I've been an avid reader all my life and have been focusing lately on following Jessica Watson, the 16-year old Australian girl sailing solo around the world in 8 months, non-stop on the Ella's Pink Lady . You can follow her daily blogging as she posts from somewhere out in the ocean as she sails around the world. She left just 9 days ago from Sydney, Australia.

Prior to Jessica's solo trip, Zac Sunderland from CA, USA set the record as the youngest person to sail solo around the world and completed his 13-month trip on July 16, 2009 at age 17. His record was surpassed 6 weeks later on August 27, 2009 by Mike Perham, of the UK.

You can read Zac's blogging journal of his completed solo sail (his trip started in June 2008-see his archived posts by month, in the right-hand column of his blog page).

It's interesting to read both Jessica and Zac's blogs and compare their similar circumstances and challenges they face(d) on a daily basis.

As a parent I don't think I could watch my child take on such enormous and dangerous challenges alone. It's easier to understand when you read their family's backgrounds. Sailing is an integral part of their daily life and is what drives them. That said, I have amazing children who have faced their own enormous challenges and I am so proud of them. Every person has their own path to walk (or sail) in life. I am always encouraged and inspired by those who fight against all odds to survive and have such enormous courage and will power. I have the will to fight, yet some days feel I fall short of courage (defined as mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty). I trust that God has a guiding hand in Jessica's life today, and each day ahead.

Labels: Challenges, courage, reading

Are you challenged? Oh, I am really challenged at this moment.

My awesome computer has contracted a terrible virus and is down for the count. For a girl like me, who has way too long of a list of things to accomplish before next week, this really hurts. I am on my man's computer and it doesn't have all the programs or access to my illustration files so I am a bit sunk. This means I cannot finish my Christmas cards and get them off to the printer. This plus the "project" is in a full scale assault as we speak and is expected to be for the next few days. MM has had no sleep and we are not on top of things as far as Christmas shopping goes.

I can't even get to the photos from the camera or my hard drive even though the are linked. The computer is nada, zip, zippo! My sweet MM will have to back everything up and reformat my entire computer again when he as time which is precious little these days. I have so many programs on it that he doesn't have on his so I am literally in limbo.

I plead for cheery emails to get me through this time of need, my computer is my lifeline to my illustration work. In the mean time, I am off to eat some yummy cookies from the party to cure my woes! Jessi, please pass the chocolate peppermint concoction you made! Oh, but I did find this 2005 photo for all you bella girls at Jessi's, believe it or not! :)

Labels: Challenges, pheasant