The hiding is over (part 2)…

…. continued from here.

Me: Heather (then Patterson) in 1999.

In 1999, I was living in Nashville.  It’s a long story.  It needs a novel to do it justice.

And after a long process of fighting the secret inner yearnings (of wanting to perform… wanting to shine… wanting to be heard…) – I eventually reached an agreeable compromise within myself;  that it would be okay / permitable / not TOO sinful – if I were to become a Christian Artist.  Again – I justified this decision within myself.  I wouldn’t be one of those “compromising” Christian Artists, I told myself.  I wouldn’t be one of those Christian Artists who were too-ashamed-to-use-the-name-of-Jesus in their lyrics.  Or one of those Christian Artists who only-wanted-to-be (more pious gasps of horror!) famous.

Oh no, not me.  I would be a good and pure Christian Artist – and I would write songs and sing (for-the-Lord… of course).

This gave me a kind of an excuse… a disclaimer I could use… a way that I could once again enjoy the stage and the platform that I secretly yearned for – but not be judged for it (especially by myself).

I put together a collection of 4 songs for a demo.  (One day, I’ll be brave enough to feature them on my blog).  And I created a little promo pack which included some info about me… as well as some photos.

The photo session was a tough pill for me to swallow.  A friend organised it for me.  On the one hand, I loved being pampered and having make-up professionally applied and my hair done.  It stirred something deep inside of me… which made me uncomfortable because I felt it was a… vain… feeling.   I remember looking in the mirror and liking the reflection that stared back – but before I could enjoy that feeling (of liking myself)… it was instantly overpowered by a stronger thought of condemnation;

“Who are you to be talented, gorgeous, brilliant, fabulous?  Who do you think you are!?”

“Vain!” – I hissed at my own reflection.

And deep down, another little piece of me died…

FAST FORWARD TO 2007…

Our friends, James and Anel Alexander, had just finished filming their first full-length feature film titled “Discreet” and Nick and I were invited to the wrap party.  It was mid 2007 and I was working full-time as a graphic designer, running my own business, COPS Creative Corporation.

I didn’t enjoy the work.  Most of it was for corporate clients and there wasn’t much room for creativity.  It was all about deadlines and stress.  I’m not even sure how I ended up with that business.  It was mostly a case of not being able to say “no”.  There had been too much demand for my work as a freelancer and I couldn’t bring myself to turn down clients or say “no” – so I had hired another designer to help.  It grew from there.

In 2007, my self-esteem was at an all-time low.  I often used to ask myself:  “Is this it?  Is this what people work so damn hard all their lives to achieve?   Work, eat, sleep.  Work, eat, sleep.  Annual holiday at the coast.  More work, eat, sleep.  Grow old.  Retire.  Die.  Is this all there is to life?”

This question plagued me.  It kept me awake at night.  I felt like I was missing out on something.  I felt as though I had been swept up by the tidal wave of life and dumped unceremoniously on a shore that I never intended visiting.  It felt like all my childhood dreams were rusting on some dark, dusty shelf… hidden in a locked room – and I had long since misplaced the key.

And then, I went to that wrap party.  And something happened.

James and Anel played a small promo video of their movie to all the party attendees.  Anel looked breathtaking on that big screen.

“Wow! She looks beautiful!”, I thought.  “She’s really shining.  Her passion is her acting and it’s so obvious – she’s really doing what she was designed to do – doing what makes her come alive”.

And then a thought occurred to me:  “I also want to shine. I also want to feel alive.”

Immediately – the familiar voice of condemnation countered:

“Yes, but who are you to be brilliant, fabulous, talented, gorgeous?  Who do you think you are?“

I immediately felt the tears stinging the corners of my eyes.  So many years of secret condemnation.  So many years of feeling ashamed of who I was.  So many years of hiding in the shadows.  So many years of feeling inadequate and useless.

I went home that night, my mind whirling in a dark maelstrom of arguments and accusations.  I needed some time alone to confront myself.

“Who do you think you are?  You think you’re great?  You think you’re talented?  Think you’re like Anel?  You’re not like Anel!  She’s a REAL actress!  She’s beautiful!  You’re not beautiful!  You’re not talented!!” 

“Who are you to be brilliant, fabulous, talented, gorgeous?  Who do you think you are?“

And for the first time in years – I didn’t heed the words of that ugly, pious little voice.  In fact, with my heart pounding – and with tears in my eyes, I blurted out wildly:

“I am Heather!  And I have the fucking right to BE happy!!!”

There was silence.  I calmed myself.  I felt a release – as though I had taken the first steps towards my own freedom.  Even saying the word “fuck” felt so liberating… I had been prohibited from swearing for so many years… had done the Good-Christian-Thing for so many, many years.  I had lived to please others for so many, many years.  Whether it was other people – or even my own twisted understanding of God… it was always all about somebody else.  It felt as though something had snapped… a lock had cracked open… a secret key had been discovered.

And I felt as though God was smiling… laughing even.

“I’m going to learn to like myself, maybe even love myself”, I declared.  ”And, I’m going to shine like Anel.  And I’m going to do what makes me come alive.  And I’m going to rediscover ME!”

The following month, I shut down COPS Creative Corporation.  Just like that.

And I launched The Beautiful Life Project in November 2007.

Part 3 coming soon….

The hiding is over!

I’m sure many people have read (or heard) the following quote by Marianne Williamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful, beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves:  ”Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?”.  Actually, who are you not to be?  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won’t feel insecure around you.  We were all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It’s not within some of us, it’s within all of us.  And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others”.

In this (probably rather long-winded) blog post… I am going to tell you why this little paragraph of words has had such a meaningful impact on my own life.  Brace yourself for a long overdue Heather-vent!

When I was a child, I loved the theatre.  I was very actively involved in a children’s amateur theatre group called Protea Choral Society.  Every year, they would put on a couple of big shows at the town hall – and every year – for about 6 years – I was on stage and involved.

Performing for my family. I'm the one in pink, relishing the moment. My sister is the one in red, looking a tad awkward and embarrassed.

I loved everything about theatre.  I loved to act, loved to dance, loved to sing.  I loved the opportunity to express myself in a creative way.  I loved the rehearsals, the learning of new moves, the practicing of new harmonies.  And I absolutely loved the excitement of “Show Nights”… the backstage rush, the make-up and preparation, the glittery costumes, the behind-the-scenes nerves… and, the best part, walking out on to that bright, beautiful stage and sharing my art with the world.  It… ignited… something deep and profound within my heart.  It made me come alive.  And yes – I also loved the thunderous applause.  How wonderful it felt to be ‘acknowledged’… to be ‘seen’… to be ‘heard’.  It would put me on a high for days.

Then something happened.

Somewhere around the age of 13, I quit theatre.  At the time, I had been branded by my family as an insufferable show-off… and I probably was.  I remember that I loved telling jokes – and trying to be funny… but my poor attempt at humour usually fell flat in the presence of my family – and especially my mother who seemed almost… embarrassed… by my feeble comedies and would regularly pull me aside and instruct me to “stop showing off”.

Additionally, I could not help comparing myself to my older cousin, Bev… who was a ‘real’ theatre actress and had won all kinds of important awards for her theatre work.  Who the heck was I to think that I had what it took?

And so… somehow… somewhere… between the ages of twelve and thirteen, I finally resolved that I would stop showing off.  I didn’t perform or act in another theatre production again.

THE DIMINISHMENT YEARS

When I was 16, I joined a church youth group – and it wasn’t long before the youth leaders discovered that I had a creative / musical talent.  I was soon invited to participate in skits and plays again (usually for Outreach purposes).  This time, I secretly justified my participation.  Church skits and plays were “For The Lord” – whereas my performances at Protea Choral Society were “mere entertainment”… something meaningless, vain and valueless with no long-term benefit.

Over the years, this misplaced sense of piety overtook my life to such a degree that I deliberately diminished myself… and felt somehow… noble… for doing this.

It wasn’t “about” the audience.  It wasn’t “about” the stage.  It wasn’t “about” the fun.  It was All-About-God.  I was singing to An-Audience-of-One… and only One.

I would deflect any praise or compliments that people gave me.  ”Oh, it’s not about me – it’s about the Lord.  He deserves our highest praise”.

or… “I can only hope and pray that the Lord uses my mouth and my songs to speak into the lives of the lost”.

This self-righteous attitude of mine started off well-meaning enough, but grew like a weed over the following decade – to the point where I actually looked down upon and scorned other Christian singers / musicians / performers who were involved in (insert pious gasp here) “secular” productions… which I used to label – with contempt and disgust – as “mere performance”… as though it was a sinful, awful thing.  As though it was selfish and wrong for Christians (who were supposed to be God-focussed) to actually ENJOY the thrill of performance, theatre and the (add a pious shriek of horror here) applause of PEOPLE… when they ought-to-have-been focussed ONLY on the Applause-of-The-Lord.

I remember a poem I wrote during those years – some of the words read:

I have no need of compliments, nor people’s vain applaud.  This is no proud performance – my song is for the Lord.

That poem was written during a particularly miserable time in my life (somewhere around 1998).  A few of my friends were involved in bands and performance groups which were doing really well – but, instead of celebrating their successes – I deeply resented them for it.

In a nutshell, I was deeply, viciously jealous!

But pretended, instead, that I was spiritual, righteous and… justified.

My poem was all a lie of course – a lie that I wanted to force myself to believe.  Because, deep down in my heart – I yearned for acknowledgement  (I think we all do).  Deep down in my heart – I wanted to step out of the shadows… and be SEEN… and be HEARD… and to SHINE.

Much like Marianne Williamson’s quote… I was the one continually asking:  “Who am I?”

• Who am I to be brilliant?
• Who am I to be gorgeous?
• Who am I to be talented?
• Who am I to be fabulous?
• Who am I to… shine?

It seemed so… wrong.  It seemed so… self-absorbed.  It seemed so… shallow.  It seemed so… vain.

And so, I resolved to be NONE of those things. Not brilliant.  Not gorgeous.  Not talented.  Not fabulous.  Not anything particularly noteworthy or noticeable.  Instead, I would be just an Anonymous-Person serving-in-the-shadows-for-the-Lord.

And… every day, a little piece of me died…

(Part Two is here! )

Proud of my husband – annoyed at the “system”…

The poster for Semi-Soet - starring our friend, Anel Alexander - and Nico Panagio.

I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of my husband.  Yesterday, we were at the Joburg premiere of Semi-Soet, the movie.  Nick was both the director of photography – and the editor.  So – basically – he shot and edited the film… and sweated blood and didn’t sleep properly for months.  And did a fantastic job too!  As “The Wife”…  I know how HARD he worked.  I know how LITTLE he slept.  I know how many hours and hours and days and days that he spent in front of the computer and behind the cameras.  I know about the intense stress and pressure he was under. I know all the planning and prep that went into every shot.  And I know how early he would rise for shoot days – and how late he’d get to sleep at night (after packing all the gear and going through all the rushes).

Most of the actors… the faces… would arrive at their call time – and then leave… and sleep.

Not so for the crew – who always had to be on set FIRST – and were always the LAST to leave.

(NB: I generalise here with my words “most” of the actors – because all credit in Semi-Soet really needs to be given to my friend Anel – who not only played the lead role – but also, with the help of her husband – PRODUCED the movie too!  And they, too, sweated blood and worked harder than anybody else to get this movie out…)

It bugs me that in the film / media industry – a huge, big deal is always made out of the “actors” – the “faces”… the “stars”.  On the one hand, I get it.  People usually go and watch a movie based entirely on who is starring in said movie – so I totally “get” that the PR has to be about the actors.

When Nick and I arrived for the premiere – there was a long line of press on either side of the red carpet – waiting to interview, film and photograph all the VIP’s.  Everyone was clamouring for interviews from the famous faces… all South Africa’s well-known actors and celebrities…  but the guy (ie: my husband) who actually… ummm… “made” the film… who physically shot it and who physically edited it… well, he was largely ignored.

Nick didn’t mind (he’s not a limelight kind of guy) – but his Proud, Protective Wife was indignant and annoyed on his behalf .

I wanted to shout at the press:  ”Hello!?  Director of Photography and Editor coming through!  Guy who actually MADE all of these actors look amazing…  guy who didn’t have a “life” for months and months….  guy who didn’t sleep for months and months… and without him, there would be NO movie!!…coming through!!! Helllo!!!?”

But, ja.  This is how the industry functions – world-wide.  We “see” and “hear” and “acknowledge” the actors and the movie stars all the time – but seldom do we give much thought to the ‘invisible’ people behind the scenes – who sweated and stressed and worked so damn hard to make said movie happen.  Witnessing Nick’s journey has really given me soooooo much empathy and respect for movie crews the world over… because all we ever see are “The Famous Ones”… and all we ever see are the actors – and maybe some of the most well-known directors – but mostly the actors… the “faces” – the glory always goes to them.

But those behind the scenes… those who pour their guts and lives into the art of filmmaking – are so seldom seen or adequately acknowledged.

This will probably never change.  It’s simply how the industry functions.  And usually, the behind-the-scenes people are okay (to a degree) with this.  But I feel… indignant… on Nick’s behalf.  However, he doesn’t seem to mind too much.  He simply enjoyed the process of making this movie – of creating pictures out of words – of telling stories with his camera.  And he got a real kick out of seeing all his hard work on the big screen – and really, really enjoyed listening to the laughing and the positive reactions of the audience.  It’s stuff like that which makes it all ‘worth it’ for him.  Nick doesn’t mind being The Background Guy.  Nick doesn’t mind not being “seen”.

But I mind.

OK.  Rant over.  All of that said, I am very proud of my very talented husband… but also of my good friends – James and Anel Alexander – especially!  And our director friend, Josh Rous… and of a number of other friends – and really, really great people who made this movie.  In spite of the “System” that peeves me – I cannot fault the people themselves.  Semi-Soet have a lovely cast and crew… genuinely NICE people… and it was lots of fun making new friends!  The movie opens in 2 weeks time in theatres across South Africa.  Go watch!

The VENT! Reunion

Two weeks ago, I was in Sasolburg again for the VENT! Reunion…  it was time for us to show the participants the VENT! doccie – as well as hand out the promo packs for each of the participants.  I loved seeing everyone again – so many good memories – so many dreams… and I was delighted to hear about how many of the VENT! participants have been taking their dreams further than I imagined!  Woo-hoo!

Here’s some pics…

Martin - Visual Arts participant - he painted the artwork on this T-shirt. Isn't it awesome?

Everyone was sooo happy to see each other again!

James - aka JMX (one of our 3 rappers)

Mami & David - Mami has since enrolled herself in beauty school and has opened a little salon at her home. David has opened up a new video editing business and is doing SO well.

Everyone had to squeeze in to a small spot to watch the DVD - but we managed...

Me doing my little talk...

More Heather-yakking...

VENT! participants of 2011...

Jano and David are now OFFICIAL owners of their own baby businesses (their new business registration forms are inside those folders they're holding).

The stuff that really ticks me off…

I’m a peace-loving person.  I don’t like arguments or fights.  I’m not very outspoken, in general.  I don’t like being abrasive. I try hard to respect people whose opinions differ from mine – and try to see the world from perspectives that differ from mine.

But there are some things that get my blood boiling…  many things…

Here’s some of them:

Some of my greatest irritations arise from the ridiculous expectations placed upon women by our Western-influenced diet industry, beauty industry, fashion industry, entertainment industry – and of course – the Media as a whole.  I hate that Chinese girls are comparing themselves to $%&#! Barbie – and finding themselves hopelessly inadequate.  Some are even opting for eye-enlargement surgery in order to “fix” their Asian shaped eyes.  I hate that African models are only accepted on international fashion runways and platforms, IF, to quote a well-known modelling agent, “they look like white girls dipped in chocolate”.

I hate that eating disorders are soaring amongst women and girls who feel they’ll never measure up (or, rather, down) to that Size 0 ideal.  I hate that teenagers are booking themselves in for botox injections and breast implants at the age of sixteen – under the encouragement of their mothers!

I hate the way that advertisers teach us, from a young age, that as girls… as women… the utmost important thing in life… is they way we LOOK.

Can I just say right now?  Utter Crap!!  There are many things far, far, far, FAR more important (in life) than the way we “LOOK”, aka: how much we weigh, how many wrinkles we have, what clothes we wear, etc.  How we LOOK is very low on the scale of Life’s Important Things.  I can think of a hundred things more important and valuable in my life – than The-Way-I-Look.  Of all the insanely… insulting things to insinuate about a woman’s worth – that she’s simply Eye-Candy… a decoration… an item on display.  Ewww!

I hate that hundreds of thousands of women have flocked to the surgeon’s office to attempt to squeeze themselves into the narrow-minded, cookie-cutter ideal of ‘beauty’ as rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous media and fuelled by greedy corporations.

I hate that women in some conservative, religious nations are beaten and murdered by right-wing extremists… the “Morality Police”.  I hate that so many women and children are physically, sexually and emotionally abused… and that human trafficking remains a ripe and profitable industry (slavery is still very much alive – only underground – for the sexual pleasure of disgusting perverts).  I hate that certain cultures feel that it’s okay to smack their wives around occasionally ‘if they deserve it’ – or that women and girls are ‘asking to be raped’ if they wear short skirts.

I can’t stomach the porn industry and the resulting objectification of women and the sexualization of young girls.  I’m incensed by female circumcision, mutilation and other ridiculous acts of disempowering and humiliating women and girls – and don’t even get me started on the sexual predators and pedophiles!

Now, these problems are staggeringly enormous – and happening right now, world-wide.  It would probably be easier for me… easier for all of us… to reverse in to our comfortable suburban existences – and figure that the problems… the things we so desperately would like to see changed… well, they’re just too ‘BIG’ for us.  They’re insurmountable.  They’re un-fixable.

I might say something like this:  “What can ONE suburban mom-of-two DO about issues that are so out of control?  Rather let the governments and the super-celebrities… or the uber-wealthy sort it out.  What can I do, anyway?  What possible difference could I make?”

But no. I don’t think that way (any more).

That ship has sailed.

I have got to do SOMETHING.  My conscience will not allow me to turn my face away.  I may not be able to solve all of the world’s problems – but I can certainly play MY small role… and do SOMETHING.  And if enough of us did SOMETHING… wow – imagine the possibilities!?

Watch this!

So… with my extremely varied, pretty crazy, yet never-ever boring life… one of my favourite initiatives has been VENT!

It has been soooo hard for me to explain what VENT! “is” – in a way that is concise…. and because, as usual, it doesn’t fit any boxes whatsover – it’s hard for me to articulate the concept or the project to somebody who wasn’t there to see it themselves.  SO!  Without further ado, here is a short little video / doccie which tells the full story of VENT! – (yay!)…

 

A different kind of Christmas and a happy new year

I’ve been wanting to post these photos for a while – but… life is hectic.  This past Christmas, my family (meaning my mom, my sister and my husband) decided to do things differently.  We didn’t want Christmas day to be all about family politics, expectations, and what one “ought” to be doing on Christmas day.  We didn’t want to faff over roast turkeys, table decorations and trees.  We just wanted to relax and enjoy the day… and each other.  Additionally – I didn’t want my mom or my sister to spend their money on additional presents for my kids.  My kids already get way too many presents at Christmas time (from Nick’s side of the family).  I didn’t want my mom and sister to waste their money… and additionally, I didn’t want to add to (the already oversized) mountain of toys… many of which are poor quality imports which break after only a few weeks (or, more often than not, days).

So… Mom and Soo decided to MAKE Christmas presents for my children… and additionally, they decided to make the presents using only “junk” or scraps of this and that they had around the house.  I thought it was a lovely idea which would really encourage creativity and resourcefulness – but when I saw, for the first time, what my mother actually made… I was aghast!  An entire kitchen for Morgan, made entirely out of boxes and bits of scrap plastic!!!  And Joah got a layered village for all of his cars….  again, made out of old boxes and bits of scrap!  WOW!

Soo made a shiny cloak for Morgan (which she and Joah were fighting over, only yesterday)… and a Gobble Monster for Joah to feed (and store) all his bugs and dinosaurs (or to wear as a mask).

Being a particularly sappy and sentimental type, I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me that Mom and Soo spent so much time and effort on creating these beautiful gifts!  The best part – is that they’re still in great condition – and are still played with on a regular basis.  Morgan has created a “restaurant” and “feeds” Joah and Zara, her friend from next door.  Zara, of course, also loves the cardboard kitchen.  Joah’s favourite thing about his Car Mountain is parking his cars in the little carports next to the mini houses – and driving the cars into the “underground parking”.

So a HUGE thanks to my incredibly created and talented mother and sister! X

Here’s the photos…

Car mountain - with cute little houses (each with a carport)...

A big parking garage, a bridge, a petrol station - and the entrance to the Underground Parking...

Joah sorting out his cars. He LOVES Hot Wheels!

Morgan "cooking" something yummy for Joah and Zara...

Morgan's Restaurant...

Hanging up dishcloths...

Taking out the washing...

Joah's turn to do the washing...

Preparing food...

The fridge...

Morgan with the Sparkly Cloak that Soo made for her...

Joah feeding the Gobble Monster...

Joah - acting like the Gobble Monster... (that's a growl)...

Our first WOODO FUNdraiser…

So… last weekend, we hosted a crazy, created “Funk our Junk” workshop at the WOODO Warehouse.  I’m pretty chuffed to say that it went soooo well!  We had loads of very positive feedback – and people stuck around for quite some time after the event, not really wanting to leave… which is always nice.

I have written a decent blog about it on the WOODO blog site - and I’ve included loads of pics.  To read more, click here.

A new blog!

I am soooo tired writing this… can barely keep my eyes open!

I have spent the day at our new WOODO Workshop – sorting out mountains of donations and all kinds of other stuff.  Basically, this mini post is just to let you know that I have launched a blog just for WOODO (Women who DO!).  It’s here:  www.woodowomen.wordpress.com

And I have also just published some lovely posts with lots and lots of photos…  so if you’re at all interested in my project WOODO (women who DO!)… that’s the blog to visit!

Okay – time for a quick nap before we go out this evening… x

Another Inspiring Tearfund-time…

Only 2 weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to, once again, be a part of a reunion of the Tearfund “Inspired Individuals” from all around the world. This time, it was a quick journey (for me) – since Durban was chosen as the destination where we would all meet.

Omigosh – what a ridiculous privilege to be a part of this incredible group of people!  Every time we meet, I am so amazed… so inspired… by all the beautiful stories – and how some of the most ‘ordinary’ folk are doing the most extraordinary things!

We stayed at the gorgeous Bel Aire Suites on Durban beachfront and spent 5 days chatting… connecting… sharing ideas… sharing our stories… and collaborating.  As always, I am hugely grateful to Tearfund, Gary Swart and Sean Callaghan for making this all possible!

Happy greetings at our "Welcome Dinner"... since we live all over the world, we don't get to see each other that often...

Prabu from Sri Lanka and Tracey from South Africa - two of my very special, and VERY inspiring friends.

Discussing, sharing, collaborating....

Sasa from Burma sharing some of his AMAZING story while Gary & Tracey look on...

We did a LOT of talking...

Beach time!

The Asians challenged the Africans to a game of volleyball... (it was SUCH a stinking hot day that I lasted all of 30 minutes on the beach before retreating back to my air-conditioned hotel room!)

MORE chatting and collaboration... this time over good coffee! yum!

We took a stroll from our hotel to Durban stadium...

Then we went up the big arch in this little cable-car thingy... (not recommended for those who are afraid of heights)

Me... on top of the Durban stadium arch...

That's the view downwards - into the stadium. I like this pic.

An exercise we all did together. Check out all the countries represented! Love it!

Sean chatting to us about enlarging our impact.

And then we went on a harbour cruise (which I loved!)

I find harbours fascinating. One day, I would love to do a proper harbour tour - and I'd like to explore those massive ships and cranes and understand how it all works!

Some of the guys standing in front of the boat... I had a "Titanic" moment (but can't find the picture - hehe!)

Some very inspiring women from around the world... (this was inside the boat)

Joel from DRC...

Ephrahim from Malawi

On our last night, we had a celebratory dinner - and we all dressed up in a way that represented our countries. From left: Swaziland, England, India, Uganda (x2), Sri Lanka, Malawi & Uganda. I love, love, LOVE it!

The men on our last night in Durbs... I don't have a picture of all the women, because I was IN that picture...

That's me with Sasa (from Burma). What a very funny - yet extremely inspiring - guy! He had us all doubled-over with laughter most of the time.

In all… a wonderful experience and adventure.  I feel extremely grateful and fortunate!