Some Pics from the Road!

Something New

Alright Blog Followers a.k.a My Mom! This is Me writing my first Blog for this Semester of Cast B 2010 and I hope to continue regularly this semester and what ever path my life goes after this. So right now I am/Staff are getting ready for the new Cast to arrive this Friday. Always an exciting moment and day for everyone! My Job Title is the same as last semester Marketing and PR Coordinator on the road, but I have taken on a lot more responsibilities this coming semester. Which I am excited and nervous about! I said this before that my life moto is "Don't get Comfortable" and I love having new challenges.

Giving my Blog Some Love, Hope its not too late..

So we visited Teotihuacan some Pyramids in Mexico and it is my second time there, but lets be honest when visiting one of the "7 Wonders of the World" it's always going to be like the first time! So I ended up getting some great shots and really had a blast there. Such an amazing place and to think that there is still no idea to who built them and the history behind them is incredible. There is no identifying the makers because there has been no bones found or hieroglyphics around the area...Aliens!! haha Enjoy and stay close for more!

This Picture is one of my favorites, because it has the Aztec calender with some guy that looks like a prophet holding it.

"To hold the Unknown"

Not too much to say about this one but a Beautiful day at the Pyramids in Mexico!

So back in The Philippines and everyday I feel like I am growing and learning more. Whether it is learning more tagalog, about the culture and people here and growing everyday to appreciate life and my mind keeps flowing with ways, ideas, and possibilities on how to put myself into action and plan to what the problems are in the world. Locally and globally. There are so many sparks that have been ignited here where people are doing far beyond more than their share everyday and not asking for anything more! One of the slums projects we are working with Kaibigan. This Program goes around the slum areas and finds families that are striving for more with their kids doing good in school, them making crafts to sell, and also recycling anything they can. Most of the leaders running this program live in that exact area and are Volunteers, So instead of them striving to do whatever they can to make an income they are helping make their community and better place. The other day we went around the families and gathered bottles to recycle for another source of income for them and then we started just grabbing some from the trash, and the kids that follow us around saw us doing this and immediately scattered and gathered bottle from all over! At one point that day I have around 40-50 kids following my and playing games, I feel the energy and excitement these young kids have and I know we can turn that energy into being proactive and cleaning their area, So next week we are going to get trash cans and have a competition on who can gather the most trash and then have a lesson on how to clean themselves, the importance of soap and brushing their teeth! I can't wait! God is doing some great things here with his people showing that "I come second in life" we must live in the mindset that Iamsecond... Iamsecond.com

Why my BLOG Began.. Philippines..

I started this blog back in September of 2008 when I arrived to The Philippines knowing in my heart something big was about to begin. I focused more on my journal at that time trying to document and express my feelings and growth that way, but I figured my family and some close friends would like to know what the heck I'm doing and what is going on in my life and so became the Blog! Back with Up with People I am now back in the place where my heart got eaten, pressed, loved, and spit back out. I went through quite a bit living in the slums with very little but not feeling the toughness of it because I had a host family that made me feel like I was living on the beach in Cebu sipping margaritas treated like a prince! After my 3 amazing months there I had to say goodbye not knowing when the next time I'd be back to see my family and friends and get to experience this amazing country again.....NOW I am back here in The Philippines and it didn't really hit me until I heard someone say "hey Kuya" and I felt like I just got punched by Hulk in the stomach, I was back!! It's now day 5 here and I'm soaking it all in again and loving every second, from the crazy "I think I might die today driving taxi's" to the food that makes candy the main meal, I'm loving it!

I have not yet contacted my family from Olongapo, and they have no idea I am here. I think about them pretty much everyday of my life since I had left back in 2008 and now I am so close but so far away....I will be going back to surprise them on my first free day I have, and I feel like it will be an episode from Extreme House makeover and it'll be an mixed emotion of excitement and stomach turning! From the time back in December 08 when I saw my Host mom crying as the bus left and I had nothing but a Salamat po (Thank you) and a hug that had to squeeze 3 months of life changing experiences we both knowing that I could possible not ever see eachother again, Life is amazing that way! Such a blessing to be back and here to learn grow and shine light in areas, give hope to the hopeless and rest to the restless! God is doing amazing things here and I can't wait to share that!!

Ingat Po,

Brandon

German/Europe Finish

Once again late on the update on where I am on my adventures and sorry just been a crazy last couple amazing, unforgettable, passionate, life changing months and have a lot to talk about but will sum it up as much as possible!

So I was in Hamburg, Germany for 4 amazing weeks and so many great stories I don't know where to start, I was working with Sisa from Solvakia again and love that girl so much and has really put a smile on my face working with her! My start in Germany was Cottbus and such a great host family we went canoeing down a stream in the forrest in the middle of nowhere I remember the smell of the mist and fog of the forrest and the feel water spiders crawling all over us and got lost and had to paddle UP STREAM, and I was extremely sick paddling by myself and wanted to give up after every stroke! But carried on and finished the adventure/challenge! So then one month in Hamburg (The most Beautiful city in Dutchland) my host family in Hamburg was for sure one I will never forget and hope to see soon again in the near future, such a wonderful family! I even met a girl on a bus a she took me to see the Lion King Musical in German! Which is like 125 euro's!! Loved it! Also got to goto DOM which is a huge German Carnival with rides and German food (Gluviine) I miss Germany more and more and can't wait to venture back! Soooo Now I am currently traveling with Up with People's Cast A 2010 as Marketing Coordinator!!

Sundsvall, Sweden

2nd City in Sweden has been yet another great adventure and have loved every moment here! The other day Matt and I dressed up like the Town mascot (Dragon) and went around town!! I'm truly amazed by the culture of Sweden and could really see myself attending University here! So my next journey will be Hamburg, Germany and am so excited for that as well! Until then I don't have too much time to report now but hopfully when I settle in Germany! Peace, Love and all the above!