Africa in 39 DAYS!!

Well folks, its happening!

I got my internship and I'm off to Africa in January! I thought I'd fill you in on the program and what I'll be doing! First lets start with a class I took this semester. It's called Managing organizations and people. The class was split up into 16 groups of 8-10 people. We were told that if we raised $1,000 for SEED we would be exempt from the final. A few stipulations...we had to help someone or make an impact somehow. This prevented people from just splitting the $1,000 between the group and paying up. We either had to make an impact deeply in a one person or help a lot of people to make an impact on a bigger cause. My group consisted of 3 international students and 6 people from the United States. Our CEO (group leader) came up with the idea of building oral hygiene kits for people that would be visited by the SEED interns. So we moved forward with this idea and contacted dentists to see if they would be willing to donate toothbrushes, toothpastes and floss towards the kits. I spoke with a printing company and had educational instruction cards printed for each kit. Once we collected the supplies we continued our efforts to collect money from local businesses and students. Long story short we collected enough money to get out of the final and raise $1,010 for SEED.

What's SEED?? Let me tell you! SEED stands for Small Enterprise Educational Development. The main focus of the program is the teach business classes in various regions of the world. There are SEED interns in Peru, Uganda and Ghana Africa. When interns are sent to these areas they are told to teach business class through 7 lessons. By the time you are through lesson 3 and 4 you can get a feel for the students in the class and who is in need of financial help with their business. Business plans are discussed and the interns determine if a micro loan is something that would help make their business profitable. If so the interns help finance these loans. The loans range from $100-$1,000. (The money from the group projects goes 100% to these micro loans) This program has the power to change peoples lives. The struggle that this program faces is the fact that many of these people have never even seen this amount of money. They have needs such as food, clothes, medicine, etc. and we have to teach them how to budget their money and foreshadow future expenses. But if the interns can help these people and teach them these concepts than the money that they are loaned can help them grow their business to sustain them for generations to come.

I have been fortunate enough to be accepted to be an intern in the Ghana Africa region.

I am so excited to have this kind of experience. As I have gone through my higher education I have realized that just getting a degree is rapidly not becoming enough to be competitive. Getting good grades is just not enough. Most study abroad programs are so expensive and don't give you the experience that the SEED program offers. Many study abroad programs are a group of 25-30 students and a few professors going around to various companies around the world and learning how they operate and their business structures. This program is great but SEED offers the opportunity to stand on your own and use your own judgement to teach people how to run their businesses. I believe this program will give me experiences of a lifetime that will help me both personally and professionally. I can't WAIT!!

Now many of you know about my dad. I have had several people ask me if I'm still going to Africa since my dad has been diagnosed with 3 types of cancer. My parents still believe that this is an opportunity of a lifetime that can't be passed up. Along with that I have this theory...I believe that if I wasn't supposed to go to Africa for any reason, especially my dad, that I would have a feeling in my gut. And I think that even if I didn't get that memo someone in my family would and tell me that they don't think I should go. So because of this insight I feel that my dad will be okay and he will go through chemo and everything and being the strong man that he is he will make it through. I love him dearly and I will be there for him as much as I possibly can from now until I leave.

I love my family and friends and appreciate all the prayers and thoughts that have been said on our behalf. We are a blessed family.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

INTERNSHIP??

I have exciting news...I am applying for an internship in Africa! I am submitting my application today and hopefully I will at least get an interview to show them what I've got! I would be leaving the second week in January and coming back the first week in April! Just in time for my best friend coming back from England! It would be absolutely amazing! The program is called the SEED program. I am in a class right now that we are in groups each trying to raise one thousand dollars for the program. But they send students to Africa or Peru to teach the local businesses various business classes and give out micro loans. These people who make around 100 USD a year are given a loan for double triple sometimes quadruple that to help kick off their business to a new level to help provide for their future as well as the future of their children. It's an incredible opportunity and I would love to be involved. So everyone...cross your fingers for me!

I think I know why I live in Logan

People complain about the freezing winters of Logan but I will not complain at all anymore! I live on the third and top floor of my apartment building and I am convinced that I could cook an egg on my family room floor! I'm dying for the day that snow falls and coats are put back on. Fall is my favorite season and it's mainly because I love layering all the clothes on. I don't get cold very easily but the heat melts me! Enough about the weather how about a little update from me. Maybe an update in 10 bullets...

1. Summer school is over and I'm coming out with an A- in Business Stats and an A in Business Communication! Yippee!

2. Ash is more than half way done with her mission!!

3. James has returned to Cold Stone and I have been demoted to Assistant Manager/Catering Manager.

4. All major catering events are over!! YEAH BABY!!

5. My poor apartment is in shambles due to the lack of attention it has received from me...the rest of my night is devoted to cleaning....

6. I bought a new net book! I call it my little munchkin it's white with a sky blue case. It's adorable

7. Jill and I will be competing in a Biggest Loser Competition to get back in shape this fall. I'm determined to win

8. I plan on blogging more now that my summer will be slowing down again

9. I had a wonderful birthday thanks to my amazing friends!

10. I am planning on cooking more this summer because its my one and only true love :)

That's all for now! Refer to #8 and we'll blog soon

Blog ya later!

Blog for thirty days then take 60 off!

Apparently this is a new tactic to use. I blogged for a good 30 days then I took 60 off. I guess it'll all pan out in the end. But honestly who is truly interested in what i have to blab about? Blab...blog...I feel like sometimes they are one in the same. But as of lately I have been managing Cold Stone, living on the bloody hot third floor, going to school, and enjoying every minute. I don't have much to talk about but I do have a stats test in approximately 6 hours so I guess I should go get some sleep! :0 (yawn)

Toodles.

Day 26: What do you think about your friends?

What do I think about my friends?


Jill Elyse Johnson is simply amazing.

Bethanie Marie Johnson is one of the most giving people I know.


James Gil Dyer is handsome and a gentleman on all levels.


Preston Howard Catmull is honest and hard-working.

I have a lot of thoughts about my friends. But for now, those are my thoughts.

Ponder that.

Day 25: What would be found in your bag/purse?

I attempted to find a funny picture to put in here about the fact that I don't have anything in my bag/purse because I don't carry a bag/purse. I know I'm pretty boring and it potentially leads to losing my credit cards more often but oh well. Nada, zilch, nothing, pure emptiness are all things you will find in my bag. But if you were talking about my backpack, the closest thing to my bag/purse, I would have chapstick (on a good day), cash (on a better day), pencil and pens, always a treat or two...favorite backpack snack...Ritz crackers and mini M&M's! Well, sounds like a deep topic, I think I've rambled enough about the non-existence of my bag/purse, ha ha.

Zilch.

Day 24: A letter to your parents.

I saw this post a few days ago and have been thinking about what to say. What do you say to the people who you owe everything to? What do you say to the the two people who made you a lot of who you are? I'm not exactly sure what is about to come but here it is:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am forever indebted to you two. Without you two I wouldn't be where I am today in a very literal and figurative context. I know that we all have our trials personally and together and I know that we have had our rough patches but when I thought about what I was going to say to you two in this letter I had nothing but good things come to my mind. Mom, you taught me how to be a peace maker. You always said that it was something I was blessed with but I think it was very much learned from example of you. You taught me how to use my creativity and never hide my talents. Going a little over the top is our specialty. I believe that when I get married and become a wife and mother I will attribute my good qualities to you. I know that you have prepared me as best as I would allow you to for becoming a wife/mother and even just a Daughter of God. You are an incredible mother. I know I have told you this before but I will just repeat it anyway. Our family has had its trials that would definitely make you doubt your efforts as our mom but I want you to know that you taught us not only how to handle the trials thrown our way but to always remember who we are. You have always taught us to be Christlike through teaching us and through example. Dad, you have always been one of my heroes. You have a quiet temperament but there is much to learn purely by example. I love that you taught me about cars and how to work hard. I feel like you are a large part of the reason I am so "well-rounded" I call it. Mom taught me how to be a homemaker you taught me how to work hard and to get my hand dirty every once in a while. I want you to know that I have always respected how you have remained worthy to hold the Priesthood. You have given me the perfect mold for me to find my husband. I'm guessing he'll be a lot like you. Mom, Dad, I know that I haven't always been the best daughter, but I want you know that I have never stopped loving you two. I may be stubborn (which I get from one of you! potentially a little bit of both of you) but I always am striving to be better. I hope you guys know how much I appreciate your love and caring thoughts. You guys are incredible! Love you!

Lolo

Lauren Shelbey

BBD