Hiking up to Yosemite Point

It is the day after Thanksgiving, and we decided to hike to Yosemite Point.  We are staying at Yosemite Lodge, room 3625.  Last night we had dinner with Les and Roberta and family, and it was a great big feast, of turkey, ham, pork roast, yam, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy, salad, cranberry sauce, rolls, deviled eggs, pumpkin, apple and pecan pies.  WOWOWOW, it was so much food and the company was so warm and friendly.  We even took hom a bunch for sandwiches for our hike today.

We were going to start at 7 30 but ended up finally getting going at 8 30.  Before we got to the first gate, we were hot enough to put some jackets off the side of the road.  It was suppose to be 12 degrees at 6 am, but warmed up a bit.  The hike was very strengneous and we got to the top at about 2 hours.  First there is a lot of switchbacks, and there are some really long uphill climbs, and it felt like about 45 degrees climb in some parts.  It was really warm on the switchbacks, felt like 60 degrees, must have been the sun and the granite hills heating up.  We hiked to the lookout, and the climb out to the top of the fall was really hairy.  There is one part that is about 18 inches wide, and the only hand rails is drilled into the hill part of the hill, and the drop off is on the other side and very steep. 

We then walked across the bridge, and went to Yosemite Point.  Total one way is 4.2 miles.  On top, we had our lunch from last night, and there were not many people, as a matter of fact, there was only one guy at the top with us.  Then, Kurtis and dad went swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yup, swimming in the freezing water, well, maybe only a quick dip.  The water had to be about 32 degrees, as there was lots of ice at the edge. 

We got down to the lodge about 2 PM, and there were still others climbing up.  So total time we were up at Yosemite Falls was 5 1/2 hours.  Then Kurtis and dad went swimming AGAIN, by the bridge, in front of the little church.  This swim was only about 1 minute long, too.  It was VERY cold.

frustrations galore

sometimes i think that we want to revisit our childhoods by reliving our children's, but no

what to do , step in, butt out, pray, is probably what lovely would say, yet, hmmm

you wish the best for your kids and sometimes you just have to step back, and keep your lips zipped

i think dad really messed up his thumb last night, mom called this morning and said that dad's hand really hurts, i just wish i had the patience, and more help from my sibs......

Belconnen

On Thursday, It was moderation day. On moderation day, teachers go to school and compare what they're teaching in class while kids have a day off. Some call this day CODeration day, because they play COD all day. Others, like me and a few friends go to the mall and such. We went to Belconnen. We were supposed to meet by Max Brenners, a chocolate bar. I took the bus there, was 10 minutes late, and stood around for 5 minutes before this 45ish old lady walked up to me, asked if I was Kurtis, and started talking to me. Eventually I discovered that this lady was Callums mom. Callum and Izzy came up to me, and took me over to the movies. We then went to see Cowboys and Aliens. After that it was just a bunch of walking around, eating a bit of food, shoppin a little, hanging out in toys r us and such. Very fun although nomadic and a little awkward. One of the things that we did was shadowing people. At the mall, you just fall in behind someone and act like you're part of their group, but not talking to them, You try to get as far as you can with them without them noticing you or talking to/about you. The day ended with Alasdair and I seeing Captain America together and Me taking the bus home and then getting lost. Yeah. but i got home and it was fun

Week One of Australia

On Monday, August 1st, I awaken at 6:00 and crawl out of bed, anxious about my first day at Radford. I grab my towel and head for the shower. After the trained 2 minute shower, I towel off and find an ironed shirt on my door handle. I take it, go into my room and change into the Radford uniform, but without a blazer or jumper. I have breakfast of cereal and a bit of fruit, put on a black jacket, grab my backpack, and head to the bus stop with Kate. The Goodman house is a one-story house with 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, one living room, and a kitchen. There is no garage, only a covered driveway. One of the most outstanding features about the property is the massive tree in the front yard. In the bus shelter was a year 9 boy by the name of Steven, who caught the bus with Kate. We got out our MyWay cards which were like debit cards for buses.

We got off across the street from Radford College and walked in towards the high school office where Mr. Dodd, the acting head of high school told us that Ms. Girvan, the year 10 coordinator and Roundsquare coordinator was in a meeting and wouldn't be out for until 8:15. So Kate, Steven, and I went to the year 10 locker areas where they dropped off their stuff and checked what classes they had that day. We hung around until 8:15 where we went to Ms. Girvan's Office. She told me my host, Callum Scott Sambridge, and gave me a diary, what we would call a planner. I was brought down to the year 8 locker area where people were fascinated by me. I was given a locker and a padlock (one of the 3 number twisting ones). I went with Callum to his first class, then to tutor. My tutor was Mr. MacDonald, or Mr. Mac as we called him. After tutor was the second period, then break. During break, we played soccer. Then had 2 more classes, lunch, another 2 and then went to the uniform shop, borrowed a jumper and blazer.

I then head to pick up my backpack and head to the bus stop, where Kate and I were meeting. I wait there for 15, 20 minutes before kate walks up. Apparently we were supposed to meet at the locker bay and we missed our bus. So we wait a half hour for the next bus and catch it to 20 metres of the Goodman house. We head up to the house, head in, and settle in. Ms. Flood arrives maybe, a half hour later. One of the classes I had that day was English, where they were reading a book called Tommorow When the War Began, a book by John Marsden. So I spent the whole night until dinner reading the book. I don't remember what dinner was, but it was at least pretty good. I don't remember even a barely okay dinner. All of them were at least pretty good if not great. After dinner I washed my dishes, and headed to bed.

Days 2-3

They were normal days, except on Wednesday where we decided to shun izzy for pashing bailey.




On Thursday, unfortunately, Callum was not at school. According to facebook, he was "as sick as a dog". Meh. So I had to wander around school tagging along with people who I thought were in my classes. 

Same thing on friday.
 

Australia

So after having to ride in a 14 hour plane ride from Los Angeles to Sydney next to some white American couple, I had to wander around until I found out where I was supposed to go through immigration, and wait around, hoping that I had the right baggage claim area, to find my bag which I couldn't remember what it looked like. All of this was not helped by the fact that I was a "Young Person", not an "Unaccompanied Minor", which meant that I was not helped through the process by a Qantas Airline representative. I did meet Daria Clark, Tiana, and their parents, who were going to Sydney, and they provided someone to talk to during the long wait through the lines. After puzzling out which bag was mine,  I asked around for where to go, and was told to go out, but not out of the airport, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get back in. Very reassuring... So I follow their directions and am led to a place where I drop off my baggage and head to the bus that takes me to where the plane leaves. All the while I'm getting more and more nervous because my plane leaves in 10 minutes. While I'm in the bus, 5 minutes. when I get to the terminal, 3 minutes. I can't find my flight number on the gate list so I ask the man at the front counter. 2 minutes. He tells me that it's gate 9, at the very end of the long corridor. I run, my heavy backpack swaying and slowing me down. 1 MINUTE. I get to the gate and see an official looking man and woman closing the door. I curse silently to myself and put on a "young person in distress" face and politely ask whether the plane has left yet, and the woman says that they will start boarding in a minute or two. In response to the confusion/surprise/thankgodlook on my face, she shows that on my ticket, the plane BOARDS at 0800 hours, NOT leaves at 0800 hours. I step back, realize that the man is the captain and ask for a picture. He then replies that, if I'd like, I can wait until the end of the flight and have a picture with him and the copilot IN the cockpit. I say yeah, and sit down to wait until the plane boards. My boarding pass it beeped and I head into the plane

HE's Gone

Kind of like the Hall & Oats song, He's GONE !!!  Left Friday night, with a tummy ache and headache, from being sick, the few days before.  We were able to get to the gate, as he is a minor, but he didn't seem too interested to have us around.  Uncle Ed called and said it was 26 degrees, but should warm up.  He picked up Kurtis, took him to the Military College of Australia, and to Costco for a quick bite.  Supposedly Kurtis did not sleep a wink and watched all the movies on the plane.  What can you do...

Kate Goodman, Kurtis Bingemann & Nick Shaw

The next day, he is off to Radford with Kate.  Stay tuned for the next chapter.  Said he is having so much fun, that he just don't know what to do with himself!!  HAHA

Building the chicken coop

So we decided to build a chicken coop.  Well, the story is much longer than that.  After having 100.000 bees in the backyard, I thought maybe we can have chickens.  Well, it took over 3 weeks to convince my dearest husband that they would not be too much trouble.  So Diane hatched a bunch of chicks and we got her rabbit hutch, and kept 2 chicken.  Well, the first 3 days were fine, then ZOE the wonderdog got a hold of Betsy Ross, and she became fertilizer.  I was very upset.

So, the second chick came, and her name is Matilda, Mattie for short.  She is also a Rhode Island Red, but did not have the eagle looking white head.



Well, finish later.......

Gettysburg on Monday

Trying to figure out what to do today, Mac suggested that we visit Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania.  They have never been, so we drove about an hour to the famous battleground of the civil war.  It was very impressive.  The new visitor center was finished in 2008.  We bought tx for the Cyclorama and the Museum, and spent several hours looking at the civil war, and Lincoln, and all the other generals.  Dinner was BASA, some Vietnamese fish, and Kathy did a great job cooking it.  Very tired, will be leaving tomorrow, sad.......   packed the suitcase to the gill, bedddddddzzzzzzzzzzz

Grand Ceremony (JHU)

Sunday morning Mac cooks great waffles.  We drive to church, which was at Winters Mill High School with two cars as we will be leaving for JHU.  It was COLD !!!!!  We meet ZhiSai, who is the 13 year old girl that their friend Julie and Joe adopted from China.  She refuses to talk to any man, and is angry that they brought her to America.  I tried talking to her, and we actually had some conversation.  She speaks Mandarin ok, but prefers Cantonese, which I don't speak.  So we sat outside the auditorium and talk while they listen to the sermon.

2 rows up and blocking the girl behind him !!!

We then drive to JHU, and arrive at Shriver's Auditorium about 12 30 and there were many people there already.  The ceremony starts with a speech and then one of the CTYer from 1984 and now is an astrophysicist at JHU talks, then they all line up , several alphabet at a time, and get their medals.   Then it is a photo outside, then the mad dash to get some food.  There were lots of sandwiches, and Kurtis scarfs up his share.  We drive thru campus and checks out the town, even looked at the Orioles Stadium downtown, before driving back to Mac's house.  With his GPS, it was very easy.  Mac lives in Carroll County, and very pretty, lots of rolling meadows and small farms.  Kathy is only here for a few days.  She is going back to Hawaii to sell her practice so she can move out to Maryland.  Kathy cooked pork roast, and rice, it was delicious.  Kurtis tried to make a squirrel trap, but did not get any.  We went to bed thinking how this trip was so much fun, and that we had pretty good weather, and the driving was not too bad, and the train was fun, and the subway..........zzzzzzzzzzzz

Saturday

I knew the line for tickets will be long so I dressed and ran to the visitor center for txs to Independence Hall.  Man, it was COLD, I forgot to wear my hat, and the wind just froze my ears.  I saw Penn's Landing by the water, and ran to Chinatown, which was bustling.  Phily does not have as many walkers as NYC or even New Haven.  Maybe it was just that I was early.

 
 Kurtis:

auntie Kathy & uncle Mac

I somehow woke up when mom woke up, even though today was the day that I was allowed to sleep in. So I pretended that I was asleep until mom left and then turned on the TV. After five minutes, I hear the turning of a doorknob, so I scrabble for the remote and to get back in bed, but mom is too quick and is wondering why I am up. She came up to get the key for the building, but since she saw that I was up, she just threw the responsibility on me to go downstairs (six flights of stairs) just to let her in. Like, she can't carry a 3 oz. key??? So she goes on her way to go get tickets to see Independence hall and I watch TV, well, what I can watch with three channels. Channel 5,7, and 9. That was all I had. On channel 5, there was this cooking show, on channel 7, miscellaneous news, and on channel 9, random fashion and movie previews. I ended up watching channel 5 for most of the time, and on that channel, they showed how to prepare a fresh garden salad, a lightly roasted turkey, and a light bread pudding for dessert. To intensify my hunger even more,  all of the hosts and the cook ate the meal at the end of the show. After that cooking show, there was also a gardening show. This "master gardener" was showing the audience what fertilizer to use, what weed-whacker to use, what grub killer to use. He even explained that you have to kill the grubs when they are still young. Then we checked out and went to see independence hall. We walked over there in freezing-cold weather. We first explored the west hall, and then went in Independence Hall. It was pretty close to the photos, and we had a pretty good tour guide/informant. He brought us through each of the rooms and explained the importance/significance of each part. There was the symbolic rising/setting sun chair, and Benjamin Franklin said that it was a rising sun and that it symbolized our nation. We then watched a film in the Independence Hall Information Center about what the founding fathers would say if they saw America today. Then we went back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and head to Baltimore. The innkeeper told us about this awesome local Philly Cheese Steak Place that we tried. IT WAS AWESOME!!! albeit expensive. We then went back to the hotel for the last time, picked up our luggage and picked up the car from the car garage. We had to pay $18 for parking it for 24 hrs. We then proceeded to drive to UPenn, or the University of Pennsylvania. We couldn't go into the freshman dorms because we were late for the tour. After a look-see, we drove to Uncle Mack's house which was in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!!!(in Hampsted , Maryland

breakfast at Thomas Bond, YUM

The Two Kurts (Princeton)

Friday morning arrives bright and cold.  It was very sunny but very cold.  I have some lobby coffee, while Kurtis sleeps on.  We don't eat breakfast, as we are having lunch with Kurt.  On the way from Monmouth to Princeton, we see Hysterical Landmark, and off we go.  It was the farm house where Washington stayed with his army when his troop tried to mutiny, and he squashed them down.  We met Kurt at Dinky Station, and had a great breakfast at PJ's on Nassau Street.  He then gave us a tour of his room, and off we go to Clio Hall for the 'official tour'.  I embarrassed Kurtis to death with a gift of a toothbrush to Kurt with "Drs. Bingemann & Ko" on it.   Princeton is very nice, not as busy as Columbia, but just as nice as Yale.  I had made a reservation at the Thomas Bond house in Philadelphia and we started driving right after the tour.

The drive was short from Princeton, and Kurtis is a good navigator.  We parked at Ritz East parking lot, right next to the hotel, at 18 bucks a day.  We had room 402 where Kurtis proceeded to bang his head on the sloping ceiling.  A quick walk to see THE LIBERTY BELL was in order, and there was no line.  From the way it looked, much had changed since my last visit in 1976.  There is now a whole 'mall' structure surrounding the bell.  We had dinner at the City Tavern, after the wine and cheese social at 5 30.  We had rabbit, and Kurtis had a drink called the Shrub, which he loved.  It was an early to bed, as we are heading to Baltimore tomorrow.

if it is Thursday, it must be YALE

I knew we would not want to pack today, so we packed early, last night, and slept in until time for our last wonderful breakfast at the Woof Woof Inn.  Then it was to Grand Central Station, via TAXI !!!  We have taken all forms of transportation, plane, boat, bus, taxi, train, and subway.  The only thing missing is horse and bicycle !!  The tx to New Haven was 14 bucks, while the taxi ride for 10 blocks was 6.50.  The conductor even let Kurtis rang the train horn, and sat in the last caboose seat.  The train was about 2 1/2 hour, glad I did not drive it.  We arrived at New Haven station and I picked up our rental car at Hertz, which was only about a block on George Street.  Hertz gave us a Nissan Versa, a great car, as we only reserved an Aveo or the like.  Great for the large suitcase.  We saw the Renslo's and another kid name Ben from Chadwick.  It was so weird, as we were saying that we should at least see someone we know, and there was John and his brother, sister and parents.  We went to this great all you can eat pizza/salad place.  Kurtis had chicken fingers and I had all you can eat salad/soup/stuffed pizza bread/rolls.  It was on Whitney Street, just down from Admission/Hillhouse.  There are two kinds of tours, one done by Yale visitor center and one by Admission.  We did not go to the information session, as we were hungry, but we did go on the tour.  It was COLD COLD COLD, but the tour giver was one of the best.  We picked up the freeway, I95, and drove to Monmouth, New Jersey to the Red Roof Inn, once again, for only 45 bucks.  Dinner was yogurt from the NYC Roof, and pizza bread, then good night.

The Day it Snowed (Columbia 3/23/2011)

breakfast of champion, Pepsi and donut

eternal flame, with snow on the ground

missed our tour, but looked around campus, wonder if you can get in????

Mr. Boalt, eat your heart out

we brought our snacks

     Well, if it didn't snowed during the night, and is sleeting lightly when I looked out the window.  The temperature can change 20 degrees from one day to the next.  We ate a light breakfast and took the subway to Battery Park, to board the boat to see the Lady.  There was a light dusting of snow thru Battery Park, about a couple of inches stuck all over, and we were amazed how the city looks partially 'white'.  There was no line, but still took a little bit to get thru security.  There were several groups of middle and high school students on field trips to the island.  We rode Miss Liberty, and the statue looked beautiful, partly in cloud, and mist/rain.  After a hot drink at the cafe, we went to Ellis Island.  I could just imagine how the immigrants felt coming thru in the early 20th century.  It was cold and rainy all day.  We had a fabulous Taiwanese lunch at Bian Dang, which is at the food court right across the street from the hotel.  Bian Dang, actually means lunch, in Chinese  (便當).  We ate it watching TV.  Of course afterward, Kurtis did not want to go out, as it was still raining/sleeting/hailing/snowing.  I made him get dressed and took the subway to see Columbia University.  The rest of the evening was packing and eating left over food.  I also found a great store, Jacks World @ 111 West 32nd Street between 6th & 7th Ave.  Considering everything is so expensive in NYC, Jack's was GREAT !!!!  Too bad Kurtis didn't see it, he wanted to take the subway all the way back, instead of walking a few blocks, I got off on Penn Station & 34th, while he took the Orange line back to the hotel.  It is now thundering, and hailing and snowing.

March 22, 2011 Tuesday

Top of Empire State Building

Capturing Statue of Liberty thru the 50cent view finder

looking down to the tip of Manhattan

what big ones you have !!

me & the shop keeper

      We knew the line for the Empire State Building would be long, so we got up and without breakfast, went to see the tallest building up after 1932.  There was security line check, and the ride to the 86 floor took no time flat, and it was nice and sunny but very windy.  We thought it was going to be warm, and did not wear enough clothes.  It was clear and beautiful.  You can see all the way to Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Staten Island, and all the high rises, people, ships.  Wow, it was a wonderful view.  Then is was the fab breakfast at the Red Roof Inn (nyma), before taking the City Sights NY bus down to the Statue of Liberty.  BUT......  when we got down there, the line was at least 1 1/2 hour long before boarding the boat, so we thought, nay, maybe tomorrow.  As it was a nice day, we walked to the BULL at Wall Street, and HAD to take a pic of the bull's nuts.  The subway took us to Canal Street where we stumbled into The Green Bo, a great Chinese restaurant, we enjoyed our great lunch, and I bought the "piggy cap".  I meant to bring a beanie, but forgot, and as I am a PIG in the Chinese calendar...  bargaining is necessary on Canal Street.  As we did not go see the Lady, we went to the Top of the Rock, at Rockefeller Center.  The elevator took less than a minute to the observation deck.  We had tickets to see the Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway/45th Street.  This is Kurtis first musical, and it was very impressive.  We absolutely thought it was fabulous, with the cast, and the costumes, and the scene changes.  We stumbled back to the hotel for a late night rest.  Tomorrow will be the Lady, but rain/snow is forecasted.

Monday in NYC

free breakfast at the Red Roof Inn on 32nd / 5th

by the Brooklyn Library

D Rock & Meeno

Happy Spring & Happy Anniversary Natasha & Pete !!!!!

YUM

chicken, fries & greens

     We woke up to find that it is raining.  I woke Kurtis up and we had a quick breakfast, and changed room.  The frig in the "old" room makes too much noise, so from 907 we went up to 1402, right in the front with a view of the back side of the Empire State Building.  While we were moving, it started SNOWING  !!!!!!!!!!  We did not bring enough clothes for this weather.  Let us hope that it does not snow all day.  We hoped on the Explorer Bus, City Sights NY and went Downtown, thinking since it is raining, we should just ride the bus all day.  We got off at Battery Park and went on the Brooklyn tour.  It was COLD COLD COLD.  There are @160 Starbucks in Manhattan, and almost all of them let the public use the restroom, and Kurtis took a quick poop at the one.  The Brooklyn tour was interesting, and we hopped off at Flatbush to eat at Junior's
     http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/our_restaurants/brooklyn/
and we shared the half roasted chicken.  It comes with one little dish of great pickled beets, one little dish of pickled cabbage, with three quartered dill pickles, and corn bread with these little rolls.  MAN, it was a lot of food.  The three course chicken lunch comes with salad AND a piece of cheesecake, and a pile of french fries and a side dish, which I chose collar greens.  WE were so stuffed, we barely ate any chicken.  After the fine lunch, we took the subway (line B) to Time Square, where we caught the Uptown Bus to tour Uptown Manhattan.

          It finally stopped drizzling, and we cruised up Central Park.  Passing the Natural History Museum, we decided to hop off and take a look.  Another hour later, we got back on the bus, and finished the Uptown Tour.  Since we were close to Rockefeller  Center we decided to take a look.  It was amazing to see the people skating at the famous rink, and all the flags flapping in the breeze.  It was still cold, at least it was not raining.  We walked through Time Square again to get back to the hotel.  New York is so amazing.  There were a bunch of people with placards demonstrating against our position on Libya.  "GET US OUT OF LIBYA".  We were tired and cold.  Tomorrow's weather is suppose to improve, and we are suppose to go to Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, and Statue of Liberty.  We tried the Empire State Building but the workers said that the top is completely in fog and to come back tomorrow.  The Explorer Pass works well, just show the pass and get your tx, skip the lines !!  We had dinner at this great Korean restaurant called Mandoo Bar, at 2 W 32nd Street, between 5th & Broadway, in the heart of Korea Way.  It is so strange that we happen to book a hotel on the street where there are 24 hour Korean restaurants, and the people here call it Little Korea.  Kurtis had the chicken fried rice, and I had the famous dumplings.

Sunday Roaming

getting lost on the subway

Central Park Jackie Onassis Reservoir

Add caption

On the tour bus

After Kurtis had his fill of donut, milk and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, we boarded the Explorer bus, heading towards Chelsea, West Village, Greenwich Village, Soho, and we get out of at Financial District.  Took a short walk across Brooklyn Bridge, and then to the 9/11 memorial, and Ground Zero.  Then it is back on the bus home, as Kurtis said he was tired of walking.  We take hte bus back, and had a great lunch at Mandoo Bar, Korean restaurant that was actually in the book, NYC for Dummies, and the dumplings were GREAT !!!!!

We were going to see Empire State Building, but it was closing as we were eating lunch, so after a short rest, we will head towards the bus and ride it around again.

NYC half marathon

So I go down to Madame Tussaud's to pick up our Explorer pass, and the noise and people is a little bit too much even for NY, on a Sunday morning.  I ask someone, well, it happens that this is the day for the NYC half marathon, and the traffic and people and the runners and the singers and the people !!!!  WOW, what a place, singing "YMCA" on Time Square has gotta be a high light of this trip !!!

Of course, Kurtis was asleep back at the hotel during this whole thing, and I got back, got him up, and fed him bteakfast (FREE from the hotel), and we are going touring.  Weather is beautiful, sunny and probably about 45 degrees, but Monday and Wed suppose to rain/snow, so we will take the City Tour today, and maybe the line for Statue of Liberty will be shorter in the rain?????  Kurtis lost our hair brush, so we had to buy one yesterday.  We also saw the largest Forever 21 store, with giant neon billboard.  NYC is full of immigrants, and tourists, so many languages are spoken.

WE are here in NYC

Well, finally the day is here and we have arrived.  I had been working at Chadwick this week substituting for Mrs. Lin, while she is in China with the 4 Chadwick kids.  It was interesting to see all the kids in Chinese Intensive, 1B, 2, 3 & 3H working on their books.  Some are really good, and some are really lazy.  Too bad this is a public post, I cannot say who is lazy.  After Friday's work, ROCKFEST was going on for Kurtis.  He didn't want to come home, so I picked him up at 4 PM.  I packed furiously, and still missed a few items, like chapstick. We had dinner with mom and dad at Allioto's, Italian place on Torrance Blvd, VERY expensive, about 200 bucks!!!!

This morning, Romany picked us up and drove us to Delta.  The plane was ontime, they pushed off right on time, and was 40 minutes early to JFK, so there was no place to dock, and we had to wait.  The shuttle thing at JFK is very wonky.  First you have to take the airtrain to station 4, (Delta was at station 3). then you have to go to the ground transportation kiosk and check in and then the guy comes and call your name or number.  THe Supershuttle was very full, 9 of us and he drove and we are at the Red Roof Inn, on 34th/ Broadway.  A very nice central location.  We checked in and had dinner at The Brooklyn Diner, very good food, but everything seems REALLY expensive.  Then it was walking to Times Square, wow, the people, and it was 41 degrees!!!!  What a place.  We are going touring tomorrow, and free breakfast tomorrow morning !!!

There are so many amazing people posting blogs online that I feel so infinitesimally small compared to what is going on in their lives, mission, people dying, working to save the world.  This morning I heard the quake in Japan, and watched a few videos, mother nature is so power, the cars/trucks/houses were just being swept away like toys.  We are blessed here, and it is no use to complain.

 

A Whole Month of Work

After a whole month of work, I am ready to "REST", but alas, no, I have to sub tomorrow at Chadwick.  Well, it is money, and a chance to really embarrass Kurtis.  He attended Cade & Kevin's birthday parth in MB last Friday, and pronounced it "THE BEST", because the cops came and tried to shut it down, too loud.  So, everyone was pretty stoked that the heat came to investigate.

After many hours online, and reading the NEW YORK for DUMMIES, I think I have an idea of where we are going to go on the college tour.  I booked Red Roof Inn, has breakfast, and checked out the places where I need to purchase txs first, so as not to stand in line.  Hopefully the weather would be cooperative, as it can rain days on end, and be freezing.  

Yesterday, Kurtis and dad did some major bee work.

Kurtis' College Tour (a bit early, like 8th grade... yish)

So, we are planning to go on a college tour.  As Kurtis is getting an award at JHU for scoring above 700 before age 13, and we decide to go.  While we are at it, I thought, heck, why not go on a college tour, so that we won't have to really go later.  We will do a video tour, and if he has any desires for the school, we will dig up the video and then decide if he will apply.  So, many hours later, we are booked to fly into NYC and start with Columbia University, ending in Baltimore, at JHU. 

Tuesday

Tuesday February 15

Continuation of activities at Arundel

We, I (mom) assume that you have not posted because you had no access to computer.  Weather here is ominous, threatening to rain today, and possibly tomorrow.  Picked up the China delegation team in Chinatown last night and drove them all back home.  I thought I knew PV,still  got lost a little, and got home at 9 PM.  Will pick them up from school about 10 30 and then Romany, our trusty friend, will take them to Rowland Heights so I can work on the Wilson's, who is returning to Baja in a few days.  I hope you are having a wonderful time and taking lots of pictures, and getting lots of emails/fb connections of other participants.   We all miss you here, love mom.

So it is now almost a week later.......

So at around 3:00-ish in the morning, I wake up, check the time, and stare up at the ceiling in complete darkness. I lay there for around a half hour before I manage to fall asleep again. Five minutes later, It's 7:00 and Mr. McMahon is knocking at the door and telling me that it's time to get up. I hop up, and yell, "I'm up" to stop the knocking. I rub my eyes, take out my retainer and grab my towel. I get in the shower, use their "Pin Straight" shampoo and look at the wonderful french/english ingredients. I mean, you have to be bilingual to read all of the ingredients?? I get out and go upstairs to have cereal for breakfast. Ugh... how..... traditional. I, like a classic American child, had the most sugary cereal while Moby, their white furry labradoodle puppy rubbed against my legs. I finish, put on my boots, grab my generic LCC bag and backpack and head out the door and into the car with Mrs. McMahon, Liam, and Harrison. We drive, drive, drive, and get to school at around 8:15 to drop our luggage in the stowage space of our buses and have a Dans la Rue hot dog. I got into the bus and sat next to Nicolai Bopp, the classmate of another delegate who was staying with my billet: Harrison Darcel. They both came from Appelby College. We buckled ourselves down for the long bus ride up to Arundel Nature Center. In front of us was a person named Matthew Klohn, who I came to know very well. He had a "Free Weezy" T-Shirt on. I asked who "Free Weezy" was, and he balked. So, thus a conversation started about who "Free Weezy" was. Actually, "Weezy" was Eminem, and he was put in jail, so they wanted to free Eminem. Eh, wierd. When we finally arrived, it was freezing and we each brought two bags to this outside covered area. We then went inside and were supposed to take our boots off, but mine are sooo difficult to take off and put back on, so I just shook the snow off of my boots and sat down.

Monday

Monday February 14

8 am                                     arrive at school

8:30                                     assemble flag bearers in dining hall others to the gym

8:45 am                  Opening ceremony (Memorial)

10:20                                     students give direction for barazza groups

10:30                                     eat snack atrium LAC

10:40                                     Barazza groups

11:20                                     snack

12                                     noon Depart for Arundel Nature Centre

                                    Outdoor and Leadership activities animated by H2O

So this is suppose to be the schedule for today.  Did it go as planned?????  Inquiring minds want to know (especially your mother  !! <3

2/13/11 10:00 pm, Host family's house

So I'm at their house in Liam's "office", the place where he stores all of his instruments, records, and his record player... wait what???? That's right he has records and a seemingly genuine turntable. I say "seemingly" because he hasn't played any records yet. I just finished going out for a snowball fight-ish using borrowed snow-pants and snow-boots and they were SOOOO helpful. Even with those, some snow still managed to worm its way into my neckline, sleeves, and boots. Still, it was a magical night filled with snow. There is tons of snow, more snow than I think I've ever seen before. Our snowball fight was in the outdoor ice rink which had a HUGE mound of snow next to it. We brought out these "crazy carpets" and did our best to slide down the mound. We completely failed, and so we degenerated into a snowball war. I eventually just grabbed a snow shovel and just OWNED anyone who came near.

At the McMahans

Well, he arrived safely, and had dinner, but they are (WHISPER LOUDLY) VEGETARIAN !!!!!!!!  (GASP)  So he is wondering what there is to eat tomorrow at the nature center.  His host' name is Liam, short for William, and Kurtis is too shy to give Serena, the 5th grade sister her gift of hair decoration and glow sticks and Cracker Jack.  They also have a piano, and he MIGHT play a song !!!!!!!!!  The flight was slightly delayed and it is really cold and snowing.  I hope he posts and share pictures ; )

Day 1

Kurtis left this morning at 4 45 AM !!!  Anand's mom Jay was kind enough to drive him to the airport.  I was just at the airport last night dropping off the Chinese folks, so another trip was not too appetizing.  I packed him a BLT and some junk food.  I hope he has enough winter clothes.  Both Anand and Kurtis seem rather excited, and I would be too if I was departing on an adventure like that.  Will had to handle his student Ethan today, tutoring 6th grade math.  Kurtis is such a natural teacher, can think quickly on his feet.  He will probably have several students this summer.  I will give him the password so he can blog about his trip.

Preview

Well, it is several days before Kurtis depart for Montreal, a city not visited by any of his family members.  It is suppose to be snowing with high temp of 26 and low of 1 on Monday and then high of 12 and low of 6 on Tuesday and so on...  I think he is excited not to be in school.  I am excited that he will represent school and explore Montreal and eat interesting food and meet new people.