End of an Era

Operation: Nina to India!

Hey all,
I'm working on a big time update for you all to bring you up to speed on life. However, right now, my friend Nina has asked that I share with you an exciting journey of hers that is sure to be a life changing experience for her and others. Below is a message from Nina and I urge all of you to consider her trip and request for support :)

Hey family,

This winter I am volunteering abroad with Cross-Cultural Solutions to get hands-on experience working side-by-side with local people in Delhi, India. Volunteering overseas has been a goal of mine for many years, and the great thing about CCS is that they ensure their volunteers work side by side with people from the community to bring about real change! I am looking for 100 people to help make this dream of mine a reality! 

I am coming up with half of the funds for my trip on my own but fundraising for the other half. I am looking to family at this time to spread the word about my trip but most importantly for any support you are able to give, whether it's through your thoughts, prayers, or spreading the word about my trip. At this time I need your help to find 100 people to donate $25 for me to make this trip possible!

Your contribution of $25, or any amount you can pledge at this time, will go toward the program fee, which covers my pre-departure support, in-country orientation, cultural activities, lodging at a CCS Home-Base in a safe, residential community, all meals and bottled water, local transportation and much more.

Cross-Cultural Solutions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates volunteer programs in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, in partnership with sustainable community initiatives. Founded in 1995, its mission is to bring people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. Each year, over 4,000 people volunteer abroad with CCS.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in donating, all contributions are 100% tax-deductible and you can contribute by credit card and track my progress on my sponsor page online https://my.crossculturalsolutions.org/login.aspx (just enter my last name, Moses), or send a check to Cross-Cultural Solutions on my behalf. I really need your support and I appreciate any contribution you can make to help me by December 27th. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Cross-Cultural Solutions at 1-800-380-4777or 1-914-632-0022.

Please accept my sincere thanks,

Nina Moses

Week 7 COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND

the video: the first handful of pictures are a bit fuzzy for reasons unknown and some of the text/captions are a little too small. heads up. overall it should still be easy to watch especially with the blurbs below.

[the much anticipated] Columbus Day Weekend was EPIC.
It began with Thomas flying up from Florida to DC Thursday then driving home to Waynesboro where we went out for drinks, saw a few old friends, and played a little trivia.

Friday was my glorious return to WINTERGREEN. As you'll see above we took pictures of the breathtaking vistas and fall foliage. I was thrilled beyond words to stop by the office and see everyone on the mountain :)
Later that afternoon we met Brent at Devil's Backbone where we discovered a new seasonal gem: COFFEE BEER. so delicious. Kristi eventually joined us at DB for good times that carried into the night. Afterwards we set up our tent to mark our spot for The Festy (in the dark...a bit challenging and completely hilarious). Then T.Holt and I followed Kristi to her lovely abode where the merriment continued into the wee hours. Thomas got to watch the Phillies game and K and I were able to catch up and dish in our pj's. perfection.

The next day we got up, had a petite photo shoot in Kristi & Lance's backyard (notice the dazzling creek pics) and then packed up and headed back to Waynesboro.
After we showered up and gathered our gear/supplies for The Festy, we swung by Thomas's old house on Pine Ave and stopped by the Fall Foliage Festival downtown to snag some kettle corn.
The rest of the weekend was a knee slappin' good time at The Festy with folk & bluegrass tunes, more great beer & food, great company & chats, people watching, picture taking, camping adventures, and more tie dye than you could shake a stick at. Simply wonderful.

Week 7 was heaven baby.

(week 8 entry coming soon i promise)

A STAR IS BORN!

ATTENTION EVERYONE ON PLANET EARTH. I HAVE A VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT:

AFTER SEVERAL LONG HOURS OF LABOR (since late morning Monday 10/4/10) I AM THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE BIRTH OF

BABY WYNNE!

this precious girl is the first child of Erin and Mike Dinger.

No joke, I woke up this morning and felt like today was the day (as evidenced by my morning tweets) and then Erin texted :"are you ready to be an aunt today??" and Emmy texted me that Erin was en route to the hospital. BOOYAH. After a whole day of smiling non-stop and constantly checking in (yes, even during class) Emily finally texted me just after midnight that a healthy baby girl had made her way out into the world! 

I wanted to honor this little love nugget's birth with something special so while Erin was in her last hour of labor, Lindsey and I created this masterpiece in their honor: 

my webcam started to get a tiny bit exhausted so a little over halfway through and the audio gets a bit outta sync and but it's mainly a free-for-all at that point so i don't think it hurts entertainment value. 

Anyways, Baby Dinger, this one's for you.

Weeks 5&6 SmushedTogether

On account of having basically no internet for the past 2 weeks, 5 & 6 have been combined this time around. 

thoughts and highlights from weeks 5&6:

• The discovery of Kennebunkport Brewing Company's Pumpkin Ale. it's life changing. if you like Pumpkin Spice Lattes or pumpkin pie or pumpkin ANYTHING you will love this beer. LOVE it.
• Mint chocolate chip ice cream, red wine, and You've Got Mail made for the perfect slumber party with Nina. 
• Easily the best racquetball match against Rachel. don't you love when exercise is fun?
• the equinox came and finally it has begun to feel like FALL. leaves changing color, jackets, sweaters, hot drinks, football in full swing.....it's good to see you Autumn, my old friend.
• on Glee this week they made a Kids Incorporated reference. 100 BONUS POINTS. shout out to one of my favorite childhood shows. i had assumed disappeared into obscurity but alas, Ryan Murphy has resurrected it. high five sir.
• Pumpkin Spice coffee from Millstone rocked my world. When i'm not drinking it, i'm sniffing it. Sometimes i just leave the bag open to fill a room with its scent. like a hobo air freshener.

this next week is going to be EPIC so stay tuned for a special Columbus Day Weekend edition of Week 7!

Week 3

 

*note, "racquetball" is missing an "l" in the slideshow but that's because the text box got cut off somehow.... just so you know...i do know how to spell racquetball ;)

Highlights for Week 3!

• Pub Trivia with Steve at Auld Shebeen was a total blast and we didn't do half bad! Also we didn't cheat (ahem...table behind us.... fun-killers.)
• My adorable Korean professor that teaches my Cultural and Heritage Tourism class sported a Hello Kitty pencil bag. God bless her... she's so cute. 
• Racquetball with Linds and Rach was fun as usual but I have a feeling I'll be dethroned soon... (i'm becoming suspicious that they might be having secret practice sessions). 
• Friday night Linds and I decided to watch Return to Me (which is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITES ....linds had never seen it!). So endearing and well made....
• Nina and I decided semi-spontaneously to head home Saturday night (Kimberly dropped by for some wine time!) and attend polo at King Family Vineyards Sunday (an event Nina insisted on seeing first hand after seeing my pictures from this summer). It was brilliant with perfect weather once again AND we got to see Kristi (double bonus points!) Linds joined us for the ride to and fro so that she could see Chris at UVA and the three of us gals enjoyed two lovely car trips chatting and singing along to our various iPod selections. 

That's it for Week 3 ....We have some great stuff slated for the next few days so stay tuned for a report and slideshow of Week 4!

love

sca

week 2.... better late than never!

Sorry this one's a bit late everyone! It was one of those weeks where all the days bled together....anyways....enjoy!