The Ride
It was a slow start, but I’m a Giant Squid, now!!
My original intention was to build just a few lenses during the Giant Squid Challenge June 2009. I had started the competition with 27 lenses. I just couldn’t see my way clear to do anything more than add maybe four or five — well, maybe six or seven — to my team’s roster.
When a couple of my other Squid friends, AJ2008 and OhMe, made their commitments to go for Giant, well, I put it in third gear so that I could meet them at the finish line!
Hey, Nancy and AJ! We made it!
In the end, we didn’t win the challenge title, but we gained so much more than that — the new skills, the memories, the new friends, the thrill of surpassing expectations for oneself — a new self-awareness. Plus, that beautiful purple badge!
Congratulations to a_willow and her team for winning the Giant Squids portion of the challenge, and to kab and her team for winning the 100 Club challenge. A special shout-out, as well, to the other team leaders, rajays and justbon for their tireless leadership.
An extra-special thank you to Joan4 — the ever-positive team leader who saw us, Joan’s Jolly Judicious Jetsetters, through to the end.
RocketMoms was a great help in motivating me to push myself harder. Thank you, RocketMoms. Special thanks to Bonnie (bdkz) for leading us.
There are so many people who encouraged me along the way; I couldn’t possibly list you all. I want you all to know, though, that I thank you so very much.
I am paying it forward by leading a challenge team myself this quarter. If you haven’t yet, but would like to challenge yourself to become a Giant Squid or a Giant 100, my team — Team One — will be accepting members shortly. I’ll post more ASAP. Update: Link to Team One
Onward, Squidoo!
Love.
cleanerlife Said,
July 5, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
I didn’t even realize you weren’t expecting to make enough to reach Giant this time around! You had a lot more work to do in the allotted time than I did, Congrats, glad to see you made it!
MiMi Said,
July 5, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
Thank you, Dan. Glad you make it, too. :)
Joan Adams Said,
July 5, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
Hooray for the JJJ’s, for your Giant badge and for you with a team of your own this time!! Celebrating with you and thank you for the very kind words. We did have fun, didn’t we?
MiMi Said,
July 5, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
Yay, Joan! Yep, loads of fun, and we will this time, too!
Ohme Said,
July 6, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Yep, Mimi, it is hard to believe that all of that is now behind us. I definitely did not have any intentions of going for Giant but kept getting closer until one day I realized that it was within my reach. I am so glad that we were able to make it to Giant in the same group.
That is special. Thank you for this wonderful post. Once again, Congratulations
squidbitsandpieces Said,
July 6, 2009 @ 4:36 am
Well, good news all around then! Your lenses are marvelous and I’m glad all three of you made Giant. I’m working with Team WiWon for the next Quarter so I’ll see ya in the ring! :)
AJ Said,
July 6, 2009 @ 6:13 am
MiMi – it was a priviledge to share The Journey to Giant with you and this is such a lovely post.
Good luck with your challenge team. The school holidays will be upon me in a couple of weeks, so going for Giant 100 for September, will be one of those unrealistic targets that I am best avoiding, just for this time……
mulberry Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 3:28 am
It’s good to see so many fabulous lensmasters making Giant this time around. Congrats!