The Resurrection of a Blog.

Since our grand summer adventure, life has gotten in the way of my writing. Two active homeschooled boys, job changes, life changes, and moving (twice) seemed to limit the amount of time I had to pontificate. No worries…I am back.

And back with a cause. My niece, Holly was diagnosed with Leukemia just a year ago. She was just two years old! Earth shattering! Those are the only words I can use to describe what she and her family have been through in the past year. As far as being diagnosed with cancer, the leukemia she has is the best one to get. The cure rate for childhood leukemia is high, and she is responding with amazing progress!

Last week, my sister (and Steve, the pastor from my mom’s church) came up with the idea that they should run a marathon in support of leukemia research and cures. Darcy (my sister) is an amazing girl: three kids under six, and walking/running nearly daily. She is in good shape, although not quite up to running 26 miles. Me on the other hand, well…. I walk the butte (slowly, to see the sunset at the top). I am one step above couch potato, but not because I am “athletic”.

This story really starts the year Darcy and I entered our Master’s degree program at Eastern Oregon. Darcy, who is a year younger than I, decided she needed to run a marathon. Being the supportive older sister that I am, I couldn’t let her do it alone. (Or perhaps my motives were a bit competitive.) At any rate, she trained. I pretended to train. I ran three or four miles a couple of times a week. Needless to say, I was the slowest marathon runner ever, but I did manage to finish. I didn’t cause myself any permanent harm. Darcy managed to finish way before me (like an hour or two) and seemed fine at the end. My feet, on the other hand, hurt so bad I couldn’t walk for a week, and limped for two.

So, timewarp ten years later, and we are doing it again? What is it with me and saying yes to insane requests?

Please note, not only am I just above couch potato in endurance and speed, but I also dislocated my elbow three weeks ago snowboarding. Darcy is planning on the San Diego Marathon June 6th. Can I manage to go from busted, slothlike persona to marathon runner in fifteen weeks? I am going to need all the help I can get!!!!

A Brand New Adventure

4-H EquipoGIS has been invited to go to Santiago, Chile from September 22 - October 4th, 2008! 4-H EquipoGIS is the brain child of myself, and Thomas Ray of North Carolina.



We are excited to be working with Gustavo from Chile and Juan from ESRI! This opportunity for the youth to both participate in the professionals conference, and to work with other youth to promote GIS skills, and community projects is a tremendous opportunity!

We have to find sponsors in order to make this trip happen. We are looking for business or individuals who share our vision, and are willing to sponsor a youth! Whether it is a cash donation, or airline miles donated to a specific youth, we NEED your help!

Please contact me at sarah.cofer@oregonstate.edu if you can help sponsor, if you know someone who can!We cannot make this trip without community help!

A brief overview of what 4-H EquipoGIS is, and what we are attempting to accomplish follows:

4-H EquipoGIS is a partnership that is creating international collaboration for youth using GIS.

We focus on creating opportunities for youth: 1)to participate in coordinated community projects home and abroad, 2)to connect with youth and adults in other countries, and 3) and to participate in International ESRI conferences.

Our goal is to use GIS to create lasting leadership skills by connecting youth with other communities and countries, enabling them to affect change not only their own communities but communities around the world

About the Micro Blog from Twitter

The Micro Blog at the end of the postings is done using a service called Twitter. (www.twitter.com)

I can update my "status" or what I am currently doing from my cell phone, thus enabling people to follow what I am doing throughout the day!

Each bullet point (ACK! I haven't figured out how to change that yet!) is a separate posting from my cell. If a posting has @ in front of it, it is directed to a particular posting, perhaps asking a question, or replying to a question.

So, if you want to follow my daily work, check out the listing on the bottom...