Shift Experience through my eyes.

Alright, so this is long over due... but I had better type up the shift event in my own words, what I saw, what I felt and my experience.

Let me start off by saying that due to this website I was fortunate enough to meet several amazing ladies I probably would have never known!  I am honored to know them and even more honored to call them my friends.  So a big thank you to Jeni White, Jennifer Garrison, Kat Gardner, Michelle (sorry I'm going to butcher your last name) Leggli, and... my MEGGLES.  <3

You all were absolutely amazing and my trip would not have been complete without you.

The day of:

As most of you know I was accompanied to CA with my dear husband (Andy) who I am so very grateful to have.  It was he who helped me keep it together and show me the places in LA since it is his home town.  He and I managed to get some lunch in us before heading out on our adventure of getting my makeup and hair done.  If you live in LA and your looking for a great place to get your hair done... let me recommend Armand... if your interested... I'll give you his name and number...what a sweetheart and did great hair too! :)  *wink*

After I had finished getting all dolled up, we headed out to the Beverly Center to meet up with Meggles.  We would only be able to visit briefly before I had to head back to the hotel to get my dress on.  She was absolutely fabulous!  Everything I imagined her to be!  I adore her.  Even more than I already did!

After meeting with Meg, Andy and I went back to the hotel.  I got in my dress and was ready to run out the door.  We needed to swing by and pick up Kat from her hotel and then there was no turning back.  I could NOT have asked for a better "date" to this event.  Kat was a great resource as well as a great friend throughout the event.  She of course looked stunning upon our arrival to the hotel.

As we were approaching the event I could slowly feel my pulse excellerate and I knew I was beginning to get nervous.  Not for attending the event, or for seeing the stars....but I was scared to approach the podium and be told...'sorry your name is not on the list' .  I had been having dreams of that for the past couple of nights...and was scared that would come true.  As Andy pulled up to the event we saw loads of people standing in line waiting to get into the club and I had the look of a deer in head lights.  I couldn't make heads or tails of who was there... all I knew was Kat was standing near me.  I attempted to take in my surroundings as I was walking up to the podium and saw that directly in front of me was what they called the red carpet and where we now see all the famous photos that have been taken in front of the white board that showed all of the great sponsors of this event. 

Kat and I managed to reach the podium and our names were in fact ON THE LIST.  :)  I think once I've accomplished that hurdle my nerves lessened and I was suddenly at ease.  We each recieved wrist bands for our enterance and we were on our way in.  I had my blinders on once again and did not see many familiar faces, though the one face I picked out of the crowd was Jeni White.  She flagged both Kat and I down and had us enter the event behind the red carpet screen. 

We entered the event through two big black double doors and had to then enter yet another set.  On the inside of these second set of doors was 2 fairly large bouncers wearing ear pieces and as Kat described it.. very 'men in black' 'secret service' style.

Kat and I arrived at the party about 8:00 pm and most of the guests did not arrive until around 9:00 pm due to the cast filming Jimmy Kimmel.... But Kat and I did not care we got in through the front doors and I took a look around... the night club was fairly small and cozy.  To the right there was a small bar in the corner and a few bench style seating areas.  Along the same wall you ran into yet a larger bar followed by more seating.  To the left you would find the enterance into the VIP room where I don't think Kat or I were supposed to go.  (But we did via the portal in the women's bathroom on accident)  You'd also see our DJ for the evening as well as the stage where Chaske, Tinsel, Alex and Tyson all did their shift speach.

The first person inside I saw that I knew was Shayuna Manus... she does Native American Calendars that are amazing... I will post a link to where you can purchase these later.

Our famous first faces we saw Q’Orianka Kilcher who was so much more petite than I could ever imagined.  She wore a lovely white dress with a black sash.  Just beautiful, we unfortunately did not get a chance to meet her or take photos with her.

The next person we saw was Jay Tavare ... yet another person we did not approach but rather saw from a distance.  He appeared to be rather occupied by many guests.  Kat and I decided to circle the event and towards the back of the club we came across Yazzie as well as the most BEAUTIFUL Tinsel Korey... I won't lie... I was star struck!  She is so much more beautiful in person then the big screen gives her credit for. 

Kat and I left both Tinsel and Yazzie and proceeded to search the club for more people and those we might know... as we were doing so, we ran in to Tyson Houseman, who looked just as sweet as the photos made him out to be.  However, I think he appeared to be a little distant.  Like he didn't want to be there... or he was just really really tired.  I've heard nothing but good things about him.  So, I'm hoping he was just tired.  Overall, sweet guy was very kind.  After meeting Tyson we briefly encountered Julia Jones who was absolutely stunning as well.  She however did not stay long and had to leave quite quickly.  We did not get to speak with her much, but what we did get to speak to - she was extremely friendly and generous.

We then ran into Alex Meraz...and (I know Jen G will appreciate this one)  I approached him and introduced myself as Jenni from LovinChaske...he looked ever so slightly disappointed and said, "Hey!  What about LovinAlex!"  to my own error instead of saying Oh...well I love you too...I said..."oh!  She's outside on the red carpet!"  LMAO.  Poor guy, didn't mean to offend him if I did...fair is fair, when he went to take his arm off from around my shoulders he knocked my camera from my hand that fell to the floor. ( Not intentionally, but I guess I deserved that one)  All in all...Alex was a very kind guy.

I then saw Chaske's manager Josselyne...whom I LOVED!  She was so very kind to me.  She was in such a hurry to grab Alex to go to the stage for Chaske's shift speech she didn't have much time with me right away, but I managed to sneak in who I was, to which I received a gigantic hug and a very pleased face that I was there.  It was very welcoming.

I then realized I saw Chaske, he was on the stage ready to give his speech, so I weaseled my way up closer to the stage, so I could get as many good photos as I possibly could.  Sorry there were not more.  Once his speech finished and he descended the stage he was instantly swarmed with people looking to gain his attention.  I managed to get down on the floor right near him.  He held onto my hand while speaking  to those on either side of me...and I sat patiently waiting.  When he finished with those around me, he directed his attention to me and I proceeded to introduce myself.  He instantly pulled back, took a good look at me and flung his arms around me for a hug.  He said thank you so much for coming and how happy he was seeing me there....then he got pulled away for a press junket.  It wouldn't be until a little while later I would see him again.

I will say with how busy he truly was during this event, he still took the time to visit with Kat and I and take a few photos.  Neither of us got any interviews or anything with him indoors since he was being pulled in so many directions,but he was gracious to take the time to visit and that in itself will stick with me forever.  

Chaske had left fairly early, maybe about 11-11:30 and with that, Kat and I spent the rest of the night in the VIP room.  Where we then Met Chief Joseph Brings Plenty who is a whole reason this Shift cause exists.  He was truly an amazing guy!  We also met Kalani Queypo and the fabulous Amanda of One Voice World.  It was a constant night of meeting new people and making new friends.  I was quite honored to be invited out and so very appreciative of anything I have received.  I know without a doubt in my mind NONE of this needed to happen for me, yet it did.  To which I say thank you to all of those who made it happen!

Now....to remember the whole reason I went out to CA and for what purpose....

Please do NOT forget to make your voice heard!  Please help by either writing your congress or just sending a simple text of betheshift to 66937.  Please help out and make sure those on the Cheyenne River get the help they need.

Thank you.

Jenni.