Back for more - Round 2 of Indian Wells (March 2012)

This time we did it in style. We flew into LAX and rented a Dodge Challenger (Jason is big on his cars ;) We spent 2 nights in Palm Desert watched some world class tennis at Indian Wells.

Then drove down to Las Vegas where we got upgraded to a fancy suite at no extra cost at the Rio. Definately the most luxurious place I have ever stayed in.

 

After a fun night at the Rio we got up early to join World Class Driving on an adventure to Red Rock Canyon. Jason drove the Audi and Jaguar and I got to drive the Ferrari. I have to admit that I was a little less excited and more nervous when it was my turn. I couldn`t stop thinking about the huge deductible I would have to pay incase something went wrong. In the end it was a very memorable experience.

We then continued on to visit my friend Jen in Santa Barbara and on the way stopped in Los Angeles to watch a Jerry Seinfeld show. We also managed to squeeze in a trip to Universal Studios where we did some indoor sky diving.

Highlights:

• Meeting Gasquet, Benneteau, Wozniaki, Nester and Lopez
• Hitting the fastest serve
• Having good times in Vegas
• Driving a Ferrari
• Earning my indoor sky diving wings
• Go Karting with friends and family at K1
• Seeing Jerry Seinfeld live

48hrs of Driving for 2 days of Tennis (Indian Wells) March 2011

This is what happens when you put 2 tennis fans together with 5 days off work and school. My best friend Jason and I decided to rent a small RV and drive from Vancouver to Indian Wells California. We drove through the night and 24hrs later arrived in San Bernardino where we took a shower at my cousins place and spent the night in the parking lot. Dodging rush hour traffic through Oakland was nothing compared to dodging furniture lying in the middle of the highway. Swerving out in a RV left me speechless for a couple of hours.

 



It was the first time either of us drove or lived in a RV and we both agreed that it was the best but maybe not the cheapest way to do this trip. A lot of the time on the road was spent with me singing songs and drinking lots of Lime Perrier. We got to our location in one piece, except for hitting an awning as we entered the tennis grounds.

It was perfect - meeting up with my awesome friend Jen and her mom carrying a plate of chocolate chip cookies (my favorite), enjoying the sun and watching some of the best tennis in the world.

 

Highlights:

• Meeting John Isner
• Visiting Berkley University
 

Was it worth it?

Absolutely!

The come back.

After realizing that I am already forgetting key events of my trips the past 3 years I have decided to "kick start" the blog again and will start by filling in the blanks and post about a few previous trips first.

A day in the life of a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from South Africa

What does it actually mean to be a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar? It is not just to study...but more importantly, become one of the local community, do service projects, make speeches, learn about the local people and culture, and share about myself and where I'm from.

I am so thankful for my time here in Victoria, British Columbia - I know it was the right decision to spend a year in this unique place, where I've learned increased independence and expanded my worldview immensely. Thank you ROTARY INTERNATIONAL and DISTRICT 9350 for choosing me as your cultural ambassador and for your generous scholarship - I've represented South Africa to the best of my ability, connecting not only with Canadians but also with graduate students from various different countries and other South Africans at an International Conference in Toronto.

Canada is best known for their maple syrup, multiculturalism, free health care, hockey, Mounties, bears and not to forget the beaver, but after having an insider perspective Canada to me also represents:

- Friendly and fun people

- Educational opportunities



- Beautiful scenery


- Outdoor activities



- and Unforgettable and inspiring friendships.



Some of the puzzle pieces that help form this amazing experience include attending conferences in Toronto and Vancouver, watching Olympic and Paralympic events in Whistler and Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games and meeting the South African Paralympic athlete Bruce Warner



and also appearing on the daily news talking about 'Paralympic excitement'



I also had the opportunity to work with some leading edge researchers, teach classes at the University, train National Special Olympic Athletes, travel to 10 different States in America, meet the Senator of Tennessee



learn how to surf, kayak, play slow pitch and basketball and daily watch deer graze in our front yard.



Rotary hopes to promote peace and prosperity throughout the world by building a vast network of communication and by spreading the common value of helping where and however each person and each club can and I hope to continue to stay involved with Rotary for the rest of my life. I hope to encourage students to try for the Ambassadorial Scholarship, and I hope to promote the continued funding of Ambassadorial Scholarships among Rotarians.

This is such a valuable program for acquainting South Africans with new places and new ways of life. It gives me such inspiration, it is such a wonderful challenge, and it feels so good to volunteer that I know that it will always be an integral part of my life. I am hoping to travel a fair amount in my work. Hopefully I will be able to help start Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs in the places where I travel. At the moment, I will do whatever I can to help Rotary and to help future Ambassadorial Scholars.

My years of service have taught me that working for a better world is not always easy. But every time I faced tough challenges or lost my sense of efficacy, my community of like-minded individuals would unfailingly come to the rescue.

It would be a privilege and I look forward to sharing with Rotarians and outside organizations alike the importance and impact of the work of Rotary International.

Chapter 12: Whistler

After dreaming about it for a couple of years, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Whistler for a few days.



It was an amazing trip, talking at the Rotary club and spending time with some very kind and friendly people. (A big THANK YOU to David and Rosemary Malaher, Sheila Walker, Joanne Younker and Brian Rode)



It was snowing a lot while I was there, and I think it will take me more than a couple of days to get tired of the snow. It is so magical!

I felt kind of out of place (not being use to all the snow), but when I walked into a store or mostly Starbucks it was normal for people to ask how it is up there today...guess I looked like a local ;) ... The first time I had to break the news that I have actually never ski/snowboarded and that for now I am just here enjoying the scenery.

But then the next time I got a little more creative and it went something like this. "O yeah, it's amazing, I woke up early this morning to get up the hill - outer limit (expert, double diamond slope) for fresh tracks, it was snowing so much my tracks were erased almost instantly when I made them, I hope the weather stays like this because we want to go Heli-skiing tomorrow."

I did tell them the truth in the end, and we all had a good laugh.



School has been going very well, I have been getting involved with some very interesting and exciting projects and I'm really looking forward to the 2nd semester starting in Jan.



If this looks complicated, don't worry I'm right there with you. The more I learn about Neural Science the more fascinating it gets, and no, I do not consider myself a nerd or anything of that nature. Rather like the very respected Brian Regan would say "I am a learner of things". :)

Some highlights:

• I booked my ticket to go to South Africa in July, yay!
• I have been learning a lot making presentations at different Rotary clubs, it truly is a unique and wonderful opportunity.
• The most important lesson I have learned lately is that it really doesn't matter where you are, but who you are with. -People and relationships are one of the most important things in this life -
  

I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and may 2010 blow your socks off!

Love it!

- Charles Swindoll -

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness, skill. It will make or break a company, church, a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes!"

- Mother Teresa -

"People are often unreasonable, & self centered -
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives -
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends, & some genuine enemies -
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest & sincere people may deceive you -
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight -
Create anyway.
If you find serenity & happiness, some may be jealous -
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today will often be forgotten. -
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it may never be enough -
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God -
It was never between you and them anyway!"

Chapter 11: Family wedding, Halloween and Olympic Torch Relay

Anne Lamott - Bird by bird "Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird."

This is a great little story, that I just heard, and it made me think of my situation at the moment and I found it very encouraging. "Article by article, Lizette. Just take it article by article."

So I always knew Grad Studies are pretty intense right, but wow, I have to admit I have been working really hard these days. I have been learning so much which is great, but some days I wish I could spend some more time with all the amazing people I have met so far or ..... that I was an extreme introvert :).

Besides all the articles there has been some really exciting events these past couple of weeks.
I went to my cousin Conrad's wedding in South Carolina. Was great to see some family again and to share this special event with Conrad and Carry.



Hanging out with some of the cute kids before the wedding...



Conrad and Carry :)



Halloween was also a very interesting, entertaining event. Here I am with my friends Michelle and Marie who went as "shooting stars"! Very original :)



and with Kim - " Colonel Mustard"



The Olympic Torch Relay came thru Victoria last weekend, and it was very special to see this, everybody was really excited. My house mate Michelle was one of the lucky people who ran with the torch. Here in the first picture she is very excited to teach us more about all she has learned during this amazing opportunity.

I got to do my first Rotary speech in my host country this week at the Saanich club and I'm very excited about my upcoming speaking engagements at Whistler, Langley and West Vancouver - Sunrise Rotary Clubs in December.