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!

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.

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

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

She's back, kind of...

Back from Everest today ;0)

Updates soon