I’ve celebrated 28 birthdays in the Greater Vancouver Region so turning 29 (for the first time… for real) while in Iowa is a new experience for me. Mom won’t be there when I wake up with a stack of pancakes on the table pierced by a single celebratory candle. I won’t be able to answer my phone all day because my roaming charges are obscenely high. I also won’t be sitting around a big TV screen watching the Canucks play a hockey game, secretly hoping they win in my honor.
However, I will be surrounded by a loving family, I will wake up next to my husband/best friend, and I will be thankful for everything and everyone in my life.
This past year has taught me a lot and even though each day I have moments where I worry, stress, or wonder just what the heck I am doing, I take a look at those who surround me, support me, and inspire me, and I know that I must be doing something right to be blessed in this way and to have them all at my side.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me and this site over the last year and here’s to a great 2009 (because next year I’ll be turning 29… again).
In honor of my birthday, I encourage everyone to do something nice for someone else… no matter how big or small the task. Open a door for someone, leave the waiter a big tip, call your mom, let your friends know you appreciate them, or take out the trash/recycling. There’s also the UGM, and the Food Bank, which are two of the causes I’ve supported this year.
This morning we headed out to Camp Courageous of Iowa, a year-round respite and recreational facility and a very special place in the hearts of many.
Camp Courageous was founded in 1972 when forty acres of land was donated for the sole purpose of establishing a camp for the disabled. In 1973 five buildings were built from donated labor and materials. By 1974 the camp was ready for its first campers, which totaled 211. Today the camp is open year-round, has over 150 acres of land with 14 buildings, and annually serves over 5,000 campers, ranging in age from 1 to 105. [Camp Courageous]
Today we met with staff, talked about social media (check out their blog or follow them on Twitter) and learned more about the great work Camp is doing. We then got a tour of some of the facilities (mostly the indoor ones since it’s darn cold outside).
Most of the amenities, supplies, buildings, and even the miniature train/railway were donated. “Camp Courageous was built and continues to operate on donations, without government assistance, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fund-raisers.” [History]
Camp Courageous is for anyone with a disability (“vision, mental, physical and other disabilities are typical of the individuals served.”) It’s run by staff and volunteers who keep things running smoothly and most of all, make sure that every camper is cared for and has the time of their life – from swimming, canoeing, accessible playgrounds, farm animals, pets, arts, and the celebration of each unique individual that comes by.
Having spent many summers at camp in BC when I was younger as a camper and volunteer, I know that the effects a facility like this can have on a child are pretty remarkable.
If you’re looking for a non-profit to support, please check out Camp Courageous of Iowa, whether you’d like to contribute funds, equipment, in-kind donations, sponsorships, or simply your time.
The rest of my photos from Camp can be found in my Flickr set.
Northern Voice 2009 is quickly approaching and being that it’s the top personal blogging conference in this fine nation of ours, it’s a pretty big deal. Registration is now open and the schedule is soon to be released. Today I received the great news that a panel of mine (or two) has been approved so I’ll be on the speakers’ roster.
When: February 20-21, 2009
Where: UBC Forestry Sciences Centre
Register: Use the EventBrite page to sign up for the conference. Be sure not to miss MooseCamp on Friday and reserve your “bloggable” conference t-shirt.
The other piece of lovely and fantastic news I received today was that I have been deemed one of the top social media influencers in the country, making the cut as a semi-finalist. I knew I was one of the women nominated (they did one ballot for men, and another for women) and the finalists have now been selected.
Here is a combined list of semi-finalists:
Ben Watson, MC Turgeon, Kate Trgovac, Sébastien Provencher, Jacqui Murphy, CT Moore, Miss604 (Rebecca Bollwitt), Adele McAlear, Amber Mac, Michelle Blanc, Kris Krug, Sandy Kemsley, Paul Kedrosky, Mitch Joel, Mathew Ingram, Shannae Ingleton, Rae Hoffman, Jon Hamilton, Ilya Grigorik, Michael Geist, Brett Gaylor, Dave Fleet, Mark Evans, Mark Dykeman, April Dunford, Cory Doctorow, Joey de Villa, Ali de Bold, David Crow, Sylvain Carle, Leesa Barnes, Darren Barefoot. The entire list can be found here.
Aside from a straight-up vote, they are also basing the ranking on several other numbers and figures with the finalists to be announced at a later date. Update January 12, 2009: The winners have been announced and I’m #4 for females in Canada – I’m very honored!
Finally, early bird pricing for WordCamp Whistler ends this Friday. We’re announcing new speakers and updates almost every day so stay tuned for updates and please feel free to join us January 24th.
This afternoon we decided to hop in the car and go exploring a little so 3 hours and 3 states later, I give you a photo post (mostly featuring the mighty Mississippi River).
You can explore more in my Iowa 2009 photo set on Flickr.
This is an extended version of a post I originally wrote for E!Online
Last September it was officially announced that Vancouver will host the 2009 Juno Awards this spring and with our city’s diverse blend of acts and media forms it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind event for Canada’s music scene. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
