Amazing folks in Arizona

 

My wish is that all of the roadies are as blessed as we have been with incredible contacts like these folks.  Missing them already!

  

Richard, Kathy, and Tony.  Kathy not only opened her home for us, but she also cooked for us and made us snow ice cream.

Aaaand, the only downside to the trip thus far = very broken mirror which is now duck taped. Glamorous!

Constant upside=my team.

Flagstaff to Phoenix

First of all, I have to say that the road has been treating team Mountain West pretty good thus far.  We have been absolutely blessed with incredible contacts in Flagstaff, who have been housing us, hanging out with us and feeding us.  I could go on (and on, and on) about each and every person who made our Flagstaff stay one to remember.  I have a good feeling that I will be back to visit some of these incredible people again....yes, they were really that great!  The only downside to FS was that our screening today was canceled due to the snow.  It was a total bust, but we have our chins up high after an incredible first screening on Sunday night. 

We're now in Pheonix, and we'll be here and in the surrounding areas for the next week or so.  I skyped with the family AND the Pacific North West Roadie team, as they are all under one Morris roof for the night.  It was so awesome to see them all, but it stung just an ounce because I couldn't be there with them.  I'm pretty sure they had three servings of homemade apple pie (al la mode, of course) while we were chatting.  I just can't wait until May when Mountain West passes through E-town for cherries AND cherry pies galore!

And drum roll please......here is the semi-official Mountain West tour route!

 

 Thats all for now.

My love,

jess

p.s. follow us on twitter:)

Mountain West Tweets!

Colin O'Shea is the man behind our Twitter account, which is one of many reasons why I love him...another being that he makes me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts. 

From pre-road to starting on the road

It was a bit chaotic and stressful the week before we left because we were trying to get everthing solidified for the road-screenings booked, host homes set, team dynamics figured out, last trainings fulfilled-but, like it always seems to happen, things fell into place and we were so ready for the road on wednesday morning.  I basically had to repack all my stuff, and that was a minor stress since I probably brought too much stuff.  Luckily I was able to leave some stuff behind with one of my friends.  Packing up all our merchandise was another task, but it was fairly quick and painless, considering that teams on tours past were at the office until 2 or 3 am the morning before launch.  We were chowing down on pizza and watching the Ugandans arm wrestle at 7 pm because everyone was finished packing up the vans.  Quite an accomplichment. 

Launch day was perfection.  It was a quintescencial San Diego morning at Mt. Soledad, where we all joined-staff, interns, local family and friends, and roadie teams-to say our goodbyes and launch this groundbreaking tour.  I didn't think I was going to get emotional because I was so excited to start the journey that we've been preparing for.  But, what I didn't prepare for was having to say goodbye to the friends who were embarking on the same journey in different regions across the US, or those who are staying in SD as office interns.  It was strange because at some point all of the people who I have been living, working, and playing with have become great friends whom I care very much for. 

We drove most of the day on Wednesday and got to Flagstaff that night.  We ended up having a huge sleepover at a church facility with three other teams who were stopping in Flagstaff before continuing their trek across the states the next day.  The funny thing was that our team took a differnent route than the others, so when we finally met back up in Flagstaff that night (11 hours later), it felt like a blissful reunion after weeks.  Sounds silly, but because we've been spending 24-7 together for the past five weeks, it was so strange not to see them for a whole day.  It was a great last night together...lots of laughing and teaching of traditional Ugandan dance.

Yesterday we went to the Grand Canyon. Amazing. Magnificent.  Mind-blowing.  Not much else to say but that.  It was a great team bonding day, and I think I had another realization yesterday that we are so blessed to have our Ugandan friends along with us on this journey.  So many things that we don't take the time to appreciate or enjoy-like a wagon wheel bench, or a statue of an indian-is a novelty to them.  It has made me slow down and take more time to appreciate the little parts of the scenery and experience with them. 

Ok, I know this is an uber long blog...so much to catch up on and I am still leaving heeps out. Here are a few pics....in order: launch dinner, crossing the Arizona state line (shout out to Janae:), and the Grand Canyon with my team.  I'm working on putting together a little video to share with you guys as well.  Hopefully soon.

my love, Jess

Week 4

This weekend was amazing-friends on Friday, studying, movies and Ugandans arriving on Saturday, and family on Sunday.  Having mom, dad, Matty and gramps here for the morning was exactly what I needed before we leave next week.  I am continually reminded that there is no way that I would be able to be here and embracing this experience without their support.  They keep me counting my blessings!!!

In case you wanted to check out a bit more about our Ugandan friends and their first days in the CA...Check out the IC blog:)

All is well in San Diego...
Hope things are just as well with each of you!

my love,

JD

Our Ugandan friends are here!

They told us at the office yesterday that the Ugandans would be arriving tonight.  Knowing that was enough to throw us into a fit of excitement, and then we found out that we were to meet them at the airport!!!  Obviously, we have been consumed with anxious anticipation all day.  We made signs for our arriving teammates and mobbed through the airport 60 people deep.  We lined up by teams and waited.  And waited.  When we saw the 16 of them we were freaking out.  Literally jumping, screaming, some crying, everyone hugging.  Tony and Richard, our advocate and mentor, were equally excited, although they may have been a bit overwhelmed by our zeal.  I cannot wait to fill you in on how next week unfolds.  I am sure there will be many stories to be shared!

Our "Welcome Tony and Richard" poster.  Made by our graphic artist genius, Colin.

Some favorites so far

(I started writing this on  on  Wednesday 2-3)
The older I've get, the faster time seems to go.  It's quite scary actually.  The past three weeks have flown by with record speed, and I wish that I could slow time down at this point.  I am excited to hit the road and put into practice all that I've learned already, but on the other hand I truly love being in the office...and the roadie house has its comforts as well.  If only I could only stretch the time out...

However, I do wish I could fast forward to our Ugandan Advocates being here!  We found out yesterday (2-2) that they have all 16 visas and are good to fly out here on Friday! Here are the faces of team Mountain West.  This is a page from our promotions packet, so it is a bit small.  Tony (top picture) is our Ugandan advocate, and he was in IC's first movie, "Rough Cut".  Richard is Tony's mentor and he will be traveling and advocating along side us.  More pictures to come:)

Check out our Legacy Tour page

Besides working, training and booking our tour, we do try and find time for some fun.  Here are some of my favorite times thus far...

 

 An obvious favorite...dominating the Chase competition.

The night of the Monster Truck rally.  Sporting flannel, trucker hats and any other repulsive accessories, we headed to the rally...just to turn around and come home because they were sold out of the cheap tickets.  After the letdown, we returned to La Mesa and headed to the Roadie hangout Pete's.

...and this would be us at Pete's.  I wish you could meet these people, they would blow your mind!

 

  

Karaoke anyone?  We hit the diviest bar around for some classy karaoke to celebrate Nathan's birthday. One word: hilarious.

 Meet half of my team: Colin, Megan and Nathan.  Taking these photos was so much fun, and probably a fair indicator of how we will make our experience on the road.  These people have quickly become my friends. I admire their selfless commitment to work and the people around them.  Did I mention that they are hysterical?  As Nathan puts it, "we all speak the language of sarcasm." 

Thanks for checking in...

All my love,

Jess