Apr 28 10

Stalker, Envious and Excited April 28, 2010

by jessicaramsey

Good luck guys! I am so pumped for you guys and your new adventures. Live it up and soak it all in. Its an amazing experience and it happens very fast. It comes up and you get on that plane and then you realize you have to head back and go home. Thats probably the worst part of it all. Fiji sounds so exciting and Im so happy for you all. Live the name of the program and do it up 2011 style though no one can do it like us. Just kidding :)
Congrats and I hope to see you in Fiji because one of you is getting me in your luggage. Lucky you:)

It’s an amazing ride and the time of your life. Buckle up your seat belts and get ready for the ride of your life. Remember though that its not all about the change your going to make in peoples lives but the changes that are going to occur in yours. As a wise person said, who got quote on the board by Matheny herself, ” you don’t go out and find change, change finds you”. That was by me by the way if you didn’t get it. It doesnt come in a little box with a ribbon addressed to you, you have to wait and see what comes up. It’s your time to shine. It’s your trip. Your adventure. And your job to hold of the name of Global Perspectives. It isn’t easy but it’s do-able. See you in class because you know we will all be attending. Good luck everyone and congrats.

Mar 30 10

March 20, 2010 – The Final Push

by Tony

Today was the last day of the push. We finally finished the school and my gosh it looks really good. It feels amazing to finally see the end product. There is still some more to do but it has to wait until the summer time or when it starts to get nice out in order for everything to work. Darren I appreciate all your handy work around the house so so much. I’ve done it all here and lets just say I know how you feel at the end of the day; tired but accomplished. The people here are going to be really hard to never see again because they are so helpful and so full of life. Tonight we get on the train at 11pm and we sleep on the train and head into another city in Mongolia, it’s time for the tour. We’re hosting the next part of the experience, the closing ceremonies and they are in an hour or so. We get to finally hand over the school and unfortunately say goodbye to our friends and our new family. Today was the first time I actually looked at the school and thought to myself wow, we finally did it. We’ve overcome so much and so many things here that it seems we can practically do anything life throws at us. I’ve seen the worst parts of life and I’ve seen the best. In Mongolia you have it all. Buddy, Mango, Bob, Bukyum, and our version of JX are all apart of our experience and they’ve made it amazing. Thanks to Mongolia for pushing us and showing us that we can’t look for change but we need to let change find us. It’s found me and it’s found all of us. I miss you guys still but unfortunately I’m not wanting to leave this place yet. It’s an odd feeling of being sad coming here because you miss your family and friends but also leaving is the same kind of feeling. We’ve made new friends and we’ve made new family who represent our loved ones at home. I’m excited for whats to come. RJ have a good spring break and stay out of trouble for me:) Wongalong have a good time in Vegas babyyyy! Mileno, ang, ash, and the rest of the crew have an awesome break and live it up for me as I’m doing for you. Lucyloo I’ll be back soon with tons of stories and pictures for you ! Love you.

March 20th Part 2- Completion

Closing ceremonies finished and I feel so up to date with everything possible. We had the ultimate meeting together after the ceremonies and I totally feel like everyone here is my family. It’s just an amazing feeling and I love being able to see everyone smile. All the little kids in the town and all the tiny faces who are just so excited to see you play with them. I honestly feel complete. It’s like the change everyone said would happen has happened and I feel so proud to say that these new 30 students and 4 teachers are my new family. Going into this I did not expect anything like this to happen. People said that change would happen but I didn’t believe it would happen like this. The workers, the helpers, the new friends, and the nights of culture completed my whole experience. It almost feels like I’m ready to embrace the new world and experience it all. I finally understand why all the people come back to visit Matheny. Change is in the air and it’s amazing. We’ve been able to affect the people around us and they’ve affected us. Everyone has helped this experience and more is yet to come. One more week of the tour of Mongolia. It starts with the train and then we get to the city and after that we start going and going. I really appreciate the cooked meals, and the never ending support from everyone. Hammer I missed you here and my stories will fill your mind as soon as I get back, don’ worry as you know I talk a lot. Set aside some time Hammer because it’s Hammer time ( like you haven’t heard that before ). As always we wish you were here and we are glad that you were still a part of our experience. These 30 people have honestly let me in and I’ve learned so much about them. Nicole is my ultimate roomy and I love her to pieces now that we’ve gotten to know each other. The teens here are super cool the guys remind me of our guys and the girls are just incredible. It’s almost like going home is dreadful though it isn’t because I finally get to see my mom ! It’s been incredible and undescribable. That’s all I can say. You see the world on this trip. As Matheny said it’s  little dot on the map but to us it’s our whole world and it’s a whole years work of preparation. Congrats Mongolia 2010.

P.S give lucy that text and call mileno, ash, and wongalong. Thanks, see you friday !

Mar 27 10

Miss It, March 27,2010

by jessicaramsey

My sleeping patterns have not gone back to normal yet that is why i can safely say I’m wide awake writing this but yet i still feel drowsy. I believe i feeling drowsy for one reason. I miss Mongolia. I miss waking up early and going upstairs to eat the same tiype of breakfast every morning. I miss going to the worksite and digging with my classmates. I miss the people there who smiled no matter what they were doing or waht time fo day it was. I miss the global crew and all the smiles and laughs we shared together. I miss us. I miss it.

Mar 18 10

March 18, 2010 – The Sweet Escape

by Tony

The Sweet Escape is a place where you can see the mountains without any pollution in the air. The Sweet Escape is a place where you can walk down the street and say hello to whom ever crosses your path and receive a huge smile from both everyone you see. The Sweet Escape is living with people who care about you and everything you do even though they hardly know anything about you. The Sweet Escape is Mongolia. It’s day three of the work site and we already have one wall up and everything else is going to be up today. You guys should really see this, it’s completely amazing knowing that we did this ourselves and that we have the will power to do it ourselves. We unload the wood, we hammer the nails, and we transfer everything to build up this school in which WE built. So far we’ve met tons of new people and made friends who are the sweetest people ever. They want to know your life story as soon as you meet them and they remind me of my friends back home who I miss. The workers here treat you like family which is great to see to help us with missing our own familes. The teachers have been great they are so dedicated to us and they’ve been also like family. Don’t worry mom Kippan’s got me covered with everything I need and she’s given me mom hugs that she says are from you. I miss you and I’m really excited to tell you all my stories. The people here are just wonderful they care so much and they are so welcoming. Here you can go up to anyone and just sit down and talk to them. They are proud of who they are and what they have and they know how to make due of what they have. It’s really mind-boggling to think that we go to the mall every lunch and buy food in which we probably can get at home but we buy it anyways. We went to a total of three cultural nights so far and we’ve had  complete blast. They know how to get down here, we’ve had a total of two dances and all of them have been completely amazing. The Mongolian kids help but with our new Mongolian words and their customs and everything else we do. I love them all and it’s going to be so sad when we leave. I’m having a ton of fun and I love living with this group. They are totally amazing. RJ hold down the fort until I get home, and I kinda miss your annoyingness! We built our own fire today,just us girls and we feel so proud. We’ve all gotten closer and we’ve all become a lot more appreciative about what we have and what Mongolians have. I’m soaking in every minute of this experience and as everyday goes by a new thought pops in my head about how change is for the better. See you soon guys ! Love you and miss you:) Happy Belated St. Patricks Day Dad and Best Friends ! Hope you guys had fun for me:) I got to get back to my fire and accomplish this huge school. The People here have taught us that it’s not what you have it’s who you have with you and what you make of it. I’m learning mom, it’s a change in the making. Love you.

Mar 16 10

March 16, 2010 – Obstacles

by Tony

Obstacles are challenges in life in which we all face and they can hurt you or make you stronger. For us they’ve made us completely stronger and closer as a group. I love Mongolia. It’s beautiful, there’s no other way to describe the feeling when you step off that train and see tons of smiling faces peering at you with eyes as wide as the sea. Being here has made me realize that life isn’t perfect and things happen. Being cold and moving locations, delayed flights, and more have made us realize that we need to embrace the problems and attack them at full force. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m trying to soak up every little thing all at once. It’s purely amazing and I’m excited for what else is too come.
p.s they have mj in mongolia :)
love you all and miss you.

Feb 23 10

NEW- Feb 23, 2010

by jessicaramsey

“every new beginning starts with a new beginning of an end”
- google (it doesnt tell me who)
This reminds me of us. Our end of fundraising which was a new beginning almost a year ago. But now Mongolia is our new beginning. I’m excited.

Feb 23 10

Feb 23, 2010 Nagging Mothers At Their Best.

by jessicaramsey

The trip is in two weeks and I’m starting to feel the nerves and excitement coming my way. I’m so excited and stoked for what’s yet to come and reading through my old entries I’m a super excited kid! I’m also honestly a bit nervous because it’s something we’ve all never done before and it’s kind of crazy going to such a cold new environment. But then again that’s also the exciting part. It’s a crazy thing to think that in a few weeks we’re going to be finally be on the plane that we talked about going on for almost a year now, and we’re going to finally be working our bums off to complete a project that we’ve talked about for yet again, almost a year.
My mom has been really antsy and worried lately about me being “ready” for the trip. She’s been nagging me saying that I need to get this and I need to get that and to call this person and that person. I’ve been prolonging it and saying that I’m going to get to it and that I’m not that worried about it that everything will get done but the truth is I’m really worried. There is so much to do before we leave and honestly, I need to start pretty soon. Getting everything together is going to drive me crazy and make me over think because I’m a “full-load-packer” so this is going to be a real test for me! It’s and exciting test though. I just wanted to put that nagging mom thing out there just incase anyone is feeling the same way. She’s actually talking to me about Mongolia right now, that’s ironic. Got to love her for it though!
I’m stoked to leave and excited for everything new. Excited for the change in culture, scenery and yes even weather! It’s time for new experiences and new connections with everything and yes everybody that will start to happen now and in the next month because in two weeks we are off!

Feb 11 10

Feb 11, 2010- The Princess Costume and The Crown.

by jessicaramsey

Tears fled my eyes as I peered at Daniel in front of the whole class talking about his life story. In my opinion it’s been the most eye opening experience of this whole trip yet because I felt as if I could connect with him. It was weird because I didn’t know him before all I knew, all we knew, that he was M’s brother and he was an Olympic Athlete. But now I see him as Daniel the person who’s made it through tons of struggles and became a top notch world Athlete but made the time to come and talk to us. I loved how he said I just wanted to be surrounded by people like you. That really hit me and made me think hard about the people whom which we all are today.
As he talked about our education and how we have to strive hard in school because it’s our background I felt myself seep lower and lower in my chair. I’ve slacked really badly in school this year and I think it too me all this time to realize it. I’ve always done well in school and I honestly believe I can do a whole lot better than how I’m doing right now. It scares me to think that I may have sunk so low that it will be hard to dig myself out again but Daniel for some reason opened my eyes and made me believe that I could do it. I would be that girl who does well in school again. It’s taken me this long to realize I’ve messed up and I’m believe that it wont take me this long to learn how to fix it. It’s crazy to believe that things can change over years and that change is in the air. I’m not good with change. I never have been and I hope that will take a drastic toll and change for the better for me, if that makes sense because in my head it does.
Daniel brought tears to my eyes and I really wish he was coming on our trip with us because I think he would be an asset to our group. He and Matheny are really alike both great at telling stories that intrigue us and make us want to stay in our hideous princess suits while we stroll into the classroom late, no big deal.
It was a real eye opener and I’m grateful and honored to share this experience with him, and all of you. Thanks for being you, everyone.

Jan 5 10

The Big H, January 6, 2010 !

by jessicaramsey

As I entered class today nothing gave me the idea that the Big H would let his guard down and tell us what’s up with him and how everything changes in a matter of seconds. Hammer’s one of those guys who is rough on the outside but a kind one on the inside and most people don’t get to see that side of him unless you deal with him a lot, which happened in my case. Hammer’s been my teacher throughout high school, one in PE, another in peer tutoring, and now in this class. He’s been my soccer coach from the way beginning and hopefully be returning for my last year as well. I don’t consider him as a teacher, more as jokester with a lot of heart and hidden passion for what he does.
When I found out the Big H would not be able to embark on our Mongolian journey with us tears filled up my eyes and honestly it had me asking the question why? Why did this have to happen? But then I realized that unfortunate things happen to the people who can handle it the most and you Hammer are one of the strongest guys I know. Not many could do what you’ve done and be out there giving 150% in everything they do, but you’re different.
Looking at the trip now gives me the same excitement and urgency but a different vibe. I know that this decision is the best for us and for Hammer but its still upsetting to hear that one of the coolest teachers isn’t coming on the trip with us. We all know it’s for the best and we are all excited about letting you know our stories and telling you the funny insiders which may not make sense but after a while I think you will be in the loop!
I’m looking forward to letting you know the insights of Mongolia and hopefully it will feel like you came and embarked on the journey with us! I support your decision one hundred percent and am hoping you make a fast and healthy recovery. We’ll miss you Hammer but don’t worry with our stories you won’t miss a thing !

Dec 28 09

December 28, 2009 The Count Down.

by jessicaramsey

Winter break. Oh boy, where do I even start! Well first off I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and I hope Santa was good to everyone! This break has already gone by so fast and though it’s not over yet it feels like it will be over tomorrow and school will start up again! It just makes me think, three months were half way across the world heading to Mongolia on a journey in which is so soon. I don’t think we realize how soon the trip is. It’s really only a short time away and it’s getting more and more exciting each time I write a blog entry! It’s almost like this is it, let’s do it! So here’s to the months in the past of hard work and teamwork and to the months counting down to our trip with more hard work and family bonding! 2010, it’s our year.