a humanitarian

Through my work being involved with youth in the community, I came in contact with Youthlinc. It is a local organization that provides youth opportunity to serve in their local communities and abroad. They send volunteers to the place I work to tutor and mentor refugee students.
Anyway, I was asked by them to be a part of the judging panel for a scholarship they offered to youth called Young Humanitarian Awards. I got to review the applications of 13 finalists and then be on the panel to interview each every candidate. This was a great experience for me! It reminded me of what I really want to do in life. I don't want to make money or help someone else make money. I want to help the community in many ways I can. Also, these candidates inspired me even more. It gave me hope for this world that there are young people who are thriving to make a difference in their world.
Although many of them (only in high school) have done service projects abroad, they said that you don't have to go to Africa or other 3rd world countries to save the world, there are needs right here in your backyard.

End of soccer and summer so far

Spain won the soccer World Cup!!!! I was going towards Germany since the beginning but well ... at least they made it to the semi-final.

Summer has been awesome although it has been so hot especially in my room upstairs. I have a swamp cooler but it's still under repair. Anyway, these pitures will tell how much I have enjoyed it so far.
This week-end I went to my first Demolition Derby in Logan. I conclude Americans are crazy! lol

I did another overnight backpacking trip with some friends in the Logan Canyons. This lake is called White Pine, so pretty! I took this picture from a cave we hiked to when we were there.

Happy 4th of July! After a BBQ at a friend's house, we went to see the Sugarhouse fireworks, the best in town.

I also hiked Bell Canyons with my Ward 2 and half weeks ago. It was a steep hike. A week later, a girl fell off this waterfall and died. Scary hein!

Waka Waka -- This Time for Africa

Guess what part of my excitements this week is? the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa! I served an LDS mission there and I also come from a family and a country who are big fan of soccer. Soccer World Cup brings back a lot of found memories in my family. My parents were some of the first people in my hometown who owned TV in color in the 80's. They would have the whole neighborhood come to our house and watch the World Cup.

And watch this clip from Shakira!

A tribute to my Dad -- 4/3/1951 - 5/21/2010

I got a phone call from my Mom yesterday evening around 9:00 pm. It was to let me know that my Dad had passed away 2 hours earlier.
Death! what is death? Now that I am an adult, it's harder to bear the loss of loved ones. You realize better that that's the end and you won't see them again in this life. I have lost a real relationship with my Dad since my early teen. However, we kept in touch through visits and phone calls. I still remember the early years of my life when my parents were still together. Being the only girl, I was the closest to him and he was always very proud of me. People always say that I look like my Dad and he liked that.
Although my parents' relationship hasn't always been the greatest, my Mom has taught us for many years that our Dad is how we came to be. She would say, "he is how we found the sun". That stayed in me and my brothers. In our heart, he is how we found the sun.
There was a gap of many years in our relationship, but I will always keep the good memories from my childhood. I give him credit for teaching me the importance of hard work since I was little. He taught us to give more than 100% in what we do. I took this with me till this day. This principle has helped me succeed in life and feel good about myself. I was doing yard work yesterday and thought about the many times when I was just a little girl pulling weeds in the yard with my Dad and my brothers.
I am sad that I never got to say good-bye, at least we did spend time together on my visit home in December. I'll miss him tons, but I know we will see each other again.