"Do what you are called to do." - Oprah

The call

As Oprah says, we all have a calling.  A joy.  A passion.  Something that lights us up from the inside out.  And we owe it to ourselves to honor our calling.  I have had a lot of callings and I have made the opportunity to meet each one head-on.

The call to the Peace Corps evolved over two years.  So sometimes the message takes a while to reach open ears and a ready heart.  But I listened.  I heard.

The spotlight

Over the past few months people have commented that they "would never consider" serving in the Peace Corps.  They ask themselves and me, "why would anyone choose to willingly live a challenging life for 27 months in a developing country for the purpose of serving others?"

Funny, I never asked if anyone would join me in the Peace Corps.  :-)

I don't know how many different ways or how many times I can say this emphatically: this is MY journey, MY adventure, MY choice, MY passion, MY call, MY spotlight.

I have been given much advice over the years; I've been told to get married, to have children, to get a secure 9-to-5 job, to do this, or to do that.  That's those people's calling, not mine.  It has never crossed my mind to suggest to anyone to follow what belongs to me.

I hope everyone listens to what calls them.  I hope everyone can follow their passions.  I hope everyone gets a chance to find their light.  When they do, I'll cheer them on.  I will celebrate you just as you celebrate me.  How amazing would the world be if we could all be the spotlights for each other?  Wow.  The world would shine.  Crazy shine.

Past calls

* National ballroom champion (Pro-Am International Latin).  Just like "Dancing with the stars" only a long time ago.
* Magic Castle magician and member since the 90's
* Polynesian dancer (10 years)  Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan culture, language, and dance.
* Volunteer (LAYN, BSF, JA, USC APASG Board of Directors, CERT, RBPD, BCHD, and a whole lot more)
* GO champion (2 years).  I embraced my inner geek.

* Commercial actor wanna-be.  Acting classes and tons of fun auditions.
* B.S. in Business / Marketing, Minor in Computer Science
* M.S. in Education / Psychology / Instructional Design
* Worked for IBM, Broadway Video (a stint with the typical boorish entertainment ego-maniacal boss), and Computer Learning Center (my 2nd most favorite job)
* RKC Consultants (self-employed for 18 years)

* Outdoor girl 100%.  Rock climber, bike track racer (at the Olympic Velodrome), hiker, backpacker, skier, dedicated golfer, etc.  Long and challenging mountain hiking trips with no showers, no bathrooms, no people (other than the studly man).  Can make a spectacular dinner in the backcountry all on a little gas stove.
* Hollywood Squares television game show contestant with TV Land stars (way cool)
* Been on all seven continents
* Have dated some extraordinary men and what a world they each opened for me.  Being in love and being loved is absolutely fantastic.

* Disneyland and Kauai
* People that come on and off (and back on) my stage.  Bit parts.  Major roles.  Supporting cast.  The crew.  All have made my life's play so interesting, bright, and colorful.
* Struggling to learn the meaning of me.  Got it.  I think.  Almost.  Maybe.
* Forgiveness and love.  Forever the student.

Most of you don't know these things about me.  I just don't share.  It's just not important.  So why now?  Because I'm quite proud of what I've accomplished and of whom I have become as a person.  And I hope it gives you a glimpse into who I am.  If I had listened to the nay-sayer or the person imposing their calling onto me, this list wouldn't exist.  I am proud to say that my callings and my choices are mine.

Each of us has our own story.  Each of us has our own call.  Whatever we do, we own it.  I am who I want to be.  There's still much I want to become.  There is still much for me to learn.  I will embrace the stumbles I may make for only then can I truly grow.

I am always stepping into the unknown.  I have courage.  I am a risk-taker.   I am crazy scared, but I have no fear.  And as for my Peace Corps adventure, I'm reaching way beyond a boundary I have yet to comprehend.

Into the void

"As I reach the limits of all I have previously known and experience and am about to step off into the void, I have faith that my foot will land on solid ground or I will learn to fly!"

(Thank you Joan, for your timing on sending me this quote.)

Next time you hear from me, I'll be in Togo.  The North American tribe has spoken and I've been voted off the continent.

It's up to you now to find your way to my blog.  I've done all I can up to now to get you here.  My village beckons for my full attention.  I do so hope you'll join me.

Whether I land on dusty desert sand or fall off my bike into the mud, I will be in good hands with the Peace Corps, my Togolese village, my fellow peers, and with you by my side.  Together, I hope our lights shine into the void until the void is no longer a void.  Instead, let it be full of warmth and love and hugs and open hearts.  Come on in!

(Muriel: would you like some tea?)

"Until we meet again" - Oprah (and me)

Love and much gratitude to my team.  I am forever grateful.

To my mom, dad, and brother: love, love, and more love.

But most of all, to Tra: Je t'aime to infinity and beyond.  32 years...

48

48 things to celebrate (besides birthdays)

* My mom's ability to make me laugh
* My brother's taste in movies and sisters
* Friends who love me no matter what I may do
* Dog kisses and tail wags
* Hershey kisses with almonds
* Soft, plush pillows on my yummy bed
* Laughter
* Finding beautiful rocks on the beach
* A gentle, tropical, breeze
* Gardenias, tuberose, plumeria, jasmine, and pikake

* Disco
* Bunny slippers
* the iPod
* Cinnamon rolls
* Hugs, lots and lots of hugs
* Stuffed animals
* The way my teeth feel after they're cleaned
* Waking up with the man you love
* A cat's purr
* A good book

* The sun
* Friends who come to the rescue
* Choosing not to wear makeup my whole life ('cept the blue eye shadow in the 70's)
* Not knowing how to use a cellphone
* Keds
* Laughing at myself
* Forgiveness
* Kauai
* Clients who trusted me enough to hire me over 18 years
* The underdog

* USC Trojans
* Boarding schools
* The chef who created Peking duck
* The Partridge Family
* Hardwood floors
* Electricity
* The internet (and Amazon.com)
* Clean water
* Air conditioning
* Target

* Disneyland
* The French Laundry
* My friends' children
* The toilet and the shower
* A good haircut
* In-n-Out
* Home
* me

I love birthdays.  And 48 is my year.

xoxo