Experiences:
Summer Talented And Gifted Program @ SMU
During the summer after my 7th grade year, I attended a 3 week session of SMU TAG. I took a math class for college credit and a course on Turbo Pascal.
State Bowl Competition in Austin for FPS
During the spring semester of 7th grade, my Future Problem Solvers team made it to the state bowl level for a chance to go to nationals. That was my first time in Austin. We didn't make it to nationals. :)
Charity Walk Events / Guadelupe Peak
Since I was about 10, I have participated in charity walks. I walked in WalkAmerica for the March of Dimes and the Bank One Supercities walk for the MS Society. During 10th grade was the last time I walked in an event, and I was captain of a walk team and raised $1,000. That put me in the Thousand Dollar Club, and I went on a paid trip to hike Guadalupe Peak. I wonder if I am the first Ethiopian to trek up to the highest point in Texas. If you get up there, look for my name in the book up at the peak!
Ethiopia Trip - Part I
When I was 12, my family spent a month in Ethiopia. This was my first time to see so many relatives that I never knew about. Aside from Addis Abeba, I went to Mekele and Axum. I am proud to say that I was only sick one night during my trip, but there is nothing that Ambo Wuha can't fix.
Krogers
I guess this is where I will tell you that I use to work at Krogers. I started when I turned 15. I worked during the summers and winters. The first time, I was a courtesy clerk....aka..the dude that bagged the groceries and brought in the carts from the parking lot. Then, I moved up to the cashier position. Finally, I worked in the Kroger Pharmacy. I had a lot of fun there. I almost set off the sprinkler system once, but we don't need to talk about that now! Anyways, this was my first part time job.
Ethiopia Trip - Part II
During the summer of '99, I maid my second trip to Ethiopia with my father and brother. During this month, I traveled to Bahir Dar, Gonder, Gojam, Lalibela, Debre Libanos, Nazareth, and Gaydo. By this time, Amarigna'ay teshashilo nebere.
16th Annual ESFNA Soccer Tournament - Dallas
During that same summer of '99, I had the great pleasure of attending the annual Ethiopian Soccer Tournament. This time it was on home turf! I acted in a play that was performed on the opening day (I was the foreign scientist for those of you who saw the play). I enjoyed it so much that.....
17th Annual ESFNA Soccer Tournament - Toronto
I attended the soccer tournament in the summer of 2000 too! This was an amazing experience because it was my first time in Canada, and because so much went on. I met with members of PAHA and People to People, and attended a forum on HIV/AIDS. There were representatives for ESAI (Ethiopian Students Association International) and EPAN (Ethiopian Professionals Association Network). Other people who were there included Worldspace, ENAHPA (Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association), SEA (Society of Ethiopian Artists), Arif, and Alkebelance (a.k.a. Abyssinia Boyz). Hopefully, you noticed the banner for ESAI. I designed it and took it to Toronto to advertise and recruit Ethiopian students. Contact me if you want to know more about what went on.
I have also been to the 18th and 19th Annual Soccer Tournaments in Hayward, CA and Washington D.C.
Another cool experience is the Annual Summit of the Ethiopian Students Association international. You can view pictures from them here.
Ok! It would be wrong for me to have this whole thing all about me, so let me tell you about some of my friends and show you some pictures!
