THE BIG UPDATE

Alrighty…here it is…what you’ve all been waiting for…an update from me! Yes, I know it’s true that you’ve all been dying to know what’s going on in my life. I’m sure that certainly your child’s school performance, and your annual Mexican Riviera holiday planning really pale in comparison to finding out just what I’ve been up to. Never fear – I’m back! J

So with that build up I will get right into the nitty gritty, and straight to the most important event of the past few months. That’s right – the marathon! As most of you know I have been training to run my first marathon on September 16, in Maui. This is no ordinary marathon, but a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. I began by running to honor the memory of my mother who passed away from Leukemia in 1995. This soon turned into something bigger than myself, and I am now also running to honor the memory of not only my mother, but also that of Derek “Lek” Leckenby, a friends father, and Gregory Austin Whyte, another friends younger brother, who both passed away from blood cancers. I am also running to honor the struggles of two people who are currently battling blood cancers – Cody Belliveau, and Bob Smidt. The day that I run Maui I will be not only wearing white ribbons to honor these individuals but will have them on my mind throughout the race to help me cross that finish line after 42kms (26.2miles).

My initial goal was to raise a total of $6000 for the Society, but thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and even strangers I have raised almost $10,000!!! I held a cabaret fundraiser with performances by myself and four other incredibly talented guests and in that one night alone raised almost $3000. As I write this I am currently sitting at $9300, with days to go before the race, and I know that I will hit $10,000!

I want to thank all those who have donated thus far, or who have sent me words of encouragement…or who have simply read my daily blogs (the link is below if you would like to catch up). The support I have had has been overwhelming, and incredible, and I can’t tell you how many times that I have been sick, or tired, or exhausted, and have still continued training faithfully because I know that I have your support. It’s been amazing! I also know that there are people who have not donated simply because they aren’t able to financially or who may already contribute to other charities. I totally understand, but I still appreciate your words of support. J For those of you who have yet to donate and would like to you still can by going to www.active.com/donate/tntvan/stevenbidwell. Wish me luck!

I can’t believe that it’s already September – the summer has flown by so quickly! For those of you who I haven’t spoken with lately, I have some other news. I have moved to NYC! I have finally found the courage to follow my heart and attend a full time theatre school. It’s been a long time in coming, but it’s the right thing to do. It’s either now or never! So I left Vancouver on the 29th of August, and am now living in Harlem. Yes, Harlem. It’s like living in a Spike Lee movie! I’m living with a girlfriend from my cruise ship days in an incredibly beautiful three bedroom apartment with hardwood floors, and exposed red brick walls. There are a lot of interesting characters in the “hood”…and yes, the neighborhood does feel a tad unsafe, but only a few blocks away are new residences for Columbia Medical students and about 10 blocks south is North Central Park. So I am really in my element at the moment.

The program is at Circle in the Square Theatre school, and it is a two year program. So I will be here for some time. However, I will be back in Vancouver in the summer, and have two jobs waiting for me on my return which is phenomenal. The program is well respected, and well known, and in fact I did their summer program last year so I know it well and am excited to be back. Classes begin on September 10, so in advance of that I have a couple of days in Ottawa visiting family, and I leave to go back to NY tomorrow (Saturday).

So that, my friends, is me in a nutshell. Certainly there is a lot more that I could go into, but I do encourage you to check out my blog to find catch up on everything else. I don’t want to go on more than I already have. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! I know that these are impersonal letters, and I do apologize. With all that is going on, it’s the easiest way of catching up so I can stop getting messages from people who are finding out things through the grapevine – this way you can hear it directly from the horses mouth. So…at that…I will go. The next letter that you get should be telling you my time for Maui!

Thanks, be well, Steven