Author Archive

I AM THE TOTAL SUM OF MY LIFE’S EXPERIENCES…

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008

To all of my ESCAPESEEKER BLOG readers:

It has been suggested that perhaps I should create two separate blog pages–one for my family updates and another for my work-related experiences.

After giving this suggestion a great deal of thought, I realized that it is something quite difficult for me to do, as my family experiences is so intertwined with who I am, my life’s goals and ambitions. And, because so many of the people with whom I work eventually become my life-long friends and colleagues…soon, they too, feel like part of our family.

Bottom line, I am the total sum of my life’s experiences…I am first a wife and mother, grandmother, and friend. Second, I feel tremendously blessed to have many opportunities to put my journalism skills and talents to good use in a varied career that has taken me to some of the most beautiful, often remote, unique places on earth. Because of these opportunities, we, individually and collectively as a family, have gained greater understanding of other cultures, were inspired to learn languages different from our own–as well as established friendships with people of all faiths and race. What a colorful life’s tapestry I have woven–like the spectrum of a beautiful rainbow–my life is oh, so interestingly full, complete with challenges and triumphs.

Thank you all– devoted friends, family and colleagues–for the love and joy and work fulfillment you bring to my life!

With gratitude,

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER

DREAMING OF A BLISSFUL SUMMER IN THE FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE?

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008

You can join our ESCAPESEEKER team as we explore the magnificent landscape of France during its peak season, when sunflowers are in full bloom, and the lavender abound…AHHH, I can already smell that sweet scent of Provence! If you’re interested, write me at escapeseeker@gmail.com, and I will tell you how you, too, can have the ultimate ESCAPESEEKER experience!

Abientot,

Mel

AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS DESTINATIONS JOIN OUR LIST OF ESCAPESEEKER EPISODES!

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008


KOCE TELEVISION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

GABRIELLE PRODUCTIONS
AND ASSERTION FILMS*

IS PROUD TO PRESENT


ESCAPESEEKER:

DISCOVERING THE PERFECT ESCAPE ONE DESTINATION AT A TIME


Announcing a UNIQUE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY to reach out to KOCE-TV, PBS’ audience via its brand new entertaining, educational, inspiring travel series, ESCAPESEEKER, wherein we explore the “art of distinctive travel” as we discover the world’s greatest destinations”–one perfect “escape” at a time! It’s thirteen, half-hour segments, each a stand-alone episode filmed in spectacular High Definition (HD) photography.

Each month, an estimated 5.8 million viewers in the Los Angeles/Orange County region tune their television sets to KOCE, their public television station. These viewers are affluent, influential, highly educated, well-traveled, intellectually curious people who have their choice of more than 100 channels. Yet, this valuable demographic group remains intensely loyal to PBS, and KOCE as the 6th most watched PBS station nationally.

KOCE-TV is excited to offer this unique corporate sponsorship opportunity to those wishing to target its highly affluent, well-traveled audience.

“Grab your passport and get ready to have the ultimate 5-star experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime! I created the series for the discerning traveler who demands the best, and seeks out exciting unforgettable and incomparable distinctive travel experiences.”

Mel Gee Henderson,
Creator, Executive Producer and Host of ESCAPESEEKER (c)

For inveterate globetrotter, Mel Gee Henderson, travel is like air. She thrives on the serendipitous encounter, embraces the unexpected adventure, and adores the charms of locals everywhere. Mel’s background as a journalist, Washington Congressional staffer, and high-profile fundraiser and philanthropist, introduced her to the jet-set lifestyle, and took her everywhere, from parties on the French Riviera to the peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Along the way, Mel’s winning personality opened doors and created lasting friendships with people we would all love to hang out with – from celebrated chefs to maverick fashionistas, to musical artists, and even some of Hollywood’s A-listers. It’s the desire to share these amazing experiences that have motivated Mel to create the breathtaking new television series Escapeseeker.

Escapeseeker introduces viewers to the most luxurious adventures money can buy and to people who live these adventures. It’s Condé Nast –beautiful exotic locations filmed in high-def–-meets Iconoclasts–-intimate conversation with the culture makers of our time. Each episode, Mel will introduce us to people and destinations so unique, we’ll learn that travel isn’t about where to take your next vacation–it’s about how to envision your new lifestyle!

And just to give you advance warning: Mel’s exuberance, enthusiasm and joy for living, or as the French would say, joie de vivre, is extremely contagious!

Mel is joined by the talented team of professionals from *Assertion Films, Michael Parks and Katrina Parks:

Michael Parks, ESCAPESEEKER, Co-Executive Producer

As a producer, director and writer, Michael brings 17 years of experience in the entertainment industry to each and every project. In 2006 Michael, along with Katrina Parks, launched the television media company Assertion Films, LLC. As co-creator and executive producer, Michael is currently overseeing and directing one of Assertion’s original series currently in production with the Discovery Channel. In addition Michael’s producing credits include Fox’s TV series MURDER IN SMALL TOWN X; the National Geographic’s film DEATH ON THE MOUNTAIN: WOMEN OF K2; MY NAME IS EDA and OPPORTUNITY BOUND…Stories of the Harvey Girls for PBS; as well as ANCIENT BONES for Discovery. Michael has worked with Mark Burnett Productions on the premiere hit reality series, SURVIVOR for CBS and THE CONTENDER for NBC. Additionally, Michael’s production credits also include several feature films such as Disney’s AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS; Fox’s MEN OF HONOR; Touchstone Pictures’ MAFIA!; Buena Vista Pictures’ GROSSE POINT BLANK; Woody Allen’s HOLLYWOOD ENDING; and, Sony Pictures’ Oscar winning film AS GOOD AS IT GETS, to name just a few.

Katrina Parks, ESCAPESEEKER, Co- Executive Producer

Katrina is currently producing three international episodes and one domestic episode of the second season of CITIES OF THE UNDERWORLD for the History Channel. She is also producing and directing OPPORTUNITY BOUND a feature length documentary intended for PBS broadcast in 2009, which recently received a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council. Katrina’s other producer credits include ACE OF CAKES, a series for the Food Network, MY UNIQUE FAMILY, a series for TLC, a Christmas special series for the Travel Channel; and MY HUSBAND’S THREE WIVES a pilot for TLC. As a producer/director, Katrina has made several short films including the award winning WRAPPINGS, which aired in 2006 & 2007 on PBS and earned Katrina the SASA Award from the United Nations. Katrina is the co-producer/director of MY NAME IS EDA, a short documentary, which aired on PBS in 2007. Katrina is on the board of directors of Cinefemme, a California based non-profit which produces an annual film showcase of women filmmakers work at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

The ESCAPESEEKER team is pleased to announce that Mel will be departing for Europe in May to begin the advance work for the filming of the first episode. Take a look at these magnificent photos of just some of the places she’ll be visiting! I think it is time to add “Escape artist” to Mel’s resume don’t you think? If you want to learn more about these two gorgeously magnificent places (Saint Paul de Vence and Chateau de Mirambeau) pictured above, please go to www.baglionihotels.com/pages/francia_en.jsp

ANGELS in our family come in all sizes! Violet has her BIG SISTER LEAH to watch over her!

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

Is Garrett always around for every MIRACLE? His beautiful sister and our family’s heavenly gift, Violet Christina!

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

HAPPY EASTER FAMILY AND FRIENDS! Bearing the name of JESUS…Morgan and Garrett, best friends, since childhood, testify of Christ’s life and mission

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008


MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SABBATH TODAY…as we all reflect the significance of what we CELEBRATE TODAY…THE RESURRECTION of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST…May we be mindful of all the BLESSINGS this KNOWLEDGE brings into all of our lives. As for me, take a look at the photos on this entire site…HIS FINGERPRINTS IS EVIDENT IN EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE…HE has infused my life with so much LOVE that there are no words sufficient to express my gratitude TO HIM, FOR HIM. HE IS MY SAVIOR…


And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins
.

May we all be examples–as shown by Garrett and Morgan, of CHRIST-LIKE LOVE and LASTING FRIENDSHIPS…

This is the prayer I offer in HIS HOLY NAME on this beautiful EASTER morning.

Ok, Everyone, Brennen wants you to vote…Who has the smoochiest lips in the family? Winner wins a years’ supply of Chapstick!

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

Brennen and McKell patiently await the arrival of our very special guest…Italian Baby Beauty, MIA MARIE van der Steen!

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

JASON, ROBERTA, and BABY MIA flew in from Newport Beach to join us for Garrett’s Missionary Homecoming…the weather turned out beautifully for us!

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

HOME SWEET HOME…Everyone gathered in Texas for Garrett’s Missionary Homecoming…

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

The weekend of March 15th turned out to be an extremely uplifting and memorable weekend as Garrett, Brennen, and McKell prepared and presented a truly inspired Sacrament meeting program for the Granbury 2nd Ward. Thank you so much for sharing your tremendous testimonies with us…and McKell, thank you for sharing your gift of music.

The meeting was followed by a superb Missionary Fireside at James and Genie Bandy’s home–a favorite gathering place on the Banks of the Brazos–it is frequented by friends and family…and honestly, the Bandy’s treat us like family. Lucky us! They put together quite the feast, supllemented by more Texas fixins from Genie’s Mama, Anne, and Brenda Fisher too. I’m getting pretty good with the Texas BBQ too, so I made several pans of it. Top it off with two massive salads–Ambrosia and a Tossed green, and I tell you, there’s wasn’t a hungry soul for miles! 🙂 What a beautiful Sunday–where we enjoyed both a feast for the spirit and the body. Thank you everyone for all the love and support in welcoming our Elder Garrett Gee home from Vladivostok…a truly BIG welcome…exactly what TEXAS is KNOWN for!

Love,
MissionaryMamaMel