Application
Harris invited me to apply for this trip. After reading the requirements and considering everything, I definitely decided I want to go! I turned in my application and Harris sent it off with hers! Our hopes were up. It was frustrating and difficult to wait...I kept hoping we would hear earlier than they said we would.
Acceptance/Invitation to Participate
But, finally, we were asked to participate! Yes! Yes! I am going to DC and France--my first time out of the country! I was very excited! It became even more real once my airline tickets to and from DC were purchased since Harris and I have to each pay our own way to the institute's origination site! We made arrangements to fly together and that worked out well.
Readings and weekly email writings
We read lots and lots every week. We were sent seven books with weekly assignments. My favorite book was Marie Louise Osmont's journal. Every week, I met with Harris. We discussed the readings and together did our email writings to the group for each week's topics and books.
Going to Jerome, AZ, April 2012 to Research Ruben's Birthplace and First Home Town
Before even knowing anything about this institute, Harris was already planning on going to Sedona, AZ for Spring Break. That was great! Our soldier, Ruben, was born less than 30 miles from Sedona. Since Harris was driving, I told her I wished I could go, too. And it worked out. My mother figured if she was trusting Harris to take me overseas to a whole different continent that Arizona was no big deal and did not involve flying over ocean.
Stopping at Grand Canyon and in Las Vegas
On our way back to San Diego, we stopped at the Grand Canyon and then went to Las Vegas. We had lunch with the team from Las Vegas: Mrs O'Day and Phalguni. I had never been to either the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas.
Getting Ready for DC, Paris, and Normandy
Reading, writing, passport, reading, airline tickets, writing, packing, reading, discussing, packing, writing, double-checking, reading, repacking and it is time to go!
Washington, DC
We stayed at George Washington University, Mount Vernon Campus dorms. We had classes on campus and activities around DC. There were times it felt like I was walking through a dollar bill.
Normandy Beach, France
The tiny cars. The roundabouts everywhere. The streets and buildings. Incredible. Walking through Bayeux and other parts of Normandy was like walking through a movie. Am I really here? It definitely took a while to hit me that I've finally made it after so many months of work.
Our weather was cool, in the 60s, and drizzly. Rain was constantly forecast, but we really did not get a lot more than drizzle. Actually, the weather very much reminded me of San Diego weather so I just thought to myself "Ah, I'm used to this." That worked out well for our traveling to the war sites and museums. And the weather actually added the "right" atmosphere for our sites, reporting, and discussions. The weather during the D-Day Invasion was far worse with torrential rains.
I enjoyed the food because most of their foods were organic, freshly made, or made with natural products (rather than artificial how most things are made these days). Other than eating, my favorite non-institute activity was shopping.
Our weather was cool, in the 60s, and drizzly. Rain was constantly forecast, but we really did not get a lot more than drizzle. Actually, the weather very much reminded me of San Diego weather so I just thought to myself "Ah, I'm used to this." That worked out well for our traveling to the war sites and museums. And the weather actually added the "right" atmosphere for our sites, reporting, and discussions. The weather during the D-Day Invasion was far worse with torrential rains.
I enjoyed the food because most of their foods were organic, freshly made, or made with natural products (rather than artificial how most things are made these days). Other than eating, my favorite non-institute activity was shopping.
Paris, France
Hot weather (which I do enjoy, it made me feel as if I was back in D.C. again), architectural beauty everywhere, AND...pistachio gelato! From this, I do have a good impression for this city.
Harris and I took the Batobus on the Seine. We got a great view of Paris from the river and were able to get on and off. Notre Dame--amazing. Tour Eiffel--beautiful during the day and it lit up during the dark. Dark did not happen until after 10-11 pm, oddly. How do these people ever sleep in the summer?
Harris and I took the Batobus on the Seine. We got a great view of Paris from the river and were able to get on and off. Notre Dame--amazing. Tour Eiffel--beautiful during the day and it lit up during the dark. Dark did not happen until after 10-11 pm, oddly. How do these people ever sleep in the summer?