Blue Lollipop Road

June 20, 2012 In BLR Play it Forward 2012, BLR Reunion Soccer Weekend 8/18/12

have you signed up for blr play it forward yet?

This week is the 40th anniversary of Title IX. Awesome. Let’s all celebrate to keep playing, stay fit, and support young female athletes in their commitments to an active lifestyle!

Information about BLR Play it Forward HERE. Sign up to participate or support. (Email [email protected] for registration form.) Less than 2 months away from event weekend and we are fired up!

 

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June 14, 2012 In BLR Play it Forward 2012, BLR Reunion Soccer Weekend 8/18/12, News & Updates, Photos, Vermont

logo share time!

Jumping up and down with excitement to share our logo for the BLR Play it Forward Weekend Event this summer!

BLR Play it Forward 2012 logo

Huge thanks to Tracy Bushee, MAU grad, former soccer teammate, now graphic designer- for her creation. I can’t think of more of a perfect logo for our event.

Thanks Tracy!

More reveals and exciting news from Blue Lollipop Road soon so stay tuned…

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June 14, 2012 In News & Updates

like a budding little flower

The past few months putting final details for BLR Play it Forward together, building the new website and working on several connections and partnerships for my BLR/work life have been very busy and productive. These things have obviously taken me a bit away from my usual daily posts about people, places, food and fun- but have been welcomed and exciting for me to be able to continue the path toward my goals.

This post is to send you all a virtual hug, and a thank you for following here, and your continued patience and support.

Blue Lollipop Road began as a space to share travel stories and photos with family and a few friends, and has grown into this entity and message that I’m incredibly proud of. It’s year 4 here and as much as it’s been sometimes exhausting with a feeling of wondering what it all would become, it also felt natural, easy, and like I’ve just been sharing my life experiences with friends. We hear of child actors who say they “grew up on TV.” I often feel like you have watched me “grow up” and find my niche/voice on “line” here. There have been ups, and downs, flips and flops, and things that I read when I go back in the archives that make me think; Did I seriously write that?! I laugh at myself a lot and think I should be completely embarrassed, but I’m not. This is life, this is growth, and my journey here has been an honest reality. It’s been fun to share, I think transparency is a beautiful thing.

If you’re out there and have a hobby, an idea, a thing that you’re seriously passionate about – even if you’re not sure why yet, but you can’t stop thinking about it- do it! Start it! You don’t have to have any answers today, you don’t need an audience, you don’t even need a reason. All you need to do is commit to spending time doing things that matter to you and eventually life will start making sense. Don’t expect a light work load- you have to be ready to put up a good hard and positive fight. If you’re ready for that, you’ll automatically create magical things. I know this to be true. I feel magic here. I see magic happening here.

Here’s to transparency, hard work, and watching something you’re passionate about come together better than you could have ever imagined.

Thank you all for being a part of this magic.

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June 12, 2012 In News & Updates

coming in june on blr

Happy Tuesday!

Here’s what’s coming up to keep June fun and progress rolling:

1.) A post and photos from my trip to Valparaiso, Indiana to the Taltree Arboretum and Garden Annual Gala.

2.) The reveal of the BLR Play it Forward Logo.

3.) Launch of fundraising campaign for the BLR Play it Forward Event and memorial scholarship.

4.) Launch of the brand new BLR site!

Come back and hang often. We’re glad you’re here!

 

 

 

 

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June 9, 2012 In BLR Play it Forward 2012, BLR Reunion Soccer Weekend 8/18/12, Donations

thank you paul and matt!

We’ve gotten two donations the past 2 weeks that will go towards our fundraising goal for BLR Play it Forward and the Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship!

A million thank you’s to Paul in Chicago and Matt in Vermont!

Blue Lollipop Road is sustained by donations, so every little bit helps from anyone out there. I will continue to work hard everyday, building this brand and message; travel, discover, play and grow.

Life is short. Get up and out in your community and the world around you. be curious, stay active, and always do work you believe in. Oh the possibilities…

***If you’re interested in supporting Blue Lollipop Road please click here.

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June 7, 2012 In BLR Play it Forward 2012, BLR Reunion Soccer Weekend 8/18/12, grow

celebrating 40 years of title IX

Did you know that June 23, 2012 marks forty year anniversary of Title IX?! What amazing and serendipitous timing for the BLR Play it Forward Reunion Weekend to be this summer too.

I just learned of the 2nd Annual Title 9k race in October in Chicago. You can guarantee Blue Lollipop Road will be there with a crew of pals and supporters to celebrate The Power of IX!

Who wants to join me? A weekend of fun and fitness in the Windy City anyone?

Here’s to all the girls out there who play to be strong, independent, and run towards their goals.

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June 6, 2012 In BLR Play it Forward 2012, BLR Reunion Soccer Weekend 8/18/12, News & Updates, Vermont

blr play it forward

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Full news and schedule of events is finally here…

The Blue Lollipop Road Play it Forward Event is a weekend long event that MAU female soccer alumni will reconnect and reminisce, play soccer, honor past teammates, and give back to the community we grew up in. This event will take place August 17 and 18, 2012 in Shaftsbury and Bennington, Vermont.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

*FRIDAY, AUGUST 17TH:

~Welcome Back Party, 7 PM at Madison Brewing Company

*SATURDAY, AUGUST 18TH:

~Strong Mojo Summit, 10:00 AM at Howard Park

~Alumni Soccer Game, 1:00 PM at Howard Park

~Artist’s Reception- Traci Molloy, 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Vermont Arts Exchange

~BLR Celebration Cocktails, 8 PM at Pangea Restaurant and Lounge in North Bennington

Why have we created and organized this big event?

There is no doubt that I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if I hadn’t been a soccer team member every year while growing up, and if I hadn’t participated in the 1994 MAUHS foreign exchange program. Through playing sports and having coaches who were incredible mentors, I learned about teamwork and confidence. I learned that by taking care of my body and exercising, I would take care of my mind and soul too. When our team had “all hands in” before each game, chanting: “one…two…three… STRONG MOJO!,” we each knew we had the power – together or alone – to go, be, and do anything. As I stood in Germany during my student exchange month abroad, never having been out of the state of Vermont before, my eyes flew open to see there was a whole big world out there to discover. Since then, I’ve spent time in all 50 states and 13 countries. I’ve learned how to be resourceful, savvy, flexible, independent, and open. I’ve met people I would have never otherwise met, tried foods I never imagined I’d try, and seen sights that have taken my breath away. What I learned most from athletics and travel is that I could do anything I set my mind to. Anyone can.

These are the messages I want to bring back to the place where I came from and share with the younger generation. It’s a pay back/pay forward for what has been a huge part of shaping my life.

*The mojo inspires us to be confident, set goals, and go for our dreams – we can accomplish anything that we set our mind to.  The Strong Mojo Summit will provide an opportunity for current female athletes to meet with alumni, discuss life experiences, and encourage a commitment to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.  

*MAU soccer celebrates the lives of former players and our incredible friends Maria Greene and Brandy Brown, who we lost on August 18, 1994.  A memorial dedication during the BLR Play it Forward Weekend will honor our friends and their amazing sprit and zest for life.

*Travel teaches self-confidence and flexibility; we can all broaden our horizons through travel.  Blue Lollipop Road will reward a travel scholarship to a current female athlete to support her adventure goals.    

*For 25 years, the MAU soccer community has believed in Strong Mojo.  An alumni game will be held to celebrate the mojo, and the dedication of coaches and mentors who supported the growth of many in our community.

***For further information about this event, registration forms for alumni, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Diane Peacock:

[email protected] or 804.339.6514

If you cannot attend the event and would like to donate in support of Blue Lollipop Road and the memorial scholarship, please click here.

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June 6, 2012 In Indiana, News & Updates

road trip!

Blue Lollipop Road has been invited by Taltree Arboretum & Gardens to be a guest at their Annual Gala this Friday night! Of course I accepted. What’s not to love about supporting a a gorgeous green space that so many good people are working to continuously preserve?!

I’ve never been to Valparaiso before, so naturally I’m excited to explore this area. The weather report for Friday is looking like sunny and warm so it will be the perfect setting for great photo ops around the gardens. This Vermont girl loves the Windy City but really loves getting back into beautiful green space too.

Are you in the Chicagoland or Valparaiso, IN area? Do you like to go to spots you can relax, be inspired and breathe in some fresh air? We love it. Come join us for this event on Friday!

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June 4, 2012 In Inspiration

reflections

In finalizing mission and vision statements for the new BLR site, I ran across this that I haven’t read in a long while:

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television – and more while watching life. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.” There would have been more “I love you’s”.. More “I’m sorrys” … But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it … live it…and never give it back.

~Erma Bombeck

Quite a last line to keep swirling in your head eh?
 …given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it … live it…and never give it back.
How great would it be if we were all brave enough today to encourage someone around us to seize every one of their minutes and maybe do a little more seizing ourselves?
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