Podcast, and moving forward!

Hello friends!
The blog hasn't been busy lately, but things have been moving quickly behind the scenes!  Andrew has been very active in researching and deciding which direction we're going with the build.  He's been communicating with the R2 Builders group and we are officially on the wait list for parts runs!
Our dear friend Cheryk got us in touch with The Gungan Council, and they so graciously asked us to be guests on their podcast at Bombad Radio.
You can listen to Andrew's interview here.
Keep your eyes peeled for updates via the blog and our Facebook page... and remember, this project wouldn't be possible without your love and support, so spread the word, and we appreciate your generous donations!

Until next time- May the Force be with you!
Katie

Donations now being accepted!

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Click the cute little DONATE button there to the right >>>>>>

Thanks for your love and support!

Remembering Jenna...

Friday, August 13, 2010.  Roughly 10:30pm.  My husband Andrew and I made the mile-long trek down International Drive from our hotel to the Orange County Convention Center to take our place in line to (hopefully) sit in the audience for the much-anticipated interview between George Lucas and Jon Stewart.  Just another part of the devoted fan's responsibility at a Star Wars Celebration...queueing up.  However, that spot in line changed our lives forever.

We took our place on the already-crowded sidewalk, a few hundred fans already in front of us, yet we were still considered to be in the front of the line.  We were directly behind two bubbly, gabby blondes who were obviously best friends...and at a Celebration, everyone is friends.  So, we started talking...and fell in love.  Katie and Jenna were a blast to hang out with, and we felt like we'd all known each other forever.  Jenna's bright personality quickly attracted those immediately around us, we set up our camp and quickly began calling ourselves 'The Village.'  As the humid Florida night progressed on into morning, we laughed and laughed, creating lasting memories and permanent friendships, and had an amazing time, despite the fact that we were sitting on the sidewalk in the middle of the night.

We were among the fortunate who were able to get seats directly in Chapin Theater for the interview...and what an experience it was!!  The interview between Jon and George was phenomenal, and the crowd fell apart when Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher came on stage.  I LOST it when Carrie came onstage, started absolutely sobbing... I felt so silly, until I looked a few seats to my right and saw Jenna crying as well.  After the interview let out, I remember hugging her in the theater lobby and we were both laughing at each other through our fangirl-tears.  We ended up spending the rest of the weekend together, reveling in our new friendship, bonding over our love of R2-D2, and becoming somewhat of an attraction in the droid room when we were caught on camera smooching our favorite little astromech :).  Saying goodbye at the end of Celebration was so hard, and we left each other with hugs and promises to see each other soon.

The news of Jenna's passing was hard, and this past weekend at Celebration VI was even harder.  It just didn't seem right without Jenna.  Her mother June was kind enough to send us memorial ribbons to wear in honor of her, as well as a Jenna-necklace, which I was honored to wear for the duration of the Celebration.  I made many trips through the droid room, spoke with one of the builders who remembered me (and Jenna) right away.

Andrew and I have often spoke of building our own R2 unit, and this past weekend we finally decided this will become a reality.  Only, instead of building a standard R2-D2, we have decided our droid will be R2-JE, as a tribute to the beautiful Jenna Erickson.  This blog will serve as a progress journal as we embark on the building process, as well as a place to share our memories of Jenna.

Thank you for visiting, for reading my story about how we met, and I hope you will stick around as we bring R2-JE to life!