And I Took The Road Less Traveled By...

A Journey Into The North Maine Woods Is A Lot Like Competing For Mrs. Corporate America...

OK, so this blog entry, I feel is related to my Mrs. Corporate America endeavor in a roundabout way...its about the courage to attempt to do something you've never done before...taking risks and above else enjoying the journey, even when its hard and you want to turn around and go back.

This past fall my husband AJ and I aong with four of our other friends (two other couples) embarked on a daylong trek DEEP into the North Maine woods to find these historic abandoned trains from the early 1900's. Historically, they were used to bring lumber from the woods and deposit them into the nearby lake for transportation to other parts of the world. They are indeed artifacts. And well, it was an adventure I shall never forget. Yes, this chic city girl braved a dawn's early rise, a long sojourn into muddy waters, the fear of coming face to face with Maine's wildlife, and above all else wearing bright hunter's orange.

We started bright and early at 5:30 am on a Saturday morning. We rented a van and made our way up to Ashland to the entry point of the North Maine Woods. Its called the six mile gate. Our friends Mitch and Wanda Guiggey served as tour guides as Mitch loves to hunt and goes up there several times a year. He knows these woods like the back of his hand. (despite getting us lost the first time we went...LOL) So actually this was our second group attempt. With music blaring and our excitement brewing, we embarked. I have to admit, I didn't know what to expect. I'm used to concrete jungles, not actual forests. But, I've always been a risktaker, and I wasn't gonna let a thing like fear of the unknown hold me back. Now maybe fear of questionable fashion choices might be more correct? Did I mention, we had to wear BRIGHT hunter's orange. Afterall, we went during deer hunting season (or so I was told) I hope I wasn't being hazed. Check out my gear...

During the ride, I called my parents to tell them what we were doing and where we were going. Truthfully, I just wanted witnesses case I would never be heard from again. Some kind of verification. When I told my mom she replied, "Let me get this straight, you're going WHERE? to do WHAT?...and of YOUR OWN FREE WILL?" Her response was "Have fun and good luck." The beauty of the woods and nature is unmatched. Its breathtaking in fact. Little did I know, our trek would NOT occur from the safety and comfort of the inside of our van. We had to walk. But before we did, we ate. And we ate GOOD. We barbequed and our bellies were full. Probably too full. But it didn't matter cuz we were gonna walk it off, actually hike it off.

And so the real work would begin. AJ, the supportive and nurturing husband that he is told me he'd be there the entire time. Nothing to worry about, and we'd be at the trains in no time. He knew me well enough to know, in cases like this, its best to LIE to me. Yes, lie to me. Because I might be tempted to turn tail and run. But the weather was great, it was a little warm and I came fully prepared with boots, warm clothes and an optimistic attitude. What could go wrong. I was amped for this. Openminded ALL the way! Plus, our fearless leader Mitch knew where he was going. He'd been there many times. He could lead us there and back blindfolded. Did I mention, he couldn't even find the right route there the first time we went last August. That this was our SECOND attempt. I love you Mitch...

Anyway, after a half hour, I was like, okay, where are the trains? This doesn't feel good, I'm not getting a good feeling about any of this. And isn't this the way MOST of those horror films start. Six unsuspecting suckers walking into the woods for a good time and then a psycho killer hacks them to death. Yeah, I think that's how most of those movies start. I'm walking in the woods, thinking I'm in one of these movies and there's absolutely NO WHERE to run. I'm surrounded by trees and forest, and trails that pretty much look the same in EVERY direction. I'm thinking if there is a psycho killer out there, just come and get me now! LOL! And my husband (whom I love devotedly) is so full of crap! OK, so we're walking, and walking, and walking, and walking...over trails, and big rocks and through trees and clearing...oh, and then, it starts to RAIN! And don't think just because you're deep in the woods, you can't feel the rain, cuz you can. So now we're walking, and walking, and walking, through trails, and trees, and rocks, and its SLIPPERY and WET!
Then I discover another nature enemy, MUD! Now I love mud, what girl doesn't. Afterall, a good mud soak makes you feel and look beautiful when its said and done. But this is the deep Maine Woods, not a spa. And I literally STEP KNEE DEEP IN IT! With both feet. And my feet and legs are soaked, saturated if you will in MUD. And I feel like MUD spelled backwards! LOL. Now this entire time, Mitch is leading us through the woods based on these colored ribbons on the trees. And I start to think, how on earth are we supposed to find our way back. Based on some shocking pink or lime green ribbons. Are you kidding me? What's stopping someone from just, oh I don't know...taking the ribbons from the trees? Then we're lost. Just another lost tour group who are never heard from again. Missing in the woods for days , then finally eaten by wolves. I'll end up on CNN the WRONG WAY! Uuuuuggggghhhhhh!!!!! So we continue walking, and walking, and walking...over trails, through trees, and rocks, in the wet, slippery rain, in deep mud puddles...and then it happens. My BIG fear kicks in as I hear a sound. The sound of an animal I'm not sure what or where it is. But in my mind, I'm thinking its huge and furry and has more of a chance at eating me, then me eating it. I think its a bear. That's my big fear. Because I've been told if you ever encounter a bear in the woods you're not supposed to run, or climb a tree, or attack it, or pretty much do anything. So my question is, WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO THEN? Oh, I know I'll just say, "Mr. Bear, I've lived a pretty ok life up til now, please go ahead and eat me." That is after I pee on myself and cry myself into oblivion. So I hear this sound, and I'm convinced I'm a gawner. So I jump to conclusion...literally and figuratively. 

And there in the deep North Maine woods, fear had me whipped for a good five minutes. And I wanted to turn around and go back. I thought, what on earth am I doing here? I can't survive this. I started to cry. But I dug down deep (in my mud soaked boots) and I persevered on. I was determined to make it through this experience and see it through. And I got my second wind. I wasn't going to let these woods beat me. And suddenly, through the clearing we see the first signs we've made it. Old machinery and train tracks. They're rusted and beautiful. And I'm exhausted but glad we've arrived. And then walking a bit further, THERE THEY ARE! Two larger than life locomotives! They look like props out of a movie, but they're clearly real. Historic artifacts standing taller than me.

And as if seeing these two beautiful trains weren't amazing enough. We walked a little bit further through another clearing, and made it to a nearby river or lake where the lumber was shipped onto. The name escapes me now but Mitch said there were HUNDREDS of small and big lakes in that area. Hundreds, can you imagine? The clearing was beautiful, peaceful, tranquil. And after that long walk we all just sat a spell and took it all in. And what a sight, see for yourselves.

And after a long day, we had to make our way back. Its funny heading back didn't tire me out or scare me as much as going. I guess because I knew what to expect heading back. But I am so proud I did it. And happy to have great friends and a loving husband who supported me and made the experience fun to enjoy. I did a lot of introspective thinking on the way back. That's really when I made the decision to compete for Mrs. Corporate America. I thought to myself, with enough self will, hard work, and stubborn determination I can make it through anything. I'm tougher than I look, seem and think at first glance. Its that second wind that will blow you away. And I've got that, in spades! PLUS, I have an important message to share with my community and the country for that matter. All it takes is perserverance, putting one foot in front of the other and energy to make it happen...to make a difference.

Sometimes life isn't as hard as a trek through the woods, but the unknown can sometimes be even scarier. Still, I've never been one to shy away or back down from accmplishing a goal. I'm sometimes my own worst enemy...but the flipside is I'm more often my biggest champion. And taking a risk paraphrasing my favorite poet Mr. Robert Frost..."taking the road less traveled by...has INDEED made all the difference " to me!

Spring Into Promoting Business and Professional Women Throughout Maine

Maine Business and Professional Women Hold Spring 2012 Meeting and Professional Development Workshop

(April 21, 2012)--Seventeen women from throughout the state converged in Caribou, Maine for the state fedration's spring meeting held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. I was happily one of them, representing my shining Star City...Presque Isle. The meeting opened like every with our official collect, the pledge of allegiance and an official call to order my Maine BPW State Co President Susan Tardie who is also from the Fort Kent club/local. Some of the agenda items included plans for the exciting upcoming state convention this June at Hollywood Slots in Bangor. Also the great news and announcement that we have a full slate of new state officers that will be installed at that very convention. I'll be attending the event and taking lot's of pics so keep reading my blog for more on that. June's right around the corner and will be here before any of us can say summer fun!

Although the work part of the meeting got done fairly early, the meeting was far from over as we had the tremendous opportunity to participate in two professional development seminars following the business meeting. They were facilitated by BPW Maine Co President Ronda Crosson and BPW Downeast President Rayann Vander Zanden. The workshops were: "Standing Up and Speaking Out" and "Define and Shine Networking". They were interactive, informative and well presented workshops that engaged us the participants including an impromptu speech we each had to deliver on a question Rayann asked us. Mine was: "If I were traveling on a road which road would I take...the right one or left one and why?" 

I really had to think about that one, but as I answered in the speech, it reminds me of one of my favorite poets, Mr. Robert Frost and his famous poem "The Road Less Traveled By." We all know that one. My answer was I pretty much go by feelings and never plan the road I wanna take that day, just kind of go where it leads me, always optimistic to learn something from the journey and willing to take the journey regardless. Sometimes the road has twists and turns and even bumps...but you're better off for just taking it. That's my take, if you will! Then we had another fun exercise of speed networking, where we had to fill out a questionnaire signed by everyone in the room. I think I came away learning a lot more about my BPW sisters...I at least know which ones own a red car, and which one read the newspaper that day. I was the only that did that by the way. LOL. 

 Afterwards, we all enjoyed a lovely lunch poolside. And look forward to seeing one another again at state convention in June. Here are the pics from this past weekend. Enjoy!   

March and April Busy Promoting Platform "The Business of Service"

All Around the County Community With Speaking Engagements

March and April have been extremely busy months for me as far as appearances.

On March 21^st I had the honor of being a distinguished speaker for the DFAS March Women’s History and Leadership Event in Limestone, Maine. The auditorium was packed to nearly standing room only capacity. More than a hundred people came out to see little ole’ me speak about leadership, career success and achieving one’s life and career goals. I’m so thankful to DFAS Administrator and event organizer Wendy Riopelle for inviting me to speak. It was a lively conversation and I think people came away with a more personal idea of who I am and how I approach my life. I was glad to impart some funny stories of my life and career journeys. Including the story of how I fought CNN News Anchor Wolf Blitzer for a seat in the White House press room. He won! But also my experience as a White House intern during the Monica Years, working in Florida covering the infamous recount debacle, returning home to witness and cover September 11^th, and so much more….Here’s some pictures from the event.

Then the following day I had the honor of being a workshop facilitator for the 2nd annual All for Women Conference sponsored by Women, Work and Community and held at Northern Maine Community College. The workshop I facilitated was "Finding Your Voice" where I led a discussion with more than twenty local women leaders on the issues of confidence, self esteem  and support. It was an uplifting hour that asked some important questions in helping women launch themselves, move to the next level and define who they want to be. I was told that immediately after, workshop participants rated my workshop as one of the most successful, engaging and popular at the daylong conference. And the day after, the organizers have already signed me up to host that workshop once again next year as well as another upcoming event THIS year. Stay tuned.

New 2012 Ms. and Mrs. Corporate America Queens Crowned

Congrats go to the new 2012 Ms. and Mrs. Corporate America winners.

Congrats go to Ms. Corporate America 2012 Dorothea Wilson and Mrs. Corporate America 2012 Di-Anne Di Re. The 2012 Pageant weekend was held in Orlando, Florida with sixteen contestants overall vying for the two respective titles. These women are outstanding representatives of their careers, communities and commitment to personal excellence. Over the next year Ms. Corporate America Dorothea Wilson and Mrs. Corporate America Di-Anne Di Re will be representing this dynamic system that promotes the professional woman and her endeavors in achieving success in career, community and family…as well as promoting a service platform that seeks to empower America.

 

I’m so inspired by all these women as I, myself are in pursuit of the crown over the next year. Its been an exciting year already and hard to believe that its nearly halfway gone. But I’m making the most of every hour, minute and second. Not wasting any time in my determination to make a difference in living my own platform of “The Business of Service”. As for the women who competed at nationals this year…you are all winners because you sought to compete. Although two walked away with the titles, you all walk away and remain lifelong role models to women like me…who seek to follow in your footsteps.

 

thank you Anissa King, for creating and launching this dynamic arena for professional women to compete and showcase all they have to offer.

 

Take a look at these pictures from what undoubtedly was an exciting pageant weekend.

Team WAGM Makes A Difference At Annual Planet Head Day Event To Benefit C.A.N.C.E.R.

Team WAGM Makes A Difference At Annual Planet Head Day Event To Benefit C.A.N.C.E.R. raising more than four thousand dollars to help local county community 

(February 2012)--This past weekend's Planet Head Day event to benefit C.A.N.C.E.R. (the Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery) was a massive success. 

A whopping 27 thousand dollars was raised by participants, supporters and volunteers. My goodness, I get emotional just seeing the people, the enthusiasm, the support and the joy of how we all came together for this event at UMPI's Wieden gymnasium. 

 

The event kicked off at 11am and when you walked in, there were barber stations ready to shave...painting stations with local artists ready to paint planets on the heads of those who braved the goal.  Our own Team WAGM (me and Chris Weimer) raised more than four thousand dollars with the station generously matching our efforts up to a certain amount.

And our two colleagues Dan Stairs and Josh Archer also raised funds and had their heads shaved and painted. Along with Chris. I had my head painted and when it was all said and done, I chose to be Planet Saturn. Gotta love the rings. And I think it truly suit me.

I wore them well, I was told. Chris and I and all the supporters of this event put in a lot time fundraising...including some community appearances of which you saw past pictures on this blog and my facebook pages. It was so worth it though.

Chris also made a story that aired on our station and I'll upload that piece later on. Its inspiring! We're already making plans for next year...go bigger, go better!

                                                

I'm so proud of how the county community comes together to take care of their own.