A shot in the arm, and a goodbye ... for now

I got my vaccinations today. And while Mercy Ships only recommends that I come with a yellow fever shot and some Malarone, my doctor was quite insistent that I get a YF shot plus four others, especially since the Centers for Disease recommends it. So I went in for a few pricks of the needle. Before I knew it, with a couple sore arms and a prescription for Malarone in hand, I was vaccinated and ready for Africa. And, steps of reality were sinking in further and further that I am going overseas.

And if having a needle in my arm didn't wake me up, telling my coworkers that I was leaving in a month surely did. We had a meeting and at the end, I shared with them my story and my preparation to go overseas. I cannot tell you how humbled I am by the smiles, the congratulations and the tears. I couldn't believe I was standing there telling my coworkers that I was going to Africa. It just baffles me that anyone would miss me - to the point of tears. That's just wild. I'll miss them too and yes, to the point of tears. I've had such an amazing work experience with this group - we're goofy, we're professional, we get the job done. There are exciting days, low days, high days. We eat, complain about our weight, can't resist chocolate and drive each other nuts.

In other words, kind of like family. Thank you, God.

Knitting Marathon - the Recap!

Many, many thanks to everyone who came and contributed to Knit 'Til You Quit: The Knitting Marathon! It was a very productive ten hours full of friends, food and fun.

Holley Replogle-Wong arrives fresh and ready with many sponsors in tow!



Sponsors included Cat, her ... cat! :) Thanks Cat (Cat doesn't even have an income - or any possibility of getting one - that's sacrifical giving!)

Promptly at 11 am, Holley started knitting a preemie cap to donate to Stiches From the Heart. Meanwhile, Sandra was busy working her culinary magic to bring us ginger molasses cookies, chocolate mint cookies and the much celebrated Cheddar Dill Scones!





The goodies were overflowing in abundance. The first movie of the day was playing (THE BREAKFAST CLUB), when the lovely Elizabeth Kim (nee Martin) appeared!



Elizabeth and I had rekindled our love affair post college due to a knitting party, so its only appropriate that she was here. Thanks Eliz!

At some point, Christopher showed up and began the manly task of grilling up some burgers, hotdogs and marinated drumsticks. By this time, Maestro Wong (husband of Holley) had also appeared for some moral support. By lunch time, we continued our 80s streak with SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL, only to reinforce our notion that John Hughes probably hated his high school years to some degree.

Next, courtesy of Stephanie, was probably one of my favorite movies of 2007, STARDUST. Swashbuckling, evil witches, pirates and falling stars. What more do you need?

Bethany pitched in by doing some beading and also crocheting the beginnings of a cool looking scarf.



By late afternoon, Young Mi had arrived.



Evening came and it was time for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. Aside from making a slammin', crazy good Grown Up Mac n Cheese, the multi talented Stephanie also took time out to sew her skirt.

Here's the Mac n Cheese:


Here's Stephanie:



A myriad of many others came after that. It was a warm and full house indeed. There is truth to the adage, "The more the merrier." Even after managing a money makin' Beverly Hills Starbucks, Danielle showed up and wow'ed us all with the knitted thermal she was wearing. Tres amazing, yes?



By the time O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU was playing, Amber was working her way to a completed shrug. I'm amazed at how creative people like her can be!



Speaking of finishing projects, Holley was able to complete two things! Here she is her cute sleeveless tie-cardie and also an adorable preemie hat.





Thank you to EVERYONE who came, sat, ate, conquered, knitted and lent a warm hello. It was all the better because you came by. And because of this event and all the work that has gone into it, my fundraising thermometer has gone up quite significantly! Thank you! I am humbled by your sacrificial generosity through time and finances.

As a final parting thought to this photo laden blog post, here's a picture of Grandizer doing one of the things he does best. And I mean, putting a smile on his face and then yours ;). (Though eating was a good guess, too).

Celebrities are more the most important people in the world.

Does the above statement feel wrong to you? Something about it isn't right. Celebrities: I am talking about the Britneys, the Toms, the Jessicas, the Hannahs and the Montanas. The rich, the beautiful, the (sometimes) talented, the controversial, the sexy, the glamorous, the people who seem to have perfect pores. The immortalized. We buy their records, we read their gossip, we fuel their fodder, we watch their movies. We want to date them, we want to sleep with them, we want to know them, we wish we were them. So does the above statement still feel wrong to you?



Then how about, "Celebrities are more important than the average person."

Something about that is still not right. Somehow its saying that certain people hold more value than the next, for whatever x factor. And how does one qualify, really? What is the currency to gaining this importance? Let's alter it one more time.

"We would treat a celebrity with more care than the average person."

Ok, now we're talkin'. I can relate to this, at least. Having worked in the movie and music industries for over 10 years now, I completely understand the feeling of being around the Britney, the Tom, and sometimes, the Hannah (and Montana). I have answered the phone calls of celebrities, delivered packages for celebrities, brought in coffee for celebrities, picked out houses for celebrities, written thank you notes to celebrities, walked the red carpet with celebrities and most recently, find the measurement of a celebrity's neck. Yes. And though it all, I handled them with kid gloves. With politeness, laced with a nervous tinge that they had the power to be offended (and thus, me, stupid and fired) Because in this business, you are as indispensable as you are wealthy. And if my bank account could talk, I would be pretty dispensable!

All three of the above statements should feel totally and completely wrong to you. It should jar something in your soul. Inscribed into your being (mine and everyone else's) is God's face. He has not picked out some people to be special, and the others to just watch. No, in His eyes, we are valuable, capable, acceptable, lovable, and forgivable (as my mentor Marvin would say.) The beauty of this is, it doesn't take money, sexiness, talent or an education to receive this. God just gives it to us. And it is a challenge to accept it but it is ours and does not change depending on our ability. Upon God's character, He loves us always.

As I think about leaving in a month, I realize how my world now will starkly contrast with the world in Liberia. I reflected on this this past Sunday when I was at the awards show with Chris. We looked out the window, as we sat in traffic, waiting to get into the Staples Center. A black Hummer with tinted windows slipped right in front of us. It was more special. It carried a celebrity. They're special, apparently. And while a rich person's money never solved self esteem problems, it is the currency of our world on this side of Heaven. (And yes, they need the message of God's love too!)

It is my prayer and hope that I would treat everyone with the "kid gloves" while I am overseas. That I would speak into the lives of everyone around me about their value in God's eyes.I have no perceptions of going over there to think I am doing someone some huge favor. I don't need to be memorable, but I do want to be useful and that is my hope. For the poor - whether materially or spiritually.

Well. Knitting marathon this weekend!. Should be awesome. Taking lots of photos. Come back for a play by play next week. Thanks for dropping by!