Blessed.

I am so blessed to be where I am, with the people that I am with.

I'm getting to know the volunteers and they are pretty cool, but I definitely think the Odanadi girls are much, much cooler. (:

I've learned SO much since I've been here..and it's only been like three days!

The spirit of everyone at Odanadi (which means "soulmate" in Kannada - language used here in Karnataka) is AMAZING. The girls here are so special. Seeing them laugh, take care of one another and love each other is so beautiful.

The girls living at Odanadi range anywhere from ages four to 20. Most of them are victims of trafficking (all kinds, but mostly sex), while others have mothers who are involved with pimps and can't get out because of money. Others have either been rescued off the streets and many are also orphans.

I didn't know a lot of these things before coming to Odanadi. And not knowing this and meeting these girls has made me realize the power of this healing place. No one would ever guess what these girls have been through because they seem like a regular bunch of just girls!

Putting aside what they've been through, they simply are that: JUST GIRLS! (: They are beautiful inside and out and every time I hear a: "Sister Sharon! Sister Sharon!" I can't help but smile and really feel like I am a part of the Odanadi family.

So much has been learned from the past few days that I don't have time to write about everything here, but I hope this entry has given you all just a glimpse of what I am experiencing here so far...ALL BEFORE the actual cycle!

The cycle itself begins tomorrow. We are being dropped of at an inauguration, where we are being "sent off." After the bikes are dropped off at the site, we will ride back to Odanadi, eat lunch and then tackle our first village!

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

<3, Sharon

HELLO FROM INDIA!

Hi, everyone!

I made it alive! I'm in India! (: (at an Internet cafe)

I am VERY jet lagged and still in super disbelief that I am in India right now.

The food is amazing, the people I met are amazing and the cycle...even though it hasn't begun yet...WILL BE AMAZING.

Today, we are just relaxing and getting ourselves organized. Tomorrow and Sunday will be orientation days. Monday, the cycle begins!

I was really pumped about updating the blog often, but it looks like I will not be bringing my lap top along with me on the cycle. Because Internet connection is not guaranteed everywhere we go, I will be taking notes by hand and updating the blog every time I get the chance to go to an Internet cafe!

Everyone that knows me...knows that I am crazy about kids! I am so ready to bring home some Indian babies! They are adorable! OKay...kidding about bringing them home....but they are so, SO SOOOOOOOOo cute!

Anyways, I will update the next chance I get!

Wish me luck, everyone!

<3, Sharon

London!

I just experienced the most hilarious flight from Baltimore ever.

Getting ready to find my way to India! (:

Although I do have my lap top now, I may not be able to cycle with it!

So my blog posts will be minimal! ):

Stay tuned!

<3, Sharon

Thank Yous!

I'd like to thank the following individuals for their sponsorships!

Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority sisters
- Stephanie F.!!! <3 SLIC(k)...THAT IS ALL <3
- Holly L. <3 thanks so much girl!
- Rita W. I
- Jessie T. LOVE
- Sy-Yu C. THE
- Rhia P. THETA
- Dilys F. THUGS

AASU Family!

- Boosaba <3!
- Phil M. <3 <3!

- Minsoo K. weeeeeh!
- Jessica Y. BFF!
- Lina C. my lil chiclet!
- Thiruvenkata P., whom I have yet to meet in life! (:
- Kim T. taeyang's wife! <3

<3, Sharon

WOAH!

I can't believe I am leaving tomorrow!??!

This is almost unreal, that in only a few days, I'll be standing in INDIA. My departure is most definitely bitter sweet because I am missing everyone's graduations but I will also be getting started with the experience of my life!

I admit that I'm really nervous and almost feel unprepared for this trip in many, many ways. But it was meant to be, so I will see everyone on the other side, for sure. (:

I am bringing my lap top in order to keep everyone posted on what's going on and the progress of the cycle (aka whether I am surviving physicall! HAHA!...bad joke...yeah?), so I will try to update every time I get Internet service.

Donations and sponsorships are still being accepted, everyone! I will update on how much more I have to go to reach my goal by tonight! So stay tuned!

Also! Here's a link to an article on the ride written by a Canadian journalist who I'll get to meet in India!

http://www.calgaryherald.com/columnists/Joining+freedom+ride+southern+India/1595560/story.html

Okay, now....back to the last few paragraphs of my LAST FINAL PAPER FOR THE YEAR....

<3, Sharon

Updation to the Maximation! .... ?

He he he. My title makes no sense! But you get the point (I hope?).

I'm going to take the time now to thank individually, those who have donated to my trip since the last time I gave shout outs!

Bear with me! (: I've been logging all the donations I've been receiving: in person, online, by mail, etc. So I'm 99% sure that I won't be missing anyone!

IF FOR SOME REASON I MISS YOU...please send me a mean e-mail. It's not fair that I forget someone who is willing to support me on this trip!

Here we go! (:

Thanks to these people for their AMAZING FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS!

Asian American Student Union Executive Board (AASU) FAMILY!!
- AASU Advisors DHARMZ and JEE (gee gee gee..baby baby baby)! MY ULTIMATE MOTIVATORS
- former president..NEHA S. (I LOVE U for ALWAYS LISTENING TO ME <3)
- KAREN TAN/TAR/THONG <3

Sigma Psi Zeta Alumni!!!!! <3 Thinking of me EVEN IN THE REAL WORLD!
- My BIG SISTER - Mary M.!!! <3 You are THE BEST!
- One of the most inspiring/caring --> Cathy
- My wonderful auntie CLARA!!
- Goofball lover Jocelyn!
- Super active and always putting a smile on my face- Tran!
- VA TECH sister Christina S.!!!! <3 LOVE FROM OUT OF STATE!

Sigma Psi Zeta Sisters! (:
- Amanda!!!!!!!!!! (psister, forever friend and CRONK!)
- Lillian!!! THE FIRST SISTER TO DONATE TO MY CAUSE. You melt me with your "GANBATE!"
- Dilys!! <3 Sweet child with a big heart!! <3
- Donna~~~ (: the MOST AMAZING!!!!

- AAST class buddy Donny!!!!! <3 You have given me the LARGEST DONATION YET <3 THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

- Vinny!!! My unfailing friend and wang ja.

- ALWAYS ALWAYS warm and friendly SILVY UNNI <3

Pi Delta Psi Fraternity!!! <3
-former president, Patrick L.!! (: My Jamal!!!!!
- alumnus, Shawn W. (SENIOR SNORES/CLAW), FROM ALL THE WAY IN KOREA! (:

- Dr. DAN K.!

- Thomas M.~!!! My french buddy in NYC!! <3 THANKS SO MUCH ;d

- MY BOSS WOMAN <3 <3 Rebecca B-L!!!!!!

- Mr. Park from Bethel Church!

- MY FAVORITE OPPAS -> CHAE HO OPPA AND GA RAM OPPA (:

- MY GUARDIAN ANGEL!!! JASON C. OPPA from CA! ^^V

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, the most AMAZING people who care to support someone they have never met!!!!!!!- Neelaveni S.
- Thang N.
- Kumar R.
- Hina P.
- Pai-Hsuan O.

AGAIN...Thank yoou to EVERYONE who is being SO supportive of my trip. THIS REALLY COULD NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT EVERYONE'S LOVE AND CARING!!!!

<3, Sharon

I Am Alive...I Think?

13 Days.

ONLY 13 DAYS.

A part of me feels like I am not ready for this trip...but I wouldn't have come this far if I wasn't meant for it, right?

RIGHT!

Anyways, I apologize for not having updated my blog in TOO LONG. I have been very stressed with school and post-India plans and things are not getting better. Hopefully things will lighten up once I finish up with school work!

I have a LOOOOOONG list of shout outs that I want to give..but they will have to wait till my next post. But for now: THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THOSE WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY GIVEN ME WHATEVER THEY COULD DURING THESE RIDICULOUSLY TOUGH TIMES.

Honestly, I tear up every time I receive a donation. It is nice to know that there are people who care about me and care about the cause. <3

Okay, friends! I am nearly up to the $1,000 mark with raising funds! YAY!!!! But a LOT more to go! CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD!!!

---

Yesterday, I started on pills for Typhoid Fever and today I received two shots for immunizations. OUCH and ughh....I've definitely been feeling the side effects.

*NAUSEOUS*

I promise to update more before I leave!

<3, Sharon