Chicago Semester, meet California.
Last week I had an opportunity that no intern could ever dream of or pass up: I went to California (all expenses paid) for a week! Ryan Hall, the Olympic marathoner I wrote about earlier this semester, agreed to be in a series of commercials for Team World Vision. Between training, traveling and his endorsement commitments his schedule is extremely busy, but he just finished the London marathon two weeks ago and had some recovery time open. Because I’ve had a fair amount of experience with video production and photography, it was cheaper to fly me out for the shoot than to hire someone in California. So last Monday I flew from O’Hare to San Diego, met up with my boss and good friend, Michael, and went over to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.
For the record, Ryan and Sara Hall must be the kindest, most humble athletes on this earth. They are so excited to partner with Team World Vision, and use their fame to fight global poverty by raising awareness and funds for children and communities in Africa. Ryan and Sara showed us around the Olympic training center, took us out to the “best Mexican food in Chula Vista,” prayed, laughed a lot and dreamed ideas for Team World Vision.
They were so down to earth that I forgot to get an autograph.
Our commercials will take a week or two before they’re fully edited, but here’s a little example of what I get to do at work.
In Cali I had the chance to catch up with Kelly, who took me out the “best Mexican in San Diego”…different than Chula. Kelly is a friend from Calvin, and my soon to be sister’s-sister! (My brother, Derek, is engaged to her sister.) There’s a lot of reasons why Kelly is awesome - just one of them is that she decided to sponsor a Child through Team World Vision. It’s the first big step towards my goal of raising $2,000 for children in Africa. (www.firstgiving.org/kylevermeulen)
Speaking of Derek – Happy Birthday today! As a surprise, I bought Cubs tickets for the game tomorrow for him, a few of his friends and me. He thinks we’re going out to dinner. He will be surprised. I can write this now because he doesn’t read my blog. (haha!)When I returned to the office today I was taken aback to see my e-mail inbox full of reminders that “Student Evaluations are due TODAY” Could it be? Chicago Semester is ending so soon? I cannot believe that this semester flew by so fast. What a fun, fast, insightful semester it was been. Graduation seems a little less intimidating after spending a semester in the “real world”, but It’s hard not to stress about the job hunt. For now, I’m trying to relax and enjoy the next two weeks, the last of my undergrad experience.
Anyone want to go to Pilsen for “the Best Mexican food in Chicago”?
posted by CS @ 2:24 PM
Mraz is SO good in concert. Justin, Jennie and I were lucky to get tickets – this one sold out in a few hours. Justin and Jennie are surprisingly talented at weaseling their way up to the front, I recommend going to shows with them! Mraz played his new stuff, old stuff, and everything in between. I’ve seen Mraz in Grand Rapids, Detroit and Manchester, UK so it was a fun trip down memory lane.
Mraz concerts are very sing along friendly. I found a clip on youtube… I can’t take credit for this video (or the singing of the person by the camera!).
Three stock traders and one non-profit intern always makes for good conversations, and that night was no exception. I understand the concept behind what my brother does (SP500 futures in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange) but when they start using their trader language it gets a little difficult to keep up.