Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Have a blessed celebration of our Lord's birth.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Katie Wears a New Crown!


Katie and Miss Michigan 2008 Ashlee Baracy


Congratulations to Miss Katie for winning
Miss Capital City!

We are so proud of you!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Good Luck Katie!


Katie will be competing at Miss Capital City this weekend,
so we wish her the best of luck!

Good luck to all contestants!

Smile pretty and have a great time!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Congrats to Rachelle Sweet


We just received this message from Rachelle Sweet.

I just wanted to let you know that I will not be coming to Miss Heart as a contestant this year as I just won Miss Washtenaw County last night!!
I will try my hardest to attend as a guest!


Congratulations to Rachelle!

If any of our 2008 or 2009 contestants is a local or open winner, or runner up, please let me know and I will share it with the world!

The Miss Heart ladies ROCK!!!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

paperwork, paperwork, paperwork

If you are thinking of becoming a contestant for Miss Heart, please get your paperwork completed and sent soon! Even though the deadline is in December, we will close the pageant earlier if we make our capacity.

To be considered as an "official" contestant, you need to send all paperwork, talent on cd and professional portrait on cd with your paperwork. You also need to register with CMN. Leaving out any portion of this process will keep you on a wait list until all is completed.

I do not want to sound grouchy about this, but our Miss Heart volunteers do not have time to go over every piece of paperwork, find missing information, wait for the changed or completed information, then go over it all over again...thirty times for thirty contestants.

Please make sure it is all there the first time. We want this pageant to be your best pageant experience ever, but we need your help to make it happen.

Monday, September 28, 2009

I am a Gram (sort of)

Mark and I have been friends for over 35 years (since high school). He escorted me down the aisle when I married Michael eight years ago.

Mark has a son, Matthew, who I have known since he was born.

Mark and Matthew and I had a lot of fun when Matt was a teenager. Matt was born on the same date as my niece, so we had great birthday parties. He was so much fun to feed! That boy could eat!

I got to play Mom/Friend for the two years that Matt played Varsity Football in Heartland. I did not miss a game! Matt always made a point to stop and say hi to his dad and me before he went into the locker room or headed for the bus. Since I never had children of my own, it was so nice to have a part time son.

Matt married Sarah a few years ago. I will always remember the wonderful expression that Matt had when he saw Sarah for the first time as she walked down the aisle.

Matt and Sarah had a baby boy on Thursday evening. Grandpa Mark is smiling from ear to ear. I decided that since I have known Matt since his birth, and I got to play Mom/Friend during his teenage years, then I can be a Grandma, too! So...I am a Gram (sort of)!

I cannot wait to meet my grandson!

Friday, September 25, 2009

News from Katie

Hello Family and Pals:

As requested, I am passing along the info that the rumors are true. I landed a job. In the midst of my Economic studies, I unexpectedly found myself presented with the opportunity to accept a full-time position working as a legislative Aide for the Michigan House of Representatives. Specifically, I am working for Representative Dudley Spade, a legislator who is commonly referred to as a “champion for children,” due to the fact that he is always working to ensure that the youth of our state are properly taken care of. He already has and will, no doubt, continue to serve as a mentor and role model to me.

It is a very exciting time to be taking on such a position in government. I can’t express how lucky I feel, yet again. Just another reminder that life always has a way of leading us right where we need to be.

Lots of Love,

Katie Lynn

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Katie has a new job!

I am so excited for Katie, "Miss, I work at the Capital now!"

This is her latest update...

The job is wonderful! I am working at the Capital and getting right into the mix of everything that is going on in our state in relation to politics, the budget crisis, etc. etc.. It is exciting, challenging and will be an incredible learning experience.

You go, girl!

Katie will update when she gets a chance to breathe!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

He made it home, finally!

I am sorry that I did not update right away. The nightmare is over. The van was fixed on Wednesday afternoon and Michael made it home late Thursday night. The engine sounds funny, but at least we can get it fixed here, instead of the middle of Wyoming.

Michael is now very busy trying to get layers of oil off the trailer and the motorcycle, along with the salt from the Bonneville Salt Flats. The oil covered the trailer and motorcycle when the engine blew and salt is in every nook and cranny of the van and trailer.

It is nice to have him back!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Engine Pieces

The sad news is that the van engine is in hundreds of pieces on the repair shop floor. More sad news is that Michael walked the twenty five minutes to meet the shop owner to check on progress. The doors were locked, the owner was gone and the engine was still in pieces, when the owner had told him earlier that the van would be fixed today. We are worried and trying to figure out our next plan.

This has been a very difficult five days. Prayers would be appreciated.

On a happy note, Katie did a great job in Illinois! I cannot wait to hear the details.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Still broken, only two hours closer to home

The van was supposedly fixed and Michael was on his way home. Michael made it two hours closer to home, but the van died again. This time it was in Rawlings, Wyoming.

He is in a very small town, in a very old, but clean motel and no way to get around town. The motel is seven miles away from the nearest grocery store. At least the motel has a great dog who keeps him company!

He will be there until Tuesday, when the replacement parts arrive.

Prayers would be appreciated. Thank you.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Broken

Michael is stranded in Evanston, Wyoming, with a broken oil something on the van. Not good on a long weekend...Replacement parts may make it tomorrow morning. If not, parts will make it next week. Prayers would be nice. Thanks.

Good luck to Katie this weekend! We are cheering for you!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

A Post from Katie!


Well, I made it to Hoopeston my friends. From headstands in tractor wheels, to acquiring a plethora of knowledge on corn, to spending time with incredible new pals from all over the country it's been nothing short of good times. More details later!

Monday, August 31, 2009

He made the record, but...

Heart of Michigan passed tech inspection for an alternative source motorcycle. Michael made four runs and gained 4 mph on each run. He topped at 95 mph. Michael made the fastest run on the Bonneville Salt Flats with a rotary engine motorcycle. The bike handled beautifully. However...

Once he went back to tech, the officials changed their minds for the type of motorcycle he was running. Since they changed their minds, they will not allow the record to be official.

They may change their minds back and let the record stick, but until then, I told him that he has to go back next year to make it official.

I will update if the mind changing happens before he leaves.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

96 degrees

Michael wondered why his feet were hot. He thought that he needed new shoes. Then he looked at the thermometer. 96 degrees! Even if he has the best shoes, his feet will still be hot at 96 degrees!

They recommend wearing old shoes on the salt. Shoes get ruined, so an old pair gets thrown away at the end of the week.

Michael is waiting for the salt to dry and make it feel more like pavement. The drier the salt, the safer the run. It rained a bunch last Monday, so the salt needs time to dry. Many drivers are making the attempt, but it looks like Tuesday will be his first attempt.

He also did not want to hang out in line for the track in his fifty pound black leather suit (maybe not fifty pounds, but it sure is heavy). He said the other drivers put on their suits, pour a bottle of water in, and zip up. The water keeps them cooler. Hot, wet leather does not sound like a good combination to me!

Michael is also an official red neck! He pours the sun block on, but it melts off and his neck is burning! It is bright red!

I am so glad that Michael is there, but I miss his cooking. For those of you who know me, I do not cook. My three favorite words are "dinner is ready." I have been whining for weeks that I have to cook for two weeks while he is gone. I am a great salad maker, so I have been dining on Farm Market lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, corn on the cob, broccoli, blackberries and peaches. I have had some wonderful dinners, but it is still not the same as Michael's incredible cooking.

More later!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

RE 5 Passed Tech Inspection

After a few hour wait, the RE 5 passed tech inspection. Many motorcycles are from professional racing teams and they did not pass inspection. Michael's one little tool box and a few spare parts put him in the running with the big boys! Michael is so excited!

He hopes to make a run tomorrow. Heart of Michigan has a job to do and it had better be fast!!!

More later...

Friday, August 28, 2009

Sheep Bottoms

When Michael told me about the sheep running, I did not hear the part about the sheep bottoms. Along with the running sheep, there were sheep already at the feeding station. It was covered, with small holes for them to feed, so all Michael could see were sheep bottoms sticking out of the holes. He was going too fast to take a picture, so you just have to imagine a feeding station of sheep bottoms.

More tomorrow!

RE 5 at the Salt


Michael was gate guard all day. While Michael was gate guarding, he spent the day watching the dog of one of the race prep men. Buddy the dog spent most of the day in his master's trailer. Michael was not his master, so Buddy did not want to play with him. It also could be the heat. It was 93 degrees a few hours ago.

Michael just told me that the Suzuki RE 5 is at the salt and ready for tech inspection. The RE 5 motorcycle is so rare, that almost everyone who came to the flats stopped to look at it today. Michael said there was always at least 2 or 3 people admiring the bike at the same time. He is ready to race!

More tomorrow. Heat at the Flats and rain in Traverse City, again. There has been so much rain and it has been on Saturday for weeks! Rain rain go away!

I forgot a great story. As Michael was driving through Wyoming, he saw a flock of sheep running full speed ahead. He could not figure out what they were doing until he saw their owner on a tractor, dumping food. They were a long way away, but knew the sound of the tractor meant food and they were going to get it, fast! You had to be there...

Thursday, August 27, 2009

He is there!

Michael arrived at the Bonneville Salt Flats an hour ago. He is ready to go to the meetings, get tech inspection over and run the bike!

Official opening is Sunday, so he will have time to see old friends and help the Bubb Racing Team prepare for their record run. He works with them when he is not preparing his motorcycle. They go really, really, really fast - over 300 mph! Too fast for me!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Camping in Cheyenne

Michael is snoozing in Cheyenne at another campground. You know you are out west when you have bbq for dinner at the campground and it is the best dinner in town. He said it was great! The corn on the cob was double the size of Michigan corn. Wonder why?

One more day to Bonneville!

The cows are loose!

Michael is driving through Nebraska. When he looked to the side of the highway, he noticed that the cows were loose. They were eating their way through the corn fields! I wonder how the farmer will react when he notices that they are missing, then finds them with a belly full of corn.

The black and white cows in Iowa are now brown and white cows in Nebraska. What color will the Wyoming cows be?

One more day to Bonneville! More later...

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Heart of Michigan

If you cannot see it closely enough, I will explain.
One of Michael's loves is motorcycle racing.
Michael is on his way to the Bonneville Salt Flats
to attempt a world land speed record on this motorcycle.

If you have never seen the World's Fastest Indian, I suggest you rent it.
It is a great movie!
Michael saw this movie and decided to go to Bonneville two years ago,
just to see the events.
He was hooked!
Now he will be one of the racers,
instead of just one of the observers.

The race team is appropriately called Heart of Michigan.

He is in Illinois, eight hours into the trip to Bonneville.
He has two more days to get there.

I will update daily with his progress.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Rumors, rumors, rumors!

Have you heard that the Miss Heart 2010 pageant is
all booked up?

Great story, but NOT TRUE!

Yes, we have already had several ladies
send in their paperwork.

Yes, we have several more who are interested in competing.

However, there is still room for more contestants.


We would love to have you join us.

Who would have thought that you would need
to send in paperwork for a February competition
in August?

I have the $10,000 answer to that question!

Just get your paperwork completed
and you will be on your way!


Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Miss Bay County

I got to be a judge at Miss Bay County yesterday! It was so much fun! The contestants were amazing, intelligent, beautiful and talented! I was so honored to be a part of the pageant.

Congratulations to Casey Crabtree, crowned Miss Bay County 2010, Alyssa Bedford, First Runner Up and Sydney Learman, Second Runner Up.

I also got to say hello to Angela Venditti as I was leaving. She looked so beautiful in her crown!

There was only one Miss Bay County crowned, so I would love to see the other ladies join us at Miss Heart in February. They can go from an 80 degree pageant day to a below zero pageant day!

Tell you friends what a great experience the Miss pageants are for you. Let's get more ladies involved!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Congrats to Rebecca and Gerrit

As they danced down the aisle,
Rebecca and Gerrit began their new life together as husband and wife.


After a wonderful dinner and great conversation with several guests,
Michael was able to steal them away for a sunset portrait.



Congratulations! We wish you the best!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Mrs. Gerrit Scholten

Congratulations to Miss Rebecca Ransom, Miss Heart 2008,
on her wedding day, August 15!

At 4:30 PM, Rebecca will begin her journey as Mrs. Gerrit Scholten.

Rebecca will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Congratulations to Rebecca and Gerrit!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Pet Tags

This is a different post than our usual happy Miss Heart news, but it needs to be said...

This is just a reminder to all pet owners to make sure that their pets have identification tags on their collars.

On Monday evening, we found a young woman crying over a dog that she hit with her car on Three Mile. It was a beautiful dog with a collar, but no tags. We had no way to find the owners. The police officer had to put the dog by the side of the road and hope that the owners found it.

Yesterday, the dog was gone. We are glad that someone found the dog, but so sad that the owners do not know what happened.

It is so scary when a pet escapes, but even more sad when something tragic happens and we do not know how to contact the owner.

Please have a tag with the pet's name, the owner's name and number and the vet's name. It will save much heartache later.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Congrats to Angela Venditti!



The great news keeps coming in about the accomplishments of the
Miss Heart ladies.

Angela Venditti just won Miss Oakland County!

Congratulations Angela! We are so proud of you!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Congrats to Rachelle Sweet!




Hi everyone!

Rachelle Sweet just placed 1st runner up at Miss River Raisin Festival!

Rachelle says she is looking forward to seeing you all in February.

Miss Heart ladies are the best of the best! You go girls!!!

Congrats to Stephanie Paulosky!

Congratulations to Stephanie Lynn Paulosky for National Cherry Festival,
Cherry Queen First Runner Up!

Stephanie is a beautiful woman!
We are proud to know her and have her be a part of Miss Heart of Michigan.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Go Stephanie!

We saw Stephanie Paulosky and the Cherry Queen court at Bay Pointe yesterday,
as they came to see Nick Vujicic speak.
They represented Traverse City beautifully!

Stephanie has lots to do this week at the Cherry Festival.
The pageant will be held on
Friday evening, July 10.

Best of luck to Stephanie!


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Nick Vujicic - Life Without Limbs

If your or anyone you know is coming to Traverse City this weekend, you are invited to join us at Bay Pointe Community Church for one of the most incredible services! Nick Vujicic gives an incredible story that will keep you in tears, while you laugh, too! Go to his web site for more details...lifewithoutlimbs.org

Services will be at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM. Go to bponline.org for more details. Bay Pointe Community Church is located at 6880 Secor Road, Traverse City, MI 49684

Michael and I will be greeting at all services, so would love to shake a hand or give a hug!

We hope to see you there!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Katie's Experience


What an incredible week…The Miss American organization (MAO)., a driving force in the development Our Poverty. Our Reality., made this opportunity possible. Not only has the MAO provided over $11,000 in scholarship funding for my education, but it has also given me the chance to speak to thousands throughout our state about the issues of domestic and international poverty, from public schools and community groups to television and radio interviews. The lives this organization has allowed me to touch and the funds it has allowed me to raise are things I could not have gained from any other place.

The caliber of young women that the MAO produces is indescribable. They are intelligent, talented, confident, and most importantly, they are kind. They are future leaders of this nation, women anyone would be mistaken not to want on their side.

Two years ago, when I decided to run for my local title for no other reason than to have the opportunity to tell kids in my hometown about the things I had seen in Africa, I had no idea of the role the MAO would come to play in my life. The friendships, generous scholarship money, and skills I have acquired as a direct result of the Miss America Organization are blessings that, as an ardent feminist, I never imagined would be attained through a pageant. This serves as just another simple reminder that things are never quite as they seem.


Katie Lynn ;0)


It’s funny, the winding path life takes us on to lead us right where we need to be.


My darling little cousin Nevaeh and me


Monday, June 22, 2009

Miss Katie images to come

Michael will try to get images of the Miss Michigan pageant so we can post them on the blog and you will be updated! We are so excited for Katie!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Katie is First Runner Up!

Congrats to Katie for a job well done!
Miss Michigan First runner up!
We are so proud of you!


Katie is Top Five!

Go Katie!!!!


Katie is Top Ten!

Michael just called and Katie is in the Top Ten! Yippee!! Go get 'em girl!



Saturday, June 20, 2009

Tonight's the night!

The new Miss Michigan will be crowned tonight!

Michael had breakfast with Gina Valo, Miss Michigan 2007. Gina had been overseas for some time, so it was nice catching up with her.

They had a fund raising auction on gift baskets today. Miss Katie's basket was the highest bid! The basket contained several items from Tibet and Nepal. Michael said the basket was beautiful!

The ladies are ready to put on a great show.

Best of luck to Katie!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Katie is at Miss Michigan

Three point five days down and what an incredible 3.5 they have been… Spending time with my pals has been more than a treat. From political talks to hours of laughter, I feel so incredibly lucky to be here.


I’m truly coming to terms with the unexpected role this organization has come to play in my life. The doors it’s opened and the strength and confidence it has given me, will, no doubt, serve an essential role for the rest of my life. Most importantly, there is nothing that supercedes the support system of the driven rambunctious women it has brought on. I’ll say one thing, these intelligent young ladies are individuals anyone in their right mind would want on their side.


With that, I must get back to rehearsing our snazzy dance moves and assuming my role of the instigator of all ruckuses.


Love and Smiles,


Katie Lynn


Sunday, June 14, 2009

Miss Michigan


Michael is in Muskegon with Katie today and later this week,
as she participates in Miss Michigan.

Katie will give it her all!

We hope to see you wearing the Miss Michigan crown!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Congrats to Stephanie Lynn Paulosky


Did you hear that Stephanie Lynn Paulousky is in the final four for the
National Cherry Queen?

Stephanie was fourth runner up at Miss Heart of Michigan.

Congratulations! Best of luck! We are cheering for you!


Saturday, May 16, 2009

Katie spent the day in Traverse City

Katie had a whirlwind tour of Traverse City yesterday. She spoke with Norm Jones on WTCM in the morning, signed autographs and dined at Sparky's Diner for lunch, then presented a program about Our Poverty, Our Reality to fifth graders at Immaculate Conception School. The children were mesmerized!

I will post photographs of the events of the day soon.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Katie's Home! Welcome Back!

Hello Hello,

Well, first of all, I made it back to the U.S. It's great to be home... all I can say is "Let Freedom Ring!" The phrase has never sounded so beautiful... seriously... I love the stars and stripes like never before ;0) AND appreciate whoever developed the idea of a shower inclusive of hot H2O... to that man or woman I am forever indebted... good bye bucket that served as my bath for the last 2 months and hello porcelain toilet that I can sit on...

A few things:

#1 The second annual Outrun Poverty 5K Run/Walk is coming up on Saturday, May 30th (weekend after Memorial Day) in Bay City. If you can make it, please come. Early registration deadline is May 18th. You must have the registration form sent out by that date if you would like to get the snazzy t-shirt. If you can't make the run, but still want a shirt, just send in the form with $10. Proceeds go to the school being built in Kenya ;0

#2 If you know of any organizations, youth groups or schools that would be interested in me putting on a presentation please let me know... Generally I cover the basic concepts of poverty using pictures and personal experiences from Africa, Asia, Central America, etc... can be tailored to groups age 6 to 115...

#3 The Our Poverty Our Reality web page should be up and running by tomorrow: www.ourpovertyourreality.org (All of my emails that were previously sent out will also be posted on the blog on that site as well).

Much Love,
Katie

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Everest Base Camp Adventures

Hello hello,

The last two weeks hiking through the Himalayas to Everest Base camp was amazing…pictures do this place no justice. What was it like? Well, somewhat like climbing a StairMaster for 4-8 hours each day with the air steadily getting colder and less oxygen rich… but the view made it so much more than worth it.

Short Story 1:
I was traveling with one Nepali friend, one Italian pal, and (for 8 days) two lovely Danish girls. Sitting around the yak dung fire we compared cultures, politics, and languages; embracing our similarities and laughing at our differences. Together we gallivanted along until we literally came to a fork in the trail. This marked the moment it was time to part ways with our Danish friends. We went right, and they went left. I was watching their backs when Linda turned around, with tears in her eyes as she gave one last wave goodbye. A wonderful friendship formed in 8 short days…I shall miss those girls... I do hope we meet again.

Short story 2:
I am preparing to clean up, which is a bit of a task with the temperature standing at 0 degrees C and the water feeling still colder than the air. Armed with a washcloth for a towel, a bar of soap, and a bucket, I only hope that my hands and feet will be numb for less than an hour this time. The other option… staying dirty… which, quite frankly, is what most do, inclusive of my dear smelly Italian friend.

Short story 3:
We’re finally walking down the mountain. We’ve made it and are feeling quite tough and proud of ourselves WHEN we pass this little old woman leading a pack of 20 senior citizens up the same path! We ask to find out how old she is… 83…EIGHTY-THREE! I’m thinking about the people I have seen (in their twenties) fall to altitude sickness, exhausted, sick and puking due to the lack of oxygen on the mountain, when this little "engine-that-could" trudges past me. There are no limits, people.

Back in Kathmandu, back to something reminiscent of reality…


One more heel stretch with some lovely Mountains in the background.


The best part of the adventure was that it was completely essential
that I consume a minimum of two Snickers each day
(over fourteen days...that's a Lot O Chocolate...I was in Heaven!)
;0)


Found a monastery in a little village on the side of the mountain...
morning rituals...


Much Love,
Katie



Friday, May 1, 2009

She's back, kind of...

Back from Everest today ;0)

Updates soon

Friday, April 17, 2009

Sisters of Mother Teresa


Some of the children I work with. We just got done with a dance lesson.
They are a joy.

The sisters of Mother Teresa are as beautiful, incredible and selfless as one would expect. The Sisters I met were sent to Nepal from Calcutta, after having trained under Mother Teresa herself. As we sat together chit chatting and laughing, one of the sisters (whom I believe was an elder sister) and I decided to be pen pals. “I am very happy with you,” my new friend from India exclaimed. “Well, I am very happy with you!” I replied in a very, well, typical goofy way. She shook her head smiling and handed me a small gift instructing that I say my prayers. “Come back to see me, Katie, and I will have a rosary for you” she said.

I walk into the shelter, eyes wide…
I see people who are unable to care for themselves.
They are covered in flies; missing hands and feet; blind and deaf;
one woman has a 4x4 inch round growth on her face.

I look over to see a little lady curled-up on a small round mat that is more than sufficient for her emaciated 65-pound frame. She is rocking… blind and deaf… rocking. I nervously approach and reach out my hand. We sit there together, unable to communicate as she touches my arm, my shoulder, my face, and still rocking, she begins to smile. She holds my hand tight, pulls me close, and we stay like this for 45 minutes, together embracing the joy of human touch, of love… among pain, blindness and a past I will never know or understand.

“Are there homes for the elderly in the U.S.?” a sweet 18-year-old Nepali
volunteer asks. After I reply yes, she asks “How are they different?”
I look to my right at the human feces lying in what I believe
is supposed to be a drain,
I look at the people covered in flies,
the woman pleading for medicine,
“They are just different,” I reply…

I’m feeding a beautiful old woman until she is too tired and wants to lie down. She puts my hand on her hip and says “pain, pain, pain all over” (In Nepali). I massage her hip, her arm, and shoulder. “Please, medicine,” she pleads over and over.
I am told
that they don’t receive medicine here.
From what I understand,
this is a place for them to “die in dignity…”

Regardless of the lack of medication in this place, the poorest of the poor
are cared for, fed, loved… as everyone in this world should be.


Katie




Monday, April 13, 2009

Katie's Adventures

I had the opportunity to journey to some ancient temples...
I walked past a cow burning in the street (a sacrifice to the god/gods),
saw pottery being fired and was taken by a young Tibetan
to view the astounding sand art and paintings crafted by monks.


A beautiful woman crafting a rug at the Tibetan refugee center.

Time with Olga

Hello Hello ;0)


Dinner and then coffee with an awe inspiring women has left me consumed with excitement and has fed the overt optimism that guides my life…


Olga Murray, to keep it brief, has single-handedly saved the lives of over over 6,000 young girls of Nepal, not to mention the thousands of children/mothers she has educated and saved from malnourishment. She has been on Oprah, was asked to be on Greg Mortenson’s board of directors (for those of you who have read the book Three Cups of Tea), and the list of accomplishments goes on.


Her organization NYOF works in the rural areas of Nepal where girls are sold, as young as six, by their poverty stricken families for $40-$70 into a “bonded” life of slavery. They are often fed scraps, given away as wedding presents and treated as possessions. Olga's method is that she gives the family a goat or pig (better than the money they would receive) in exchange for the girl, who she sends off to school. With $100, she is able to rescue a girl, pay for a year of education and compensate the parents with the animal. Just $350 pays for 6 years of schooling, which enables the girls to complete through grade 10 (equivalent to graduating high school).


The girls, educated on their rights, return to their communities where they organize clubs, write and perform plays for community awareness. They are now turning entire communities away from the practice entirely. If they find that a father in the village is going to sell a young girl, they will march up to the door of his home in their school uniforms to confront him…incredible.


With an organization Olga started just a short time ago, she is empowering an entire nation of women. The key is that after she is gone, what she has brought to these villages will carry on forever through the women, their children, and their children’s children.


Olga is now 84 years old. When she retired in 1992, she began this career. The message in this is that it is NEVER too late.


“I feel so fortunate,” she exclaims sipping on coffee, “I am now happier than I have ever been.” I can’t help but smile as her kind and still vibrant eyes look into mine… as I am utterly consumed by indescribable inspiration.


Check out Olga's website: www.NYOF.org


Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The Rest of the Story from yesterday...



In many villages throughout the world:


Health:

There is no hospital near and if one is sick they may have to walk hours to attempt to get treatment at a place that has few, if any, supplies. Many can’t afford 20 cent vaccines, mosquito nets to protect from malaria, or the dollar a day it costs to treat HIV…

If a drought takes place starvation sets in for men, women, and children…


Equality:

There are no police… abuse of women is often common and accepted… they are viewed as mere possessions… perhaps holding the role as the 4th wife

Girls as young as 6 are sold at the market by their fathers into a life of slavery for as little as $50… (more on this later)


Education:

If the village has a school, teachers are often not equipped to teach and supplies like books and pencils are nonexistent. The kids are needed at home to help with daily chores and an education, while highly valued, does not supersede the necessities of survival.


Don’t doubt that my stay in the village was incredible. The people of this place were beautiful and kind, and treated me like family. Still, problems associated with village life are vast and dire. The issues of concern, of course, differ from place to place but what seems to be consistent are those of health, equality, and education… things we still struggle with in the industrialized world.


Well that's all for now... later aligators- Katie

Monday, April 6, 2009

New from Katie - more tomorrow...


I am sweating like crazy but cannot remove my long sleeve shirt… a tank tap is all that I am wearing underneath and bearing my shoulders is essentially equivalent to being naked… the spicy fried Nepali food and warm milk tea increase my temperature still yet. (Recently I discovered that this lovely milk tea contains 15-20 grams of fat per serving. For fear of offending the wonderful people, I drink the FIFTH cup given to me today while mentally plotting how to start kindly turning down this Nepali staple!) I gaze out the window of the little hut at the children bathing and playing in the river below… I am overtaken with the beauty of this remote place. Movies are truly reminiscent of reality… I am in a movie.

The truck/jeep has picked us up and I am in the back end utterly squished. The vehicle is having a tough time due to the weight of the 15 of us packed into the back end and the additional 8 clinging to the ROOF. A Nepali man is shoving rocks under the tiers to get us up the hill and dust surrounds me like a thick cloud. I’m clutching a scarf to my mouth in effort to filter the air and squeeze my eyes shut to keep the dust out. This is our only option of get to the remote village… all I can think is “my mother would kill me if she saw this!”

The children from the village jet out of their homes to check out the spectacle of a jeep passing through, and after 10 hours of travel we have finally have reached our destination. Greeted by “namastes” and smiles I hand the woman who has opened her home to us a bag of cookies, and do my best to say thank you in broken Nepali. We’re instructed to wash our hands and feet and prepare for dinner.

Sitting on a square rug on the floor in Indian style I take on the task of learning to eat the erroneous amount of food placed in front of me with my hands (as is tradition, no utensils my friends!) Breathing deeply I struggle to swallow the last bit of curry, beans, and rice, when, to my surprise, she piles MORE food on my plate. Then, while filling a cup with milk from the buffalo that is five feet away, she instructs me to “eat, eat”. It is completely unacceptable to leave any food on your plate, so, miserably stuffed, I follow directions. After dinner, feeling blow up like a balloon and exhausted from the day’s dusty journey, I happily close my eyes as I lay on a firm straw bed and cover up with a cozy yak blanket. I just ate a dinner cooked over buffalo dung… I think…

Many of us have the perception that village life is one of idealistic bliss, emerson into true culture and the harmonious simplistic life of living as one with the environment. While this tranquil perfection is semi-existent in some communities it is far from compete…

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Updates from Katie

A darling little girl that I met visiting one of the temples


The woman lying next to me has fallen from a ladder and now faces internal bleeding and may have broken her arm. She is pregnant and in excruciating pain. We’re in a rural village and night has fallen. . I, with my $14.95 first-aid kit, seem to be the most knowledgeable person in the village… As they ask me if I can massage the arm that may be broken I try to explain, in failed attempts at Nepali, that it is not a good idea. The closest hospital is hours away and so she must wait until morning to make the journey to be seen by a doctor... Overwhelmed by the situation and the ease to which the people of the village accept what is going on I’m faced with nothing short of culture shock. As I sit there gently wiping the hair out of her face I see the pain in her eyes and am overcome with an utter sense of hopelessness… she is pregnant and in pain and there is nothing I can do. I've, once again, been immersed into the realization of how vast and immense the issues of this world truly are…


I have so much more to write but have to get to sleep... more later...

Much Love,

Katie


"In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged." - His Holiness the Dalai Lama


Monday, March 16, 2009

Katie's first blog from Nepal


Hello Fam and Pals!


I made it to Nepal, life here is quite nice...


I’m sitting on the roof of my home in Ekantakuna writing out this email by candlelight on beautiful handmade Nepali paper while I sip on Nepali Milk tea. It’s 3AM and I’m so excited about my second full day that I can’t sleep.


In two hours time I will be navigating my way through the dusty dark streets filled with people preparing their shops for the day ahead. I will press my hands together and say a few “namastes” (hello in Nepali) as I head to meet my new friend Kamala for a 2-3 hour yoga/meditation session with the people of renowned disciple Ram Dem.


Yesterday, surrounded by hundreds of Nepalese I struggled to follow along as they spoke a language so utterly different from my own. Then as the sun inched higher the color of my skin elicited the instructors to come over and kindly translate and give me some special instruction. Between each breathing session everyone stands up and does a silly dance… Kamala grabbed my hands smiling and we skipped around in circles like school girls. I felt myself letting go of my inhibitions. That is when I met my new Nepali friend and when I came to the realization that I was in love with this country.


Like any developing nation trash consumes the streets, diesel fumes make it almost impossible to breath, and there are beggars, frail and hungry, who never fail to form an unshakable knot in your stomach as they grasp their small children covered in filth.


It’s such an oxymoron to be surrounded by such poverty and to then look up and be consumed by the breath-taking beauty of Mt. Everest… my work begins on Monday… until then…


Lots of love,

Katie

Something to ponder: "One shouldn't worry about anything and everything (instead) to take thinks in stride and gain the faith that all things work out" - Mike Lilly

Monday, March 9, 2009

Bye, bye Katie

Katie is on her way to a far away country - Nepal!

Let's keep her in our prayers.

We will update when we hear from her!

Safe travels Katie!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Soon they will be done...

I have more images to post on the site from the Miss Heart pageant, but not enough hours in the day to prepare them. I still need to post the rehearsal images and the rest of the pageant. Soon, they will be done!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

An Afternoon with Katie

Katie came to Traverse City today for her first "official" Miss Heart portrait session.



She was such a delight to photograph!



We had a great time!

We especially loved watching Katie try to get her crown off her head!



She did it!


We look forward to many more portrait sessions with Katie!

More images have been posted on the site. More to come!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Images to come

One opening number image down, fifty or so more to go!

Soon we will have the entire weekend on the web.

Stop back and see what a great group of women can do in one weekend.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Congrats to Amber-Rose!

Congratulations to Amber-Rose Haywood for winning the title of Miss Shoreline
this weekend!


Amber-Rose and Rebecca will have a great time at Miss Michigan.
Hope you get to be roommates this year!

The Miss Heart girls are the best!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

What a Weekend!

If you missed the Miss Heart of Michigan Scholarship pageant on Valentine's Day, you missed a great show. The contestants were beautiful, talented, fun to hang out with, sweet, smart and did I say beautiful? They are the future leaders of our country and I am so proud to say that I met them. I was so impressed!

If I were hiring someone, I would call these ladies first. Of course, it would help if they liked what I was hiring them for, but that does not matter! I would hire them because they are leaders, they are quick thinkers, have great personalities and are beautiful, too.

I was so blessed to spend a weekend with such a high energy group. Next year, don't miss the show. It is the best!

Ladies, keep in touch!

Welcome to Miss Heart of Michigan blog

Welcome! We are looking forward to hearing from you!