Try new things: Model

Since I'm currently unemployed, I decided to help out a photographer start a portfolio. I worked with Miklos Solyom, who primarily is specialized in video and commercials. (www.miklosfilms.com) We worked in SoHo in NYC. I literally got the pictures and thought, "who is this model and where are the pictures of me!?" He did a fantastic job, especially considering I have zero experience with modeling or professional photography.

This picture is my favorite, hands down.

I was running late that day and literally ran to the LIRR train station in flip flops. I had to take off the flip flops and run barefoot. I got to my train with just enough time to purchase a ticket and run into the train. Two of my toes were bleeding from running. I was sweating. I pulled up my hair up with outdated little clip to cool off. When I got into NYC I walked from Penn Station all the way down to SoHo. I didn't bring a purse so I had no hairbrush or mirror. It was simply luck that my hair actually looked presentable in these pictures.

This guy was painted on a wall. I was slightly awkward about taking these pictures, but I went along with Miklos' idea. They came out better than I'd expected!

This one below is another favorite.

And, my last favorite. I admit this picture is sort of strange. However, I like it because it reminds me of a high fashion advertisement. Given a new outfit or strong piece of jewelry, I could picture this style of photography in a fall Vogue.

Nicaragua

Our Accomplishments in Nicaragua: Starting the wall

I just returned last week from my trip to Nicaragua. I often refrain from using the term "mission trip" because I feel like that leads to certain assumption. It was a volunteer trip. Everyone on their own, or with a friend. Everyone from different areas of the United States. We worked through Orphanage Outreach building a wall in the city of Jinotega. Jinotega is up in the mountains of Nicaragua. While some of us started the wall, others provided educational activities at the daycare facilities where the wall was being built. I've been on another international volunteer trip but this trip really blew me away. I had a phenomenal time with the people of Jinotega, the volunteers on the trip, the leaders/directors of the trip and, of course, the children at the daycares.

First, I will start with some of my favorite

pictures. The smiles on the children's faces as they

were eager to help us. (Obviously, they could only help with small tasks, not with the

wall.)

Or when they found fun in the simplest activities.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

This was the first day of volunteering. We were told that we needed to dig holes in order to put the columns that will hold the wall together. There was already a hill of dirt that we needed to dig through first in order to start digging at ground level.

Every brick that was needed for the wall was carried by the volunteers. Given the

weight and amount of bricks, everyone needed

to help!

An hour after the heat was completely unbearable, it started to rain. Really RAIN!!! We were completely covered in water and mud. The dirt started to become more like clay.

Each hole needed to be 4 ft 6 inches deep!

Bad Dreams and Bad Job Offers

I had the weirdest dream last night and I can't think of anywhere else that I can write it down. This isn't a typical post from me and I apologize because my dream is violent. I am unsure what to think about it.

I was with a few people somewhere. Obviously not in New York, or home because when it was time to go to bed I had to share a bed with one of the guys that work in the deli. It was Manuel who constantly bothers me. (Only in Spanish because he does not speak English.) In real life and in the dream, it is obvious that he has a certain shyness due to having a crush on me. In my dream, we needed to share a bed to sleep in. Everything was platonic. There was Bobby (friend from school that bartended at Mon. Sports Grill on Campus) and some other girl sharing his bed. Also, seeming platonic. Actually, I can't remember if Bobby and the girl were even in my dream until after I "woke up". However, I wake up with Manuel practically on top of me. He is innocently but very forcefully trying to kiss me and get on top of me. If that last sentance doesn't make sense to you, please read Of Mice of Men by Steinbeck. In a very Lenny way, he was attacking me and I seemed to have no control. In my dream, I put my hand in his mouth and physically damaged his teeth and gums. There was blood everywhere. I didn't realize that I knocked out his teeth until after I got up. I went to the next room where Joe and Dounia were sleeping. In real life, Joe and Dounia employ Manuel. In my dream, they escort Manuel into the hallway. Nobody seemed surprised. By this time, Bobby and the girl are apparent in the dream. They are speaking with Joe about the current situation. Then, either the girl, or another girl that was on my bed whom I've already forgotten, goes into the hallway to fill out accident/police reports about the night. I'm sure that in my dream my attention goes from the hallway to the beds. I think the girl that went to fill out the reports was a separate girl in my bed, because I'm pretty sure Bobby and the girl are still bed while everything is going on. I'm talking with them. Then I wake up.

And awake, I have an email blinking on the ever-wonderful Blackberry. It's a job vacancy for Jane Schellhase which can't be anything but a scam. However, in my 6am just out of a nightmare demenour, was hopefully. The email was from EXIM Exchange Company. It offered me 100-500 dollars a day to cash checks as a Check processing manager.

All this before 6am??

Aiming High(er)...

It's a rare character trait for people to set beyond ordinarily high standards and goals. This is true in both work and life. I'd love to list examples and be a blogger that educates and proves herself. However, I am not at that level (YET!) Therefore, this blog, as it more resemblence a journal, and this post will remain about me. I hope to remain one of those few people that are always looking to do something difficult or new or exciting.

For instance, in life, some people may hope that they will one day sky dive. I am one of those people. I put sky-diving on a pedestal and looked forward to that one day when I will eventually get the courage to jump in a plane then jump out. Sky-diving is an ordinary goal. It is a high goal, meaning that it is not for everyone. However, I try to look for extraordinarily high goals. I found out that for the price of one jump (with a person on your back) and video is roughly a similar price to TWO flight lessons. That is, you can get in a plane and begin learning to drive it. This was exciting to me!! My goals have changed. Of course I would still love to sky-dive one day, but I would LOVE to take control of a plane as well. I have yet to look into flight classes. But I have tried something equally, if not more exciting. This summer I went out on a WWII fighter jet. I was allowed to take control of the wheel and fly around myself (with someone in the second seat, of course) Then, we did the coolest flips and spins and turns in the airplane. The experience was remarkable!!!!!

All geared up and flying!! Taking control of the plane!

Annnndddd finally: A very bumpy video!!


The second part of this blog regards the wonderful task of job hunting. Sending out resumes, researching companies, etc... First of all, I believe that I set my standards extraordinarily high. I recently graduated college with a finance degree which includes a minor in international business and (I found out too late) 1 class shy of an economics minor as well. I have the education. However, I also have the working experience. I worked in a corporate environment for 3 years and I know what I am looking for in a future career. I researched the companies I want to work for. I've sent out resumes this week. I realized yesterday that I ran out of companies that I want to work for! With the exception of accidently missing one or two, I have completely covered applying for any company that I would wish to work for. Some people might argue that I am setting my standards too high considering economic conditions and my lack of 5 year experience. I disagree. I will not settle for a mediocre career that I stumbled into while sending out 359 resumes. I set my standards extraordinarily high but I can live up to them. I can meet all the expectations that are required of me.

It is uncommon for people to set standards and goals above their already high standards and goals. But without that character trait, how are we ever pushing ourselves to do more? What happens after you sky-dive and after you land an ordinary job? Does that make you satisfied? If it does, than that is great for you. I am very different. I need to push myself and constantly set new, higher goals. It is what it is, I guess. Enjoy your day.

P.S. Things I dislike: paying for networking opportunities, posting resumes to a job-seeker website; replying to recruiters. I enjoy the opportunites to speak and meet people rather than impersonal resume sites and hired people who are hiring you for a completely different company. I love real, old-fashioned networking!! Perhaps I need to get kicked into this century. For now, just a copy of my semi-almost-fabulous resume:

Scary Times at Old Dominion University

The night before Easter 3 ODU students were robbed at gunpoint. I was interviewed by a local news crew and quoted on their website. Later today I found out that 2 of the guys were friends that we met throughout the ODU football season.

The ODU alerts and the news report failed to tell people that a gun was shot. They also failed to mention that the bullet almost hit the leg of one of the victims. Personally, I feel I have the right to know this information, as it occurred on my block. Perhaps the school officials felt that it would cause a panic at the University. It is a shame nevertheless. It was only a year ago that students petitioned against the University's low safety standards.

Here is the clip from the news report. I'm in it, yay! Not my best moment, but hey, it's the news not my fifteen minutes of fame!

Final Decision on Nicaragua: YES!

I made the decision to go to Nicaragua! It is the first time Orphanage Outreach will be in Nicaragua. There will be a team of 30 volunteers, setting the stage for future volunteers and work efforts! Poco a poco. (little by little)

Donation due: May 15th (40 days away!)

Donations so far: $100

Minimum Donations Remaining: $900

$900 dollars in 40 days is going to be very tough!

$22.50 a day!

Please donate here:

https://www.orphanage-outreach.org/estrella.php?trip_id=NzI2Nw==

I don't know my exact link, but this should bring you directly to my information page!

Pics of exploratory trip:

http://www.orphanage-outreach.org/datafiles/nicoo2010.pdf

My last post has the itinerary of the first official volunteer trip.

"Program Information

We will be collaborating with Alma Fletes, director of the Aldeas Infantiles SOS program in Jinotega. Alma has the responsibility for operating three community centers for pre-school children. The children attend the centers while their mothers are working or looking for work. The intention of the program is that the children receive a breakfast and lunch, and also receive some stimulating learning activities. The program is new and very under-resourced. We met with Alma in December and showed her a copy of the Orphanage Outreach calendar and newsletter. She began to cry, and then said "I'm sorry, I'm very happy for the children of the Dominican Republic to receive such resources; I just hope that one day the children of Jinotega will be so fortunate."

So, our focus during the July trip to Jinotega will be to use our volunteer resources to provide learning activities to the children in Alma's three community centers, to use our funds to improve the facilities and provide resources, and to bring needed donations to the centers."

Possible Service Trip to Nicaragua

Orphanage Outreach trip to Jinotega, Nicaragua

Trip Donation Cost: $1,000 minimum

Flight: $440 (as of today, of course)

Starting July 4th, 2010

Tentative Itinerary:
Sunday: Fly into Managua, Drive 45 minutes to the tourist town of Granada
Monday: AM - Tour Granada, PM - Drive to Jinotega
Tuesday-Friday: Serve in the Jinotega Children's Centers
Saturday: Culture Day
Sunday: Fly Home

http://www.orphanage-outreach.org/datafiles/nicoo2010.pdf

I have to make my decision and flight arrangements by April 15th: 11 days.

I also need to have the minimum $1000 donation by May 15th: 41 days.

I don't have much time. I've been unemployed for almost 2 years and depleted my savings as a student. This would have to take a lot of work, but it is something I am seriously considering.

This is from my volunteer trip to the Dominican Republic in August 2008 with the same organization.

Jane = amateur blogger

Jumping into the blogging scene. I don't consider myself to be much of an entertaining person, but here it is. My inspiration came from watching Julie & Julia. I have no intention of becoming the next Julie Powell or Julia Childs. Nevertheless, today I am getting focused on blogging and refocused on cooking.

Today is a very important day. It is the last day of Lent in the Christian faith. It is also the last day of the period known as not baseball season. With the exception of Spring Training, tomorrow officially starts Yankees baseball. It is also Easter. Cannot wait!