The Reality Has Set In-

A little over a year ago I signed my intention form to raise $20,000 for the Uganda Seva Challenge through a yoga based leadership program, Off the Mat, Into the World. I am proud and thrilled to say by the end of November 2009 with the help from NUMEROUS generous family members, friends, acquaintences, and strangers my goal was reached! 160 people signed up for the 2009 Seva Challenge and as a collective group over $500,000 for Uganda has been raised. 21 people from across the US and Canada reached the $20,0000 fundraising goal and 4 of us are from Denver! I will be leaving for Uganda this Friday, February 5th and I will arrive there 10:45pm on Saturday night. Excitement, nervousness, fear of the unknown are some of the feelings I can put a word to right now.

I spent the day yesterday collecting a list of last minute toiletries I forgot to buy previously and many hours packing, unpacking, and packing again. I am bringing a huge duffle bag (thank you, Kristie:) full of donated items including children's clothing, baby blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, topical fluoride, and school supplies (pens, pencils, crayons, markers, educational workbooks, glue, scissors, word books, sticker books...just to name a few things). It took some strategic packing but I managed to fit the majority of items donated by generous friends into the duffle bag and keep it at right at the 50lb weight limit.

Then I went to pack my suitcase.....I tend to be quite the overpacker.....but I think I did okay....It's tricky because I will be gone for 3 weeks total. After Uganda I am meeting my husband in Kenya for a week and then spending 2 days in London visiting friends on the way home where it's freezing right now. I am hopeful that just piling on many layers will do the trick instead of packing any heavier clothing. I actually had room going spare in my suitcase to pack additional donated items....my plan was to pack the bare minimum for me so I can bring more for those in need in Uganda....and I think I successfully accomplished my goal!

As I was mentally going through the list of things I needed to do this weekend (laundry, buy last minute items, more laundry, pack, unpack, pack again, yoga, etc) I felt this all too familiar feeling inside of me that I haven't felt in awhile. It's hard to exactly describe the feeling (maybe nerves, excitement, anxiety, stress, my mind going a mile a minute and if I don't write down my current thought that is supposedly so important I will forget it......just a few ways to put a word to what the feeling inside of me was like), but like I said I knew this feeling.....oh that's right!.....it was the constant feeling I had inside of me the majority of 2009 as I was trying to accomplish all I set on my plate. In case you don't know me too well.....let me give you a brief synopsis of 2009:

1. I knew since January 2008 I was going to participate in the 2009 Seva Challenge for Uganda...so I signed my intention form mid January 2009 and 100% devoted myself to this wonderful cause! I can honestly say my life was consumed with creating fundraising event after fundraising event, checking and sending emails whenever possible to confirm/create events, meetings to discuss events and fundraising ideas, hosting events, finding my voice to show my passion for this cause, etc. I am still in disbelief the goal of 20k was met. I am forever grateful to all of you who have supported me through all of this, as it wouldn't have come together without your support, love and belief in such a world-changing organization.

2. Madison finally:) proposed to me in April 2008 so I also knew going into 2009 we would have a wedding to plan. I have to say, again, with the support of my lovely family and friends, our wedding wouldn't have come together without you! We were married on September 6, 2009 and enjoyed every minute of our fabulous wedding weekend. We couldn't have asked for anything more (well except for maybe some more sleep in the months before the wedding:) and we are thoroughly enjoying married life.

3. I also started school for my doctorate of Physical Therapy in January 2009. I decided to take 2 online courses the first semester.....I was definitely in over my head at some points.....and of course had some breakdowns (just with the wedding planning and fundraising going on concurrently......but I somehow made it through with A's in both classes:). After that semester I took on just 1 course per semester and still hanging in there:).

4. On top of those 3 major undertakings I was still working my full-time job (physical therapist for children birth to 3), teaching yoga 2-3x/week, practicing yoga daily, and still trying to have a social life (the social life definitley took a backseat in 2009.....something had to give).

I am surprised no one told me to stop wearing my shoulders as earrings with as much stress I was carrying around last year. I apologize if at any point I forgot to call you back, couldn't attend a social gathering you were hosting, and hopefully didn't forget to meet you somewhere or send you a birthday wish.

So, where was I going with all of this.....yes, that feeling I had inside of me all last year came back to me this weekend.....those of you who know me well are probably thinking "but you thrive on this kind of stuff"......which yes,is so true. I truly enjoy being "busy" and seriously didn't know what to do at first with all of my "spare time" after November.....luckily the holidays took up some time and I spent the majority of the past month mentally, physically, emotionally (if one really can) preparing myself for this adventure. Numerous times Madison told me as I was wandering around our home and fidgeting/poking at him "you need to find a new hobby". What that new hobby is...not so sure yet.....I figured after I return from Uganda I will figure it out.

My hope is to update this blog periodically throughout my trip (depending on how accessible the internet is) so please check back soon. If you would like more information on the Uganda Seva Challenge please visit my personal website www.ugandachallenge.com for specific information on the organizations we will be working with and my intention form!

Thank you again for your love, support, patience and guidance....I wouldn't have made it this far without you!

With Sincere Gratitude-
Danielle