Bowling Bash!

A big thank you to everyone who came to my Bowling Extravaganza Going-Away Party/Fundraiser last night! We had 19 folks bowling, and it was a lot of fun seeing folks one last time before heading out on tour! Here are some pictures my mama snapped of the evening!

The "Old Folks" as Mama Trow so nicely titled the group! =P

Mama (Leslie) Trow, Mommy, Jason, and Dad!

My Bro-Bro and Sis-in-Law

Me, Kyle, Liesl, and Ray...with QUITE the smile!

The Brothers Demos...aka Zack and Alex

Ray and Nick

Alex, Chesney, and Chelsea

Other Alex, Amanda, and Katie!

Lissy and Liesl

T-Minus 10 Days!!!

This seems so unreal to actually say that I leave for Orlando, FL in 10 DAYS! TEN!!! I've been waiting for this adventure since the summer of 2011, and now I can literally count the remaining days on my hands! At this point, my blog is going to turn from a source of fundraising and promoting to more of a personal diary of my adventures. I want to be able to capture this journey from start to finish, including my thoughts, fears, excitements, and all other emotions prior to leaving!

So...what must I do in the next 10 days you ask? Well...

• Work on my "host family" scrapbook (granted, I'll be scrapbooking while on the road, but I still want to prep the book a bit...maybe)
• Double check my sponsor dates with those who "Sponsored-A-Day" in my fundraising endeavors
• Shop for all my little necessary odds and ends, like lotion, face wash, cough drops, and those random things that I'll need for 6 months on the road. 
• Return some things from previous shopping endeavors
• Buy my ebooks for the college courses I'll be taking in conjunction with UWP
• Get my schoolwork in order (goodness knows I would freak out if I wasn't organized before "school" starts!)
• Do my HOMEWORK. Yup...I have homework already. I have 1 of 3 assignments done. Luckily, they're pretty darn easy for this first round.
• Host and have fun at my Bowling Extravaganza Going-Away Party/Fundraiser on Friday night
• Catch up with friends while we're all still in town!
• Get my haircut
• And...PACK! 

Oh mylanta am I nervous about packing! My anxiety is through the roof about packing the right things, making it all fit, and NOT going over the 50lb. limit! Fingers crossed I can do it! =) My suitcase has been sitting in my room ever since I got it at the end of November, and I've started throwing some stuff in that I don't use currently, but things that I wear day-to-day still haven't been packed. My room has exploded. I hate walking through the door every time I enter my room, but it's one of those situations that has to get worse before it gets better! Before I leave on January 4th...my room will be spotless!

Here's my wonderfully enormous, adorable, and awesome suitcase. We'll see how the packing goes!

Packing attempt #1...too much! Need to revise! BUT HOW?!? Ugh!

 

Cold Stone Fundraiser Update!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came and supported my fundraising efforts at Cold Stone the other day. In spite of the chill in the weather (name that tune!), we had an awesome turn out, and I managed to raise close to another $300 for my travels - so THANK YOU! And an extra special thank you to my boss, Paul, for letting me host this fundraiser, and to my parents and Nick - my special voluntary scoopers! For their first day on the job, they did a TERRIFIC job scooping, mixing, singing, and helping the customers! I think they all have a future as professional ice cream scoopers, should they chose to embark on such a prestigious career path! I couldn't have done it without them! =)

Updated Tour Schedule

UPDATED TOUR SCHEDULE!
Cast A 2013

Lakeland, Florida, USA (Staging and Orientation)

January 4 (for FSC coursework) – February 11, 2013

Fort Myers, Florida, USA

February 11 – 18, 2013

Orlando, Florida, USA

February 18 – 25, 2013

Vero Beach, Florida, USA

February 25 – March 4, 2013

Statesboro, Georgia, USA

March 4 – 11, 2013

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

March 11 – 18, 2013

Geneva/Versoix, Switzerland

March 18 – 25, 2013

Weinfelden/Frauenfeld, Switzerland

March 25 – April 1, 2013

Neuchatel,/La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

April 1 – 8, 2013

Vaduz, Liechtenstein

April 8 – 15, 2013

Apeldoorn/Eerbeek, Holland, Netherlands

April 15 – 22, 2013

Mol/Oud-Turnhout, Belgium

April 22 – 29, 2013

TBD, Europe

April 29 – May 6, 2013

TBD, Europe

May 6 – 13, 2013

Mexico City, Mexico

May 13 – 20, 2013

TBD, Mexico

May 20 – 27, 2013

TBD, Mexico

May 27 – June 3, 2013

Aguascalientes, Mexico

June 3 – 11, 2013

End of Tour/Cast Departure

June 11, 2013

PLUS the newly proposed 2 additional week tour to CUBA with members from Cast A 2013 and Cast B 2012! We're still waiting on the details, but here's to hoping I can extend my travels for an additional 2 weeks!

Cold Stone Fundraiser!!!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK!

 

Hello Friends!

Cold Stone ice cream, you say? Why yes! And what's even better?! If you come and eat delicious Cold Stone ice cream on December 9th from 12-3pm, you can help me raise money for my travel, performance, and service with Up With People!

Come into Cold Stone @ Highlands Ranch Town Center on Sunday December 9th between 12-3pm, and a portion of the proceeds go to support my travels (in addition to 1/2 of all tips earned!) I know it's December, and chilly ice cream doesn't always go well with winter weather, but never fear!

1) We live in Colorado! Chances are, we could have 80 degree weather that day!

2) Feeling festive? We have just the ice creams for you - including Dark Chocolate Peppermint and Ghirardelli Chocolate ice cream (both are to die for!)

-and if all else fails-

3) EVERY DAY IS A GREAT DAY FOR ICE CREAM! =)

***WANT TO HELP MORE?!?***

Of course you do! Fundraisers at Cold Stone work because, rather than having traditional paid employees working the counter, the group/organization (in this case, ME) brings in workers to be the substitute ice cream scoopers! I will be there working the entire time and definitely have my years of experience behind me, but I need help! Ever wondered what it would be like to scoop at Cold Stone? And sing crazy songs? And have a lot of fun?! Sign up for an hour shift (or more) and come join the fun (and discover muscles you NEVER knew you had!!!) Just message me letting me know you're interested! And don't worry - you get some training, and I will be there with you the whole time to help answer your questions (and you don't have to work the register or deal with any money!)

 

Invite all your friends! The invitation is open to EVERYONE! =)

Thanks, and see you Sunday, December 9th for an indulgent ice cream treat!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK!

Tentative Tour Schedule Announced!

I am so excited! I was on Facebook today and saw that a future fellow cast-mate posted a tentative schedule announced by Up With People for our cast! Before, we knew the general areas of where we'd be traveling, but this gives us dates and much more information! Granted, there is still a lot that can change and a lot that is yet to be determined, but how exciting that I know a bit more about my upcoming travels!!!

Lakeland, Florida, USA (Staging and Orientation)-January 12 – February 11, 2013 (I'll head out on January 4th to start the academic courses for the semester)
TBD, Florida, USA-February 11 – 18, 2013
Orlando, Florida, USA-February 18 – 25, 2013
Vero Beach, Florida, USA-February 25 – March 4, 2013
Statesboro, Georgia, USA - March 4 – 11, 2013
Atlanta, Georgia, USA-March 11 – 18, 2013 (my HOMETOWN!)
Geneva, Switzerland-March 18 – 25, 2013
Weinfelden, Fraunfeld, Switzerland-March 25 – April 1, 2013
Neuchatel/La Chaut de Fonde, Switzerland-April 1 – 8, 2013
Vaduz, Lichtenstein-April 8 – 15, 2013
Apeldoorn/Eerbeek, Holland-April 15 – 22, 2013
Mol, Belgium-April 22 – 29, 2013
TBD, Europe-April 29 – May 6, 2013
TBD, Europe-May 6 – 13, 2013
TBD, Mexico-May 13 – 20, 2013
TBD, Mexico-May 20 – 27, 2013
TBD, Mexico-May 27 – June 3, 2013
Aguascalientes, Mexico- June 3 – 11, 2013
End of Tour/Cast Departure-June 11, 2013

UWP Commerical - Europe

I was clicking around on YouTube and found this awesome commercial for UWP. I'd never stumbled across it before and loved the message it delivered. This apparently airs throughout Europe to promote the program. How cool!

Garage Sale Update!

Well, we successfully held another weekend of garage sales last week...Sept. 6-8, but we hit a HUGE snafu. A Douglas County Zoning Commissioner showed up to our sale on Thursday around 1pm and told us a neighbor filed a formal complaint with the county stating we'd had too many sales. WHO KNEW there was a limit on having sales? We didn't! We were shocked, and I was honestly in tears over the fact that ALL of my hard work was all for naught. I can't even begin to describe how many hours I've put in to organizing all of these sales, and now I couldn't even complete my fundraiser! What a nightmare!

Anyway, I snapped some pictures of our sale (round #2) so everyone could see JUST how much stuff we had for sale! I thought our sales in July were huge, but those sales have NOTHING on what we put out last weekend. We had so much stuff I was literally telling my mom to STOP bringing stuff out! We just didn't have room!

I would also like to pat myself on the back, again, because so many people walk up and go, "WOW!!! You guys know how to garage sale!" or "This is HANDS DOWN the most organized garage sale I've EVER been to!" or "This sale is unbelievable! Props to you for such a great set up!" etc, etc, etc. What can I say? I'm a STRONG Type A personality who really likes to organize! =) My mom is still convinced the job "professional garage-saler" is in my future. Ha!

Thank you, again, to everyone who has been so generous in their donations and support! I could not do this without you!

On Your Mark...Get Set...Garage Sales Round #2!!!

The time has come. Everyone in the Polete household has been gearing up for another epic month of garage sales! Our house has been bursting at the seams with all the donated items we've obtained in the last month...so much so that our 3-car garage is no longer a proper place to park our 3 vehicles. No, no, no, silly! The garage is for all of our merchandise! The cars are parked on the driveway! haha. We've literally filled up all three spaces and barely have room to walk anymore. Plus there's a huge stash still inside. I'm actually quite terrified thinking about how we're going to fit all of this stuff in the sale, because we had a full lot with the left-overs from our July sales. Now we've practically doubled our inventory! HOLY SMOKES!

Anyway - here's a preview! Make sure to stop by any or all weekends of the sales in September! We'll be here! And if you find it in your heart to help out and volunteer some of our time, I would LOVE YOU FOREVER! Truly...the more hands on deck, the better! Please let me know if you're free!

 

Plus about a gazillion other items! In the market for something in particular? Chances are...we have it!

Stop on by and see us! Starting THIS THURSDAY, September 6th at 9am!

Numbers From The Road!

A current UWP cast member I know recently posted this numbers sheet from the UWP Student Handbook. I thought it was super interesting and a new way to look at my semester to come! It breaks down a cast member's week and semester into numbers. It's kind of mind-blowing when you look at it like this! 

See for yourself!

In an average week on the road, you will participate in…
12 hours of community impact
5 hours of education workshops/discussion
5 hours of regional learning
6 hours of pre- and post- show set-up and strike (lights, sounds, stage)
4 - 6 hours of show rehearsal
3 - 5 hours of show performance

In an average semester, you will...
Volunteer over 200 hours on Community Impact Projects
Perform in 25 full-length Up with People shows
Attend 140 hours of education workshops
Stay with 20 or more host families

<----- New Songs, Check Them Out!

After purchasing the new 'Voices' CD when I saw the show last Saturday, I updated the playlist available on my blog under "Listen to Up With People." It's on the left column, so check it out and take a listen to some of the songs I'll be performing show after show on my worldwide tour! =) Enjoy!

<----- LOOK OVER THERE!

Or I could make your life easier and let you just listen here! =)
{ *note* there will be like a 5 second commercial for PodSnack...just keep listening }

Voices!

Sometimes it's hard to succinctly describe what my UWP experience will be like to those who have no previous understanding of the organization. This interview, however, sums it up pretty darn well. PLUS the Vice-President/Producer talks a bit more about the brand new show that my cast will be performing! Check it out! And if you're interested, GET YOUR TICKETS to see the PREMIER of Voices! on August 11th in Denver, CO! I just learned that proceeds of the August 11th show go to the victims of the Aurora Tragedy.

Click here for: Voices! Interview

Garage Sale Success! UPDATE TIME!

Holy Cow was July exhausting! We priced our little hearts out, organized til the cows came home, and put on three consecutive weekends of INTENSE garage sales - all with extreme heat conditions! They say it takes a village to raise a child...well, it takes a small army to put on a garage sale, and I certainly couldn't have done it without the help of so many! To my parents, Joyce, Mary-Jane, Aunt Sarah, and Katie for their volunteered time, and to everyone who graciously donated so many great items - THANK YOU! I'm already working on pricing more items for our next round of garage sales, but we're not thinking about those until September. August is our month to regroup, recooperate, and re-price! (well, not re-price old items...just go through another round of pricing, you know!) =)

August proved to be quite profitable (although, looking at the amount of things we still have left, you'd never be able to guess we actually SOLD anything! haha). In total, I made around $3,600 just from the sales! Amazing, huh? I'm excited to see what our round of sales in the fall can do.

If you've been following my fundraising progress on the little side bar thermostat <----- (over there), then you'll see I'm slowly but surely making my way to my goal! My end goal changes every time I think about it, but what I've been telling people is that the program will cost me about $17,000, but I would like to have spending money for travel, and the ability to purchase a new laptop and iPad prior to travel, so I'd love to go above and beyond the $17,000 mark. To date, I have $13,090 set aside for my UWP expenses!!! A HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped me make it this far! I look forward to applying for UWP scholarships in the next month or so, and continuing to raise as much money as I can for this amazing cause!

Don't think just because I still have a ton of stuff to sell in the garage sales that I wouldn't still appreciate your unwanted items! Cleaning out the house? Find something you don't use/want anymore? Just let me know! We take everything from little knick-knacks to large furniture items! Thanks everyone! =)

True Life: I'm Living in Perpetual Garage Sale Crazy!

Finally a post with pictures! I feel like blog posts with pictures are MUCH more engaging and exciting! =) So read on, dear friends!

My life, besides teaching with Petite Musician and decorating cakes at Cold Stone, has been solely dedicated to garage sales as a means of fundraising for UWP. My word have my days been crazy! Either we've been pricing, sorting, organizing, weeding out our own house, advertising on Craigslist and Amazon, setting up the whole sale, or working the sale itself. NON STOP! But - every little bit is helping me! So far, I've managed to raise close to $3,000 from two weekends of sales! Now...even though we've sold some big ticket items, most of those sales come from .25 cent and .50 cent purchases! Now if that isn't a testament to how much merchandise we have, I don't know what is!

Perhaps I should just show you, instead! =)

These two aren't for sale. They're my help! =)

We just keep selling and selling! And when we sell stuff, we go in to the house and bring MORE stuff out to fill the void! And when we run out of stuff in the house, friends and neighbors show up with more stuff for us to price. I kid you not when I say this is an ongoing, continuous process! 

My mother says if nothing else, I have a future as a garage sale organizer. I just get a big smile on my face when customer after customer walks up and declares, "My gosh! This is the MOST organized garage sale I've ever been to!" What can I say? I like organizing by "department" so people know just what they're looking at! Kitchen - check. Sporting goods - check. Clothing - check. Children's toy - yup! Crafts, baby, linens, electronics. You name it, we've got it!

Come by our sales and see more of what we have to offer! =)