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!!

Travel Tuesdays: The Obamas and The Washingtons in China

A few weeks ago, First Lady Michelle Obama and her two daughters took a trip to Beijing, China.  As I viewed the pictures from their trip, I couldn't help but reminisce about the trip Rhonda and I took in December 2012.  Take a trip along memory lane with us.

Rhonda at The Great Wall

Sharee at The Great Wall...Yes I was freezing

First Lady Michelle Obama & daughters at The Great Wall
Photo Credit: people.com
 

Rhonda in the Terracotta Warriors Museum

The Obamas Touring the Terraacotta Warriors Museum
Photo Credit:  nymag.com

First Lady Obama Writing Chinese Calligraphy
Photo Credit: cnn.com

Sharee's Scroll of Written Chinese Calligraphy

Have you been somewhere that a celebrity or famous person recently visited?

Sharee W.

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?

Flying High with Medical Conditions

As many of you know, we have completed over 15,000 thousands miles in the air over the last 6 months.  China, Italy, NYC, and Los Angeles.  Whew, it's enough to make one sick, and it did.  I don't want to go specifically into either of our medical health conditions, but it was very serious, and it will change the way we travel in the future.  Pill supplements, compression socks, changes to diet, and exercise, etc. If we want to continue our jet-setting ways, it's imperative to understand our bodies.  Even the most healthiest individual can take on a condition that is onset by frequent travel under varying circumstances (cabin pressure, altitude, etc).  However, it doesn't have to be the end-all.  It's important to know and understand your medical condition before taking an airline flight, cruise, or lengthy car/train ride. You should share with your doctor your upcoming itinerary and make adjustments as he/she sees fit.  Here are a few tips that can apply to almost any circumstances, whether it's related to travel or not.

1) Don't cross your legs over thigh; if need be, cross ankles.

2) Walk around every 90 min- 2 hrs. This applies to anyone who sits in a chair at work; and air/train/automobile travel.  Walk to car, break room, a co-worker's office, etc. Walk the aisles on an airplane or train.  Walk around the car a few times if traveling long distance more than 2 hours. Switch drivers often.

3) Drink water at high altitudes; avoid alcohol and carbonates

4) Elevate feet- use foot-rest, purse, carry-on bag, etc.

5) Under Doctor's care, wear compression socks during long flights. Your feet should be measured and the socks fitted properly. Many CVS stores have this service. Certain medical conditions related to poor blood circulation, including anyone who suffers from anemia, may need to avoid them, as it could make the condition worse.

6) If you're prone to motion sickness (air, train, automobile, boat, etc), wear a  prescribed patch or ointment; take a prescribed tablet; or wear a wrist-band.

Rhonda & Sharee
Take A Leap

Take A Leap China Part 1 & 2!!

These two videos highlight our travel to China over 10 days during the Holidays.  It also features friends we were able to interview.   Take A Leap to China!!

PART 1: Intro; First Trip Abroad; Why China?

PART 2: Living Expenses; Interesting Experiences

Additional videos from China will be posted in late Spring.  Yes, there's more!! Pandas, The Great Wall, dancing, etc.

Take A Leap to the Oscars!!

If you have been following us on our We Connected Productions, LLC blogsite or Facebook and Twitter over the last week, this is no surprise.  For others, it's like....what!!

Without going into the entire story, just know that a cold isn't the only thing we brought back home from China.  On a faithful connecting flight from Los Angeles to Charlotte, NC, we were introduced to Stephanie Frederic, CEO of FGW Productions.  Her production company is a major player in the transmedia industry; especially with behind-the-scene footage and videos of your favorite movies. It was after watching our Take A Leap travel videos and short films that she felt compelled to offer us a blogging experience of the lifetime: The Oscars Red Carpet.

Here's an update!!

We've booked our flight to Los Angeles using airline reward points; yet, still in need of additional United Airlines Mileage Points for return flight. We must book by Feb. 3. If you are willing to donate, you can transfer United Airline miles for as little as $15 for each 1000 increment. Email us at weconnectedprod@gmail.com, and we'll provide you our mileage numbers. We have been offered 2 nights accommodation in the production team hotel room, but need 3 night accommodations elsewhere. We found a rental apt within walking distance to the theatre for $300. We're giving ourselves until Jan. 31 to book accommodations bc rates are on the rise!! Any assistance will be appreciated. Both of our blogsites have a link on the right side bar to donate.

Also, Rhonda has an awesome opportunity to attend the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon honoring Oprah on Thurs Feb. 21 bc of her earlier arrival. I'll arrive to LA Fri. evening bc of work commitments. We both plan to attend a few daytime/early evening parties on the Sat before the Oscars.  I've posted 7 dresses. Vote for your favorite until Feb. 15. The top 3 will be worn between the two of us. Rhonda will wear one for the luncheon; and we both will wear a dress for Sat's functions.

We're still searching for a full-length gown for the Oscars.  Size 0/1 is preferred, but we are willing to pay for alterations and any applicable shipping.  Please fwd pictures to weconnectedprod@gmail.com by Feb. 10.  We'll post pics of the submissions on FB and on our blogs on Feb. 11 for votes, and the top 2 will be chosen on Feb. 15, and will be worn by us at the Oscars on Feb. 24.

And finally, we are asking for everyone to select a celebrity that will be at the Oscars, and submit a question you'll like us to ask.  If your question gets answered, you will get a shout out on FB, our blogs, and in the 3 min. video we'll be producing. You can comment on this post, email us, call us, or tell us in person.

Love, Peace & Blessings,
Sharee

                         

Pictures from China

Forbidden City in Beijing, China.

Summer Palace (Built 1750) in Beijing, China. Supposed to have served as a
Summer Resort for Empress Dowager Cixi.
Frozen lake below.

Nǐ hǎo/Hello,

It's been two weeks since we have been back. Below are some of the many pictures from our trip to China. Enjoy!!!

A fish with it's head seprated
from it's body. We did not eat the head.

Sharee posing with snow in the background,
outside a Beijing hotel.

Rhonda, still all smiles after a 12.5hrs plane ride
 from Los Angeles, CA to Beijing.

Chinese Culture: Longevity. Always together.
Male (left w/ball under paw) &
Female (right w/baby under paw)

Sharee in a cave in Shanghai, China.

Rhonda posing with Life size replicas
of the Terra Cotta Soldiers.

Two pandas in Chengdu, China.

Sharee & a fellow traveler with the crowded
train station in the background. 

Xiè xiè/Thank you,

Rhonda W.

Squaters: Women's toliets in China,
on the floor.  Remember to bring tissue.

Ni Hao! & Xie Xie!

Ni Hao (pronounced nee how) is a common phrase in China. In Chinese Mandarin it means Hello.  It can be spoken anytime of the day and once said, can spark interesting conversations. None of which we completely understood.  Xie Xie (pronounced Shi-e Shi-e) is also a common phrase.  In Chinese Mandarin it means Thank You.

The Chinese language is very complex. Especially when there are similar words with different meanings depending on the tone that is used.  Take the word ma.  Depending on tone it can mean mother, horse, hemp, or scold.  Say it the wrong way, and you may have called your mother a horse!!

There is also differences in the language depending on the region that you live.  The Chinese language spoken in Shanghai is vastly different than the language spoken in Northern or Southern China.  Chinese Mandarin differs from Chinese Cantonese.  People who know Cantonese understand Mandarin, but people who know Mandarin don't understand Cantonese.  It's enough to make your head spin, but we were always safe with Ni Hao & Xie Xie!

We had a great time in China and will post in the coming weeks tons of pictures, full descriptions of our time there, and the second webisode of Take A Leap by mid-February.  We will also share a story about a chance meeting that came at the tail end of our trip than will truly shape the direction of our future.  As for now, we are still recuperating and adjusting to normal life and getting back into the groove of work.  Yet, we couldn't resist sharing these exhilarating pictures of us atop The Great Wall in Beijing. It was -5 Celsius and we were COLD!! It was in the record books as one of the coldest days in almost 50 years. Just our luck!!

Sharee & Rhonda

Rhonda

Sharee

Celebrating New Year's in China!!

We are heading to China after Christmas, and the excitement is building.  Our list of expat interviewees are growing by the day, including teachers, writers, and business professionals. We will spend the first few days in Beijing and begin the New Year in Shanghai before moving on to the smaller villages of Chengdu and X'ian.  Some of the ventures we will explore include visiting the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Chengdu Giant Panda Research Center, and the site of the Terracotta Army.

The weather during our visit will be in the low to mid-30s as a high, and in the teens for lows in Beijing.  Shanghai fares a little better with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 40s as a high, and low-to-mid 30s as a low.

Has anyone visited China in the winter months?  What was your experience like?

Take A Leap...Moving Fwd Part II

The Indiegogo campaign has ended and we raised $480 ($420 with fees taken into consideration).  We have our entire hearts into this project and will see it through.  We paid the final payment for our trip to Italy in November last week.  We have received our airline details, and airline tickets will be sent within the next month.  It's interesting to note that daylight savings times will be going on during our travel to Italy. We'll actually get to stay in Rome one additional hour.  How exciting!!  We are in the process of getting our funds together for the final payment of our December trip to China due in early October.  God is our provider and will make our provisions. We do believe!!

I've entitled this post moving forward part II because there is so much more that is needed to make Take A Leap get off the ground (pun intended) other than money.  We are revving up our efforts to put into play our next initiative.  One of the points that I made early on when I started this blog was how it was more than about chronicling Black Expats.  Yes, that's our premise, but our mission is so much more. We want to encourage more people to obtain Passports, take a Gap Year, or make career transitions.

A story many people don't know about is that last year this time we helped a friend Take A Leap by following her passion to head out to Los Angeles to become an actress.  Her story does not have a fairy tale ending with her landing "the role of a lifetime", but she's constantly knocking on doors, and ever so grateful for our help to get her there.  We were able to utilize hotel bonus nights points and although we didn't quite have enough frequent flier points, we were able to provide funds for a low-cost one way flight to LA.

Via Sean Kelly, LA Times

I share this story because our next initiative is to start a Take A Leap Hotel Bonus Nights and Frequent Flier Miles Club.  We want to make it possible for people to donate either unused or expiring points from hotel stays and airline flights.  We'll share in a later posts how the new initiative will work but it will essentially benefit two fold.

One--half the hotel and mileage points donated will support Rhonda and I in future Take A Leap travels.  We have been asked to consider France, UK, Latin America, and S. Africa as future locations to chronicle Black Expats.  This is exciting for us, but also overwhelming because of the costs involved and we don't want to constantly be asking for money time and time again.  Having our flights and accommodations covered via donated points seems like a less invasive way of asking for HELP!!

Two--half the hotel and mileage points donated will support people who we either know personally or will extend an invitation to.  The purpose will be to help someone Take A Leap to travel domestically in US or internationally in pursuit of career goals; Gap Year or Sabbatical; cultural experience; Volunteer opportunity; or other.

Do you have a Take A Leap experience that you've taken or plan to take? Would you like to benefit from the donated points of our new initiative? Please comment or email us weconnectedprod@gmail.com.

Sharee

Expats Education

My cousin has been in the military for 10 years now, and in that time has traveled quite extensively.  He has said time and time again that he would consider going back to school, but with a wife and rambunctious three year in tow, it appears he's going to be a lifer in the military.  His wife, on the other hand, has taken advantage of pursuing her education.  Utilizing his benefits, she has continued her education despite being uprooted from Germany to the United States in the last year in a half.  She's almost finished her Bachelor's degree, and plans to pursue a Master's as well. All the while, not knowing where they will be sent off next.

As I talked to her, a few thoughts came to mind about opportunities for Americans who have considered pursuing their education outside of the United States beyond the semester or year long study abroad experience.  I looked into a few schools that many Americans have attended that gave them an opportunity to live in a foreign country.  These schools are not listed in any particular order, and are not a full list of the educational opportunities one can attend.  Some are associated with American schools.  Most have classes taught in English.  In a future post I would like to highlight Black Americans who have attended or currently attending a college abroad in pursuit of higher education, either at undergraduate or graduate level.

#1 Parsons Paris

#2 Le Cordon Bleu Paris

#3 Hult International Business School

#4 John Cabot University

#5 Webster University- Worldwide Campuses

#6 Richmond, The American International University in London

#7 American InterContinental University London

#8 Girne American University- Turkey

#9 King's College London

#10 Trinity College Dublin

#11 McGill University Montreal

#12 University of St. Andrews Scotland

#13 Peking University China

#14 University of Waikato New Zealand

#15 Jacobs University Germany

Do you know of a college or university abroad that is actively recruiting Americans? More specifically, Black Americans?  Are you a Black American who have attended college abroad and would like to be highlighted in a future post.  Please contact us at weconnectedprod@gmail.com and share your Take A Leap story.

12 Goals to Reach by Year End 2012

Martice with Black Girl in the Big World put out a challenge to create a list of 12 goals to accomplish by the end of 2012.  With 4 1/2 months to go before the year ends, we came up with our own list.

#1 Brand Take A Leap as a go to source within the travel blog community.  This includes establishing relationships with travel bloggers in an effort to promote each other's initiatives.  We supported Martice by purchasing Black Girl Travel T-shirts.  Our next effort will be partnering with Jennifer P of Imported Chocolate.  She will be assisting us in setting up a screening of our pilot episode of Take A Leap in NYC in early December.

#2 Sharee will obtain her first real estate client (outside of herself), and sell her townhome in Columbia, SC. She'll then use the monthly savings to fund her Roth 403b.

#3 Rhonda will start a blog dedicated to financial education, obtain 25 referrals for her ValuTeachers reps, and facilitate 10 solo financial education presentations.

#4 Speak the local language when we travel abroad to both Italy and China.  We're nervous about this, although we have taken a few months of Rosetta Stone's online lessons in Italian. Ciao!!

#5 Get to know Bronx, NY family members.  That's a side of the family we know very little about, and just as it is a whole lot of us down here, there are tons of cuzzos up there.

#6 Attend a Clemson University (our Alma mater) football game this Fall.

#7 Raise an additional $5000 for Take A Leap webseries with approaching September 1 deadline.

#8 Sell 100 copies of our four short films on DVD or via online.

#9 Establish a financial emergency fund.

#10 Pay down credit cards. It helps that we have 0% interest for more than a year.

#11 Do what we love.  The Holstee Manifesto states that "If you are looking for the love of your life, STOP; they will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you love".  Whether in work or play, hopefully we'll both be able to find that special someone.  Sharee's story is in the travel blog section.

#12 End the year in Shanghai, China!!!

These are our 12 goals, both shared and individual.  The year isn't over yet. What do you hope to accomplish??

Take A Leap Logo

We officially have a Take A Leap logo. We want to personally thank former magazine Art Director Errol Alger and Graphic Designer Allen Johnson for collaborating on the logo. We will be using it as much as we can to market the Take A Leap Webseries.

We have until September 1st to raise $5,500. We recently added a new perk of 2 XL Black Girls Travel T-shirts for a donation of $50, plus the $20 donation level perks.

www.indiegogo.com/takealeap

Rhonda W.

Guest Post: Top 5 Common Excuses (Black) Americans Make for Not Travelling

This post is from guest blogger- Terra Robinson, a black chick In Europe. She has her MA in International Relations and a BA in Journalism. She currently live in Brussels, Belgium (aka the land of frites, chocolate and waffles) after going to school in London and living/learning French/working in Toulouse, France. 

Photo by Terra Robinson; Great Wall of China- Beijing, China

Below are the top five reasons I hear from fellow black Americans for not travelling abroad:

1. It’s Too Expensive! Travelling doesn’t have to be expensive if you know how to shop around. If you can avoid it, don’t go during the high season. Summer trips to Europe are ALWAYS expensive. Airfare, hotels, etc. all go up, plus it’s crowded to boot. Look at fares in the spring and fall. The weather is still nice and the prices are much lower. Or if you don’t mind the cold, winter fares (with the exception of Christmas/New Year) to much of Europe are rock bottom. Also, don't be afraid of travelling a bit off the beaten path. Central and Eastern Europe tend to be cheaper than Western Europe but still just as impressive in terms of things to see and activities to do.

Plus, you don’t have to limit your travels to Europe. Many Asian countries (with the obvious exception of Japan) are still much easier on the old American wallet than European countries, as are African and South/Central American countries.

For you young/solo travellers, staying in hostels can save you a ton of money, as can cooking dinner in your hostel/rented apartment and eating out at lunch time (when you can often get the same food much cheaper at restaurants) to get a taste for the local cuisine. And of course, use the Internet to compare prices and get the best deals.

2. Folks in Country X Are Racist! Please, there are racist folks in America and yet you still live there. That shouldn’t keep you from travelling. There are racist folks everywhere. Acknowledge it, deal with it and get exploring! Some of the countries I’ve been to have a reputation for being racist towards black folks (Germany, France, Spain and Italy just to name a few), but I haven’t had any racist incidents in those countries yet. I’ve actually found the Germans that I’ve met in my travels to be quite kind and helpful. I will admit that in some countries (*cough*France/Spain/Italy*

cough) black Americans are sometimes treated better than the native black population/African immigrants. Totally not fair I know. But still something to be aware of.

3. There Aren’t Any Black Folks in Country Y! There are always black folks. Always. I don’t care what country you go to, there will be black folks. You might not see them because there very well may only be two in the entire country, but they’re there. Besides there’s more than just black folks in the world. Go forth, travel and interact with some of our more melanin-challenged brethren. You might actually enjoy it or learn a few things. I know I have. Like when I learned the Romanian word for a black person after wandering by a school with kids playing outside in a town in which I'm pretty sure no black person had ever been through either before or since. Cute kids. Nice townfolks. Pretty sure I’m the first and only black person they have ever met...and to this day they probably still think I’m African, despite me repeating “Sunt American (I’m American!)!” over and over again.

4. I Don’t Speak the Language! This should never be a reason not to travel. And I won’t use the old line that “everyone speaks English anyway” because I can tell you from experience that it’s not true. In order to travel to a country that doesn’t have English as an official language, all you have to do is head to your local library and do a little research. Most libraries have travel books that include useful travel phrases in the back. You don’t need to be fluent, but learning some key phrases like “Where is...?”, “How much is...?”, “Do you have...?”, “Please”, “Thank you”, and “Excuse me” really do come in handy. Especially in France. Make an attempt to speak their language and the Frenchies (outside of Paris) will love you forever. Even if you butcher it like I do.

5. Why Would I Want to Leave America? OK yes, America is a pretty awesome country. But it’s not the only awesome country in the world. Just think about all of the things we study while going to school. We read about the wonder that is the Great Wall of China. I can tell you from experience, it’s even more awesome hiking it. We read about the Vietnam War...which became even more real for me as I took a river cruise down the Mekong, the same Mekong my father (a Vietnam vet) waded through with is gun over is head while praying that no snakes would decide to make him dinner. Travelling makes all those (often boring) history lessons more tangible, more alive.

And as much as I love Southern food, Tex Mex and other regional variations of typical American cuisine, the food lover in me also loves trying the local cuisine of whatever country I happen to be in. I did, however, draw the line at trying the fried scorpion in Hong Kong. I would have been more willing to try it had the thing not still been alive...and moving on its stick.

Granted, many of the above are reasons given by Americans in general, with the exception of #2 and #3. I think those two are very specific to black Americans and other minorities.

Now it's your turn! What are the top 5 reasons y’all hear from fellow black folks/minorities for not travelling?

Follow Terra's blog at http://americanblackchickinlondon.blogspot.com

It's Bigger Than Us!!

I've had a thought on my mind the last few days when I think of what Take A Leap and We Connected Productions, LLC represents:

It's Bigger Than Us!!

I envision the Take a Leap webseries in the near future reaching back and giving young kids and teens the opportunity to travel. Travel will break your fear of the unknown and of other people by learning about their culture.

I follow blogger Tracey Coleman, a former Columbia, SC resident. Her blog, which is on our Blog Roll, is entitled the Brooklyn Travel Addict.  Currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, she will be hosting a Passport Party.  The Passport Party Project is a travel-theme event that gives ten girls age 11-16 their very first passport.  It is on our radar to implement a similar concept in Columbia, SC area in the near future.

We hope you will enjoy the webseries once it airs next year. It will inspire and educate you to the world that is out there.  Support: www.indiegogo.com/takealeap


Thank you.

Rhonda W.

"To Whom Much Is Given, Much Will Be Required"- Luke 12:48

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

Happy 4th of July! Take A Leap is 4 Months Away Until Our Adventure Begins

We Connected Productions, LLC are EXCITED as we are 4 Months away until we begin our Adventure to Italy in November and China in December. Find out how you can support Take A Leap by going to: www.indiegogo.com/takealeap Enjoy your 4th. Rhonda W.

Saving For Travel

"You can’t accomplish anything worthwhile if you inhibit yourself.  If life teaches you nothing else, know this for sure: When you get the chance, go for it.” -Oprah Winfrey

When I think of travel, this quote resonates with me.  I have the chance to travel while I have health and strength, so I might as well go for it. Then the questions that comes up are, where do I want to go, and how will I pay for it.  And what I found out is that travelling doesn't mean breaking the bank.  Obviously there are costs to any type of travel. Transportation, food, and lodging are just a few of the major expenses to consider.  Rhonda shared with me some information from a blog reading that had a few tips for saving for travel.  Many that I currently use, and others I plan to implement. 

Open a dedicated savings account-name the destination and the time frame/year.

Think about what you're spending that you can slash- coffee and fast-food add up.

Put all extra money into the savings account- pocket change, work bonus, etc.

Get a side job- Whatever your talent, use it. In addition to maintaining full time careers, both Rhonda and I are pursing professional "side hustles" that we'll operate part-time.  I'm currently pursuing a real estate license and Rhonda a retirement financial specialist license.  We take our separate exams next month and the extra money from our "side hustle" will go towards the business, travel, and retirement accounts (ROTH, 403(b), etc).  We also want to "give back" in our community and help out family in need.

Connect to the savings- pictures, read articles and blogs. Keep end goal in mind.

Know how much it's going to costs- budget your travel in advance by writing it down, and sticking to it. Research destination and all identifiable expenses. Also consider an all inclusive package of 10 days or more. It often includes transportation/airfare, food, lodging, and attractions entrance fees.

Sell your stuff- Rhonda and I did this yesterday by selling our stuff at the flea market. We made enough to cover the table and a few "extra" bucks. A little adds up to a lot, and we have less clutter in the house! Yay!!

Keep track of what you make and what you spend before you go- use spreadsheets or sites such as mint.com.  I've personally used http://readyforzero.com to mark my credit card and loan payoff progress.  It keeps me accountable, and allows me to set goals.

The best advice I can give- Keep eye on prize, make sacrifices, and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE.

Why Int'l Travel?

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”

I'm not sure where this quote came from, but Rhonda and I have lived by this motto all our lives.  Our parents have always put an emphasis on travel. During the summer we'll make our way along the East Coast to visit family and friends, and a few attractions along the way (Six Flags Amusement Park, Howard University, Virginia Beach, etc). Neither of us took advantage of major travel during college because of lack of finances, and it's one of our biggest regrets. It wasn't until my first professional job did I realize that there was such a thing as business travel. Hence, in the past twelve years, we have both taken advantage of professional development opportunities that haven taken us from the East Coast to the West Coast.  So when our local community college advertised a tour to Italy via the Humanities Department four years ago, we couldn't let the opportunity pass us  by.  Our 8 days of international travel in May 2009 was very enjoyable, and to this day, I would look at my Passport and say, where to next??

In the past year Rhonda and I have followed several blog sites of African-Americans who have traveled abroad extensively. The idea for our show came about because we were fascinated by their outlook on life and the different journeys that led them to Take A Leap. Everyone we've talked to said that faith played a huge part in their journey. Yes, they missed their families like crazy and it can get expensive to live abroad (depending on destination), but many would not trade their experiences for the world.  

Another interesting take about international travel is that you can be yourself even in the midst of "cultural shock".  Or as is often the case, a better version of yourself.  Rhonda and I can be quite reclusive outside of work, but when we were overseas we found ourselves enjoying  "la mia dolce vita" which means "the sweet life". We woke up every morning eager to meet new people and explore new sites.  We kept that feeling going as we returned to the US, and it propelled us to do any and everything God set on our paths, no matter the obstacles.  Gone were the worries about finances. God has and will continue to make the provisions. Gone were the doubts that our family wouldn't understand. They are our biggest "cheerleaders" and "prayer warriors".  Gone were the demands of time, because tomorrow isn't promised. Take A Leap and show your support by donating to our funding campaign at http://indiegogo.com/takealeap.  $20 will get you a souvenir from a destination of choice that we'll be visiting, and copy of our DVD compilation of four short films.