Gillian’s fun speaking engagements
I am having a great time doing motivational talks at schools, groups and organizations. Photos on FaceBook. Here are some of my fun bookings.
“Rock the Test” and “Test Fest”
Location: Vista Murietta High School
I just love happy and enthusiastic people. I just love teachers who reach out to their students and provide something different from the ordinary day to help motivate and inspire. I just love being a part of it all. Mr Moore invited me to make a motivational PSA to show the school as part of their “Rock the Test” campaign. Something fun and different to boost the pre California test days.I ended my announcement with ” I burned elephant dung to smoke the camp. You can all burn though the tests and smoke them all.Just do it.” Mr Verkautren and his Audio Visual class make all of their stuff and I was so impressed with their amazing studio all developed from donations and fund raising.I wish I was back in school with all the cool subjets there now are. I then made ” a Celebrity appearance” 🙂 at their quad party Test Fest. What fun that was with over 3000 students having a great time.I had a “Survived the test” dance on one foot competition which I led. I danced the Jerk with them,(hope I didnt look to much like a Jerk 🙂 ) answered their questions about my game, posed 🙂 for photos and signed autographs. My favorite was a kid who wanted my autograph for his Mother for Mothers day 🙂 How cool is that. I then did an hour or so in Mr Aitchisons English class where he is using my motto ( see my profile) to inspire his class to write their dream which they did and many shared theirs with all of us. That was awesome,especially watching some of the kids get up and share when they had not been able to before. Cool.
“Surviving” today’s economy in schools
Location: Chino Hills
I was invited to the Faculty meeting at Chaparral Elementary school. The principal Tom is a huge Survivor fan and wanted to provide something different and interesting for his facutly….me.:) I was invited by Ana from the Horace Mann companies. She provides good insurance rates for teachers, I provide free entertainment for schools who do not have the budget for something different. It was a lot of fun and I continue to take my hat off to teahers. They have a huge job.Congratulations to all of you and teachers every where.
Michelle’s Place fundraiser 5 K walk/run
Location: South Coast Winery, Temecula
I DID IT. It may not sound much for those who are runners but as we all know I AM NOT, yet that is. Well, I only ran a little over half the way but it’s a start 🙂 Did it in 39 mins which included a pee stop ( and not in the vines 🙂 )
Over 900 people participated and running/walking through the vines from South Coast winery was awesome with hot air balloons floating above us,beautiful weather and we are all alive to live life to the fullest.
This is all about Michelle. Check it out. This is from their brochure.
Let’s Honor Her Life and the Courage of All Like Her http://www.michellesplace.org
Michelle Watson
The tears still involuntarily flow at the thought of Michelle’s passing; but from the “pool of tears” has come a mission of service to make it better for others touched by this unrelenting disease. Family, friends, and the community have come together and created a mission to serve our community. Her parents say that more than once they have wished the treatment would have started sooner. But bitter disappointment must be given up and replaced with positive action. Michelle needed a resource center where she could go for help in coping with her challenges. Her parents, family and friends have started one in her memory so others will have an opportunity to get the help they need —it is called Michelle’s Place.
Michelle felt she would have liked a place she could receive emotional comfort, a listening ear, and an opportunity to talk with someone who is surviving breast cancer and learning to cope with the disease. This place should also provide the latest information regarding treatment options, coping strategies, up-to-date research and clinical developments so the person and their family can help in planning and be informed when making treatment decisions.
Michelle shared a love of life and persevered to the end with a valiant determination to beat the challenge of breast cancer and always shared her knowledge and experience of battling cancer in a positive, uplifting way. Although her journey on earth was cut short, her vision of helping others with breast cancer has been the inspiration to open Michelle’s Place to assist those walking a similar path.
Especially important at Michelle’s Place is the provision of education to those women not yet touched by the disease. They must know that if a lesion is mammographically detected during the early development stage, chances of survival and/or a cure rate is raised to a dramatic 95% or more. This is a major improvement over today’s variable survival rates among different ethnic groups, ranging from 55% to 79% — because, like Michelle, many of them are discovering breast cancer too late. It is clear that a very high priority for Michelle’s Place is to help educate everyone in our community, from our young women to our seniors.
Check out South Coast Winery. An awesome place and Maggie Carter,the owner does a lot for charity. www.wineresort.com
Location: Del Mar San Dieguito Park
I was “the guest of honor” at this really fun day with about 200 people.Mostly South Africans and quite a few Americans and Brits who are attached to a South African.I was invited to meet and greet and share my Survivor experience and I presented the winner of the Curry Cook Off with the Curry Cup. Well done Oscar and his cook team of it seemed 20.:)The Ex Pats club mission states” it serves as a powerful positive force of good in the greater community by encouraging and organizing action to help like minded success oriented individuals socialize and network with one another to succeed in their new environment. A casual environment in which all South African expats and friends meet to pursue social, sport, chats, outings, braais and business happenings together.”
The club entry “Theo’s – prawn curry” took a sterling second at a very well attended “Curry Cook-off 2009” competition held on Sunday, April 26th at San Dieguito Park, Del Mar with more than 20 entrants going head to toe and 167 starving onlookers – not to shabby for our first try. Much fun and geselskap. Any expat in the area check it out http://www.meetup.com/saffasclub
Ja nee,dit was a lekker dag met die mense.
I was “The Guest Of Honour” 🙂 at a South African gathering of the San Diego Expats club.I am the first South African to play on the American Survivor so I was invited to come and share my experience with some of the members. The event was kindly hosted by Miguel and Michelle and organized by Theo Van Der Merwe (no joke 🙂 ) and great photos taken by Gail Van Der Merwe.
Many present are die hard Survivor fans so it was a really enjoyable day talking Afrikaans and Survivor!!!! It is always a pleasure to connect with others of your own culture and what a treat to hear everyone there talk about how much they appreciate this country and also maintain a lot of their culture too. We had a real South African braai with boerewors,chops,steak,sosaties, salads and beer.
Location: Sycuan Casino
Sugar and I were part of the open casting call on Saturday and talked to fun folks for 8 hrs. I walked the outside line for an hour and them we were on stage for the rest.I still find it so weird that people know who I am,want their picture taken with me and ask for signitures. It is cool and such a priviledge.I remember being on the other side.!! It was such fun being on the other side of the line and being a part of hundreds of hopeful’s journey to their game of Survivor. I loved talking to people and seeing the hope in their eyes and feeling the gleam of hope in their hearts.The all had different stories and reasons for being there. Many had tried many times,many were first timers.There was a Scuba dive instructor,a sky diver,a hearing impaired guy,a lepracaun,a Rasta,a surfer dude, a Red Army soldier and Stacie from my tribe trying out when I was chosen and Sonia who borrowed my game shirt.and a family of 3 . Mother and 2 kids and the fishing grampa who ate raw fish and even the casino valet.. Many were overcoming the fear they had, to try and came and DID IT !!! Many, many were over 50 and they too knew they could do it and Bob and I once again showed over 50 can do it and so can they. I loved the spirit of so many of the auditionees. I would have loved more photos but got too busy. The one I missed was the 94 yr old really cute guy. I only hope that I have the spirit and spunk to do something as fun as this when I am 94. Good for you sir. The people there were priviledged to hear Lynne,the casting Director talk and give them great tips. She is awesome and a huge help to hear it from her. So remember,just be you,be rememberable, tell a good story and never give up,you never know when “you” will be what they are looking for. Go for it. Thanks to Donna, Elyse and Barry from CBS8 San Diego for making the day such fun for all present. I remember them from my time in line.
Sharing a torch,sharing a dream
Location: Vista Murrieta High School
What an honor and a pleasure to be the keynote speaker at the Induction Ceremony of the National Honor Society at Vista Murrieta High School. Thanks to Mr Aitcheson, the Honor Society leader and Mr Daniels the Principal for inviting me. I love teaching faculty who think outside of the box. Good for you providing such a different and current addition to a ceremony.
Their symbol of a torch and the word Honor played an enormous part in my Survivor Game and here I was sharing these 2 words with a great group of people.
They too have a torch…Unlike my torch their torch will never be snuffed out unless they chose to do so themselves. Their flaming Torch is a symbol of their purpose to bear forward the searching light of truth.To lead so others may follow in the light,to keep burning in their school the high ambition for the enduring values of life and to serve with unselfish loyalty to truth and honor. The word honor particularly struck a cord with me. My torch was basically snuffed because I could not compromise myself despite the fact I had thought I could for 8 years. My solace after being snuffed was a hidden message in a book my Daughter Kendra hid for me and I found in “boot camp”.
“Honor yourself” and I did. I can hold my “booted”head up high and tell my story.No one will ever know what that message meant to me and how that comforted me when I was soooo bummed about being booted.
Once again….I shared my message to the 17 kids who were being inducted for their achievements and their proud family’s who were there to share their “honor” and my family was also there to share in my message and watch me in my Post Survivor Journey.
Dream it,
Believe it,
Prepare for irt,
DO IT.
Horace Mann Western Region Sales meeting
Location: Pechanga Casino Temecula
Location: Pechanga Casino TemeculaThanks to Leonard,Kristy and Ron for inviting me to be a part of their meetings.
I had such fun sharing my motto of
Dream it,
Believe it,
Prepare for it,
DO IT !!!!
with about 28 of the Western Region sales agents. We had a lot of laughs as I shared my philosophy and my experience. It was really fun to hear their questions and get their feedback.
I think they went away not only laughing but a little inspired. Their 2 day meeting gave them a lot of great information to get out and help people with their very good products and good rates. May help a lot people save money. Is’nt that what we need.
I am so enjoying having the platform of “my celebrity” to get in front of so many people to give them a bit of a boost and if only one person hears me and gets off “the couch” and does something that they are inspired to do,then my message and my game of Survivor was so worth while.
Location: Whittier Elementary School
We are indeed lucky to have teachers in this country who are innovative, creative and fun. Marc Horton, the Principal of Whittier Elementary was the first to snag me as a speaker at his faculty meeting. It was pleasure to spend time with the teachers and I applaud all they do to contribute to the minds of all our kids. Its the most important job in the development of our country’s future and so often they do not get the recognition they deserve. Marc has done amazing things in his school ( having me there was one of them :0 !!! ) and is well respected by the faculity and obviously well liked by the kids I saw around him.
Good for you Marc and all your faculty.
It is my pleasure to talk at schools and impart my message of Belief. With school funding at it’s lowest ever it is a way for me to give of my time and give back for my opportunity.
Survivor chat at Covina High School
Location. Covina High School
I was invited by Matt Kearns, a teacher with vision and forsight,to come and speak to his class on my Survivor experience.He is not only a big Survivor fan, has used Survivor as a teaching tool for the past 3 years. He wrote his master’s degree paper on positive academic outcome of using Survivor to teach students writing and critical thinking skills. His classes blossomed and came up with the most interesting prosectives and amazing writings as a result. Good for you Mr Kearns. We need more teachers like you.It was a great time for me. There were about 60 kids,who were fun,engaging and really interested. What a pleasure to among a whole lot of kids with a bright future ahead of them. Go for it,kids.The main theme of my talk is always to follow your dream and be the best person you can be,love life and live it.
Location: Temecula, Ca.
I had a wonderful evening as a speaker at my Grand daughter Emma’s school. The talk centered on “Dream it, believe it, prepare for it and DO IT !!!!” The kids made torches and added “their fire” and wrote their dream on it.
It is so cool to hear kids declare their dream and I shared my journey to “my dream of Survivor”
3 classes and another Survivor Addict
Location: Helix High School, San Diego
Rick Fortin is an awesome teacher and also a major Survivor addict and has applied as much I I did. I met him in line at the Sycuan Casting call and heard later that he is a teacher in San Diego. I made arrangements to go to his classroom to talk about my motto and its realtion to life. Rick has much the same motto as he has never given up either. A few other teachers heard I was coming and felt their class could benefit from meeting me and hearing my message. I loved meeting all those kids and sharing my dream and hearing theirs.The kids were great. Attentive,interactive and had some great questions. Once again,thnaks to Rick for being an “outside of the box kinda teacher” who made arrangements for me to come and share with several classes. If only one kid went away with a thought and it makes a difference in their life,then my message was heard. Awesome. I love giving back by getting in front of groups.
Check out Rick on FB and join his campaign to get himself into”the Greatest Game on TV” Survivor (of course)
This is a late posting as I was waiting for photos.
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