People think we are shy, but Japanese observe how people are thinking and feeling then we decide what to say. We listen…but we are not shy. – Yukari and Juri (Barcodes Workshop)

I am sensitive but I am not weak – Maurine (Barcode’s Workshop)

To reduce stereotypes it would take each individual to take their own time to figure out that what you see is not all that there is. – Marco (Barcodes Workshop)

At some point you have to make a decision. Take a risk and don’t look back at it. – Connie Proulx (Leadership Round Table)

Think to yourself: What is your talent? What is your passion? What are you doing to do to make an impact? When you think of it that way, your course might just open up for you. – Janice Rooney (Leadership Round Table)

You can’t be somebody you hope to be. You have to be who you are – Chris Mygatt (Leadership Roundtable)

If you’re going to do something, spending your time that you’ll never get back then actually do it! Commit. Jump on in. Both feet. – Dave Penny (first cast meeting)

I saw the ability of young people to do in the future what governments find difficult to do. To walk through borders, to see through race, color, religion, and creed…and to urge understanding among all the people of the world – J Blanton Belk (History of UWP)

One thing that has never changed about UWP is the intangible coolness of what we do everyday—Eric Lentz (History of UWP)

Goals are dreams with a deadline- Jasmine (SMART goal setting worksop)

Help International started with just a dream. A dream of just one person… and I’m just as normal as any of you. – Jean Kaye (Founder of Help International)

Some people are never told they can change the world. YOU can change the world. You should know that. You have your entire life ahead of you. You can change the world. You need to know that. I believe it from the depths of my soul”– Dave Penny

The key to our job is we have to be able to see things from other people’s eyes. People are people no matter where they are from. – Daniel Wordsworth (President and CEO of American Refugee Committee)

You can either be the architect of your life, or you can have life happen to you….Why would you want a job, when you could have a life. If you are your best when doing something that you love then why would you ever do anything else? If you are most energized doing something then build your life around that! 1 year, 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days. Time you can’t get back. Do what you love with that time.– Paul Whitaker

What surprised me a lot is that the little kids help us pick up the river. Pick up dirty trash with no gloves, no shoes, nothing. Yes, we are there but we have gloves and shoes and sunglasses and we get to go home and shower shower shower… but these kids are smiling just to help us. – Coco (Cast Meeting in Manila about time at the Pasig River)

There is so much to do and I have to know that I am not going to be able to change everything. But one thing I realize is that they are changing me and that’s part of what I’m here for. One thing I’m going to do is keep on pushing even more and just let my eyes continue to be open. –Toni (Cast Meeting in Manila on Smokey Mountain)

Its not up to us to solve all of the issues. It’s up to us to let people know what is actually going on – Ian (Cast meeting in Manila on poverty in the Philippines)

For many it’s their first time in the country, others have been before, and some call it home!  Here are some of their initial thoughts and reactions about their first week in Mexico.

People are very polite and family oriented.  They use tortillas instead of bread.  So far I’ve had it everyday! – Linn from Norway

I love the people!  Everyone is so caring and wants to do everything for you.  They really let you be one in the family and you get to meet everyone, the grandmother, the cousins, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts.  It’s really cool! – Veronica from Sweden

The people are very nice and friendly.  I like spicy food, but I  don’t like taco’s and tortillas.  When we get into Mexico, I realized that this is our last country and the program is going to end soon, sad.  – Lu Yu from China

I am back home, meeting new people!  Realizing what I like about my country and what we have to work on.  Excited to see and get to know new places in my country! – Tono from Mexico

I never thought people could be so welcoming no matter who you are.  I’ve learned that when you’re in a Latin family you’re in it for life. – R.J. from The United States

When I first came I was nervous, especially because I was roomed alone.  But I was hosted with a wonderful family! – Candy from Bermuda

It’s my first time in Mexico!  Even when the people can’t speak English, there’s always a way to communicate and they help you learn Spanish.  So much good food everywhere and all the time! – Christine from Germany

Well being my first time here in Mexico I was not sure what to expect.  I found a new family and had some excellent hot sauce.  With Mexicali being a border town, it had a lot of similarities with the U.S.  But there was still a lot to learn.  I can’t wait to see what I find and learn, as we get deeper into Mexico! – Tiffany from Hope Tribe, The United States

I love the people, culture and food!  I love conversing in Spanish and helping my family with their English. – Megan from The United States

I was surprised to find out how similar it is to the Philippines, but at the same time being similar to the United States, it was a nice surprise.  My last host family was so welcoming and happy to have me that at one point I didn’t know what to do. – Taariq from Bermuda

I’ve realized how similar Mexico is to my country in so many ways.  Many stereotypes were completely shattered.  I love my host family, and I see how alike we are.  Looking at Mexico through the border had me questioning the “necessity” for a giant fence meant to separate.  – Jasmine from The United States

I was really excited to meet my first host family.  I enjoy my time here and I love the food and I have never watched so much soccer in my life! Viva Mexico!  When I return home I am going to learn Spanish and come back for a visit! – Lance from The Hopi Tribe, The United States

Excitement!  I’m excited to meet new people.  My host family was one of the nicest I’ve had, and I’m very excited about the food.  I was looking forward to Mexican food again, and still am! – Sean from The United States

Mexico is my favorite country.  The food is great, the people are so amazing and I think Spanish is the prettiest language.  I am excited to see more of Mexico and I already can’t wait to come back! – Frankie from Canada

Hope you enjoyed hearing about some of our students initial thoughts on Mexico!  More to come soon!

Written by: Allison Hall

Before I came to Up with People, I knew that I probably wouldn’t like doing the show, but it was something that I was willing to try and maybe I would learn to enjoy it.  I had no previous experience in performing, except the Harriet Tubman play in 5^th grade, which didn’t go so well for me.

During staging, it was very hard because it was so much of the show. It was dancing and singing… all the time. The first show was exciting because, well it was our first show. After that, the show and rehearsals just became a pain.  All I was doing in the show was bringing the microphone for the soloist. I shouldn’t be complaining about it because I definitely can’t sing or dance, so I am glad there are those people that do like and are good at it. I tried to make the mic moving fun.

When we were at Forest Homes Camp in California, we had ‘expression session’ where we could show the cast our talents. Usually I would have never even thought about doing anything, but this time I pushed myself to do something even though I don’t have any performing talents.  I sang a song and attempted to ‘play’ the guitar.  It wasn’t a serious song or anything and it was just for fun but after it was done, I was so proud of myself for doing it! Being in the show and being in front of an audience so many times helped me gain confidence in myself to do something like that.

Written by: Breton Shepherd

For me, music and performance is something that I’ve grown up with and known from a young age.  I’ve participated in various choirs, taken private lessons, performed in instrumental ensembles in high school and was so much of a part of my life I even studied music in college.  One of my biggest passions in life is to play music and to perform.  I’ve played drums in the Up with People show for the last year.  No matter how many shows I’ve played in, I still get the sense of excitement as if it’s still the first one.

At the end of the semester I will be returning to Nebraska Wesleyan University to finish my last year of studies in Communication.  I think my background prior to coming to Up with People has helped me to shape a different perspective on what I think the show means and how it can be applied to the Up with People experience.

No matter your experience in performance before the Up with People program, I believe that most of us are already experienced performers to varying degrees.  I look at it as we go about our everyday lives performing.  For me, performing isn’t a word that is limited to doing a show or involving music.  Performing is something we do on a normal everyday basis.  It’s the way we present ourselves in front of people, whether that be at a job interview, a meeting or just casual conversation, it’s how we communicate to other people.  Just like critics who critique and rate shows, people are always judging our performance as we carry out our lives.  In that way, I see performing as something we just do.

The cool thing about the Up with People program is that the show aspect gives students the opportunity to practice those skills.  Whether or not you gain musical skills at the end of the 5 months, I think the most important thing that a student can take away is the skills to be able to stand on stage in front of 500 to 3000 people and present themselves with confidence.  I truly believe that the participants in the program will have a huge step up on others when applying for jobs and in other aspects of their social lives because they have the confidence and ability to stand in front of all those people and perform, whatever that may performance may be.  No matter if you have a solo or you rock it night after night doing cast movement, I think the most important things are the skills you’ve gained from doing something that you may or may not ever have felt comfortable doing.

The show is an amazing thing and a powerful tool in the Up with People experience.  For those who do dance, and sing and play instruments it helps develop musicianship skills, vocal ability, dancing and the list goes on.  But more so, for everyone on stage and specifically the people who come to Up with People for reasons other than the show, it helps build confidence, helps make you comfortable on a stage in front of crowds of people and helps develops some of the most important life skills that will take you greater places in your life.

Dear readers,

My name is Breton Shepherd, together with Brandon Serna, Shawna Reed and our Blog Assistants, Caitlin Stroup and Emily Sealy, we are managing the Up with People blog throughout the rest of the semester.  We have an exciting 3 1/2 weeks coming up as we finish out our tour through Mexico.  We have some fun things planned, but YOU are the audience and we would love to hear what you want to read from our travel blog.  We would love feedback about the blog, for this semester as well as future semesters, and want to hear your ideas for future topics and stories you would enjoy reading!  Please feel free to send an e-mail to myself, Breton or Brandon with any comments!

Breton – bshepherd@upwithpeople.org

Brandon – bserna@upwithpeople.org

We appreciate you coming and checking out our blog!  Please keep checking back for new posts and if you enjoy the blog don’t forget to share the blog link, www.uwpontour.org, with all your friends and family!!

Much love,
Breton Shepherd and the UWP blog team!

Paul, Breton, Teke, Andi

We all know them. More than one heart has been stolen by those talented, good looking young men that stand in the back center stage. Being the foundation of the Up with People show, they play their instruments with passion throughout the entire show, never once taking a break, missing a beat or slumping into a routine.  Needless to say, they have gathered a wide fan base of all ages across the globe. They have skyrocketed into the world of the stars and are now one of the “hottest newcomers in 2010”, says People´s Magazine.

The band consists of Finnish bass player Teke, Andi from Germany on the keyboard and the two US-Americans, Paul playing the electric guitar, and their drummer, Breton.

But who are these young men really? After refusing interview after interview and leaving fans in the darkness they have finally agreed to share the secrets of their private lives with their new Band Manager and Representative, Allison Hall and Lisa Groeticke. They are both working closely with the Center Stage Potatoes (CSP’s) and fully understand the public´s thirst for information and the need to know the truth about all those rumors circling these mysterious gentlemen.

Get ready to know the truth – but be warned, these interviews are highly personal and might change the way you view your favorite stars.

“How was your life before your break through with the Center Stage Potatoes?”
Andi: Before it was quiet and calm in my cabin up in the Bavarian mountains, no parparazzi, no stress, ..
Paul: Well… struggling with noodles and Easy Mac, Spaghetti Os.  I moved on to flaming mignons and lobstertail though, I´m quite satisfied at the moment.
Breton: Mmmmm… It was… somewhat sad. I always had problems with girls, but now that I´m a cool and famous CSP-drummer, I have no problems whatsoever, I got off to at rough start though!
Teke: Many plans in my life, but none of them have broken through like Stage Potatoes. I have dreamed about being a rockstar all my life it feels good to be on the top now.

“Did you ever play in another band?”
Andi: Yes, “Die Drei lustigen Zwoa”(  = “The Three Funny Two”), I played the triangle.
Paul: Yeah my first bands´ name was “The Greenroom” and then, “Lead to Gold” but we were not as successful as the CSPs.
Breton: Yeah I did, it was the band “Broken Heart Surgery”.
Teke: Uhma, and played in weddings, the second band was called Ankia.

“How long have you been playing your instrument, have you ever played any others?”
Andi: Forever. Like since I was 8… so 14 years? I`m also good at the accordion and didgeridoo.
Paul: 13 years. I also play the piano but I am working on becoming the next kazoo-king!
Breton: For 10 years.  I try to play piano and guitar too, but it all started out on pots and pans for me.
Teke: Played the guitar since I was 8 years old, but this is the first time I play the bass. I only played for fun before.

“Did your parents foresee your big potential and help you on the way, or was there any other person that played an integral part of you being interested in music?”
Andi: “It was my own choice to start playing piano, for fun.  But my parents were always there for me.
Paul: My parents were very supportive, but my true inspiration came from my heart.
Breton: My parents had a big influence on me, I remember my father taking me up to the edge of pride rock one day and saying: ”Son: One day all this will all be yours.” And from that moment on I knew I was destined for greatness.
Teke: My guitar teacher played in one of the first heavy metal bands of Finland (Zero Nine) and told me cool stories about how to be a rock star on the road!

“Who inspires you?”
Andi: My best friend, my grandfather.
Paul: Dave Penny.
Breton: Animal, from The Muppets.
Teke: The band Interns.

“What do you think about when you play, what makes you want to keep playing?”
Andi: Girls. And chess.
Paul: Lisa, our manager.
Breton: A lot of the time I think about what I´m going to eat after the show, and sometimes about how Paul´s hair looks really good during the show, I wish I had hair like that.
Teke: I might be playing on the same stages as my idols.

“What keeps you motivated when you can only play the same music over and over in the UWP-show, even though you could do so much more?”
Paul: Oh, I´m playing? My mind just wanders when I play. I guess my fingers do the rest.
Breton: All the screaming fans at our dressing room after the show!
Teke: I am such a bad bass player, so I really have to concentrate really hard. It motivates me that I want to get better.

“How do you manage to stay grounded in your private life when you are so famous?”
Andi: Yoga, Qui gong, Feng Shui and Sudoku.
Paul: Slip´n slides … daily.
Breton: Playing drums on the video game RockBand, I’m HORRIBLE so it evens the playing field.
Teke: I don´t really manage to stay grounded.

“What do you like to do most when you have free time on tour?”
Andi: I don´t really have free time, being a star is a 24hour job
Paul: Although it is very limited I enjoy anything that involves doing something active
Breton: Play tons of World of Warcraft.
Teke: Sports.

“Do you have any hidden talents?”
Andi: Professional minigolfer.
Paul: I can toss grapes really high and catch them in my mouth. The sun makes me sneeze, is that a talent or a condition? I should get that checked out.
Teke: I can write really cheesy love songs.
Breton: Nah…  Just a lot of visible talents.

“In what way do you act differently when not in the spotlight? Are you really the person that we see in the CSPs?”
Paul: not at all, when it´s show time, a completely serious Paul comes out , at least I think its serious, but really I could just be making a fool of myself.
Breton: No, when I am outside of the CSPs I like to think of myself as a humble individual, you didn´t write my last answer down did you?
Teke: Actually I have difficulties getting rid of my rock star role. I also have very bright lights at home to feel comfortable because I´m so used to being in the spotlight.

There it is, ladies and gentleman, a personal look at the lives of the men behind the music of the Center Stage Potatoes.  I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about these men who rock your faces off night after night!  They are continuing their world tour through Mexico right now for the next 4 weeks.  You can continue to follow their travels right here at www.uwpontour.com.

Name: Jasmine Berg
Age: 29
Country: United States of America

What were you doing before Up with People?
Working as an independent consultant and the worship leader for my church.

Favorite food tried in Up with People?
Balot, a  fertilized duck egg complete with duckling.  It took me the furthest from my comfort zone and I was actually able to eat it and keep it down!

Funny host family experience?
My host family in Colorado Springs had an African-American rabbit doll named Shaniqua and we took her everywhere, taking pictures with her, introducing her to everyone and showering her a good time out on the town! She came to green room before the show and played games and danced and we took a cast photo together!

Career goals?
I’d like to get my masters and doctorate in mathematics and teach at the university level.  During summers off I would like to travel to various countries and do mission work.

Everything else:
I’ve wanted to join Up with People since I saw my first show in high school, and I’ve finally realized that dream. I’m grateful for the opportunity to travel the world helping people.  I’ve learned so much from my cast mates, host families and the communities I’ve served.  This experience exceeds any expectations I had prior to the start of the tour.  My goals for life have changed, and I realize I’m not just a citizen of my country – but a citizen of the world.  My heart overflows with compassion and an unwillingness to settle for comfort.

“A mind that has been stretched by a new experience can never return to its old dimensions.” – O.W. Holmes

The smell of campfire that sticks to your clothes and hair. The warmth of the flames against your face. The tast of the gooey, burnt marshmellow that sticks to your fingers. These sensations evoke the memory of long summer nights, snuggled in sleeping bags under bright stars. 

Summer camp is a mostly forgotten experience of childhood, but these feelings can bring back a rush of nostalgia.

Cast A 2010 was lucky enough to go to Forest Home, a beautiful summer camp in California. Many o the people in our cast had never been to any sort of camp before. Some had been camping, but there is something very unique about the “camp” experience. When you’re around a big crackling fire with a group of your peers, holding a stick with a marshmallow over the coals, there is a certain sense of camaraderie. You feel close to your neighbor, even if you may not be the best of friends. The atmosphere is charged with that togetherness.

The most exciting part of the campfire experience are the ‘smores’. S’mores are the delicious classic treat of roasted marshmallow, chocolate (usually Hershey’s) and graham crackers. Most Americans regard it as a sweet remembrance of youth, and most of those from outside of the USA were filled with curiosity. The consensus: YUM! I am proud to say that the majority of the smores were eaten within the first 15 minutes. That, my friends, is what we call a successful fireside experience.

I remember listening to stories and music by the flickering firelight as a young girl. Especially when at summer camp with the older kids, we were told scary stories to keep us up at night. Thankfully we were sparred the tales of horror this time, but there was still entertainment of a good story. There is just something so suspenseful about the shadows dancing on the trees and the hush of the wilderness—it transports you to another world.

There are plenty of times in Up with People when I feel completely out of my element, and in these times I grow as a person. But it is also nice to have the times where I feel comfortable. When I was sitting on the cold stone surrounding the fire pit, right next to my friends, trying to figure out how to eat my s’more without getting it all over my hands, face, and clothes, I felt like I was back in Colorado. I felt like I was at home. And that is a good feeling as being miles and miles away from home—especially after spending one month in a completely different atmosphere in Manila. It was great to be transported to a safe place of my camping/cabin memories, and even better to be able to bring some of my friends—especially those who’d never experienced it before—with me. S’mores and the smell of campfire will always hold special significance and weight in my heart and mind, and after my experience with Cast A at Forest Home, I have another great set of memories to add to it.

Some of my fondest memories as a child and to be honest even as a young adult have been playing at playgrounds. I love to see how high I can go on the swings before jumping off, hanging upside down on the monkey bars, and trying not to step on the woodchips or ground because it is fiery lava and the playground itself is the only safe place.

The cast got to experience this first hand today in Yuma, Arizona. We did CI at a local playground that was built in 2007 by community members of Yuma. The community asked children what they would like in a playground and in return they received drawings and ideas from the kids of Yuma. They brought together all the ideas and created a playground with castles, tree houses, play airplanes, trains and giant spiders.

It was great because half of the cast got to help by washing the playground for all the kids of the community to play on. This playground hadn’t been cleaned since it was built in 2007! Even though it was over 90 degrees we made it through and got the playground spic and span before lunch. We got done much earlier than they expected, but it was great because we were able to help clean another playground and do some weeding that needed to be done in the park.

As we were leaving the park it was a great feeling to see a group of kids playing on the playground that we helped clean and knowing that they were going to be making the same great memories that I did as a child.

While in Vista, California Cast A had the awesome opportunity to do community service work at a local organic farm. Our work at the farm consisted of weeding, painting a mural, creating tomato beds, planting seeds in a greenhouse, cooking our own lunch, picking nut sage, and digging up numerous vegetables.

Working at the farm was such a fun opportunity because for most of us it was the first time to even learn about what makes a farm a regular farm or an organic farm. We were able to pick plants directly from the ground and eat them! Including types of leaves and flowers.

One group at the CI site worked the entire morning cooking lunch for the cast. For lunch we had organic pizza all from scratch, as well as organic apples, hot tea, salad, and beans…all grown on the La Milpa Organica Farm.

The owner of the farm took a little bit of his personal time to tell the cast about his experience in creating the farm and why growing organic foods are important. The other workers at the farm worked along side us all day and were very helpful in describing their work and the tasks at hand.

Thank you so much to everyone who works at the La Milpa Organica Farm, along with the Vista Promotions Team for creating an amazing community impact experience for Cast A.

check out the Cast A youtube site! Video on the cast’s experience in Vista coming soon!!!…..