Getting the right people involved...

This week I've been getting more people involved.  As I've been thinking about it, several ways to do this, that seemed easy and natural, seemed to emerge.  First, I decided to use my connection to one of the middle schools in my school district, to get their students involved. I met with the principal, presented my half-formed ideas and she ran with them!  This principal also introduced me to a 6th grade teacher who has a keen interest in the region because he lived there! This teacher also supervises the student body officers who choose what the school will participate in, as their only fundraiser, yearly.  As you can imagine, I was overwhelmed by their vision, creativity and passion for my project.

The other person that became involved is the PR person for our district. He interviewed me and plans to help me get the word out about this unique project. He's also working on possible news coverage; I've invited the president of the Wasatch Room to Read chapter to appear with me if that additional piece works out.

I  also purchased my plane ticket to Nepal; I've allowed a couple of days on each end of the trek for travel so I will be gone for a total of 23 days.

I also created this poster that I plan to display in all libraries in my school district and in as many public libraries, stores and gyms as I can get it in. I ended up making it, so it's certainly not professional quality,  hopefully it will help me get the word out. :)

Getting the right equipment....

I bought my first pair of hiking boots today.  This seems kind of weird since I'm going on this monumental hike, but I've been surviving with Nikes for over 10 years in the Utah mountains....

I have to say I was pretty excited about them though. I even went into my friend's office, sat down, pulled them out of the box and put them on right there. She's been giving me good advice about publicizing this event, so she didn't think this was completely weird. ;)

 The juxtaposition of the two styles of shoes is amazing. I've posted them both here so you can see what I mean. Yeah, I'm kind of a glam girl. The only reason why I didn't have on my 4" pumps with my skinny jeans was because it's still summer and I can't bare to give up my sandals yet!

Since my last post I have done the following additional things to get ready:

1. Contacted an artist to make a poster (my daughter) for advertising purposes (posters, business cards, FB badge).
2. Began getting more serious about training by running longer every morning, running elevated, and including strength training.

The Hike for Room to Read

I'm blogging about my next exciting adventure for two reasons 1. Because there might be others who want to do something similar and a blueprint might be helpful for them. 2. As a record for my children and grand-children so they will know what I'm about, what makes me tick...in general, what motivates me.

This adventure was made possible because my children are finally all adults. My youngest son graduated from high school this spring and left to live in Brazil for two years this morning. My daughters are married, happy, independent women. My oldest son still lives with me but has his own life going with college, work, theater and friends. So, I now have the freedom to travel the world!

I've made arrangements with my work for the time off. I'm 47, healthy, and eager to stretch my wings and fly! I've never really had this chance because I married young and began having children right away so there were no backpacking trips across Europe in my past...no wild adventures. I would not choose differently, if I could go back and do it again. My children are, and have always been, the joy of my life. I do not regret one moment that I have spent with them. However, I'm looking forward to this new chapter of my life, so grateful that my health and circumstances allow me to pursue some of my dreams.

I've decided to go to Nepal and hike Mount Everest to Base Camp. At first, I was just going to hike it and I was hoping someone I knew might want to come with me. That was about 6 months ago. Now, I've decided to go alone and to make it a charitable hike for the organization Room to Read. These changes came about because the friends I have either cant go, because the amount of time involved (3 weeks) or thought I was completely crazy and had no desire to accompany me.

Looking forward and dreaming....

I'm not really going to be alone as I've chosen a guide service (Himalayan Glacier Limited) so I'll be in a group of about 11 other people plus 2 guides, 2 sherpas and some yaks. I also won't be camping. We will stop at tea houses at villages along the route each evening and will be fed. So, I'm not really this athletic, rugged, outdoor adventurer. I'm a girl who exercises regularly, spends all summer and fall hiking in the rocky mountains, but also likes a bit of comfort and some company.

I chose to make this a charitable hike for two reasons. The first was because a colleague of mine introduced me to an organization that I have come to believe in. As I have learned more about them, I've become impressed and humbled by their work. The second motivation came when I overheard a conversation that another colleague was having about a similar thing she had been involved in....these two experiences started the wheels turning and my excitement for this additional element began! The organization I have chosen, Room to Read, will help me to put two things that I'm passionate about together (hiking and literacy) because they focus on literacy, education and building libraries.

I don't know anything about anything I'm doing so I'm involving people who do. I've completed the following steps on this journey:

1. I've researched Nepal and figured out when the best times to hike are (The Lonely Planet) and I've registered with the US Embassy in Nepal.
2. I've researched recommended guides in the Everest Region.
3. I've met with the PR person for the Wasatch Chapter of Room to Read and introduced my plan to her. She has agreed to help publicize my efforts.
4. I've asked the PR person at work to help publicize my fund raising efforts. He has agreed.
5. I've gotten fund raising tips from a colleague who has been involved in similar ventures, multiple times.
6. I've developed my own donation page on the Room to Read site.
7. I've decided when to go and how to come up with the funds to make it possible (none of the funds raised through Room to Read will support my travel; all funds raised will go to Room to Read).

That's it so far. I'll continue to blog as I go along....stay tuned.

On Love and Loss...

I've been sitting in the waiting room at University Hospital all afternoon trying to be supportive for my daughter who has gone into labor early with a child that we know has multiple birth defects and will not be able to remain with us.

So much love fills this room; our family has taken over the waiting area and we all take turns going in to see Kayla. All of my grand-daughters are here, playing together with toys they've brought, our phones, and the books left in the waiting area. These cousins all love each other so much; it's a joy to watch them. My oldest daughter is here; she's come to comfort her sister and has brought her own newborn for me to hold while she goes in to hold Kayla's hand.

When Kayla first told me about this baby I searched to find meaning and purpose...why did this child need to come to Earth for such a brief time? What were we supposed to learn? This is what I have learned as I have reflected, watched and listened.

Kayla has found out how many people truly love her and she has been able to be supportive and inspirational to many others as she has posted her thoughts and feelings about her journey each day for months. She has also decided to use her talents to bless the lives of others faced with the loss of a chid. This has helped her (and will continue to help her) heal and accept what has happened.

I've found my own purpose in this through a post of a friend. Just today she shared a story about a family who donated, in their son's memory, to an organization called Room to Read. The article really touched me because I want all children, everywhere to have access to books. So, because of all of the books that I will not be able to read to Elly and because of all of the stories I will have the opportunity to share with Shyann, Saydee, Kate, Sammy, Haley, Naomee, Lexy and Harmony I'll donate to Room to Read so that all of the kids who are still waiting for a book might finally be able to receive one.

If you visit the site (http://www.roomtoread.org) and feel inspired, please join me.

Started our first day of vacation on a road trip today , bound for Seattle with Charity and Ben in the Jag . So far it's been fun chatting with each other , sharing memories and laughing!
Some amusing moments:

We are staying at a real dive in Baker City, Oregon. I checked in, we went to the room and discovered one bed for the three of us ! I went back to registration and asked to be moved to a larger room to which they replied that they could upgrade my room but I would have to pay the difference! I wasn't going for that at all. :) I said, "no I'm not paying the difference, I stated how many people there were when I booked the room and was quoted a price, which I pre -paid." I received my new room, no extra charge. :)

Next ,we decided to make use of the hot tub. It was nice and hot , very relaxing until I noticed what looked like a mustache floating around in the water! There were a couple of these floating around near the filter..., needless to say , yuck! We left.

Waiting to see what amusing surprises are waiting for us tomorrow.

The flip side....

Birthdays always seem to be a time of deep reflection for me. In my last post I shared the happiness and success that have come my way during the past year. I'm so thankful for the friends, neighbors, family members, and colleagues that have been there to share those things with me, help me, and encourage me. None of it would mean anything without you!

There is a flip side, of course, today I reflect upon the challenges that have come my way (since my last birthday) and how I dealt with them. While I will not list them here, I will record the goals that came from this soul searching. They are simple but very much needed....

serve more
complain less

Things that have happened since my last birthday...

This isn't an attempt to pat myself on the back it's merely a reflection that proves to me that life isn't over at 45; it's only beginning! I owe much of my success and good fortune to my family, friends, mentors, and colleagues (you know who you are)!

Kayla & Bryce

Two of my daughters got married (Kayla and Charity). Blessed by the additions of Bryce and Jeremy to our family. 

Hailey, Naomee & Harmony

Charity & Jeremy

 

My 7th grand-daughter (Harmony) was born!

I met my goal to read the scriptures every day! (FB helped with this since I subscribe to scripture sites and get them delivered).

I earned my 2nd Masters degree in Information Systems and Learning Technologies from the University of Missouri with a 4.0 GPA! Thank-you family for enduring the past two years.

Wrote an article for the LIRT News, The Times they are a Changin', for the March 2013 issue. Thanks go to Leslie for editing.

Managed 41 libraries, 58 Media Assistants and 12 Librarians (who have taught me so much; I am truly humbled by their dedication and service to the students in CSD). Thanks go to Hollie and Amber for their continual support, faith and patience!

I lost 13 lbs!

I was elected President of the American Library Association's Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT). My term begins July 2013.

I wrote a successful grant ($59,000) for 76 new computers for two high school libraries! Thanks go out to Christie for her suggestions and advice.

Had 2 kids leave Utah (one came back).

Traveled to the Caribbean (twice) Anaheim, Seattle, New Orleans and the Mexican Riviera.

Adopted a dog (our first real pet in 20 years). Thank-you Julie!

Youngest child got his driver's license (got in one accident) and we both survived!

Hiked numerous trails all over Utah. Discovered some new ones in Payson Canyon last summer. :)

and

Celebrated 12 years of marriage. :)

I expect the next year to be just as memorable...I'm kicking it off with a trip to Oahu via Vegas beginning on my birthday 3/22/13! So happy my girls and my dear friend Alys want to spend time with me! I'm always blessed by their presence!