Richmond, California
As a follow up to the blog before last. I, unfortunately, did not get the internship I wanted in San Louis Obispo. My rejection letter took longer than I expected to come. It was a very nice rejection letter. They told me it was a tough choice to make and had to go with another candidate that was a little more qualified. Aww...thats sweet but....ouch. Well, I'd rather be let down gently than bluntly or not at all (which I've had before). Anywho, I was disappointed (more than I thought I'd be actually) but happy and grateful that it faded fast. I am a firm believer in God and that he has a plan for each of us. His plans are usually better than mine. I usually end up pretty sad and miserable when I try to force my way. But when I follow His plan, His way and in His timing, things always seem to work out. Even when I don't get it at first. I try to think of one of my favorite hymns during these confusing times, Lead Kindly Light, Hymn # 97 in the LDS hymn book. "Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene--one step enough for me."
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Blog Makeover and Bollywood night: Bride and Prejudice
Richmond, California
So cool thing happened when I logged in today. NEW BACKGROUNDS!!! :-D YAY!!! There was this little tab that came up with all these options of backgounds. I was so excited. I've been wanting to "makeover" my blog for a while but didn't know how. If anyone has tips for me for customizing blogs, they would be GREATLY appreciated. :)
I watched the funniest movie I have seen as of late. Every Friday night is movie night for the Richmond 3rd Singles ward. Tonight was Bollywood night hosted by the Botts. They made an Indian dish (sooo delicious!!!) while we watched Bride and Prejudice. Yes, thats right, folks, an adaptaion of Jane Austin's novel Pride and Prejudice. It directed by the same director who did Bend It Like Beckham. What made it so funny was these random songs in at random moments in the movie. It just made me like it so much more! It made me laugh! I don't mean that in a rude sense because I think it was meant to be real funny. It worked. I love the dances in there too. It was so funny, just about everyone in the room were bouncing their shoulders like they were in the movie. I think its going to be a trend in the Ward for a while. I know I'll be doing it. (For those who don't know me that well, I love to move, especially dancing.)
I also love this movie for two other reasons:
So cool thing happened when I logged in today. NEW BACKGROUNDS!!! :-D YAY!!! There was this little tab that came up with all these options of backgounds. I was so excited. I've been wanting to "makeover" my blog for a while but didn't know how. If anyone has tips for me for customizing blogs, they would be GREATLY appreciated. :)
I watched the funniest movie I have seen as of late. Every Friday night is movie night for the Richmond 3rd Singles ward. Tonight was Bollywood night hosted by the Botts. They made an Indian dish (sooo delicious!!!) while we watched Bride and Prejudice. Yes, thats right, folks, an adaptaion of Jane Austin's novel Pride and Prejudice. It directed by the same director who did Bend It Like Beckham. What made it so funny was these random songs in at random moments in the movie. It just made me like it so much more! It made me laugh! I don't mean that in a rude sense because I think it was meant to be real funny. It worked. I love the dances in there too. It was so funny, just about everyone in the room were bouncing their shoulders like they were in the movie. I think its going to be a trend in the Ward for a while. I know I'll be doing it. (For those who don't know me that well, I love to move, especially dancing.)
I also love this movie for two other reasons:
- It brought back some fond childhood memories of going over to one of my best friend's house growing up, Sandeep (Sanny) and learning about her culture. We have been friends since Kindergarten. Man, I miss her. I haven't seen her since we graduated high-school in 2003. She left to study medicine in India and I left for school in Idaho.
- It is so fitting for a singles ward. I like to categorize people who attend a singles ward are typically in two stages in their life: either preparing for a mission for the church or trying to find that true love you hope to spend the rest of eternity with. Sometimes, you are just tired of playing the game of love and its nice to have something nice to help you laugh about it. Like this movie. :-)
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Utah, Internship Finalist, and Brother Comming Home
Utah; San Louis Obispo, California; Richmond, California
Its getting up to a month since my last post. I have so much I want to share. I have taken a couple adventures lately and its a little hard to compact them into one post. But here it goes....
I went to Utah a couple weeks ago. A friend invited me to go canyoneering and I was very tempted. After looking at my budget and schedule, I saw that it was possible and I thought, "why not?" I also have quite a few friends to chill with while the frineds comming from Idaho to do canyoneering were traveling. I got to meet one of my friend's girlfriend and I'm now wondering why it took us so long to meet. She is so easy to be around and get to know. I hope I get to run into them more.... maybe at their wedding, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm.... Another friend of mine I reconnected with is a mission companion, Sister Myers. She was leaving for London that week. Talk about great timing!! We reminisced about the mission and how/where we are today. Through her I got to reconnect with a family I found and taught who she later baptized. I hadn't seen nor talked to them since I left the mission. Thats about 3 years ago. Myers and I both seemed to need this suprise visit. It kind of help refocus the direction of our lives.
Strangely, and honestly, I had a much better time spending time with the friends in UT more than the ones who invited me. The canyoneer-ers were mostly couples and it was a guy who invited me. It wasn't until I was in the car that I bagan to feel pretty awkward.... Everyone was pretty much paired off and I felt like the 5th or 7th wheel or something to people I didn't know that well. This was also a bit of wake-up call to me. A couple years ago, I felt like I fit in with this group. Now, I've moved back home and getting into California life and they too have moved in a different direction. I guess I wanted to go back to the college days. You know, rewind. But, alas, my present is in California and who knows whats in my future!
That being said, I came home from Utah to find out I'm a finalist for an internship I want in San Louis Obispo, CA, at an Outdoor school. Wow! really? what an honor and a bit of an ego boost. So, the following weekend after driving 12 hours from Utah, I took another 8 hours driving to and from SLO for a site visit and an in-person interview. Needless to say, I'm a little bit sick of driving and am anxious to hear if I got the internship or not at the end of this week.
In other news, my baby bro, Jacob, is back! Ye-yah!!! He was in Hawaii studying Marine Biology. He's now decided he wants to go into architecture and CA has better schools for that. So we get to keep him. :D Right now, my assignment with a temp agency is at Alta bates Herrick Campus in downtown Berkeley. Its about 5 blocks from the BART (Bay Area Rapid Tranist), a train like the subway, station so I can walk. My car will just sit around, so i gave my car to Jake as long has he can drop me off and pick me up from the BART station. I think it works out pretty good. I don't have to drive, I get to actually interact with people other than in traffic, and I get to bond a bit with jake. and Jake gets to have a car to do what he needs and wants to do. He seems happy and that makes me happy.
Its getting up to a month since my last post. I have so much I want to share. I have taken a couple adventures lately and its a little hard to compact them into one post. But here it goes....
I went to Utah a couple weeks ago. A friend invited me to go canyoneering and I was very tempted. After looking at my budget and schedule, I saw that it was possible and I thought, "why not?" I also have quite a few friends to chill with while the frineds comming from Idaho to do canyoneering were traveling. I got to meet one of my friend's girlfriend and I'm now wondering why it took us so long to meet. She is so easy to be around and get to know. I hope I get to run into them more.... maybe at their wedding, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm.... Another friend of mine I reconnected with is a mission companion, Sister Myers. She was leaving for London that week. Talk about great timing!! We reminisced about the mission and how/where we are today. Through her I got to reconnect with a family I found and taught who she later baptized. I hadn't seen nor talked to them since I left the mission. Thats about 3 years ago. Myers and I both seemed to need this suprise visit. It kind of help refocus the direction of our lives.
Strangely, and honestly, I had a much better time spending time with the friends in UT more than the ones who invited me. The canyoneer-ers were mostly couples and it was a guy who invited me. It wasn't until I was in the car that I bagan to feel pretty awkward.... Everyone was pretty much paired off and I felt like the 5th or 7th wheel or something to people I didn't know that well. This was also a bit of wake-up call to me. A couple years ago, I felt like I fit in with this group. Now, I've moved back home and getting into California life and they too have moved in a different direction. I guess I wanted to go back to the college days. You know, rewind. But, alas, my present is in California and who knows whats in my future!
That being said, I came home from Utah to find out I'm a finalist for an internship I want in San Louis Obispo, CA, at an Outdoor school. Wow! really? what an honor and a bit of an ego boost. So, the following weekend after driving 12 hours from Utah, I took another 8 hours driving to and from SLO for a site visit and an in-person interview. Needless to say, I'm a little bit sick of driving and am anxious to hear if I got the internship or not at the end of this week.
In other news, my baby bro, Jacob, is back! Ye-yah!!! He was in Hawaii studying Marine Biology. He's now decided he wants to go into architecture and CA has better schools for that. So we get to keep him. :D Right now, my assignment with a temp agency is at Alta bates Herrick Campus in downtown Berkeley. Its about 5 blocks from the BART (Bay Area Rapid Tranist), a train like the subway, station so I can walk. My car will just sit around, so i gave my car to Jake as long has he can drop me off and pick me up from the BART station. I think it works out pretty good. I don't have to drive, I get to actually interact with people other than in traffic, and I get to bond a bit with jake. and Jake gets to have a car to do what he needs and wants to do. He seems happy and that makes me happy.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Project GO
Coloma, CA
I went white water rafting! Exciting! I applied to do white water guide training with a non-profit organization Called Project Great Outdoors (aka Project Go, aka PGO) this year. They work with under-served youth and take them down the river all the while facilitating the experience. Of course, I was very attracted to this venue and wanted to learn their methods.
Orignially, I had been accepted to do Spring Training (I know, snow melt, its cold) but it got canceled due to lack of participants. It just wouldn’t work budget-wise. So I’m doing Summer guide training instead and got invited to the rusty-guide training in honor of canceled spring guide training. Let me just say, Wow! What an experience! I tore off the corner of my thumbnail. Totally worth it!
The first day, felt like a crash course of instructions (rightfully so since this was for rusty guides) The trainers and the rusty guides were so patient with us “green guidelings.” Kurt, who I was with the first day, seemed like a river sage. (He is also the main guy in charge at PGO.) I learned so much by just watching and listening to him. What struck me pretty profound was his ability to keep his composure. Toward the end of our river run another boat got wrapped on a rock and he calmly directs us to the eddy and cooly says, “This is just stressing me a little and I want to make sure they are ok.” What? He’s stressed? If he didn’t say so, I wouldn’t have guessed. That was a good lesson to me in how to conduct yourself when situations get a little harry. Its something I plan on practicing more. After getting some “stick-time” (being the guide of the raft), I learned just how hard it can be to keep your composure.
The second day I got to learn under the hand of Dustin, one of the trainers for guide training. This is where I got to take everything I learned the day before from Kurt and got it fine-tuned by Dustin. He helped me get through some rapids by calling out commands for me while I focused on trying to keep the “magic” angle of the boat. That helped a lot since both of those were still really new to me. I got a lot of helpful technical tips that allowed me to be more powerful when maneuvering the boat. It was real exciting when I felt the boat move by one stroke alone. It felt more natural and I began to really like that guide seat and less intimidated by it. :-D Watch out Summer Training! Here I come!
My new friend and fellow guideling, Sara.
The river where we took out at Camp Lotus.
The boats drying before being rolled up.
The best part after a full day of rafting, laying out to deflate the boat.
I went white water rafting! Exciting! I applied to do white water guide training with a non-profit organization Called Project Great Outdoors (aka Project Go, aka PGO) this year. They work with under-served youth and take them down the river all the while facilitating the experience. Of course, I was very attracted to this venue and wanted to learn their methods.
Orignially, I had been accepted to do Spring Training (I know, snow melt, its cold) but it got canceled due to lack of participants. It just wouldn’t work budget-wise. So I’m doing Summer guide training instead and got invited to the rusty-guide training in honor of canceled spring guide training. Let me just say, Wow! What an experience! I tore off the corner of my thumbnail. Totally worth it!
The first day, felt like a crash course of instructions (rightfully so since this was for rusty guides) The trainers and the rusty guides were so patient with us “green guidelings.” Kurt, who I was with the first day, seemed like a river sage. (He is also the main guy in charge at PGO.) I learned so much by just watching and listening to him. What struck me pretty profound was his ability to keep his composure. Toward the end of our river run another boat got wrapped on a rock and he calmly directs us to the eddy and cooly says, “This is just stressing me a little and I want to make sure they are ok.” What? He’s stressed? If he didn’t say so, I wouldn’t have guessed. That was a good lesson to me in how to conduct yourself when situations get a little harry. Its something I plan on practicing more. After getting some “stick-time” (being the guide of the raft), I learned just how hard it can be to keep your composure.
The second day I got to learn under the hand of Dustin, one of the trainers for guide training. This is where I got to take everything I learned the day before from Kurt and got it fine-tuned by Dustin. He helped me get through some rapids by calling out commands for me while I focused on trying to keep the “magic” angle of the boat. That helped a lot since both of those were still really new to me. I got a lot of helpful technical tips that allowed me to be more powerful when maneuvering the boat. It was real exciting when I felt the boat move by one stroke alone. It felt more natural and I began to really like that guide seat and less intimidated by it. :-D Watch out Summer Training! Here I come!
My new friend and fellow guideling, Sara.
The river where we took out at Camp Lotus.
The boats drying before being rolled up.
The best part after a full day of rafting, laying out to deflate the boat.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Bridge
Richmond, California
My oh my its been a while since I have posted something. Lots of changes happened and I fell out of routine in my blogging. But now I’m back and ready to share! This will hopefully bridge what has gone on since the last time I wrote.
I ended up moving back home to Richmond in the San Francisco Bay Area. Not exactly where I wanted to end up but now am feelin’ like home is a great place to be right now. Its where I grew up so I get combine little Melissa, daughter of Carl and Jeanette, with the independent, young adult, college Melissa. Its quite the experience! Reconnecting childhood relationships, establishing new ones, and becoming a leader in my home town is all very humbling. Sometimes I wonder if I’m truly ready for it. But whether or not, here it is. And it’s a good experience.
Since walking in the Summer Commencement at BYUI, I have completed an internship for a River Rafting supply store. I have learned that this is NOT the line of work I want to be in. Too much business and money management for me. My heart ended up not being in it even though I tried to make it. I really want to work with people, not their money. Well unfortunately, and fortunately, we terminated my contract early. I am, however, grateful to have done this short stint of my first job after graduation for three reasons: one, because I needed some kind of internship to fully complete my Rec Management degree; two, it was in the next city over; and three, I discovered one more way “how not to make a light bulb.” (Thomas Edison) Now, I’m job networking and taking my time to really find a job or internship that I’m really passionate about. I’m currently applying for internships in outdoor schools in central California. We’ll see how it goes.
Well, that’s about it for now. More to come later. Till then, stay true to yourselves!
Melissa
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Quick update
Rexburg, Idaho
I am two weeks away from graduation!! Wooo-hoooo! I apologize for not keeping up with this the last month.
My last trip with Outdoor Activities are done and so is my cooking class. Canoeing class has started and has been a blast! (I got the nick-name "Ralph" because on one trip I was sick and was hurling over the side of the canoe. I find it endearing. :-) ) I also started and finished my volunteer hours (for my Therapeutic Recreation class) at the Juvenile Corrections Center since my last entry. That was a great learning experience of which I value.
Other classes are chuggin along. I love Health Behavior Theories and learning all the different theories out there to help change problem behaviors to positive behaviors. I've learned that I'm not as into photography as I thought I would be. I do think my photos are comming out better though which was my goal.
Work continues to be work. A girl quit so now i'm cleaning three dorms instead of two. That means I get more hours! :) I also enjoy listen to audiobooks while I clean.
New plan for internship, I will focus on it when I graduate. It was too hard to internship hunt while finishing up my courses at the same time.
Hope all is doing well.
Till next time!
-Mel
P.S. hope you like the new lay-out!
I am two weeks away from graduation!! Wooo-hoooo! I apologize for not keeping up with this the last month.
My last trip with Outdoor Activities are done and so is my cooking class. Canoeing class has started and has been a blast! (I got the nick-name "Ralph" because on one trip I was sick and was hurling over the side of the canoe. I find it endearing. :-) ) I also started and finished my volunteer hours (for my Therapeutic Recreation class) at the Juvenile Corrections Center since my last entry. That was a great learning experience of which I value.
Other classes are chuggin along. I love Health Behavior Theories and learning all the different theories out there to help change problem behaviors to positive behaviors. I've learned that I'm not as into photography as I thought I would be. I do think my photos are comming out better though which was my goal.
Work continues to be work. A girl quit so now i'm cleaning three dorms instead of two. That means I get more hours! :) I also enjoy listen to audiobooks while I clean.
New plan for internship, I will focus on it when I graduate. It was too hard to internship hunt while finishing up my courses at the same time.
Hope all is doing well.
Till next time!
-Mel
P.S. hope you like the new lay-out!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Success and Maintenence
Rexburg, Idaho
Here is just a quick update. I have been pretty busy with school. Ha! What else is new? its the way I prefer it. Getting up to go to work at 5 in the morning, everyday except for sundays, to school in the middle of the day, to organizing trips for outdoor activities in the evenings, just sums up a typical day for me. Yeah I get tired but I rather be tired than bored.
I just had a successful caving training last friday. All of my volunteers did so well I trust they will lead successful trips this semester. On top of that, we all had a blast! I will see if I can post pictures soon. I was a bit nervous driving on the dirt roads to the caves. I've never driven the roads myself but I remember how bumpy they were. Well, instead of freaking out when I drove on the roads, I grinned from ear to ear! It was so much fun to drive! I don't think I want to be a mere passenger again the next time I go to the caves! :)
I don't have much to say about my school work or work. Right now it is pretty much just a check list. I won't have much to say until I start applying what I learn.
Hope everyone is have a wonderful month of May. The sun is shining!!! Yay!!!
Post Note, 31May2009:
I apologize for this blog post being hard to read. I'm still learning how to post entries. The pictures off to the left are from the caving training, as you can see, it was a blast!
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