Introducing November's Host, Loan!

The next host for the month of November will be our very own LOAN! She already has a few topics chosen, and plans to write weekly for the G12 Adventure Blog.

Please see her write-up below:

"In November, I will work with the APLP team again to take care of a new international fellow group to participate in the Leadership Program. I plan to post on the Blog every week of Nov. The first one will be some reflections about my return trip to Vietnam in June-July after 10 month study and work in Hawaii, and my struggle of making a decision whether I should stay in Hanoi with my former job at the Danish Embassy or continue to stay in Hawaii;  The second article will title as Career development in Hawaii: easy or difficult?; The third one will be my Balance of work/study and family life; And the last one will reflect how I feel, as an alum, to return to the EWC and work with APLP team.

So on for that, and I hope I would be able to accomplish all the writings as planned!

Mahalo, 

Loan"

A Yogic 35^th Birthday!

I celebrated my 35^th birthday on Saturday…and it was a truly memorable experience. Being a new yoga instructor, I have incorporated the Zen of yoga into my daily life….and what better way to celebrate a milestone 35^th year than to do it with Yoga! On October 26^th, I participated in an all day (12:30-8pm) yoga charity event that supported the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Center of Hawaii. It was held at the beautiful Modern hotel in Waikiki, where the sunshine and wine glasses flowed freely! I was surrounded by good friends, positive energy, live music, and plenty of smiles. Enjoy the video of us practicing in the pool and photos of day.

I am indulging in a unique opportunity by taking a mini sabbatical to rethink and  re-chart my professional goals. I am also taking the time to be very deliberate with my next job choice. Sean and I have little more than a year and a half left on Hawaii, therefore the most important thing I can do is appreciate, enjoy, participate and learn more about this place that I love. We are fortunate that financially we can handle this time of just one income (Sean’s income), while I iron out some family financials, do some home improvement projects, train our dogs, advance my yoga practice and instruction abilities, and JUST DISCOVER AND ENJOY HAWAII!  Sounds like I am doing GIST right here in Oahu!

And just like GIST, I am experiencing new flavors, scenery and cultural aspects of the island. I had driven past this overlook a hundred times…just last week I took the time to pull over with a friend, and take this beautiful picture of Kaneohe Bay. I feel utterly blessed to live here with my best friend and two furry lovebugs (my dogs). This is certainly a very happy time for both Sean and I, and I encourage all of you, when the timing is right, to take the time to stop and smell the roses…or in my case, the hibiscusJ

October Brings Fall Colors and Old Friends!

The beginning of October Brings Fall Colors and Old Friends!

Sean and I are just finishing up our annual trip home (Detroit and Boston), which means lots of plane rides, rental cars, time waiting in airports, traffic, but also great food, seeing great friends and family, and experiencing the autumn colors of the U.S.’s east coast! Fall is my favorite season, and I am thankful that we had a chance to go back and experience the cool dry air, vibrant autumn colors, and various forms of pumpkin everything! As I write this blog, I also reflect back to one year ago when we were all boarding planes for China or the east coast….Wow does time fly! I remember my feelings of excitement and ambition to “find the right path” last year during our APLP experience. The path that I am on now is certainly different than the one that I envisioned one year ago—let me catch you all up on what I have been doing…..

Family: When I started APLP our family consisted of myself, Sean and our puppy Lulu. Our family has grown by 4 furry legs and a tail as we adopted a second dog, Conan. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Work: I interned at the Hawaii State Capitol as a legislative aide during our spring semester---and loved it! I not only learned about governance in an experiential way, I also had the privilege of being mentored by one of Hawaii’s longest serving and respected political leaders. During this exciting experience I was exposed to various influential leaders and also learned about various public programs. Additionally, my interest in law and public policy manifested. I have always thought about going to law school; I am now committed to going and am studying for the LSAT (preparatory test for law school). I have extended my leave of absence from my consulting job to focus my time on studying, training and caring for our new puppy, and volunteering as much as I can.

Personal Life: I have a new passion in life, and it is yoga! I have always been a practitioner, but now I can say I am a true yogini! For 9 intense weeks this summer I completed yoga teacher training, and in the end I received my certificate enabling me to teach. I have already started teaching about twice a week, and truly enjoy it! This new aspect of my life allows me to give through teaching and ignite my creativity. It has truly been both a blessing and step in the right direction.

Take care fellow G12 Ohana….until next time!

Dina

October in Hawai'i

While Hafiz kept cheerfully confirming that he would be posting on the blog during the first two weeks, his month went by and we did not hear from him. He will have to update us through the G12 facebook page.

We move next to Hawai'i in October to catch up with Dina Poma-Barnes who said that she would be making her first post by the end of the first week. A graduate of Georgetown university and a former Marine, she is currently a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton.