National Disabled Intelligence Reward 2011

Recently, Manoj, a student and young boy I met in Nepal in 2007, wrote to me about a personal accomplishment that he was so very proud of: 

Dear  All

Namaste

I am rewarded by "National Disabled intelligence  reward 2011" on December 3, 2011 which is disabled day .This reward gave by Nepal government Minister because this year S.L.C.(School Leaving Certificate) exam I had get highest mark among all the physical disabled  Student.  This time I am heartily thanks for my Sponsor Pam and Nanna pat   who have  great contribution  for my study…………….and I heartily  thanks for Amrit Sir who encourage to apply reward and always guide me to do best in my life  as well as Rose who Coordinate  and arrange sponsor for my education to go Baba Boarding school. Please find out the attach photos where you see the reward programe.

This time I am really busy for my study I have class 10.45 to 5 and around 1 and ½ hour I need for way so I have  only one Saturday free, that day I need wash my clothes, bathing and cleaning the room.

I had get the first term exam result which is good, still I need to work lots.

As you can see from the pictures above, Manoj is not a young boy anymore.  He has become a brilliant and hugely motivated young man who is headed for great things through education.  I have such loving memories of him and his constant singing when home from school.  I am so impressed and proud of him, in more ways than one.  

As a reminder, by donating to the Jolkona education campaign, you can make a difference by helping other Nepali children who live with Manoj and need help to continue their learning.  Donate today!

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

 ~Helen Keller 

Giving back... to others, in Nepal!

In 2007, my travels and yearning for volunteerism took me to the beautiful country of Nepal.  I spent time at the DRC (Disabled Rehabilitative Centre) for children with disabilities.  This was one the most humbling experience of my life.  Children who are poor, often without contact from their families and most likely experiencing some pain and discomfort from their disability, are bright stars, shining, full of joy and so thankful for donations and especially the chance to go to school.

Fast forward to today, I am an excited and enthusiastic Volunteer Director of Events at Jolkona which, thus far has been a rich, fun, learning experience.  Not only am I part of a stellar team that will produce an amazing fundraiser next year (stay tuned for details), but we are also a fundraising machine!  This holiday season for the 12 Days of Giving our team decided to give back to the children of Nepal.

In a newly formed organization, the Disabled and Helpless Children New Life Center, many of the children I met years ago, have grown and not only excelling in school, but also growing up, and beginning lives on their own... all despite their disabilities.  For just $36 you can sponsor one month of education (including books, uniforms, lunch and school fees) for one child!  What an amazing gift to give!  You can dedicate a donation in someone else's name and make a huge difference to someone who loves to learn!

How do you do it?  Visit our campaign page, check out the details and share with others!  Give big and with love.  That's what makes our world go 'round.

Thank you! Namaste!

Book: The Girls Guide to Homelessness

Wrapped in a life of social media and constant waves of information, reading a book seems like a distant pleasure.  I have many books (and keep buying more), why?  Perhaps it's because I fell in love with reading and books at a young age (thanks Mom!) and still love to get wrapped up in a story.  I have yet to take the Kindle or iPad plunge and even when I do, I still think a traditional book will be preferred.  There is nothing like the smell of a fresh book when you first open it, or fly though the pages.  I love the weight of books, the paper and ink.  What can truly replace this?

Last month, on a whim (which does not happen often in our household) we traveled to Vashon Island and fell in love with the township.  We stayed at the Artist's Studio Loft  For two nights we escaped from the world, spent hours in the massive bathtub, wandered the grounds, somehow got into a Harrison Ford themed movie campaign (The Star Wars trilogy AND Indiana Jones trilogy) and read, read, read. In less than 36 hours, I read the book "The Girls Guide to Homelessness"  It's an intriguing story about a woman's terrible upbringing with a family who mistreated her until she left to find her own way in life.

So many of us think homeless means, living on the streets, out of a box, begging for money.  Homelessness can be defined in a much broader way: person who lack permanent housing. Brianna lives a seemingly normal life- great job, beautiful appearance, savvy in many ways.  Her housing situation changes day to day and without the protection of her loyal dog, she'd have a much tougher time on the streets.

This story is about so much more than homelessness, it's about a woman who finds her voice, her strength in ways that many people could not.  It's a story that made me thankful.  Thankful for a loving family, who would support me if needed and for a support system who would carry me when I am weak.

Especially when the winds are high and rain is hard, I think of people who are outside trying to survive. Give thanks for what you have.  Give to those who are in need!

Jolkona!

As many of you know, I have been unemployed since last fall.  Recently, I started piecing different projects to keep me busy (and to keep the funds rolling in).  I've also taken on a different approach to volunteering.  I joined the awesome team of Jolkona as one of the Director of Events, focused on sponsorships and concepts.  Jolkona is Bengali for drop of water.  The idea is that through small giving, a large impact can be made (like a ripple effect in water).  I am diving in excitedly working on new events for next year to raise donations for the organization and for other projects. 


I am brainstorming some new ideas and will be sharing more about them here, so stay tuned!


Namaste!  Have an excellent week. 

Glimpse of summer...

Yes, I admit, my blogging this summer has been so lame.  Why?  No real reason.  (Well there is one small addiction I have fell to...  Twitter!)   Social media has been more a part of my life and very soon, I'll explain why.  

As the last part of the year begins, I am making a new vow to spice up my blogging and do it more often than 3 months at a time (ahem). This blog will be more about the world and other fun aspects than just my own personal community. 

But in the mean time, here are a few pics from the summer for all to enjoy!  Thankful for this beautiful summer, my health and the community of loved one that I am blessed to call family and friends.  These photos are mostly from Seattle with the exception of a few NZ pics. 

Beautiful Cara, learning the ropes of driving a bit early.

Ivy and Papa Curtis

Dad showing Abigail how to use the computer (or maybe it's the other way around?)

NZ:  Lovely Arwyn showing off her swamp doll, Swampella (or something like that).  Arwyn came to visit us last summer and we still talk about how much fun we had.  Come back to us Arwyn!

When we visited NZ, Simon's parents' company Imageland made special t-shirts for all of the little people in our life.  Back in Seattle, we tried to take a picture with everyone sporting their shirts.  This is the only picture where everyone was mostly sitting and looking at me.  (Sorry Alison and Marcy)

Amalia performing, the photo session was actually a dance expression of art. 

More action!  Notice that Madison discovered her hand (again).   Also notice that Reagan is sitting by  Mads and her Mama, this is no mistake.  He LOVES the baby. 

The most patient person of all, sweet Campbell.  He is always very content on Uncle Simon's lap. 

Proof of Reagan's love!  Here he holds his baby cousin (with helpful parent assistance and support). 

Madison thinking "I have the coolest hands ever!"

Pig pile on Uncle Simon! (Or try to...)

Playtime at Gymboree at Bellevue Square!  Not only did we have so much baby fun and do lots of helpful sensory focused activities, but the teacher was this big man with a booming, Disney-like voice.  His singing mesmerized all of the babies.  

Madison is really way more excited than she looks in this picture.  We had so much fun!  Even when I was waving a scary clown puppet in her face.  (Gymboree is trying to bring back the clown so kids aren't scared of them.  I'm not buying it.)

More summer fun!  At the home of the Peterson's where so many  wonderful family events have taken place, we had a great family dinner.  Uncle Tyler and Uncle Simon here are joyfully swinging of one of the littles around and around.  I thought this would make them barf all over, but they LOVED it!  

Since becoming a father, Tyler is an expert swaddler.  In fact I heard he offers classes for new fathers about the intricacies of swaddling.  As an engineer, he has mastered it perfectly.

And, he talked his wife into getting swaddled!  I was impressed with his perseverance.  Simon tried it on me.  Notice, no pictures of Auntie Mari being swaddled. 

She is a dutiful subject. 

The cousins getting in on the fun!  Perfect pig pile!

It was a hot day and a perfect time to take off our shirts!

Family picture!  Here 5 families with babies abound.  Kai and I grew up with the Peterson children and now that everyone is having babies of their own, we just grow and grow.  Seeing eachother this summer was such a blessed event.  Loving love!

Brie, Becca, Mark, Caitie and Maddie.

Uncle Simon and Campbell, his new biggest fan. 

More uncle swinging fun!

This summer, we also celebrated cousin time at my Dad's house.  Here  Corey and Abigail diligently work on creating the prettiest bubbles of all time.  They are so cute together. 

Cousins!  Miye and Barry with Kai and Sarah.  

Sarah and Abigail.  Two lovely ladies

Grandpa Gil and Grandma Aimee with Reagan and Camp.  Out of 12 different attempts, this picture was the cutest with the most eyes looking my way.  

As mentioned before Camp and Uncle Simon fell into a deep admiration for each other.  I love this picture because they are clearly sharing an inside joke.  Or a discussion about ice cream.  Or both!  

Nope it was an inside joke.  Just hilarious!

As additional fun, we went with Grandma and Grandpa  (my own grandparents) on a Ride the Duck tour!  This funny (and sometimes corny) experience is great because you see so much of the city in 1.5 hours.  Armed with snacks, cameras, extra clothes and smiles, we had so much fun.   Mads and Mom, ready for fun!

Grandma and Grandpa. LOVED the ride!

Thankfully, Kai bought his children delightful and noisy duck quackers.  The sound was all around us, everywhere.  Joy. 

Grandma and Camp

Reagan sitting with his favorite cousin

My Mama holding little Spencer, Becca's baby with such love and adoration.  He is the sweetest little guy. 

3 amigos in Auckland on our last night there.  These boys have known each other for years, true and tried. 

In Wellington, Trudi with Olive at dog graduation.  We fell in love with Olive and loved her name.  She is a Spoodle (aka Cockapoo.  Kiwis didn't like the name, so now use "Spoodle".  Simon says it's ridiculous.  I think it's cute.)

While in NZ, I stayed a night in Ngatia and woke up to a beautiful sunrise.  They land is flat and colored with dairy farms and vastness. 

104 year old Nain with her favorite grandboys.  Handsome Daniel and Simon.

Simon, also in Ngatia, showing us how a duck hunting boat works.  Yes, this boat can somehow go unnoticed among ducks when hunting.  I am not impressed with duck's general brain power. 

Panda (on the right) and George, enjoy dinner.  I thought I was going to get to pat them, but Uncle Clyde said I shouldn't make eye contact.  Too late!  I was talking to them and trying to get close.