Ecuador #2: Summer CLO Trips

This Ecuador post is just a compilation of the places I have been able to go with my job at work. Every Friday for a month and a half, we took Embassy kids to really neat places

The Quito Zoo- 
My whole family decided to join me on this trip as my co-worker and I transported 25 or so people to the zoo and back for a day. It was pretty small but just perfect. The exhibits are close together and you're up pretty close to the animals (no US security measures) but the huge Galapagos bred turtles were awesome.

Enthralled with the animals

Just huge man..... huge

This sweet little girl was the beeest. She clung to my shoulders all day :)

Photo creds to my dad. It's like he's staring into my soul. 

The Yaku Water Museum.
 This activity was actually quite boring except for the bubble room but the view outside was incredible, so it just barely makes the list!

So dang pretty

Am-Em Foundation (Horseback riding in the valley)
We went horseback riding down in Tumbaco at a stable that often does therapy for disabled children by allowing them to ride and play with the horses. Gorgeous horses and learned to trot with no hands :)

Lets GO!

Startin'

No hands. 

You know? These kids were pretty cute. :)

Chocolate factory- Ferrero Chocolate Company. 

Unfortunately no pictures were allowed inside so here are the only ones I have. But this factory is the ONLY producer of Tic Tacs in the world. We had to put on all sorts of safety gear and masks to not "infect" the goods. Ate waaaay too much candy that day but it was fun. Factories always fascinate me.

My mom, brother and I. 

Group shot (not like you can tell who is who)

Rock Climbing
I will admit that this was easily the most bratty group of kids out of all the trips. There was just an INCREDIBLE amount of attitude/complaining/cattiness. Sisters were insulting each other and wishing 50 foot falls on one another, others were mocking kids for not making it all the way up the wall, just not great moral in general. So glad it was one of the shorter trips! But I managed to take a turn up the wall. Way more difficult than it looks because it's real rocks. The second wall I did took WAY too long and my arms were dying but the guide spotting me was patient.

That's me :) 

Hacienda la Compania  + Rosadex Rose Farm  (My favorite trip)

Little did I know just how fun this trip would be when I went in to work that morning. This one wasn't a kid trip, it was an adult brunch and the drive was about an hour and a half but we had great participants so the conversation was fun. We got to the Hacienda (a really old Ecuadorian ranch) and it was so beautiful. The furniture was neoclassical french and there were tons of antiques everywhere. They fed us a delicious breakfast (shown below) and then we went to the rose farm. We browsed the packaging plant and they let us take home 2 dozen each! I have the most pics from this because I loved it so much! Everything was just gorgeous.

Fresh fruits, breads, and empanadas- absolutely delicious

Centuries old church on the property of the hacienda

Part of the show room. It was so gorgeous. Thousands of roses.

The logo on a shipment truck and our guide (co-owner of the Hacienda/plantation)

Packaged roses

Compilation :)

On the way back to the Embassy some people wanted to stop and buy coffee scone things :) This is me and my awesome two bosses.... Workin' hard, obviously. 

My "Sunset Delight" roses. Great day!!

So those are my adventures at work. So blessed to have had the opportunity to coordinate and assist with planning all these- and partaking in them!!

Ecuador #1: Quito in a Snapshot

I've decided to do some short travel blogs of my experiences in Ecuador. Essentially I'm just doing this to remember them and show people that I'm a prooooo photographer (not even close). When I get back from Ukraine in March of 2015, anyone is welcome to come visit in Ecuador and partake of the same incredible experiences!

Here is the first post: Quito in a Snapshot
I took a double decker tour bus around Quito the second week I got here and then again about a month later when the rest of my family arrived so here are pictures from both experiences. This city is quite gorgeous.

First stop: El Mercada and Itchibamba Park

Among the vendors of this market I found this adooorable girl dressed in traditional Ecuadorian attire. The lollipop was just too perfect. 

Reminded me of that arch in Paris

Next Stop: Basilica del Voto Nacional

This gorgeous Roman Catholic church is the largest Neo-Gothic church in the Americas. The stained glass inside was incredible and it still holds mass on the weekends. I didn't get to climb the

Basilica from outside. It's pretty massive. 

My favorite picture taken that day.

Every window had some sort of pretty design from a Bible story. 

This picture just can't do this incredible window justice...

Lovely stained glass. This is only one of 20 something. Just decided to spare you all 20 ;) 

Pretty big, right?

Up on second level

Smaller cathedral off the side of the basilica- also gorgeous. Wasn't allowed to take pictures inside, only from doorways. Somehow I feel weird taking pictures in people's places of worship though.....

Next Stop: Centro Historic (Old Town Quito- Street of 7 churches)

Outside each church on the street is a large stone cross- sometimes its called the street of 7 crosses

The courtyard of Centro Historico

This church was incredible. Gold plated walls (no pictures allowed inside, but if you google La Compania you'll see some)

The Next Stop: Panecillo (Angel of Quito)

This is the statue- rather pretty. We didn't go up the hill with the tour bus because we ran out of time, but I will some day.

View of the city from up higher.

Other Pictures of Quito from Other Days: Sometimes the weather just works and you can see gorgeous views of surrounding mountains/volcanoes:

This was our view at night while staying in the Sheraton before getting into our house

Increeedible view from the dentist- Cotopaxi Volcano

Cayambe Volcanoe- One of my favorite photos hence, it gets a big post ;) 

This city is incredible. Come visit me in 2015 :) 

Makeover, in more ways than one and secrets revealed about make-up

This is a kinda long post, but it's really important that you get all the way to the bottom... cause that's where the best part is.

Today I had the opportunity to go to the MAC store here in Washington and get a make-over. The actual make-over part was pretty fun, the lady was nice and taught me some techniques. As I looked at myself during the transformation I was in shock for two reasons:
a) It didn't look like me anymore- I mean it was, but it was starting to look more and more NOT like me and
b) I didn't realize that amount of stuff can go on one person's face.
We left the store a whole lot poorer, and with plenty of supplies to have a top class face. Here's what it looked like:

I spent the rest of the morning feeling like a rockstar but as I'd catch myself in the reflection of a mirror or something I still wouldn't recognize myself. As the day went on I felt less and less sure about my 'new look'. People said they liked it, and by the the all-knowing media's standards it looked 'great' but I just couldn't quite get past the fact that I had a bunch of stuff on my face. Now here comes the more personal part, which nonetheless I'm going to share cause it's pivotal to the story: An accidental comment from my mom later in the day pushed me over the edge. I was skyping with my sister and mother who are currently a few states away and as I was showing them what I'd bought, Kierstyn leaned over to her fiance and said "Don't worry, I won't ever drop a ton of money on make-up when we're married" and my mom said "Yeah, that's because Kierstyn looks pretty without it".

 Now by no means was that meant to insinuate anything- sometimes we just take phrases when we are feeling vulnerable and it 'speaks to us' or something. But here's the deal- it hit hard. I felt like I wasn't pretty without it, or had no hopes of being so. The 'likes' on facebook that were wracking up on the picture above weren't really helping to diminish that belief either. So, with the tears somewhat welling up in my eye-lined lids, and being the teenage girl that I am, I turned to one of my best friends. He's pretty much a no-nonsense guy when it comes to girl drama and made me come to the following realization:

Make-up, while it can enhance your look, should not be your look.

And with that I want to reveal how much work goes into looking like the me that is pictured above. They say a magician should not reveal their secrets but I think it's important to know that people don't just naturally look like magazine covers and photoshoped images (not that I'm saying I did, but, you get the point). My grandma took these originally so that I'd be able to remember what she did on how to get the look, but since I'm never going to use this much stuff on my face again, it's time to expose. He we go.. first, she started on the eyes.

For the eye shadow alone, she used about 5 different colors, paint pots, and highlighters. Then 2 liners, and mascara so we are at a total of 8 PRODUCTS.

Then she did the brow and she used a highlight and a darker color so now we are at a total of 10 PRODUCTS. 

Then she did the face. This is the most embarassing part to post, but people need to see it so... here we go. She used a primer base, then the cover up, then a mineral sheer, then a light rouge. Then she sprayed a set spray thing on... so that 4 products more. Now we are at- 14 PRODUCTS. You starting to see where I'm going? 

So after she started spreading it around I looked slightly more human, but only a bit. She added a contour line of blush and finished off with a face spray that evens out powders and whatnot so now 16 PRODUCTS.

She added a final lip color of 'Viva glam' lipstick and I was finished. With the use of about 6 different brushes and 3 baby wipes I was at a grand total of 25 VARIOUS THINGS used on my face to create the look you saw above. So after pouring over that comment from my mom a few times and talking to my ever amazing friends, I realized I shouldn't have gotten so caught up in all of this stuff. The facebook 'likes', 'comments' and messages I got about how I looked "so pretty" seemed ever so slightly superficial. I'll keep the profile picture up as a reminder but here's the bottom line.

Don't let make-up define you. I'll still use a bit of it, I still love what I got today, but never let someone put so much on you that it changes how you feel and look to such an extent that you have a major breakdown. As I scrubbed of the make-up today, and my tears mixed with my face wash I'm so grateful I had this huge realization. So, to anyone still reading this- love yourself for who you are. You can use make-up, but don't be afraid to love your face in it's naked and natural state, blemishes, glasses and all. 

Just do it.

Today I was feeling pretty good. I walked into my office and got a warm hello from the security guards as always and had the thought to do something for them. During my lunch hour I ran down to the convenience store 5 seconds from my building and bought them all oreos and milk. I ended up forgetting my wallet and had to go all the way back up, but that's not the point. Anywho- it was literally the equivalent of about $2 for all of the goods. It was slightly awkward giving it to them- we've never spoken. There is obviously a pretty large language barrier but the seemed shocked when I just randomly handed them cookies and milk cartons. I just wanted to show that the workers here actually do notice them. One guard said "Thank you very much for your kindness" and I walked to my little cubicle. I'll admit I was pushing myself a bit out of my comfort zone to do this but in the end, my advice is to just do it- just get out there and recognize the people you see everyday but end up just passing by. Anyways- that's my little 2 bits for the day.

Some confessions and a MAJOR!

This post is dedicated to my obsession for the past 3 days and an interest I've had since around the age of 11 or 12. I was a rather chubby kid.... like really.  It was a dark time.... thus now it is secretive, locked in terrible photo albums of the past. Not really, but I'm not uber quick to pull out pictures of my chub rolls when friends come over. Nevertheless, being chubby isn't the best feeling for the self-confidence radar when you're 13. I remember countless summers where I would say 'I'm going to lose the weight, and come back to school and shock everyone'.... obviously it didn't happen for a while. Finally when I was 14 though, my freshman year in Miami, I sat in my counselor's office to sign some form and noticed a pamphlet on her desk for the 'Teen's get Fit for Life' program at our local community center. I wasn't too incredibly chubby at that time but still the self-confidence thing is a big motivator for a teen. I joined and let me tell you, it's the best thing that has ever happened to me.

It's because of that program that I lost 15 pounds and then have continued to stay active in highschool through cross country, swimming, and triathlons. I'm not exactly a stick-thin chica but let me tell you something... I can probably kick your butt in push-ups, p90x, or the mile. I'm really strong for a 17 year old and I'm healthy: I work out a lot and I eat pretty well for a teenager too.  Don't get me wrong- I still struggle at times in the body I was given. Legs of steel, although strong, are not the most slender looking in the world of the media at the moment.  But just because I have the running calves of a buffalo and the broad shoulders of our dearly beloved Michael Phelps doesn't mean that I have to feel any less attractive so I try not to let it bother me too much. If nothing else, I'll probably live longer than the skinny minnies who never exercise but eat crap... that'll be my revenge.

What is all of this talk of nutrition, exercise, and a lifelong goal for fitness about? Well I decided on my major at BYU- Exercise and Wellness. Basically, from there I can become a nutritionist, personal trainer, sports trainer etc. I'm excited!!

Working and Independence- Refreshing

I've had a few thoughts on my mind this week so I thought I might just get them out through writing:

Some of you may know that I'm working this summer as an intern with USAID in Bangkok for the Embassy. I've spent the last week doing quite a few things on my own: finding my way around downtown, taking the various transportation systems places I've never been, cooking and buying my own lunches and foods, and basically just being highly independent. At work I've been compiling news sources, attending conference calls, and delivering mail. I also started another blog- fitness as my witness- which is a nutrition and exercise blog. I've been making my own fitness plans and workouts to lose a few pounds before college as well. For the first time in a while I feel like I am doing things that actually matter- The things I'm doing at work actually make a difference in the big scheme of things

I don't quite know how to explain it. I tried expressing it to Katie today as we were successfully navigating the BTS system here in Bangkok during one of the busiest times of the day. She seemed to understand it fair enough- there is just something invigorating about being able to do things on your own. It's refreshing knowing that you can survive independently if you had to.

Although I love my friends and family I admit that I don't often like relying on them for everything all the time. It's also tough for me right now when all my friends are leaving Thailand because I don't like getting sad about them leaving. I don't like how having them leave makes me miss them- as stupid and ridiculous as that sounds, I don't like 'missing' people because I can't control it. I can't do anything about them being gone and yet I find myself getting emotional about it. I don't like feeling vulnerable about it.

That being said, I'm growing up. I guess that's what this post is about.  I'm learning more and more about what I like, what I'm capable of, and what I can handle. I'm doing more and more things completely on my own and I find it to be empowering.

YAY GRADUATION!.... wait.... what?

Yes indeed, it has been exactly a week and a day since I have graduated from High School here in Thailand. To be perfectly honest with myself and any lone readers, my first week out plain and simply sucked. I said farewell to my two very best friends a week ago and all my other friends went on a Senior Trip to the beach here in Thailand. I did not attend because once again- to be blatantly honest, the fun consisted of alcoholic beverages and other things that are not quite my style. However this entire week I sat wishing for some sort of distraction or even just something to do. I watched more TV than should be humanly allowed, slept a heck-ton, and ate a bunch just cause I was bored.... The boredom food thing will be talked about in another post but anywho- onward to my thoughts on leaving the proverbial "nest".

I think I'm 99% ready to be living independently, but this week showed me that I'm not entirely 100% ready to leave Thailand. I'm a pretty good cook. I know how to clean. I'm perfectly aware of labels on clothing and how to do laundry (will I follow them.... hmm probably not so much!). Drawback include that I will sorely miss the ISB campus. The feeling of community and friendliness amongst both teachers and students, not to mention the insane list of activities that were offered here. But the hardest truth is I really and truly loved my friends here in Bangkok. Just thinking about the probability of never seeing any of them again makes me cringe. I've been so emotional thinking about it.

But hey, life goes on!! So my coping method this week was to storm the BYU website and find out about activities, gyms, classes, restaurants and all other things that it has to offer. The other thing I've been doing is tons of research on health foods and whatnot- but that's in the later post with the boredom food thing as mentioned before. Focusing on future BYU life has been a tremendous help this week. I've made lists of things to buy pre-college, things to do once I get there, and have been looking at meals I can make and places to buy food etc. For any seniors going through post High-school blues, I recommend the same thing. Maybe you don't have to go so OCD on the lists but just looking at prospective fun helps. So with that, I leave you with the three things I've learned this week.

1. Leaving friends (especially when there is a really big chance you'll never see them again) is just plain painful. Cry some, if you want... I  certainly did. Allow yourself to be sad for a few days (or a week).

2. TV and taking naps doesn't really make the problems go away. If anything you just end up feeling like a fat-lard.... I do admit that the cheesy Bachelorette show on ABC assists with a good laugh though.

3. At the end of the day (or week) you just have to get over it! It's odd how even when I'm sad or feeling like so many good things are coming to an end, I know that I should allow myself to be unhappy. I forced myself out of the lame 'meh' feelings through the BYU stuff I did online.

Graduation can be invigorating, or painful, depending on the experience. Either way, though, college is just around the corner!! :D

Got to sing with the choir at grad- "In My Life".  I had a solo at the end as well... nerves.. heckyes

                                Right before we threw our hats- I'm fifth from the  center on the right top row.

                                                                              HATS!

Mr. Duffy- will always love this Jolly English teacher

Mr. Giles- The choir teacher of all choir teachers... 2 great years singing- hopefully more to come