I, Monica, am in a turning point in my life, yet again. Today marks the deadline for Dietetic Internship applications. The same internship I applied to last February, but didn't get in. The same internship I've been getting ready for since I graduated last May 2007. And I know what you're thinking. "You already have a B.S. in Nutrition, why do you need that internship for?" It's so I can be eligible to take the board exam to become a Registered Dietitian. So that I can do my job well, and gain as much knowledge and experience as my little brain can handle. Try and try again, right?
In other news, because it's "turning point in my life" time again, I am left with endless possibilities. I don't find out if I get accepted or not until mid-November, and I have already decided to flee from this country whether or not I get in by the end of this year. Crazy thoughts, I know, but I really am just doing it for my sanity. I want to get away, but not to run away, merely to get away from this society and get lost in foreign ones...help them out while I'm at it.
Step #1? www.idealist.org
If you caught my entry last week, you read about the adventures of Mr. Nishimoto. Well, in fact, Mr. Nishimoto is the same man that told me about this website.
What is it?
Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives.
Sure, it's another one of those websites that ask you to register and will email you occasionally, but only if you want them to. My thought is that if you're here reading my blog, you might as well sign up for it. It's...for lack of a better word...AWESOME. It gives me what I want when I want it, and I love how they break down the opportunities into their designated categories such as jobs, internships, volunteer, etc. Love, love, love.
So, if you're at all interested in what I'm interested in...
Nutrition Specialist
Location: Xerem, Rio de Jeneiro, Brazil
Organization: Casa de Caminho
We are urgently looking for volunteers with a degree or experience in nutrition to work with our children. You will work in conjunction with our Brazilian cooks. As a nutritionist at Casa do Caminho you will have the following key responsibilities
• Evaluate and improve the existing nutrition system
• Create a nutrition guide for the three houses
• Produce monthly nutrition plan
• Give advice and training to the cooks and give suggestions for improvements.
• Work closely with the children and teenagers to teach them about healthy eating
Interested at all? Apply here.
Ladies and gents, I think we found a winner. Happy research! :)
Photo by: KIDS Worldwide South America
Destination: Brazil?
R. Nishimoto - Changing the World One Teen at a Time
Take a ride with me.
Thinking caps...ON.
Think, anchorwoman, just for today, just because I want to pretend like I am one just for this one entry. Please?
Monica: (looks straight into the camera) Thank you, Kate.
In the Nonprofit Industry, Ryan Nishimoto, 24-year-old Chicagoan and dear friend of mine, is making a difference as a Crossroads4Kids Program Corps for C5 New England out in Boston. C5 Youth Foundation's mission is "to change the odds for high-potential youth from risk-filled environments, inspiring them to pursue personal success, and preparing them for leadership roles in college, work and their communities."
Check out this video Nishimoto made himself, to paint yourself a picture of what C5 New England is all about:
During an exclusive interview with Nishimoto (or, rather, an AIM conversation, one fine Friday evening), I quote:
"It's just...I mean, what other job do you get stressed about the most ridiculous things? Sure you get stressed as an accountant because your debits don't balance with your credits...or as a stock broker because the economy isn't giving you enough to pay off the rest of your jet skis. But this summer I got to stress about having enough food to last us a final day with 7 miles of hiking, or stressing and having myself at full def con 7 level because of a 13 person food poisoning in the middle of Nowhere, Wyoming, while I talk to parents, doctors, nurses, patients aka my teens and tell them not to worry or have the doctors tell me what to worry about...there aren't many places where you get the privilege of stressing about the important things (biiig inhale). And I love the teens, I get a text from a different one each day just saying 'Hello" or telling me something weird that happened to them that day. It's nice to be needed and it's nice to know that you have made an impact and it's really good to see their change and to see them know that all the time it was in them. And I don't think I could speak about a marketing firm or an accounting firm. And maybe that's selfish, but I'm okay with having a selfish need to help people."
Monica reporting to you live from Experience.com, NPC (Nonprofit Channel). Back to you, _______.
Pictured above: Nishimoto, while hiking in Paintrock, Wyoming (Summer '08)
Goodbye, It's All Good!
Please don't cry: I'm leaving It's All Good. For good. It's been a great (almost) two years, and I thank all of you for following my less-than-graceful adventures in the nonprofit world. And everything else.
