Bryan here!

Hello breakers!

It is I, Bryan Lim. One of two co-sites, and one of twelve members heading off to Virginia this coming Spring 2014!

I joined Alternative Breaks in Fall 2012 during my second year, because my friend Shelby was in it, and it sounded pretty cool. The reason why I'm back here now for a second time as a site leader is because my first AB trip taught me a lot, and I really wish to pay it forward now!

A bit about myself: I'm from Singapore, so being here in the US already gives me great insight into different issues. I consider myself an third-culture kid. I served in the military for a couple of years before coming to college. I love music, and am starting to get into photography. I love grabbing coffee with people to chit-chat and discuss, so if you're down pop me a message on FB. This is a valid offer!


Also, the previous entries have had people adding answers to these 2 random questions about jeggings and Singapore... That may or may not have been caused by me hahah. (In my defence it was a joke!)

But to keep the spirit along, I don't like jeggings, and well, Singapore is awesome. 'Nuff said!

Hi! I'm Anjleena (:

        Hi! My name is Anjleena Kour Sahni, and I'm a participant in AB Teens with Dreams! I'm a second year in ERC, and my major is International Studies with emphases in Political Science and Economics.
        I joined this volunteer program because I am super passionate about social issues, including human rights, development, social justice--basically everything AB is about! Strong direct service is a huge and important step in societal improvement. Alternative Breaks is a way to be active, and to commit oneself to making real moves to improve the world in some way. I'm so excited to learn about the issues affecting the area we're visiting, educating myself on possible methods and ways to help, and to go out and serve the community. 
        A little bit about me--I like dancing, eating, going to the beach, and sleeping--pretty basic! 

Answers to random questions:
1. Jeggings are awesome because they're so much more comfortable than pants! Nobody really likes pants...plus Beyonce wears jeggings.
2. Singapore is really clean which is cool, but Amurrica is my favorite.

Introduction - Eric

Hello everybody!

I am Eric Tong, a recent graduate from UCSD's Revelle College.  I graduated in June 2013 with a B.S in Human Biology and a minor in Sociology.  This is my second year in AB as a participant.   I usually do service learning on a local level as a public health educator in the Greater San Diego County specializing in disseminating cancer knowledge to the Asian population.  Although it is rewarding to help my local roots, I want to broaden my horizons and serve not only locally, but also nationally and globally.  Therefore, I am absolutely ecstatic and honored that I am going to go on a service trip to Virginia to help struggling teens. I know for certain it is going to be an incredible experience when I am going to go out to the community at the ground level.  To some degree the unknown frightens me, but at the same time it gives me that much more desire to learn more about what I have little knowledge about.

I will tell you a little about myself.  I love to cook, surf, explore, volunteer, visit museums, and eat.  Those are among the many things I enjoy that make the top of my list.  One of my favorite activities down in San Diego is to surf, even though I am awful at it.  Sometimes I will go out past the break and not even try to catch a wave, but instead just sit out there relax and try to experience whatever nature lurks underneath my board and me.  I love visiting art museums especially the contemporary art museums of SD (La Jolla and Downtown).  But by far, my favorite activities revolves around food, I love learning the history of certain dishes and replicating them.  Whenever I take on a new food project, I research the origin of the dish and how it came about and do the best I can to understand why or how a certain dish came about.  And of course, when I am done I usually enjoy sharing it with good company.  My favorite dishes I cook are almost always vegetarian.

Important Questions and Important Answers:
1. Why are jeggings the new fashion statement?
Jeggings are obviously the new fashion statement because they are unisex.  Many people who read this are skeptical, but I assure you if you see my legs in Jeggings your life will never be the same.  I am absolutely positive that jeggings are the pinnacle of haute couture.

2.  Why is your favorite country Singapore?
Singapore is my favorite country because of the food.  The richness it has in its culture can absolutely be seen and experienced through its food.  Any country that has food with kalamansi lime you can never go wrong with.

Introduction-Sunny

Hello everyone!I am Sunny Jiang and I am a team member of Alternative Break: Teens with Dreams. I am currently a third year ERC student majoring in Econ & Math and minoring in Accounting. 

I did several volunteering works before which showed me that even a small behavior could make a big impact on others. So I was excited when I heard that I can join AB: Teens with Dreams, working with other team members who have the same wish to lend a helping hand to those in need. We are going to Virginia to have a seven-day trip to help teenagers with violence. It will be my first time to go outside my place to help people. Yep, a little bit nervous. But I am sure after several weeks preparing work, we will be ready to really DO SOMETHING for these teenagers!

It’s time to answer the questions~

1. Jeggings are really comfortable and fit almost all kinds of shoes

2. Singapore is my favorite country because there is a well-known hotel with an infinity and outdoor pool at really great height!

Hi Everyone! 

     I'm Natalie Tierney, a second year Psychology major from Thurgood Marshall College.

     My favorite activities/hobbies include dancing, reading, traveling, cooking, and volunteering. I love to dance and have taken jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, and contemporary classes, of which my favorite style to perform is jazz. My favorite book changes almost every year, last year it was Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. In 2014, I hope to be able to travel to Ireland to study abroad for Fall Quarter of my junior year. My favorite dishes to cook for my family are sweet and spicy salmon, apple baked pork chops, and lasagna.

     I decided during senior year of high school to make a bucket list and on that list I made it a goal of mine to be able to make a difference in a community that was out of California. That is what led me to AB. Well, actually it was a flyer on Library Walk that promised an experience of working with an organization that would help me achieve my goal of volunteering domestically or internationally. From meeting my driven and all around amazing team members to the pre-trip Education and Training we are doing to prepare for our Spring Break volunteer service, I couldn't be more excited to be a part of Alternative Breaks Teens with Dreams 2014. As it says in our AB Vision, I am so excited to have started on my journey to becoming an active citizen committed to lifelong service. 

My take on our very important questions: 

1. Jeggings are the go to pants now because they are comfortable, yet can help your ensemble look put together and classy. 

2. According to a 2009 article on CNN's travel page, Singapore is the food capital of the world. I don't think I need to elaborate on why that is significant. 

Hi I am Madie!

I just want to introduce myself to everyone! So.... HELLO! My name is Madie, and I am a site leader for AB Teens with Dreams with Bryan Lim. We are working with Alternative House, a non-profit that creates safe spaces for teens.

I joined Alternative Breaks last year and volunteered at a drug rehabilitation center called Harvest Farm that truly changed my life.  I cannot wait to continue to learn and grow this year!

Here are some fun facts:

• My favorite food currently is Lamb Dinner at Greek Fest in Knoxville, TN
• I have one older brother :)
• DANCE DANCE DANCE...I love dance
• I have jumped out of a moving car! 
• I like to tell stories so ask me anything

Here is me with a participant at Harvest Farm :)

Introducing Danielle

  I am Danielle Ocampo. I am a senior/4th year at UCSD in Sixth College. It is my second year with Alternative Breaks and this year I am fortunate to be a chair in Events Coordinating. My major is Communications and International Studies. 

   I decided to be part of Alternative Breaks again this year because it changed my life the first time I was part of it. I finished my service feeling fulfilled and wanting more. I had an experience I never felt with other volunteering experiences. Alternative Breaks taught that it was not just about the people receiving our service work but how we can grow and continue to be active citizens. I also learned how important it is to learn about what it means to be an active citizen and how I can have a positive effect on the world regardless of how big or small my contribution is. I learned how important it is to grow and as individual as with a group of people who become great friends. With that amazing experience I decided to apply to be in leadership to further grow my experience and reapply to a service trip. With my greatest pleasure I was chosen to be part of Alternative Breaks: Teens with Dreams. 

Regarding the questions from our site leaders:

1. Jeggings are the new fashion statement because Conan O'Brien wore them so everyone wanted to wear them. Proof: http://teamcoco.com/content/conan-rocks-man-jeggings

2. Singapore is my favorite country because I heard it's Bryan's favorite country so now it's my favorite country. I'm kidding, I've never been to Singapore.