another adventure

Perhaps I should change my blog to sarasomewhereintheworld.blogspot.com. Last year, when I travelled to Hong Kong, I started the blog just to give friends and family at home a taste of my trip. A year later, I am still blogging although sometimes I am not sure why. Perhaps it is because I had more adventures in life to share.

My latest adventure starts tomorrow morning. I leave with my dear friend Bobbi for Europe. Fifteen years ago, I went to Europe and it changed me completely. I thought I would be back there within five years. However, life had other plans and my journey took me in other directions. Now, I am heading back - this time to new cities. Bobbi and I are heading to Berlin to just sit next to my dear sister Wendy. I am so excited to see her and just be near her for about 10 days. Then Bob and I are off to Prague and then wrap up the trip in London.

I will keep you posted periodically of anything of note along the way. While my photos are not art (that is not my "spiritual" gift), I will attempt to share my pictures and words about our travels with you.

I have a distinct sort of feeling that the next three weeks will be a more spiritual journey than a physical trip. It will be soul-searching time rather than a photo-op moment. Do you ever feel that you are being prepared for a journey?

Here is a glimpse of what is to come...Beer, Berlin, Bobbi and Batemans

the mirror

Recently, a mirror of truth was placed in front of me and all my selfishness was reflected back. This is a rather unpleasant experience as I had been going along quite nicely thinking I was a giving, kind sort of person. The mirror showed my independence and stubbornness stemming from a selfish root.

The busyness of life (work, dating, prep for trip, and friends), the time to sort through this necessary realization has not been available. I haven't been able to really work through it. My time away in Europe will hopefully give me the space to stare into the mirror and uproot some of that selfishness that has crept into my heart and soul.

As my mother can attest to, I have a rebellious nature. Although it would be easier to ignore the reflection I see, I don't really want to rebel against this truth.

so far

Some people don't understand what I do in my career because it is such an unusual world from their own. There are moments that even seem surreal to me. During my various roles, I have had amazing opportunities. I went on the road with Paul Brandt in connection with Operation Christmas Child, I met David Suzuki, went to a Stampede party at a very shee-shee house of a wealthy philanthropist here in Calgary, and planned all sorts of different events ranging in size from 5 to 3500 attendees. But I think I had my best career moment this week...this event on Thursday may even be in competition for best life experience yet.

Over the past three months, I have been working with the YWCA of Calgary for an inaugural event called Keep A Roof Over Their Heads. Since my job is giving away the bank's money to charitable organizations, I was designated to help the YWCA raise awareness and funds for women needing shelter due to poverty or domestic abuse. Although I work with many great causes and organizations, the cause of women in abusive relationship has impacted me more than I could imagine. When we launched the event/partnership to our branches, personal stories were shared. Many days, I found myself with tears in my eyes over the pain and honesty of a colleague who has just shared her story with me. And I don't cry easily as many of you know. This cause for women seeking housing after leaving domestic abuse situations has touched me to the core.

Excuse me for a moment while I rant...In Calgary, affordable housing is a huge issue as our economy is booming but many people are being left behind as prices for everything rise. In addition, Alberta has the dubious distinction of having Canada's highest rate of domestic abuse (1 in 4 women have or will be abused). The event we did this week was under the premise of a woman should not have to choose between homelessness and abuse. We were raising money specifically for long-term supported transistional housing (the next step after emergency shelters). Our provincial government has a policy of ONLY funding a 21-day stay at emergency shelters for women escaping violence....that appalls me and is the reason I did not vote for the Conservatives. So after 21 days, the women have to make a choice and many go back to their abuser. Anyhow, I digress.

Back to the event, on Thursday, we invited Calgarians to give to this important cause. We had a goal of $100,000 when we started planning the event. Through live radio and TV cut-ins, we held a tele-thon of sorts at a local mall. The response was overwhelming. I think it was more than just the money raised...the passion and the people at the YWCA so committed to women in our city. By the end of the day, we raised more than $160,000. The bank then matched the first $50,000 which brought our totals to $210,000+. And the numbers are still growing. I am not sure really how to put this experience into words but the stress and the unknowns of the event as we were planning it now all seem so insignificant.

aaaaaaaaaah

I think the title of my blog says it all. I am 3 days behind on my weekly blog and there are so many little things hanging over my head. Life/work is extremely busy right now and all I really want to do is retreat and hide. I realize that is not the most mature response to stress...putting my head in the sand and ignoring what I need to do. Well, 2 weeks from today, I will be on a plane to Berlin and then I will breathe (maybe). Speaking of which, haven't even thought about what I will be doing on my trip. Anyone want to plan my trip for me? There is an irony about this - me as a planner has not planned anything about her upcoming trip.
I don't really know how to talk about the busyness and craziness of life without sounding like I am complaining/whining. Life is still good and that is what I need to remember most of all.

Resemblance

At Christmas time, I stumbled across these 2 pictures...one of my darling niece Cordelia and one of my dear sister, Wendy. I shared this comparison to the family during the holidays but wanted to show the uncanny and kindred resemblance to the rest of the world.