Told you I wasn't very disciplined... Ok. So I am famous for waiting until the last minute. Tonight is it. Last night at home for nearly a month. As Ok Go said, "...you can't go back, same way you came, round all the pieces up, but they just don't fit the same". The adventure is finally here.
My cousin Nancy and I were philosophizing (did I just make up a word??) over the telephone the other night about the differences in how we approach new adventures as we grow older. For example, her granddaughter Tricia has embarked on a two year Peace Corps adventure. She has been assigned to Morocco and is blogging her adventure as she goes. Tricia is a 20 something graduate of Washington State University and is thoroughly immersed in the experience of adapting to a new culture in a poor country where she does not speak the language. Here I am, twice her age and white knuckled at the prospect of trying to find the right trains, buses and taxis to get from Rome to Florence to my hotel, and back to the train station to meet (fellow Cagli Project student & friend) Dianna on Tuesday for a trip to Pisa.
How often we tend to not give the next generation enough credit for their curiosity, courage and ambition. I have found they don't just talk the talk like so many in my generation, but they actually walk the walk...put their money where their mouth is... they just do it! They are an inspiration, and I will be proud to leave them with stewardship of our society and our world.
And I'll try to not be so white knuckled and let my hair down in Italy!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The journey has begun...
It's official, I'm accepted... The next adventure is about to begin. I'm going to Italy in June and earning 6 graduate credits in international media at the same time. Ok, so it won't be all play, but the hard work ahead is a small price to pay for this opportunity for cultural immersion.
Today, I mailed the travel contract and assorted other required paperwork to begin the adventure. Passport is renewed and in order, and my copy of Instant Immersion Italian is patiently staring at me from the bookshelf. I Hated to book tickets so early, but I was afraid that the frequent flyer seats wouldn't be available if I waited, so I am booked for the trip on Delta. Turns out, in order to have enough miles for first/business class seats, I'll be spending a few extra days after the class is over.
I land in Rome on June 21 after a 21 hour series of flights from Spokane. the rest of the class meets in Florence on the 23rd, so I'll have a couple days to find my way from Rome to Florence. Fortunately, it's still March, so I have some time! We then proceed as a group to Cagli, and school is in session. Then, as a group, we return to Rome on July 10 - I don't fly out until the 15th, so there's more time to fill with adventure.
I'll really need to learn some self-discipline - beginning by keeping this blog journal. I figure if I start early, maybe it will be a habit by June. I'm a slow learner, though, so we will see!
Today, I mailed the travel contract and assorted other required paperwork to begin the adventure. Passport is renewed and in order, and my copy of Instant Immersion Italian is patiently staring at me from the bookshelf. I Hated to book tickets so early, but I was afraid that the frequent flyer seats wouldn't be available if I waited, so I am booked for the trip on Delta. Turns out, in order to have enough miles for first/business class seats, I'll be spending a few extra days after the class is over.
I land in Rome on June 21 after a 21 hour series of flights from Spokane. the rest of the class meets in Florence on the 23rd, so I'll have a couple days to find my way from Rome to Florence. Fortunately, it's still March, so I have some time! We then proceed as a group to Cagli, and school is in session. Then, as a group, we return to Rome on July 10 - I don't fly out until the 15th, so there's more time to fill with adventure.
I'll really need to learn some self-discipline - beginning by keeping this blog journal. I figure if I start early, maybe it will be a habit by June. I'm a slow learner, though, so we will see!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)