Yvette’s Bio!

1)It begins with a name. Well, my name is Yvette Deserai Guzman.  My friends and family call me Vett, Dez, Yvette-ee or Yvette.  So, take your pick; I’ll respond to all of them!

2) The Where.
I currently live and was born and raised in Anaheim, California (Orange County).  Just to give you an idea of where that is, I live just about 5 minutes away from Disneyland!
 
 
3) Academia.

• As far as school goes, I am currently in my 3^rd year at California State University, Fullerton. Go Titans!
• I’m majoring in Human Services with a concentration in Community/Administration Practice, as well as getting my minor in Gerontology. 
• I plan to graduate May 2012, if all goes as planned. 

4) Nine to Five.

• I work on campus in the Visual Arts Department as a student assistant.
•  I absolutely love my job
•  I get to help with any academic advisement and assist faculty and staff on any special projects, grading, and registration. 

5) Killing Time. I really don’t have much “free time” nowadays; I’m usually either at school, work, or volunteering. 

• I’m currently a volunteer soon to be intern with Vitas Hospice care.  I can truly say that working with patients at the end of their lives has truly changed my own outlook on my own life.  They all have been a blessing in my life.
• I am also involved in a mentoring program for children whose parents are incarcerated.
• My newest hobby is photography.  I think there is just something so neat about capturing a single moment in time.
• I absolutely love spending time with my grandparents.
• My friends and I love going to The Tranquil Tea Lounge. It’s delicious!
• I am a big fan of reading.
• All in all I just love being carefree and silly with my friends. 

6) The Important Stuff.

• Likes: Chai Tea Lattes. Yellow Tulips. Toe socks. TOMS. Photography. Driving down the coast with the windows rolled down and Jack Johnson on the radio. Sweatpants. Pittsburg Steelers.  Deep/meaningful conversations.  Post-its. Visiting with the elderly.  Meeting new people and learning new things.  Anything whimsical. Laughing so hard I cry.  Acoustic music. Reading.  I think that Google Earth is the coolest thing ever. Chilly weather.  Karaoke is always a blast. Fireworks.  

• Dislikes: Loud gum chewing. Pickles. Wearing shoes. Polka dots. Mathematics. Bugs that fly. Chipped nail polish. Injustice. Awkward elevator rides. Sports cars. Traffic. Mosquito/flea bites. 

• Goals: One of my biggest goals in life is to actually get my MSW (masters in social work) and start up my own hospice care program. 

 
7) Previous Experience.

• I spent two weeks in New Orleans in 2007 with a group from my high school (Eastside Christian).  We gutted houses and helped rebuild houses.  This trip most definitely stretched me physically, but when it came down to it me being uncomfortable wasn’t that important because I knew that we were sharing Christ’s love through physical work.
• In July 2010 I went on my first overseas missions trip to South Africa with Thrive Africa.  When on this trip we mainly focused on relationship evangelism.  

 
8) The Nit N' Gritty.

• I am so  extremely excited to get to know and build relationships with every girl going on this trip.
• I’m looking forward to loving on the people on India.
• I am also very anxious/nervous/excited to work with and spend time with individuals that are victims of human trafficking. 
• I can honestly say that I am still in shock and awe of how this whole trip panned out.  Working with/ serving sex trafficking victims was something that was laid on my heart for some time now, but it always seemed to be intangible and then this trip fell into my lap.  It was honestly God saying, “Yvette this is what I want for you, now go and share My love.”  
• I am eager to see how God uses each and every one of us this summer.  
• The thing that I am most nervous about is the actual length of the trip.  I’ve never been away from home longer than three weeks, so that may be a little challenge for me.