Wednesday, March 6, 2013

A Loving Request


Dear Loved Ones,
I am about to embark on an exciting journey!  I’ve decided I’m ready to make a change and leave my (stressful-lacking-weekends/in-the-midst-of-negotiations) job with the BSC, an organization I deeply love, in late April.  I’m currently looking for apartments with my partner, Collin, since I live where I work and will need to move out when I quit, so it’s a time of big changes and potential!

As some of you may know, I recently had an interview with UCSF School of Nursing (further than I’d gotten the last two times!), but found out a few weeks ago that I was not accepted for graduate study.  I’m keeping busy and interested in women’s health and caring for others by volunteering with two organizations: the San Francisco General Hospital Doula Program, which offers free doulas to any mommas delivering at SFGH, and the Birth Justice Project, which offers free doulas to incarcerated women in labor as well as women’s health education within San Francisco County Jail.   I’ve also applied to the SFSU Clinical Psychology Master’s Program that would start in September, so we’ll see what happens with that.

For now, I’m hoping to continue pursuing my acrobatic passion as much as I can.  I have just finally been given the opportunity to teach a couple of aerial workshops at the Athletic Playground, where I have been training for three years.  Up until this point, I had only ever been able to substitute teach and assist some classes, so I’m very excited.

As part of fostering my acrobatic passion, I’ve registered for an aerial retreat in the Dominican Republic that takes place in early May.  This is, I’m told, a great place to build skills, learn about oneself, and network.  I’m so excited to be training with some fantastic aerialists!  For more information about the retreats, see this website: http://www.sweetretreatsdr.com/our-next-retreat/.  I’ve spoken with the retreat coordinator and she tells me the location that they’ve been using for the last 5 years is very safe.  There is also a good hospital nearby just in case!  (They’ve only had to use it once when someone got sick, so they have safe training practices too)

I’ve paid the deposit and applied for and been awarded one of the worktrade scholarships.  Unfortunately, the worktrade scholarship does not cover very much of the tuition.  All together, the retreat tuition and airfare is going to cost me $2,200 after the worktrade scholarship.  This cost, thankfully, includes food and lodging. 

I hope you will join me in my excitement about this next phase of my life!  If you are moved to make a donation toward this trip, it would be greatly appreciated.  Anything and everything helps and there is no amount too small.   This can go toward future birthday or Christmas gifts, or it can be part of a congratulation (or consolation  :/) about grad school.  If you have ever had trouble thinking of something to get me, this is an awesome idea!

And your contribution will get rewarded!  (Of course with my eternal gratitude and undying love, but there’s more!)

Donations between $5 and $25 will be mentioned on my blog and will receive a personalized thank you!

Donations between $26 and $100 will be mentioned on my blog and will receive a signed photo of me in the air along with their thank you note!

Donations between $101 and $500 will be mentioned on my blog, receive a signed photo with their thank you, and entitle you to a free aerial fabric lesson!

Donations above $500 will receive everything listed above plus a free performance* (Got a friend with a wedding coming up?  Like to throw spectacular parties?  Want to entertain some big shots at work?  I’m here for you!)

*2 month advance notice requested for all performance requests.  No guarantees for performance dates with less than 2 months notice (but I’ll do my best!)


Thank you all so much for your support and love over the years.  I am truly blessed with family and friends and so very glad I can count you as one of them.

Love,
Caitlyn