Happy Holidays!!

Hello Everyone,

    As this year winds down, it is the perfect time to reflect on what we have and what we are able to do with the help of family, friends, and neighbors. I know I have been given so many opportunities to make my mark in the world (especially with this trip to Cambodia), and they have all come to me one way or another through one of the three means above.

    So, I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me in my journey thus far- yes you, the anonymous reader, too. I hope you all have a joyous and love-filled holiday season, and continue to make a difference in others lives.

   In other news, I will have a paypal account linked from this blog soon, so if you wish to become a sponsor, but only have a few dollars to give, you can do so. Hopefully this will reach out to those who feel they cannot make a large contribution but still wish to help out in some way.

Again, happy holidays and best wishes.

~Mikayla

Some Motivation

Wow, where did the time go? It's been quite a while since I last posted anything, and for that I apologize. I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season so far, and continues to do so in the upcoming month.

 As for myself, I've spent this week preparing for finals and next week I will be resisting pulling my hair out while actually taking them. But on the bright side, after next week I will officially have completed my 1st semester of college!!

So, while we all enjoy spending time with our loved ones this season, I want to give myself and everyone who has helped me get this far along on my journey to Cambodia a reminder of the power of social support and motivation. I hear it will get you everywhere.

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is  always to try just one more time" (Thomas A. Edison).

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream" (C.S. Lewis).

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence" (Helen Keller).

"I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than attempt to do nothing and succeed" (Robert H. Schuller).

"Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door" (Kyle Chandler).

And my favorite:
"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals" (Henry David Thoreau).

Please have a fun and safe holiday season everyone!

Great News!!

A Great Big Hello!

In the last few days, I have received some amazing news from various people. On Tuesday I was informed that it would snow here in Greeley, Colorado where I am currently living, and snow it did! I just spent about an hour looking like an out-of-state-kid while having a snowball fight in the field by my dorm. It was awesome! 

On another, more Cambodia-related note, throughout this past week I've gotten several emails from various people who've been so gracious as to become sponsors. This is due, in no small part to my mother, who has been doing as much, if not perhaps more advertising for my trip than even I have. So, thank you mom for your tireless efforts, and thank you also to the following people for committing to being sponsors:

Ms Marie Ferry 

Mr. Doug King

Mr. Michael Wada, Ms Shoko Imai, and NKK Switches 

Keep checking back for more updates to come soon! 

Updates

It's been a while since I last posted anything, so how about an update?

• I have a spot reserved to go to Cambodia from May 9, 2014- May 31, 2014!!                                           
• The current balance I have to pay before getting there is: $4,600                                                            It's broken down like this: $2,600 EDventure Tuition, ~$1,800 flight, $200 traveler's insurance                  
• JOB. As in, I have one! Now part of my paycheck each month is going to help pay for this trip!                                                                                                                                                             
• I'm working on some fundraising ideas (all of which are still in the works)                                                       Here are a few:                                                                                                                                  Casino Night (with awesome prizes)                                                                                                  Cookies for Kids - aka an amazing bake sale                                                                                      Some sort of Sports Tournament with a pay-to-play policy as well as mandatory costumes- Superhero Basketball?                                                                                                                                Dancing for Dollars- no, it's not anything inappropriate, but it is guaranteed to be hilarious.                  "Egg and Beg"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     So, this is what I am currently working on. More details while be posted soon- as soon as I have them.  Thanks so much for your continued interest!                                                                                                                     

Initial Deposit In, and We're on our Way!

I am very happy to report that as of 10am this morning, the $500 deposit was paid, and I now officially have secured a spot for the Cambodia trip happening May 9-31, 2014!!!!!!

This means that I'm that much closer to spending part of my summer doing some amazing humanitarian work with some amazingly caring people! Cambodia here I come! 

And... with the initial deposit, the running total now for the trip comes to $4600 

Counting Change

Taking on an adventure such as this trip to Cambodia quite understandably comes with a rather large price tag, which is why I'm asking sponsors to help me try to make an impact in children's lives. I will keep tabs through this blog on how the cost will be applied, a running count of how much has been raised, as well as the sponsors who have decided to help.

Currently, the total amount left to raise is: $5,100

1) EDventure Tuition- $3100
2) Flights- about $1800 now (liable to change)
3) Traveler's Insurance- $200

If you or your organization would like to become a sponsor, you can either mail me a check, or if you would prefer to send a direct payment to EDventure International you can email me at mikaylapreston@gmail.com so that I can give you the proper steps to follow.

Thank you so much for your sponsorship and invested interest in changing young lives.

EDventure Information

The group I look forward to being a part of is called EDventure International. This is an organization founded with the aim to connect cultures through volunteer work facilitated by the world's young adults. They follow the creed that "Not all those who wander are lost" introduced by J.R.R. Tolkien in his poem 'All that is gold does not glitter'. To learn more about what they're up to, who they are, or how to get involved follow the link below. 

 http://www.edventureintl.com/

Getting Started

    The question may come up, what's this girl doing on the web? Aside from a small internet addiction, I'm interested in making a difference in the world with the help of social connections and ever-changing technology. In May of 2014 I hope to embark on a 3 week journey to the heart of Cambodia to do humanitarian work in a country still recovering from the lasting effects of genocide its people faced. Myself and other members of my group will spend time in local orphanages and schools, teaching English and just being an exotic friend to many children who have lost their families. An experience which I hope will teach me just as much as I will teach others. 
    This blog will serve to be my connection to all those who want to help me help others. It will be a way to show how far this journey really takes me, through photos and commentary. So, if you're a potential sponsor, check back here often for updates on how fundraising is going, as well as to learn along with me about the beautiful country of Cambodia.