Recap of July - Whats up Wednesday

What I'm eating this week...

I have been eating out a lot this month. I went to a family friend's grand opening of a sushi restaurant, MF. The night before I had a GNO at RA Sushi. I had some Genghis Grill with my sister. However, my most recent food outing was to this place called Sam's burgers, fries and pies. I got an Angus Beef Burger and some homemade chips.  yum! :)

What I'm reminiscing about...

My trip to Zambia and my time spent at Camp Life. Click here to read more about it. 
When I was researching this organization, I found a video of a man discussing what his children wanted for Christmas, to help the children of Zambia. He also commented on the fact that 6 months after the mission trip, his children were still talking about their experience. I had some doubts if people were still reminiscing about their trip once they came home; but I did find myself thinking about the children and sharing my memories of them with others. 

What I'm loving...
I am trying to get myself in the habit of reading more. I just finished The Death Cure, from the Maze Runner series. I am skipping the next book The Kill Order. I am currently reading Paper Towns by John Green.

The thing is, I love reading books that are/will turn into movies. I love spoilers of books, because it gives me something to look forward to. I know the big picture of what will happen, but I get to read about the details!

What I've been up to...
1. My never ending goal of trying to get in shape, healthy and tone. I try to run every night, and I use the Nike Run app to track my runs.

2. Deciding if I should continue with my Real Estate license even though I never used it.

3. Trying to grow/expand my advisory/consultant business. 

What I'm dreading...
Currently trying to figure out what is next in my life, it's a constant struggle
Also dreading running outside, it's an oven out there!

What I'm working on...

I would like to look for a good text book that I can really learn and dive into the tax code.

What I'm excited about...

10 days to my birthday, and I still don't know what I will be doing that day. I would love to go to Disney but...unlikely 

What I'm watching/reading...

> Paper Towns by John Green
> Celebrity Family Feud
> The Astronaut Wives Club
> Rookie Blue
> The Messengers

What I'm listening to...

I always browse Spotify's New Release section - I usually try to find someone I know or look for good cover photos

I present to you Bea Miller: https://play.spotify.com/track/7xAdO0zdl7lGf0ecg4IGhQ

What I'm wearing...

Jeans and TOMS

What I'm doing this weekend...

Hopefully writing about the rest of my trip to Zambia

What I'm looking forward to next month...

My Birthday Month!!! I will be turning 27!

What else is new?

> I subscribe to TheSkimm, and they had an insert about a Crisis Text Line, similar to a crisis hotline, but thru text messages. 

> Also, this site Suris burn book

I also randomly found this book, not sure how but I am a little interested in reading 

Top 3 Travel Accessories (Bags and Tech)

The number one essential for me, would be my carry on bag. With out that thing, I don't know where I would but all of my snacks, entertainment, and... JUNK! In the past, I would prefer cute bags, but as time has passed, anything on wheels is my friend! The main benefit of having a carryon with wheels is the elimination of a heavy bag on your shoulder. Trying to lug that thing around during a layover is worse then walking around in heals all day. However I am still drawn to satchels for traveling.

3 Travel Bags that I am loving

 

1. The Transport Weekender - By Madewell - I am attracted to the leather aspect of this bag, it looks very roomy for a weekend getaway.

2. Ravine Duffle - By Herschel in Flamingo

3. Grand Traveler Bag - By Vera Bradley - This bag also has a trolley sleeve that will also you to attach it to your other rolling bag handles

3 Top Tech I take on my trips

 

1. IPad mini 3/Samsung S5 - great for catching up via social media or current events. I also use my phone/IPad as a way to upload and transfer my pictures.

2. Beats Earphones 

3. Nikon D5100 - I love this camera with a longer zoom lens. If I need to take up close shots, I usually use my phone. 

My 2015 Trip to Zambia, Africa: Camp Life Mission Trip

It has officially been a full week back from my summer trip to Africa and I am just getting started on compiling everything from my trip into post form.

To start things off, the purpose of going to Zambia was to participate in my first mission trip. The foundation is called Family Legacy, and they have a couple of subgroups/missionaries with the mission to helping children/orphans, I was introduced to this organization thru a family friend. In the summer, Family Legacy will hold 7 weeks of Vacation Bible Study session for children within the surrounding communities. During your time there, each person is assigned 10 to 12 children to help build relationships while instilling biblical teaching. The theme for this year, is "Amazing Grace".

The first full day was Sunday, it started out with a lovely church service with all of the children from The Tree of Life. As a first timer, I felt like they really threw you into the mix and really got you out of your comfort zone. I was a little scared at first, not knowing what to expect or what to do, but the children were all so friendly and welcoming that everything felt very natural. Afterwards, we got to meet up with our evangelist and apostles, they are local volunteers/interns who help you during the week. In my opinion, they are life savers and they are so kind and helpful and they really make your experience memorable. After church, some local vendors had set up shop, so that everyone could get some souvenirs and shopping done. Also the women had to purchase a wrap, called a Chitenge, to be worn during our community day.

Community Day in Kamanga

Monday, was the first time seeing our children; these 10 little faces are so happy and excited to meet you. I meet up with my group who where waiting in a line to meet me. When I saw them, they where so excited to see me that the first thing they did was run up to me and give me a huge hug. These children where so joyful and kind and excited to see me. The first day, we had a lot of free time, because everyone was trying to get adjusted and figure out the flow of things. 

A little bit about my girls: I had 10 girls between the ages of 6-8. They all come from the same community, Kamanga. 

Here are my girls, they are a little shy at first

Every day, we would have big group session, and that is when the children will learn about The Word of God and they also get to have some fun singing and worshiping with everyone. Afterwards, each group would have small time, where you get to talk to the children more about their understanding of what they had just learned and you get to answer any of their questions and expand on what they learned.

Tuesday, when the children got off the busses they are running towards you to give you a hug! Looking back, this is something that I will truly miss, being able to see there faces so happy and worry free.
Tuesday thru Wednesday was pretty similar to Monday, with the exception of going to the clinic and blessing time. At camp, the children have the opportunity to visit the clinic to monitor their growth/health and to get some vitamins. The key is to take your children in as early as possible; one of my girls had an ear infection and she was able to be treated and through out the week she would visit the clinic for daily ear drops. If I had waited till Friday, the little girl would not have been able to receive enough medicine to truly have the infection heal. Most of the time, the clinic visits at camp is the only time that they would ever see a doctor for a simple check up. 

Blessing time, is individual time with each child to get to know more about them. Because you will be their advocate when you return home, this is the time to find out about their lives at home. For example, you get to learn about their eating and living habits, who raises them often times, the children will be left to other relatives to be taken care of* you get to find out if they have accepted Christ as their Savior and if not, you have the opportunity to share that with them. This is also the time where you find out if this child needs to be moved, from their current living conditions, to the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is similar to a dorm/foster living, each house has a den mother and 10 to 12 children living within the house. 

Thursday was community day, this is when everyone would venture into the community with your children and spread the Word of God to the local community. It was truly a blessing to see these little children being so courageous and sharing with others about their Faith. 

Friday was the last day, and it flew by so fast. The children were gifted their purple amazing grace shirts, fleece jackets and so much more. The look on their face's was priceless.

I know that this post does not do fully give you all of the information about the organization, it is more of a quick over view of my experience. To learn more about the organization, I recommend visiting the Family Legacy website. 

Review: Dove Advance Care

Thanks to Influenster, I was chosen for one of their campaigns... the Dove Advance Care.

Influenster is an online website that uses social media as a way to influence users'; it's like a yelp review for products, but though everyday users like you and me.

For this campaign, they had teamed up with Wal-Mart and Dove. The product is claiming "48-hr protection with softer and smoother underarms." I just got back from my trip to Africa, but I wish I had it with me, so that I could really test out the product.

My first impression of the product, was that it is very big and sort of bulky. (not travel friendly) However, the scent "Caring Coconut" smells super good! They currently offer 11 different scents around the 4.88 price point at Wal-Mart. I would really love to see if this product is able to last for 48-hrs while achieving smoother and softer underarms. Who wouldn't want that, right?

I personally purchase the smaller travel size deodorants for daily use. I believe that a smaller product will be disposed sooner resulting in less bacteria buildup forming within the product.

* Disclaimer, I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster *