to come now from Europe, First time in Europe and I'm in way North Sweden! Älskar Sverige

2008-12-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

Up with People's first time to visit Subic Bay and Olongapo city started and ended with great success. The advanced team arrived late september to get to work on Cast B 2008 very last city of their tour. Their were 2 new FM's(Brandon Serna, Sara Perrson) and another setting up his 9th city(Armando Gonzalez). There are 2 extremely different cultures and environments that separate Subic Bay and Olongapo city. Subic Bay was a US navy base for quite some time so the US culture rubbed off while their stay there they pulled out their stay years ago but kept a lot of the culture. Olongapo city is a poverty area that consists of squatter areas homeless families and corruption! With very little production from Olongapo the city struggles with these things, people no longer concerned with education but survival.

   The culture of Olongapo and Subic also made the city a little bit easier to set up. The warm and welcoming people they are were more than happy to see what else is out there in this world and opened everything from the school, offices and homes to welcome cast B 2008 for a 10 day stay, and the team for a 3 month stay. When the community heard about what Cast B will be doing with their stay they decided to help as much as possible and by connecting the team to the right people and with the right approach. Our sponsors from Rotary club of Freeport Zone( Entire Club), Chamber of Commerce( John Cocran), and SBMA( Gigs Estella) were wonderful supporters while our stay here. The president of the rotary club( Kenneth Peralta) was our most helpful hand while our time here. He found us host families, Community projects and supporters. Cast B arrived to Subic bay Olongapo city with a great entrance to let everyone know they are now here, with a marching band parade that covered Olongapo and Subic with great range of both cities. The regional learning day was sponsored by John Cocoran for a free visit to his ocean park adventure then to his beach resort the cast enjoyed both activities to the fullest and had a great time.

     There were four community impact days that were located all over the cities, everything from Olongapo to Subic even reaching some villages in the mountains to give the cast some adventure. There were six community sites total( Preda, Project Life, Life House village, Kaanawan village, Pastlolan village, and Urban basics), each site with great success and impact on both the cast and community. Each communty impact site were also got the chance to see the biggest event of the year the Up with People show, as well as 2,500 more people from the community. with lines stretching around the facility before doors were open the community came together for a spectacular show.

   There were people ranging from all different lifestyles and back round there from the community that were from the poorest of the poor from the squatter area's and the richest of the rich from high class officials to resort owners came together for a one night event that would go down in each cities history as the world was brought to their small town in a third world country. The show started off with a bang from the moment ayiko started the crowd was cheering and ending with a standing ovation. With over 250,000 peso's raised to benefit community projects from the Rotary club and Chamber of Commerce to make an everlasting impact even after the Cast B of 107 students from 21 countries went back to their homes.

   The 10 day stay in Subic Bay and Olongapo city was a great success with from the teams that was placed there in september all the way to the cast departure day December 16th, 2008. The team believes that another visit to these two successful cites with an Up with People cast would be a wonderful chance for Up with People's message to carry on it's legacy and traditions to bring the world closer together and spark people to action in their community.

Dream Do Come True!

2008-12-08T04:39:00.000-08:00

So my last 3 months of Sweat, Tears, Tiredness, Anger, Joy, Heartbreak, Love, Humbleness, Growth, Confusion, ect(Keep in mind no Pay)ha! Come down to these next 10 days and a 2 hour show! Crazy to think about! So today was the very first CI(Community Impact) and this is something I hold so so so so close in my heart! It was my duty to put together different sites around the city and area for the Cast B to spend there hard work and love at! I have been dreaming of this day for literally the past 3 months night/day! I hold not only this city close to my heart the people in it and feel a close connection in some way with them! So today was The Day! I was in Kaanawan Village with 10 others from cast B, and had a wonderful/amazing time with this great cast! They are hard workers and sick or tired are there(at least these 10 were), but anyway got to know them a little better and help this wonderful village! We cleaned the walls of the school and played with the kids! Best part tho was when we started cleaning up the trash and the kids were confused and asked "why you do that?" and we said to help you village and a lot of them started helping us and picking up trash everywhere! Love it! and the great news that came from the other sites was just wonderful god is doing great things and pray these next 3 days there will be sunlight not only from the sky but from Cast B!

So in this Dreams do come true, and here is the proof, with great amounts of Love, come great amounts of thing, even the smallest things! Use your heart with all not your brain.

Love, Peace, Joy... Friends and Family Miss you all!!!

2008-12-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

December 4th, 2008! The Day is here I arrived here in The Beautiful Philippines a little over 2 months ago and never thought I would learn, experience, and grow so much in this time period! To think this entire year has been full of all sorts of new amazing things! Living in Mexico, Thailand, Kauai, US, and The Philippines! God has showed me so much more that what life was thought up in my head! I had a great relationship with him before but you find more of him around the world in Squatter area, orphanages, streets more than anywhere in the bible it says "In the poor we meet Jesus in this most distressing disguises." And now it makes sense! I've learned more about God on the streets than in my church! Seeing people giving everything they own to make a better life for others(Most Strangers) and that's what Jesus was all about! A lady by the name of Leslie Nabong sold her home back in the states left everything(Her kids were already grown up) to come to the Philippines and start a new life helping others! She and her Filipino husband(Sunny) and another Filipina have started a non-profit here helping squatter area's by teaching, cleaning, healing, and most of all caring! These are people just like you and me living in a horrible non stable environment their homes flood daily and its the sewage water, but their spirits are becoming so much stronger from hearing the good word of the Lord they trust and believe thing will get better and they are slowly but surly they are! I could go on forever of the wonderful people out here working miracles through the Lord! Keep Leslie and Project Life in your prayers and LifeHouse village as well! I can't wait to see what the Lord will do next week with this Cast B 110 Beautiful people from all over this Beautiful World!! Ingat Po Everyone ! Love you all !

Lovely day

2008-11-18T22:24:00.000-08:00

Alright week 8 in The Beautiful Philippines and I love it more and more everyday!! So the Cast B has arrived to Manila the time has come! Everything has gone by sooo fast and I can't believe this adventure is almost over! I'm still loving everyday to the fullest and walk home everyday meeting new people and sharing the love of our wonderful God! I literally can't stop smiling on my walks home around 2 or 3 miles everyday and I feel like there is something new to be happy about and discover! These people here are so friendly and want to know more about what's beyond their island, just talking with them for a few minutes can make their day! I love to see their excitement and joy when meeting and learning new things and people. I know Cast B is going to rock Subic Bay and Olongapo city and change life's and bring new beginnings to a lot of people. Hopefully a new beginning to making the city a better place to live. Like I said before there are amazing organizations doing wonderful things here! Not asking for anything in return. Projectlifephilippines.org, lifehousevillage.org, preda.org. are just some of the programs helping the less fortunate people in this big world of confusion and misunderstanding. Pray for the diverse city! This world can work together and live together, learning and communication is key! People would give up their lives to be able to learn and go to school.

I wish you all the best and praying for you! May God be the light in everything we do!!

2008-11-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

So week 6 in The Philippines and I love it more and more everyday! The other day I got the chance to go visit another village in the mountains but this one was just a little different we had to trek to get there, right when I heard that I was so excited! I was in for more though.When you are in the Mountains of The Philippines there is a calmness in your heart because the only thing you see for miles upon miles is nothing but green and more green its the essence of peace and a picture you can show to everyone but without witnessing with your our eyes and heart would never get the true meaning and feeling of it! Amazingly I didn't even have a camera but then I thought to myself a picture means you cant convince, I mean one of the most amazing things ever created has no pictures what so ever and doesn't need pictures to convince.... the bible! Anyway I had to use all my senses instead, So the smell of fires roasting for breakfast meals, feel of thick humidity and constant sweat, the sight of miles of green land and miles of rice laid out on half the road to heat it then bag it, the sound of monkeys and kids playing all around (Not Together), the taste of the coconut(Buhoy) the tribe gave me upon arrive greeting me with warmth and welcome! One moment I will never for get is, have you ever watched an indian jones film and there is that wooden bridge held up high above the riverbed below and you see the other side and wonder with caution which piece of wood to take foot on? Only in dreams and movies right? Think not! I got to cross that dreamt up bridge and then got to hike to the Kaanawan village to visit for a potential site for the students arriving so soon! To me this was a one of a kind village (to the fact I've only visit 3 other hill tribes in my life) but I believe it had different culture. The tribe seem to be more caring for one another and figure what's the best interest for the whole tribe, I loved to see you that kind of closeness. each family has around 5 children so there was a lot of kids running around they don't even have have enough cloths for all of them so the younger ones had all kids of bug bites and scrapes. The day was hot and the hike was long but in the end the view from the top is worth all the wild!( I believe that goes for life as-well each challenge is climbing up that mountain of obstacles and fear but knowing in the end that one of a kind view from the top is worth every bit!) I just can't wait for this beautiful cast to get here and show this whole city what life is all about people working together under one world and sharing the passion and love this world try's to take away from us everyday!!

Take Care Everyone (Hopefully more than 2 readers now!ha)

Love you all and Fight for that passion and love this world trys

to take away!!

Tough Life

2008-10-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was quite an eye opener! You ever hear a song (well at least from bands in the states) that these singers talk about "Life is not fair!" "Why is life so hard?" I believe I actually heard one last night I think he said "I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare, I'm just a kid and life is not fair!" And I was quite shocked! I know its just a song and maybe his life was somewhat tough, I don't know. But what I saw yesterday was something that kinda made my world stop and see and witness real struggle and pain. I've live in orphanages and Hill Tribes but this was a different story i felt. These children go through so much pain and heart break I cant even write about it because I have no idea the lengths and struggle they face. I visited a family of 9 living in one room with no fans or cooling system, with a single mom that only God knows how she can afford to feed these children. There are children drug dealers and thefts that can be the sweetest child you ever met. These kids don't get too much attention but it is very tough because one part have 17 families and 50+ children so when we arrived just like any exotic looking person they were having a blast with us and I cant wait for the cast to make a huge impact hopefully fore these kids! Project Life is what the program that is helping these squatter areas in so many ways. Teaching, feeding, cleaning, educating. There are also ways now to help a student go to school and work for something more and become released from this bubble these kids live in figuring out there is more out there. Just keep Project Life in your prayers and these families. So if you can see the water in the picture these kids swim in this river that is almost 100% sewage waste from the city because it has no sewage system. When the high tide comes in this sewage water floods their houses daily. It is no place for a human-being to live.

I live in Olongapo as well actually very close to this squatter area, but I have a roof over my home. The home is very very small I don't really fit in my bed and have flee bites all over my torso and feet. I have 2 amazing host brother(11) Sister(12) and wonderful single host mom. Since it is illegal to get a divorce in The Philippines husbands usually leave or have another girlfriend. We eat very little a lot of rice but other than that it is limited, I use a bucket to shower and soap for my hair there is no toilet paper or mirror in the house and the sink a drip faucet with Olongapo water:(. Personally I couldn't be more blessed! The size of a families Heart is 10x the size of ones home! I love this family so much and couldn't imagine being somewhere else!

God is so wonderful and I loose count of his blessings daily I pray that these kids and families here and all who are reading just feel the love and power of love that exist in them created from our absolutely wonderful lord!

"Ingat"

Take care in Tagalogo

First Philippines

2008-10-28T00:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!!! (by everyone I mean 2 people)ha

So this is my first blog, I enjoy writing more but this is great to

have the adventure posted!

So I've now been in The Philippines for 1 month working for an Organization called Up with People and we are currently setting up the city of Subic Bay/ Olongapo city north west of Manila. I wasn't sure what to expect when finding out I was going to live in The Philippines but then again this past year has been a whole new horizon, and new beginnings. I wish I could explain this past month but there has been so much that I've already learned and experienced I could go on forever.

So I'll just explain what's in the now. I am currently in-charge of figuring out and finding the Community Impact projects for the Cast B 08 107 students from 21 countries! I am so blessed that I was given this opportunity because to me that is where life's are changed and shaped! I was most impacted by the Community projects I was involved and will never forget some of my experiences with living in orphanages in Thailand and Mexico and now living in Olongapo. I believe that seeing and witnessing poverty becomes a whole different view when living it and feeling it. When becoming close to someone that maybe doesn't even speak the same language. I am looking at projects here and seeing some amazing meaningful people that know "With Great Power Becomes Great Responsibility"(I know that is a Spider-man quote but its one that I believe so much) People have the power do things beyond anything they can imagine and with that power and blessing becomes a chance to do something maybe not everyone was gifted by. I see these people starting non profits and giving their "Time"( the most valuable thing there is in some cases) and life to serving, because they can and know the power and change they can make. They know that even the most tiniest thing can mean the biggest thing in the world to some people, and it does! Everything you do with love is makes a difference! So Life House Village, Preda foundation, Project Life, 12th street are just a few programs that I've been working with to make a CI project and each one has me in awe, for what they are doing is just wonderful things! I am so excited to work with these programs and help them as they help others!

Thanks you! I'll update as much as possible!!