College of the Holy Cross - a new type of experience

This year, I didn't actually speak on WAD (World AIDS Day) but rather the day after. It was still considered a WAD event though and I opted for Holy Cross over my other options because I guess a little piece of me does favor Massachusetts. That and I know if I get stranded there, at least I have a place to stay among some of the bestest friends a girl could ask for. I took the redeye out Friday eve and woke up Saturday morning in Boston. I get such a rush feeling the crisp new england weather that was surprisingly mild for this time of year. I hopped over to pick up my rental car place and after wandering about in a cloud of confusion brought on by the early hour and lack of caffeine I realized that I had been upgraded in car class from a compact to full size... sweet! Not too shabby, especially since I had to pay that horrid $25/day extra for the crappy driver's under 25 renter's fee.

I headed over to a dear friend's casa and hung out with her until it was time to meet a mutual friend for brunch. I had never really traveled with someone in a wheel chair where I was the one in charge of getting from point a to b before. It was a different experience, but I don't resent it or regret it in the slightest, it was just so fun to see two of my favorite girls again. After brunch, I helped my friend run some errands before I had to start heading out to western Mass to Worcester (woostah) to get ready for the event.

Of course, it being me, I got a bit lost and ended up driving 20 minutes out of my way and then got stuck in traffic so getting there was a bit of an adventure, but that's half the fun right?

After I finally got there - after driving around the rotary a few times... and in the wrong gate one time I finally figured out where I was supposed to be, and without a moment to spare.

This was a different style of presenting than I was used to. Instead of the normal tell my story for at least 20 minutes then have a 20 minute question and answer session, I was the keynote speaker for their "Keep the Promise" The AIDS Compassion & Awareness Week Charity Banquet. Essentially we had dinner then speakers. There were two speakers ahead of me, one each from the two charities that the banquet was benefitting. Joe M. from AIDS Project Worcester and Ellen M from The Pendulum Project. It was a wonderful evening and both of the speakers did reallly well, unfortunately they really discussed in great length the two key things I was going to talk about. Other than my story I was going to talk in more detail about the emphasis that is put on Africa when talking about HIV and AIDS when really it is a worldwide problem still and in some countries the pandemic is raging out of control and also the need for young activists and the potential they have to really start a change in the movement.

I think I recovered well though and the audience seemed really receptive.

Many thanks to my hosts Amy (my contact person), Kenny (who talked me down from my stage fright), Liz (who introduced me) and Jessica who kept me company and with whom I had great conversation with during dinner.