Earning Everest

Now what to do with this blog?

2008-10-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

Here's what. I'm gonna turn it into a blog about my mission to do good and happy things. Starting with this meme I stole from Average Girl (http://averagegirlinaverageworld.blogspot.com/).

Fun fun....copy and paste to your blog! Then... let me know so I can come and read it!!

1. Where is your cell phone? Sitting on my desk.
2. Where is your significant other? In Michigan, sadly.
3. Your hair color? Red
4. Your mother? Is taking me to see Wicked tonight!
5. Your father? Is goofy and we don't always get along.
6. Your favorite thing? Cake
7. Your dream last night? Didn't sleep long enough to dream.
8. Your dream/goal? Do something that makes me and others happy.
9. The room you're in? My office
10. Your hobby? Reading, making costumes, seeing movies, acting, trivia
11. Your fear? Boredom.
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Happy but that's all I have at the moment.
13. Where were you last night? Netherworld Haunted House!
14. What you’re not? Settled, complete or sure of what I want to be when I grow up.
15. One of your wish list items? New digital camera
16. Where you grew up? Atlanta, GA
17. The last thing you did? Bought guacamole.
18. What are you wearing? Cream sweater, green pants, pink socks.
19. Your TV? Is turned off.
20. Your pet? One dog, Dante, and one cat, Milly.
21. Your computer? Laptop
22. Your mood? Antsy!
23. Missing someone? Yesssssssssssss
24. Your car? Gray Rav 4
25. Something you’re not wearing? Shades
26. Favorite store? Nordstrom
27. Your summer? Wish it was still going on!
28. Love someone? I think I do!
29. Your favorite color? Blue.
30. When is the last time you laughed? Really laughed? The other night at Denny's when Brandi told Karl we know he isn't on crack because he's too fat.
31. Last time you cried? When I was crazed with altitude sickness in Nepal.

Home again home again

2008-10-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

... and boy am I glad to be here! It so great to not have to put on hiking boots to go to the bathroom. I am feeling better but am trying to shake a nasty sinus infection and also getting used to eating food again.

Thank you all so much for your sweet notes, text messages and emails. I can't tell you how much they mean to me!

If you are a donor please keep an eye on your mail box for a little treat from me. :D

Love to you all,

Lindsey

Norcross, Tuesday, 10:40am

One night in Bangkok...

2008-10-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

So here I am at the airport in Bangkok, on the way home. This place is amazing!!!! Like a mall, only bigger than any mall I have ever seen. It's awesome. Sosososososososo much better than that rat-hole airport in Delhi. Someone told me that India stands for "I Never Do It Again" and I think they are right. 18 hours there was just too much on the way out to Kathmandu.

I have a 12 hour layover here but I am going to try and get on a flight leaving at midnight. That would cut my wait in half which would be amazing. Although, if I end up having to stay then that's ok because I love this airport! However, my stress level will be much lower if I get on the earlier flight. I go next to Tokyo, then Chicago and then Atlanta. If my flight to Tokyo stays the same then I have 10 minutes to make it to my flight to Chicago. I am thinking my heart cannot take it! I am still a bit weak from not really having eaten for four days and I don't think I can run fast enough!!

The flight here was lovely. Thai Air is a very nice airline. Hopefully my luggage will make it to Chicago, where I have to pick it up. That's where most of my presents are!!

Alright, I am going to go entertain myself in the airport some more. I have only 200 baht worth of time on this computer (40 minutes and I have no idea how many baht = $1 USD).

Love to you all!!

Lindsey

Thursday, Bangkok, 8:08pm

A very dramatic exit!

2008-10-09T02:33:00.000-07:00

Leave it to me....

My mountain adventure has come to an end folks. I got hit with high altitude sickness like a ton of bricks three days ago and was evacuated down the mountain in a helicopter this morning. It was very dramatic. I suppose if they actually had roads they might have driven me in an ambulance or something but they don't so... you get a helicopter! The heli was supposed to come yesterday but it was foggy between Lukla and Namche so they couldn't make it. It arrived this morning at 7:15 to whisk me down to a lower altitude.

I didn't want to come down but our guides wouldn't let me go any further... it would be very dangerous and potentially deadly. So I stayed behind as my group continued on from Dingboche to Lobuche. I was just 3000 feet below Base Camp.

I am terribly disappointed but you have to be smart and listen to what your people tell you on the mountain. I was so out of it that I couldn't have made the decision myself anyway. I am back in Kathmandu now and feeling much better. I'm trying to get on outta here, since being in Kathmandu for the next week alone sounds less than exciting.

So I hope that no one is disappointed in me... I am enough for myself. I'm sorry I couldn't make it guys but there is just nothing I could do about it. High altitude sickness is not picky or forgiving and it strikes when it wants to. Sucks for me but oh well. Just glad to be safe and clean.

Oh, if you heard about the plane crash in Lukla yesterday - don't worry, I wasn't on the flight! That runway is crazy; you have to land up a hill and the runway STARTS at a cliff. It looks like the pilot just came in too low and flew into the cliff below the runway. I saw the debris from the crash this morning when we landed in Lukla to refuel. I think Chris was the only one who heard about it (thank goodness mom didn't!!) as the only messages I got about it were from him. Everyone on board was killed but the pilot and he is in critical condition. They were mostly German but also some Aussies were on board. The scary thing is that it was Yeti Airlines, the airline we flew on the way to Lukla, and it could have been any plane coming in there. All it would take is a gust of wind or a bit of fog and you end up flat like a pancake on the side of a cliff. It's very dangerous and a scary place to land. I got a bit of footage this morning of a plane taking off downhill that y'all will have to see. It's unreal.

Love to you all!

Lindsey

Thursday, Kathmandu, 3:27pm

Dingboche, 15000 feet

2008-10-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

We are currently in Dingboche, about 15000 feet up. Only two more stops before base camp! I am just hoping, hoping hoping that I can make it. everything is 10x harder, breathing in particular. i am out of breath just moving around my little room.

It's funny what you miss in a place like this... and what you're grateful for back home. things like a toilet you can sit on (that isn't a hole in the ground in a shack), real flat roads (not "mountain flat" which just means UP), being able to drive places... no yak poop all over the place... taking a decent shower every day... a slice of fresh pineapple. Nepal is a beautiful place but dangerous and hard to live in.

The hiking is very difficult for me... y'all know i am NOT a hiker and i don't know why i thought this was a good idea!! after this i am staying home for a loooooong time. i counted yesterday and it takes me about 4 seconds to take each step when hiking. think about that. and i absolutely cannot go any faster, or else i will probably pass out! the pace is a snail's pace and that is the only way i am going to make it.

the weather is odd... it's freezing and then the second you start walking you roast. the clouds roll in and block out the sun, making it quite chilly. we are nearly above them, here at 15,000 feet.

the biggest thing keeping me going is knowing that we are nearly there. Angela, if you are reading this, your hiking poles are saving my life!!!! I couldn't have made it this far without them and they will be even more useful on the way back down. they have kept me from falling down a hill more than once!

the trails here are the hard part... nothing is really flat. it's all hilly with many rough stone staircases, covered in little rolly rocks and dirt. not like hiking in the US at all i don't think. the trails all are covered in yak poop so you have to watch out for that too! i actually like it when the yaks come by because then you have to stop and wait. it's a nice chance to catch your breath. i know now why they call them "breathers" because I have to have one about every 15 min or so while hiking. you just have to breathe and let your heart slow down. just the thought of being back at sea level - or even back at 10,000 feet - gives me thoughts of joy.

alright, i better run. it's 20 rupees/minute for internet up here, 20x what they charge in kathmadu. crazy! everything is so expensive up here. i paid 220 rupees for a roll of toilet paper (yeah, you have to provide your own!) which is about $4. geez!!! Cokes are only 250 rupees so you see which are the really valuable items. but i figure i need to have a happy rear end up here so it's worth it.

Love to you all!!!

Lindsey

Tuesday, Dingboche, 9:12am

First sighting

2008-10-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

Just spotted Everest for the first time over the bakery here in Tengboche.... amazing. what a sight. so beautiful. so glad i had my ipod so i could have the right soundtrack! i was right, polyphonic spree was just the thing. i think bill got a silly picture of me with tears going down my face.

today we continue on to an unscheduled stop in Pangboche. One of our crew, Cathy, has gotten ill and is being helicoptered to Kathmandu.

My stomach is much better today! thank goodness. this place is so beautiful but it is definitely going to be rough getting back home. the walk sucks!!

love to you all,

lindsey

Sunday, Tengboche, 8:56am

good bye namche!

2008-10-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today we head up to tyangboche, where they have the highest monastery in the world. i have to keep telling myself that it won't be as bad as the other day but i am still nervous!!

had an awful bout of food poisoning last night! stupid tomato soup. i am better from that today, and better from the cough as well! i guess that means i am acclimatizing.

will write when i can! Love you all!

Lindsey

Friday? Namche Bazar, 7:11am

Namaste from Namche!

2008-10-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
I am currently in Namche Bazar... yes, I made it up the HORRIBLE, AWFUL, NIGHTMARE hike today. Barely. I didn't know if I would make it; it was exceptionally difficult. I stuck with Orla, Alex, Cathy and Rag (a guide) and we slowly baby-stepped our way to 10,800 feet, straight up. It was absolutely awful.

Tomorrow is a rest day, thank goodness. i can use it!! I have developed the "khumbu cough" which seems to be a fairly mild thing but has been known to force climbers to abort summit attempts. Not me, though. It's not that bad - only happens when I cough or laugh.

the finger is doing ok, thanks for all the notes of concern. it really doesn't even hurt.

so I get a hot shower tomorrow and i will do a bit of shopping, fun! I am thinking i will sleep in a bit if i can. been waking up so early!!

Namche is a lovely town, way up in the clouds. we are literally in a fog of clouds right now. there are yaks and chickens and cows and pony-donkey things all over the place. Exploring tomorrow!

Not sure what the connections will be going forward but will post when i can.

Love to you all!

Lindsey
Wednesday? Namche Bazar, 7:14pm

By the way...

2008-09-30T06:46:00.002-07:00

Now would be a great time to start texting my satellite phone since I won't have anymore access to email for a while!! Chris says the key is to NOT use the dashes when you put the satt phone number in on the website.

Love you all!!!

L

Last night before trekking!

2008-09-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

Not much time to post but tonight is our last night in KTM before we fly (at 7am!) to Lukla to begin trekking. This might be my last post for a while!

Today we went to the largest Stupa (monastery) in the world, it was lovely! Bought a lot of great prezzies for folks. After that we checked out Durbar Square again, this time with no rain. That place is INSANE. I took some video from up high on the Hippie Temple. I also smashed my finger (right index) pretty badly on a chair at a rooftop restaurant and it was spurting blood for a long time. I will probably lose my fingernail, at least that's what my roommate Shannon thinks (she's a nurse). Cracked my nail clean across but still connected at the edges. It is throbbing!!! Tough to type. I think it will be ok though so no need to worry.

I bought a lovely mandala painting today at a painting school were the buddhist monks come to teach. Also a watch, thank goodness!! Of course all the instructions were in some language I didn't know. Awesome!

I think maybe we were supposed to meet our group for dinner at 5:30 but they didn't announce it this morning at our trek briefing so not sure what' sup with that. Our GVN reps don't seem totally organized, i have to say. I hope the guides are better. Last; night the GVN reps lost of us on the way to dinner! We ate on our own and they finally found us. Not well organized at all.

This evening we had an exciting ride in a rickshaw - me, Shannon and Vince (from Canada) got cozy in a tricycle rickshaw and it was terrifying! We laughed and screamed the whole way.

Tonight we have to pack for our trek. Our bags must be less than 15kg - I have no idea how much that is! I'll try to post when I can along the way but I may not be able to for a long time.

I hope you are all well, I miss everyone so much.

Love to you all!!!

Lindsey

Kathmandu, Tueday, 930, 7:24pm

Kathmandu is a crazy town!

2008-09-29T03:18:00.000-07:00

I'm serious. There are NO lanes on the streets and the cars, people, motorbikes, scooters and tricycle taxis pass within inches of each other. It's seriously like a roller coaster, only without restraints to keep you safe. Our hotel is quite nice although apparently the power goes out at certain times each day... like first thing in the morning when I need to take a shower! I took one in the dark today. Oh well, if that's the worst that happens, I'll be doing good.

Tonight our group is meeting up for dinner together. It will be the first time most of us meet. So far I have met one other American, one from Ireland, one from UK, one from Hong Kong, and one from Singapore. Oh and one from New Zealand! They are all so nice.

It's monsooning today - well, this afternoon it is. This morning we went to the Monkey Temple. You would have loved it, there were monkeys everywhere! They would even pose for you to take a picture! The baby ones were adorable but I didn't touch them because I don't want rabies! There were lots of beggars all the way up the crazy steep steps to the temple; beggars here are more pitiful and desperate looking than any I have seen in the States. I'm sure they are trying to look their worst but it is very nearly heartbreaking. People here live in such poverty. Many don't even wear shoes. I met a darling little girl named Vilita who wanted to do henna all over me but I didn't have time to sit and let her do it. She jumped under my umbrella in Durbar Square when it was raining so hard and said she wanted to practice her English. so cute!

I had my first real meal today since... Friday? Pizza, Nepali style. That means it takes forever and tastes kind of funny. But they had Coca-Cola in glass bottles so that made up for a lot!! I really haven't wanted to eat but, as mom pointed out, I really need to!

This place is shockingly different from the US and I am sure it will be even more so as we continue on down the road. I'm excited to see what is around the corner, although I miss my comfy bed and hot shower!

I'm going to go do some shopping before dinner! Talk to you soon! Love you all!!

Lindsey

arrived　safely in tokyo!

2008-09-26T18:37:00.000-07:00

apparently the blog i posted last nite didnt post so sorry about that. too　bad because it had 2 hilarious and embarrassing stories about me getting slapped by a little kid and barfing on the plane. now i am too annoyed at this stupid japanese keyboard to re-type them.

i am at the tokyo airport, waiting to board my flight to delhi. So far so good but my stomach is still a bit weak from losing my lunch yesterday. Had nothing but Pringles and ginger ale for dinner. I was awake from about 1am til 430am. Stupid jetlag. Watched a bunch of episodes of "Bones," that is a fairly silly show.

I think I am finally figuring out this damn keyboard! If only I could find the "at" symbol to login to my email. Grrr!! Oh wait! Just looked again and found it! Things are looking up.

Hope all is well with yall... will be in touch in Delhi tonight. Love you all!

Lindsey

Tokyo, 1020am Saturda

Leaving Tomorrow!

2008-09-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, faithful readers... I am down to the wire! I leave tomorrow morning at 9am to fly to Dallas, Tokyo, Delhi and finally Kathmandu!

My bags are packed... Dante is heading to Mama Bear's house... Milly is being a total brat... all is well in the Monroe house.

I'm going to try and blog as often as I can over there but I'm not sure how much access I'll have to the internet. What am I going to do without Facebook, Post Secret, Perez Hilton and List of the Day??? Oh the trauma.

If you don't hear from me then you'll know I can't get my hands on a computer. Don't worry, I won't be dead - mom got me a personal locator beacon so search & rescue will totally be able to find me!

Talk to you soon!!!

Lindsey

Sixteen days....

2008-09-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

So I am sixteen days away from leaving! I am getting very excited but also very nervous. I keep thinking "I haven't trained enough! I haven't lost enough weight! I can't do this!" but I think I am just being silly. I hiked Stone Mountain yesterday, with my pack loaded to about 15 lbs. and my trekking poles attached. I thought I looked silly but two ladies I talked to at a rest stop on the way up told me that they see that sort of thing all the time. That made me feel better.

As I was beginning my hike, two young boys came up and asked me if I had a band-aid. Me, beign the prepared and efficient girl that I am, actually DID have my first aid kit with me and gladly gave the boy two band-aids for a large, bloody gash in his knee. He said he had fallen on the rock and that he knew if he asked a "real hiker" for a band-aid that she would have one. I almost cried tears of joy that this kid thought I was a REAL HIKER. I guess I looked official with my pack and poles. They thanked me for being a good samaritan and we all continued on our way. It was a minor experience but I was happy to be able to help.

Stone Mountain is a surprisingly challenging hike, especially with long pants and a pack in the heat! You would think 10am would be an ok time to hike but it got hot really fast! I was so relieved to make it to the top; I sat on a rock, enjoyed the view and munched on a granola bar. Then I saw a strange sight. A midget, wearing church clothes and church shoes, carrying a bible, had made his way up the mountain.

You would think someone in church clothes would just ride the gondola-thingy up there... but no. This guy came up behind me on the walk-up trail! In his grey slacks and button-down shirt! And totally alone. I was very confused. I was afraid that he was going to walk over and ask me if I had heard of this guy Jesus, but thankfully he didn't.

Anyway. I was glad that I did Stone Mountain alone... I think I might have been embarrassed at what a challenge it was to me in front of someone I knew, haha. It also gave me some time to reflect on things up at the top. Being up there really gives you perspective on how small we are. Just little ants on the earth that can do great damage or great kindnesses.

Ugh! It's too early to get all philosophical! I will leave you with this. I got a new backpack last week, made by Deuter. It came with a pretty yellow flower attached.

More Thank Yous!

2008-08-27T05:57:00.000-07:00

Hi again!

I'm just 29 days away from my journey... 28 if you don't count today.

I have a few more THANK YOUs to throw out there. I received donations from the following folks:

Sally J. Hale (my awesome boss)
Perry Craine (my awesome haunt friend)
Ben Levin (my awesome Ghostbusting friend)
Chris Henry (my awesome boyfriend)

I also received a few treats from folks:

Mike Garner (an awesome Petzl headlamp!)
Will Aymerich (some awesome bug spray!!)

You guys just don't even know how much it means to me that you are supporting my dream and these orphans.

I think I pretty much have everything... I am planning to start separating and organizing maybe this weekend. It's got to get done sometime, right?

OH! So my fundraising total is $2580. HOORAY!!!! I was hoping to beat $2500 once I hit $2000 so that is pretty amazing.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have awesome friends.

2008-08-18T06:04:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note to thank some of my amazing friends who helped me raise another $230 for the Nepali Children's Fund for my birthday!

Natalie Owens (the most incredibly officemate a girl could ever have)
Angela Johnston (a phenomenal car seat tech and likeminded adventurer)
Lucy Luallen (my fabulous semi-carnie friend)
Jimmy Morris (my friend from college who I haven't seen in two years)
Heather Garrison (and her boyfriend Justin)
Calvin Harriday (my favorite chocolate bear)
Jarrad Washington (and his lovely girlfriend Angel)
Donnie Riley (my amazing hairdresser)
Derek Brown (who makes a very handsome zombie)
Nick Burkhart and his crazy brother Brent (two of my favorite rednecks)
Charlie Brooks (came in just under the wire!)
My sweet family: Shay, Steven, Kayla, Dad and Mom
The rest of my sweet family: Aunt Debby, Nana, Papa and Aunt Neen & Uncle Ross
Chris Henry (my alleged boyfriend)

Thank you all for your support and faith in me. YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING.

Tagged by Hairwrecker Lindsey

2008-08-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

If you need something funny to read, I highly recommend checking out http://hairwrecker.blogspot.com/ , True Tales of a Hairwrecker. Not only is her name Lindsey so she's f'ing AWESOME, she is so funny and tells great stories!! I read her blog daily and you should too!

Anyway, so Hairwrecker Lindsey tagged me for a meme. 10 Things. Just ten whatever you feel like things so here we go:

1. I have forty two days left til I leave for Nepal and everytime I think about it I get really nervous and excited!

2. I am desperate to buy something made of yak fur while I am there.

3. I am so sick of food right now. I don't want ANY of it. It's not that I'm not hungry - I just don't want anything that is available to me. It's all yucky.

4. I hate candid photographs. I want people to look at the camera and smile nicely for me! I don't want a pic from the side that shows someone's double chin and the booger in their nose.

5. I wish I could pick up and leave Atlanta but am terrified that I will never be able to sell my house because it is a piece of crap. I didn't know that when I bought it.

6. You know that feeling you get when you go to the bathroom after needing to go really bad for a really long time? That feeling of relief and happiness? I love that feeling.

7. My friend gave me a wish friendship bracelet and told me that when the bracelet falls off, the wish will come true. I think that it might be working.

8. I am secretly starting to like Coldplay.

9. I just downloaded a bunch of Mandy Moore songs for my iPod. And I like them. Shut up.

10. Somewhere there is a video of me breakdancing to Michael Jackson's "Beat it" when I was like 6 years old. I really, really want to find it.

Forty five days and counting!

2008-08-11T07:58:00.000-07:00

I am shocked... SHOCKED at the number of people who have tried to convince me to dye my hair dark brown before I go to Nepal. They seem to think it will lessen my chances of being kidnapped because I will stand out less. Somehow, I doubt this is this case. I mean, how many people do you hear of who get kidnapped in Nepal?? It's not like I'm going to Colombia, where that sort of thing happens all the time.

So, no, I will not be dyeing my hair brown. In fact, I plan to visit Donnie (www.donniehair.com) to ensure that I look like a freshly minted copper penny before I hope the plane to Tokyo. I think I might actually enjoy the attention that being a blue-eyed redhead might get me over there.

Or they might think I am some sort of demon. Oh well.

I think I am nearly ready for this... all of my hotel reservations are made. I am going to create a packing spreadsheet to determine what goes where - backpack, shoulder bag or rolling duffel (because I am a dork like that). I am going to learn to use Angela's trekking poles. I am going to three-a-weeks with Jarrad as of today (which should be super fun, considering how sore I am from Saturday).

And here... we... go!

Fifty Days Left!

2008-08-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

As of today I have exactly fifty days til I leave for Nepal.

I can't believe how much time has already passed... I decided to do this thing last December - when September 25 seemed to be a lifetime away! But I am getting down to the wire, finally.

I feel like I have been slacking on my physical training. Time to pick that back up and start kicking ass again! Jarrad and I are planning to do three workouts a week, Monday-Wednesday-Saturday, starting next week. I will also be doing kickboxing and maybe some dance classes to help with conditioning. I really, really need to hike. This is the hardest part for me. I'm sort of afraid to do it on my own but it's so hard to plan things with other people. Plus it has been SO NASTY hot outside!!! That makes it tough to get out there and do it.

But I think I am pretty much good to go on all my gear, which is awesome. I just have a few minor things to pick up like batteries, sunblock, etc. Nothing terribly important. Oh! And I have to learn how to use my solar charger! That should be fun. I am hoping it will work great for my iPod and cell phone. Yes, I am taking a cell phone. How could I not??!! Verizon has a thing where you can essentially rent a satellite phone from them (there are two - a Motorola and a Blackberry). I am thinking the Blackberry because then I can have the internet wherever I go as well. Y'all will be getting all kinds of crazy text messages from me!!

I finally sent out thank you notes to several people this morning. I feel terrible that it took me this long BUT it took forever to get donor names and addresses from the Global Volunteer Network!

Have a wonderful day!!

The Weight Vest.

2008-07-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

So apparently the best way to train for high altitude is to do cardio while wearing a weight vest.

I had ten pounds in the weight vest this weekend while working out with Jarrad, the awesomest trainer in the world. He made me do suicides out in the hot sun - no shade for me! Might as well get used to the most difficult conditions, right? You wouldn't think ten pounds would be that tough but holy cow!!! It was amazing how much difficulty it added. Makes me glad that I lost those ten pounds I gained. I'd be having a MUCH harder time right now.

I am two months and eleven days out from leaving. I really need to call the airline and confirm that my flights all still exist! I have my Nepal visa all ready to go in my passport, all my shots are done, just a few more medications to pick up and I will be totally ready. I think I pretty much have all my essential gear... just missing a couple of things like sunblock, extra chapsticks, you know - silly things I can get anytime.

I got a list of everyone who is going on the trek. There are 17 of us - ten girls and seven guys. I was surprised! Mostly Canadian and US but some UK, one German, one Irish, one Singapore, one Hong Kong, one New Zealander. I created a Yahoo group for us to get to know each other so hopefully people will use it! I can't wait to tell you about everyone and to meet them.

Three months to go!

2008-06-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

That's right kids, I have just about three months left before I leave for Nepal! Just thinking about it makes me nervous and excited at the same time. I have had a few people tell me that they are really worried about me going and I can understand that... but I can't not go just because something MIGHT happen, right??

Anyway! Tomorrow I am heading to REI and High Country Outfitters... they are both having sales. Woot! I checked and REI has iodine tablets on sale and I need to get like... a ton. Hooray!

So apparently some sweet person bought a headlamp off my REI registry but I haven't gotten anything about it so I have no idea who it was or when it might arrive. If it was someone reading this blog, THANK YOU! That will really come in handy and I am most grateful to you.

I've been working on my Everest Playlist... what music I will listen to (1) the first time I see the mountain and (2) at Base Camp. I need to choose carefully because these are going to be totally profound moments! I have a few songs lined up so far but I am far from finished.

Speaking of my playlist... I was sort of thinking I would burn CDs of it to give out as party favors at my 30th birthday party. That's right people, I am turning 30 in less than a month! I'm not sure where my party will be but I am thinking it will be right on my birthday - July 26. Mark it on your calendars because EVERYONE is invited!! I am planning to ask for donations to the Global Volunteer Network Foundation in lieu of gifts so that I can hopefully make my fundraising total go even higher. I'd love to get up to $2500 or even $3000.

I'll post more on the fiesta later, once the plans are set. For now I am working hard and training and trying to break in my hiking boots!

Peace, Love and Scary Mountains!!!!

Back to Basics

2008-06-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while, just because I haven't had much to report. My routine has been:

5:45am Boot camp
8am Work
12:30 Lunch
4pm Go Home
8pm Go to bed

Seriously, that's it.

However, the good news is that my first four week session of boot camp is DONE!!! I am going to go two days a week for June and July - and probably August and September. But no more getting up at the crack of dawn four days a week. I am a little relieved.

I have to admit, though, boot camp definitely helped me out a lot. I feel like I am in much better shape right now. I didn't lose a ton of weight (maybe about 5 lbs) but I do feel like I gained a lot of muscle. So hopefully doing two days of boot camp, two days of Jarrad and the rest on my own will get me ready for Nepal.

Final results of Boot Camp

Original Mile Time: 14:09
Final Mile Time: 11:36

Original Sit Ups in 1 Min: 32
Final Sit Ups: 37

Original Pushups: 30 regular, 4 modified
Final Pushups: 45 regular, 6 modified

MORE PEOPLE TO THANK!!!!
I have received some incredible support from friends and family recently. I want to thank the following people:

Debby Randall
Hot Rod, Kathy and Aaron Monroe
Richard Hooker
Jason Witzke
Daniel Gordon
Amanda Masters
The Other Twin

I am amazed at your generosity and your faith in me. Thank you.

Apparently this really IS working!!

2008-05-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

This morning marked the midpoint for boot camp. I didn't know it but that meant we got to run the mile again. Joy.

I almost didn't make it today... I wasn't feeling well when I got up and had barely slept last night. I don't know why but I just couldn't stay asleep. It was awful. So this morning when I was running late I really almost threw in the towel and went back to bed.

I pushed through it, though, and went on to the park. I pretty much flew up Buford Highway to get there on time-ish. Imagine my happiness when Sara, our lead instructor, announced it was mile time.

I huffed and puffed my way through the mile, thinking I was going to barf a couple of times. But, thanks to Molly and Regina, two awesome instructors who were kind enough to stay with me...

I CUT THREE MINUTES OFF MY MILE TIME!!!!

That's right kids... I was originally at 14:09, as the newspaper was nice enough to print. Today, I did it in 11:11. The look of shock on my face at the finish line was enough to make Sara laugh as she called out my time.

I seriously cannot believe it. I now know that all this butt-busting is helping. I am exhausted, cranky, full of food that isn't necessarily what I want to eat and sore... but I am improving.

Improvement = Not suffering as much from altitude = Very Good Thing.

Do I polish my halo daily?

2008-05-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

That's what someone asked me yesterday. It made me smile.

I like to think that I can just hang my halo on my devil horns.

Nothing really new to report... I am almost through my second week of boot camp (Brinsley calls it booty camp but I just don't love it that much yet). So far so good. I am still one of the slowest, hardest-breathing, wimpiest boot campers but I know I will improve. I think I already have, to be totally honest. Today wasn't quite as horrid... although while I was running across a baseball field, periodically dropping into the soaking wet grass to do pushups I definitely did think about why I did this to myself.

I have been slowly but surely picking up all of my medications at the pharmacy. Some of them are really pricey! I am running out of money big time.

I am waiting to get a spreadsheet of all the donations that have been made in my name from the GVN Foundation. I am hoping that maybe a few came in after the AJC article. I am at $950, just $1050 away from my goal. I hope I make it because I really don't have the money to cover a shortfall.

I'm thinking that I may do a big party for my 30th birthday... sort of like "I'm turning 30 so please bring me a $30 donation" kind of thing. I don't know.

Anyway. I am getting worried about the money situation. I still have some bits of gear to buy. Mainly clothing and layers that I am hoping I will find a nice person to borrow from instead of buying everything. Cross your fingers for me.

The article!!

2008-05-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

I am awfully excited today... my mom called to wake me up and tell me that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution article was published today! Gracie wrote a wonderful article and I am so happy with it. You can read it by clicking here!

I have to run out and get some newspapers!!

I didn't go to boot camp on Friday because I broke my finger on Thursday night... I slipped and fell in the rain at the Fresh Market in East Cobb. I tore my favorite jeans, skinned my knee, broke my right pinky.... and then some little kids laughed at me. It was awful! The bone I broke is the very tip of my finger. You wouldn't think that would cause much pain but it DOES!!

Anyway, I am happy to get back to boot camp on Monday. The diet has been going great and I feel pretty good! I just need to figure out a way to break in my hiking boots... anyone interested in hiking with someone who will kvetch the whole time?? You know you want to.

Two down, about a zillion to go...

2008-05-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

The second day of boot camp was rough! We did lots of running - sprints, suicides, uphill runs, etc. Many of y'all know that I am soooo not a runner so this was pretty tough for me but I didn't quit and I didn't cry so that was good.

I do think I aggravated an old injury... several years ago I tore my left quadriceps - that's the big muscle in your thigh. I'm sure any family members reading this will remember how lovely I looked on crutches at my sweet cousin Britt's wedding :P Anyway, even after all these years it is still fairly sensitive and prone to re-injury. Doing step-ups on a wall that was just a little too high was apparently not a good idea yesterday. No more of that for me.

My muscles were so sore yesterday that I could barely walk down the stairs at work! Everyone just kept laughing at me. Michele and Brinsley, my two co-workers who also do boot camps, were very supportive and told me that the first week is the toughest. I know they are right and I just have to stick with it. Tomorrow can't be as bad. It just can't be!

I think my Atlanta Journal-Constitution article will come out soon. Intrepid reporter Gracie called earlier to confirm my web page address (can I just say again that she is awesome??) so hopefully that will drive some folks to donate. I could sure use the help! I have about $1300 left to raise.

I get to leave work a bit early today since I stayed late for our LiveSTRONG Day event last night. I am heading straight to the drug store for Icy Hot and an ice pack!

Oooohhhhh Icy Hot... how do I love thee??

Craving.

2008-05-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

I haven't really suffered until this moment as I have been dieting and training...

But I could really go for a pizza right now.

A big, hot, greasy pizza covered in cheese and pepperoni, with some yummy dipping sauce for the crust.

::groan::

Pizza...

Boot camp: day 1

2008-05-12T06:21:00.001-07:00

I think I have lost my mind. I was up at 4:45am today to get to the park at 5:15am for my first day of boot camp.

Actually, I am pretty proud of myself for how it went. We started with a warm up (it was the hardest part!) and then went straight to the PT test. The tests consisted of:

Number of sit ups in one minute: 32
Number of pushups in one minute: 30 plus 4 modified
One mile run: my time was 14:09

I was most scared of the mile run. I seriously haven't run a mile since high school. I thought I was dead meat. My goal was to try and pace myself and not walk at all during the run. I stayed at a slow jog for the whole thing and didn't slow down once! I even managed to run full-out for the last stretch, thanks to an awesome trainer named Molly. I was fine with my time because it was nowhere near 20 minutes, which is what I seriously thought it would be. During the run I just kept thinking "If kids in Nepal can be homeless and have no parents then I can run a mile!"

The class is mostly women which is nice. Much less intimidating. There were a ton of instructors, probably 6 or 7, to keep us going. That was good too.

After the PT test we did some ab exercises. I'm sure I will be in a huge amount of pain by tomorrow. For now I am mostly just sleepy and trying to drink 92 ounces of water. Yeah. 92.

Gracie Bonds Staples and a super nice photographer named Becky from the AJC came out this morning. They are both so sweet, I really enjoyed talking with both of them. I hope that the article comes out soon and that it gives people a good idea of what I am doing and why.

All right dear readers, I am going to go see if I can rustle up some fiber for breakfast. I already had a protein shake but I am hungry again!

Ok, now I'm scared!

2008-05-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Boot camp starts tomorrow morning! I have orientation at 5:15am and then the workout starts at 5:45am. I'm actually going to run a mile for the first time in probably... twelve years?? I am utterly terrified. Can I even do it?? I think I'm going to be walking a lot of it. If I can actually run one by the end of this first four weeks I'll be really impressed with myself AND my instructors.

It's 8:50pm and I'm going to bed at 9! Wish me luck!!

Good night!

It's Gonna Be OK.

2008-05-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

I promise.

Lately there has been a rash of folks who are telling me that I shouldn't go to Nepal, that I'm going to die in a bombing or get kidnapped by people who have never seen blue eyes before.

It's frustrating because I don't have a "good" reason for why I want to do this. I just do. I don't want to die knowing that I never even tried. I can't explain it to people who haven't had this strange feeling, like a magnet drawing me in. Some people I know get it. But even they don't know how explain it!!

I know they are just worried about me but I really want them to stop telling me not to do it. I'm going to do what I want so the nay-sayers will just need to learn how to deal with it!

Leap of Faith

2008-05-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

So I was browsing through this week's secrets on Post Secret and came across this particular postcard. Sometimes the cards on there evoke pretty strong emotions in people and for some reason this one did for me.

I do feel like I'm standing on the edge of something big... like maybe I will figure out what I'm supposed to do with myself somewhere in this process.

I'm taking a leap... doing something that I've wanted to do for so long and never thought it would happen. Something that when my mom asked me why I wanted to do it all I could say was "I don't want to die knowing that I never even tried."

Sorry to get all philosophical on you... that secret just got me thinking.

The Travel Doctor

2008-05-04T19:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I visited Dr. Adkins of AdventureMD ( www.adventuremd.net ) who is a travel doctor with a ton of travel experience himself. It is his job to make sure I am medically prepared to travel to high altitudes in an area that may not have the cleanest of water and food. He's a great guy and I actually really enjoyed this trip to the doctor! The first thing he did was give me a red thumbtack and ask me to stick it where I am going on a large map in his little shoebox of a clinic at the Kroger at Ansley Mall. Naturally, I stuck it right into Mount Everest - there wasn't another tack there so that made me happy!

Dr. Adkins went over a ton of information with me. He had me get a bunch of shots - all in my left arm. I had the following immunizations:

Hepatitis A (first in a series of two)
Typhoid
Tetanus/Diptheria
Polio booster

After that my left arm was completely useless. I had to get myself a Starbuck's hot chocolate to help it feel better (sorry Jarrad - but I got it with nonfat milk!!). It's still pretty darn sore today, although the movement is much better now. I'm surprised that I have recovered as well as I have.

Dr. Adkins also gave me a TON of prescriptions to fill. I may or may not need all of them but I know that if I do have a reason to take some of them, I'll be glad to have them. He gave me the following prescriptions:

Acetazolamide - aka Diamox. This helps lessen the effects of altitude sickness. We already know I'm susceptible so this will really be helpful to me.
Dexamethasone - aka Dex. I will use this if I come down with High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). HACE is the result of swelling of brain tissue from fluid leakage. Symptoms can include headache, loss of coordination (ataxia), weakness, and decreasing levels of consciousness including disorientation, loss of memory, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, and coma. It generally occurs after a week or more at high altitude. Severe instances can lead to death if not treated quickly. Awesome!
Nifedipine - I will use this if I experience High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HACE). HACE is swelling and/or fluid accumulation in the lungs. It leads to impaired gas exchange and may cause respiratory failure. It is due to either failure of the heart to remove fluid from the lung circulation. Nice!!
Z-Pack - In case I catch some infection or run a fever and we can't figure out what the hell it is.
Ambien - In case I can't sleep!!
Zofran - In case of nausea.
Medrol - To fight allergic reactions that can't be handled with Benadryl.
Epinephrin - aka an Epi Pen. In case the Medrol doesn't work either!
Malarone - To stave off malaria, although I shouldn't be at risk for it as high as I'll be.
Albuterol - In case of wheezing or I can't breathe at rest.

I'm going to be the most popular girl on the trip! Dr. Adkins gave me a few extra of everything in case I have friends that get sick and don't have medicine. I thought that was nice. Some of it I may not have to get filled (ie, the epi pen) if our expedition leader has it on hand. That would be great because this many prescriptions will get pretty expensive. Stormy gave me a great idea to check the Wal Mart and Kroger list of $4 prescriptions. Maybe some of them are on there. I took three to Publix today to get filled. I figure I'll do it in stages.

I'm exhausted so I think I'll go to bed. My arm is pretty achy; I'm hoping it will be better tomorrow. Good night!!!

High Altitude Medicine

2008-05-02T09:06:00.001-07:00

The Global Volunteer Network highly recommends seeing a travel doctor before heading out on one of their adventures. I found Dr. James Adkins through www.adventuremd.net ; he has a travel clinic set up in the Kroger at Ansley Mall (I used to work there in high school and college at the Chapter 11 Books that no longer exists). Dr. Adkins says I need the following immunizations:

Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Polio Booster
Tetanus
I think he also mentioned Diptheria?

I also have to get malaria tablets and he will counsel me on altitude sickness. He's got a high altitude pack that he'll give me that has all kinds of fun things to help me not pass out or puke on the trail. Sweet!

Let me tell you what I know about high altitude. I spent four days in Breckenridge, Colorado, thanks to my dad. I am so glad that I did that because Breckenridge is only at about 10,000 feet. I am heading to 18,000. I was definitely out of breath just walking up a flight of stairs in Breckenridge! It was shocking. I had a ski lesson on my first day out there. I got dizzy, light headed and nauseous in the middle of the lesson and had to sit out for a while. Water and rest brought me back enough to finish the lesson but it was really not a good feeling. Suffice to say I spent the rest of the time shopping and at the spa. Altitude sickness can strike any person at any time - no matter what kind of shape you're in. I am hoping for a big bottle of Diamox, a medicine which helps with the symptoms of altitude sickness. A lot of folks don't use it because it can mask bigger problems but I just want to make it to the mountain and back!

So anyway, I am going to see Dr. Adkins tomorrow morning at 10:30am to get shot full of meds and fun things. I am hoping these aren't the type of immunizations that make you feel crappy for the rest of the week like some of them do. I am getting shot up with an awful lot of stuff so I might spend the rest of the weekend resting. I guess we'll see what happens.

Just cross your fingers that I don't pass out. ;)

The Interview

2008-05-01T07:42:00.001-07:00

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.

A few thank yous....

2008-04-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

I just this minute paid my trek fee to the Global Volunteer Network ($1260) so I guess that means I am really going! I am terribly excited about this trip. It's almost all I can think about.

I'd like to thank a few people who have helped me out along the way so far:

My mom: She bought my hiking boots for me!
Margie Leathers: Gave me my first donation toward the GVN Foundation.
Beverly Losman: Donated to the GVN Foundation.
Jamie Reid: Donated to the GVN Foundation and also to me!
Anita and Ross Valdez: My awesome aunt and uncle who provided enough frequent flyer miles to get me to Kathmandu and back!
Maryann Morris: Gave me a donation!
Kenny Hacket: Donated hot shower money to me.
Danna Thompson: Donated to the GVN Foundation.
Angela Johnston: Letting me borrow equipment!
The Lindabury Family: Donated to me.
Joyce Allers: Donated to the GVN Foundation.
Martin Barry: Gave me a pointy knife and a gift card, with which I was able to purchase a solar charger for my iPod and satellite phone.
Chuck Shakar: Donated to me.
Susan Yoder: Donated items for my yard sale, which helped me raise $150.
Jarrad Washington: Donated items for my yard sale and is helping me train like a crazy beast!
Jerry Thomas: Bought me a lovely gift of a pair of zip-off convertible pants.
Rick and Judy Monroe: Donated to me.

I myself have donated $200 to the GVN Foundation; $150 of that came from the yard sale and the other $50 was from collecting change and selling old CDs.

So thank you to all of you who have helped me on my way. I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you have enough faith in me to support me in this. You guys are amazing.

More Developments!

2008-04-28T08:41:00.001-07:00

So apparently I am on a bit of a roll... my trainer, Jarrad, was nice enough to introduce me to the owner of the gym where I work out. It is actually a physical therapy clinic called Axiom Physical Therapy (www.axiompt.com) where I have been a patient twice, once for a torn quad and once for whiplash that I got from being crashed into by a drunk driver. His name is John and he is super nice. I told him about what I am training for and he gave me an awesome opening by saying that I should wear an Axiom shirt on my trip. Well, that just got me going about how it would be so wonderful if Axiom wanted to sponsor me and how I would tell everyone about Axiom and all that good stuff. He gave me his email address and asked me to send him a note. I wrote him an email yesterday and his response was "Where do I send a check?" Sweet!!

I have an appointment coming up with my dentist and he is very outdoorsy - AND he's known me since I was just a twinkle in my father's eye - so I'm hoping maybe he will sponsor me also.

Haven't heard back yet from New Balance, haha. It would certainly be incredible but don't worry, I'm not counting on it.

I have collected a fair amount of gear that I will need for the trip... I would be terrified to add up how much I have spent on gear! But that's ok... I'm trying to get items that I will use more than just in Nepal. Maybe after this trip I will love hiking? haha, sooo funny.

I don't know how much any of my readers know about the situation in Tibet and Nepal right now but to make a long story short, China is putting pressure on Nepal to crack down on freedom of speech and expression. An American climber has already been removed from the country for having a Tibetan banner in his bag. Nepali airspace is being controlled by the military, as is communication out of Base Camp. To read more about this, I recommend www.mounteverest.net as they seem to have the best coverage. China has been oppressing the people of Tibet for years - and now they think they can do the same in Nepal. It's sad that China is basically taking away people's livelihoods by denying climbing permits for the North side of Everest and by making it so difficult for climbers and trekkers in Nepal.

I hope all of this is over by the time I make it over there!

Amazing News!

2008-04-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

So. I was feeling productive at work the other day so I decided to do a little self-promotion for my trip. I emailed the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's newstips hotline with my story and I also sent it to Creative Loafing. I thought it might be nice to get a little publicity and maybe get a few donations out of anything I could get.

By the end of the day I had heard back from the assignment editor, Alicia, at Creative Loafing who said that my story sounded amazing and that had forwarded it on to one particular reporter, Scott Freeman, because she thought it sounded right up his alley. Woot!

Just now, I spoke with Gracie Bonds Staples from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution who is coming to my home to interview me at 8am next Thursday for a story! Aieeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I am so very excited right now!! Things are looking up! I really hope that these stories come out good because my fundraising is really not going that great. I'm only about 1/4 of the way to my goal... and it's due in July.

Fundraising ideas:
30th Birthday Party $30 Fundraiser (instead of presents, people give a donation of $30 to the GVN Foundation for me)
Saving coins (already doing this, I have $15 so far)
An event of some sort?
Selling something I make (cookies? not sure)
Letter to New Balance (already sent - I asked them to donate because I wear their shoes to train!)

Wish me luck folks... It would be amazing if I just had a crazy windfall of some generous person but I don't think it's gonna happen. :D

Chomolungma has lit a light within me.

2008-04-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

That quote, from Jamling Norgay (the son of Tenzing Norgay, who was the first to summit Mount Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary), touches my heart in a way that is difficult to understand. I really don't know why I am fascinated by Mount Everest. I don't know why I devour books about every aspect of that mountain. I don't know why I see it in my dreams.

But I do know that you can't live your whole life without at least attempting to do something you dream of.

That's why in September I am heading to Kathmandu. I will join an expedition put together by the Global Volunteer Network (http://www.volunteer.org.nz/) to trek to Everest Base Camp (elevation 17,900 ft.). With about 20 other people that I don't know, I will fly to Lukla and walk from there to BC, visiting various Nepali landmarks along the way. We will take a trail that has been crossed thousands of times by mountaineers, sherpas, guides, and locals. I will walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest climbers who ever lived.

Three weeks in Nepal... will it be enough to show me the direction in which my life should go? That's what I'm hoping. I am hoping to find myself in the teahouses, open air markets and changing landscape. It might seem silly to some but for some reason I feel as though my life is hinging on this trip. I know it will change me - please just let it be for the better.

This blog will be a chronicle of my training, preparation and journey. Hopefully it will be interesting to anyone who comes across it. I promise it won't all be so philosophical!

Last night I purchased a solar charger for my iPod and cell phone. I still can't decide what to do about a camera. I have a digital camera I'm not crazy about that uses regular batteries. I'm not sure if I should just suck it up and bring batteries or if I should get a new camera that can be charged. I'm worried about having too many devices relying on one charger. A gift card from my darling Martin B. allowed me to purchase the charger and I am sure I will be even more grateful for it once I'm over there and can hike listening to my favorite music.

I also bought a hideous pair of convertible pants. I spent $55 on the ugliest pair of pants I will ever own. Apparently, women should not show their legs in villages over there so you hike with your shorts on and then zip zip zip you have pants when you enter the village! I added one more pair to my REI registry in a lovely shade of army green. They are less unattrative than the khaki-ish ones I got yesterday. Oh well. I gotta have em.

I have been slowly accumulating gear. I have hiking boots (that need to be broken in), rain pants, a rain jacket, gaiters, hiking socks, a couple pairs of sock liners (need more!!), a backpack, some thermals and a lovely pink pocket knife. I still have a lot to get but I feel like I am doing well so far. I am planning to buy a down sleeping bag and jacket in Kathmandu so that I don't have to travel with them. I think they will also be cheaper over there.

I leave September 25. My flights go Atlanta to Dallas to Tokyo (spend a day) to Delhi (spend a day) to Kathmandu. I leave Kathmandu on October 18. My flights back go Kathmandu to Delhi to Helsinki to London to New York (where I switch airports) to Atlanta. It's a total of five days of travel. I think I will be exhausted but I am literally going all the way around the world. How many people get to say that in their lifetime?

Welcome to my journey.