Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 113

Happy Birthday Joannie Parker!

Happy Birthday Joannie Parker!

Joannie Parker, Jessica Gelson, Susan Niver Bernstein, Lisa Niver and Barbara Yorke December 19. 2009

Today she would have been 86 years old. This photo is from 10 years ago when she was a 76 year-old bridesmaid at my wedding! I first met her in 1983 when she was my junior year English teacher and the following year my senior year Women’s Studies teacher at Westlake School for Girls. She led by example and was president of many women’s organizations like CARAL, NARAL, NWPC, NOW and inspired us participate in marches like Hands Across America, clinic defenses, and brought us to museum exhibits like Judy Chicago’s the Dinner Party and the Birth Project and to poetry readings with Adrienne Rich. I remember when we did voter registration outside supermarkets on ironing boards.

When I was in college at Penn, Joannie used to write me letters on yellow legal paper with her flowing handwriting. Because of her class, I chose to have Women’s Studies as my major and wrote my thesis on Georgia O’Keefe and her life as a woman artist. I was able to have advisors from several different departments and look at the business of art and how gender impacts sales. After leaving medical school for a Master’s in Education, I did my thesis on gender role stereotypes in preschool children. I had an advisor from both SFSU as well as USCF Medical School and spoke about my research at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Meeting. 

“Hope is being able to see there is light despite all of the darkness.” Desmond Tutu

Joannie Parker led by example. She had passions and causes and she created change. She really lived her dash. May her memory be a blessing.
"THE DASH" Poem https://t.co/XW5uMcBnV1
Shabbat Shalom pic.twitter.com/Uz0bMHI1NE

— Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) November 1, 2019

When I was back from Philadelphia or from medical school in San Francisco or some far flung destination in the years when I worked on cruise ships, we would go to lunch and discuss everything that had happened since our last meeting. Early on, she said to me, “Lisa, if we are going to be friends, you must call me Joannie.” I said, “Oh no, Ms. Parker, I could never do that.” She said, “Well than we cannot go out. Feminists call each other by their names.” Honestly, it was really hard to start calling Ms. Parker, Joannie, but I did not want her to say it was our last outing.

Joannie and I went to the ballet, the theater, the movies, dinner, lunch. There was always somewhere interesting to go and she always had something interesting to say! But when it came time to pay for a meal, Joannie would say, “It is feminist dutch treat. We will split the bill.” Except when she would say, “Tonight I am paying.” I would say, “Great! And next time I will pay.” She would say, “Next time with be feminist dutch treat.” I said, “But today you paid for us both.” Joannie would say, “And next time will be feminist dutch treat.”

Only once at the end of a meal, I said, “Today is take your favorite teacher to dinner day and so I have to pay the entire bill.” While she allowed me to pay, she also said that would not happen again.

When I was teaching, I always did a project for Women’s History Month. Joannie often came to join us for our celebrations. At Culver City Middle School when I was teaching 8th grade science, the English teacher and I paired up for a poster project. The students did the research in both of our classes and we took over a hallway to showcase their work. Teachers from other grade levels brought their students to our “museum” of women’s accomplishments. 

At Curtis School, I created Mom’s Career Day and each mom made a poster about their job. It was like science fair for careers. I loved the mom who brought monopoly money and houses to explain to the kids about being a banker. Some of the mom’s shared former careers and even their own children were surprised at what their mom had accomplished. We had moms with Emmys and other awards and moms that were changing the world in all different ways.

Joannie and I once went to lunch with a group of former Westlake girls. Joannie had taught all the moms and I was teaching the children at Brawerman Elementary School. We had so much fun. The moms loved Joannie’s class and the kids loved mine. Joannie used to come visit me and eat lunch and then stay for my classes. The students loved that she was my teacher and now I was their teacher. 

She was always ready to celebrate with me. I loved sharing my achievements when I would write for a new publication or accomplish a goal. Whether it was teaching at a new school and getting my students to understand a challenging topic or when I first began writing for Ms. Magazine, she was proud of me.

Recently, I represented Ms. Magazine at the United Nations Conference (GA 74 SDG 2030) in New York City. As I sat in the United Nations Women meeting with my hand on my ear listening to the translation of the speaker, I thought about my journey from Ms. Parker’s junior year English class and senior year of Women’s Studies. Joannie used to tell us, “Someday when you are the CEO of the company or you are president of the United States, you will…..” She would tell us this is the quintessential example of ….. and how she had an epiphany. I loved being in her class and being her friend. When I was at the UN, I thought I wish Joannie Parker could be here with me. She would love this. 

In honor of Joannie’s birthday, I went to see the new Judy Chicago exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts called The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction. Joannie would have loved the political element about extinction and what is happening to our planet. 

Joannie changed how I looked at the world. I am honored that she was my teacher and that she became my friend. I am fortunate to have had so many years of her love, support and encouragement. I will always miss her.

May her memory be a blessing.

VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT: JOANNIE PARKER

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Everyone leaves a little piece of their heart on St. John!

It’s definitely time to see why especially this summer at J2O, The Penthouse at Grande Bay Resort in Cruz Bay, St. John USVI. The tropical trade winds keep the daytime temperatures in the comfortable 80s and the crystal clear Caribbean waters are a perfect, balmy 82 degrees.

Contact us for the best secret summer specials!

J2O, the perfect spot for lunch! Make your reservation for the best table in Cruz Bay today.

Nightly sunsets, compliments of J2O!

A new sunset surprise each night at J2O, The Penthouse at Grande Bay

Two gorgeous Master EnSuite bedrooms with AC, ceiling fans, or Caribbean breezes..your choice!!

We can’t wait to host you at J2O, The Penthouse at Grande Bay Resort. Contact us for best summer specials and rates throughout the year!

Take a look at our featured past articles

J20 is is a 2-bedroom, luxury, full service beachfront resort condominium with located in the heart of Cruz Bay on St. John at the Grande Bay Resort.

J2O , The Penthouse at Grande Bay Resort, is a beautiful new resort condominium located directly on Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI. Enjoy our panoramic views, spanning the turquoise waters of Pillsbury Sound, the distant cays of the BVI, the evening lights of St. Thomas and the breathtaking flowers and greenery of the hills above town, all from the comfort of your luxury penthouse. Imagine a penthouse hideaway, just a few short steps from the fine dining, shopping, water sports, and beach activities that makes St. John the premier destination in the US Virgin Islands. Less than a 5 minute walk from the ferry dock, Grande Bay Resort is the perfect location, combining convenience and privacy.

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Want To Dive Deep With Me In Vanuatu? Meet Me In Santo #AnswerTheCall

I loved diving the S.S. Coolidge on my first trip to Santo, Vanuatu in 2007. It is steeped in history and one of the most remarkable wreck dives I have ever done. I was thrilled that I was able to dive there again as part of Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019.

My experience diving with Aore Adventure Sports was fantastic! I highly recommend them. All four of my dives were fantastic and we stayed in their two bedroom villa. Paul and Lyndel took amazing care of us.

Please enjoy my three videos from the Coolidge and one at Million Dollar Point. We also went diving at Tutuba Reef with Coral Quays. It was choppy on the way out and my buddy decided not to dive after the 40 minute boat ride. You can hear me singing to her in the video, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.” I am not quite sure how you can hear me sing and clap so well underwater!

More about Aore Adventure Sports & Lodge: “Come and dive on Santo’s premier dive boat and if you are looking for a great place to stay Espiritu Santo’s newest private beach house is waiting for you.Situated on your own 200m white sandy beach in a self contained contemporary villa on Aore Island , just a short 10min boat ride from Luganville. We are a PADI dive resort and run our new dive vessel from right out front, diving the world famous SS President Coolidge and all the other local reef sites and wrecks. We also dive sites that no other operator can due to our boat capabilities. The villa sleeps 6 adults in comfort and has a fully self contained kitchen and barbecue area. One of the top local restaurants and bar is less than 5 minutes walk away. For non-divers there is plenty to do with tours to caves, pristine spring fed blue holes, great beaches, jungle treks plus many other activities, or just lay around and enjoy your own private beach. Snorkel right out the front or enjoy a paddle over the reef with our complementary kayaks.”

How do you get to Santo? Fly Air Vanuatu from Port Vila.

Learn more about our journey in Vanuatu:
Watch my 38 videos: Click here
Part One: Will You #AnswerTheCall? Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019
Part Two: Will you visit Tanna, Vanuatu with me? #AnswerTheCall Part Three: Want To Dive Deep With Me In Vanuatu? Meet Me In Santo #AnswerTheCall
Part Four:

Read about Vanuatu on The Jewish Journal: Part One, Two, Three, Four

The post Want To Dive Deep With Me In Vanuatu? Meet Me In Santo #AnswerTheCall appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

“Hope is being able to see there is light despite all of...

“Hope is being able to see there is light despite all of the darkness.” Desmond Tutu

Joannie Parker led by example. She had passions and causes and she created change. She really lived her dash. May her memory be a blessing.
"THE DASH" Poem https://t.co/XW5uMcBnV1
Shabbat Shalom pic.twitter.com/Uz0bMHI1NE

— Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) November 1, 2019

The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT: JOANNIE PARKERThe post ...

VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT: JOANNIE PARKER

The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

We Said Go Travel News October 2019

October News  2019 with We Said Go Travel:



Thank you to Carmen Rios and Ms. Magazine for publishing my article: “Eve Rodsky Wants Feminist Partners to Play Fair” Have you read the book yet? It is @ReesesBookClub @hellosunshine Book of the Month!







I am so excited to share my South Pacific travels with you! I was in Fiji and Vanuatu! You can see my videos at this link: https://wesaidgotravel.com/vanuatu



Lisa Niver at Champagne Beach in Vanuatu, Photo by Mandy Buttenshaw

Learn more in these first two articles:

Will you #AnswerTheCall? Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019

Will you visit Tanna, Vanuatu with me? #AnswerTheCall

I was honored to represent Ms. Magazine at the United Nations Conference and The Gates Foundation Goalskeepers 2019. Photos and video coming soon.






WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?

Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over one million views on YouTube! (Exact count: 1,073,784 views)

Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 2460 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe!

 

 

Recent videos from speaking at Metro Women’s Leadership Summit, IPW Anaheim 2019  and my trip to Miami for the LE MIAMI conference.

To see more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos
and social media: CLICK HERE







Thank you for watching my videos, reading my stories, following along on social media and asking me about booking your travels!
Have you seen all of my KTLA TV news segments?
Click here to watch them.

My fortune cookies said:

“Remember after rain there is always sunshine“

and

“Do not wait for others to open the right doors for you.”

I hope that you take steps to make your dreams come true in the last two months of the decade!
Thank you for your all of your support. Lisa

Discover more on my social media accounts:  Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and at LisaNiver.com. My social media following is now over 160,000 and I am verified on both Twitter and Facebook.

Please visit my YouTube channel and
subscribe, like and comment about my We Said Go Travel videos!

Want to watch some of my videos?

Here  is a post about my most watched/top 10 travel videos from 10 different countries.

The post We Said Go Travel News October 2019 appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Learn to Play Fair with Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play

Thank you to Ms. Magazine for sharing my article: “Eve Rodsky Wants Feminist Partners to Play Fair.”

“When I grow up, I will have a true partner in life.” After watching her mother raise her alone, that was the phrase Eve Rodsky repeated to herself often growing up. She was “determined to build and sustain a 50/50 partnership.”

Imagine Rodsky’s surprise, then, when she became the “she-fault parent” in her relationship—doing the “invisible work [often] unseen and unrecognized by our partners… despite the fact that it costs us real time and significant mental and physical effort with no sick time or benefits.” While working full-time, she was still “masterminding our family’s day-to-day life,” and her husband “was still not much more than a ‘helper’ rather than a collaborative partner-planner-participant in all that took place for our family.”

Rodsky became determined to fix the problem, and created “a home management system with clearly delineated roles, explicitly defined expectations, along with a measurement of accountability.”

It started with her “Sh*t I Do List,” of all the tasks she and other moms were in charge of, which led to the Fair Play card system—the basis of her new book, Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live).

A key to this system is that one person will conceptualize, plan and execute (CPE) the Cards of Contention—and that it will not bounce back to all being on one person’s shoulders.

Rodsky believed that most couples and especially families would benefit from “a practical plan of action to optimize productivity and efficiency, as well as a new consciousness and language for thinking and talking about domestic life.” Fair Play is her manual, empowering couples to strategically divide tasks equitably and give themselves time and space to grow.

“In our culture, ‘mom’ has been deemed the she-fault, de facto household manager and caretaker,” Rodsky writes. “If the school calls, Mom picks up. If a child is sick, Mom stays home. If the dry-cleaning/rent check/prescription order needs to be dropped off, Mom gets to work late, even though her workday already began many hours earlier in order to get her children out of bed, fed, dressed, and dropped at daycare…How can any of us possibly lean in if we can’t rely on consistent contributions from our partners?”

In order to pick up all of these “invisible” tasks, there is a cost to women’s health, professional goals and personal relationships. “This ‘time tax,’ where women are burdened with more than our fair share of childcare and domestic work,” Rodsky explains, “compromises every aspect of our lives—our relationships, career, sense of identity and physical and mental health. Our perception of men’s time as finite versus women’s time as infinite, or weighted differently in any way, must change if we ever want to achieve true liberation.”

This likely resonates with many of us. When I was living with my partner, our responsibilities were not transparent nor explicitly defined, and the challenges of getting things done involved nagging and foot dragging, which meant I felt resentful. Rodsky, too, saw the problem—in her own house, in her friend’s houses and around our planet. “I needed to literally change the game,” she writes, “but before I could do that, I had to create one.” Rodsky’s way help partners get set up to win, whereas women like me definitely feel we were set up to lose. (The first rule? “All time is created equal.”)

But what also resonated with me was Rodsky’s definition of “Unicorn Space”—the “rare, magical and essential” time where one partner in a relationship gets to focus inward and “reclaim the interests that make you uniquely you, stoking your passion and driving you to be the best version of yourself.” Reclaiming this space is part of Rodsky’s second rule: reclaiming our right to be interesting.

“I was pissed at myself,” Rodsky remembers. “Where was the woman I was so proud of being?” It took me back to a moment during my divorce, when a close friend asked me: “Why did you stop salsa dancing and scuba diving?”  I had become the woman Rodsky wrote about: one who had “stepped into the background of her own life” and “lost her earlier identity—the vibrant and passionate woman who she’d worked so hard to become.”

Did I give up my permission to be interesting? What was I willing to do to get it back? The answer, of course, is grounded in Rodsky’s rules: I had to re-create my Unicorn Space. I wish I had the tools that she provides her readers.

Whether we’re in relationships or not, Fair Play makes one wonder what would happen if we all made “intentional choices about how to spend our time and thoughtfully create our lives.” What would life be like if women had more “time and space to reclaim, or discover and nurture, the natural gifts and interests” that make us who we are?

Rodsky’s prediction? “The real win,” of course: “a happier, healthier you.”

Thank you to Ms. Magazine for sharing my article: “Eve Rodsky Wants Feminist Partners to Play Fair.”

The post Learn to Play Fair with Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Will you visit Tanna, Vanuatu with me? #AnswerTheCall

For my first trip to Vanuatu in 2007, I wanted to visit the island of Tanna but it did not work out. I was thrilled to be invited back for Tok Tok Vanuatu in 2019 and be able to visit Mount Yasur and Lowinio village. Please enjoy the videos below to see our adventures where we #AnswerTheCall!

VIDEO 5 Flying to Tanna to see the Volcano in Vanuatu Aug 26 2019

We flew 35min on Air Vanuatu from Port Vila, Efrate to White Grass Airport on Tanna. Sue Herrick, our Vanuatu Tourism tour leader, took us to Cafe Boulangerie for chocolate croissants and meat pie on the way to the domestic terminal in Port Vila.

The sightseeing out of the window of the plane as we flew was fantastic. 

VIDEO 6: Where did we stay in Tanna? White Grass Ocean Resort

Mandy, Tree and I stayed in a two bedroom villa and Sue had a bungalow just in front of us. There is a pool, spa and we ate our meals in the fantastic restaurant. I loved the fresh coconuts at breakfast! Join us as we explore Vanuatu! I hula-hooped at Ned’s Look-out. I also brought my hoop to the village to share with the children!

VIDEO: 7 The road to Mount Yasur Volcano, Tanna, Vanuatu 2019

Many people wonder what the journey to Mount Yasur volcano is like. Join us in these three videos which show you the road we traveled, the dance we saw and our climb up to the volcano. I found the road and our van very comfortable. I loved the scenery as we got closer to the volcano and we of course we took many photos!

I could not believe how close we were to the edge of the volcano! We were with people from all over the world. I loved this experience! I highly recommend visiting Mount Yasur! 

VIDEO 8 Welcome Dance at Mount Yasur, Tanna, Vanuatu

Enjoy the welcome dance before we climbed!

VIDEO 9 Climbing Mount Yasur Volcano in Tanna at night

It is time to climb up to the edge of Mount Yasur volcano. It is truly awesome to stand so close to an active volcano.

We heard the volcano rumble, we felt it shake, we saw the sparks of lava and smelled the smoke. It was amazing.

When will you #AnswerTheCall?

What else is there to do in Tanna? We went scuba diving, to the Blue Cave and to visit a village.

VIDEO 10 Dive with Volcano Island Divers on Tanna, Vanuatu

Mandy and I went diving with Andrew and Jack on the house reef from White Grass Ocean Resort. We tried on our gear at the dive shop and Jack drove it down to the Jetty.  We walked there because it is so close. We went through a “swim-through” that seemed more like a tunnel to us. It felt long and narrow to my buddy and I.

We enjoyed the dive and saw a blue spotted stingray, giant brain coral, many nudibranchs and a large green moray eel. 

VIDEO 11: Explore the Blue Cave in Tanna, Vanuatu in Tanna, Vanuatu

The Blue Cave in Tanna is beautiful and the water is very blue and beautiful. Depending on the tides, the opening of the cave may be visible or like we went below the water and out of sight. I did swim through the tunnel and get into the cave. The most giant thank you to my boat team who were supportive and convinced me I could do it. I was excited to see it!

12: Visiting Lowinio Kustom Village in Tanna, Vanuatu

We answered the call of adventure in Tanna by learning about the culture. Thank you to White Grass Ocean Resort for setting up our tour to visit Annie and her village. Annie was an amazing host and a joy to meet. We were greeted with flowers and she took us around her village and explained to us about the fruits they harvested from the trees and about the medicine of the plants in the jungle. We saw the cooking house and tasted laplap. They cook sweet potato, taro, cabbage leaves and coconut. 

I loved meeting the children and watching their dances. I was able to teach them to hula-hoop. We had shared smiles and laughter. Thank you to the chief and all of the village for allowing us to come visit and see your way of life. See my other video #13 for the dancing in the village: https://youtu.be/-pbZrootnX8

We also visited the school and our group brought many materials for their classroom including pencils, notebooks and children’s books.

On our way to the village from our resort, we stopped in the market and Sue got feathers and vegetables!

VIDEO: 13 Watch the dances from Lowinio Kustom Village in Tanna , Vanuatu 2019

14 How to get to Tanna? Fly Air Vanuatu

We flew from Tanna back to Port Vila on Air Vanuatu.We had two amazing days in Tanna and needed to return to Efrate for Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019.

I loved the flight seeing out of the window. It felt more like an island tour than an inter-island flight. 

Enjoy the music by Island Soul, recorded at Tok Tok 2019 

Learn more about our journey in Vanuatu:
Watch my 38 videos: Click here
Part One: Will You #AnswerTheCall? Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019
Part Two: Will you visit Tanna, Vanuatu with me? #AnswerTheCall

Part Three:
Part Four:

Read about Vanuatu on The Jewish Journal: Part One, Two, Three, Four

The post Will you visit Tanna, Vanuatu with me? #AnswerTheCall appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Will you #AnswerTheCall? Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019

Thank you to Tok Tok Vanuatu and Vanuatu Tourism Office for inviting me to #AnswerTheCall and explore Port Vila, Tanna and Santo. Please enjoy these videos from our adventures and see my upcoming posts to find out everything we explored! Video: Join me at Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019 to #AnswerTheCall

Join us at the Warwick Le Lagoon Hotel in Port Vila for Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019! There were 1020 scheduled appointments to promote tourism in Vanuatu.

Where did we dine for Tok Tok 2019?
We had dinner on the runway at the Airport!
Well, actually we were next to the runway but it was AMAZING to watch the planes land and listen to the music by Island Soul!

Answer the call with me in Vanuatu! Let’s find authentic adventure, culture and explore history together in my videos from my trip with Vanuatu Tourism Office for Tok Tok 2019. Watch all of my video journey https://wesaidgotravel.com/vanuatu

VIDEO: 1 Our Flight to Vanuatu on Fiji Airways

In this first video, we are traveling on Fiji Airways from Nadi, Fiji to Port Vila, Vanuatu. I flew earlier in the week from Los Angeles to Nadi also on Fiji Airways. Sue, Mandy, Tree and I are excited to go to Tanna this week to see Mount Yasur volcano. I loved watching the islands out of my window on the flight, I even saw a rainbow. My first trip to Vanuatu was in 2007 and I am so excited to return and have my first trip to Tanna and return to Santo for scuba diving.

Where to stay in Vanuatu? I loved visiting The Havannah which has recently been named a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. This is the 4th of the lodges I have seen or stayed at and they really are all amazing! I cannot wait to visit them all!

There are 4 garden villas, 6 waterfront villas, 5 Lagoon pool villas and 2 deluxe villas where the chef can come and cook for you. All the rooms have king size beds as well as a day beds and some have plunge pools! Which will you choose? I loved the table by the water at the end of the pier. Make sure to look up at the roof of the restaurant it was made with 15,000 sheets of Natagoura Palm Trees!

Make sure to go on their special tour to visit the 3000 year old Lipita pottery and visit Chief Roi Mata’s elaborate grave. He was a powerful 13th century chief who worked to peacefully unify the tribes. The tribes were named by their favorite thing so there was coconut, yam, stone, octopus, and breadfruit clan. His grave with skeletons from over 25 clan members was discovered by French archaeologist Jose Garranger in 1967 and inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008.

While you are visiting look out to sea, you may see dugong which are protected in Vanuatu or turtles. Guests can visit the Hawksbill turtle nursery and sanctuary.  It is possible that you might even see whales in the deep harbor which was where the 6th fleet was during World War 2.

Let’s Visit Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary

At Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary, you can mail a postcard underwater! Buy it in the gift shop and mail your card. You can also go on a snorkel safari, glass bottom boat or scuba dive. It is a marine protected area.

They have rooms for families, dorms and space for your wedding. There is wreck diving, colorful color and you might see white tip reef sharks. It is close enough to town that you can easily go by bus but at night it feels like you are far away on your private island. I loved the view down to Hideaway Island from the Jungle Zipline!

Where to stay in Port Vila, Vanuatu? We loved our stay at Nasama Resort

Our home away from home for TOK TOK 2019 was Nasama resort. I loved my balcony with a view of the ocean and sunrise. It was the perfect place to hula hoop and set up my laptop. The rooms are large and have a full kitchen. I loved the pool and the restaurant, Cafe Vila.They also have two bedrooms and are building a second restaurant. 

During Tok Tok Vanuatu, I went to visit the National Museum of Vanuatu in Port Vila.

Are You READY to #AnswerTheCall of adventure? You need to go on the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline!

I loved the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline. Thank you to Leo, Mello, Kasey and Joe for a great adventure and for all your help with my photos and video. I had a blast and would definitely go again.

The views of the rainforest, ocean and canyon are spectacular. People of all ages are welcome and I loved the 6 ziplines and two suspension bridges.

There are two courses and you wear a full body harness. I got picked up in town and they are located in Mele Bay which is high above Hideaway Island. You can see the island in my video!

What else did we do? Look for Part 2, 3 and 4 with Tanna and Santo where we hiked up a volcano, scuba dived to deep depths on the S.S. Coolidge and swam in the clear blue waters of Champagne Beach!

The post Will you #AnswerTheCall? Tok Tok Vanuatu 2019 appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Thank you Authority Magazine: “How I Turned My Hobby Into A Career”

Thank you Phil La Duke for interviewing me for your Authority Magazine series: “From Avocation To Vocation: How I Turned My Hobby Into A Career” With Lisa Niver

Remember to build community! When I was first creating my website, there were people who helped me. Dave from Dave’s Travel Corner made a suggestion and I said in five years when I figure out how to do that I will. He immediately sent me the code for my website. I have never forgotten his kindness. I have sent many people code and ideas as a way to thank him for all he did for me. Jessie from Wandering Educators gave me a suggestion and I said it will take me a week to do that. She said, “You are not going to do that. You are doing to hire my tech guy and he is going to do it.” I appreciate all the people who showed me the way to do it and the way to make it easier.

Asa part of our series about entrepreneurs who transformed something they did for fun into a full-time career, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Ellen Niver, M.A. Education. Lisa is a science teacher and an award-winning travel expert who has explored 101 countries and six continents. She is an award-nominated television host, travel journalist and passionate artist who sailed the seven seas by cruise ship for seven years and backpacked for three years in Asia. She is the founder of We Said Go Travel which is read in over 200 countries and named #3 on the top 1000 Travel Blog and the top female travel blogger 3 times in 2019. Find her talking travel at KTLA TV and in her We Said Go Travel videos with over one million views on her YouTube channel. She has hosted Facebook Live for USA Today 10best, is verified on both Twitter and Facebook, has over 160,000 followers across social media and ran fifteen travel competitions publishing over 2500 writers and photographers from 75 countries. She has been a finalist for six Southern California Journalism Awards in the past three years for broadcast television as well as print and digital articles. She won an award for her print Jewish Journal article. Niver has written for AARP, American Airways, Delta Sky, En Route (Air Canada), Hemispheres (United Airlines), Jewish Journal, Luxury Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Myanmar Times, National Geographic, POPSUGAR, Robb Report, Saturday Evening Post, Scuba Diver Life, Sierra Club, Ski Utah, Smithsonian, TODAY.com, Trivago, USA Today 10best, Wharton Magazine and Yahoo. She is writing a book, “Brave Rebel: 50 Scary Challenges Before 50,” about her most recent travels and challenges. Look for her underwater SCUBA diving, in her art studio making ceramics or helping people find their next dream trip.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a bit about your “childhood backstory”?

Thank you for including me in your series. When I tell people I am a travel journalist, they often say, “That is my dream job!” and I feel the same way. My parents took my sister and I on a cruise when we were in elementary school and we saw Ephesus in Turkey, the Egyptian pyramids, the Parthenon and the Western Wall in Israel. I felt like I walked into my history books and learned so much by physically being in these locations. I have always remembered that feeling and wanted to learn more about different countries.

What was the catalyst from transforming your hobby or something you love into a business? Can you share the story of your “ah ha” moment with us?

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I moved to San Francisco to go to Medical School at UCSF. I took a year of leave to think about if I really wanted to be a doctor or not. During that year, I learned to scuba dive and went to my first ceramics class. I decided I did not want to spend all of my 20’s in a classroom and left medical school. I wanted to go underwater to dive but I was teaching and not making enough money for a scuba trip. I went to work at Club Med in Colorado and then the Bahamas. After that, I traveled by cruise ship for over six years. I was being paid to go to my dream destinations!

After I left ships, I started to teach again. When I chose to travel long term again, the blog revolution had begun and I started my site, We Said Go Travel. Slowly, I began to write for other sites and make videos of my adventures.

In July 2019, my YouTube channel went over one million views! Years ago, I started very small and committed to my dream. I worked hard every day and have been able to travel to over 100 countries.

There are no shortage of good ideas out there, but people seem to struggle in taking a good idea and translating it into an actual business. How did you overcome this challenge?

I worked one small step at a time. When I started my blog, I used blogger because it was free and I did not need a new password. I committed to writing once a week. I started to write for other sites and practiced using all the tools of technology.

I read books about how to grow your platform and decided to give a talk at my temple which led to my column at the Jewish Journal. When you just start, you have no idea what will happen next because of that step. People will help you build your dream but they have to know what you want to do.

I made commitments to myself to keep going and growing and learning. I asked for help from other business owners who taught me something new. I worked on that and went to networking events and reached out to more people who taught me one new step. I cannot believe that all of those tiny steps led me to write for Ms. Magazine. I am so honored to be able to share my articles in print and on their website.

What advice would you give someone who has a hobby or pastime that they absolutely love but is reluctant to do it for a living?

The best thing to do in the beginning is to try it out. How can you put your toe in the water? I often let people share an article on my site. They follow my guidelines and then say to me, that is so many steps. I would recommend spending a day with someone who is in that business and asking many questions about how does it work?

It’s said that the quickest way to take the fun out of doing something is to do it for a living. How do you keep from changing something you love into something you dread? How do you keep it fresh and enjoyable?

For me, the most important thing is to make sure that I take breaks! I love to write and to edit video but there are times when it gets to be too much. I plan my day and make sure that there are times when I am exercising, connecting with other people and working at my computer to make edits on articles and videos. I also make sure I am not on the road too often or too long because that can be exhausting also. I sometimes add an extra day after a conference so I can have down time before I get back to my desk to follow-up with everyone new I have met.

Many of my adventures include skiing or scuba diving. I have been able to enjoy a trip and then write about it for many sites like USA Today 10best. For me, switching between tasks or being home and on the road keeps me going.

What is it that you enjoy most about running your own business? What are the downsides of running your own business? Can you share what you did to overcome these drawbacks?

The best thing is traveling to new places or sharing a place I love with someone who has never been there. I love when someone comments on one of my videos and says it helped them decide to visit that location! In order to keep going, I make a schedule that includes time at my art studio, going to shabbat services at my temple and meeting with people in person which helps me keep a balance with running my own business.

Being able to see the importance of what I do also helps me. I have been thrilled to be able to share stories about saving our seas on the website for the TODAY show.

Can you share what was the most striking difference between your actual job and how you thought the job would be?

I worked in travel for seven years at Club Med and then on cruise ships for Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Renaissance Cruises. I worked seven days a week. Now I work for myself but I still work seven days a week. I have made some adjustments lately to take more time off. I am used to working part of every day. I did not realize how much work it would take to grow my videos and my website but it is working.

Has there ever been a moment when you thought to yourself “I can’t take it anymore, I’m going to get a “real” job? If so how did you overcome it?

I have taught in many school settings and worked in different types of travel jobs. When I get frustrated and threaten to get a “real job,” my best friend laughs and says, “you have never had a real job!” I think she might be right. I have always loved to do different things every day and to explore new countries. Fortunately when I feel like “I just can’t take it anymore,” something great is usually around the corner and it reminds me that I love what I do.

In September 2019, I am going to the United Nations Global Goals Conference as a journalist for Ms. Magazine. I am honored and excited to have media credentials for this important event.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?

When I moved back to America from Asia in 2014, I received an email inviting me to the Red Carpet of the Oscars with United Airlines. I was surprised and honestly thought it was a spam email at first! I had so much fun and loved the whole day even though it rained on us. We sat in Row A and saw all of the stars. We were watching when Oprah stepped on Lady Gaga’s dress!

This year I was able to record a segment at Kimpton La Peer with KTLA for the Oscars! I have shared five travel segments on KTLA TV this year so far.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

When I was traveling in Asia for 11 months (2008–2009), I knew that some of my electronic equipment might break. During the first week, my laptop had issues and I had to find someone to service it. Later, I broke the laptop screen as well as the CISCO FLIP video camera. I was able to use a NOKIA phone for filming and bought a new laptop. My biggest surprise was when my external hard drive died. I was trying to find someone who could recover my photos and videos. The man at the shop said, “Why did you only back it up once?” I said, “I did back-up every month.” He said, “It does not count unless you back-up twice.” I had no idea. Now I backup all my photos and videos to three separate external hard drives. It did not feel funny at the time but it was very memorable.

Who has inspired or continues to inspire you to be a great leader? Why?

My teacher,Joannie Parker, used to tell us in my all-girls’ high school English class and in our senior elective of Women’s Studies, “Some day when you are the CEO of the company…some day when you are president of the country.” She talked to use about the news of the day, women’s suffrage, women’s rights and what we could do to build community and make the world a better place. I have always been inspired by her efforts to change what she could and hope that I can make a difference in my corner of the world as well.

I was able to share a print story this year in Ms. Magazine about a women’s economic development project in Africa. Your old bicycle can change someone’s life!

How have you used your success to make the world a better place?

It is crucial to me to tell good and important stories that are not being heard. I was invited to ski with the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah. I wrote a story for Sierra Club about a ski lesson with Jennifer who is blind. I wrote about making magic on the mountain with Matt who is a wounded warrior in a wheelchair and our day skiing for Ski Utah.
For Saturday Evening Post, I shared about my day trying to keep up with 14 year old Saylor O’Brien who is training on the Paralympic development team and has spina bifida.

What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)

I had no idea that there would be no days off when I started to work on cruise ships. It was worth it because we had time off each day and some of those days I went scuba diving. I still work every day and I still love all the adventures I get to take in my time off.I wish I had known that change is the only constant. As soon as I figure out how to post something on a social platform, they change it. It is not so hard but it is always something different. I remind myself I figured it out before and I will figure it out again.I had no idea that everything would take so long. People always tell me, “It will take longer than you think.” However, I have learned to never give up and believe that eventually I will meet my goals. I was as excited when I had 10,000 views on YouTube as I was in July of this year to get to one million views. I wonder what is my best next goal and I know slowly it will happen.Remember to build community! When I was first creating my website, there were people who helped me. Dave from Dave’s Travel Corner made a suggestion and I said in five years when I figure out how to do that I will. He immediately sent me the code for my website. I have never forgotten his kindness. I have sent many people code and ideas as a way to thank him for all he did for me. Jessie from Wandering Educators gave me a suggestion and I said it will take me a week to do that. She said, “You are not going to do that. You are doing to hire my tech guy and he is going to do it.” I appreciate all the people who showed me the way to do it and the way to make it easier.I had an Israeli dance teacher who said, “Practice makes better!” and that is what I try to do each day to get better! When I was starting out in video, someone recommended that I work with a video coach. I thought that was a great idea and asked for suggestions of who to work with. My friend’s friend offered to introduce me to her coach who was excellent. Always remember to keep asking for help and to get a tiny bit better each day. I am also amazed that other people think I am brave. I was recently in a Reader’s Digest article about strength, acceptance, beauty and bikinis!

What person wouldn’t want to work doing something they absolutely love. You are an incredible inspiration to a great many people. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

I am now a trainer for the #IamRemarkable workshop which is a Google initiative empowering women and underrepresented groups to speak openly about their accomplishments in the workplace and beyond, thereby breaking modesty norms and glass ceilings. One of my favorite things about this workshop is when we get to say, “It is not bragging if it is based on facts.” It is important to share your successes! I hope more people will take this workshop and become facilitators and we can see what happens when everyone feels supported in following their dreams and passions! In June, I presented this workshop at Ms. Magazine for all of their summer interns.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

One of my favorite quotes is by Ralph Waldo Emerson and helps me remember what is important to me. It is not all about money or numbers but about the impact we have on others.

“What is success?
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch Or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”

Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

I absolutely love the 21-Day Meditation series by Oprah and Deepak Chopra. It is on the app from Chopra Center and I listen to them often but especially when I am in the airport waiting for a flight. I would love to meet either of them for a meal and talk about meditation, inspiration and life goals!

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.

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