5 years ago
Friday, December 12, 2008
Find out who you are and share it with the world!
During my on-going pondering about what I want to accomplish in life, I came across a youth conference group that I'm planning for next summer. I researched more about this group and found out information about the peace corps. I found out there are graduate schools that have partnerships with the peace corps and there is a school in Vermont that has a program that sounds amazing...a Master of Arts in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management. Part of the program is on campus in Vermont, and the other part is most definitely foreign!! I've been doing a lot of research about it and the more I find out, the more grateful I am that we all have the ability to choose to do anything in the world we want to! My parents have always been so supportive and encouraging towards my dreams and the things I want to accomplish, and I thank them for that!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Everything I need to know I learned in Romania
- Don’t be afraid to work…HARD.
- Be positive.
- You have to make your own fun to stay sane at times.
- Keep a daily journal.
- Have a goal now not to have any regrets.
- When you’re in the country, soak up the culture.
- Always carry your camera.
- Remember you don’t have to have all the answers, you are sent there to teach what
you know, so learn everyday.
- Have fun; it’s the only time in your life you’ll be able to focus on the gospel
24/7 without distractions.
- Be creative, if you want new results, you have to do things in a different way.
- Be confident.
- Don’t stress over the things you have no control over.
- Remember that when you’re struggling, especially with the language, that you are
exactly where you’re supposed to be. Many times we are meant to struggle.
- Be obedient.
- Put your complete trust in the Lord.
- Your relationship with the Savior is what pulls you through the tough times.
- At times when you don’t want to work, you have to; Satan is trying to keep you
from something.
- You can make a difference everyday.
- There’s a time to be serious and there’s a time to laugh.
- Some lessons aren’t for the investigators, they’re for you.
- Show God you’re serious, and He’ll show you those prepared.
- If the thought of it scares you, that’s what you need to make you grow.
- It’s alright to have “one of those days” every once in a while.
- If the work isn’t going well, be more obedient.
- Our plans are not always His, go with His.
- Go with a question, and you’ll leave with an answer.
- Don’t just study to teach, study to learn and know.
- You never know what someone else has been through.
- There’s joy in giving a baptismal commitment, even if it’s rejected.
- Sometimes the only solution is to go to bed and wake up with a new day.
- Sometimes God gives us a little glimpse of what it’s like to walk in someone
else’s shoes.
- New companion, new experience.
- When you come to the point of breaking, that’s when you push through, you’re close
to something great.
- Talk to someone just for the sake of talking about the gospel.
- When on the Lord’s errand, you’re entitled to His help.
- Enjoy the weather while you have it.
- A little treat to look forward to keeps you sane.
- You can’t compare one place to another; it’s just different, not better, not worse.
- Sometimes you have to let them go and move on.
- Don’t read in bed, you’ll fall asleep.
- Swallow your pride and listen to your companion.
- Sometimes endure to the end just means the end of that day.
- You can be in a rotten situation and be grumpy or be happy; either way you’re in a
rotten situation, so be happy.
- Be sensitive to culture.
- You can never pray too much.
- Look at everything as an adventure.
- Make things happen.
- Remember you are representing the Church, the Lord, your country, and your family
in every situation; be aware of your actions and reactions.
- Be bold!
- Challenge your investigators.
- Follow up if you want things to progress.
- You are sent to where you are, with the people you are with for a reason.
- Always carry something to write with and something to write on, inspiration will
come to you throughout the day.
- Dig deeper to find your investigators REAL concerns.
- Be yourself!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The joys of working with people that are stuck in tradition
I strongly believe and have a passion for student involvement! If you really want to get something out of it, you really have to put something into it. Some of my best experiences at BYU-Idaho come from me being involved in student activities. There was so much going on and everyone knew about it. Coming here to DSC was like a day and night difference. The spirit is different, campus isn’t alive, there doesn’t seem to be much going on, and the more I talked to people the less aware they are about student activities. Sometimes I wonder if my vision is too big, if my dreams are too high. Talking to the Vice President of Student Services, sure made me feel like that. I can see where he’s coming from that he just purchased a new program (that’s been sitting on his desk for the past three months) that would organize campus online and I come to him with an idea that I’m actually doing something about; but why throw it all on me, when I’m the one coming to him with an organizational idea that is actually being praised by all involved in the program areas that will actually be involved. I felt like a missionary all over again, at someone’s door being completely disrespected and unheard. My intentions are to improve the college and programs, assisting in the growth here. He said I was completely overstepping my boundaries and selfishly coming up with something that would improve my program, and he was appalled that I would come into “his area” and blindside him with my ideas. I’m still trying to see where exactly he was coming from. He said that he doesn’t just go to the English department and re-vamp their programs and he doesn’t tell the army where they should aim their cannons. If this man would just take a step back and see how much of a good thing this could be for the college. So I asked him what I could have done better and after his outrageous scenarios, came to the conclusion that I didn’t go through the proper channels. He said it seemed like a great idea and if only I would have talked to him first…but he did want me to know that he isn’t power hungry. Pretty sure that’s why I stopped by his office in the first place…to talk to him about an idea.
That was last week's update with my new project of attempting to get campus on the same page. I met with the vice president again last Thursday, and after another long discussion with him, not only did he prove to be the worst listener in the world, but I am now on the marketing and webpage committees on campus. Let's hope more progress can be made now.
That was last week's update with my new project of attempting to get campus on the same page. I met with the vice president again last Thursday, and after another long discussion with him, not only did he prove to be the worst listener in the world, but I am now on the marketing and webpage committees on campus. Let's hope more progress can be made now.
Rachel 101
1. I’ve lived in 4 countries…United States, Germany, Canada, and Romania
2. I may or may not be obsessed with Ultimate Frisbee.
3. I love the shows Alias, Bones, and Prison Break, and feel like I vicariously live through them.
4. I can listen to a song on repeat for weeks…probably because I’m so detailed oriented that every time I listen to it I pick up something new and it never gets old.
5. When I make friends, I try and keep them in my life forever.
6. I’ve never been the girly type.
7. I’m dependent on Natural Ice Chap Stick and always have it in my pocket.
8. I love male voices singing in harmony.
9. I’ve worn a puka shell necklace since I was 16.
10. I love the school supplies isle.
11. I’m a big fan of extreme sports and could watch motocross and half pipe skating all day.
12. I text way more than talk on my phone.
13. I will always be an NSYNC fan.
14. I used to have a really hard time expressing myself in English…interesting how learning to survive in a foreign language can change that.
15. I‘m not a fan of spiders or rodents.
16. I prefer driving a standard over an automatic.
17. Some of my biggest desires are also my biggest fears.
18. I am a deep thinker and love to teach that way as well.
19. I’m an organized perfectionist.
20. I love juice.
21. I am comfortable with silence and sometimes prefer it.
22. I like to get to the core of an issue.
23. If I say I’ll do something, I’ll do it.
24. I used to be really shy.
25. I absolutely hate being in skits and role plays.
26. I love learning life’s little lessons.
27. I find observing people very fascinating and I learn more about myself when I learn about others.
28. I am not afraid to approach strangers.
29. I cannot stand the politics of life.
30. I’m not a fan of dances and feel uncomfortable at them.
31. I cannot stand manipulative people.
32. I got cut from the basketball team my senior year of high school before try-outs were even held…still ticked to this day (see #29).
33. I’ve never voted. I should probably change that.
34. I get frustrated very quickly by Hollywood and how delusional many people are.
35. I can’t stand busy work.
36. I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints in Romania.
37. I love deep conversations.
38. I am easily amused.
39. I do not like country music.
40. I almost always have gum and/or mints with me.
41. I could have a Berry Lime Sublime Jamba Juice every day and never get sick of it.
42. My favorite holiday is Christmas. Often times the whole month of December is better than Christmas Day.
43. I love the smell of fresh laundry and Christmas trees.
44. I love it when people recognize my talents and strengths.
45. I don’t have a favorite animal.
46. I want to be involved in delivering humanitarian aid.
47. My favorite colors are orange and green.
48. I am a really good secret keeper and I have a good memory.
49. I learn by repetition.
50. I am not a morning person and could sleep in everyday until noon if I didn’t have obligations to get me up.
51. I cannot stand non-user friendly things and when simple things are supposed to work and don’t.
52. I believe that much more teaching in the school systems should be hands on learning, it’s all about experiential education…thank you Parkdale Mall.
53. I got my driver’s license when I was 18.
54. I get a lot of fulfillment from being productive.
55. I live for Sunday naps.
56. I’ve always wanted to play Ultimate Frisbee on Boise State University’s blue turf.
57. My mom broke my nose when I was young. She didn’t know I was behind her and she dropped the vacuum cleaner hose right on my nose.
58. I tumbled down the stairs in my walker a time or two when I was little and didn’t cry.
59. I strongly believe dollar stores should be open 24 hours and Jamba Juice should deliver…is that too much to ask?
60. I love when my opinion is valued.
61. I’m a pretty private and reserved person and don’t share everything with just anyone…basically this list is a huge step.
62. My first couple years of college, I went through a jar of peanut butter a week…I’ve slowed down a little.
63. I am very picky about what movies I see…there’s too much filth out there. Good thing there was Clean flicks and now there’s Clearplay.
64. I graduated from BYU-Idaho in Recreation Leadership and am using my degree at my first job – coordinating sports camps, youth conferences, and workshops.
65. I’m not big into reading for enjoyment.
66. I’ve been told by roommates that I occasionally hum in my sleep.
67. I have a list of activities I want to do with my future family and creative ways of teaching things to my children…recreation classes are pretty inspirational.
68. I love the feeling of being all alone in a sporting facility…whether it’s in a large basketball arena or a football stadium; I love the contrasts from it being completely quiet and a place to reflect, to a loud, boisterous location where you can’t even hear yourself think.
69. I’ve always wanted older brothers.
70. I have a thing for athletic and skater shoes…I’m very picky about the laces too. If only you knew what I’ve done with eyelets and laces to make it just right.
71. I have an eraser collection of over 600 pieces ranging anywhere from the classic pink pearl to cars.
72. I would much rather be in a cooler environment than a warmer one.
73. I have sports induced asthma.
74. I can’t stand it when people walk or drive slowly in front of me.
75. I can make a cup out of paper…who knew that skill would come in handy on a family road trip when we forgot cups.
76. I only like the sauce not the chunks in salsa…I may or may not have tried to blend up salsa when I was younger so it would only be the sauce.
77. When I walk outside and it’s bright, the first thing I do is sneeze….I usually end up losing my gum or the mint I just put in my mouth (see #40).
78. I’ve never gotten a speeding ticket.
79. I’m a big fan of wearing layers.
80. I’ve been told many times that I have a unique vocabulary and if you’ve been around me long enough, you’ll start talking like me.
81. My right ankle has a permanent bump from fracturing it twice and tearing a ligament from stepping on a rock while hiking in Romania and playing Ultimate Frisbee.
82. I cannot read music. I could at one point in 4th grade when I took piano lessons, then my teacher moved and we moved and that was the end of that.
83. I’ve had the same ring tone for almost 3 years and it never gets old….Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World. Hearing that song live was a dream come true.
84. My nickname from my first few years at college is Pacha…there are people to this day that still only know me as that.
85. I have to pop my knees at least a million times a day.
86. I cannot stand pet hair on my clothes.
87. I’m not a big fan of cooking….I’ve decided I either need to marry a chef or he has to be ok with us making every meal together.
88. If you want to annoy me in the mornings, just turn on the light.
89. I can’t stand it when people aren’t aware of those around them….especially when people are loud while others are trying to sleep.
90. I have always wanted to go to Jerusalem.
91. I don’t have any stories of being a rebellious child…I was afraid of getting in trouble.
92. I love my Nixon watch.
93. I miss the good old days when Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls.
94. I’ve been known to eat some pretty random things either for a dare or just to get a reaction from people.
95. I wish I knew my grandparents.
96. I miss my 1A Idaho license plates.
97. I find the process interesting learning that parents are human too.
98. I wish I played soccer growing up.
99. I hate feeling unprepared.
100. My pant legs must go over my shoes.
101. I like to look at everything as an adventure.
2. I may or may not be obsessed with Ultimate Frisbee.
3. I love the shows Alias, Bones, and Prison Break, and feel like I vicariously live through them.
4. I can listen to a song on repeat for weeks…probably because I’m so detailed oriented that every time I listen to it I pick up something new and it never gets old.
5. When I make friends, I try and keep them in my life forever.
6. I’ve never been the girly type.
7. I’m dependent on Natural Ice Chap Stick and always have it in my pocket.
8. I love male voices singing in harmony.
9. I’ve worn a puka shell necklace since I was 16.
10. I love the school supplies isle.
11. I’m a big fan of extreme sports and could watch motocross and half pipe skating all day.
12. I text way more than talk on my phone.
13. I will always be an NSYNC fan.
14. I used to have a really hard time expressing myself in English…interesting how learning to survive in a foreign language can change that.
15. I‘m not a fan of spiders or rodents.
16. I prefer driving a standard over an automatic.
17. Some of my biggest desires are also my biggest fears.
18. I am a deep thinker and love to teach that way as well.
19. I’m an organized perfectionist.
20. I love juice.
21. I am comfortable with silence and sometimes prefer it.
22. I like to get to the core of an issue.
23. If I say I’ll do something, I’ll do it.
24. I used to be really shy.
25. I absolutely hate being in skits and role plays.
26. I love learning life’s little lessons.
27. I find observing people very fascinating and I learn more about myself when I learn about others.
28. I am not afraid to approach strangers.
29. I cannot stand the politics of life.
30. I’m not a fan of dances and feel uncomfortable at them.
31. I cannot stand manipulative people.
32. I got cut from the basketball team my senior year of high school before try-outs were even held…still ticked to this day (see #29).
33. I’ve never voted. I should probably change that.
34. I get frustrated very quickly by Hollywood and how delusional many people are.
35. I can’t stand busy work.
36. I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints in Romania.
37. I love deep conversations.
38. I am easily amused.
39. I do not like country music.
40. I almost always have gum and/or mints with me.
41. I could have a Berry Lime Sublime Jamba Juice every day and never get sick of it.
42. My favorite holiday is Christmas. Often times the whole month of December is better than Christmas Day.
43. I love the smell of fresh laundry and Christmas trees.
44. I love it when people recognize my talents and strengths.
45. I don’t have a favorite animal.
46. I want to be involved in delivering humanitarian aid.
47. My favorite colors are orange and green.
48. I am a really good secret keeper and I have a good memory.
49. I learn by repetition.
50. I am not a morning person and could sleep in everyday until noon if I didn’t have obligations to get me up.
51. I cannot stand non-user friendly things and when simple things are supposed to work and don’t.
52. I believe that much more teaching in the school systems should be hands on learning, it’s all about experiential education…thank you Parkdale Mall.
53. I got my driver’s license when I was 18.
54. I get a lot of fulfillment from being productive.
55. I live for Sunday naps.
56. I’ve always wanted to play Ultimate Frisbee on Boise State University’s blue turf.
57. My mom broke my nose when I was young. She didn’t know I was behind her and she dropped the vacuum cleaner hose right on my nose.
58. I tumbled down the stairs in my walker a time or two when I was little and didn’t cry.
59. I strongly believe dollar stores should be open 24 hours and Jamba Juice should deliver…is that too much to ask?
60. I love when my opinion is valued.
61. I’m a pretty private and reserved person and don’t share everything with just anyone…basically this list is a huge step.
62. My first couple years of college, I went through a jar of peanut butter a week…I’ve slowed down a little.
63. I am very picky about what movies I see…there’s too much filth out there. Good thing there was Clean flicks and now there’s Clearplay.
64. I graduated from BYU-Idaho in Recreation Leadership and am using my degree at my first job – coordinating sports camps, youth conferences, and workshops.
65. I’m not big into reading for enjoyment.
66. I’ve been told by roommates that I occasionally hum in my sleep.
67. I have a list of activities I want to do with my future family and creative ways of teaching things to my children…recreation classes are pretty inspirational.
68. I love the feeling of being all alone in a sporting facility…whether it’s in a large basketball arena or a football stadium; I love the contrasts from it being completely quiet and a place to reflect, to a loud, boisterous location where you can’t even hear yourself think.
69. I’ve always wanted older brothers.
70. I have a thing for athletic and skater shoes…I’m very picky about the laces too. If only you knew what I’ve done with eyelets and laces to make it just right.
71. I have an eraser collection of over 600 pieces ranging anywhere from the classic pink pearl to cars.
72. I would much rather be in a cooler environment than a warmer one.
73. I have sports induced asthma.
74. I can’t stand it when people walk or drive slowly in front of me.
75. I can make a cup out of paper…who knew that skill would come in handy on a family road trip when we forgot cups.
76. I only like the sauce not the chunks in salsa…I may or may not have tried to blend up salsa when I was younger so it would only be the sauce.
77. When I walk outside and it’s bright, the first thing I do is sneeze….I usually end up losing my gum or the mint I just put in my mouth (see #40).
78. I’ve never gotten a speeding ticket.
79. I’m a big fan of wearing layers.
80. I’ve been told many times that I have a unique vocabulary and if you’ve been around me long enough, you’ll start talking like me.
81. My right ankle has a permanent bump from fracturing it twice and tearing a ligament from stepping on a rock while hiking in Romania and playing Ultimate Frisbee.
82. I cannot read music. I could at one point in 4th grade when I took piano lessons, then my teacher moved and we moved and that was the end of that.
83. I’ve had the same ring tone for almost 3 years and it never gets old….Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World. Hearing that song live was a dream come true.
84. My nickname from my first few years at college is Pacha…there are people to this day that still only know me as that.
85. I have to pop my knees at least a million times a day.
86. I cannot stand pet hair on my clothes.
87. I’m not a big fan of cooking….I’ve decided I either need to marry a chef or he has to be ok with us making every meal together.
88. If you want to annoy me in the mornings, just turn on the light.
89. I can’t stand it when people aren’t aware of those around them….especially when people are loud while others are trying to sleep.
90. I have always wanted to go to Jerusalem.
91. I don’t have any stories of being a rebellious child…I was afraid of getting in trouble.
92. I love my Nixon watch.
93. I miss the good old days when Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls.
94. I’ve been known to eat some pretty random things either for a dare or just to get a reaction from people.
95. I wish I knew my grandparents.
96. I miss my 1A Idaho license plates.
97. I find the process interesting learning that parents are human too.
98. I wish I played soccer growing up.
99. I hate feeling unprepared.
100. My pant legs must go over my shoes.
101. I like to look at everything as an adventure.
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