And so it begins.

I've always considered myself a pretty simple girl. I feel I'm open, straightforward and kind of fun. With that said, I can be pretty heavy too. I think a lot. Sometimes more than others, but I'm am one of those that's brain seems to be always working. I tend towards self doubt while projecting a very "together" personae. So, what am I really going on about? Well, I'll tell you. I'm going to Nicaragua. "Huh?" you're thinking? OK, stay with me.

Some background. Just over a year ago, I became a stylist with Stella & Dot. S&D is an amazing company of women that through social selling, sell jewelry. Gorgeous jewelry. One great thing about Stella & Dot, is that we have a foundation that supports 3 organizations; Girl Inc., Accion, and BuildOn through the sale of "Foundation Bracelets". Well, back in March, S&D had a little contest. For every 10 Foundation Bracelets you sell, get entered in to a drawing to be one of two winners to go to Nicaragua to help build a school with BuildOn. When this contest came about, I wanted it. I wanted it bad! I told myself, (The girl who never wins anything) "I'm gonna win this!" I wore my bracelet everyday, talked it up with all that I met or who complimented me on my beautiful bracelet. I sold 24, I think. Not great but, 2 entries. I was sure I was going to win this because I had an incredible passion about the foundation and I tried really hard.

I didn't win.

The winners were announced and there it was. I lost. Didn't win. I really wanted to go. I did feel good because I knew I was helping to build a school in Nicaragua no matter if I only raised $300. (I'm also a glass-half-full kind of girl) Then I found out the woman who sold the most sold 252 bracelets. Now, she was really building a school.

Fast forward to the morning of early July. I get a call at 9am from San Francisco.  Sweet Yumi from S&D's home office calls to tell me after what seemed like 10 long minutes of explanation, that the second winner couldn't go and that I was the new, second winner! I was going to Nicaragua!

I was ecstatic to be the second winner!