Anyway, I am OBSESSED. My instructor (he reminds me of a mythical underground blacksmithing gnome in the best way possible) warned that some people get too nervous to spark the fuel, but the second I had that roaring feathered flame in front of me… pure delight. I went from serious and composed to grinning like a kid with a stack of chocolate chip cookies. If you turn the oxygen knob just right, the blue flame is so small it looks like a star, rays of light splitting out. Who knew a 6,000 degree torch flame could be so beautiful…

NEXT!

Steam Factory

This is the elf one. As the first employee (my boss is a family friend), I am a one-woman factory of game-controller mice for radiologists. I 3D print, wash, cure, assemble (troubleshooting should be part of my job description), and package the parts. 

It's so repetitive I listen to audiobooks. Or Polish radio.

I’ve lost count of how many funky little devices I’ve made—hundreds—but it’s gratifying to know that each and every one has the fingerprints of an 18 year old girl. Moi. (Don’t tell him I said this, but I’m better at making them than my boss.)

Also, I go to work whenever I want as long as I get everything done. Isn’t that awesome?

Rover

As I’m writing this, I’m living in a stranger’s house taking care of a lady’s cat—and fish—in Golden Valley, through a pet sitting app called Rover (it has both housesitting & drop-ins). I’m feeling especially accomplished given that my client, Milo (the cat), went from lazy and apathetic, growling at me when I approached, to following me around like a baby duck and nudging my hand for pets. How? Magic. Just kidding, the equation is as follows: Object (ex: fake mouse) + string (ex: folded masking tape) = a decent cat toy. After being fully deployed, this makeshift solution has gotten the grumpiest cat I’ve ever met to get back into play mode.

In the beginning, Milo had one look on his face and one look only. Bored loathing (middle pic). Now look at him!!!

Rover has allowed me to live closer to school and work, make an extra buck, and preview my lovely crazy cat-lady future. 

Note: because I’m cheap and care about the environment, I use Too Good To Go (a GENIUS app to reduce business’ food waste) to buy food while I’m here. You can see (and buy from) participating businesses on the app, and a "surprise bag" will be waiting for you when you pick it up! Yesterday I got FOUR packs of delicious sushi for $7. It would’ve cost me $21 if I didn't use TGTG.

Habitat for Humanity

Well. I’m 18. You know what that means? I’m FREEEEEEEEE to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that makes a real, tangible difference on both a local and international level. 

Habitat supplies the materials, volunteers (a mix of professionals and newbies) do the brunt of the labor, contractors cover the complex stuff (roofing, electrical, plumbing), and the house is sold for a low price to people who really need it. The buyers must complete a qualification process and receive training on how to be a homeowner. In other words, HFH is a well-oiled machine with all the kinks worked out.

Sorry, I'm not exactly taking pictures when I'm hanging in trusses or laying floors.

For me, it’s also free education. I’ve learned how to use a plethora of power tools, drill in blocking, lay floors, paint walls, and insulate attics. I’ve gone 6 times now—it’s been awesome to become part of the Habitat community—and DANG these are cool people! Besides the construction pros, there are librarians, social workers, Americore people, world travellers, etc. One second the guy next to you is someone taping paper to the floor, and a conversation later, he’s the guy who was a suspected spy in China. What the fudge! Most of the volunteers are retirees and man, do they have stories to tell.

Little things from my Habitat days:

• Almost falling through the ceiling with a misstep—that’s when I started climbing through the trusses like a monkey, filling in the insulation from above.
• They all thought I was 21-23 years old. Should I be flattered or insulted?
• Apparently lunch boxes aren't cool enough for big macho construction men. Most of them bring a mini cooler for their turkey sandwich and plastic water bottle (is a reusable water bottle also not cool enough??). 
• Having “snow” on my eyelashes from insulation. 
• Being called around to screw in sheetrock/drywall—it makes you feel IMPORTANT!
• Paint on my face “looks like it was meant to be there”.

It’s oddly reminiscent of the boxer boys; walking into a space where it doesn’t make sense that I’d be welcomed, and yet… :)

Volunteer (as a group or as an individual) here: https://www.tchabitat.org/volunteer?hsCtaTracking=7c9d1479-d6e0-4ed1-b567-27fda60c9075%7C82ba9c93-49c1-45c8-a3d7-d8eb15ebed65

WorldPackers

This is the greatest discovery yet, and may be even more brilliant than Too Good To Go! Imagine volunteering anywhere in the world—learning about things you care about and doing what you love—in exchange for food, lodging, and other benefits. That is what WorldPackers is, and that is how I’m going to Poland and Estonia for a month and a half (though I’ve had to use half my Hawaii Poke Bowl money for flights). 

In Poland, I will be working in an English (and Spanish!) language school. They won’t give me food (a pity), but they will provide a place to stay and pay me if I work overtime. Also, I get weekends off to explore and meet the cousins I just found out I have (true story). And—BONUS—Too Good To Go is in Poland too!!! Cheap pastries, cheap dumplings, cheap snacks… yummmmmmm!

In Estonia, I will be volunteering at a hostel in exchange for lodging and some food. You might not know much about Estonia—I didn’t either—but it. Is. AWESOME. The architecture, the technology, the LEGENDS! I can’t wait to learn even more—though I’ll just have to hope everyone speaks English.

University

So, guess what? I’m STILL in high school. I could graduate now, but I don’t want to yet. For this semester (Spring), I will be taking 3 college courses online through the University of Minnesota PSEO program (for freeee), even while I’m frolicking around Europe. 

BUT! I’m waiting to hear back from a few universities I applied to this fall. The options: Minnesota, Massachusetts, Georgia, or New York. Please suffer in anticipation with me.

Alright, that’s it. 

Thank you for reading!!! ❤️

P.S. If you have any ideas on how to make an extra buck while abroad, let me know! Please.