Internet Finally Working!

 

 

This summer I've had the worst trouble with my computer and internet!  I hope it is solved now, but I should be back on schedule!  Thank you for being patient with me!

Computer issues!

 

Hello Everyone!  Sorry for my long absence!  My computer and Internet stopped working!  Ugh...it was frustrating!  I'm glad it was able to be fixed, and it did not happen during the school year!

Going Out of Town

Today I'm leaving for my Grandparent's house!  I'm so excited, and thought ironic since I just did that post about my grandparents!  I just wanted to let you guys know because I don't know if I'll be able to post while there.  See you Tuesday!

WWII Vets

Today is a Great day to make this post about Honor Flight on the 69th anniversary of D - day!  I have had GREAT privilege of participating in Honor Flight three times!  I hope I get to participate every semester!  Honor Flight is a great organization that takes WWII Vets to Washington D.C. to see the WWII Memorial free of charge!  Such a worthy cause!  When I first heard about Honor Flight I cried because all I could think is how wonderful!  No one deserves it more!  Here is a great video about Honor Flight and their significance!

BTW has participated by writing "Thank You" letters.  Each Vet gets a few on the plane ride, and I heard from Honor Flight that BTW writes the best letters!  That made my heart smile!  That is my requirement to the students is to be heartfelt!  These men have been through the worse and they deserve a worthy "Thank You."  To get them in the right mood I play this song.  It is a true story of one family darning WWII:

 

The letters are always amazing!  The Best part of Honor Flight is going to the airport to welcome the Vets home!  It is the most patriotic feeling I have ever had!  To see those men come home is such an exciting feeling!  They are now old men, but when I see them I always think what did they look like when they were in the War?  Then they are always so humble, and so grateful!  I shook one of their hands, and he thanked me!  I wanted to say no thank you!  I couldn't believe they were thanking me!  Here are some pics from the last Honor Flight in Tulsa:

 

Sons of the American Revolution were there dressed up!  Had to get my photo with them!

 

Me and Mrs. Moffitt about to welcome the Vets home!

 

Everyone there to welcome the Vets home!

 

They had a band there to play patriotic music!

 

Last night I met a WWII Vet at Walgreens.  I took the opportunity to Thank him!  He also told me he was 95.  I asked what the secret was to living a long life?  He said to enjoy life!  I thought that was a great response!  So if you ever get a chance to tell a veteran thank you - please do!

 

 

 

 

Paris in the Springtime

I finally can upload pictures from my Paris trip in March.  I had the BEST time.  The way I'm describing it is MAGICAL.  I really can't believe I went to Paris again!  This was my 11th time, but I seriously thought I would never go back after getting sick.

I will be honest there were some concerns about going.  Could I do it?  Could I keep up?  You walk everywhere!  Those were just some of the thoughts going through my head!  I'm happy to report I could do it!  And I kept up with everyone!  One of the things that I was most proud of was walking all the way to the top of Notre Dame de Paris.  There are no elevators - it was just a winding staircase that went on forever.  But when I got to the top it was such a great feeling!  A feeling of true accomplishment!

I have to tell you why I got the amazing opportunity to go.  It is not a good reason.  When I was in the hospital I was so sick!  I almost died twice in the hospital.  My mom says she was desperate.  I cannot imagine what my family was going through!  So in a moment of desperation she said to me in the hospital that if I survive this she will take me to Paris!  Well that promise became a reality!  Just so you can get an idea of how sick I was here is a picture of me when I was at my worst!

Summer of 2011 - I was unable to stand, walk, or move my body!

 

That picture always freaks me out!  But I want you guys to see the stark difference of then and now!  I took over 800 pictures, but here are some of my favorite that I took!

My favorite picture taken - moment of triumph!

 

This is what I ate for dessert every time!  Sorbet!  I'm eating very healthy for my MS!

 

This was the view from the street where we stayed!  It was perfect!  That is Notre Dame in the background!  I can't believe I walked to the top!

 

When we arrived it was snowing!  I've never seen Paris in the snow!  We were walking down the street, and turned the corner and this is what we saw!  I had to stop and take a photo of people ice skating in Paris!

 

This is so Paris - had to take a photo!

 

This stopped us in our track!  They were selling this!  And apparently this is very chic in Paris - American University sweatshirts!

 

The history teacher in me never leaves!  One morning we went to the French Revolution Prison Museum!  This was actually a blade they used during the revolution!

 

Saint-Chapelle.  All the french kings worshipped here!

 

Musee D'Orsay.  The impressionist museum in an old train station.

 

In this beautiful restaurant in the Musee D'Orsay with our waiter!

 

 

Me and my Mom.  I love this woman!

 

The second week we went to Nice, and this was the apartment we stayed in!  I looked at my Mom and said I don't have to go anywhere - the apartment was enough!  I loved it!

 

This was the sign above the door of my favorite restaurant in Nice!

 

I had scallops for almost every meal in Nice - they were so good!

 

I'm most proud of this photo! 

 

Best sorbet - lemon sorbet served in a frozen hollowed out lemon!

 

The Mediterranean - spent a lot of time at the beach

 

Cutest little girl making a crepe in Nice!

 

At the top of Notre Dame!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MLK Poem

I had a student read this poem to me, and I had goose bumps!  It was so good, and then she told me she wrote it!!!  I love this girl and poem - Enjoy!

Our world was destroyed by the acts of segregation, All we needed was one demonstration, One consisting of a black man and a white man together, Even though our country may tether.

I can see a day when my dream becomes real, Where we could show them that we can heal.

The color of your skin does not define who you are, Black, white, red, or blue, you can go far.

Once they finally see that color doesn't matter, Maybe we can climb that ladder, Separating the future from the past, Together we can make this change last, And learn to love one another, Showing respect and dignity to each other, The change will be hard, But together we can remove our guard.

To see the beauty of all.

See the World!

 

I saw this quote, and knew it had to be a post!  I am very blessed to have left the country 11 times, and visited 8 countries!  I first went to Europe when I was 16, and I got the travel bug!  I am always looking for a way to Travel - to see the world!  And what is amazing opportunities present themselves! 

 

I think the best part of travel is you get to see how other people live, and you realize how BIG the world truly is.  For me I realized the world is bigger than Tulsa, Oklahoma!  Even to this day I find myself wondering what people are doing in England, France, and China!

 

So if you ever get the chance to see the world - Go!  Run!  It will change your life and you will want to go back, and see new places! 

 

 

You get to try new foods!