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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty In North Korea (LINK)

On April 16th Liberty In North Korea did a presentation at BTW for my US Government students.  They came last year, and it was inspiring.  So when I had the opportunity to bring them again this year - I jumped at the opportunity.  Their purpose is this in a nutshell:  Put the focus back on the people.  Most Americans when you say North Korea we think about them wanting to Nuke America.  But LINK reminds us that there are 24 million people living under an oppressive government.  That is who they are trying to help. 

The stories will shock you about the living conditions in North Korea.  Ultimately my hope for my students are to appreciate the life we have in America!  There is a lot wrong with this country.  We all know that - we all could go around and say something that is wrong with America.  But there is a lot right, and when you compare America to other countries it is amazing!  Boy we live in a great country, where we are fee and have rights!

Last year in the video they showed us, a man was speaking about why he escaped North Korea.  He was blacked out, and his voice changed.  Because he had family still in North Korea and if he was found out they would be punished.  In North Korea if you do something illegal they punish not just you, but three generations.  Isn't that unbelievable?  But this guy said he escaped because he wanted to live life as a human being.  Because in North Korea you are not a human being.  When he said that it broke me heart!

This is what LINK wants to do - make a shift in people's thoughts about North Korea.  They are also lobbying the media to report about the people!

This is the documentary we saw!

 

Power of One

Food Bank

On Saturday April 6th 11 of my students and myself went to volunteer at the NE Oklahoma Food Bank right behind Carver Middle School.  It was the most amazing experience!  I want to go back on my own, and I heard students say that which is great because they got it.  I really want my students to give back to their community, and fall in love with the process!

We were there from 1 to 4 and made "Backpacks for Kids."  Which was just a plastic bag filled with 12 food items.  It was things like apple juice, milk, can of chili, sunflower seeds, corn nuts, and etc.  We made an assembly line and assembled the bags.  It went pretty fast.  That is all we did, and they needed a lot.  Eight went into a box, and we put 24 boxes on a palette.  We made six palletes.  So that is 1,152 "Backpacks for Kids."

What is sad is that is not enough.  They give away 7,000  of them each WEEK to TPS students.  I can not imagine!  After volunteering there I was so grateful that I get to go to the grocery store every week and buy food.  It is something to be so thankful for, and I think most people forget what a gift it is.

I talked to a Mom whose children get a "Backpack" every week, and she said they depend on them!  They don't make enough money to get all the groceries they need, and this program hold them over.  How wonderful there are organizations like this that help out.  That is what I believe now - I want a compassionate and caring government. 

So if you ever have a free morning or afternoon go to the Food Bank.  You won't regret it!

This really gets the point across.  This breaks my heart every time - we live in the greatest country in the world!  No one should be starving!

 

A completed "Backpack" before it was tied off and put in the box

 

The Assembly Line putting the bags together

 

Assembly Line

 

 

 

The box they go into - 8.

 

I could not get the picture to go right side up.  I tried so many times, but finally gave up.  I wanted you to see this.  This is one corner of their warehouse!  It is 13,000 SqFt, and full of food!

 

 

My classes collected over 100 can foods.  We brought it as a donation.

 

Everyone who came at the end

 

 

 

 

Thoughts about Government

I saw this image and quote this weekend and I had to post it.  This quote encompasses my feelings about government perfectly!  I've decided when it comes to government I will always side with kindness and compassion!  Life is hard and sometimes life can throw you a curve ball.  I want a government that will help people!  Because you never know who will need help - it might be you.  I love the part where Roger Ebert says "we must try to contribute joy to the world.."  Think what our world would be like if we all tried!