Kit's Korner

Huset Folman Nielsen

I could hardly believe it when I got off that plane alone. I was in Scandinavia…in Copenhagen Airport…in DENMARK! Little me on a mission to set up a city with my team and impact a community who’s culture I knew very little about besides fairy tales of someone very long dead. Things must have moved on since Hans Christian Andersen’s time. I must say though…that the moment I walked into my host family’s house…saw their smiling, warm welcoming faces and sat down to a delishous Danish supper of baked chicken, vegetables and boiled potatoes with parsley and lemon zest and fresh baked bread…I knew I was going to have the time of my life getting to know these people.

Anette and Martin Nielsen are the coolest married couple I Have ever met.

 Not only were they cool but they were just so genuin. It was so much fun teaching them english! ;) They eat healthy and I’ve been able to swap many a recipe with Anette who works at a school for special needs students, where she provides them with healthy and delicious food made with only organic ingredients! Talk about quality controle! And we only had the same standard at home. Another cool thing was I never had the same dinner twice since the night I got here. Anette is constantly trying something new. Martin cooks too and is able to put together anything off the top of his mind. But I’ve noticed a pattern with him: If he cooks there’s always bound to be rice :) YAY! I’ve tried their Danish bread, harring, smoked salmon, potatoes and meatballs in brown sauce and it was all amazing!

I’ve also had the opportunity to share my food with them! Kit soup, Sinegang and fried wantons and Phad Thai. The Kit soup and Sinegang were particular hits. Along with my home made sweet and spicey sauce.

And how can we forget desert? I’m proud to say that they now know how to make Halo-Halo and Biko :)

Anetta and Martin live such active and healthy lives. They work hard every day and then come home and take a run through the forest together. They eat healthy and have such an amazing relationship with thier kids. Both grown, thier kids Danny and Mie are amazing! It’s not hard to see why. If I grew up in the environment Anette and Martin have created for their family, I know I was being set up for success.

Being around them, their caring attitude, their supportiveness, silly moments or even just relaxing in the livingroom, made me really appreciate my own family. It helped me identify things I know I want for my future family, (Like their close and good realtionship with their parents and their kids). They didn’t come from the best family backrounds, but both of them are living proof that determination, dicipline and positive out-look on life can really make a difference.

I’ve really learned so much from my stay here and I know that I will be keeping in touch with them for a long time. And maybe seeing them again soon.

This is yet another reminder of how the host family experience sets Up with People appart from other travel programs. What you learn from the people you stay with, weither good or bad, really impacts your own opinions and values. It’s up to you, though, what you make of what you just learned.

Cheers to that! I’ll miss you Anette, Martin Danny and Mie!

Until we meet again :)

Ruidoso, New Mexico

Ruidoso, New Mexico… This little quiet town is a wonder of nature in New Mexico. A state that’s known for it’s desserts and heat, Ruidoso stumped me. It had pine trees, mountains and a a lot of deer. It was an organic town with people from all walks of life. There was art and color everywhere. Even an Irish pub! One hour away from White Sands National Monument and with an Apache Resurvation just minutes from the village, Ruidoso definately had much more to offer than I had expected.

But I think what really impacted me in this town was it’s people. There were so many interesting people here and alumni who were continuing their Up with People experience and applying it in their work. Susan Travis workes for an organization called New Mexico OATH, Organized Against Traficking Humans. This was a very significant topic in New Mexico and it brought real purpose to the cast’s visit. They got a chance to udnerstand the issue and think about it. Brainstorm and talk openly about what they thing and how they can help bring awareness to this terrible crime. This is a topic that’s close to my heart and I’m very honored to have taken a small part in this cast’s experience. They created art for the organization, paintins and bracelets. It was amazing to see how talented the students where and so gratifying to see them sharing their talents.

There’s something so gratifying about doing PR. There’s so much to the job, yet, compared to the value you create for the students and the community, the challenges are only a fraction in ammount, compared to the rewards you get from the effective and positive impact you help to create. I love working with the Up with People staff…It’s been an amazing adventure putting together this city with them. Next stop, Denmark!

Back in Denver

Hello friends! So in January I started yet another semester with Up with People! It was refreshing to see new faces and of course see old ones and share stories. I finally got to visit my first Host Family, the Thompsons and we had an awesome dinner with the Up with People family and friends.

I had a new hsot family, Jaquie Hall and I had a lovely host sister from Mexico named Krissna. Here we are after watching Bring It On the Broadway Musical. We’ve had fun times sharing dinner conversations. opinions on politics, life, love and religion. I love having conversations like that and getting a chance to hear and learn about other opinions or share them and my own views. We’ve also had several culinary nights :)

Crema Azteka and diferent salsas with tostata, chicken adobo, lumpia and rice! Mmmmmmmm (n_n) I love food sharing! Speaking of Filipino food, there are 2 Filipino students in this semester’s cast! Our Filipino representation is growing! Let’s keep it up!

I’m so happy to be back on a new adventure with new challenges! This semester I’ll be going to Ruidoso, New Mexico, Naestved, Denmar and Seinajoki, Finland! I can hardly wait to get started! I’ve got to dress the part and keep that Up with People smile :) See you all on the road!

Home: UWP Philippine tour 2011

My hands trembled the moment I stepped off the plane and felt the warm humid air of home. I was that excited to be here. Finally, after 9 months of travel, I was back home. I wasn’t afraid of what people would think or say or how I would relate after traveling, because my journey wasn’t over. I was simply ready to hug my little brothers and sisters as tight as possible. And I was just as excited to get my suitcase open to give them their “pasalubong” or coming home presents.

My first night home was bliss. I just basked in it while I could because the very next day I had to meet up with my tour directer Luis Petzhold and tour manager Mark Whitaker. A couple weeks later Linda Chen was also added to the family. Another week later our team was complete with Nikka Bendero and Chickee Chi on board. We set to work right away. Starting with a refreshing Mango shake!

Setting up at home was more difficult than I thought it would be. There were a lot of challenges, but they lead to equally amazing triumphs. After 2 months of set up, we managed a tour, more diverse than any previous Philippine tour Up with People has had yet. Our Itinerary for the cast would be : Puerto Princessa, Palawan, Tacloban Leyte, Metro Manila and Marikina City, Luzon. 3 islands, 4 cities, 3 shows and countless community service projects and learning opportunities.

It’s safe to say that we put our sweat and blood into this and I can’t be more thankful to everyone that helped put it together. I’ve just achieved what I hoped to do while I, myself, was traveling as a student: bring a cast to the places in the Philippines that I feel are most beautiful and close to my heart.

With this job I feel powerful. As an international Promotions Representative I am not only an ambassador to my country in an international organization and it’s affiliates and partners, I am a representative of the company to the world, a staff member and mentor to hundreds of young people around the world and a promoter of the best products ever: Peace, Love and Hope. Talk about scoring the ultimate Marketing job? Or perhaps it’s a paving stone for me for grater things in life. That’s what Up with People hopes to achieve in its program and with their employees, they hope to create good leaders, active community members and aware individuals. 

I’m just so glad and honored to be part of such an organization and to have been given the opportunity to have them in my country again. Thank you Lari Sayo (my bff :) for getting me involved) 

What a way to end 2011!

Happy Holidays!

Note* our Christmas Family Reunion was Moroccan themed ;p

Minnes”0”ta

That plane ride to Minneapolis was nerve wrecking for me. I was nervous. There was no staff members to run to if I was confused and there was me reminding myself that I was the staff member now. This was my first city set up as a PR. 

I was excited and afraid. The same feelings anyone would have on their first day on the job. But the moment I heard the voice of Mr. Witte, the husband of the vice president of Arts Connection, our beneficiary, on the phone, I knew I was going to be alright.

Minnesota was amazing! It was more than that, it was nice…”Minnesota N-I-C-E”. People here are just so accommodating and friendly. Though you have to make sure that you read the signs. When they’re not into something they might call it “different”. That’s their polite way of saying “WTF?”

And they love their chocolate covered bacon. I tried some at the Minnesota state fair…which, mind you, is one of he largest state fairs in the USA. It looked like they had a whole city to themselves. They carve faces of dairy princesses out of slabs of butter and dip everything in batter, fry it and serve it on a stick. Their fried cheese kurds were awesome though. Everything you could possible find was on a stick. Even candy bars. I tried a recees dipped in batter and friend…wasn’t that bad but I actually want to live a long life and could do without the cholesterol. The exhibits were amazing and you just have to watch the movement in the crowd to realize how big the state is. Also, they have the biggest Mall in America…Yup Mall of America! @_@ it’s a big mall thought our own Mall of Asia is it’s only competition ;)

My hot family was AMAZING…LEGENDARY…EPIC! The Kieffers! Mary and David opened the door and welcomed us in to their lovely home that was to be mine and Marlos’ for the next 7 weeks (8weeks for me). I had the most amazing time with them. What i love most was how interesting and amazingly talented everyone was. David, my host dad was an actor and pianist…I’m pretty sure he sings too but I never got a chance to hear it. He had a day job too but even that took a back seat to his passion for cooking and fishing. Mary my host mom was lovely! She’s a nurse and such a fun person to be around. I really appreciated how patient she was and how particular she was with things around the house. I also noticed that she was also very generous and thoughtful and would get upset with me sometimes when I’d be too shy to accept little things.

My host siblings Olivia, Caroline and Jo were ….in a word…supercalefragelisticexpialidocious! They are all talented in their own respect. Both Olivia and Caroline sang beautifully and they both share my passion for music and theater so we all got on well. I most especially liked CSI nights with Caroline. Jo is an intelligent and amusing boy. Boys will be boys and I missed my brothers terribly when he was around because he reminded me a lot of them. 

I most especially loved sitting on their terrace sharing the silence or talking over a glass of red wine. Minnesotans relish the warmth and the fact that you can be outside before winter came and it would be too cold to even think of leaving a window open. 

The twin cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul…. Minneapolis holding the title for the arts while St. Paul serves as the city for governance and policy, where the Capital building can be found. We saw it all during our visit. Spoke to state representatives and marveled at the natural beauty everywhere, the lakes, the Mississippi river and the changing leaves of Autumn. Duluth and Lake Superior….But nothing really was better than Woodbury…the small but booming town Up with People impacted on their visit. A community is only as good as the people in it and we had the best. 

By the last week that I was there the weather had started to cool. Wild rice soup and Minnesota tater-tot Hot Dish was now in season. Good food, good company…nothing could dampen my spirits after that.

In short….I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Woodbury Minnesota. And hope to visit the wonderful people there soon. I couldn’t of had a more perfect first set up!

Cheers! 

Next stop Philippines! Homeward bound at last!

Back in Denver Colorado A New Adventure

HI EVERYONE!! So here I am back in Denver, Colorado, where the magic all started, But this time I’m not touring as a part of the international cast. This time around I am traveling as a full time International Promotions Representative of Up With People! I got the job 3 days before I needed to be in Denver for training, so naturally I jumped at the opportunity. Since it was such short notice I couldn’t stay with the Thompson’s again because they were over booked already. But instead I got to stay with my old cast mates: Cassie Williams and Emma Whitehead. I got to cook Filipino for both their families.

Along with the new job came the awesome reality that I got to see so many of my old castmates. Here I was, thinking it would be a long while before I would be able to see them again…LOL…here we are at a Mini reunion. I love you Cast A11! ONE Tribe!

I got to bond with my “Goal Tender” Emma. She is not only the most amazing 17 year old I have ever known, but one of the best people I have ever met. It’s been amazing being part of her family. She took me to her Cabin by the Colorado rockies and a very beautiful river. Life has never been so good.

We also went down to the hot springs. It’s amazing what simple pleasures you can find out of rocks and water. <3

We also had time to go see the 7th and final part of the Harry Potter movies and got it in 3D for free thanks to the theaters awesome mistake of only getting 3D movies instead of the combination of 2D and 3D. The funny thing is, some people got angry and left because they didn’t want 3D. I’m guessing they have problems with their eyes.  

I was trained for the job for 2 weeks, learned how to drive on one week and got through my testes in 2 days. I am totally baffled at myself, but the thing is, if there is a will there is a way. And I definitely had the will to do things with the support of family and friends. It’s been a learning process and a big adjustment from student to Staff in this amazing organization’s program, but who would have thought, one year ago, that I would be traveling, working and changing the world for a living? I honestly feel like Life has blessed me in so many ways and that God just has a way of taking care of me when I least expect it.  I am very proud to be working for this amazing organization and am very excited to tell the world what Cast B11 has to offer!

Stay tuned everyone!

California how I’ve missed you!

So the first day I got back to California after 10 or so years I traveled via train to Sacramento and stayed with Holly A girl who I’d met on the Up with People tour. She hosted me for 3 weeks and showed me around her family Dairy farm. I had no idea this part of California existed. I had grown up on the northern bay area and hardly saw farm land. It was a nice change from urban living and it was so nice to see so many stars at night. There’s hardly any light or air pollution in this area so the sky was clear and dappled with stars almost every night. 

I got to milk a cow for the first time. Holly’s Dairy has a total of over 2,000 milk cows…I know…it’s a lot….that’s a LOT of M-I-L-K

I

The baby cows have no teeth and are fed with bottled milk when they’re young. They always thought i had a bottle in my hand so they’d suck on my fingers if my hand got close enough to their mouth. It felt very weird. 

Cotton seed! these are the seeds that the cotton plant grow from. It’s also cow food. but it’s fun to play in. 

******

Sacramento has a lot of fun places to go. Holly, her cousins and I decided to go to a concert and saw this funny sign on the girl’s bathroom.

Maybe the person typing it out was drunk…how ironic.

*****

I finally got to visit San Francisco! <3 need i say more?

***

And what better to complete the visit but a trip to In-N-Out Burger? <3

I really enjoyed visiting and catching up with old friends and family. It was so sureal to see everything with older and new eyes….very nostalgic….the funny thing is I was whisked away on another adventure the moment I started getting used to California again….haha 

To Be Continued… ;p

Viva Mexico! La Laguna

This has to be one of the warmest cities I visited on tour. The Family I stayed with made it the experience it was. They were everything and more than what I’ve heard of a good mexican family. They had a modest home but were so accommodating and generous with everything they had.

There was always as much food as we wanted whenever we wanted. Because, of course, as custom would have it, mexicans show their love through food. I had big breakfasts and margaritas, mexican ice cream and who can forget their famous tequila and beer? All on “off Up With People hours” of course, but I am 23 =)

We had a wonderful time there painting and cleaning up neglected areas and painting a mural of peace and hope. We also helped build a library. Tedious work under a strong sun, but it was rewarded with a tour of the city and the famous Stadium. Soccer or football is a very big part of Mexican culture. They’re crazy for the game and especially their local team. They ware the green and white colors proudly. This area is famous for it’s cows and milk so, rightly so, their mascot is a cow. 

This was a city of love and passion for family friends and football. I loved it! The show was equally amazing here. I’ve been dancing actively in the mexican medley.

Adios for now!

Viva Mexico! Queretaro

Hola! And welcome to the first city I visited in Mexico.

Queretaro was beautiful! It had an old down town part that played an important role the liberation of Mexico during the revolution. It was shocking to see how similar this city was to some parts of the Philippines. We do share some similarities in history, as both our countries were colonized by the Spanish. 

There were lots of old gothic churches and pueblo-like houses lining the streets. Orange and red seem to be the most popular colors for houses and buildings. It felt nice to walk down stone paved streets that were probably older than me and walk into shops and restaurants that have so much character and color, just like the people. And by the way, tacos are nothing like the ones that were popularized in the United States. An american taco is a tostata, the real tacos are actually soft

The people in this city are wonderful and warm and are from all over. My host family is no exception to that. My mom is Japanese and grew up in Brazil, my dad is from the United States and they have 2 very beautiful daughters who are brilliant and talented. It was so much fun being hosted in such an international community. You’d never really expect that in Mexico. I really didn’t know what to expect at all.

 

In this city I designed and painted a mural for AMANC, an organization that provides a center for children with cancer to rehabilitate themselves and rest after chemotherapy. It was a moving experience for all of us who participated. This is what we do in Up With People. Sometimes it’s not all about the show or the next travel destination…It’s about the communities and people we IMPACT on a day to day basis with the talents we have. I love to paint….it was so much fun using that talent for a greater cause. 

Cheers!

Weinfelden, Switzerland

It’s always exciting to enter a new country. I’ve heard so much about Switzerland from my mother, who has traveled here before. But nothing could have prepared for the Swiss experience I was going to have on this tour. 

We arrived by bus at Weinfelfen from Prague. The drive was very scenic; field upon field of green and mountains and a great deal of houses with pointed roofs and shuttered windows.

Most of the work we had to do in this city was related to children with special needs and refugees. I worked with Iranian and Afagani refugees in a center in the mountains. It was beautiful and secluded. They were very interactive and it was very interesting to learn things from them. They stay at the center and occupy themselves while they wait for their country to be safe to enter again. In many cases the refugees could not return home at all and were either transfered to another center or became a german or swiss citizen and found work in society. Their time at the facility trained them for that. They fixed us some traditional food and we had lunch with them with a scene of the mountains out the windows. 

There’s so much to do in Switzerland. One of the cool things I did while I was there was go up a gondola to see Mt. Santis. It was fun to slowly float up into the sky and spend an hour at the top. It was a little foggy but we were still able to enjoy the view and cold weather. 

I also got to enjoy a few culinary delights there. Chocolate, cheese and liqueur. Raclette is a famous Swiss dish I was able to experience while I was there. Melted swiss cheese on almost anything. Unlike fondu, you actually bake the cheese until it’s crispy on top and melted inside. It was delicious. Then we washed it down with a type of sweet liquer and had some chocolate for desert. Gotta love Swiss eats!

The rest I can leave up to your imagination. Switzerland was amazing!

Cheers!