First Impressions

I have been slowly coming across all of the volunteers blogs as they have posted them on facebook or emailed them to me. It's been fun to read about their experiences here and think about it outside my own perspective.

Today I read Ashton's blog.

Ashton is my roommate. She is from Washington and is quite the character. She is 19 years old and we get along perfectly. We both go to bed early and wake up even earlier. We both love working out to make up for all the chocolate and chippati we consume. A few nights ago we did Insanity in the basement of the guest house we stay at. All of the workers and other guests got a big kick out of us jumping/running/sweating/panting. Needless to say, Ashton and I have a good time together.

She did a post about our whole team a few weeks ago. I got a big kick out of what she wrote about me in the beginning before we really knew each other. I am fascinated by first impressions and think the one she had of me and my co-director will give you all a good description as to the country-directors Brad and I are.


Rachel- is a born leader, she's like our mom here. She holds us all together. She always seems to know what is going on behind the scenes. I swear she must be a fortune teller or a mind reader. She's assertive, I assume she gets her way quite often. She knows what she wants and I have no doubt she'll reach it. She's an excellent communicator and is generally granted her requests. She's using this experience to finish up her studies at BYU in social sciences with an emphasis in non-profit organizations. She played basketball in high school. She seems into health also, but she gets the biggest eater award. If you put it in front of her she will consume it. Nonetheless she has perfect hair. No matter what we are working on her hair seems to endure the conditions.

Brad- is one of those people whose nationality is difficult to pinpoint by appearance. He looks a bit Asian, possibly Mexican, why not throw Philippino into the mix. He's actually Navajo, a nonexistent nationality here. He keeps joking that he's struggling with questioning his identity. When we told the kids he was an American they didn't believe us. Brad is pretty fluent in dry humor. He attended Harvard studying sociology and I assume he'll make his life work something similar to the work we are doing here. He likes traveling and other cultures. Brad loves chocolate cake. He served his mission in India so he understands this type of atmosphere. Brad likes to read. He's pretty go with the flow in actions, but very honest about his opinions.  From Mulan, we've learned that his type of women is tough and doesn't show a lot of skin.  He needs a little girl, every time we see one in a cute little dress he whips out his camera. Brad will try anything- he even read my fat girl book, actually more than half the group has.