User talk:M2m86

What can change in a year and a half – A LOT! Yes, believe it or not, it has been 18 months since I last blogged to you and I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to travel with all of you through the Central American countries. In the past 18 months I have completed two outstanding internships, one in Washington, D.C., and one here in Bismarck; graduated from the University of Mary with a third additional degree that I decided to tag on at the end; secured a full time job with Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson in Bismarck; launched a radio show on URL radio; and on and on go the list of changes.

Change – this is a necessity in life. I love the knowledge, challenges, and life experiences that come with change. I have vowed to never become the old dog that can’t learn new tricks! One change that I said would “never” happen is to let my “vision” fall back into the tunnel. As I left the ship in December 2007, my mentor warned me of this change and I swore up and down that no matter how much US media I fed myself, I would not fall victim to “the tunnel.” Well, guess what? This winter I felt that tunnel drawing near and knew immediately that I had to culturally awaken myself. It is human nature to conform to the society that we are in. As a proud North Dakotan, I love the society that I have grown up in, but I realize that I need to push myself to broaden my scope of understanding. In order to truly appreciate what I have here, I must appreciate or at least attempt to understand the situations that are happening on a global level. For this reason, I have decided to set sail again, this time for Central America. The countries I will be studying include: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Jamaica. We will port in Costa Rica twice, once on the western side and once on the eastern.

As my departure date quickly approaches, I have begun mentally preparing myself for the journey that awaits me. Before I can sincerely appreciate elements of another society or culture, I have to find a renewed appreciation of the society I live in.

I appreciate… 1.	Freedom – especially freedom of speech 2.	Education – the gift of equal education is an incredible asset to the US that is often taken for granted; not everywhere can you pursue any career your heart desires 3.	Family – with all its highs and lows because at the end of the day, family is the most important support group 4.	Faith – no matter what religious affiliation you have, this will always be your rock; the one thing in life that holds you steady and keeps you grounded 5.	Hope – this ability is the one that drives change and continues the fight for a better tomorrow

What do you appreciate? In order for you to develop into the person that you aspire to be, you need to take the time to be grateful for the key elements of your life.

Now go, pack your bags, unleash your imagination and join me on an incredible and unforgettable journey through Central America!

________________________________

OH, I wish I could be there, too! I'm sorry. Here's some info for your flight home: DEPART Saturday, December 8, 2007 United Airlines Flight 1563 Nonstop   Saturday, December 8, 2007 Depart: Metropolitan Area, Miami, FL, US (MIA) @ 8:00am Arrive: Denver International, Denver, CO, US (DEN) @ 10:25am

<<  CONNECTION   >> United Airlines Flight 5819 Nonstop   Saturday, December 8, 2007 Depart: Denver International, Denver, CO, US (DEN) @ 12:20pm Arrive: Bismarck airport, Bismarck, ND, US (BIS) @ 3:01pm

I will put more out here as I find it. Call me as soon as you get to Miami!!

Wow, it is alread 7:20 pm on December 6th. I cannot believe that in 12 hours I will be able to see the shore line of the USA. This whole trip I have been wondering what it is going to be like when I get home. Will I still fit in, will I have the same friends, will my family get sick of hearing my stories? I know that the answer to all of these questions to some extent is yes. This whole week we have been undergoing all kinds of training how to approach re-entering the US. I guess that today is just an amazingly emotional day. I feel like a woman going through menopause because one minute I will be laughing and the next I am in tears. I would normally feel wierd about this, but everyone is going though this same bitter-sweet transition. It really hit me tonight that tonight is my last night on the MV Explorer when my politics professor came up to me and gave me a huge hug. He said that he loved having me in class and if he could he would take me with him :) He kind of reminds me of grandpa Jerry, not in looks, but in personality.

I just had to leave my room because Jill, Britt, Christina, Sam, Erin, and Emily are all making signs for thier parents. I never thought that not having you at the port would bother me nearly this much, but I am realizing just how much I want to see you waving at me from the pier. I know that it is probably a waste of a prayer, but I am going to say it tonight anyway. I am praying on a miracle that you will be in Miami to pick me up. I know that in reality you won't be there, and that is totally fine. I think it is just because today is such an emotional day that this is bothering me. Because, really, two days is nothing.

On to a new topic. University of Virgina gave me another billing statement that says I still owe $2,750 (which means they didn't get my student aid) and if it isn't received by Jan 21 it will be reported against my credit rating. I know it is past business hours at home, but if you could just remind me to go and talk to the aid department out at Mary on Monday that would be great. I don't have any idea what in the heck is going on. Oh well...it will all get figured out!

Ok, I am going to our closing ceremony now, and be sure to look to the southeast tomorrow morning at about 7:00 am and wave to me. I will be waving like a maniac from my dock in Miami. I love you more than the amount of hormones racing through my body right now!

I am so happy to hear that your visitors were kind. They need to grow-up! I have all of my finals today. I was up at 5:30am to study some more. I have been studying some each day, but there is just so much information to pack in and it is really difficult to remember everything when you have class for one day and then are in the country for five! Oh well, grades are not everything...in reality they are near the bottom of the totem pole (although I still obsess about them). At 8:00 am I had my Linguistics exam which I DOMINATED! I am sure I received at A on that test. I just finished my International Econ test...soooooo hard! Even though that call was so hard, I loved it and learned so much. Plus, that is the teacher that loves me :) He did give me a 100% on my Econ journal -- I was one of 2 :)  In one hour I have my Comparative Politics exam which is going to be difficult as well, but I have learned so much in that class too. I guess that I would rather get less than an A and actually feel like I have learned something, than to get an A but retain nothing.

Tonight I am going to finish packing and tomorrow we are having a party day in my room starting at 9am. I told everyone not so show up before 10, but I know that they will be too pumped so I anticipate the first knock at my door to come at around 8:55 am.

I don't know if my dad will be at the airport. I called and told him and Jaci all of the info, emailed Jaci the info twice, and went a postcard with the info. If he can't remember from all of those times, then that is just retarded! I hope that they do come because I want to see Alex and Jeremiah so much! If they don't it is just a few more days until I go see them for xmas with the Sullivans so it won't be too bad.

I sent Maggie a facebook message yesterday and I told her to have a great week and a fun weekend...it then dawned on me that I will be home to make her weekend great! It sounds so weird and unreal!

Ok, I am going to go and study more for politics, but I will see you in ND. Love you more than I love this trip (now that is a good one)!

Love, Molly

Well, I made it through the night with our "guests". Kathy, Amy, and both kids were here and it went fine. They couldn't have been nicer! I bet they realized how rude they'd been.

Oh, Molly! You're almost home! SAWWWWEEETT!

I'll see you soon! I love you more than lipstick! (Now that's huge!) Mom

I feel sick just hearing about the movement on the boat! YIKES!! Oh, I'll be right up in the front by the gate at the airport or someone's gonna get hurt!! I'll warn Dad & Reed tonight. They're always braggin about their pipes, so there shouldn't be a problem with the heavy bags.

Have they interviewed you for your video?

I'd like to meet the professor from AR. You must have him wrapped around your finger. :) Way to go!

I'm going to frame the awesome letter you sent me for my birthday! Thank you! I read it to Anita and she puked a little. :0 I loved it! It's the best writing you've ever done!!

The DELUXE edition is getting a little snowed-in. The plow went around it today. I hope we don't have an icy winter, or you're gonna want to drive the Suburban.

I wonder if your dad will come to the airport. Do you think he will? I'd love to see those boys.

I'll write more later. I love you more than you've loved your journey. Mom

I love the tidbit! I am so sorry that you have been having family problems :S When I get home you can vent all you want to me! I am sure after my dad comes (if he even does) I will want to vent to you too. I am so happy to hear that you started crying while you were driving yesterday because this morning when I was in the shower (falling over because the dang boat won't quit rocking) I was picturing in my head how I am going to target you for the first hug and my eyes got sweaty :) You better be as close to the gate as you can get!  I hope that dad and Reed are ready to carry a couple 80lbs bags...heavy suckers!

Anyway, we got stuck heading right into a horrible storm at about 3:30 or 4:00 this morning. Jill and I were sleeping (duh) and all of a sudden everything went crashing off of our night stand and the desk and went flying off of the shelf below our TV. It was crazy! Both of us sat straight up, said Holy Shit, and then laid back down. I got up at 8 and showered and then was going to sit in the bathroom and study so I didn't wake Jill up...worst idea ever! the bathroom is such a small space that every wave we hit felt ten times bigger than it actually was. I finished the page of notes I was on and then went back to bed. At lunch I went to the dining hall and every one was falling all over the place. It is insane! My friend Karen has her video camera taped to her hand because she wants some footage of people falling! I felt better once I sat outside for a bit. The prof that wants me to be a few years older came and sat with me for lunch. He is a crazy crazy man, but ya gotta love him! Every time we would see a big wave heading toward us he would stand up and "ride the wave." We were all peeing our pants laughing at him. He was looking at what I was studying for my politics course and he said I was insane! He told me to read the summary of each chapter (I already read and highlighted the actual reading) and to know the name of the currency for each country that we have been to and how to spell it correctly. He said that it may be worth 50 extra points...wink...I couldn't believe that he just told me the extra credit...THANK HEAVENS!

The captain just made an announcement that we are supposed to move around as little as possible today to minimize the risks of injury. I think we all were in tears from laughter. He told us to hang on to the rails, don't but your hands in the door jams (fingers have been cut off in the past), wear shoes so you don't step on debris, ect. It is wild today. He also told us that we are changing course to avoid the worst of the storm and that we should expect this "rolling" to continue until midnight tomorrow night...so two days of this business.

It is kind of fun though. Right now I feel really good so I love watching people swaying all over. It is like a huge fun house that you can't escape from. Tonight we were going to sleep out, but they just closed off the top deck so that idea is out the window!

Ok, I am going to go and study some more, but I will talk to you soon! I love you more than there are waves in the ocean! Oh and my the way, you redeemed ourself with the last "I love you more than line" :)

Love, Molly

P.S. I am so happy to hear that everyone (that is nice) is coming for Christmas!!! And I get to be there!!!

Tidbit: Your glass chapel in Arkansas is 39 miles from Bentonville!

Not many miles between us? There's gazillions! I didn't blow anything!! Reed was so happy you called last night! Anita & Leonard and Steve & Tara went with us. Steve said to Reed (before you called), "You're not anxious for your sister to come home, are you?" Reed said, "Ya, I am!". It was cute, cause I don't think Steve thought he'd admit it. I had stopped at the mailbox before we went and I had 3 pieces of mail from you. I took them in with me and I pulled them out of my pocket and said, "Oh, I didn't have time to open all this mail before I got here...." Anita about threw a fit! She thought I was so sick! But hey---when you get THAT much mail, it takes time! (She had been bragging to me earlier at Reed's game that she had gotten a postcard from you yesterday.) Did I tell you that we had to take a recliner downstairs cause our tree is so fat in here? :)We did. I tried to push the couch back by the slanted wall by the entrance, but that looked stupid.  Oh well.  You'll love the tree this year.  We had all those new ornaments we had gotten at Target last year.  It's silver and white. Kathy & Amy are coming to stay tomorrow night (Monday).  Emma has an appt on Tuesday.  Long story here....but I'll tell you the hilights.... Connie, Bryston, Whitney, Sharon, Brock, Alyssa, Tim, Taylor & Ethan are all coming for Christmas!  YIPPEE!  It's going to be a wonderful Christmas! OK.  Kathy & I had talked about Bob coming here for Christmas and we would all have such a good time.....Bob's not coming......I don't mention another thing about it for the past 2 months.  Kathy claims she'll be living in Fargo long before xmas.  Dad runs into Chad in Oberon during deer hunting season and Chad says, "Sounds like we're all coming to your place for xmas." I'm not sure what Dad says except something about I don't know where everyone will sleep....I'm not giving up my bed.....ha ha ha ha....etc. Amy emails me and says she and Chad have the WEEK of xmas off, what are our plans? I told her I didn't know, then called Connie to see if they were all still coming (Like we talked about in August) and she said they were. I emailed Amy and told her who was coming and if they didn't mind the long drive, they could come over but I have no more sleeping space to offer. (I DO NOT want them parkin it here for a week!!!!!) I don't even want them staying here for one night after how rude she and Kathy were when they were here a couple months ago. I'll tell you about that later.....anyway I emailed her with info about Ramada Inn that's close to us..... I called Kathy after work and she said her and Amy were just talking about what a bitch I was! Amy CANNOT believe I left them out of my Christmas. She (Amy) claims we talked about all of us coming here for xmas MONTHS ago! I told Kathy that "I have NEVER talked to Amy about coming here for xmas! I talked to Connie & Sharon in August, I have NEVER talked to Amy or even Donnie & Tracy about xmas.  Kathy & I talked about it when Bob was maybe coming and that was it." Kathy will NOT stay at a motel when she goes some place for xmas! I hope they don't even come!!! Don & Tracy are having Jacobson's over. Here's what happened when the 2 of them came for Emmas last appt: I had made Chicken Marsalla (pretty proud of myself)  :) They showed up almost 2 hours late, so I made them Chicken Fettucinne.  Emma wouldn't eat and those 2 were laughing histerically because on the way here, Kathy had told Amy that Carol can't cook worth a shit and Emma was listening.  Funny, huh?  Ya.  She was afraid to eat.  Not a joke. They left their shoes on and tramped around the house.  Amy never even mentioned anything like, "oh you moved.  Oh, I've never been to this house.  Oh, you have a new house.  Oh, you don't live in NR anymore.  NOTHING.  Not a thing."  She doesn't even visit, she just sits.  Having them here for xmas would be her and Chad sitting and us trying to keep up with her kids and their frickin mess.  No thanks!  I don't want them here. After Kathy told me what a bitch I was, she said, "But we're still gonna stay with you on the 3rd." Nice. I told her that I'll be busy at the bank for awhile in the evening. I have things to get ready for the Social. NOT.......Emma wants to eat at Space Aliens and I will NOT pick up their tab! I'm going to let them get there and meet them later. Think I'm bad? No, just tired of the white trash treatin me like shit. D-O-N-E. done. That's the only crap I've had going on here. Thank God they live hours away! It's always trouble with Kathy. She loves to stir it up. Hopefully, they don't mention anything more about xmas and when they get here I have to say, take your shoes off. Pricks.
 * ) mangry mama.

I don't like people that make me feel like that and I know I don't let anyone else talk to my face like that, calling me a bitch, insulting me, etc......and I'm done with them too. I can't wait for you to get home! I have thee biggest hug waiting for you! The other day on my way home, I was thinking what it will feel like at the airport when I actually see you through the glass and I started crying! I know! Pathetic! Driving alone and crying. I love you more than you want your wish to come true. Mom

Ok, so you kind of blew the “I love you more than” line on this last email. There aren’t many miles left between us any more, so does than mean you love me less than when I left…I am crushed ;) Oh, and I will not be sleeping for the first week I am home.  You will probably be begging me to shut up because I will want to tell and show you every thing!  And, my first Christmas doesn’t count because I don’t remember it…so this is our first REAL Christmas together as far as I am concerned :)

Yesterday was my last day of actual class. Now I just have three finals on the 5th and study days until then, so I think that I will be fine. I have read a total of 300 pages in the past week for my linguistics course and politics, so I only have 100 pages for international trade left to go! I am so excited to have all of the reading done because then I can just study from my notes.

Last night we had our Ambassadors’ Ball and it was a blast! We had a delicious five course meal (I had filet mignon) with Champaign even. As we were at supper we did our toast and then all made a wish for when we get home…I hope my wish comes true! My Econ professor, who lives in Bentonville, AR, came over to me last night and said that if I were three years older he would set me up with is grandson. I said what difference does three years make?! He is one prof. that I wish I could bring back to U Mary with me. He is off the wall, but so darn good! And he loves my hair…he tells me everyday that it is beautiful, but last night he told me that I had the best movie star hair ever ;) I wish you could meet him…he is a riot!  Maybe next time we go to AR we can visit him…oh wait, you only go without me :)  Just kidding, I would rather be in PARIS than AR!

I hope that Reed realizes just how important he is…getting a call from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean! How many 14 year olds get that! I thought it was pretty cool, and he is the only one I have called from the ship!

As luck should have it, I won't be needing another suitcase, I will just be checking my small rolling suitcase and then carrying on my Molly bag and one Coach bag. I think that that should work because when we were in Spain we went to a department store to search out a suitcase and I found the biggest vacuum seal bag of my life! Meghan would even fit in it, but she wouldn't let me try to seal it :)

Oh and one more thing for you…last night as we were eating we were each saying what we are most excited for when we get home. Mine was so simple…I can’t wait to give you a hug because no one gives a hug like you mom! I love you and I will see you in THREE MONTHS!

Love, ME

I forgot... Way to go on the plasma donations!!! I won't be able to donate plasma or blood for at least one year because I have been in some of the highest risk areas.

And...I love you more than there are alcoholics on our ship (and that is a lot!)

ONE MORE WEEK! It's Reed's birthday today, so we're going to Famous Dave's. He has a basketball tournament today and tomorrow. They won both games today and play in the championship game tomorrow. Maggie just got home from Mpls. She was there for a Spanish trip. We are getting lots of snow today. Well, not LOTS, but we're covered. Anita came to Reed's game today. She's anxious for you to get back, too. They're going out for supper with us. Wish you were here! I wonder how you will get to a Wal Mart for another piece of luggage in Miami. Does the airline take a box? Are you rooming with someone in Miami? If you get to Wal Mart, the sporting goods dept may have a larger bag than the regular luggage dept. I talked to Megan the other day. She was so glad you had called her! Sorry to be the one to tell you, but....John Jesson is no longer at Starion. :( I wonder if we went to CO to be with Marie.  It may have been their plan all along. Wednesday is our bank Social.  That'll be a good time.  Dad didn't get to go last year, so I'm glad he'll be in town this year.  Reed & Maggie are going to do coats again. I've given plasma 4 times now.  Did I tell you that?  I wonder if you'll have to wait awhile to do it since you've been out of the country for so long.?   Your vaccines may concern them, too. Janine's brother is getting married the day you come home, but she brought a Welcome Home gift over for you the other day.  She wanted to come to the airport, but she can't.  She's so proud of you and said she's been bragging about you out at Mary.  :)  I've been bragging about you every place else. I read online the other day that we can expect you to sleep for one week after you get home. :) Go ahead and sleep all day, but I'm pretty sure we're going to be waking you up as soon as we get home! I'm so pumped to hear your positive "tone" on North Dakota in your last blog!  COOL!  :) Not that you'll always live here, but GOD, it would be nice! I am so excited to have you for the entire Christmas holiday, too. You said it was your first time, but actually, we did spend your first Christmas together. If I remember right, we were in Oakes. Oh ya, and that year I was the Virgin Mary at the church and you were baby Jesus. Time for supper! Gotta go.... I love you more than there are miles between us! Mom

Happy Turkey Day MOM!!! Well, I know this is a day early, but I hope you appreciate it just the same. Give everyone a big hug from me!

Ok, so Kait and I have a favor to ask of you. Could you see how much luggage we can each have on our flights and how much an additional bag costs? We are both pretty much out of internet minutes and do not want to buy any more. I have four minutes left for the rest of our journey. I don’t know which company I am flying with, but Kait is flying Jet Blue. Could you also see if they would make an exception for my extra suitcase that I am going to have since I am a student coming home from my university? Kait’s friend that lives in Oregon gets a student exception b/c it is school related. Also, do you think it would be cheaper for me to buy a crappy suitcase at wal-mart and pay for an extra bag or would it be cheaper to ship it home from Miami? I am thinking that paying for the extra bag would be cheaper. Thank you so much for checking. Have a great day! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WE ALL WANT A FANCY THANKSGIVING MEAL ON THE SHIP!!! ___________

Sounds like you're having a blast! We'll be online this weekend watching for you. Guess that means I better get up and take a shower in case you want to do that webcam thing again. I bought some jeans at Lane Bryant last night and they have pulled off the perfect marketing gig: Their jeans start with size 1 and run probably through a 9! Ya! Pretty cool when you ask for a size 3 or 4 to try on...........and they fit!!!! ha!ha! I've given plasma twice this week. It's gone really well, but yesterday I felt nauseated when I was getting that last little bag of stuff. I just closed my eyes and took deep breaths for a few minutes and I was fine. I think I need to eat something on my way over there. I'm pretty pumped with the $60 a week! I put you down as a referral, so you should be getting $10. I love you more than my size 4 jeans! MOM

I LOVE CROATIA!!! I am thinking of not getting back on the boat and staying here with the cute guy that I met at the Water Polo game last night. He was sitting in front of us girls and I thought he was cute right away so I was waiting for a reason to talk to him...finanally there was a big uproar in the game so I asked him to explain it to me and he did (thank God he knew English) and luckily for me he spent the rest of the game translating the plays to me. We both know that i didn' t care about the game, I just wanted to talk to him. We went to the VIP room afterwards for a drink, but then we had to leave because the other girls had to leave at 7 am the next morning...tear. His name was Andro. Ok, I will write more later. Saturday or Sunday around 11 or noon your time, I will be online. G2G because Britt's computer is about to die. Love you more than I love Croatia!!!

Quickly, I bet Tyler did look good, just wish he had straightened out. Have you seen Brandon lately? I think Maggie needs to go to Scheels for something...hehe!

HI!!! That sounds good to Nicole. Very good and direct. Oh, the LOVE BOAT, huh? That's scary to marry a shipmate before ever even getting back to the states. But, I believe in love at first sight and no one knows how other people feel. I do believe someone can sweep you off your feet and either "you know" or "you don't" so why wait?? Remember Weinmann's daughter that met her husband on Spring Break? And Jennie and Steve that dated that one weekend? And GranLena and Papa for 3 weeks? Charity (here at the bank) dated her husband for 3 weeks too. Sounds weird (or thrilling!), but I know it happens!

I gotta run to a meeting now. It's 12:55pm. Tyler's baby is a girl, they didn't have any pictures at the station. HE looks really good, though!

I'm so glad you emailed! I love you more than you look Turkish! MOM

I am so glad that Nikki got to see Alex...that little muffin must be getting so big! No, sorry to disappoint you, but I didn't call Greg. I though about it though and then I was like "What do I say" after not talking to him for so long. I was going to call and just tell him that I will be home on Dec. 8 and that we will be having a party so he should come if he has time, but then that just sounded bad in my head. I don't know. I feel like if he liked me he would have tried to get ahold of me by now. But the same could be said for me I guess; I could have contacted him more just as easily. I did save his number though...just to look at it if nothing else ;) Yes sad, sad little Molly!  There is just too much 'love drama' on the ship this week.  The romance in Turkey just over took our floating campus!  There is one couple (the guy who I have hung out with quite a bit on the ship, but always assumed he was gay) who met in China, were in engaged before INdia and bought the ring in India, and they are getting married before we get off the ship.  When they told me this last night I said congratulations, but inside I was thinking "WTF!!!  You have no clue what each of you are like in real life!!!"  Maybe it was a mom moment or maybe I was just jealous, but either way it is still a little too fast paced for this chick.  OH let's see what else is going on...lots of break ups, hook ups, and drama in general; and somehow I am a favorite concelor...maybe I should have went into phsycology...clearly I am a magnet for the mentally frustrated.

Tomorrow I will be arriving in Croatia...how unreal is that! I am very anxious to experience this country. Our interport lecturer told us to be prepared because it is not as exotic or fantasy-like as the rest of Europe. He told us that we will be completely safe and they love Americans so we don't have to pretend to be a different nationality. haha :) Britt, Hailey and I are going to be traveling together.  We just click.  You would love these girls.  For a couple of the days we will be traveling with our friend Nick from Hawaii and Eric (I can never remember where he is from and I feel too dumb to ask) :)  The guys want to go camping. Croatia is suppose to have some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. We all told him that we would love to go camping...the funny part is, he doesn't realize how cold 50 degrees is. It sounds better than the 40 degree weather in Turkey, but it is still cold. This should be interesting...I will keep you posted!

I am so happy that you got to see Tyler Weber! I haven't seen him in ages ;) Did you get to see a picture of his baby?  I bet it (I think a she) is so cute :)  I have always wished that he would have put his poop in a group and went to college or done something outside of NR, because now he is basically stuck. Maybe that is just what I want so I think that everyone else should want to get out too and that isn't right.

Ok, so I agree with you in the Global Village stuff. That is what I was actually thinking, but I just wanted your thoughts on the situation. I am sending Nicole Morrison-Mathern an email so she (and Karol) don't think that I am no longer interested. Could you please tell me if this sounds OK.

Nicole,

I received the Global Village application a couple of days ago, and after thinking it through I have decided that I would prefer to wait until next spring to apply. I don’t want you to think that I have lost interest, because I haven’t. Honestly, I feel more enthusiastic about the GV experience now! The only reason that I want to wait a year is so I have time to build up my savings again and be better prepared financially for the Global Village experience. I thought that I should send you an email telling you why I am not applying this year, because I didn’t want you to get the wrong impression. I hope that you understand and I also hope that I will still be eligible to apply next spring. Thank you for everything Nicole and I will see you in a month!

Sincerely, Molly Sullivan

I don't know what to tell you about Global Village. I think it sounds like a lot of money, I didn't realize it was so much expense other than the tuition. I really don't know what to tell you. I hate to see you in TOO much debt. I feel like you might not have enough time to come home and pay on what you owe plus save for another trip. I don't know.....I guess I probably wouldn't borrow another $3,000 + expenses because I don't want the debt to bother you in the end. Ya know what I mean? I know how debt sucks after the satisfaction of the trip is over.

We got back from the farm this evening. We had a flat tire in Sheyenne, so that put us behind about an hour. We're lucky it happened there, though.

It was so great to talk to you yesterday!! It made my day! Maggie couldn't quit saying how happy it made her to hear your voice!

I'm going to try and give plasma tomorrow. I've been taking vitamins for a couple weeks, so I'm hoping my blood is good enough. I'd like to be able to pay for my vitamins by giving plasma each month. We'll see how it goes....

I saw Tyler Weber at the Farmers Union today. He's working there, along with his mom and sister. I guess he lives in NR now. Lauri asked about you and I told them where you are. Tyler said, "Oh. No wonder I haven't talked to her for such a long time." Kind of a DUH.

Did you call Greg yesterday? :)

Nikki said your dad and Alex were at their church in Fargo yesterday. She said Alex is so cute!

I better get to bed so I can get up for work in the morning. I love you more than there are opportunities waiting for you....and that's a lot!!!! MOM

What do you think about Global Village. I really want to do it, but do you think I could handle it financially? That is my main concern. Mentally and from all other perspectives I know for sure that I would be able to handle it. I just want your take on this opportunity? I am confused as to the uncovered $3000...Last spring I thought that UMary was going to cover it and they may do so, but if not than I know I can't.

U Mary Iococca Global Village Institute Application

Please provide the following information to Karel Sovak or Nicole Morrison-Mathern by November 16, 2007.

Two students will be chosen to represent the University of Mary at this year’s Iococca Global Village Internship June 23 - August 4, 2007 in Bethlehem, PE.

We are working to help fund as much as possible for this trip, but you should know upfront that your possible expenses for this experience are:

•	Global Village tuition: $6000 (U Mary participants receive a $3,000 scholarship from the Iacocca Institute) so $3,000 is the exact cost of tuition. •	Travel o	Airfare o	Ground transportation o	Etc •	Personal Expenses o	Most meals (only 5-10 of your meals will be covered by GV specific events which means the rest are on your own.) o	Trips to Washington DC and New York City

1.	Please provide a letter of recommendation (excluding Karel or Nicole). 2.	Please provide a copy of your transcript. 3.	Why do you want to attend Global Village? 4.	What do feel you will be able to give back to the University of Mary, and our HSL students because of this opportunity? 5.	Who are you? a.	As a leader? b.	How would your friends and family describe you? 6.	How do you see yourself testing, shaping, and refining your leadership style in the Global Village? 7.	If you were chose to attend Global Village what would be your primary goal and four sub goals for the six-week internship program? 8.	Which area of the Global Village curriculum to you intend to focus on? a.	Business & industry knowledge b.	Leadership and entrepreneurial skills c.	Networking 9.	What are your career goals? 10.	What will you contribute to the program that will benefit other Villagers, and how will other Villagers contribute to your leadership development? 11.	What is your experience in working with teams of diversity (multi-cultural experiences)?

Thank you so much for fixing my shipboard account. I cannot wait to do laundry because I have only one pair of clean pants left :S I loved the box. I have never seen anyone so excited about double stuff Oreos as Jill was. It was so funny :) I talked to my dad after talking to you last night and I told him that I will arrive in Bismack on Dec. 8 at 3:00.  Hopefully he wrote it down so he doesn't forget...because it is easy to forget the date and time that your daughter who has been gone for three and a half months is coming home!  They are going to Texas/Arkansas over Thanksgiving.  Fun fun...I will be in Crow-a-tea-a...haha!!!  Ok, I need to get to work.  Have a great day!  I LOVE YOU more than the number of Turkish Delights I am bringing home :)