A collection of transformation, identity, and the stories that shape who we become.
THE BOOK of BECOMING
a living collection
And the SOAR! winners are…
going to be announced sometime between tomorrow morning and tomorrow evening.
You guessed it. This is not Me Ra writing, getting your hopes up and then trying out some bad joke that only her husband can appreciate.
Yep, it’s me Brian, Me Ra’s Husband. I am doing all I can to bring our 260+ SOAR scholarship applicants and their Friends and Family to the height of anticipation as we prepare to announce the recipients of the scholarships sometime tomorrow.
There are some final details that are just taking us a little longer to finalize. You know, we gotta cross our I’s and dot our T’s. 🙂
We are so excited to announce the winners Friday January 8th. SO if you don’t see the announcement first thing in the morning, hang in there. I promise we WILL have them finalized by tomorrow.
January 7th, 2010 at 5:33 am
Looks like there will be 260+ women stalking your blog tomorrow in anticipation of the announcement. Time to make a plan for distraction….maybe a museum trip with the kids
January 7th, 2010 at 5:33 am
Oh, this is sooooooo exciting! I hope it is sooner than later. We will all be bitin our nails, pacing and glued to our computers until we hear the news!!!!!
Thanks again for all your hard work and dedication to the SOAR Sisters. You two are the best!
(Hugs)
Marla-Dee
January 7th, 2010 at 5:35 am
I don’t know how any of us will be able to pull ourselves away from our computers tomorrow! Eeeeek, can’t wait! 🙂
January 7th, 2010 at 5:40 am
I’ve been glued here the whole week, slept on the loveseat for all of three hours on Monday morning…can’t stop looking, writing, cheering everyone on, trying to get us Soar Girls from California together.
This thing is HUGE and intensely exciting! Thank you so much Me Ra and Brian for putting this great project together!
January 7th, 2010 at 5:44 am
HA HA HA I totally thought for a second there that you were going to give it out early!! We are all very excited to embrace your decisions!
Let me also take a moment to express my most heartfelt thanks for all you guys have done. Our group of women is here and STRONG all be cause of you. We are better women, better photographers, and better SOAR sisters because you envisioned this. So thank you, with all my heart THANK YOU!
January 7th, 2010 at 6:16 am
How exciting! Brian, you should post more often. I always like reading your posts.
January 7th, 2010 at 6:48 am
I hope these 260+ women don’t crash a server by checking the blog! 🙂 This is so exciting. What a great way to start the year!
Thanks Brian!!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:08 am
Only Brian would post a countdown clock too!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Brian you made me LOL on that post! So many beautiful, heartwarming, talented photographers to choose from. I can imagine you and Me Ra are excited too! Thanks for putting the timer up, this is SOARing Eve…..
xo
January 7th, 2010 at 8:14 am
I hope you’re having an amazing time! Blessings, Pamela
January 7th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Ha!! Thanks for that Brian!! Your posts are always… unique!! LOL. I can’t imagine what y’all are going through, making this choice. So exciting…
January 7th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Hey, Wait… the little counter says Jan 9th! Don’t play with our emotions like that! he he
January 7th, 2010 at 8:38 am
I hope you’ve beefed up your server for all the action you’ll be getting tomorrow!
I cannot WAIT! SO EXCITING!!!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:40 am
BAHhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Too. Hard. Too. Excited. ACK!!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Excited for the big announcement! Going to have to check in lots tomorrow.
January 7th, 2010 at 8:46 am
I second Christine’s big thank you to Me Ra, Brian, your kids and everyone else who has had a hand in this Scholarship process. It has been an Amazing experience regardless of the outcome.
January 7th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Love you both for ALL that you do!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Bah, ha, ha! Messing with us like that. Too funny!
January 7th, 2010 at 9:00 am
Major butterflies. Good luck everyone.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:02 am
anticipation is the THE best!
brian…here’s an idea….fake the blog going down tomorrow…..funny….right? everyone will be flipping out. trying to find out the winners and the blog won’t work. emailing you like crazy!!!! won’t that be hilarious. ok….maybe i should re-think that. don’t listen to me…i don’t know what i’m talking about. 🙂
i did figure one thing out though….i finally discovered the key that will make my blog completely blow up with success….i need a new name. right? a new “blog name”. here’s what i was thinking….and be honest.
poppabloo
kinda has a ring to it, right? i know what you’re thinking…..it’s a little close to “poppabear” like in “goldilocks and the three bears”….but i think that’s ok….imitation is the best form of flattery, right?
oh….what’s that? you think it is too close to kari’s name? you’re crazy!
January 7th, 2010 at 9:33 am
I think all 260+ of us are stalking today. The site took a bit to load. I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THE RESULTS!
I am so nervous! I am excited for all the applicants (including me).
January 7th, 2010 at 10:29 am
NOT FUNNY BRIAN!!!!! =) LOL I am trying to NOT countdown. =)
Jeramy – You are not helping either!!!! 😉 BTW – Poppabloo reminds me too much of Baloo from Jungle Book. heehee
January 7th, 2010 at 10:47 am
ahhh michelle….live a little….c’mon! 🙂
January 7th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Can’t wait to find out who the three lucky women are 🙂
January 7th, 2010 at 11:45 am
MeRa!!!! (And brian) 😛 This is beyond exciting – I cant even say – you will make three dreams come true tomorrow – that is overwhelming to witness for me, i can’t imagine how YOU feel!
January 7th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Did Jeramy just have an entire imaginary conversation with Brian in the blog comments? Bahahaha!
Keep going, Jeramy. We will need some entertainment to take our minds off of the waiting!
And, of course, I echo everyone’s thanks to you MeRa and Brian (and Blaze and Pascaline for sharing you guys with us OVER THE HOLIDAYS no less)!!
January 7th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
you know…i said “self”
“self” i said.
“you should post more of your thoughts….more often even.”
i think that’s a good idea self!
brian….your thoughts? or carol. either way.
ok, now i’m starting to scare myself. 🙂
January 7th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Ummm….tomorrow is the 8th goof! Unless you are going to wait until the 9th, in which case I’d hide it I were you! 🙂
The only thing going through my head….the song, “I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it. I’m about to loose control and I think I like it.”
Good luck sleeping tonight All!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I spoke with Me Ra today and it got me thinking. So, I would like to share with this wonderful community what it means to win something like this. For I , too, was once a big winner. When I won my home makeover it came with a myriad of emotions, highs and, yes, huge lows. Winning didn’t suddenly make me bullet-proof against the people out there who resented me winning, who wrote negative comments on a nationally read blog, who claimed that I was undeserving. The biggest gift, the most amazing generous thing that has ever happened to me came with the need for a huge force field around me and my family. It only took one negative blog comment to take me to my knees. I wanted to cry. To retaliate. I couldn’t believe that someone would say “those” things about me. I never claimed to be “worthy” – I had just spoken from the heart, and someone heard and answered me with the most amazing gift. So after that, I did not seek out opinion of the masses. I just held onto those who loved me, instead, and tried my best to throw a net over myself that prevented any negativity from getting to me.
So, here is the thing. Tomorrow when the winners are announced, please please be a part of the celebration. I beg you not to even THINK a negative thought about why you or your wife or your neighbor didn’t win. These winners will still have marital struggles, bills to pay, kids to raise and they need as many people on their side that they can muster. I know the majority of you out there will rally. Thank God for you all. But the 2% that may not… please think about the impact of your words and your thoughts. Lets claim this: that those who didn’t win have something fantastic around the corner that would not have been available if they had won. That by NOT getting the scholarship, they are going to SOAR. And to the winners, congratulations. May this be a moment of joy and utter blessing for you and your family.
January 7th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Well said Kari. I totally agree. Tomorrow is a time to rejoice, chosen or not.
But, that doesn’t stop the jitters today! 🙂
January 7th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Kari –
People are people regardless of their job, their blessings, their homes or cars…it’s not just sticks and stones that hurt us. Words very much do too.
I’m sorry that you had to experience it first hand.
Sara
January 7th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
kari….your stock just went up in my book. 🙂
January 7th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Kari,
GREAT advice from someone who has been there. I believe we all have a story, some were told on video and some were not. Until we walk in someone else’s shoes who are we to judge if they are worthy. There is far more to each individual story than we will ever know.
As I watched the videos, every woman was beautiful and talented in their own way. I have been through many tough times but while watching the stories I was so grateful that some of the women’s experiences I have not had to go through, yet, anyway.
This experience for me has been a real clarification as to what I need to be doing with my life so for that I am eternally grateful. We have also enjoyed getting to know you through this process. It is going to be fun soaring together this year!
January 7th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
So excited! good luck ladies and remember we are all strong women and no matter what you’ve already taken the greatest step into becoming a great photographer! Keep soaring and Happy New year!
January 7th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Well said, Kari! Thank you for sharing your experience. It is heart breaking that people take other’s good fortunes and turn them around.
I keep wondering how I will feel when the winners are announced and if one of the names is not mine. I think I can honestly say I will be a little heartbroken, but that will be superseded by joy for the winner because the sisterhood that was formed through this “contest” is extraordinary!
Whenever I watched So You Think You Can Dance, I am amazed at the support, admiration and encouragement the contestants each had for each other even though they were competing for ONE title. I think that relationship amongst the contestants best describes how I feel about SOAR! We are all rooting for each other. Only 3 women will technically “win” SOAR but I think we will all be mimicking their steps to SOAR ourselves.
With that said, good luck ladies!!!!!!
PS – Jeramy – still not voting for the Poppabloo….it now sounds like “pop a balloon” to me. Or Poppabloo come blow your horn…. =)
January 7th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH….my heart jumped and started beating a million miles a minute when I saw the header!!!! I can’t imagine what tomorrow will feel like!!!
You are all so funny….I have enjoyed the sense of community there is here.
I am wondering if Me Ra and Brian will get as little sleep as the rest of us!
Until tomorrow (who am I kidding…I’m sure I will be checking back here several times tonight!)
January 7th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Like many of you I have been glued to this site. LOL Even when I’m away from the computer I’m on my smartphone checking it out. How on earth are we going to sleep tonight?
I want to with everyone good luck. I am so honored to share this experience with you. Hugs to all of you I think you are the BEST!
Saundra
January 7th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Thanks Jeramy… though, my husband may have questions about why there is a “poppabloo” out there that isn’t him….
January 7th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
good luck EVERYONE!!
loving all this positive energy & excitement.
wow/amen to what kari said.
haha jeramy/poppabloo.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
I am going to a photog retreat this weekend in St. Augustine and will be away from my computer for most of the time SO I will be totally going BUGGY!!! 🙂 I wish so much success and beautiful moments for all the 260+ women and their families and friends!! !This has been an amazing experience from start to almost *finish and I can’t wait to see the 3 deserving ladies along with the rest of us SOAR to heights never discovered in 2010!! ? ? ? ?
January 7th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
I just wanted one more chance to say thank you to MeRa, Brian, and the sponsors, and all the women who are daring to SOAR! this year. I am so anticipating the big announcement tomorrow and can’t wait to hear who the 3 lucky winners are. However, I truly believe that all of the entrants have been extremely lucky to have stumbled upon this site and this contest. We are all winners in some way, The community that has been built in only 5 short weeks is incredible. The actual “winners” may be getting a little boost on the way to their dream but this community of women is already creating, pushing, encouraging, teaching, and motivating us all to reach beyond our comfort zone and SOAR! to our dreams. I am so excited to be a part of this experience and this journey. Only positive thoughts coming from here and I can’t wait to see the outcome tomorrow.
That you Kari for encouraging positivity amongst our community. I hope we have 100% encouragement tomorrow.
Good luck to everyone, tomorrow is the day we truly begin to all make our dreams come true!
January 7th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Oh man…I work tomorrow…545am in Colorado……I cant wait 🙂 Good luck
January 7th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Are the videos down now? Commenting down? Can’t wait!
Best wishes!
January 7th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
oops…..sorry kari. didn’t even think of that. i relinquish my new “old” blog name. i’ll find something else. 🙂
January 8th, 2010 at 12:00 am
LOVE the clock…Blessings to everyone! You have all already grown and overcome in hopes of bigger and better things in 2010! Love you!
January 8th, 2010 at 5:56 am
Good luck everyone!!! So excited and so grateful for this opportunity to grow and learn!!! 🙂
January 8th, 2010 at 7:28 am
omg, im so excited im about to cry!!!
January 8th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Kari, couldn’t have articulated what you said any better!
Winners whoever you are I want to congratulate you wholeheartedly!!!! Big, big hugs to you…you deserve this amazing opportunity to soar!
January 8th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I am so so so glued. I can’t wait to hear the news!
January 8th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Good thing I have a list of things ‘to do’ today to keep my occupied… =) Including ‘do a little dance in my living room’.
I have decided that SOARday should be the 8th day of the week between Friday and Saturday so no matter what we have going on, we’ll take time to SOAR each day… but especially on SOARday!
Good luck y’all. Remember you’re SOARing doesn’t end here… It simply continues!
January 8th, 2010 at 9:49 am
I am anxious to see who wins today! Although, I don’t think my video made it in 🙁 (It turns out I had a slow computer the day/week I thought I submitted, I have not seen it appear with the other videos. Good luck to everyone else! 🙂 I am looking forward to following this process and all the stuff I can learn from it through someone elses good fortune this time! 🙂 I can still “soar”, however, at a slower pace. I will not give up! 🙂
Have a wonderful day all! …and a BIG Congratulations to the winners in advance, whomever YOU are!!!! 🙂 😉
January 8th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Kari,
I am always amazed at how some people can lash out at someone’s “fairy Godmother moment”. To me, to win this would be a dream come true and today when winners are announced I know I will burst into tears whether I win or lose. Joy for me and/or Joy for those who have won. Happy tears, really. Then some disappointment, but no sad tears if that makes sense? Those video’s illustrated we are all on a journey together and it can be bittersweet and challenging. MeRa simply let it be ok to be who you are and try. I know how hard it was for me and we all put it out there. I was so proud of every video I saw and connected with people that were/are strangers! I cannot imagine even for a moment thinking she didn’t deserve it or is unworthy in any way. I’m a quote person and “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, works both ways. Any negativity usually represents the spirit of the person giving it not the receiver. I forget that sometimes, but again your experience brought that to my mind.
I’m glad you put your experience out there and sad that someone felt good in simply being mean in an extraordinary time. Wow, Oprah, how amazing! I would hate to see someone’s “moment” and achievement tarnished even a little by the inappropriate negativity of another.
I wish we could all win. WOW talk about dreaming big 🙂 Good Luck Soar Sisters!
January 8th, 2010 at 11:19 am
I have tried so hard today to keep busy. I’ve even cleaned out my desk drawers and straightened up my desk, paid bills and gone to the grocery store. It’s like Christmas for a little one.
January 8th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I realize my chances are slim so I’m not holding my breath, but I’m already a winner because I’ve said my dream out loud. Now it’s up to me to make it happen, and we will all benefit from the three that win. Thank you for the inspiration and motivational push 🙂
January 8th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Right on Claudia! I’m right there with ya!
January 8th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Please please please post the winners on twitter!
January 8th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Excatly what Claudia said! I felt so inspired by this contest! I’m going to a bridal fair this weekend to showcase my work, I’ve been working on my booth all week so hopefully it’ll look great! 🙂 Keep Soaring ladies!
January 8th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Ahhhhh…the suspense is killing me…let’s hope that timer is right…
January 8th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Ahhh! I’m so nervous! I am trying not to get my hopes up but it’s too hard not to!
January 8th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
The countdown stopped and now it says January 9th…is that true? For Rea???
January 8th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
where do we find out who wins??
January 8th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I keep refreshing the site hoping to see the list of winners or to suddenly get a phone call 🙂
Heather Brandt
January 8th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Ahhh! Dinner is going to burn. LOL I can’t keep running over to the laptop to check if the winners have been announced. Best wishes to everyone!
January 8th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
okay, what is all the confusion??
January 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
According to Me Ra, there are some technical difficulties.
January 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
good luck ladies!