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The Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) will continue to take a proactive and collaborative approach to concussion prevention and management in Australia sport, as part of its involvement with the Australian Athletes' Alliance (AAA).
Every week, RUPA collates five of the best features from the week’s Rugby media and bring them to you in the one convenient location.
Charlie Fetoai: Jack of all trades; master of plenty!
Former Reds centre Charlie Fetoai was seriously injured in 2009 and told he could never play Rugby again. He spoke to RUPA about what he's been up to since, and the importance of planning for life after Rugby.
The new level pack for Dummy Defense has been released. Instruments of Death features over 30 levels of completely new and unique puzzles. Protect Melvin as he faces off against weapons of the past, the present, and the future.
Get it now for the iPhone and for Android.
All of my games are written in mostly C++ with a little Objective C. I do most of my coding in Visual Studio, but then Xcode for integrating with the iPhone and Eclipse for integrating with Android.
You should already have it, if you got Dummy Defense from Google Play.
The Cabot is back. A North Shore treasure, the 1920 historic theater was closed and its future unknown until a group of local visionaries found a way to purchase the building and revive performances in 2014.
The initiative to save the theater, and initial performances and events, enjoyed widespread and enthusiastic community support. Under the leadership of a new executive director and dedicated Board, much-needed improvements to the physical structure and expanding organizational capacity began.
In order to fully realize the potential of this extraordinary moment in time, The Cabot needed new visual and verbal tools that reflected its promise in image and action and could be used to create alignment around a shared vision for the future, address the immediate development need and, critically, create momentum and energy to meet its fundraising goals.
Minelli, Inc. worked with key stakeholders and leaders to articulate a strong brand and bring that brand to life, highlighting the Cabot Theater’s timeless beauty and transcendent experiences that evoke the power of memory, creating food for the soul and nourishment for the future.
You are buying one beautiful piece of Manzanita driftwood averaging 7 to 10 inches long by 2 " to 3" wide (as seen in the picture) with a full Anubias coffeefolia grown on it. The Anubias Coffeefolia will have 5 or more leaves.
Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia is a low cultivar of Anubias barteri. Its characteristic is that the leaves arch considerably between the leaf ribs, and the new leaves are red-brown. The color combination and leaf shape make it an attractive variety in both large and small aquariums. It flowers frequently under water but does not produce seeds.
Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia is not eaten by herbivorous fish.
I have a few of these available so you are not buying the exact piece shown in the picture but all the pieces will look just as good if not better than the one pictured.
The Western Shoshone call themselves Newe, “The People,” and they refer to their ancestral lands as Newe Sogobia, “The People’s Land.” After living on these lands for thousands of years, the Newe have spent the last 400 defending them from invasion and environmental destruction. Today, the U.S. government occupies much of the Newe Sogobia, using it as a domestic nuclear war zone. The Nevada Test Site was illegally seized from the tribe in the 1940s to use for nuclear weapons testing and as a dump for highly radioactive nuclear waste. Releases of radiation from the detonation of over 1000 nuclear weapons above and below the ground have resulted in cancer clusters and contamination in the communities downwind of the site – and beyond. Newe homelands have been turned into a National Sacrifice Area, or permanently poisoned lands. The latest threat to the Newe is the planned nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain located within the Nevada Test Site. The repository will accept over 75,000 tons of fuel rods and other high-level waste across roads and rails from 39 states and place it in a giant hole in the earth found to be seismically unstable and in contact with ground water. Plutonium, the most deadly man-made substance on earth, has a radioactive half-life of 250,000 years, and its nearby storage portends an unparalleled toxic peril for the next 12,000 generations living in the region.
Wherever Corbin Harney raises his voice, be it in song, in prayer, or in speech, be it at his homeland, at the UN, or in faraway Kazakhstan, his message is informed with the calm authority imbued him by the earth. In 1994, Corbin Harney founded the Shundahai Network (Shundahai is the Newe word for “peace and harmony with all creation”), a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the nuclear chain by building alliances with indigenous communities and environmental, peace and human rights movements. They seek to abolish all nuclear weapons and end all nuclear testing, advocate phasing out nuclear energy and ending the transportation and dumping of nuclear waste, and promote the principles of Environmental Justice. Their campaigns and events incorporate the values of community building, education, spiritual ceremonies and nonviolent direct action.
I ask for moisture to fall upon us so the grass will start to grow.
what we humans tramp down.
we tramp it down so it’s flat on the ground.
together we have to ask for the rain to come down, so the grass will continue to grow.
Corbin Harney’s spiritual strength has become a fountainhead of inspiration for environmental activists around the world. His solution to end the Nuclear Age: we must live in vital, spiritual connection with the earth!
Anyone who has done a quick search on what to see in Norway certainly came across Preikestolen. It is one of the most popular hikes in the whole country. Not everyone experiences it the same way, however. Outdoor Life Norway is a guided service that offers guests a chance to see Pulpit Rock like most will never experience. The sunrise hike is an amazing way to up your chances of getting those stunning views without the crowds. If you truly want an original experience, though, go with their "Off the beaten track" tour. This hike begins with canoeing across a glacial lake to a long forgotten trail. Traverse the trail through multiple altitudinal zones and scramble up to the top of the fjord. There you can hike along until you reach your destination, a beautiful view of Preikestolen! There you can enjoy your view that majority of the hikers are missing. From there you will travel down to Pulpit Rock itself for some more photos. The trip down follows the more popular marked trail. If you are lucky enough, you may run into some of the Sherpas that have built the trails! If you're looking for more tours to fill up time in Norway, Outdoor Life Norway offers many guided services year round.
The land of fire and ice is an outdoor enthusiasts playground. Scuba diving in Silfra had been on my bucket list for years. It was a massive influence for me to get my PADI Open Water certification. Once I got my certification I remember my instructor asking me where I would go now that I could explore underwater paradises. I excitedly announced I'd be going to Iceland. He did not seem amused. "Don't you want to start somewhere... warmer?" I brushed off his remark as quickly as I whisked off my hood and booties. I had my mind made up. Silfra was my white whale and I finally had it in my headlights. When everything was booked, I was struck with panic. For years I had dreamed of Silfra, a place where you could swim between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. Would it be as spectacular as I had made it out to be?? Oh yes it was. The crystal clear glacial water is nearly ice cold and is filtered through lava creating over 300ft of visability. This quality of water means you can sip it while you're diving. It doesn't get fresher than that. Being able to say i've touched both continental plates at the same time in the only place in the world where you can dive directly in continental plate cracks is certainly bragging rights. I thought that would be the highlight of my cold swim in Silfra, but once I was in the water I forgot about the location. The dive was beyone beautiful with such distinct geographical features. The colors were jaw dropping. Though the dive itself was short, it's a dive that I could do over and over again. For those not scuba certified, many tour companies offer snorkeling excursions as well. Dive. Is. offers guests either option with photo services.
If you asked a stranger what came to mind when they thought of Iceland, volcanoes would make the list. This is definitely merited. The land has practically been completely molded by volcanic eruptions. If there's volcanoes you know there is lava, but Icelanders don't let it get them down. In fact, it gets them going. These hardened lava fields create the perfect backdrop for some serious mountain biking. These trails are not for the faint of heart. I may have overestimated my skills since I had been mountain biking in the past. I rated myself as an intermediate, which I quickly second guessed as soon as I saw people pull out their own peddles from perfectly packed Camelbaks. As nonchalantly as I could muster, I asked what the tour company's general client level was. My growing suspicion was confirmed. Most were season mountain bikers. I laughed in response to hide my surmounting fear. There was a good chance I may die in Iceland on a bicycle, I thought. There was worse ways to go I reasoned. It would make an interesting story, at least. Alas, I survived. Every part of my body may have hurt the next day, but something else was genuine as well. That was my smile. I signed up for a tour that I was not physically prepared for, but I did not regret it. It was a challenge that I overcame and I saw some stunning scenery along the way.
For those of you like me who are not expert mountain bikers, there are more appropriate tours to take. Icebike offers guests several options for different levels of experience. After seeing my lack of finesse in the lava fields, Icebike offered to take me to another location afterwards. I battled with my opposing feelings. Should I stick it out and do another lava field or should I opt for something different? The guide was very patient and genuinely wanted me to enjoy the experience that was right for me. I went with their recommendation. A part of me felt like a quitter until I saw the change of scenery. The lava fields were wild and otherworldly. The new scenery was as lush as if I had been plopped into Neverland itself. My bitter feelings instantly faded. Biking through the purple lupine fields was a magical end to a demanding day. My lesson of the day: Don't be afraid to try new things and have flexibility if they do not work out as perfectly as planned. My biking experience had more hiccups than I had predicted, but biking in Iceland was a once in a lifetime experience.
Utah snow is world famous. In a location with pristine snow and more resorts than one can choose from, how does one... well, choose?? I struggled with the dilemma during a recent visit. I was down to my last day and I had only seen two resorts. I wanted to end with a bang without draining my bank account on a lift ticket. I gave up and resorted to asking my local friend for direction. "You need to go to Sundance". Sundance? I was baffled. This resort had barely made my radar. While I had pondered the pyramid hierarchy of ski resort awesomeness for days, it took my friend no time at all to respond to me."Not Snowbird or Park City?" I bantered. Nope, he was firm. Well that settled my predicament. At the very least it would bring me some mental clarity since I no longer had to wrestle the decision.
If you go to Utah and don't visit Sundance Resort, you are doing it wrong. I immediately felt at home at this resort, as if I had been snowboarding there since I learned the difference between regular and goofy. In a world obsessed with modernizing everything, Sundance has made a point of preserving that nostalgic ski culture that we all love and miss. Okay, so the staff is nice. Is that a good enough reason to opt for Sundance over a larger resort? In retrospect, Sundance is one of the smaller resorts, but the views are not. I almost fell off the chairlift gawking at the scenery. From the base to the peak, every corner of the resort offered views that even Ansel Adams would have to stop and photograph. The character didn't stop at the lodge. The terrain kept me smiling from trail to trail. Feeling hungry? Stop at the peak for the most scenic nachos in the game. The Bearclaw Cabin is the only mountaintop lodge in Utah. If the sun is out, opt to sit outside in one of the zero gravity chairs. Sun and snow, can you beat it? If you want a resort with big hearts, big views, and a touch of home, you need to go to Sundance Resort.
The sunshine state usually cultivates images of lazy beach towns with a weird abundance of shaggy-haired surfers with names like "Zander" or "Brock". If you don't think of surfing, chances are you think of a retirement home paradise with every pm dinner special you could imagine. I am not here to knock your idea of Florida, because both scenes I just described exist in North Florida. I mean what's wrong with eating your food truck burrito while your barefoot at a reasonable time so hard to get on board with? You have time for dessert and digestion before you catch those zzz's! This is a battle meant for another day. If you aren't into shredding the gnar or attending senior bingo, you may wonder what Florida has to offer other than concrete amusement parks. Rejoice my friends because I have a solution. Though it may not be topping your vacation brochures, Florida offers great places for paddle sports. These sports can be enjoyed by any age group. Are you a seasoned kayaker looking for a challenge? Opt to try paddle boarding instead for a great core workout that perfects your balancing skills. Are you more into the outdoors just to get a tan? Select a tandem kayak and make your buddy do the brunt of the work. I know this because I've been the recipient of this. As I paddled with all my might in Norway and wondered why we weren't going faster, my friend Randy sat behind me happily snapping photos enjoying the fruits of my labor. I did not learn my lesson, however, since here I am recommending his devious plan to all of you. Just make sure your friend takes the front seat and doesn't read this passage. You're welcome.
The Aloha state is paradise: sunny, laid-back, umbrella drinking mai-tai kind of paradise. Though many people come here to do nothing more than read their book on the island's 30 miles of beaches, Maui can also be an adventure hot spot. I mean literally. The highest peak on the island is the world's largest dormant volcano. The impressive Haleakala volcano never ceases to draw in outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe. Want to feel like Hawaiian royalty? Opt to catch a mesmerizing sunrise from it's peak. Haleakala National Park offers guests more than just the star of the show. The park offers beach access but my favorite swimming spot of the entire Maui trip was dunking into the Seven Sacred Pools, or the Pools of 'Ohe'o. If mermaids emerged from the depths, I would have thought it perfectly normal. I loved being able to climb up to a series of the falls and sit under the cool,flowing water as I looked out at the ocean. Some pools are more popular and accessible than others. As I mentioned, the pools flowed into the Pacific so that contrast in scenery was fantastic. Pack a picnic to make a great day of pool adventures. Swimming does not get more exotic than this. After you have your fill of swimming, continue hiking through Haleakala National Park to dry off. Your efforts will be rewarded when you reach a stunning bamboo forest. You may think you accidentally arrived on another continent with the landscape change.
Haleakala is not to be missed and you can access it off of the famous Road to Hana. The road itself merits a few days to explore. Opt for a convertible so you can soak up as much roadside scenery as you can. If you are still craving big views, end your trip with a cherry on top. A helicopter tour of Maui may not be the most physical tour you can do, but I promise you will be feeling the adrenaline. The tour gives you access to views you would never be able to see otherwise. Get close to peaks and waterfalls alike. The views are breathtaking and you may just get the feeling that you are about to be dropped off in Jurassic Park.
I can never be satisfied with doing everything just like everyone else. If I am going to a stereotypical tourist spot. I need to have an element that is different. While doing my research for antelope canyon, I found just what I was looking for to satisfy my stubborn self. Hidden Canyon Kayak was Arthur and the day trip through Antelope Canyon was my sword in the stone. At first I was a bit disappointed to see how large my group size was. In the past I have been spoiled with much smaller guide to tourist ratios in my travels. Once in the water, however, the problem dispersed as quickly as waves off my boat. The guides were good at accomodating people of all ability levels. As a frequent kayaker, I had a much faster pace than most. The guides recognized this, and made sure I did not feel restrained. Once we reached antelope canyon, we were released to explore the slot canyon on our own to a certain point. Again, I was happy to hear this since I much preferred being alone than attached to families I didn't know. It was a thrill to be able to skip, run, and even sing if I wanted to down these beautiful corridors. I loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The guides were relatable and I enjoyed my time talking to them. My only recommendation is if you are an experienced kayaker, let the guides know ahead of time and they will bring you a touring kayak. Compared to my kayak at home, the kayak I was given made me feel like I was moving through mud. Avoid this and request a more efficient boat. They just don't like to assign them to someone who is not experienced and has a higher chance to tip the narrow boats.
Have you ever thought that mountain biking is cool, but it would be so much cooler to bike on Mars? I can't say i've been on this train of thought before, someone out there has been. To them I say, Mars is too far away. Sure you can keep fantasizing about the day that Richard Branson and Elon Musk unite like superheroes and create martian colonies complete with lotteries to fuel us basic humans with dreams of dual planet citizenship. Okay, maybe I have thought of this before. I digress. Biking in Page, Arizona may be the closest alternative. Really, the place is out of this world! So aren't my puns. Accessible right from town, I was told by a local to check out the Rimview trail. I stopped at a local shop, Lake Powell Paddleboards, and rented a mountain bike. A quick overview of a map and a heeding message of "there are parts of the trail that if you get hurt or can't finish, no one can come get you"and I was off. A little skeptical of my skill after my warning, I wasn't sure how my day would go. Quickly into the trail, my reservations disappeared. It was easy to with the beautiful desert landscape. The "rimview" gets its name for a very specific reason. In parts you were on the very edge of the trail with a steep drop off. If it got too hairy, I simply walked. It was my best option since I was alone and if I got hurt, I didn't want to think of the desolate potential situation. The views of Lake Powell were breathtaking. What blew me away was that I had the trail virtually to myself. In a busy tourist town, I came across only two people my whole time biking. The two people were locals at that. It was my escape from vacation. A step away to truly take in a place. This was not without hard work, however. The trail had its difficult moments and was best suited for at least intermediate riders. If you are new, you at least have the ability to walk any dangerous spots. The heat is also draining. A lot of water and snacks for energy are a must. I can honestly say my lunch was well earned this day.
Donate to Stanmore Public School's Building Fund before June 30 and claim a deduction when submitting your tax return for this financial year.
Our Building Fund is a great opportunity to actively participate in the growth of your children’s school. The Building Fund operates on a non-profit basis and is a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) as defined by the ATO. Therefore any donation over $2.00 to the building fund is tax deductible.
The use of the school building fund is solely for providing money to acquire, construct or maintain the school buildings for the purposes of using that building as a school. An example of this would be the funding of the Kitchen for the SAKG program. A school building fund cannot provide funds for a non-school building, the non-school use of a school building or other facilities that are not buildings.
Note: This information does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about the tax benefits you should seek your own independent advice.
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The latest in Jazz North East’s series of Schmazz gigs at the Jazz Café featured British guitarists Mike Walker and Stuart McCallum. All seats in the upstairs room were taken (two of the north east’s finest six-stringers bagged prime seats) and the stage resembled the guitar section of your local musical instrument store. The Greater Manchester-based duo settled down to play the first of two mainly acoustic sets in a setting Walker later described as having ‘a good vibe’.
The material consisted of original compositions (a Schmazz prerequisite) and one or two standards. The opening number had an Americana feel to it, so it came as no surprise to learn it was Bill Frisell’s Where Do We Go? Walker, a man with an impressive cv – the big bands of Mike Gibbs and Kenny Wheeler, stints with Julian Arguelles and Nikki Iles, to his latest Anglo American project, the Impossible Gentlemen – shuffled a set list at will, suggesting to McCallum they do ‘Orpheus’. A change of guitar, some retuning, a bit of banter and into Luiz Bonfá’s Black Orpheus. This and the following number – All the Things You Are – exemplified Stuart McCallum’s penchant for reharmonizing tunes. Dark tones, dense improvisations, Walker picking up on McCallum’s initial foray, further solo invention, the seamless dovetailing of ideas.
A Walker composition – Wallenda’s Last Stand – inspired by the life story of a high wire walker’s final, fatal, do or die journey and McCallum’s The French Song illustrated their talents as tunesmiths. The second set heard McCallum’s Beholden and Walker’s Clock Maker. Walker introduced the latter number with a hilarious, true tale of his friend saxophonist Iain Dixon’s father’s clock making obsession. Imagine a house full of clocks – He made one every four minutes, said Walker – all primed to chime on the hour. It was Walker’s mission in life when visiting Dixon Snr to leave before the cacophonous clock chorus struck up! A distinct folk strand ran through the second set, notably McCallum’s tune inspired by a visit to the Shetlands and his authentic folk ballad Seasons. The one time student of Walker has gone on to work in a variety of contexts including a plum job with John Surman, tenure with the hip Cinematic Orchestra and work with Tim Garland’s Northern Underground Orchestra (including an appearance at the Durham Miners’ Gala a few years ago). This Schmazz gig was one for students of the guitar rather than one for the jazz guitar purist.
Earlier, pianist Paul Taylor played a solo set in the downstairs bar. The Tyneside-based Taylor developed ideas from an impressionist palette, quietly applying complementary hues to an uncluttered canvas. The audience listened intently, some seemingly holding a breath, such was the silence during a half hour improvisation.
Next month’s Schmazz concert at the Jazz Café departs from the usual last Tuesday in the month date. The double bill of Troyka and Pulcinella can be heard on Tuesday 15 July.
Great gig, very inspiring gig Mike!
Thoroughly enjoyable gig left the jazz cafe buzzing. Great tunes, great repartee, great music, great night.
injury We use a combination of techniques for the treatment of sprains, strains, painful or stiff joints as well as back and neck pain to promote your own self healing, bringing the body back into balance.
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56 amazing Lollipop Pictures images in these Lollipop Pictures group starting with L letter.
Giant Chupa Chups Lollipop: 65 times larger than a normal sucker.
Giant Lollipop: Traditional style sucker the size of your face.
What is your Lollipop Moment?
Original Honey Lollipops for every occasion. Gifts. Treats. Tea.
The distance from Thabeng to Sonop is 84 kilometers by road. Road takes approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes and goes through Ramokokstad and Bojating.
The distance between Thabeng and Sonop is 84 kilometers by road. Distance from Thabeng to Sonop by car takes approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes.
The distance between Thabeng and Sonop is ranked 118th in the ranking popularity.
The driving time from Thabeng to Sonop is approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes without intermediate stops.
Use the "Intermediate points" field inside the "Show advanced options" to find out how to get from Thabeng to Sonop through specific transit points.
You can calculate the route from Thabeng to Sonop through any specific transit point by dragging and dropping the route on the map.
To find out how far is Thabeng from Sonop, all the intermediate path segments were totalized. Precise satellite coordinates of highways were used for this calculation.
Reverse route: from Sonop to Thabeng.
The worlds of ancient finance and cryptocurrency have continually been divided, for restrictive and technical reasons. Till recently, it had been troublesome for cryptocurrency traders to realize exposure to stocks and commodities. Currency.com is trying to remedy that through launching the “Bitmex of stocks,” a crypto-friendly platform that guarantees high leverage and low barriers for entry.
in mid-January, news.Bitcoin.com reported onCurrency.com, a Belarus-based mercantilism platform for tokenized securities. Not like alternative platforms of this nature, Currency.com guarantees entry to retail investors and a marketplace of pronto tradable assets from day one. What’s a lot of, these comprise globally recognizable assets like Microsoft stock, gas, oil, and therefore the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations a hundred. The platform is currently board invite-only mode, with around many traders golf shot it through its paces. Another 113,000 and investigating area unit on the roll.
This week, news.Bitcoin.com spoke to Currency.com corporate executive Ivan Gowan to find out a lot of regarding the interest the exchange has received, and therefore the restrictive supplying of launching such AN operation from European country. Gowan explained what proportion of that interest has come back from the English and Russian speaking worlds, with seventy % of these on the roll hailing from japanese Europe. Western Europe, Japan, and peninsula account for the remaining regions that have shown sturdy interest within the exchange. U.S. citizens, however, area unit unable to register at this point.
CEO Ivan Gowan divides his time between London and European country, wherever Currency.com includes a massive technical team operative out of the country’s engineering Park. He speaks warmly of the “innovative legislation” that’s been created to incubate cryptocurrencies and blockchain in European country during a bid to drive economic process, and of the standard talent pool that features extremely skilled programmers with a robust work ethic.
Although obtaining regulated within the U.S. is on Currency.com’s semipermanent roadmap, there is important hurdles that has got to be overcome to realize SEC approval. Within the meanwhile, there’s work to be done onboarding the tens of thousands of users on the roll. Once through the exchange’s virtual doors, they’re going to be unengaged to deposit funds with BTC or ETH, yet as edict currency, and there is unit plans for alternative crypto assets to be adscititious in future together with BCH and LTC. there’ll even be a mobile app unrolled in Gregorian calendar month. The gulf between the standard finance and cryptocurrency worlds is bit by bit narrowing. Currency.com is also one amongst the primary crypto exchanges to produce a bridge, however it’s unlikely to be the last.
Located near I-90 and just off Route 62, Niagara Falls Boulevard, in the hub of the area’s dominant retail corridor.
Across from the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, recently expanded to 700,000 sf, making it one of the largest outlet centers in the country.
The only Wegmans in the Niagara Falls trade area.
Amber Lilyestrom, an amazing branding and business strategist, dreamed of being a stay at home mama well before having a child. At 8 months after her daughter was born, Amber took a leap of faith, quitting her job with only ONE CLIENT! Amber knew that focusing her time and energy on her business was the only way it would grow, and quitting her 9-5 turned out to be the best decision because it led her to her KILLER business. She is passionate about branding and business strategy and hosts her own podcast, and a two-day conference for women who want to take their life and career to the next level.
We were so inspired by her fierce work ethic, and wanted to create a website that reflected her passion. Amber wanted her site design to be bold, elegant, and CLEAR to visitors on exactly who she is. Amber had strong content and we loved getting to design a gorgeous website around it. Go Live did not design her main logo, but we designed the Ignite Your Soul logo (pictured above!) for an upcoming event and had so much fun with it. Here's a HUGE CONGRATS to Amber on the launch of her new website, and for turning her dream into a reality.
"My entire life has transformed as a result of the choice to pursue my dream and make the leap to launch my business."
Amber's story of courage and passion will inspire and encourage you in your own journey!
Amber: I have always been fascinated with human behavior, psychology and really understanding why people do what they do. I have been equally obsessed with helping people breakthrough their fears and roadblocks to live a more fulfilling and joyful life. I grew up witnessing the people I love struggle and made it my goal early on to create a different way of life for myself so I could make a positive impact on the lives of others by showing them what I learned. What better way to take ownership of your life than to match your work with the sacred mission?
Amber: I worked in collegiate athletics marketing for a decade and had the gift of contributing to the growth of a Division I athletics brand on a national scale. My career path there was incredibly entrepreneurial and I taught myself how to write sales copy, design websites and graphics and basically everything in between. I was also asked to teach at the university and mentor students throughout my career, both of these roles allowed me to hone and develop my craft as a coach.
Amber: The answers do not live out there, they come from within. I've spent thousands of dollars on coaches and programs and live events only to be guided on back to my own truth. I do not regret one penny spent or mile walked on this path, though, as it has helped me to become even better at what I do and more committed to the bigger mission of my life.
Amber: The funny thing about this question is that so many people DID tell me that "Everything I need is already within me." But, I didn't listen because I had to go on my own quest to find my way home to myself. I am so grateful for all of the people who patiently and lovingly stood by me on this journey, I am certain I will need them to continue to remind me of this message, once again, down the path.
GO LIVE: WHAT WAS THE MOMENT YOU HAD WHEN YOU SAID "I SHOULD DO THIS" OR WHAT MADE YOU TAKE THE LEAP INTO WORKING FOR YOURSELF?
Amber: I had known that I wanted to be a work from home mama well before I was pregnant, only I didn't know HOW it was going to happen. After my own near-death experience (aka wakeup call) during our daughter's birth, I knew that it was time to get serious about making this dream come true. I launched my business 8 months after she was born and quit my job with just one client on the books (crazy!?), but I knew that if I could welcome in one client, more would come and focusing my time/energy on my business was the only way to help it grow. Four years later, I am so grateful for that courageous former version of me.
GO LIVE: WHAT THINGS HAVE YOU GAINED, OR DO YOU HOPE TO GAIN, IN YOUR LIFE FROM FOLLOWING THIS DREAM?
Amber: I have my life, my health, my husband (we retired him from his police career in 2017), the memories with our daughter that I haven't had to miss a minute of, sacred friendships with people I would have never met, time with the people I love the most and a deep sense of fulfillment and personal growth that comes with it. My entire life has transformed as a result of the choice to pursue my dream and make the leap to launch my business.
Amber: I absolutely love your design work and the way you approach supporting visionaries like me in sharing our message and mission with the world. I so appreciate how you tend to the finite details while honoring the big vision and delivering a finished product that will make a massive impact. Our websites create a powerful experience for our future clients to feel fully witnessed as they take the next step on their journey. I am so thrilled with what we've created together.
It was time to pack up camp and head north. Our drive to New Bern/Beaufort area was only 2 hours; allowing ample time to do some exploring!
Our camping destination was Flanners Beach Campground, located in the Neuse River Recreation Area in eastern North Carolina. This campground sits on a bluff which overlooks Neuse River and only a half-hour drive to the quaint town of Beaufort, NC.
We made our way to our site which was perfect for us. It was a large with trees all around lending privacy. We were close to the bath house as well, very handy as there is no water/sewer service. After our site was set-up, it was back on the road for some adventure.
Tips: Bring your bikes as the trails are easy and beautiful. If it is summer, you may not want to count on cooling off in the river. The water would be considered not warm but hot and stays shallow for a long way out. It was a dismal experience.
Our first stop in Beaufort was the North Carolina Maritime Museum. We learned about this museum at the Crystal Coast Visitor Center back in May 2016 on our New Bern adventure and was told it was a “not-to-miss” museum for pirates fans!
The first thing we did when we arrived at the museum was watch a documentary on Blackbeard’s life history (and that of other pirates), and his exploits in the waters off North Carolina. It was very well done and kept the kids interested to the very end. The best part? Artifacts from Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge that we saw in the documentary are on display in the museum!
Helen Aitken, a volunteer at the front desk, greeted us warmly and offered to get Drake and Mia set-up with a clipboard and pencil so they could participate in the museum scavenger hunt. She also mentioned to them that if they completed it, she would allow them to touch a REAL whale heart. What better motivation is there?
The museum is chock-full of interesting exhibits documenting life at lighthouses and lifesaving stations, the NC seafood industry, and motorboats through the years. The highlight, of course, was the artifacts from Blackbeard’s wrecked flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. You won’t see treasure (we learned Blackbeard removed all the good stuff when he ran aground) , however, you will see cannons, grenades, belt buckles and beads. Truly amazing to see!
When the kids were done with their scavenger hunt they went back to see Ms. Aitken. True to her word, she had them follow her to the whale heart exhibit. As she was telling us interesting facts about whales (did you know that the size of heart a whale is born with is the same size they’ll have as an adult?), a little crowd gathered around. Next, she opened up the display case and allowed everyone to gently touch the whale heart. Incredible!
Next, she pulled out a small jar of whale oil. Of course we all know that it was used for centuries for heating but I wasn’t as educated that it was also used in the auto industry. She rubbed a tiny amount on our hands to feel how incredibly silky the consistency was. It did have a pungent odor which I did identify as smelling before. Perhaps when my grandfather and father worked on vehicles many years ago. Ms. Aiken said that if you left it on for awhile the smell becomes similar to coconut oil. Not sure that I got that, but I can say it softened my skin!
Tip: Don’t forget to walk across the street to visit Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center where they teach boat-building for all ages.
By this time we were starving! On a recommendation from the Aitken’s, we made our way to Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant & Pub for lunch; located on the main drag; Front Street. Housed in the former Clawson’s Grocery building, the owners display historical memorabilia on the walls to help preserve this piece of Beaufort’s history.
The Aitken’s had mentioned the Seafood Bisque as being a “must-try” so we got a bowl to share. This creamy based soup with loads of scallops and shrimp was definitely a hit with Drake & Mia! I found it to be delicious as well. Too soon the bowl was empty and our main courses arrived.