Today was our last day of work! We split into three different teams; one finished up the trusses on a house, another group painted, and the other group went off site to finish up a few odds and ends. At the end up the day we all got together to partake in the week-end Habitat Olympics. We had teams of five and somehow I ended up being on the Wisconsin team. I admit I only joined the team in hopes of capturing the gold (I thought it would be easy with an Ironman athlete on my team - Ben). My team was way out in front after the first three events, however the 4^th and final event somehow became worth a whole lot more than all the other events combined. Unfortunately the team from Wisconsin that I wasn't a part of beat the two Babson teams and mine to take the gold. It was a fun way to end the week.

We rounded off the night with a feast at half shell, a local "hole in the wall" restaurant, with Kye, at his recommendation. Our waitress was quite friendly she recommended corn nuggets and crab balls... I tried my first frog leg, it kind of tasted like chicken but it looked like a frog. I didn't finish it. Kye was able to finish my portion as well as most others portions of fried frog legs, they're one of his favorites apparently. It was nice to end on such a great day.

We just ended on reflections, and I think it's safe to say and be a little cliché...what happened here is going to stay here and with us and among us for a long time.

Our second day here in Louisiana and a successful one at that.  We started off with a delicious breakfast and rushing as usual to get to our meeting place at 8 a.m.  We had our daily devotional with the entire group and then were assigned tasks for the day.  We then broke away and were fortunate enough to spend the day in Thibodaux.  We arrived to a lot with only a cement slab.  We had no idea what would be accomplished.  Scott and Kye were there to lead the way and so we began!  Our job was to put the exterior walls and framing.  This included much lifting, measuring, and nailing.  We had to be precise in our work.  Once we got the swing of things we were on a roll.  The first wall was just put up and there was such a feeling of accomplishment in what we had just done and were given motivation for the next few walls.  We learned through mistakes and enjoyed many laughs with the team throughout the day.  The woman, Hazel, who will be living in the house stopped by to say hi and thank us all.  She was such a sweetheart, friendly to converse with and so appreciative of us working on her house.  It was great to actually see whose life we are impacting.  By the end of the day we were exhausted, with sore arms and saw dust and chalk all over.  We then stood back and looked at our days work...we say a HOUSE!  We managed to complete all four exterior walls along with a few interior hallway walls.  The feeling was unbelievable and were all so proud of ourselves.  A job very well done!  Worn out and feeling gross, we then proceeded as a team to WAL-MART...

Needless to say we were ravenous, wild, and crazy kids running through the aisles with our shopping carts throwing in cookies, ice cream, candy and chips.  Multiples of each at that!  The laughs, jokes, and time shared among us all have only made this trip more amazing than one could hope for!  Finally, we piled into the vans with our many groceries (after waiting at Subway for an hour with credit card trouble of course) and smiling faces!

So glad to be back at our site to clean up, playing games and of course indulging into many delicious food options.  I write now as we just finished a game of catch phrase.  About time for me to move onto another fun activity...

I can only thank everyone for such a great opportunity and learning experience!  It has been unbelievable and can't wait for another day of crazy adventure and hard work!

"Nothing worthwhile ever happens quickly and easily.  You achieve only as you are determined to achieve...and as you keep at it until you have achieved"  -- Robert Lauer

"There's no place like home"

So said Dorothy to transport her back to Kansas.... Though I had a great fall travel season, visiting South America, Central America and Florida, I must admit that I was missing the New England fall.  There is NOTHING like right now, looking out my office windows and seeing all the changing leaves.  For those of you who have never seen the fall leaves, make it one of those items on your "must do" list. Plus, I know I might cause a riot here with the Sox detractors, but the Red Sox are up 2-0 in the Series.  Once again, nothing like being in Beantown during a great sports fall.

Also, every time I travel, I find I come back each time and something new has occurred.  One great piece of news is that one of our senior interns has secured a position for next fall!  It is at a company that he previously interned for, and I can clearly see his excitement.

Just as the leaves change, our admission cycle starts to change as well.  (I am poignant!)  My colleagues and I start to trickle back to the office, and begin the transition from travel season to reading season.  ED and EA deadlines loom, and we look forward to reading the applications of students, many whom we were able to meet as we traveled this fall.

Best of luck to you EA and ED candidates as you complete your applications!  And go Sox!

Greetings from Guatemala!  It is hard to believe that I am in the final three days of my three week journey throughout Latin America.  Our group started in Sao Paolo, Brazil, working our way up to our final destination of San Salvador.  Along the way, I have had the opportunity to meet over 1,000 students, maybe even more, whose interest in attending college in the United States is high.

It is amazing to me how well prepared the students I have met on this trip have been.  Not just academically, although obviously I enjoy seeing that!  But, the students I met in Brazil, Lima, Quito, Panama City, Costa Rica and Tegucigalpa have arrived at each fair ready to ask questions.  Why is Babson known for global entrepreneurship?   What does it mean to have a 14:1 faculty/student ratio?  How is your soccer team?  What is your favorite thing about Boston?

I love the college fairs, and the hustle and bustle they entail.  The excitement of the students is contagious and never fails to enthrall me.  However, my favorite part of this trip has been leading workshops on college admissions for students at the high schools we visit.  Yesterday, my colleague  from another American institution and I led one on "How to Select a College".  We had a fantastic group of seniors from the American School in Tegucigalpa. We discussed location, size, climate and so much more, but we all had a candid discussion about academic profile.  I was thrilled to see students see the big picture of matching their academic strengths to their college choice.

On Friday, I will fly back to the United States.  The past three weeks have enriched me personally and professionally.  Though I am saddened to see it end, I look forward to seeing my family, my fiancé, and my colleagues in the Babson Undergraduate Admission Office again.  And, I look forward to meeting many more of you when I visit Florida in October.  (For those of who who cannot make it to campus, be sure to check out our list of receptions that we will be hosting in your area- I will be hosting one at the Palmer Trinity School on October 17.)