Tuition or a Chateau?

I already went to college. But if I didn't, I'd be this guy. He's on to something -hey, wait a minute, I thought of this first (ok, maybe not first but definitely somewhere up there). Thought you'd get a kick of seeing what others are raising money for online:

From Collegeotr.com:
While our parents and professors lose sleep over the loss of their retirement funds and life savings that they’ve been watching slowly fade away everyday, most college students aren’t really feeling the effects of this financial crisis. Since most of us don’t have money in the stock market except for maybe a small share here and there (my mommy got me Disney stock to keep my childhood alive!) we don’t really understand how bad the economy is.

But with that in mind, we can still cut back on a few extras and do some things to try to get a little bit of beer money. While erasing those 2 a.m. Taco Bell visits is probably the best for your bank account (and your love handles and/or beer belly) there are other things you can do…like emailing people you don’t know and begging for money!

NYU student Max Stephenson had the right idea when he sent out an email to his friends, relatives, and acquaintances asking for donations for college.

In a heartfelt email begging for tuition money, Stephenson raised over $5,000 in TWO WEEKS!! That’s a better salary than I can even dream of! You must be thinking this kid has to have some rich relatives or something, but that’s surprisingly not it.

He only asked for donations of two dollars and fifty cents. That’s right--$2.50 aka pocket change for most. By sending this email to only 300 people and asking them to forward it, over 2,000 responded and sent money.

Although that $5,000 won’t pay the ridiculous cost of NYU, it’s a start and it's just short of a year's tuition for in-state students at JMU (those lucky bitches).

Great Gateau

Tonight, I had two kinds of cheesecake - one of which can be improved upon en France. The first was a crawfish and chicken sausage cheesecake app - sounds gross, but ooh la la, tres delicieux. The second was a blueberry cheesecake with a lemon crust (dessert if you didn't already figure that out) - not so fast there, it was more like a graham cracker crust with lemon curd underneath. I can do better.

So, for the first taste of the menu au Chateau, here you go:

Blueberry cheesecake - tall, rich, purply-blue enchanted cheesecake with creamily blended farm-fresh blueberries and oh so yummy fresh French cheese on top of a sugar cookie crust with just a hint of lemon zest and lemon juice. Top with a dab of creme fraiche and eat by candlelight on the back patio - c'est magnifique. I'm gonna try it out this weekend.

Wordle of the Day

Gaultier the Great

What I love about the French is their ability to remain quirky and approachable, despite their success. Jean Paul Gaultier is a great example, as he appears in this article from the New York Times on his favorite Paris haunts. I love that his eyes twinkle, and he's delighted in some of the simple or even gaudy things about his home city. As our country continues through this crazy financial crisis, I think this article is a great reminder to revel in the simple and beautiful things that surround us every day.

Get Out and Vote

No, not for the presidential election silly, for the name of my Chateau. I need your help figuring out what to call the Chateau - although I'm in marketing, it's super hard to come up with the name of my own thing. Here are a few ideas I have as food for thought/fodder if you will:

Chateau Papier (Paper Chateau - looks good on paper, not so much in reality, right?)
Chateau du Gens (Chateau of the people)
Chateau du Monde (Chateau of the world)

The name doesn't have to say Chateau anywhere, I've honestly lost my creativity here. How about Krug-ville? :) Help! Post your answers here on the blog for all to see.

Webbed Bliss

Today my prayers were answered - in the form of a new web designer for my beloved Chateau site. Reggie Bliss of The Bliss Factor is my go-to man, and cousin of long-time supporter Mary Kay Schultz (both of whom will be getting free Chateau stays, of course). Expect lots more news soon - momentum is gaining and I'm totally blissed out!

The Big Letdown

Well, I've officially been let down on one of my most important forays -- that of the web variety. So, it's off to find another web designer who can deliver. Meanwhile, I'm staying very optimistic about my prospects -- a big thanks to my fabulous colleague Renee who gave me $10 today! And, I was connected to a few inspirational people over the past few days who I feel are destined to help me make this thing happen.

In thinking more about how I fashion the Chateau for maximum usability and fun, I'm really interested to see how I can take a potentially 200-year old building and make it sustainable. A new client (and one of the sources of inspiration noted above) had me over to their house to see how they've retrofitted a Grant Park bungalow to reuse grey water, planted a garden in the side yard, installed a wind turbine. Cool stuff! I'm not much of a dirt digger, but the garden really had me thinking - and once I ate the stuff they gave me, it made me realize how crummy most grocery store produce truly is. How tres chic would it be to have a green Chateau!?

Cheese Glorious Cheese

According to a book I just purchased "101 Beautiful Towns in France" the region around the Allier River (Auvergne) where the chateau is, is known for its cheeses. Anyone who knows me knows that cheese is my "be all end all" of food - what a perfect fit. Not that France has bad cheese anywhere, but this just solidifies why I'm meant to be in Allier. Guess I need to start practicing my cheese-making techniques along with my French language lessons!

Mon Dieu

The world's most famous Chateau is in the news for controversial reasons again this week, with the installation of Jeff Koons' exhibit in the hallowed halls of Versailles. The inspiration for my work here, Versailles does seem a strange place for this exhibit, but I have to say the inspiration is right on - Marie and Louis were cutting edge and so is the exhibit. Wish I could skip across the pond to see it before it goes away in December.

Le Slacker

I've been slacking off long enough - how on earth will this dream become a reality if I don't believe it myself. I have been working behind the scenes to pull together a scrapbook of ideas and inspiration, and been doing research on the Allier region - which according to one book I read is one of the original homes of cheese (it's all making sense now, isn't it?)!

I got $11 toward my dream at book club tonight - thanks Candace and T. Shell!! It's onward and upward - and a revitalized commitment to telling my story. Thanks to my friends for keeping me on course!

The Chateau Project

Here's an overview of my big idea:

The Big Idea
I want to buy a Chateau in Allier, France, renovate it and open a small bed and breakfast to host guests from around the world. I’ve found the Chateau and need to raise $2 million to buy it.

Who Am I?
I don’t come from family wealth or have a sugar daddy. I’m a typical, middle-class American girl who’s followed a pretty normal path – college, career, marriage. But I’ve always had big ideas. I usually put my big ideas to work to make my employer or clients’ dreams come true – now it’s my turn to put my expertise and contacts to work to make something happen for myself.

Why Am I Doing This?
Because I’m just crazy enough to believe that it can work. The model is easy – reach 2 million people via the Internet who are willing to give me $1 of their hard-earned money to make my dream a reality. They can follow my progress and see how their contribution is put to work. I’ll be blogging daily about my progress, tracking donations on my web page and eventually showing our family hard at work preparing the bed and breakfast to open.

Plus, I’ve always been obsessed with France and regretted my decision to move back home after spending three semi-homesick months in Paris following college. This is a chance to redeem myself for not being impulsive or brave enough in my 20s.

The Money
I need at least $2 million to buy and renovate the Chateau. I hope to do it $1 at a time. I could take larger donations, but don’t want to find myself in a situation where I’m forced to develop a business plan, answer to the “boss,” sacrifice my vision for that of someone else – I want to do this with the help of people around the world who want to see someone attain their dream.

How?
This is a global marketing experiment using only the Internet and media coverage to get there. It’s six degrees of separation on steroids. It will take a serious commitment on my part, and more importantly, major help from my family, friends, colleagues, sphere of influence and lots of strangers to get me started and keep momentum going.

Here's What I Need!
1. Guts – I’ve worked myself up to the point of telling people about this cockamamie idea, so I can check this one off.
2. Bank – I’ve opened a bank account and officially have $102 dollars (as of August 13, 2008)
3. Blog – I started a blog about my nutty idea, and have posted the ups and downs so far – stay posted for ongoing updates throughout my journey
4. Web site – This is a biggie. I’ve gotten a commitment from threesquared to help out with the web site. I’ll need to tell my story, keep it fun, keep it transparent, provide a way to collect donations (and tally my progress), and recognize those who are helping me along the way. First, I need an illustrator to create the graphics for the site.
5. Viral marketing – Once the web site is live, I’ll be emailing everyone I’ve ever encountered to ask for their help in spreading the word virally. E-newsletters, e-fundraising, forward to a friend, social networks (LinkedIn, Facebook), blogging, meet up, digg – here I come!
6. Sponsors – Through kind gestures, I’m hoping to secure donations of a few key services or products. Here’s what I need so far:
a. Web site – DONE! Thanks threesquared
b. French lessons – Rosetta Stone?
c. Accountant
d. Attorney
e. Immigration
f. Moving services – PODS?
g. Plane tickets - Delta?
7. Media coverage – I’ve been doing PR for almost 15 years, so I should be able to get myself on Oprah or meet my girl Meredith on TODAY, right? We shall see – let’s start local, maybe the AJC would like to do a story on a crazy local girl who’s got a BHAG (big hairy audacious goal). There are a lot of Francophiles in this town who might hop on board.
8. Networking – Tell everyone and anyone I encounter about my adventure and make the ask.
9. Pack it up, get on a plane, and brace for a wild ride!

That’s it. Once I get there, I’ll figure out how to keep it going and make everyone proud they supported me along the way.

Le Scrapbook

I'm home sick today, and trying to keep my creativity flowing is hard when I don't feel like getting off the couch. I started my Chateau scrapbook though - and pasted in my first few inspiration points: an adorable sheep, a castle-shaped candle box that will become the model for an origami download on my web site and some French-inspired fashion that would be perfect for cocktail hour on the back patio or TV appearances.

The web site seems to be on hold pending hiring an illustrator or someone who can draw up my vision - I'll work on making that happen soon, I can't postpone the dream much longer.

UK Connection

I'm so lucky to have great friends who are supporting me in this journey. I had no idea how many connections could be made before I really even get underway. My friend (and lovely work neighbor) Renee was with me when I found out about "Chateaux R Us" and is so inspired by my idea she'll be one of my first guest chefs, my mom is signing up for French lessons and I'm sure has already written a menu for our first guests, and tonight friend MK told me she has some family friends from England who opened a B&B in France! Voila, I've got connections to someone who has undertaken a similar daunting task - can't wait to talk to them!

Paris Pilgrimage

Yet another reinforcement of how much I need, want, have to be in France is the September issue of Gourmet, now on its way to newsstands everywhere. This issue marks the magazine's epicurean pilgrimage to the City of Light and is chock full of fun. The web site has some special features as well.

Food markets, top restaurants, luxurious hotel bars and recipes - oh my! Time to book a flight.

The Red Envelope

I forgot to mention in earlier posts that I've started collecting the donations from gracious friends in a special Red Envelope. I didn't know much about the significance of red envelopes until Christmas, when my parents gave Troy and I a generous gift in one. They received the envelope from some Chinese friends who visited Seattle last year, and wanted to give back for my parent's hospitality.

According to Wikipedia, red envelopes are mainly presented at social and family gatherings such as Chinese weddings or on holidays such as the Chinese New Year. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, for instance 88, 168 are both lucky numbers, as odd numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals. At weddings, the amount offered is usually intended to cover the cost of the attendees as well as a goodwill to the newly weds.

I find the red envelope's symbolic good luck will help me in my journey. To satisfy American tradition, I've also opened a saving's account for this endeavor.

Take Me Away

I don't know how much longer I can take of this morning commute with visions of French Chateaux dancing in my head. The highlight of my morning was getting my favorite parking space! How sad is that - I get excited about getting a parking space. I think this day deserves a big argggghhhh.

Yesterday, however, was great. I had lunch with my friend and fellow marketeer Shane King, of threesquared fame, who has agreed to develop my web site and online marketing strategy to help me pursue the chateau. It's off to the races to write my plan and start laying out the site - then, it's up to the masses to forward me through cyberspace. Thanks Shane!

Building Up to Bravery

I need to get over myself and tell everyone what's up with my dream. Today I'm totally inspired - so much for the slump - and think I can make this happen much sooner than my 40th birthday (which incidentally is almost more than 3 years, especially when I lose count of my age - I'm not old, I'm not old, I'm not old).

I can envision myself feeding the horses in my wellies, tossing balls to my dogs in the lawn and trekking to the local patisserie for some fresh baguette and eclairs. The challenge for the next few weeks is before me - I have to get the web site up and running, start asking for donations and set the wheels in motion. And, the big one - I need to ask my employer for support on this journey. I don't know why I'm so scared - my bosses are about making your dreams reality, so I should go for it!

Mieux

Mieux is the French word of the day - and it means "better." I take that to mean I'm better today - I've been a little discouraged, thus my lack of posting for almost a week. In blogland, that's a big no-no.

Why, you ask, was I discouraged? I started getting too bogged down in the details - how am I going to get my dogs to France without having to quarantine them, will I be able to get a long-term visa, how will I pay taxes on all this money I'm asking for??????? Argh, I'm driving myself crazy and I've only raised two dollars!

Ok, back to the fun part - making it happen and dreaming about what I will do when the day comes. No more Debbie Downer!

Signs

I forgot to mention yesterday, but when I woke up on Sunday morning - too early because Troy was on his way out to drill - guess what was on the TV when I turned it on, groggily stirring myself from sleep. The Chateau!!! A movie about two GenX American boys who inherit a French Chateau. Is that a sign or what?

Two Dollars!

Tonight I got my first two dollars toward the Chateau - I never knew two dollars could feel like a million. At a dinner with my girlfriends, I told them my story and asked them to tell me if I was crazy. They loved the idea - at least I think they weren't just being nice - and two Tracey/ies (Tracey Shell and Tracie Andrews) quickly contributed to the cause.

I can't quit now, I have two people in my corner!

Craving Adventure

I found this interesting - I feel exactly the opposite...

Quote of the day from the New York Times:

"I have had a very adventurous life, but not because I have an adventurous nature or yearned for a life full of adventure. Fate just wanted it this way."VACLAV HAVEL, former president of the Czech Republic.

Am I Crazy?

My chance of winning the lottery? 1 in 176 million. My chance of earning two million dollars in my lifetime - probable, but slow going.

I'm just a middle class, American girl with a dream. But how do I get to that dream with all the roadblocks in my way - like money! This weekend, I was inpired by a chain of events to start a blog on my dream - and my journey to attain it.

This is the first post in what will become my journey. What is the journey you ask - to find myself in a field in Southwest France. To bring together my love of entertaining, an unquenchable desire to travel, a talent for creating beautiful surroundings, food, fashion and fun.

I love my job in marketing, but I know there's more for me out there in that great big world. How can I take myself to the next level?

I've figured it out - leverage my network of contacts and considerable marketing skills to attain my dream - owning a big, beautiful, dilapidated yet magnificent French Chateau.

Some say if you put it out there, the universe will respond. And it already is. With the help of a perfect stranger, I've found my Chateau. In Allier, it has almost 25 acres of land, a couple of out-buildings, including a stable and saddlery- perfect for my animal friends and those I hope to rescue. It has nine bedrooms - also perfect for a modest-sized bed and breakfast. The only challenge? I need money to buy it.