The Past 10 Days
Monday, September 27, 2010 at 12:13PM 
fforest: home of the DoLecturesExactly a year ago I was invited to speak at the Do Lectures in Wales all thanks to my incredible friend Duke Stump, a fantastic speaker from last year. I was thrilled to be invited, said yes, and then sort of forgot about the whole thing for a year while I was busy working on the school. Time passed and before I knew it I was packing up my bags, kissing the kids goodbye, and getting on a flight to London.
The thing is, I don't particularly like talking in public. My face turns beat red and I'm nervous for hours before I have to get up on stage. Sure, by now I've gotten used to telling my story. It's kind of a hard topic to avoid and it usually comes up (in the States) while I'm getting my haircut, at the grocery store, in the Apple store, and just about anywhere and everywhere, usually starting with a question like, so are you a college student? I've gotten used to telling the short version and answering questions. But getting up in front of a group is a different story, especially when there are cameras and you're being recorded and then put on the internet forever.
The talks were in a big tent set on a farm in the middle of the countryside in Wales. It was beautiful. The speakers were all so different and interesting. There were publishers, and designers, architects, artists, musicians, scientists, entrepreneurs and farmers. It was just so cool. One of my favorite lectures was by Ed Stafford, who just finished walking the length of the Amazon. It took him 2 and 1/2 years and he's the first person to ever do it. I will think of him every time I ever want to complain about having to trek anywhere again. While each of the speakers was up there on stage, I would just stare in absolute amazement. It was so cool to watch them all oozing with passion and excitement for what they do and every single talk left me feeling completely recharged.
Seriously all the talks were inspiring and it was humbling to be amongst so many different people from all different walks of life. I loved the farm and the baby piglets and the fresh air. I loved meal time and chats by the fire. I loved the whole set up of Fforrest, my tent and my tent mates, my hikes to the nature preserve and along the river. I felt incredibly lucky to be there and a part of all the magic.
I'm really thankful my talk was right in the beginning because if it wasn't I would have dreaded getting up on stage the entire weekend. I finally stood up shaking, took a deep breath and told my story and the 25 minutes was over before I knew it and I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. The weekend was also over before I knew it. I headed back to London and spent a day with lots of Juntara, Kate's and my dear friends who helped us through our few months of living there last year. They are such a sweet gang and I was thrilled to see everyone. 24 hours later I was back on a plane headed for Kathmandu.
I spent 2 days in Kathmandu, one recovering from the cold I caught through all the travel and another visiting a few schools that I've been meaning to check out for a while. I also picked up some more workbooks at the book shop for our kindergardeners who in case you hadn't heard, are absolutely out of control. I swear, picture the 25 most energetic attention deficit kids you've ever seen in your life and put them all in a room together. That's my kindergarten for you. I'm counting down the days before my Aussie kindergarten teacher trainer gets here in December. This is all just way over my head.
After my 2 days in Kathmandu I was really really ready to get home so I caught a flight to Nepal Ganj, just three hours away from where we live. Just as we landed I heard there was a big strike in Nepal Ganj, and no vehicles were allowed to move. There had also been a strike when I was on my way to London that I had easily talked my way through so I confidently thought I could talk my way through this one too. What started out as a calm discussion with the head honcho guy from the group who called the strike, soon turned into a major confrontation. I hate the word no, especially when I'm tired and and in a bad mood and just want to go home and the kids are waiting for me. As my family will tell you, I don't always know when to shut my mouth. Word of advice, don't get in a fight with the guys calling the strike, you will never win and they'll never let you through.
After two days of being stranded in my not most favorite city in the world, riding around and doing some shopping on a bicycle rickshaw, the roads finally opened, and the trucks and buses started running again. I finally got home around midnight last night and woke up this morning to all the kids crammed into my little room catching me up on the million and one things that apparently occurred while I was away. I'm currently listening to a few of the boys who are supposed to be showering in my bathroom. You'd think they were attending a rave. I wouldn't find this nearly as entertaining if I hadn't been away for a week.
If you have a minute check out the DO LECTURES!! The people there running the show are some of the best that I've come to know.
Lots of love and more soon,
Maggie
Reader Comments (19)
cant wait to hear yours!!!
LOVE IT
Great talk, Maggie. You may have been nervous, but it doesn't show through at all. You're a pro and clearly a gifted presenter!
WOW. JUST: WOW!!!!!! (okay, not just wow, amazing and spectacular too!)
Great Job - so proud of you and all that you do - Frank can't wait to go back to Nepal!!!
Maggie..
i just listened to your lecture and it was just amazing.. I just sent a note off to your Dad telling him how grateful I am that I found you and blinknow.org. You remind me everyday that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Please give Nisha a big hug for me. Glad you are safely home!! Hugs to you too!
Laurie
enjoyed your presentation Maggie!!!
True meaning of INSPIRATION
loooooooved this!
shared it on FB immediately yesterday! your story is a unique one and one that should be shared as much as possible. SO inspirational!!!
Thank you Maggie! :)
-Sean in ATL
Maggie, Just watched your talk again and it took me straight back to Nepal. Best of luck out there - a lot of people are thinking of you now. x
Now that you've been to Welsh Wales and fitted in a quick visit to London which you know as well as its inhabitants, could you please consider allowing the older members of your family; Nisha and Goma, or Nisha and Anjali, or Nisha and Karma, or Nisha and one of the older boys, to spend next Summer in London attending an English college to practise their English. They could stay either with an English family or, if they prefer, with an ex British Army Nepalese Gurkha family, most of whom now live in London. They could soak up the historical sights and sounds of the City and would, I'm sure, love every minute of it. The Sticky Fingers restaurant off Kensington High Street owned by one of the Rolling Stones, is fun.
Think about it.
I totally echo AJ's comment, Maggie. Boy, did you ever shine your light and open the door to KVCH and your school to receiving a whole lot of new worldwide love!!! Get ready!
I'm feeling mighty blessed to be sharing this planet with you.
oxoxox
Dear Maggie
You made me cry (again!!) Amazing. And I want to second Sylvia's suggestion - I am in the UK, as you know! I would be so happy to help any of your children to visit the UK (but especially Sabita!!! When she is old enough).
I too had that feeling of being at home in Nepal - I remember looking out of the airplane window in 1996 and letting out a deep sigh, saying I was home - I was truly surprised by my feeling - perhaps this is why I feel so connected to what you are doing.
Denise x
Denise, get my email from Maggie. After all, we live just down the road from one another.
You've inspired me to be a better person, thankyou Maggie :o)
Maggie, your story is soooo amazing !?
I will love to translate in french so more people could hear it.
Keep doing your great work of LOVE
You are so inspiring and beautiful and amazing and wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
It's really fantastic to hear the whole story. Thanks so much for sharing.
You are an an inspiration and a marvel!
Maggie - I just came across your Do Lecture.....fantastic! What a wonderful place for a meaningful retreat and to listen to individuals like you who really help to stir the passion within others.
All the best - always,
Tom