Webale, Jesu!

Jambo!

I have returned from Uganda and already miss it. It was such a wonderful trip and God used the team to accomplish many great things. 

Last year, I went to Uganda for the first time. Honestly, I did not enjoy myself as I found it challenging to adjust to the culture, food, people, and most of all the overwhelming poverty that surrounded me. It was difficult for me to accept I could not fix it. The was no magic "easy" button and I couldn't forget what I had seen. It took me months to process everything I learned and God still uses that trip to teach and bless me to this day. I am so thankful I got to go last year. To me, it is mind blowing that I went to Uganda for a second time. Because if you had asked me during my trip last year, I can promise you I would I have said I would never come back. 

This trip was different in all aspects: I got the chance to build relationships with the people we worked with, the food was good, I loved the people's way of life, and strengthened relationships with people on the team. I discovered more of who I am and found a hidden confidence I had never had before. I felt alive and joyous; something that was missing last year. I saw the Lord work in mighty ways and witnessed people give their lives to Jesus. I felt burdened for the children who longed for help because their parents had died or are going to die from AIDS. I was blessed to meet the people my dad is working with on businesses and had the opportunity to grow my own bead business. I learned more about leadership. I could go on and on, but you get the picture- the trip was fantastic. 

On the medical aspect, I believe we serviced close to over 500 people and filled 4,000 prescriptions. There was a lot of ring worm, gastrointestinal irritation, and STDs. We also saw measles, mumps, and cancer. The doctors and nurses were great and worked very had without complaining. 

The younger people worked with the kids and kept them entertained while they waited. They played all sorts of games, colored, and just hung out. It was fun getting to know them!

Boda Boda

It has been a while since I have made any updates...

Went to Hilton Head and brought my friend Christin. It was great hanging out with family and spending time on the beach. It was probably one of the best weeks I have ever spent there. 

Camp Ba-Yo-Ca! 

Where to begin? I learned so much as a counselor. I had a cabin of five girls with another counselor, Devin, and they were from Western Heights. They were there on scholarship. At first, it was difficult to overcome what I call a "culture barrier." They were super sweet girls and it was fun to see the transformation that took place over the week. They were more open and learned to have fun. I was so blessed to be a part of the cabin.

AFRICA!

I leave for Uganda on Monday. I am very excited. I am looking forward to doing the HisKids Sports program. It is evangelism through games. I also am excited to work on my bead business and am looking for new products to sell. There is an endless potential for growth and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store. Our main purpose of this trip is medical. Please pray for the health of all team members, safe travel, and most importantly that Jesus Christ will be exemplified in all we do and that His plans will be accomplished.

Summer Time Traveling!

So, I am back from California. Which, as you understand from my other post, was incredible. After I got home I started seeing what my summer looked like and boy is it full! Here is a little overview:

June 6-13 Hilton Head
June 17-18 UT Orientation
June 19-26 Kentucky
June 30- July 3 Counselor Training
July 6-10 Camp
July 13-17 Camp
July 23- August 1 Uganda, Africa

I will be gone a total of 6.5 weeks.
Then I move into my dorm on August 15th and school starts the 19th!
I can't wait!

California- 7 days

I am so very sorry that I have not been able to get on this like I had planned to everyday. Rachel ended up not having internet like I thought she did! I have been recording everything daily so I will put those entries up- pictures to come later!

DAY ONE 

Today was a very long day. It was 21 hours. Rachel picked me up at the airport around 1:15 and then we headed over to PinkBerry. A DELICIOUS frozen yougurt place that is very popular here. You may have seen them on the American Express commercial. Apparently there is a serious rivalry going on between PinkBerry and Yogurt Land. I've met people who tried to bring me over to the "dark side" (the opposing side of Rachel, who happens to be a PinkBerry fan) into becoming a follower of Yogurt Land. I need to try it. I will let you know the consensus. 

We walked around the streets by Rachels and I really love the atmosphere. There are cute shops and places to eat. You can buy fresh flowers on the corners of the streets. 

Next we went to Rachel's place. Very charming. A humble one bedroom home with a den, kitchen, and a nice spacious bathroom. We enjoyed watching America's next top model and Ellen on tivo. 

Around 5 we left to eat at Chipotles (think Qdoba or Salsaritas). We met 3 people there, Mia, Jena & Jojo. They are the leaders of a college ministry called Inter Varsity. Rachel was speaking that night. They were very welcoming, super fun, and even bought dinner for us!

After chipotle we headed over Fullerton Campus for IV. We got a tour and it was really nice. Rachel did a great job speaking at IV and we left around 9:30. 

We came home and were exhausted so we hit the sack. I had a queen sized double decker blow up mattress with an egg crate topper. Very comfy. 

DAY TWO

Oh the magical world of Disney. Yes, today we went to Disney Land!! However, it was an... adventure to say the least. We left the house around 11 o'clock and stopped by In-&-Out for some burgers and neopolitan milkshakes, which are, yes, off of the secret menu.  It was delish to say the least. We need some out east!! 

So we make it to the Disney parking lot and well, the key won't move in the ignition. The car won't turn off. Oh, we can pull the key OUT but it is still driveable. So after numerous ridiculous calls and terrible service we decide to leave for the service garage on a slimming tank of gas. We make it. We wait an hour and a half for enterprise. Come to find out they were a 5 minute walk from Saturn- great! We finally get a rental car and make it back to Disney Land around 3:30. We had a great time! For dinner we had meat and veggie schishcobobs. 

Funny story. We went by the Tikki Room and I have very fond memories of that show. Needless to say it is NOT what I remembered! Very disappointed and slightly disturbed I fall into somewhat of a transe -not completely there with the world at hand. In the show a huge clap of thunder errupts from the corner of the room.. I shriek. Like a little girl and HURL myself across the bench seat. It was hilarious and both Rach and I laughed till we cried. It made the show worth it. 

We got home around 11 and went to bed about 12. 

DAY THREE

Today was Santa Monica! We went downtown and walked through the farmers market. I tried a cherry, tangerine, and bbq pistachios. We then went shopping in Anthropology. It is a pretty expensive store so I went to the sale section and found a super cute shirt for only twenty bucks. Then we went to a mexican restraunt for lunch. After that we headed home. Traffic cuts time spent places short. :( We still had a fun time though. We came home and rested then headed off to Park Crest (Rachel's church) where she had to do a couple of things during the service. After the service we went to, yes, YOGURT LAND. Here is a synopsis and comparison of PinkBerry & Yogurt Land.

Pink Berry:

I love how each flavor is simple and tart

They stick with what they do best: Plain, Pomogrante, & Green Tea flavors with toppings

Yogurt Land:

I loved the large varitey.

Pay by the ounce (a bit cheaper)

Not very tart except plain flavor

Self Serve

Right now I am on the PB side. Simple is always best, although you would not be able to tell from my cup of about 8 different flavors of yogurt and about 5 different toppings from YL. 

Now we are home trying to make some flowers Rachel got look pretty and we are not very good at it. We are hoping to watch Bride Wars on television and then get a good nights rest for tomorrow because we have church again in the morning!

All is well here.

Day FOUR

Today we went to church. Everything is outside here! They have information tents set up outside. I love it. After that we went to load up some of the cookout food to take to the house so it would be ready and then headed over to Taco Bell for a quick lunch. I tried something new...a seven layer burrito. Pretty good. Then we met up with a family whose daughter was bapstisped by Rachel that morning. We celebrated...with Sweet Jills.  HOLEY MOLEY!!! Okay, I have tried some "infamous foods" but let me tell you. They are know for their cinnamon roles so I decided to get one. They are HOT HOT HOT soaking in a molases sauce then they POUR with a pitcher this incredibly amazing icing ontop. Then it all melts together and it is delicious. While eating it I could taste the molasses crystalizing on top of the acutaly cinnomon role which was soft and moist. It was huge so I could only eat half. So we came home and rachel took a nap, but being the disciplined person I am, I took a run on the beach. It was awesome. It was cool and the sky was clear 

DAY FIVE

Kowabunga! Today I went surfing!! It is something that I have always wanted to do and I finally got to try it! I met with my instructor, Kim, at Newport Pier. I got a wet suit and it kept me so warm in the water. It felt great. 

So, we started just on the sand. She taught me about the gravity, different kinds of waves, what makes a wave break, safety, getting on the board, standing on the board, etiqutte. Then I  body surfed a couple of times to get a feel for it.  

Then we brought out the board and we started with me just getting one and her pushing me. Then I would paddle and she would push me. Before I knew it I was picking my own waves, setting up, paddling, and standing up then getting back down properly. I had an absolute blast. When I live here I will defintely surf a whole lot! Oh my goodness I loved it. Not to brag or anything but she said that I could do what it took other people months to accomplish and that she was really impressed. She said it was a natural born talent and that I have what it takes to be a great surfer. We ended up meeting for 3 hours but I only had to pay for 2. Rachel picked me up at the Frog House and then went to Woody's for lunch. We came back and napped and then met one of Rachel's students for Dinner at Super Mex. Now we are back at the house just hanging out.

DAY SIX 

R&R was today's theme! I ate breakfast then went out to lay out on the beach. I was the only one out there except for runners, etc. I stayed for about an hour and a half and then I came back to the apartment, threw on some clothes and went shopping. I hit every clothing store. I controlled myself. I bought a pair shoes: "Toms" They are this great company. For every pair you buy, they donate the same pair to someone who does not have a pair of shoes in third world countries. I also bought a six dollar bracelet. Much better than I expected. I came back and rested then got ready to go and have dinner with my family! It was so fun. Aunt Ruthie made dinner: meatloaf, greenbeans, mashed potatoes, and salad. We had icecream cake for dessert. yum. I got to see my Aunt Ruthie, Aunt June, Brittany, Westin, Steve, and Uncle Ken!! I have not seen them in four years. It was great catching up. It so sad to think that my time here is coming to an end. It has been so fun and I am very grateful that I was able to come. I cannot wait to move here one day. The weather is great, the people are friendly, I love the scene here. It is laid back, lots of stuff to do outdoors. I have lived the life of a Californian-church, traffic, errands, a home to stay at, friends to meet up with and eat with. Oh my goodness I love it! I am sad I don't get to go to school here, however, it will be a great place to start fresh as a new college grad. Its only four years away...the past four have flown by and I expect these next four to go by even faster. 

DAY SEVEN

Today is my last full day here. I am not looking forward to going home...at all. Today I cleaned Rachel's apartment and then came to Starbucks so I could finally get online! It is so awesome here. It is so interesting seeing the difference between people here and the people back home. Most all the guys here have blonde hair and either dress like a Skater or a Surfer. Its all about the boards! Everyone has their own style. The shoe of choice: Toms, fancy sandals, and vans. Everyone is extremely polite and friendly. It is a huge melting pot. I think I have seen people from all ends of the earth here. People rides lots of bikes and they rollerblade. Parking is difficult but not impossible. The best part is they have AMAZING FOOD!! You would never get bored with food choice. The weather has been enjoyable and it is sunny and about 80 degrees. Tomorrow I will get home at about 8:30 pm. Please pray for safe travel.

Bucket List

I may only be 18, but I have made a bucket list. A list of things to do before I "kick the bucket." I don't know if you have ever seen the movie "The Bucket List," but it is great. Very sad, however, quite sweet and thought provoking.
Most everything on my list is traveling...things to see. There are however, the occasional actual act of doing something. It is already assumed that I want to travel EVERYWHERE. So my first, and foremost goal is to step foot on all seven continents! I can then be classified as a world traveler.
So without further a due, I present to you,
OLIVIA'S BUCKET LIST:

1.) Skydive
2.) Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef
3.) Complete the Eiger Speed Ride down the Swiss Alps...and live
4.) Surf in Hawaii...and be good at it.
5.) Visit Auschwitz in Germany
6.) Live in Greece for a summer
7.) Learn to speak Spanish and Swahili
8.) Swim with sharks
9.) Be on the show "The Amazing Race"....and win!
10.) Live in California for at least 2 years
11.) Go to Tanzania and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
12.) Learn to sail
13.) Run a half-marathon
14.) Take a ride on the zip line over the canyon in Zimbabwe
15.) Go on a gorilla safari in Uganda
16.) Live in London for a year
17.) Study abroad in Spain
18.) Go to Yellowstone National Park
19.) Ski to secluded villages in Russia
20.) Drive over 115 MPH in my own car
21.) Drive a Lamborghini on the Audubon
22.) Be president...or at least VP
23.) Camp in the middle of nowhere to watch the stars and lightning bugs
24.) Ride the Trans-Siberian Express across Asia
25.) Swim with a dolphin
26.) Meet the tallest man in the world
27.) Send a message in a bottle
28.) Eat a termite in Africa
29.) Ride on the fastest roller coaster in the world
30.) White water raft on the Nile
31.) Attend a Tour de France
32.) Go to the Olympics Opening Ceremony
33.) Speak in a British accent for a day
34.) Go to the Disney Worlds
35.) Trek through the jungle on the back of an elephant
36.) BASE Jump
37.) Be in the Carnival Parade in Brazil. Possibly the biggest party in the world!
38.) Walk the entire Great Wall of China
39.) Be an archeologist for a week
40.) See how people survive in the Sahara by joining them
41.) Catch fish...with a spear
42.) Visit the lost Inca Empire
43.) Ride a camel to the Egyptian Pyramids, and then climb one
44.) Go inside the Pyramids
45.) Take a photograph that ends up in an art museum
46.) Dive with a whale shark
47.) See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
48.) Go to a fashion show in Paris
49.) Become weightless using the "Edge of Space Supersonic Jet Ride"
50.) Publish my travels and stories


To be continued...

OH Travels

This blog will be used to record all of my travels!
Start checking for posts starting April 30th because I am going to California!