Why India?

We are going to India.  In 10.5 months, we will be boarding a plane and traveling for almost 23 hours half way around the world.  Why? Why?  Out of all the places in the world, why would we choose India? Why not go to Hawaii? Or even Europe? Why go to an underdeveloped country? 

 

Lance and I like adventure, and I'm a very simple girl who does not require luxurious accommodations.  I've also been following the story of an elephant named Raju that was rescued in India during the summer.  While following his story, I became aware of the organization Wildlife SOS that rescued him. We started making reoccuring monetary donations to the organization, and I was surprised at their prompt responsiveness to us.  Each time I emailed them with a question, I received a response quickly.  Their organization does not exploit the donations.  Through Facebook, I began contacting other people who have volunteered with Wildlife SOS, and their praise for Wildlife SOS knows no limitations.  Wildlife has rescued abused elephants and dancing bears in India.  Most of the elephants in the Wildlife sanctuary are old.  They have lived a life of abuse and now deserve only kindness and freedom.

One of the elephants before/after she was rescued by Wildlife SOS

As we began discussing our 2015 vacations plans, it was difficult for us to agree on a location.  I truly wanted to visit in England so I could do a literary tour.  Lance was not to interested in that notion.  We then thought seriously about Washington DC, which would have been a wonderful choice had I not lived there for several years.  When the notion came up to visit India to be volunteers at Wildlife SOS, the entire family embraced it.

So basically, we are flying halfway around the world on vacation where we are going to to work and where we are paying to work?  Mmmm......it's an interesting concept, isn't it?  But I just love elephants and so do the kids and Lance.  I was actually surprised at how excited Lance was to be a part of this, but most people don't realize the very special bond that Lance has with animals.  He truly is an animal lover. 

As I'm an anal planner, I have begun the planning of this trip.  I don't go through any travel agent.  I do it all.  When we traveled to Europe, I did EVERYTHING.  Lance compliments me but at the same time he complains that I tend to overbook us with constant activity, but there is just so much to see and do.

 

As a volunteer at Wildlife SOS, you live in a house off the sanctuary property and a car picks you up every morning and transports you to the sanctuary.  There is one sanctuary that is devoted to the bears and one for the elephants.  We will spend one day working with the bears and four days with the elephants.  It is a week long volunteer program consisting of five days of work and two days off.  Some of our volunteer activities include:

• enrichment building
• grass trimming
• bathing/walking elephants
• cleaning up enclosures
• hammock building
• preparing food, cutting up fruit
• distributing porridge to the bears
• plumbing/maintenance
• leveling ground enclosure area
• removal of weeds
• fence cleaning
• methodizing tools

Wildlife SOS is located near Agra, India which is a city south of New Delhi.  I also learned the Taj Mahal is in Agra so of course, we will visit one of the seven wonders of the world.

 

People have already made comments as to why would you want to go to an impoverished country? Though it is about the elephants, it is also an opportunity to experience and see such a vastly different country.  I am not some weak girl.  I love the adventure of doing something completely different.  Plus, I think the kids will never forget this experience.  I think its going to change who they are.

 

With all this said, I want to share a few pictures of the volunteer program....

 

Traveling to India requires alot of preparation especially if you are taking a family of five.  Lance has been very supportive, but I'm also aware of his commitment to renovating the boat and the time and expense involved in that.  When I received my special bonus in the summer, Lance told me to spend it on myself.  I used it for the tickets.  When Lance asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said, "whatever you were going to spend on a gift, just put the money into our 'Raju' fund", which I used for the tickets.  Lastly, I am selling back 100 hours of vacation to fund this trip.  The wonderful thing about my job is that we are allowed to sell back vacation---that's almost a month's salary.  You see?  When I want something, I am very motivated, and I want to be able to experience this with my family.

 

I love elephants. I love how beautiful and majestic and kind and forgiving and intelligent and loving and family oriented they are.....They are one of the most beautiful creatures that God has ever created and if we as a family can do something small to make a difference then it is so worth it.

 

To sum it up in one photo.....why I want to go to India?  Why?

 

It's because I want to be a part of this... 

2015 Goals

I started writing a recap of the events that took place in 2014, but instead of focusing on the past, I thought it is better to divert our energy and attention to the future.  I want to have goals.  You have to always have goals because otherwise you stop growing and developing personally and professionally.  So, what are our goals for 2015?

 

 

Lance
 

Lance wants to lose 30 lbs.  He was doing so well, but when he had the ear surgery, his exercise stopped while he recovered and when he healed and was given permission to return to the gym, the habit was already broken and the motivation lost.  The holidays came and the weight slowly crept back on.  I recognize that I am an enabler because I buy him his favorite ice creams.  He cannot say no to ice cream.  He snacks because everything is available at home.  I am trying to be better.  I know I'm partially responsible, and right now, I don't have the time to train him.  He needs me to train him because he never pushes himself pass his comfort zone in fitness.  Lance also wants to be able to do 100 push ups and hold the plank for three minutes.
 

Lance also wants to continue restoring Tide the Knott.  He hopes to have our upstairs bedroom completely done.  He installed two windows which just open the room to an amazing view of the ocean.  He also hopes to have another bathroom complete with a shower.  Perhaps, we can spend more weekends here next year in 2015 as it becomes more comfortable.  Lance often tells me that having the dogs is such a blessing but they are also a burden to our lifestyle because I cannot go with him to San Diego regularly.  I have to watch the dogs. We have tried to take the dogs, but Lance isn’t able to get much work done because they are attached to his leg.  The follow him wherever he goes, and poor Bella does not like the loud noises from the tools.

 

Lance also wants to make a more diligent effort to talk regularly to his kids….at least twice a month.  It is so easy to get immersed in the business of daily life that you forget to nurture your distant relationships.  Lance also needs to get out to see Jaxon, our 4^th grandson who was born last February.  He is almost a year, and we have not seen him.
 

Dylan

Dylan needs to focus on improving his grades.  His big goal for 2015 will be, however, to get his driver’s liscense.  Yes, he is going to be 16 in mid 2015.  I have mixed emotions about him tackling this because it is a huge responsibility. Insurance for a teenage boy in California is astronomical, but I do believe him being able to drive will help relieve the burden placed on Lance and I. He could help take Mia/Brandon to their activities. I don’t have to give Dylan rides to his practices etc.  Plus, I can make him be my little “bitch” and go pick up some candy or Chinese food when I’m too tired to get out of bed.  

It is hoped that Dylan will get his first job next year too.  Of course, this is dependent upon his grades.  Dylan wants to work as a referee for the city’s basketball program.  He already has connections since he has been actively involved in the program as a player at age 9 and then now as a coach. 

Brandon

I personally want Brandon to get into GATE (Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program).  He was not admitted last year, which I have trouble comprehending because he is just such a gifted child.  I was in GATE and if I was allowed to be in GATE then Brandon by far meets the criteria because he is a thousand times smarter than I ever was at his age.  He is inquisitive and just has a grasp of complex issues.  Let me just say this.....he loves to watch the show Homeland.  What 9-year old boy can understand that show and not grow bored? 

Brandon will no longer play baseball.  I’m not too disappointed (long games and practices).  He will still play flag football and basketball. 
 

Mia

Mia struggles with school, and I just want her to reach a point where she is no longer struggling.  She lacks confidence which I think is her greatest impediment.  She is a bright girl, and I want her to believe in herself and how absolutely amazing she is.  She will continue to play softball.  Yes, I’m a sadistic and want to torture myself with long practices and double header games.  I also want her to pursue running because I think she has potential to be a great runner.  My goal is to have her complete her first half marathon at age 12.  Maybe Disneyland?  Mia wants to do cheerleading again so we will try to fit that in the schedule.
 

Buddy/Bella

Bella has regressed back to periodic potty/poop accidents in the house.  Her anxiety has worsened.  She is no longer on her medication, and we are just dealing with it the best way we can.  I want the dogs to have more excursions to the boat. The dogs absolutely love the water. Buddy will swim endlessly.  I want them to feel that the boat is their second home. We are not at a point right now where we can just leave the dogs on the boat and go out to dinner or run an errand.  While in San Diego, someone has to be with the dogs all the time.

 

Liz

I will run the 2015 LA Marathon in March, and my goal is to decrease my finish time by 10 – 15 mins.  Will I ever run another marathon again?  I think so because I really want Dylan to run the 2016 marathon with me.  Once he runs one with me, I think my marathon days are done.  When the marathon is done, I'll go back to my weight training, and I want to be able to do 50 male push-ups and 5 mins of the plank.  The most I have ever done was 4 mins of the plank and 40 male push ups.

 

 

I also applied for a new position.  Change is always scary, but I think I have a great chance.  I’m doing it mainly to expedite my early retirement.  I want to retire at 52 (Lance will retire the same year at 65) and this new position will shorten my work period by two years.  I do pray, but I will not pray for this job.  What I do pray for is that God just does what is best for my family and me because I don’t always know, and he does.  I have faith in him. 

As a family, we are traveling to India in November.  It is 10 ½ months away.  I’ve already created a draft itinerary.  I’m anal. 

2015, we are ready!!!!

Ho, Ho, Ho--Merry Christmas!

our Christmas Cards

Christmas Morning
 

I love Christmas, but can it be anymore exhausting? I realize that exhaustion is a prevalent theme in my blog, but I can't help it.

There is so much  work that goes into making a 'perfect' Christmas from buying/wrapping presents, decorating, cooking, cleaning, and all the assembling of the presents, but gosh--it is my absolute favorite holiday! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE Christmas!

The kids were with their dad for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  They need to spend as much time with their paternal Great Grandma.  It's a huge gift to know your great grandparents.  They came home on Christmas afternoon so we didn't begin the festivities until 2 p.m.  Lance and I went on a date to Bucca Di Peppo for Christmas Eve, and our morning was relatively quiet.  I went for a 6 mile run in the morning (yes, in shorts and a tank top!) and I finished the rest of the wrapping.  This arrangement I have with the childrens' dad ends up working well because it give me the extra time to prepare.  I don't feel so stressed Christmas Eve and morning.

When the kids arrived home, they were eager to immediately begin unraveling all the wrapped gifts.  Brandon got to be Santa and hand out each present.  It took us well over an hour to open everything.  Lance sarcastically teases me by mimicking me, "now, this Christmas is going to be really small because we are saving up for a trip to India. Don't expect too much."  He then adds, "I don't see this Christmas being any different than last Christmas."  I tried to be more economical this year, but I wasn't too successful.  My family celebrates Christmas big time. We go all out. I just love spoiling my family. 

The fun stuff???  Mia got a bunch of 18-inch dolls, accessories and clothes for these dolls, and Barbies.  Brandon received several Lego sets, and Dylan got primarily money.  He intends on buying an I-Pod.  Lance got the rest of his military service medals.  We will make a shadow box to proudly display these medals. He also received a beautiful blanket made by his friend Keith's wife.  It is Navy colors.  Personal homemade gifts are the best.  Our daughter Jessie is so thoughtful.  She asked me what she should get her dad, and all he really cares about our sentimental gifts so I suggested she write him a letter about the kind of father he was to her.  Her letter was thoughtful, sweet, and simply beautiful.  Lance read it, and I know he will be embarrassed with me publicly saying this, but he had tears in his eyes.  It touched him that much.  I got alot of elephant stuff, dressers for my gym clothes, a fondue set, and a camelback for hiking.  Buddy and Bella were also spoiled with gifts.

I'm ready to hike.  We need to get one for the kids too.

Melted cheese with bread and veggies or chocolate....ooooh, I cannot wait!

Brandon made this great ornament for us.  He said it was patriotic.

my super cool sweatshirt.

elephant pajamas!!

Mia made an ornament

a few of the many,many, many medals

It's all about Nike! Shaving kit for my young man

Dylan received almost 300 dollars

Look at all that Lego

These are all clothes for the 18 inch dolls

two Polar Bears

reading his letter from Jessie

She got three dolls for Christmas to add to her collection
 

The biggest gift for us all though were the tickets to India. Yes, we are officially going to India. I purchased the tickets, and I got an amazing deal.  I've contacted Wildlife SOS, and we have reserved our dates.  I recognize that I'm so anal about planning.  Our trip isn't for another 11 months, but it is a complex trip that requires alot of planning.  I don't go to a travel agent.  I do all the planning myself.  To prepare for the trip, the kids also got their own luggage.  I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!  It is going to be an extraordinary experience....somethings that is going to be a life learning experience and will be able to give back to this beautiful world.

about to open their suitcases

 

the aftermath....ugh....

With the help of Costco, I prepared a delicious dinner.  Before we ate, we said a prayer.  It is very easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas with all the gifts etc, but I didn't want to forget because the greatest gift we did receive this year were blessings from God.  People don't realize this about me because I don't attend church and I don't speak openly about it, but I'm a deeply religious person.  Everything I have in life is all because of God, and I will never forget that.  Even on Christmas Eve, Lance and I prayed together.  I am just so grateful.  It makes me cry.

Let's Eat!

 One last note, Lance is finally learning.  I made it easy for him this year, by putting everything I would like into my wish list on Amazon.  He just had to click a button, and he was smart this year by paying the extra fee to have it gift wrapped.  The last three Christmases were sore because he often would shove the shipping boxes under the tree.  My husband is finally getting it.

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!