The Interview

This morning Gracie Bonds Staples from the Atlanta Journal-Contitution came to visit. I think she has a nice job - she gets to write stories about good people in Atlanta and the good things that happen to them (I know, some of you are wondering how in the world she decided I was worth writing about!!). She stayed about 40 minutes, just asking me questions about how I got interested in Everest, when did I decide to do the trek, how am I preparing, etc. I wasn't really nervous but I do get a little over-excited when I talk about what I'm doing. I told her about how we're raising money to build an orphanage and that I will get to meet the kids I'm working for. I also mentioned that I'm joining a boot camp through the American Bootcamp Company (www.thebootcampcompany.com) and she wants to come out to my first day at Boot Camp to see what I'm doing at take pictures! Oh god, I am going to look like a total suffering zombie frankenstein at 5:45am and she wants to take pictures! The readers will be terrified. I hope I can manage to smile through the pain!!

Really, the greatest thing about this trip is that yes, I am living my dream of visiting Everest but I get to help a bunch of kids along the way. It isn't fair that some kids have to live in poverty. If it were up to me I'd make sure that every kid in the world has a warm bed and good food to eat. Adults can at least make an effort to better their situation but orphaned children are completely helpless. They rely on the generosity and goodness of the adults around them to keep them safe and healthy. I love the fact that I get to meet the kids - I'm sure that I will get so much more out of it than they will.

Every time I hit that crappy elliptical machine I think, "I'm doin' it for the orphans!" All the pain, sweat, soreness and bouts of vomiting will be totally worth it when I see those little faces.

I hope they smile at me.