Day 181: Brought Someone A Souvenir

After a week in Hawaii, I was able to learn so much about their beautiful culture! The one thing that I truly enjoyed about the Hawaiian people is their love for others and their land. They are always giving praise and encouragement to each other and pray to the heavens in chants. They gift each other often and their unique gifts always have meaning. One gift that I found very interesting is the kukui (coo-coo-y) nut lei. These nuts were thought to bring light to the Hawaiian islands back in the day and today represent good luck and respect.

To preface, I always loved receiving presents and souvenirs as a child from far off places. It seemed as though they always captured the magic of a vacation or always came with a story. Knowing how much I loved souvenirs, I wanted to make sure that my friends and family felt the same and experienced just a bit of the magical trip I have just encountered. For my family and Austin, I brought a tiki (meaning luck & peace) and chocolate macadamia nuts (YUM) and for my Miss Washington roommate, I brought  a kukui lei! I hope this lei brings her so much luck and I look forward to this week with her and the 20 other incredible contestants!

God bless,

Kailee

Day 180: Get A Snack, Give A Snack

Today, I am off yet again! This time the family and I headed to Seattle for a Mariners game and tomorrow I will officially check in for Miss Washington! Before hitting the road, we stopped by a gas station to get gas and a few snacks. At the cashier stand was a donation box for Red Cross, so I dropped in a dollar. In addition all extra change from purchases are donated to Red Cross. 

Red Cross provides essential life saving supplies to those in need. They are often if not always there to help when natural disasters strike. In this case, they are hoping customers will get a snack, but also help to give a snack. 

Day 179: Greater Good Network

As I (attempt) to pack for Miss Washington, I am starting to gather all my goodies and gifts for others. One gift in particular is pretty cool because the proceeds from my purchase will help benefit a great cause. Greater Good Network is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 that focuses on providing assistance to many different organizations, including hunger, breast cancer, veterans, animals, autism, diabetes, literacy and rainforest. When you purchase a gift you can either choose an effort to support from a list they provide. This specific gift will sponsor dinner for a veteran. You can learn more about the whole shebang by clicking here!

"With the purchase of this product- and every product at GreaterGood Network Stores- you automatically generate funds for the cause you care about."

Teaser: here is a look at the gift, but what could it be! Stay tuned!

God bless,

Kailee

Day 178: Helped An Elderly Woman

As Miss Washington quickly approaches, I am hustling to make sure every button and rhinestone is in place! I took a last minute shopping trip at the mall to pick up a few things. When I was walking up to the door, there was an elderly woman with a walker struggling to get through it. I ran ahead and opened the door for her, as well as the internal door. She was very grateful and even said "thank you young lady." Again, so simple and so easy, so meaningful! Keep your eyes open for this simple moments! They are everywhere.

                                               

                                               

God bless,

Kailee

Day 177: Dust Devil Difference

I am back! It has been exactly 10 days since I have been able to write and I will fill you all in on my incredible experience a little later! To give you just a little insight on my crazy schedule, I'll share with you my past two weeks in a nutshell before getting to the goods (this could be a long one).

About two weeks ago, I finished school and drove home to work that evening as Promotions Intern for the Tri-City Dust Devils. After the game, I drove back to Spokane to run in the Color Run the next morning. Once finished with the race, I drove back to Tri-Cities to work for Dust Devils that evening. I got to spend Father's Day with my dad (YAY), but had to work again that night. I wasn't in Tri-Cities long because that same night I drove back to Spokane to fly out to Maui to work with Habitat for Humanity the next morning! I got to Maui and had a glorious time, but yesterday it was back to reality. The EWU Maui team and I left Maui at 10PM their time and landed in Spokane at 10AM our time. From there, I drove home and had to work a game last night! It felt as those history were repeating itself because today is ironically my dad's birthday and another day to celebrate with him (YAY). However, today was also cut a little short because it was game two of the Everett series! And now my friends, I sit here and we are all caught up. I know what some of you may be thinking, "Kailee that's a lot of work," but truth is I love what I do!

So now, here is today's story. I began working at Dust Devils four summers ago as the Mascort (escort to the mascot/ NOT the actual mascot/ aka Dusty's Bodyguard). In this position, I worked with kids, I roamed the whole stadium and I found something that really interested me. So far, this is the type of 'job' that doesn't actual feel like work. I go every day looking forward to what is going to happen during the game. You have the players who put on a good show, the full time staff who are incredible at what they do, but most importantly you have the people. Without the people, we, the staff and players, would have nothing. The attendees are what make everything special and meaningful.

For the four years I have worked there, I have seen many faces come and go, but there is one gentlemen who really sticks out in my mind. This gentlemen's name is Russ and he is there in section D each game. And every game, I know he is there not because of his clothes or his seat, but because of the large and genuine smile he greets me with EVERY single time! I have become so fond of him that I make a point to take a moment to stop by and say hello not because I was asked or feel the need to, but because his sincerity is what motivates me to do more. I guess I'll never know what impact that could be  having on him (because I know he does appreciates it), but if that sincere smile is any indication then I know I am doing my job. There is even a large possibility that he is impacting me in greater ways than I am impacting him. With that said, I think often times we don't realize how much that short conversation could mean. I have said it a 100 times and I will say it once more, it is truly the little things that make a difference!

Dust Devils baseball prides themselves on making the audience's experience one to remember. We do what we can to make a great game for everyone and to bring people back. People like Russ, who make our job mean something.

Until tomorrow,

Kailee

P.S. Happy birthday Daddy! I love you. 

Days 168-176:Habitat For Humanity Hawaii

In June, I had the honor of being a part of the first ever Eastern Washington alternative break trip. Eight other students and I boarded the plane to Maui, Hawaii for a week of a lifetime, serving as volunteers for Habitat For Humanity. Throughout the week, I grew closer to each of my new comrades and walked away with eight new and very dear friends! We all stayed at Iao church in Wailuku- a very non-tourist area near the mountains. Habitat for Humanity provided us with air mattresses and sleeping bags. We all slept in one room, so for seven nights it was like a giant sleep over. At first, I was a little apprehensive about sleeping in one room with eight complete strangers, but looking back, I wouldn't have had it any differently. Each night we all would gather on the air mattresses and journal as we recapped the day's events. Honestly, that was one of my favorite parts. I have countless inside jokes from just sitting on the beds talking. We were there for a little over a week and as you can imagine we worked hard for Habitat, but had an immense amount of fun along the way!

                         

(Night 1- blowing up mattresses) 

DAY 168: Offered Up My Seat

Let's get started! Day 1 of the trip and day 168 started with us waking up quite early to catch our flight. We flew out of Spokane and made a stop in Seattle. From there it was a direct flight to Maui! A great amount of the day was spent flying. However, I was still able to complete an act of kindness while on the plane. I am telling you, opportunities to do something kind for someone are everywhere. On the flight to Hawaii, I was seated next to an older gentleman's friend. The gentleman had a seat a few rows up from where we were sitting. When I realized the situation, I didn't have a problem offering my seat to him. In return, I would take his seat just a few rows away. 

                                             

When we arrived in Hawaii, we had just enough time to find where we were staying, grab some dinner and watch the sunset on the beach! We went to bed early, knowing tomorrow would be a long day full of hard work. 

DAY 169: Installed Appliances

The following day the group and I headed to the work site to meet our Project Manager, Ronson. Our work began at an apartment complex in the heart of Wailuku. However, this was not your average apartment complex. Habitat for Humanity Maui owns certain buildings where single working mothers can stay. The buildings were being renovated with wood floors, new windows, a new refrigerator and oven, and re-textured walls. Several more experienced volunteers were helping to put in windows and we were assigned to appliances. Boy, that was an experience! The halls weren't too big and the elevator seemed to be even smaller. Groups of us worked to maneuver the refrigerators and ovens through the halls and into the elevator and back out again. My friend Lindsey and I took charge of an oven and were surprised to find the recipient of the new appliance at home. She and her son were just moving in. This was probably one of the best parts of working on site because Lindsey and I got to interact with someone who our work was affecting. Listening to her story and how appreciative she was for Habitat and our group made the experience that much more worth it. 

                                  

This day was a lot of heavy moving so it didn't last all day, but it did wear us out. We were ready for a little beach action after that. 

DAY 170: Textured Walls

Well, some of us got a slow start on day three due to car troubles. But, if anything that time waiting for AAA was spent bonding and laughing at the situation. When the other half of the group finally arrived at the work site, there was plenty of work to still be done. Our group had moved on to another building that needed to be textured. I was taken back by how hard and strenuous this process was. The picture below shows me trying to spray the mud correctly onto the ceiling. The funnel looking thing at the top was full of the muddy substance that must have weighed 20 pounds. After a while, your arms start to ache and you can't help but have someone tag you out. 

                               

After work, the crew and I headed up a mountain to visit Iao National Park. Many people know Hawaii to be nothing but beautiful tropics and beaches, however, hidden in the mountains are lush green plants and spring water. Needless to say, this was an incredible afternoon immersing in a very different side of Hawaii that not everyone gets to see. 

DAY 171: Hung Dry Wall

Our next day started out bright and early, but fortunately it was not for work. The incredibly giving people of Habitat set up an early morning canoe trip with the Kihea Canoe Club. I forgot how much of a work out canoeing can be, but boy was it worth it. The view was incredible and once we reached a safer point near a coral reef, we all jumped into the refreshing ocean water. In addition to an amazing experience, we even learned a little more about the culture. The Hawaiian culture strongly believes in embracing the sun and the water and the power they can harness. 

After a little bit of fun and learning, it was time to get down and dirty…quite literally. Today was all about hanging dry wall and mudding. While waiting for the texture to dry in the room, it was time to hang the walls in other rooms. Some of us drilled the dry wall into place, while others mudded over the corners and holes from the nails. After a while, the groups would switch roles. This way we were all to learn how to do everything. 

                                   

After work, we traveled to Lahina and had dinner at the infamous Bubba Gumps! This little area is so beautiful if you are ever on Maui! 

DAY 172: Worked In The Habitat Office

On day 4 of our trip we were able to assist with the office side of things. While a group headed off to the work site to finish up some texturing, the other half of us bound books for the new residents of the apartments. Essentially the books are there to answer any questions they may have and also offer financial advice. While we worked, we spoke with the ladies who are truly the backbone for this organization. These women work endlessly to plan remodels, find deserving recipients, plan fundraisers and so much more. For me, this was really cool because it was a side of the organization I wasn't expecting to see. 

When the work day was finally done, we took a trip to another beautiful spot on the island called Big Beach. I found it funny that even though we were on one island, the sand could be so diverse from one side of the island to the other. Big Beach was soft warm sand that reminded me of brown sugar while Mākena Beach was gray and grainy. 

DAY 173: Worked In The Restore 

This day was all about completing small but important tasks. The crew and I worked inside the actual Re-Store at the Habitat for Humanity office. This is where people can donate gently used appliances, furniture and home supplies for others to buy for a less expensive price. Our day at the shop consisted of organizing supplies, rearranging furniture displays and crafting for the Home Owner's Trade Show the following day. There was no work for us to be done at the work site because a company was hired to install cabinets. 

When our tasks were complete, the crew did what tourists do best. We shopped! We shopped at the local flea market, the mall, on the side of the road. You name it we shopped and we found some good deals.  

DAY 174: Worked the Home Owners Trade Show

Our last day of actual work was a mixture of jobs we had completed throughout the week. There was a little texturing, a little mudding and a little office work. Our greatest focus for the day was helping at the  Maui Home Owner's Trade Show at one of the schools. We ran two different booths and helped to orchestrate games for kids and helped to answer questions that people may have. Here we were really able to interact with the people of Maui and meet several other Habitat volunteers.

DAY 175: Thanked God For His Beautiful Creations 

The day before we departed was a free day essentially. A day for us to really explore the island and relax. Again the Habitat for Humanity crew came through and set up a snorkeling trip for us. We adventured out to a much smaller island called Molokini and snorkeled the reefs there. After, the boat took us to another point called Turtle Town. What an incredible sight it was! Not many people can say they were able to swim with sea turtles. 

After a long day in the sun, we had an incredible BBQ with the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity Maui. The BBQ was held at one of the board member's condos at sunset. The view was absolutely breathtaking. I have never seen anything like it. And it was in that moment that I wasn't thinking about leaving tomorrow or anything following, but I was truly in the moment. For me, it is in those moments when I am so grateful for everything I have and so grateful to God for blessing us with his beautiful creations. I took just a second and said thank you to God, thanked Him for His beautiful creation.  

                                 

DAY 176: Deemed Honorary Eagles

On our final day in Maui we cleaned up camp and headed to the Re-Store. There we said our goodbyes and thank yous to the fantastic team at Habitat. Before leaving, we had a surprise for a few of the workers and gave them each Eastern memorabilia. We deemed them forever our honorary eagles. Then it was off to the airport, where we said our final goodbyes to the beautiful island and the beautiful adventure. 

                        

Woo! That was a long one!

 God bless,

Kailee

Day 167: Father's Day Ft...My Father

Happy Father's Day to the all the Dads out there, but most importantly my Daddy! For those of you who have never met my father, you are missing out. He is one of the hardest working men (if not the hardest) that I have ever met. He has always taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to, but it's going to take some hard work and determination. But, at the same time he always reminds me to, "just have fun Kailee Dunn!"

                         

No matter the situation, sport and now even pageant, my dad has always been my biggest fan. If it was a sport he and my mom would be there cheering me on, giving me a pep talk and giving me advice on what to change if I made a mistake. However, now that the sports ship has sailed, my dad has wonderfully taken on a new role like a champion...pageant dad. Like so many other Dads, he had no idea what we were or I should say what he was getting into, but oh has he learned! He is there 100% of the time to remind me to be myself and have faith in myself. And once in awhile he will even give me advice on hairstyles, wardrobe choices and show me how to walk. ;) Whatever I need, he is my rock.  I believe I have excelled in extra curricular activities because he has always given me and my brother such an incredible example to follow. 

                           

In celebration of him, I decided to surprise him with Mariners tickets! My dad was a baseball superstar and played in college. He coached my brother when he was younger and continued to play in a softball league with his buddies. He really enjoys the game and I can't wait to spend the day with the him and the fam watching a game we all enjoy!

P.S. For every Wendy's frosty sold today 50 cents will be donated to foster children. Dave Thomas' daughter created this idea in his honor because he had a heart for foster kids.

God bless,

Kailee