Sarah Barry
East Lansing, MI
Michigan State

Last 5 blog entries: on to the next adventure.. Bike & Build post-ride The end in a nutshell On our way to tube the Boise River! On our way to tube the Boise River!

Show latest update from from Sarah's blog on to the next adventure.. Looking back on my time with Bike & Build this summer, the only real negative to the entire adventure is that after it is all said and done life seems so dull and lacks the everyday excitement that occurred nonstop this summer. I had trouble returning to reality and recognizing that 1. the best summer of my life thus far had ended and split me up from some of my very best friends and 2. I wasn't returning to Michigan State in the fall; this left me lost as far as what to do next. For the majority of my last 21 years I spent it learning, I started taking college courses in high school and then continued to take them year round until this spring when I graduated from MSU. Being wrapped up in the educational institution kept me busy and left little time for my mind to wander and become inspired about life outside of school. The idea of obtaining a job in Traverse City was enticing to an extent but did not satisfy my urge to continue living a more adventurous lifestyle. Traverse City is my comfort zone, this is where I am surrounded by a family that gladly welcomed me back home and made unemployment as good as it could possibly be and a boyfriend that was ecstatic to have me back in the same town as him-a rarity! But this summer taught me how rewarding it feels to live life on the edge, living everyday to the fullest, and seeing all that this beautiful world has to offer. It made me seriously contemplate where I want my life to go. Yes I realize that I was spoiled growing up on the Old Mission Peninsula, surrounded by blue water, sandy beaches, and in a community of kind, caring people. I fully recognize that I will be back in Traverse City in years to come, spoiling a family of my own as my parents have done for me. For now I am going to take advantage of this drive and motivation to adventure and gain experience in areas of true interest. I certainly could have settled with a job in Traverse City however my true desire is to work in a position that allows me to be out and about doing something I enjoy. I spent the last two months, truly unemployed, living at my parents house, sleeping in like never before (mind you I once was a morning person), searching for that dream job, suited perfectly for Sarah Barry. I learned a lot in college but more than anything I learned what I am not passionate about. So this job search was more of a battle to find what I would thoroughly enjoy. As I overhauled my parents cluttered garage, painted the kids bathroom, tore down wallpaper in the master bedroom and bathroom, my mind was constantly at work brainstorming and contemplating my immediate future. Michigan was on the back burner for the majority of my searches for employment. The one area of business that was of most interest to me was in the ski resort market. I looked into Vail, the largest ski resort in the US, and also my Mom's old stomping ground, and became inspired in all that they had to offer. What better than a company full of people who share similar interests as myself and overall enjoy living an adventurous life. Several weeks ago I drove to Ann Arbor with one goal in mind: to land a job with Vail Resorts and that I did! I will be working in a seasonal position selling tickets at the Golden Peak Children Ski Center and I am ecstatic about the opportunity. I never thought that following graduation from college I would be so grateful to secure only a seasonal position but hey it's a good starting point. In order to supplement my income and pay the bills each month I found a really awesome babysitter referral company. As I plan my travels westward and contemplate how much can be packed into a Pontiac Grand Am, I get increasingly anxious to start this next adventure and meet even more awesome, adventurous people. I am lucky to have found the most affordable place for a one bedroom apartment in Vail--resort communities are not even comparable to rentals in Michigan! I will be renting out an apartment in the basement of a parsonage from a very kind and friendly pastor. I look forward to living on my own and having my own space for the first time ever. This move comes with many firsts for me, one of which will be spending the holidays away from my family in Michigan. Although I love spending the holidays sitting next to a fire with my family, hanging out with friends will create new, exciting memories for me. I would love visitors and you are more then welcome to come crash at my place, hopefully I will snag a nice sleeper sofa before then. So bring your skis or snowboard and come be a part of my new, big adventure! With love, Sarah   Goodbye hills. Hello mountains!

Sarah's bio: Hey there! I'm Sarah Barry, I'm currently finishing up my senior year as a Michigan State Spartan. After four years of indecisive decision making, come this May I will be walking away with a degree in Business and a degree in Advertising with a specialization in Public Relations. My first encounter with the Bike & Build Organization was during my sophomore year at Michigan State. I was reading our campus newspaper and was instantly glued to an article about a former Spartan who was fund raising and training for an upcoming Bike & Build trip. I returned home and googled the organization, from that point on I had convinced myself that participation on a Bike & Build trip would be a perfect fit for my post-undergraduate summer. After successfully convincing my family that I am in fact crazy, I became obsessed with the idea and was persistent in making my fixation a reality. My decision to participate on a Bike & Build trip may very well be the most confident decision I have made throughout my college career. I am originally from Traverse City, a beautiful little town in Northern Michigan. For the duration of my life, I have yet to miss out on a Traverse City summer. In 2010, I will be spending the better part of May, June, July, and August travelling from the east coast to the west coast helping out families in need, building homes, and generating awareness for the affordable housing cause. What better way to spend my first summer away from such an amazing hometown? Although I will miss the annual National Cherry Festival and the Traverse City Film Festival, I look forward to pedaling through the Rockies, valleys, and jumping in the Pacific Ocean upon completion of my endeavor. During my freshman year of college I volunteered at a small elementary school in the heart of Lansing. My experience spent commuting and assisting the teachers at the school served as a great learning opportunity for me. Up until that point, I had been somewhat sheltered from the reality of the poverty that surrounded me. My time spent volunteering at the school served as a huge reality check for me. The substandard housing and dire need for other assistance in the area was extremely evident. My desire to bike across the country has developed since I came to college. For the majority of my time at school I did not own a car and my bike was my main mode of transportation. During this time my love for biking greatly increased. Between my time spent on the Michigan State campus and on the beaches of Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City I have been spoiled with beautiful surroundings. Needless to say, I have become extremely passionate about my time spent outdoors. I share that love with my family and friends. My family consists of my Dad, Mom, an older sister who works in Chicago, and a younger brother who is currently attending college in Traverse City. My family and friends play a huge role in my life and mean the world to me. I love to travel and I look forward to adventuring through areas of the United States that I have yet to explore. I am extremely excited to spend a good portion of the trip in Colorado helping to build an entire home from the ground up. I am an individual driven by high hopes and dreams. Once I have my mind set on accomplishing something I am persistent in making it a reality. I am a strong believer in dreaming big and reaching for the stars in everything you pursue. I live for the moments that challenge me and I am constantly looking forward to my next big adventure! I truly can't thank you enough for your generous support. For more information about my endeavor, please feel free to contact me at: Barrysa1@msu.edu

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