Travel Tuesdays: Follow-up with Latraia D.

We personally first met Latraia D when we filmed and edited her high school basketball referee reel when she resided in Columbia, SC. She wanted to use the reel as a marketing tool to springboard a future career as an aspiring referee in the NCAA, WNBA, NBA, and Olympics.

We first introduced you to Latraia D. during our Take A Leap China Teaser video in 2012.  We have since followed-up with her, and she has moved on to Saudi Arabia.  Love it!!  Here is a fun video she did introducing her new friends who are from all over the world!!

Blessings to Others

I'm writing this blog post a day after attending my aunt's homegoing service.  As the matriarch of the family after my grandmother's death 10 years ago, she was "momma, granny, sister, auntie, cousin, friend".  She was a blessing in my life, and will be thoroughly missed in our family and in the Alvin, SC community.  As I reflect on the last few visits I had with her during her illness (the doctor gave her a few weeks, but she outlasted more than 9 months), she was most impressed with our love of traveling.  She enjoyed hearing about our past international trips and our upcoming trip to Los Angeles. She has never been on a plane, and I fondly recall her laughing so hard when I told her that flying above the clouds was like being in heaven. I'm sure she'll be looking down on us at the Oscar's Red Carpet, beaming with pride and laughter. She's finally made it above the clouds.

I'm also writing this blog after posting a video on our YouTube Channel of one of my students. She's currently fundraising for a 19-day European trip this upcoming July.  My goal is to personally help her raise $1000. My sister and I have paid for her Passport fees, and she is still in need of funds to pay for her tuition and travel spending money. Please view the video, and if you are interested in donating or have fundraising ideas, please contact us via weconnectedprod@gmail.com so that we can forward a personal letter from Tamia, and to whom and where you can send donations.

So as I end this post, a few days before Rhonda and I head to Los Angeles, I'm constantly reminded of being a blessings to others. Whether it's a loved one or a stranger, find the time to help someone in need.  It doesn't take much time at all. It can be a phone call to let someone know you are thinking of them, offering a few words of encouragement, or giving a few dollars to help make a dream come true.  As you seek out opportunities to Take A Leap, also find the time to be a blessing to others. 

Beijing on the Mind

We're heading to Beijing, China in December 2012. It's going to be in the midst of Winter, and as this picture alludes to, most likely snowing as we trek The Great Wall of China. I'm super excited about this because my sister and I are from the South. We don't get this type of weather often, and being prone to cold weather isn't in our DNA. But neither is the hot, scorching weather we've been experiencing as of late. Yet, we have to adjust to the environment at hand by being prepared. Somehow, in the time between now and then, we're going to have to strategize how in the world we're going to pack "light" in two small carry-on bags. We've limited our shopping for the rest of year to necessities related towards our trips. And apparently a must have will be a pair of hiking boots.

Another reason Beijing is on my mind is because of the Birmingham to Beijing project. This is a project associated with Teach America, whereas 7 students from Birmingham, Alabama have the opportunity to explore Beijing and learn Mandarin language, over a period of a month.  They also had an Indiegogo campaign, and raised over $40,000. Rhonda and I each made small contributions, and just the other day we each received a personal letter of thanks from one of the students.  I follow their blog every morning, wondering what they did the day before because of the twelve hour difference. And then today, we had an even more special surprise in that we were able to view a video of their first few days in Beijing. I have never been so proud of such young persons. To leave the comforts of their family and home to go to an unfamiliar environment took a leap of faith. I'm just in awe at their tenacity to soak it all in, and enjoy the moment.

That's another reason we want to experience the international countries in the very environment that our interviewees live. That moment can't be understood just by words. Pictures, video, and the sights and sounds, must be captured alongside the words.  I'm so happy we made a difference by giving a few dollars. Please consider making a similar difference today for Take A Leap.

Peace & Blessings,
Sharee