Inner Journey
I feel like I have this very vague idea of what New Orleans is and has to offer, therefore, I feel I will be shocked by what I am about to experience. I really don't know what to expect and I am trying not to have any expectations. I feel when I don't have expectations is when my experiences in life are the most fulfilling and memorable. I think Ms. Karn has done a great job preparing us for this trip and I feel there will be a good balance of learning and fun all wrapped into one. I think she will wear us out but we wouldn't care one bit because of the experience. I am looking forward to getting to know my roommate more and working with her on our project. I hope to grow as an individual and experience a city that I have never been too. I am looking forward to tasting the food and hearing the music and seeing a culture that I have never seen before and understanding the history and the "why and how" this city was formed. I am also interested in this city's perspective of Hurricane Katrina. I watch the Today show every morning as I head out the door for the day and I am excited to see first hand this city that I remember watching go through a devastating experience and has overcome and is living again. It will be interesting to hear the local's experience and their take on the situation. I am sure there will be many touch stories to hear. I am looking forward to tasting the flavors of New Orleans and seeing the art and architecture and hearing the music and feeling the energy of a very diverse city.
Outer Journey
I am getting focused and excited to travel. Getting out the door seems to be the biggest challenge for me BUT is ALWAYS worth the perseverance to make it happen. I have taken a week off of teaching and I have blocked my schedule at my business to go on this trip. My dad has agreed to come to stay at my house with my younger teenagers who still live at home. I think the three of them are more excited to hang out together for the week then I am to go on this trip. They are already planning fun memories to make together. They will not miss me for one minute. I have also been multitasking by gathering things through this holiday season to wear for this trip and to take. I did treat myself to some new clothes so I will be comfortable and still feel good about what I am wearing. I also bought a new pair of comfortable shoes and yes I have taken a long walk in them to be sure my little feet like them. I also brought myself a blanket to bring on the train. Since it is cold here in P-town, I have a hard time remembering what 60 degrees feels like. How quickly we forget. All I feel is cold all the time this winter, so I am looking forward to being reminding what 60 degrees feels like. After I finish this blog and meet with my roommate to do some research I will be pulling out that oversized suitcase that I haven't packed for far too long and I will be gathering all my outfits for the trip and neatly folding them and organizing each detail. As I do so I will visualize each day as the itinerary has been so nicely laid out for us. Oh, how I appreciate Ms. Karn and her planning. You see a lot of the reason for me not packing that oversized suitcase is because I don't ever have the time or energy to figure out where to go and what to do. As a single mother of four, local business owner, parttime teacher, and a nursing student, life is full. I love to travel and I have done some traveling years ago. I actually miss traveling which is one of the reasons I took this class. I am utilizing my time wisely to finish nursing school by completing this class and I get to experience a new city with a teacher who has walked these streets and is providing the full experience for me to learn and explore. I love music and food and art and I love seeing cathedrals. I know I have so much to learn about New Orleans and I am looking forward to experiencing the food, the music, the art, and the architecture.
