What's Up With Jessica?: Week Three, Monday!

Monday, January 22, 2007

Week Three, Monday!

So I got about 4 hours of sleep last night. I was up late posting my blog and pictures, working on my "ME" page (a project that describes me), checking for internships, and working on the news for my home team. Surprisingly, I wasn't really tired today, which was good becuase we had a full day of physical workouts as well as emotional ones too.

The morning started out with a birthday song to Jorge from Mexico!!! Feliz cumpleanos, Jorge!!!

This morning my team the "Na Na's" presented the news on Africa. I presented on the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa and how the Clinton Foundation has now set up a program so that all children ages 2-15yrs. suffering from HIV/AIDS in Uganda (a country in mideast Africa) can now receive FREE antiretroviral medications to help treat the disease. On average 40 to 42 million people suffer from HIV/AIDS all over the world. 65%-74% of those people live in Sub-Saharan Africa and about 1800 children die every day from this and about 1400 new children are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS everyday. This program in Uganda is another great break-through because many programs that provide treatment are not able or won't provide treatment to children due to cost and changes in prescription as the child grows.

After the news, we had dance movement where we polished steps and styling for certain routines. After dance we had vocals. Vocals went well for the most part and I know where I need more work.

Then off to lunch we went where we chatted away about lots of stuff. After lunch, UWP turned from physical exertion to mental. First we had Leadership Round Table discussions. I volunteered to facilitate the group as each speaker rotated to our table. Each one of these people were leaders who have or do work and have made an impact in theri communities. For instance, we had parents, doctors, civil rights leaders, advocates for health education and more. Each person provided great incite to what makes a good leader. Each agreed that listening was the top skill to be a good leader. This was important to hear as some also admitted that this skill was not always easy.

Then, we played a very heavy game called "Cross the Line." In this activity a question was asked and if you agreed, you crossed the line. Ex. If you like chocolate cross the line. But this wouldn't be an UWP activity if things didn't get a little tougher...They began to ask questions about family, discrimination, disabilities and more. This was a very personal activity so I won't go into details, but I will tell you there were a lot of tears and a lot of hugs and in the end a lot of support.

1 comment:

Gaby said...: Hola,
I am playing catch up with you now! I had problems with the computer but I am glad to be able to read what you are doing. The cross the line game sound like a very powerful tool. I will love to learn the rules and how to play it so I can use it in my CIs.
Jess, you are doing wonderful, keep it up!
Hugs and kisses,
Gaby; January 26, 2007 at 5:17 AM

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Tour Schedule

North America Denver, Colorado, USA (orientation) 6 January – 5 February Farmington, New Mexico, USA 5 February – 12 February Tucson, Arizona, USA 12 February – 19 February Dallas, Texas, USA - 19 February – 26 February Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA - 26 February – 5 March New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 5 March – 12 March Nashville, Tennessee, USA 12 March – 19 March Greater Valley, Georgia (Alabama), USA 19 March – 26 March Venice, Florida, USA 26 March – 2 April Europe Dates Antwerp, Belgium 2 April – 9 April Utrecht, The Netherlands 9 April – 16 April Leipzig, Germany 16 April – 23 April Bremen, Germany 23 April – 30 April Gothenburg, Sweden 30 April – 7 May Copenhagen, Denmark 7 May – 13 May Asia Dates Thailand, Bangkok weeks 1, 2 & 4 Chaing Mai week 3 14 May – 11 June

A Thank You

Thank you to the following people who have helped me to reach my goal, emotionally and monetarily, to travel with Up With People. I hope it to be a life changing experience that will give back not only to me but to others for years to come. I can't thank you all enough! My mom, I love you so much! Gabriela Moersfelder and Family, you are truely a great friend and my Guardian Angel in disguise! Mom and Gabriela, without your strength and motivation I wouldn't have gotten this far. Thank you to my friends at Applebee's who were willing to volunteer their time to help fundraise! Mr. and Mrs. Bryant of Century Fence in Waukesha and Roy at Applebee's- for the most generous and touching tip a server at Applebee's could get; you made my day. More donations that made this all possible: My sister- for having connections, American Legion 375, The Schmidt Family of Mukwonago, Mrs. Kuehl's 3rd Grade Class and everyone else that helped in the coin drive at Section Elementary in Mukwonago, Eddie Reinke, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Wisconsin including the agents that supported me during my raffle, Kinex Medical in Waukesha with the help of my roommate Patty, Carol Alex, Mary Kosalos and Grace Magnus, Pick 'n' Save in Mukwonago and West Allis, Wisconsin, Cathy Walters and Family, The Johnson Family, Bob Stigsell, Janet Curtis, Ernest Patrick III, Ralf Hollmann and Maru Medina, The Burmeister Family, Raffle Sponsers: Country Inn and Suites of Brookfield, Great Frame Up in Brookfield, Panera Bread in Brookfield, Starbucks in Brookfield, Gooden's Sporting Goods in Mukwonago, Antigua Real in Mukwonago, Marcus Movie Theatres, Outback Steak House, And of course, Up With People! I apologize if I have forgotten anyone as there are many to thank. Shoot me an email if I left you out and I'd be happy to add you!