To Do List #46 - Vote.

Our two most important rights as a citizen. Choose our leaders. Let our voice be heard.

Choose who we think will best run our country and tell others why we made that choice.

Choose and be confident in our decision.

This week I voted by absentee ballot for my candidate, Barack Obama. If you have read my blog in the past, you will know that I registered voters during the primary campaign for nomination. I have also continued this work by registering voters at the nearby college in Sonora, California. I am honored to have even been a small part of this campaign - to let people know how strongly I believe in Barack Obama and what he can be for this nation. Because I love my country so deeply. I love the opportunities I have been given by being an American Citizen - but I also see flaws. I see the chance to bring change to the country. To bring peace, understanding, empathy and acceptance to a nation of people who are craving just that.

And I know some people are reading this and saying "ah - that liberal girl, just a bunch of hippie talk". And yes, I am liberal. But I only believe what I have been taught by my parents, who raised me in a conservative home. I was taught to love and respect people. To help people at any opportunity I could. To show compassion. True family values. Those values, I believe, transcend parties.

So I cast my vote for Barack Obama. Who believes that a nation with empathy is a strong nation. Who believes in helping the normal citizens, the ones struggling with mortgages and health care bills. Who believes in sending our children to public schools that provide children with a great education, not just an okay one. Who believes in me. Who believes in you. That to me, is a great man who could be a legendary president

To Do List # -- well actually - it wasn't a to-do list, but I am glad I experienced it! -- Crazy Rock Festival

So this week a few people from the lodge (Lana, Corey and I) went to The Vans Warped Tour. I know. Me? At a all day punk-rock extravaganza. How silly. We drove to Fresno that morning and spent all day in the blazing heat surrounded by pink hair, mohawks, 12 year olds with lip peircings and more skinny-jeans than I have seen in my entire life! We saw a million bands - Cobra Starship, Ludo (who I loved), Angels and Airways --- or is it Angels and Airwaves -- oh whatever... Story of the year, The 3OH!3, and Say Anything. There were all kinds of cool booths set up for the bands and other random things - like TRUTH and Peta, a place to register to vote -- unfortunatly no Barack Obama booth though!

But here is my to-do list that I get to scratch off my list. As we were watching Story of the Year -- people starting Body Surfing!! I mean - I was like about 10 feet from the stage and people were flinging themselves into the crowd and being carried effortlessly (until they fell to there impending doom of asphult!) towards the security at the front! THEN - I am standing a few people away from Corey and Lana and a mosh pit started. Like a real mosh pit. Lana and Corey started screaming for me to get by them so I wouldn't get sucked in. It was horrifying and hilarious!

Overall the whole experience was a lot of fun (except for when one guy who was way to big to be body surfing was practically thrown on top of me. Not fun.) and I really enjoyed the bands. Thanks Lana and Corey for taking me!

To-Do #92 - Say goodbye, love.

There are so many memories connected with this show and the experiences it gave to me. I have signed the wall. I have only seen RENT on Broadway one time. I have no idea how many times I have seen RENT on tour. I have only sat in "normal" seats 4 times, and out of those times, I paid for the seats just once... My first Roger was Christian Mena. I was secretly (well not so secretly) in love with Cary Sheilds. I met Anthony Rapp as I was first getting into the show and had no idea who he was and acted like I did. I met Anthony Rapp again after seeing him in concert and acted like a complete fan-girl. I cry every time I see Angel look back at Mark during the eulogy. I have slept on a sidewalk overnight to make sure I was at the closing of a touring cast. I have held a birthday party for my sister in a rush line for another closing of a touring cast. I saw the movie twice, the night that it came out, with my sister. I bought the DVD the day it came out. I have not watched it a single time. I actually let people know in a rush line that I will not discuss the movie. I think my heart actually stopped when I heard that Adam and Anthony would be in the touring cast next year. Didn't yours?

So this is my way to say goodbye to Jonathan's Masterwork. The Nederlander will go dark on Sept 7, 2008. But the amazing thing is, Jonathan Larson's legacy will live in all the RENT-heads out there. He changed my life. This show changed my life. I am who I am today because of RENT, because of the show, because of the rush lines, because of the friends I have made in those rush lines.

There are so many perfect memories of my friends during the years. My first rush line and the animal crackers. The girl who made me take a picture with some random guy (who turned out to be Anthony). Being annoyed by Sandy before I even knew who she was. The fight in the bar in Durham. CB extreme - flaming you in person. FDR or JFK? -- ALWAYS FDR! Superior Beds. Superior slabs of concrete. My dearest Ken, Lani and Brian. Living on a Prayer. Oz and every memory attached to that friendship. My frustration with Eeyore, You know who you are. The closing shows and that amazing extended Seasons of Love. Constantine jumping on stage at the end. Darryl and that inspiring conversation that truly changed my life. Falling asleep while eating Calamari. The Lizard Lounge. Rushing on college campuses, always an experience. Two star quality, One star price. Having the amazing honor of seeing the plaque. Rushing with my sister - she is my one true love and I will be forever grateful for all the crazy, beautiful, insane and sometimes death-defying memories attached to her because of this show!

So I say it now, because I will not be in New York to say it in person. Goodbye, love. The Nederlander is the end of an era, but through the amazing passion that Larson shared with us, we all know how to spend our minutes. I live my life with no regret, and it is because of this show.

Thank you Jonathan.





ETA
My Brother makes a valid point. I left him out of here! How can I leave my brother out of so many RENT memories. I have rushed with him many times -- my favorite was when I flew up to Baltimore to see the show at The Lyric Theatre - he drove up from DC just so I could see Cary Shields before his last show. Now that is a cool brother! Sorry Adam!

To-Do List #17 - Drive Across Country - Part Seven **the final chapter!**

So first we wake up 2 hours late... So much for alarm clocks! Or at least so much for setting them when you are sleepy! But to make matters worse - LJ's Jeep was really tired from so much driving and really didn't want to sit in traffic (which was really bad that morning) So Frankie (the Jeep) starts overheating. Crap. One more day of driving and it starts overheating. But I know my way around Vegas enough and had my handy-dandy GPS in hand, so we avoided traffic and was able to continue on. I drove the first half while LJ slept - but it was a really easy drive. We stopped and switched off after about 4 hours and LJ continued on through California. The butterflies in our tummy kept getting worse and worse until we were at the last town outside of Yosemite and I just wanted to drive back to Vegas! We were both so nervous sitting at McDonald's that I know people must have thought we looked ridiculous! But we managed to pull ourselves together and keep trekking on! LJ did great through the mountains where I closed my eyes and tried really hard not to pay attention to the cliffs. We drove through Yosemite completely and came out the other side. About 3 miles outside of Yosemite we turned onto Evergreen Rd. We thought we were there. No. About 10 minutes later we were finally seeing signs of the Lodge. We are really out in the middle of nowhere!

Alex was there to meet us and gave us the tour of the property. We met many people that first day - most of whom I do not remember - but I know they will become family very soon. The next day Alex, the maintenance guy- GW, LJ and I drove to Yosemite Valley. We saw Bridalveil falls, Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Lodge and of course the Yosemite Camp Store where I can remember the first boy who ever flirted with me. I think he still works there! :) ha ha.

Afterwards we came back to the lodge and LJ and I set up house. The room is small but we have bunk beds so it gives us more space. We are looking forward to a paycheck so we can get a few things to help out.

So there you have it - my drive across the country with my end result being in the middle of no where. The closest Target is like 3 hours from here.

Did I mention they laugh and call me the city girl out here?

To-Do List #17 - Drive Across Country - Part Six

Sorry for the delay on the last part of my adventure! I have been getting settled in here in California -- so the good news - I have not been eaten by a bear yet! The bad news - I am in the middle of nowhere!!

Okay - so day one in Vegas was great! It was a lot of fun for me because I got to be the tour guide! LJ and I slept in that morning which was a real blessing and then went to the strip at about 11am... We started at the MGM where I showed LJ the lions - which were so adorable! We just wanted to take them home with us! I think they would have had a heck of a time in our small cabin though... From there we crossed the street to New York, New York and toured around for a bit and then decided to ride the Roller Coaster. On an empty stomach. I mean -- I have ridden that Coaster a few times - I love that one - but on an empty stomach? Yeah, I was about to throw up. We got a NY pretzel after that! From there we walked to M&M world, Alex wanted us to buy him jelly beans. At the M&M world. Yeah. So that was a no-go. After that we wandered around the Hawaiian Marketplace - that was really great fun - a lot like the International Marketplace! We had a great time with that! After our trip down Hawaii Memory Lane we walked through the mile shops at Planet Hollywood - which was uneventful until the end where this adorable boy selling relaxation things stopped us - we talked for a while and we said we had no money to buy whatever he was going to try and sell us - but he said that was okay, he just got to work and he wanted to warm up on us... So we stayed there for a half an hour while this gorgeous man (with an accent of course- I mean, it's Vegas after all!) massaged our heads and put lavender scented neck warmers on us. Good Times ;) We even managed to get him to take a picture with Booga - the road-tripping Tiki God!

After that we were all giddy like 12 year old girls and as we are walking out of the casino a guy with the club passes stops us -- he's about our age and LJ hadn't learned at that point not to acknowledge the people selling you stuff on the street. So we pass him and she says no thank you and he asks for a hug. BAD SIGN. So LJ gives him a hug - so then I have to give him one too. And then he gave LJ like 3 more hugs - wanted us to all go out that night with his roommates. It was all a little two freaky - so we quickly got away from the crazy boy and ran into the Paris Hotel and Casino. I love this place - I mean it's one city I love inside another. It's great. So we walked around and enjoyed the french-ness of it all! After the Paris we crossed Las Vegas Blvd again to walk around the Bellagio. Unfortunately the winds were high when we were there so we did not see the water show - I was hoping Lana could experience that. The Bellagio atrium was done beautifully for Spring though. Poppies, Delphinium, Azaleas, Gerberas, Roses, Hydrangea and tulips everywhere -- complete with a butterfly house! I got some great photos! It was really one of the prettiest I have ever seen the Atrium - and it is always incredible!

After the Bellagio we decided to head back to the hotel to get ready for the evening - as we were meeting some friends of mine. So by 8pm my friend Max picked us up and we went to the Yard House for dinner. We had a really great and fun time there. Afterwards we drove to the Venetian where we had the almost-traditional-now coffee with Max, LJ, another friend Sardin and I at a very fancy mens clothing store that I can't remember the name of. I love coffee there though. Russian men always make the best coffee. Sergey always did - and he always knew what to put in it. American men don't make good coffee. This could be my problem.

After the great coffee we headed over to Sardin's house. He shares a great house near China Town with yet another friend, Arslan. But, we got there and Arslan wasn't there! We did have enough time however to fall perfectly in love with Arslan and Sardin's kitten (just days old) named Al Pacino. I mean, too cute!

Arslan was already at a club with some other cast members (did I mention Arslan is a contortionist in Zumanity? That's how I know him -- and all these people -- through Sergey) So we met him at the Freakin' Frog -- a jazz club with a great feel to it. We stayed there for about an hour - but Max and I were both up for some good House Music and dancing. So the four of us (LJ, Max, Sardin and I) drove to the Mirage. We tried Jet first but opted out of the two hour wait and instead went to Revolution (the beatles/cirque club) Very Techno/Electronica - it was great! The crowd was mainly Cirque dancers from Love - so it made for a great dance night! We ended the night early because Sardin was "tired". I was annoyed. I wanted to keep dancing, but we didn't drive our own car...

The next day we slept in and headed back down to the strip in the early afternoon by way of the Stratosphere. I had never been before! We opted out of going to the top - my fear of heights and lack of money was enough to do it! It is amusing though - inside is all Parisian - it was like The Paris but just cheaper looking... From there we walked around the Fashion Show Mall for a while (which I had also never been to!) We had a lot of fun wishing we could fit into Betsey Johnson dresses! After the mall we walked through Treasure Island and out through the front by the big ships! It just made us feel like home! After wandering around we hadn't heard if we were able to see Zumanity that night (did I mention that Arslan was trying to get us seats?) Well we finally heard that he was not able to so we went to the half price place and decided that we could afford to buy them! So we went anyways! We didn't even have time to change out of our jeans! I was really excited to see the show again and having LJ experience Cirque for the first time! The show was great -- so funny and it was amazing (and gross) as ever to see Arslan twist and contort his body. LJ was very impressed with the many acts, but how could anyone not be?

Afterwards we ate dinner in the New York and then walked to the Bellagio to see the fountains - which like I mentioned earlier, were cancelled due to high winds. So we took the bus (we decided to give her car a rest while we were there) to where we thought was downtown. Instead we ended up at the last stop by the airport where they told everyone to get off. Yeah - at this point we were exhausted and slap-happy, so we were cracking up. It didn't take one of the drivers long to realize that we had no idea where we were and he helped us get on the right bus, which he was actually driving. So the whole way back through the strip to the downtown area, our bus driver was hitting on LJ, serenading us, and all together just cracking us up! It was a great way to end the night! We had to get a really early start in the morning, so we went back to the El Cortez and crashed.

We set the alarm for 5:30am to leave town the next morning. We woke up at about 7:45. Oops...

To-Do List #17 - Drive Across Country - Part Five

So driving through New Mexico is so incredible. It has to be one of my favorite places I have been to. We left in the morning and a little bit on the highway we pulled off again at a small Native American Arts Center. I purchased a horse hair ceramic vase and a Christmas Ornament, both made by local Navaho. Both are gorgeous peaces. We got back on the road again and drove through to Arizona where stopped at a GREAT rest area - we spent almost an hour there because the outside is all red rock boulders that you can climb on -- I took many photos of course. As we continued on through Arizona the view became more and more spectacular. From the red rock background - and then to the mountains of lush green that you snake through. It was all incredible. The drive was long and tedious -- but we finally made it to the turn off to Hoover Dam -- where we stopped and ate dinner. From there it was about an hour drive to the Dam (yes, I know mom, start laughing) as we were driving, the sun was setting over the mountains which just made the view that much more incredible! As we drove higher in elevation there was a turn off. We stayed there for a while, taking photos of the gorgeous sites - all the edgy Arizona Mountains turning different shades of blue. It was beautiful. We continued on the few miles to the Hoover Dam. Stopped at the Dam lookout (haha - yes I know...) and stayed there for a while -- by now it was completely dark and the lights of the Dam were up - it was spectacular, how it was reflected in Lake Mead... It was really really amazing. As we were there and I was taking my hundred and one photos - - a group of Bikers come riding down the road -- as they get closer we notice they were playing Uptown Girl! HA! Here are about 10 bikers, clad all in leather and jeans with there bandannas -- riding along to Uptown Girl! As they got off I noticed they spoke another language, maybe German. I watched them for a while as they took there pictures and when they continued on there bikes, the first bike to turn on blared "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" I AM SERIOUS! What a great visual!

We, I, ME - who is afraid of heights, I drove over the Hoover Dam -- my hands were clenched to the wheel! When we got to the other side of it we hadn't even realized we were driving over it. oops. Oh well!

As we were leaving the Hoover Dam we started noticing that the car was running a tiny bit hotter than normal-- so we stopped for a while. We have discovered that LJs car likes to go faster to get that air on his engine. So we started up again and drove the half hour to Las Vegas! LJ has never been before and I wanted to drive down the strip but with the car and the stop and go traffic down there -- I opted out of that. We drove downtown to the El Cortez Hotel and Casino on Freemont St and got ourselves checked in. I am always pleased with this hotel- I know it's not on the strip - but when you stay they always give you a two night free stay good for the next few months and they always upgrade you. So our room is a Tower room and it is gorgeous -- It has two queen beds, a sitting room, a desk, a huge dresser - it's beautiful! We decided that we were exhausted after that long day of driving and we enjoyed going to sleep without having to worry about another day of driving the next day! We are here for 3 nights.

Viva Las Vegas!

To-Do List #17 - Drive Across Country - Part Four

So we morning after the terrifying Texas experience, all we wanted to do was get OUT of Texas... But we had one REALLY BIG to-do list first. The Cadillac Ranch. I have wanted to see it for a really long time. So before going we stop at the Wal-Mart to buy a big can of spray paint - and on our way out Lana is accused of stealing a bottle of pills that were in her bag. yeah. They practically did all but count the pills to make sure she didn't walk out with them. They finally let us go and we drove on the the Cadillacs. Texas -- not great experiences.

The Cadillac Ranch was really great - as your driving down 40 on the left side you can see it off in the distance and a few cars parked on the side of the service road. I was so excited! As you pull off there is a sign telling you it is punishable by law to spray on anything outside of the fence. So we go in to the area - walk the short distance to get to the cars and just soaked the silliness of it in for a moment. 10 old Cadillacs buried face down. All painted insane - some had beautiful pieces of art work - some had political statements --- one even had a marriage proposal. We found a car to deface and started at it - First car I wrote CA OR DIE! Lana's car had BE TRUE and finally the last car said EB AND LJ. We had a great time out there and I took many many photos on the old 35 -- hope they turn out!

We got back on the road again to take the short trek over to Santa Fe, New Mexico. My mother and Aunt had a friend, also from camp-days of their teenage years, named Jimmy. Or Jim as he goes by now. I knew of Jim most of my life from stories from my Mom and Aunt Jill -- and then this winter for a World AIDS Day event my sister organized with him to display along with others, his partners piece of the quilt, his partner passed away in the 80's. He now lives in Santa Fe with his absolutely adorable Partner Eluid. We met up with them at about 5pm. They were both so much fun! We left our car at there house and went on to downtown Historical Santa Fe were we walked and talked for a bit. Santa Fe has got to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It was just so peaceful. The buildings seem to have grown straight out of the desert land. As Eluid said, there are 21 shades of brown in the buildings. Nothing seems out of place. After walking we drove to meet another of there friends, Kathy, at a wonderful New Mexican restaurant. Kathy is a trip - she fits in with the people in my life quite well! She was so much fun to listen to her stories! We had an amazing (and delicious time!) at the restaurant! After dinner we drove back to Jim and Eluids's house, took a few pictures so that Mom and Jill wouldn't have a complete fit and drove the short drive to Albuquerque, where we were staying for the night.

All in all it was out best and most relaxing day in the trip so far! Thank you so much Jim and Eluid for opening up your city to us - we had a great time!

To-Do List #17 - Drive Across Country - Part Three

We woke up after a good nights sleep, got ready for another day of driving and headed out to our first stop.

The Precious Moments Chapel. That's right folks there are acres and acres of land in Missouri dedicated to the dead baby angels. If you are a precious moments collector - I am sorry, but to me, they creep me out. I mean - that one you always see, Timmy, that is the creators son when he was a child - his son died in his 30's... the whole place is covered with Timmy's -- it's like a shrine to his son... It was all just a little strange. The main building looks like It's a Small World threw up on it. We were too late for the Chapel tour - but the grounds alone were enough to send me over the edge. I bought a Timmy ornament to forever remember the Dead Baby Angel Chapel and LJ bought of all things - A SHOT GLASS that says Precious Moments Chapel -- too funny!

We continued on from there to Oklahoma... A little ways down the highway we got off at a little town called Catoosa, OK. Catoosa is on Historical Route 66 which was cool but a little in disrepair - lots and lots of potholes. We were looking for the Blue Whale Park, a must see on my list, and finally found it! It was great, a small pond on the side of Route 66 with a giant concrete blue whale in it, you can climb on him, there are diving boards and slides off his back and sides. There were picnic tables, so we stopped and ate lunch and enjoyed the cheesy view. It was something I have wanted to see for a while and I am so glad I got the chance.

After the Blue Whale we headed a few minutes down the road to Tulsa, OK where we were trying to see The Golden Driller - a tall "muffler man" style statue of an oil driller. About a block from him the Jeep showed check gauges and the oil pressure had shot down - which of course threw us into a panic, we pulled into the Target Parking Lot- she got oil while I stayed with the car - we called her Dad and my Brother - the basic consensus was that the car was just running a lot and the oil was hot... Not that big of a deal. That was a relief but an hour lost from our trip... So we headed over to the Golden Driller - but we had to skip the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial which I wanted to see. We had about 6 hours to Amarillo, TX and stopped once for dinner and gas outside OK city... We kept driving on to Texas - and got some road side signs of Welcome To Texas, Proud Home of George W Bush (blah!) and a few of us pretending to hitch hike for both of our Mom's benefits. But soon after crossing the Texas border we noticed that there is NOTHING here - no gas stations, nothing. We were running low on gas and needed a station. Finally, we saw a bright sign in the distance and finally could make out that it said GAS - no logo or anything - just GAS. So we got off at the exit which had nothing else there. Made our way to the station and got the willies right away.

Okay - to set the scene, and I am not exaggerating on any of this. There is a small building with 3 pumps, at one pump is a gas tanker, but painted camouflage, with no one in it. The other two pumps are empty. To the right there are two abandoned cars with smashed windshields. Underneath one car are two cats who were staring at us the whole time (the only living things there - we think!) the building had a worn hand carved wood Closed sign - the blinds were down in the windows - but one window had twinkly Christmas lights outlining it. So the setting is like something out of 'Joy Ride' or 'Jeepers Creepers' right? I mean - truly, it looked like a movie set. So I get out to pump the gas and LJ is with me, cell phone in hand. I put my card in, get the gas pump and look at the gas price. $2.25. When was the last time someone was actually at this station??? And why was there a gas tanker there? We ran back into the car and drove off quickly, all while the cats were watching us drive away. I am still freaked out by it. So we continue driving trying to find gas - and exit after exit there is truly, nothing. We finally see a Shell Station ahead, pull off - again, the building is closed, but we feel a little safer this time. Lana still has the cell phone in hand and I begin to pump. As I do so a car gets off the exit which only leads to the gas station, and slowly begins driving past the station - almost stopping and then speeds off. So again, we are freaked out. Then Lana notices a semi parked to the side of station which is unsettling because you know someone is there with it. We quickly get in the car after pumping the gas and drive away, but as we do so we notice another semi parked, hidden earlier by the side of the building with a single head light on. Again, just things that were unsettling. as we are trying to pull back on to the highway another call pulls off and instead of going to the station, speeds up and practically chases us back onto the highway. By this time were so freaked out that we just wanted to be in the safety of our double-locked hotel room.

We finally made it to Amarillo and slept with strange dreams.

To-Do List #17 - Drive Across Country - Part Two

Hi from Missouri! Yesterday, my mother and her sister, Jill drove with me to Decatur, Indiana, directly outside the Ohio border. There I met up with one of my best friends, LJ (Lana as most know her from the ship) The four of as well as Lana's wonderful mother went to Pizza King, Lana's old highschool job! It was delicious and so nice to sit down with everyone and talk! Mom, Jill and Lana's mom got along so great! After the yummy lunch, it was time to say goodbye - which was so hard. I love having these adventures but I hate leaving my Mom in the process. After our very tear-filled goodbyes Lana, her mom and I went back to Lana's house. I was able to meet her family - who are all so fun! We packed into the evening and then left at about 9am this morning. We had a long drive today - but had a great time along the way -- before even leaving Indiana we saw the home James Dean grew up in - a great Victorian home - beautiful, and now ridden with James Dean cut outs and statues :) SO TACKY! It was great!

After the tacky tribute we made our way through to Illinois where we stopped at a rest area for lunch and continued on to Missouri. As soon as we crossed the border we made our way to downtown St. Louis to the Gateway Arch - which Lana had never seen! It was a nice day and we got some great photos!

After the Arch we continued on to our hotel in Springfield, MO - right outside of Branson. By the time we got to the hotel we were giddy from tiredness, we couldn't stop laughing! Sleep was a must!

To-Do List #17 - Drive across country!

My journey has begun! Yesterday I began my cross-country road trip... I began in Raleigh, NC with my mom and drove North West through North Carolina. Along the way we saw Pilot Mountain. If I remember correctly, the mountain somehow belonged to my childhood best-friend's (Christina) Grandfather and was given to the state later. I don't know if I completely made that up or changed all the facts, but it sounds like a good story!

We made it up to Virginia in the morning and came across rain as we were driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains, but it stopped soon after. The trees were really beautiful, just starting to show there leaves - so it almost looked like autumn! I love that area, so peaceful and pretty.

Virginia was pretty uneventful and we made it up to West Virginia. West Virginia, for those who have never been is worth missing. The drive was uneventful, the weather was okay, the state is well... boring. We did stop for lunch and some shopping in Charleston.

Soon enough we made it to Ohio (after taking a quick nap to regain are driving energy) and had just about an hour or so of driving before making it to New Concord, OH. We will stay here for a few days with my Aunt Jill and her family before continuing on to meet LJ in Indiana on Wednesday! From there we will drive south so we can spend a few days in Vegas before arriving at our new home in Groveland, CA!

As long as my GPS is on, we shouldn't get lost!!


***Will add pictures later when I have a better connection!***

To-Do List #68 - Support a Candidate I believe in - Part Two

Volunteering for Barack Obama's campaign was a really amazing experience. I registered voters around North Hills Mall. The whole experience was amazing, but there was definitely one defining moment. A woman who I stopped to ask if she was registered to vote, she informed me that she used to work on Bill Clinton's staff. She liked the Clinton presidency but was not sure if she was going to vote for Hillary. I talked to her for a while on why she was questioning her vote and what Obama felt about many of her areas of concerns. She left, still undecided. Later, she came back with tears in her eyes saying that she came to a decision about her vote. She said she remembered how she was doing just what I am doing in the 60's and how she had forgotten what it was like to really believe in a candidate. She was going to vote for Obama. I was so proud at that moment.

I have since had two amazing opportunities come up surrounding this candidate. Miichelle Obama came to Raleigh, NC speaking on behalf of her husband about 2 weeks ago and I had the honor of being there. This was the largest crowd she had spoken to with over 6,000 Obama supporters cheering her on. I was so impressed with her! I really feel she is as an incredible speaker as her husband! She touched on all the major issues, but the thing she said that took my attention the most was this. "Our nation has a financial deficit of a trillion dollars, yet we are still the richest nation in the world. But our real problem is that our nation has a deficit of empathy. We have been guided in fear and no longer have the time or the capabilities to help our neighbor". How true.

Last week Senator Obama himself came to Raleigh. Tickets were available the day before and I had to wait in line for an hour to obtain mine. The doors opened at 11:30 AM the next day. I arrived at 9AM and there was already 200 people in front of me! It was well worth the wait, I was in the fifth row for his Town Hall in Raleigh. It was such an incredible honor to see Barack Obama in such a small and intimate setting of only about 800 people. The town hall is set up in a way where people have the opportunities to ask questions to the senator. One person stuck out in my mind above all others. A little boy, as cute as can be, was selected to ask a question. "Mr. Obama, I am in 4th grade and I was elected class Representative and I want to know how I can be president one day". After everyone gave the little boy a standing ovation, Obama went on to answer, joking at first "You know, I should be asking you the same question, you've already won your election! But seriously, the best thing to do is work really hard in school - try your hardest in your classes, pay attention and make good grades. And the most important thing of all is when you see someone in your class being bullied, stop and help the person. And when you are in the lunch room and you see someone doesn't have very much to eat, give them a piece of your sandwich. Then I am sure you will grow up to be a fine young man worthy of being a president". This is the reason I am voting for him. Such hope. Afterwards, I got the opportunity to shake the Senators hand. It was such a privilege to see him speak. I will always remember.

To-Do List #54 Learn how to surf

That's right. I, the girl who hated swimming in the ocean, wanted to learn how to surf. Actually, it was a big goal of mine moving out to Hawai'i. I wanted to do a few things, jump off a waterfall, swim with turtles, learn to surf - they were all on the list. And I did them all. Some, a little earlier than others!

My new-found love of swimming in the ocean actually came one week before moving to Hawai'i. My best friend Dale, another friend Ken, my sister and I went to Atlantic Beach, NC for a day. Melissa and Ken stayed on the sand while Dale and I played in the ocean, in our clothes. We stayed in the water long after dark, just enjoying the beauty, the peace, and just being together. I fell in love with the healing power of the ocean at that moment.

So, back to surfing... On my last week in my beloved Hawai'i, my sister, Melissa came out to stay in Maui for the week. The week was great, she was able to meet my friends, able to see the places that I went every week, able to fall in love with the land. It's impossible not to. We did a lot of great things that week, snorkling at the coral gardens, clubbing with friends, the horrible road to Hana, sunrise at Haleakala...

But a great highlight was checking a big check off my to-do list. Melissa and I took lessons from the Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy - which was really great! Our first wave and we both were up - with a little help and a big push from our instructor Luis! We were both addicted! We rented boards for the next day... So there we were, on our own... And I think, in the course of several hours we maybe got up 3 times between us. Yeah. So it's a little bit harder without the big push! But, I wanted to keep getting on the board, keep trying to stand up, keep paddling, I fell in love with it. But, two days later, I moved home with no ocean in sight.

But, believe me, the next time I am near the waves, I am going to give it another shot!

To-Do List #73 - Make a Difference

On Valentine's Day, this year, my Mother and I lost a friend, Susie "Goofynina" Trevino. Susie was suffering from ESRD, Kidney Failure. My Mother is suffering from the same thing.

The first time we met Susie was at the Ihatedialysis.com meet up in Las Vegas, NV. Mom and I were talking in a casino and saw this woman with a permanent grin on her face walking through the casino. We noticed her right away, how could you not? She was wearing a purple boa, a tiara and a sash that said "Drama Queen". She was wonderful, kind, happy, sweet and loving to each and every one of us that weekend. It was an honor to meet her.

When we got the call of Susie's death, I knew I had to do something. That night I created a team for the National Kidney Foundation's Triangle Kidney Walk. The team's name was Walking for Nana and Nina. Nana, for my mother and Nina, for Susie (Goofynina).

We began raising money immediately and within a week had raised over $3,000! My whole family and several family friends joined the team... The whole process, raising money, seeing peoples generosity was overwhelming.

On March 29th, 5 weeks after Susie's death. 27 team members, and hundreds others, walked 5k to honor my Mother and Susie. When we arrived, it was a bit gloomy outside, but everyone's spirits were so high. Carina, the organizer of this event who is on the National Kidney Foundation staff, told the local news to interview Mom. She thought our family was wonderful and had a great story.


It was a cold day, everyone on the team had their team shirts on with a green ribbon, Eiffel tower and a tiara! As soon as we started walking it began raining! But that is okay, we soldiered on (and froze a little bit) through the 5k.

At the end of the walk we all moved inside to a warmer and a bit more dry area. Carina, the amazing organizer of the walk and who works for the National Kidney Foundation, began to present the Walk Awards. We were all so excited for my brother Todd when he won top fundraiser! His total was well over $3,000!


Our team also got the grand prize award of top fundraising team! Our team raised over $7,000! That is $3,000 over our team goal! The trophy we received is HUGE! The trophy will travel each year to the top team, yes, that's right, we have our own version of the Stanley Cup!!! Great, right?

For all of you who donated or who were keeping us in there hearts on Saturday, I thank you and my family thanks you.

To-Do List #68 - Support a Candidate I believe in

So it's not a secret to anyone I know that I am very much an Obama supporter. I believe in his proposed policies, and even more important, I believe he can actually accomplish them. In my opinion, a Presidents main job is to inspire. The President of our nation needs to inspire the country to believe in themselves. To believe that we are still "the greatest generation" of patriots that most believe died away decades ago. I love this country. I love this country AND i am a liberal democrat. I believe that Barack Obama can make this country great again, in a new way. In a way that the rest of the world can respect. In a way that I, and the rest of the nation, is ready for.

This evening I went to the kick off for the Wake County for Obama Campaign at Bogart's. It was so incredible. 500 people. Standing room only. Young adults, children, older men and women, black, white, hispanic, middle eastern. It was amazing. People were all so excited to be a part of something so big. I signed up to register new voters this Friday and Saturday night. I can't express my excitement about this.

To-Do list #27 - Work on a Cruise ship

When I was 19 I went on a cruise with my parents. We sailed with Carnival Cruise Lines around the Caribbean. I immediately became fascinated with the crew members, where they lived, what they did, who they were... I wanted so badly to have that experience of living and working on a cruise ship.
And so on tax day, 2006 I went to a job fair for Norwegian Cruise Line America. It was a disastrous day. I had been working on my taxes all day, completely stressed. When I finally made it to the fair (late!) I spilled my drink all over my shirt. Horrific. Well, I finally made it to the presentation, with my hair a mess, a wet shirt and a horrible mood. When I spoke to the recruiter and he offered a position of Stateroom Steward - I was thrilled. Okay, so Stateroom Steward means maid, right? But I mean come on, it's a maid in Hawaii! So after a full physical, drug test and a couple of months to prepare this drastic change, I made the first leg of my journey to Piney Point, MD. There I trained for 5 weeks (I will post about that experience a different day) On August 10, 2006 I flew to my new home in Hawaii, my new paradise. As if the land was not incredible enough, I was even more in love with my new home, the M/V Pride of America.
The ship was huge. I got lost many times. I had chin splints from walking forward to aft 20 times a day. I was exhausted from 10 hour days with no days off (literally). Embarkations, well, they speak for themselves. I was homesick, tired, in pain and perfectly happy. I loved every second. I fell in love with the ship the moment I stepped abourd and cried the day I walked off my ship for the last time. Yes, she was mine. I thought she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Don't get me wrong, she was an ugly ship. Her bow is to short and she is far too blocky. She has sunk once before (truly!) She was completely cut in half to add an addition. She dragged a buoy, chains and a 2 ton concrete block entangled in her rutter, hundrers of miles from Oahu to Maui. She is a perfect mess, and I think it's brilliant. I love her and my experience of working on a ship is exactly what I hoped it would be. and more.

To-Do List #12 - Celebrate the New Year in Times Square

I have always wanted to spend New Years Eve in Times Square, so I suppose that was my first check off my to-do list in 2008, although many have been checked before that moment. My sister, Melissa and I arrived around 3pm and there was already thousands of people in the middle on Manhattan. With 9 whole hours until that ball dropped we found ways of entertaining ourselves (and holding "it" -- there are no bathroom breaks allowed!) We played I Spy with our new best friends on the corner of 48th st. and 7th... Melissa downloaded Jeopardy on her phone and her, Michael (more on him later) and I enjoyed that for a while. We discussed politics, health care systems in America and Holland. We sang along to favorite songs and made fun of Carrie Underwood's performance. It was everything I wanted it to be.

Now, back to Michael... While making friends with everyone around us, I noticed one guy by himself, laughing at Melissa and I... I mean, we are pretty funny (at least we think so) So later, we started talking to him, and eventually, he became our new best friend. Michael is from Amsterdam, so listening to his views on American politics was very interesting. I always love a different perspective. It was definitely wonderful to meet him, and what an inspiration he is! For the travelers of the world, he is up towards the top of the hall-of-fame list. Having been to more countries than I can name, always in hostels, always for weeks at a time. He has sky-dived well over 100 times. He was truly a breathtaking person, his life full of sorrow and triumph. It was a pleasure to meet him.

The night was perfect, the weather amazing and the crowd deafining. Each hour we would countdown for other countries, but when it was finally our turn it became surreal. Minutes before the ball dropped they played Imagine and everyone, that's about 1 million people, started singing along with my favorite song. Amazing. As the countdown started I just kept thinking I was there, I was in Times Square, I was finally doing it! The minute counted down, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR! I couldn't stop smiling, I didn't stop smiling - not for several days.

After the ball dropped and we possibly did some serious vocal cord damage from the many happy new year's shouted, we went off to find Dale, my best friend. He tried to meet us earlier in the afternoon, but the blocks were barricaded and couldn't get there, so we agreed to meet up later. Michael joined us at a great diner on the east side where we met Dale. Everything, after a year, fell back in to place, the best friends, the kindred spirits, the rabbit and the hare, it was all there. We talked for ages and he read my palm as always, we had amazing moments, and serious moments and perfect moments and meaningful moments like we always do. We talked about 2008 being our year. We decided our new years resolutions for each other. He said that mine was to let the world see what I saw in myself. To let the world see the strong, independent, caring, loving, empathetic side that I see in myself. I thought it was a brilliant resolution and I am trying to stick to it.

Aloha Hawaii.

I don't think I can ever express how much I miss these times and the peace of this place.

To-Do List #61 - Move to Yosemite National Park!

On April 20th, I will be leaving Raleigh to drive across the country. Destination: Groveland, CA, my new home. Call my a gypsy, a wanderer, a free-spirit, I suppose I am all of those. I will be working at the Evergreen Lodge directly outside Yosemite National Park. With the bears... and the mountain lions... and the bobcats... and the apparently psychotic squirrels. It should be an interesting experience!

It all started with a friend from my ship days, Alex. Alex was my trainer at NCLA's training center in Piney Point, MD. We were great friends there and even though we hadn't seen each other for about 2 years we still talked constantly. Alex informed me a few months ago that he would begin working at the Evergreen Lodge at the beginning of 2008. I instantly knew I wanted to take the opportunity to work in one of America's most beautiful areas, so I called another friend, Lana. Lana was Alex's friend as well and mine, from our time on the M/V Pride of America. I asked if she would be interested in moving out there and working for a while in Yosemite. Within a day we had it all planned, we would road trip out there and begin a new life (again!)

So, on April 20th I will begin the first half of my trip with my Mother. Mom and I will drive from our home in Raleigh, NC to her sister's home in New Concord, OH. We will stay with her a couple of days and on the 23rd of April they will drive me to Lana's home in Decatur, IN. The next day we begin our journey, stopping at every cheesy road side attraction and tourist trap, and complete with a three day stay in Fabulous Las Vegas! We will arrive in Groveland, CA on April 30th and begin our new job on May 1st.