Quebec City, Canada (Videos)

We are excited about Phase II of Take A Leap. The Career Mentee/Mentor component will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and go for your personal dreams. No more "woulda", "coulda", "shoulda".

View the two videos below of the beautiful sights of Quebec City, Canada, where we will be staying during MLK weekend 2014. Get your Passport and lets Cross over the Border.

Join us for the Take A Leap Career Mentoring Program International Retreat. New website coming SOON!!!

We would love to read your comments about Phase II of Take A Leap. Are you on the fence of starting a new career or striking out on your own? Do you need a career mentor/coach to help encourage you and keep you accountable?

Rhonda W.

Take A Leap Phase II

Streets of Quebec City via MotoVermont.com

In a blog post from a few weeks ago on stepping out on faith, we shared briefly that we will be expanding our Take A Leap concept to include two additional areas, careers & education and financial planning.  The Career Mentoring Program website will be unveiled in mid-June along with an E-book that will be available for $5.99 or when you pay the $50 deposit fee to participate in the career mentoring program, the E-book will be included as a bonus.  The orientation will be held mid-August for those local to Columbia, SC.

Waterfront view of Quebec City via Flickr

Those who are unable to attend in person will be provided materials via email within 24 hours of the conclusion of the orientation.  The program will officially begin in September with a number of assignments that Mentees must complete personally and in collaboration with their assigned Mentor.  In addition, Mentees will be preparing for their self-funded international trip.  We would like to formally announce that the international retreat location will be in Quebec City, Canada from January 17-January 20, 2014.  Videos from the international retreat will be documented for future segments of the Take A Leap webseries.  We are currently seeking locally and world-wide for Mentors and Mentees.  Please contact us at weconnectedprod[at]gmail.com for more information.

Here's To Your Health

Monaco, France

Traveling have often caused havoc on people's nutritional habits and overall health.  We talked in a previous post about health precautions to take in consideration as you head to your destination. Now we want to address staying on top of your nutritional health at your destination.

Often times, people are quick to go off their diet or nutritional plan when they are on vacation.  Sometimes it's because they are in unfamiliar surroundings, and they don't have the time to find an appropriate place to eat.  Other times it's because they are on the go, go, go, and it's just easier to grab a bite to eat from a popular fast food chain. Or maybe you are on a nutritional regiment, and vacation is a time to "blow it off".

We're sure you've heard these "excuses" before.  So we thought we'll give you some tips on how to stay healthy on the road and at your travel destination.

Sandwiches & Peanuts

#1 Bring drinks and snacks. The items may differ based on mode of transportation, but the ideal foods to have on hand are fruits, hand-made sandwiches, nuts and trail mixes, and water.  Carbonates, cookies, and chips should be consumed in moderation.

#2) Shop at the local grocery store for fresh foods.  It is interesting to find foods that may not be readily accessible in your hometown. We have tried fruits, veggies, and local delicacies that we never heard of in South Carolina during visits to Italy and China food markets. This is also a great time to learn the local language if you're in an international destination.

#3) Keep food allergies and nutritional plans in mind.  There are so many variety of foods to be found in restaurants, and whether you order by the plate or eat from the buffet line, there are bound to be foods you may question as it relates to your health.  If you know you have a food allergy, it may be best to order from the menu.  Those on specific nutritional plans such as vegetarian, vegan, organic, etc should identify restaurants of their liking with a simple Google search or by utilizing a travel guide.  It also helps if you have an advance look at the menu via the restaurant's website or by talking to the host.

#4) If children are with you, make sure they eat a well-balanced meal.  Sugary drinks, burgers, and pizza are common place at amusement parks and other major attractions.  They can also break the bank and make your child "less energetic" in the long-run.  Limit the amount of these foods your child(ren) consume, and bring along plenty of fresh fruit and water, as long as they are permissible at the venue.  Check the website in advance.  If it is not permitted, bring what is (often a sealed bottled water), and once in the venue, seek out places to eat with a wide selection of foods.

The Pizza Rhonda made while in Italy (2009). Please eat in moderation.

What other tips or advice do you have to help you stay nutritionally healthy on the road?

Rhonda & Sharee Washington

Let's Take to the Sky

Stunning View of the Duomo in Florence, Italy
(personal photo)

The first time we flew on a plane was to visit our cousin in Brooklyn, NY just before New Year's 1996 in the middle of our junior year in college.  We saved the money from our part-time jobs to purchase the $300 plane fare.  We left on a Delta plane out of Augusta, GA with a connection in Atlanta, GA before heading to NYC.  We had great lift offs that took us to the skies and above the clouds, and clean landings. The best part of the trip was the free beverages, the sandwich boxes, and peanuts.   We've gone on dozens of family trips to NYC and Jersey City, NJ in the 80's to early 90's, and it took all of 12 hours driving time from the South.  So to be able to get there in less than four hours...man, sign us up.  We've been hooked ever since, and you'll often find us flying rather than driving any distance beyond 6 hrs.  Most recently, we have taken to the sky internationally to China and Europe, with more destinations forthcoming.

As is the case, there are people who have expressed to us that they have anxieties to flying, and will take behind the wheel anytime.  Even drive more than three thousand miles to a destination.  No problem, if you have the time; multiple drivers; and a tune-up personal car or rental.  But it does become a problem when you find yourself missing family functions, vacations, and other memorable experiences because of anxieties associated with air travel.  We thought we'll share a few tips on how to combat your fear of flying so that you can get to your destination quicker, if you choose to do so.

#1) Meet the pilot.  The pilot has your life in his hands, and if you are able to meet him or her while boarding, then it can often ease your fears as you gain trust and relinquish personal control. Risk is a part of life. Fear flourishes on control and worry about the future. Let go!!

#2) Find focus point. Mediate.  Lower stress hormones by looking straight ahead and finding a focus point, then count count what you see, hear, and touch by naming 5 things; then 4; then down to 1.  This exercise takes all of two minutes and keeps you from focusing on problematic issues. Additional exercises include mediating by closing your eyes and counting your breath or reciting the alphabet backwards.  Control your thoughts. Don't let your imagination take over.

#3) Learn about your in flight experience. Understand that speed is necessary for lift-off; your ear pops because of change in cabin pressure; the wing moves to navigate the plane; turbulence is caused by changes in air currents; remain in your seat belts until the Captain makes announcement that you are "now free to move about the cabin"; etc.

#5) Know the statistics. Check out this video from Jennifer Poe of Imported Chocolate.  She has additional tips on combating anxiety and shares a few statistics on the safety of air travel.

Do you have a fear of flying? What will it take to get you on a plane?

Stepping Out on Faith

Stepping out on faith is not an option, but our destiny.  No longer can we let our secure jobs hold us back on what we are destined to do with our purpose-filled life.  No, we aren't going to quit our job, today or tomorrow, but very soon. We've put a date out there, and we're going to use the time until then to perfect our craft and follow our dreams.

It was alluded to in a previous post that we wanted to expand Take A Leap.  We've decided to add a career mentoring program based on our recent international travels that indicated that career satisfaction often propelled someone to Take A Leap.  The launch is set for Fall 2013, and we'll invite up to 12-15 persons from all over the world as clients to take on a unique career mentorship.  It'll include meeting with a career mentor/coach in or near your city [or via Skype, if need be], financial planning, activity sheets, journaling, spiritual reflection, and travel.  In fact, one key component in this program is that you will be required to go on an international retreat that will include a series of career and financial seminars; a scavenger hunt in the international city; and more.  The ideal persons are those that are stuck in their current career and/or seeking to transition to another.  Whether you're in your mid- 20's or late-50's, this is your chance to escape the rat race and attain the purposeful life God has intended for you.  We'll also document and film the program in special segments of our Take A Leap webseries.

FYI...Sharee is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) and Real Estate Agent; and Rhonda is a certified Retirement Specialist.  So where ever your new career takes you, we'll make sure you are settled in your new environment if you need to uproot from your current city, and make your money work for you with proper financial planning.  You're in good hands with the Washington Twins!!

Sound off and share your opinion of this unique career mentoring program. Would you participate or know someone who would benefit? 

Rhonda & Sharee Washington