Our Little Drops of Sunshine: WHAT KEPT CARL BUSY DID PAY OFF!!!

For the past month, Carl had been REALLY busy. Aside from keeping up with his school work, he was also caught in between commitments and preparations for various school activities and competitions. Carl is a member of BYU-Hawaii SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), and this year he was actively engaged in the organization's activities. Earlier this month, they organized the first International Institute for Professional Protocol (IIP P ) Conference. Barbara Barrington Jones and her faculty came on campus to conduct seminars and workshops for students to help them prepare for the professional world - from organizational skills, to etiquette, to dressing-up, and a lot more. To culminate the conference, a formal dinner was prepared for all those who completed the course.

The IIPP Faculty with SIFE members and participants

Carl with Barbara Barrington Jones

IIPP Faculty Shauna Ockey and I - her scholarship funded my Junior Year

Carl and I at the dinner with his officemate, Jordan -
the food was delish (i wish we didn't need to eat with "manners" LOL)

All these IIPP stuff was just the prelude to Carl's super busy days and nights! He actually had to give up his last Culture Night so he could fully commit himself to SIFE's preparations for an upcoming competition. Part of that preparation was a Financial Literacy advocacy program among grade school children. Carl and his team went to Hau'ula Elementary School to conduct a "fun" financial literacy class to 6th grade students. They taught the kids principles of budgeting, saving, banking, and I think they tried to introduce them to the concept of credit. To make the class even more interesting, guess who they had for a volunteer....

Seasider #4 Marques Whippy (the kids were super excited!)

Carl and his Financial Literacy Team
(the lady in green is actually the kids' teacher -
its Aloha Friday you know!)

Carl and his team with the Hau'ula Elementary School 6th Graders

Carl literally spent most of his spare time preparing for the SIFE competition where they have to present the university's outreach projects that help improve the community's economic status. (He even memorizes his lines for their presentation while doing the dishes). The team rehearsed every day except sunday and stayed up 'til midnight for the most weekdays for almost two and a half weeks. Carl was super stressed out - he eventually caught a slight flu 5 days before the competition. On some nights, I would be at home all alone. One time, I actually found myself asking why he was so into this - What would all these bring to us? Will SIFE eventually take Carl to a promising career or what? Is SIFE worth all his time, effort, and sacrifices?

On Wednesday, my questions were answered.

SIFE Regionals on March 25, 2009

2009 BYU-H SIFE Presentation Team Carl, Paul, Sungil Jo, Micah, Ashlin, Charlene, Nick (with Bro. Neal)

Competed against Chaminade University, Hawaii Pacific University, among others

Regional Champs!!!

I know Carl should be writing this entry because he could tell you folks more about how the competition went. I was at work so I couldn't come. Who knows maybe he'll edit this or something - to sort of present it as his side of the story! HAHAHA! But I am really proud of what Carl has accomplished while he's in BYU-H. Sometimes, he just surprises me with what he's been up to. :)

So guess whose going to Philadelphia in May?

In 2007, BYU-H SIFE Team competed at the Nationals in Texas. Back then, Carl was still the team's tech support guy. Here's some photos of their 2007 SIFE Team who competed in Texas.

2007 SIFE Team - all of them graduated already,
except for Carl and Bobby Tree (I guess)