Hi Parents and Teachers,
So, the girls are on their way or maybe already in your home. What an incredible, nearly indescribable 3.5 months!! I am so thankful that the Traveling School exists and offers our kids such exposure to a very different world, many very different worlds all on one planet with one people! Having sent an older daughter a number of years ago, I can promise you it is an altering experience in the best way.
Coming to you from Montana as we await Kara’s return this evening. She mentioned that some teachers might need a place to stay. We have lots of rooms in town and a cozy cabin any time. Further, we’d love to extend an invitation to any of the girls and their families to come through Big Sky Country in the future and stay in our cabin.
I’m thrilled our girls had this time together. I look forward to meeting any of you in the upcoming year/s.
Enjoy the homecoming! Laurie
Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
From Ellie's Mom
Just got back home from DC with Ellie and have started the washing machine! Although she does NOT want to wash the "Africa smell" out yet... I insisted that she had to at least wash her feet as we were gagging in the car!
On a personal note, it was so wonderful for me to be able to give the teachers a final goodbye and thank-you hug, and to see very briefly the changes in the girls from when they departed in September. Back then they were quieter, more shy, a little scared, uncertain about this group they were joining. Today there were tears, hugs, sobs, inside jokes, promises of reunions, more sobs. They are such unique individuals, but together a very special group of girls. On the drive home (we did have 5 hours!), Ellie described each teacher and student in vivid detail and with such respect and admiration for all. If only everyone could have the experience and perspective that TTS provides, our world would be a more caring and safer place!
Thank you all again - we will of course stay in touch and I'll likely be calling you for advice about "dealing" with her world here!
I hope everyone else had safe travels home. Have a wonderful holiday if I don't talk to you in the next week or so...
Cordy
On a personal note, it was so wonderful for me to be able to give the teachers a final goodbye and thank-you hug, and to see very briefly the changes in the girls from when they departed in September. Back then they were quieter, more shy, a little scared, uncertain about this group they were joining. Today there were tears, hugs, sobs, inside jokes, promises of reunions, more sobs. They are such unique individuals, but together a very special group of girls. On the drive home (we did have 5 hours!), Ellie described each teacher and student in vivid detail and with such respect and admiration for all. If only everyone could have the experience and perspective that TTS provides, our world would be a more caring and safer place!
Thank you all again - we will of course stay in touch and I'll likely be calling you for advice about "dealing" with her world here!
I hope everyone else had safe travels home. Have a wonderful holiday if I don't talk to you in the next week or so...
Cordy
From Melissa's Mom
Well Melissa’s home a few hours now—beautiful, exhausted, the same but different-- grown in so many ways. In a few weeks she will turn 16. She spent more of the last year with The Traveling School than home. Some people think were are out of our minds for that. I know that it was so right. Once again, I look forward to watching it unfold now. Once again I thank all of you.
Thanks,
Vivienne
Thanks,
Vivienne
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
From Ellie's Mom
I'm really sorry I haven't been in touch more often this fall. Suffice it to say, I am in awe of the amazing semester that Ellie and the other girls have had - what a privilege for all of them. I know the trip reports and photos probably don't do justice to the reality of their experiences, but you have brought so much to us as parents through them. We have been so grateful to hear about their travels, activities and academics in such thorough and sensitive reports, and the continual feedback about Ellie in particular is very much appreciated.
Gennifre, you were with Ellie at the beginning of the trip and Jen, you saw her towards the end - I heard such a "transformation" in her voice starting around the homestay. She turned a corner (I think treating the ear infection helped?) and hasn't looked back, as far as I can tell! In fact, she has said how difficult it will be to come home and "leave what has become my family". Believe it or not, this is music to my ears because I know she has blossomed and is full appreciating and soaking up all that your wonderful school has to offer.
I can't thank you enough for making this experience possible for these lucky girls. The time and care you put in to every aspect of the program - from the schoolwork, to the training, to the activities, to mid and final term comments and grades, and so on - is nothing short of remarkable. I cannot wait to see Ellie and have her back at home, and I will have even more to report to you after she has been home for awhile. (do you have any advice about "re-entry"? I think this is going to be very difficult for Ele...)
Thank you, thank you again - I look forward to reading the final (sob!) trip report and mentor comments/grades. I know they will be similarly thorough and thoughtful, so very helpful to this mother.
Fondly, Cordy
Gennifre, you were with Ellie at the beginning of the trip and Jen, you saw her towards the end - I heard such a "transformation" in her voice starting around the homestay. She turned a corner (I think treating the ear infection helped?) and hasn't looked back, as far as I can tell! In fact, she has said how difficult it will be to come home and "leave what has become my family". Believe it or not, this is music to my ears because I know she has blossomed and is full appreciating and soaking up all that your wonderful school has to offer.
I can't thank you enough for making this experience possible for these lucky girls. The time and care you put in to every aspect of the program - from the schoolwork, to the training, to the activities, to mid and final term comments and grades, and so on - is nothing short of remarkable. I cannot wait to see Ellie and have her back at home, and I will have even more to report to you after she has been home for awhile. (do you have any advice about "re-entry"? I think this is going to be very difficult for Ele...)
Thank you, thank you again - I look forward to reading the final (sob!) trip report and mentor comments/grades. I know they will be similarly thorough and thoughtful, so very helpful to this mother.
Fondly, Cordy
Monday, December 8, 2008
Back from Africa
Dear TTS12 Parents and Friends,
What an amazing time we had with your girls over Thanksgiving in Namibia. After 2 ½ days jam-packed with adventures, trying to retrace the steps of the girls’ 10 days in Cape Town, Laurie Stopher (Grace’s mom), David Pitser and Amy Barnhardt (Mallory’s dad and grandmother) moved on to Namibia, for the much anticipated reunion with their girls. We were able to spend two nights camping with the group at the Cheetah Conservancy. What a treat -- watching the girls interact with each other, their teachers, Japhet and Crispin, and those who worked at CCF.
We arrived on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the whirlwind of activities began. We were able to join the girls on a game count safari ride. Filling up three safari vehicles, we took off through the CCF's land with binoculars, count sheets and started our work of sighting and counting wildlife we encountered – red hartebeests, kudu, eland, wildebeest, wart hog, gemsbok among others. On the return trip, we were greeted with the biggest swarm of flying insects most of us had ever encountered. The one group who had initially felt happy with their open-air jeep, found themselves swimming in bugs. The rest of us were able to shut our windows and watch the spectacle of bugs from a safe vantage point. We all had a good laugh about it later as the girls picked the bugs out of their hair and shook bugs out of their clothes.
We ate meals with the group, enjoyed the presentation of the upcoming schedules with the "Chieflets" aka pairs of girls who act as chiefs-in-training—we watched as this job was passed along to Ginny and Emmy. These girls work with a teacher so they may begin to experience what it takes to organize classes and activities for the group. We watched and participated in evening ritual at dinnertime each night where the girls shared their ideas, poetry, journal entries and other talents with each other.
I was impressed by how close the girls had become with their driver, Japhet and cook, Crispin. Japhet lectured the girls about cleanliness, respect for their elders and even presented a history class on the politics of Zimbabwe, his home. The girls lovingly called him Papa and vied for his attentions and advice, saving a seat for him at dinner or interviewing him for class assignments. Crispin was a role model for the girls with his ever clean and neat appearance and disciplined work ethic. He fed the group cheerfully, helped the girls with their understanding and use of his native tongue, Shona, and worked tirelessly preparing three nutritious meals a day for the group of 23 with various eating requirements, likes and dislikes. The girls cheerfully helped out with the chores and enjoyed Crispin's quiet calm presence in the group.
Thanksgiving Day was special, but not your typical eat turkey and watch parades on TV holiday. The girls started early with a lecture about conservancies in Namibia and the work of CCF. Next, the group spent three hours on a service project -- clearing Acacia (thorn tree) volunteers from a cheetah enclosure for the Hogwarts cheetahs (Harry, Hermoine, and Ron -- the cheetahs were waiting nearby in another pen), painting fencing, digging weeds, and clearing a run so these amazing creatures can stay fit despite captivity. Then, it was time for another lecture on identifying predator attack marks and learning more about why so many cheetahs are being killed by farmers in Namibia and other parts of Africa and what the CCF is doing to educate local farmers about the benefits of cheetahs and other wildlife to their own lives.
Finally, it was time to start the preparations for Thanksgiving Dinner. All the girls were involved in the preparations. Katie and McKenna helped Crispin BBQ the meat. There were decorators headed up by Ginny, pie-makers under Leah's direction -- Nilsa learned to make pie crusts by hand and Ellie mixed the pumpkin pie ingredients and worked her magic to make the pies presentable (there were 8 of them). We had mashed potatoes and yams, green bean casserole with Taylor's southern expertise, cranberry sauce and stuffing (thanks to Susan Mallory, Emily's mom who brought these treats from the States) and much more.
Before dinner, Grace started us off with some beautiful readings about giving thanks and then everyone dug in. The dinner table was full with the 33 of us stretched along the tables under the CCF covered patio. As we enjoyed dessert, the group began to share readings they had chosen from their semester or written especially for Thanksgiving to share. Melissa wrote a poem about the group based on "Oh, the Places We'll Go" by Dr. Seuss. Mallory shared two poems she'd written dedicated to her grandmother, Amy who was visiting from NC. Quinnie and Emmy shared entries from their journals and Shannon read and translated a poem in Portuguese. There were tears and also much laughter as teachers, parents and students all shared in the entertainment and the evening wrapped up.
Before we left for Etosha on Friday, the group still had time to enjoy more of CCF. After an early morning game of soccer, the girls listened intently to Japhet's lecture about his country, Zimbabwe. The girls had read and learned about the political situation in history. The lecture was based on Japhet and Crispin's firsthand experiences in their country and how they had been affected by the inflation, the decline in the educational system, and lack of work opportunities.
Next, the group had the opportunity to spend a few hours with Laurie Marker, CCF founder and awe-inspiring role model for us all. They girls’ eyes twinkled as they sat enthralled, listening to Laurie's story. She took us to meet Little C, the new ambassador cheetah of CCF. We walked around with Laurie and Little C, following him to his favorite tree. The girls surrounded him, petting and getting licked by his rough tongue. Little C led us around his enclosure, stopping for photo ops when he felt ready. The girls closely followed both the cheetah and his master, Laurie with the same reverence and affection.
After a Language class with a CCF worker about tribal languages spoken in Namibia, the group had lunch and began their journey to Etosha National Park. The parents and I went in our own vehicle and met the girls later at their campsite. We were able to spend three more days with the group in Etosha. We joined in on safari drives in the park, where we watched an old, injured lion, guard its zebra kill on the side of the road, viewed herds of zebra, springbok as well as giraffe lumbering alongside the roads. Since the rainy season had begun, the watering holes did not draw in the wildlife; the best place for viewing animals was driving through the park.
We also joined in on classes, watching the Math Applications class presenting their game of life identities in character and sharing the real life lessons they learned from them. Evelina explained to the group what she learned from her character, Ronda, about the dangers of depending credit cards. Maggie, as the billionaire, Reggie, shared her riches and opportunity with others less fortunate.
We watched a student-produced awards ceremony, which started with a skit where KD starred doing an accurate impersonation of Japhet telling the group what he though on various topics. McKenna, KD, Katie and Nilsa presented the coming week to the group and then the weekly awards were presented. Quinnie won the teacher's Academic Award, the group in the buggy open-air truck won the Happy Traveler Award, and Sarah won the coveted African Queen Award presented to the girl who takes advantage of her surroundings and interacts with locals the group encounters throughout the week. This student is encircled and the group serenades her with their African Queen anthem.
We traveled to our final night with the girls and enjoyed Crispin’s Shepherd’s Pie for our final dinner with the group. Cheyenne and Nilsa reflected on the positive aspects of their leadership over the past few days and what they wanted to improve upon in their next round in charge of the group. Kara and Grace, the new chieflets, shared their plan for making Lala’s birthday memorable on the next day. They went over the schedule in Spanish, gave Lala the to right to pick all the music on the truck for the entire next day. They also declared Lala’s birthday be an opportunity for everyone to dress as their favorite revolutionary (everyone knew that Lala would dress as Che Guevara). As the girls filed off for study hall, the quiet surrounded the parents, as an indication of how different the rest of our trip would be without the girls, their songs and lively banter.
We had time for our final farewells the next morning as the girls ate breakfast and finished packing the truck. With our tearful goodbyes, the girls loaded up the truck and waved to us as they departed the campground. The parents and I took a final game drive through the park and drove back to Windhoek for our departure the next day. We reminisced about our favorite moments with the girls and looked forward to the holidays when everyone would be reunited with their daughters.
We searched for words to describe how incredibly special it was to spend a few days with TTS12 and have a glimpse of what our girls have experienced this past 3 ½ months. How could we bring back to you how much we enjoyed being with your daughters and see how amazing they are and how much they’ve grown? Hopefully, our words and photos will give you an idea of what we were so lucky to experience.
Thank you for sharing your girls with TTS and in turn with us. We are all so lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to Africa and share in the group’s experiences.
Happy Holidays. Get ready for the girls!
Jennifer
What an amazing time we had with your girls over Thanksgiving in Namibia. After 2 ½ days jam-packed with adventures, trying to retrace the steps of the girls’ 10 days in Cape Town, Laurie Stopher (Grace’s mom), David Pitser and Amy Barnhardt (Mallory’s dad and grandmother) moved on to Namibia, for the much anticipated reunion with their girls. We were able to spend two nights camping with the group at the Cheetah Conservancy. What a treat -- watching the girls interact with each other, their teachers, Japhet and Crispin, and those who worked at CCF.
We arrived on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the whirlwind of activities began. We were able to join the girls on a game count safari ride. Filling up three safari vehicles, we took off through the CCF's land with binoculars, count sheets and started our work of sighting and counting wildlife we encountered – red hartebeests, kudu, eland, wildebeest, wart hog, gemsbok among others. On the return trip, we were greeted with the biggest swarm of flying insects most of us had ever encountered. The one group who had initially felt happy with their open-air jeep, found themselves swimming in bugs. The rest of us were able to shut our windows and watch the spectacle of bugs from a safe vantage point. We all had a good laugh about it later as the girls picked the bugs out of their hair and shook bugs out of their clothes.
We ate meals with the group, enjoyed the presentation of the upcoming schedules with the "Chieflets" aka pairs of girls who act as chiefs-in-training—we watched as this job was passed along to Ginny and Emmy. These girls work with a teacher so they may begin to experience what it takes to organize classes and activities for the group. We watched and participated in evening ritual at dinnertime each night where the girls shared their ideas, poetry, journal entries and other talents with each other.
I was impressed by how close the girls had become with their driver, Japhet and cook, Crispin. Japhet lectured the girls about cleanliness, respect for their elders and even presented a history class on the politics of Zimbabwe, his home. The girls lovingly called him Papa and vied for his attentions and advice, saving a seat for him at dinner or interviewing him for class assignments. Crispin was a role model for the girls with his ever clean and neat appearance and disciplined work ethic. He fed the group cheerfully, helped the girls with their understanding and use of his native tongue, Shona, and worked tirelessly preparing three nutritious meals a day for the group of 23 with various eating requirements, likes and dislikes. The girls cheerfully helped out with the chores and enjoyed Crispin's quiet calm presence in the group.
Thanksgiving Day was special, but not your typical eat turkey and watch parades on TV holiday. The girls started early with a lecture about conservancies in Namibia and the work of CCF. Next, the group spent three hours on a service project -- clearing Acacia (thorn tree) volunteers from a cheetah enclosure for the Hogwarts cheetahs (Harry, Hermoine, and Ron -- the cheetahs were waiting nearby in another pen), painting fencing, digging weeds, and clearing a run so these amazing creatures can stay fit despite captivity. Then, it was time for another lecture on identifying predator attack marks and learning more about why so many cheetahs are being killed by farmers in Namibia and other parts of Africa and what the CCF is doing to educate local farmers about the benefits of cheetahs and other wildlife to their own lives.
Finally, it was time to start the preparations for Thanksgiving Dinner. All the girls were involved in the preparations. Katie and McKenna helped Crispin BBQ the meat. There were decorators headed up by Ginny, pie-makers under Leah's direction -- Nilsa learned to make pie crusts by hand and Ellie mixed the pumpkin pie ingredients and worked her magic to make the pies presentable (there were 8 of them). We had mashed potatoes and yams, green bean casserole with Taylor's southern expertise, cranberry sauce and stuffing (thanks to Susan Mallory, Emily's mom who brought these treats from the States) and much more.
Before dinner, Grace started us off with some beautiful readings about giving thanks and then everyone dug in. The dinner table was full with the 33 of us stretched along the tables under the CCF covered patio. As we enjoyed dessert, the group began to share readings they had chosen from their semester or written especially for Thanksgiving to share. Melissa wrote a poem about the group based on "Oh, the Places We'll Go" by Dr. Seuss. Mallory shared two poems she'd written dedicated to her grandmother, Amy who was visiting from NC. Quinnie and Emmy shared entries from their journals and Shannon read and translated a poem in Portuguese. There were tears and also much laughter as teachers, parents and students all shared in the entertainment and the evening wrapped up.
Before we left for Etosha on Friday, the group still had time to enjoy more of CCF. After an early morning game of soccer, the girls listened intently to Japhet's lecture about his country, Zimbabwe. The girls had read and learned about the political situation in history. The lecture was based on Japhet and Crispin's firsthand experiences in their country and how they had been affected by the inflation, the decline in the educational system, and lack of work opportunities.
Next, the group had the opportunity to spend a few hours with Laurie Marker, CCF founder and awe-inspiring role model for us all. They girls’ eyes twinkled as they sat enthralled, listening to Laurie's story. She took us to meet Little C, the new ambassador cheetah of CCF. We walked around with Laurie and Little C, following him to his favorite tree. The girls surrounded him, petting and getting licked by his rough tongue. Little C led us around his enclosure, stopping for photo ops when he felt ready. The girls closely followed both the cheetah and his master, Laurie with the same reverence and affection.
After a Language class with a CCF worker about tribal languages spoken in Namibia, the group had lunch and began their journey to Etosha National Park. The parents and I went in our own vehicle and met the girls later at their campsite. We were able to spend three more days with the group in Etosha. We joined in on safari drives in the park, where we watched an old, injured lion, guard its zebra kill on the side of the road, viewed herds of zebra, springbok as well as giraffe lumbering alongside the roads. Since the rainy season had begun, the watering holes did not draw in the wildlife; the best place for viewing animals was driving through the park.
We also joined in on classes, watching the Math Applications class presenting their game of life identities in character and sharing the real life lessons they learned from them. Evelina explained to the group what she learned from her character, Ronda, about the dangers of depending credit cards. Maggie, as the billionaire, Reggie, shared her riches and opportunity with others less fortunate.
We watched a student-produced awards ceremony, which started with a skit where KD starred doing an accurate impersonation of Japhet telling the group what he though on various topics. McKenna, KD, Katie and Nilsa presented the coming week to the group and then the weekly awards were presented. Quinnie won the teacher's Academic Award, the group in the buggy open-air truck won the Happy Traveler Award, and Sarah won the coveted African Queen Award presented to the girl who takes advantage of her surroundings and interacts with locals the group encounters throughout the week. This student is encircled and the group serenades her with their African Queen anthem.
We traveled to our final night with the girls and enjoyed Crispin’s Shepherd’s Pie for our final dinner with the group. Cheyenne and Nilsa reflected on the positive aspects of their leadership over the past few days and what they wanted to improve upon in their next round in charge of the group. Kara and Grace, the new chieflets, shared their plan for making Lala’s birthday memorable on the next day. They went over the schedule in Spanish, gave Lala the to right to pick all the music on the truck for the entire next day. They also declared Lala’s birthday be an opportunity for everyone to dress as their favorite revolutionary (everyone knew that Lala would dress as Che Guevara). As the girls filed off for study hall, the quiet surrounded the parents, as an indication of how different the rest of our trip would be without the girls, their songs and lively banter.
We had time for our final farewells the next morning as the girls ate breakfast and finished packing the truck. With our tearful goodbyes, the girls loaded up the truck and waved to us as they departed the campground. The parents and I took a final game drive through the park and drove back to Windhoek for our departure the next day. We reminisced about our favorite moments with the girls and looked forward to the holidays when everyone would be reunited with their daughters.
We searched for words to describe how incredibly special it was to spend a few days with TTS12 and have a glimpse of what our girls have experienced this past 3 ½ months. How could we bring back to you how much we enjoyed being with your daughters and see how amazing they are and how much they’ve grown? Hopefully, our words and photos will give you an idea of what we were so lucky to experience.
Thank you for sharing your girls with TTS and in turn with us. We are all so lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to Africa and share in the group’s experiences.
Happy Holidays. Get ready for the girls!
Jennifer
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Counting the days!
To Other Parents Counting Days All Over The Country!
I know that Brian Walker Molly and I are counting days with happy hearts. Our adventurers are probably (hopefully!) thrilled to come home yet I imagine some heavy hearts at the end of their journey. I cannot wait to see and hug and listen to the person that I see come down the escalator at the Minneapolis airport.
To get me to that day I created a photo album for Maggie. I keep hearing that it will be hard for the girls, and thought that if she had hard copies of photos to share immediately that she would not have to do all the talking. Family and friends could get an idea from the incredible images that we received from Gennifre and Dawn through Snapfish and Kodak Galleries. I ordered numerous photos from both sites. They came within a week.
Here is what I did. I bought a sketch book - simple and inexpensive. (Maggie has told me that she does not think she can even walk in a Target again....and always has a sketchbook.) I went to our spray paint supply and found a chocolate brown and blue (like their bus!) and randomly sprayed the cover and pages. I double stick taped the photos in - leaving room for her to comment and caption. I added a few e-mails and other text that came from TTS. I am not a scrapbooker. This was easy, therapeutic, and will be something that she can hold on to and may help her adjust! (is this where I add that this is the first photo book I have made for her in 16 years - the rest are in boxes!) I also had 5 X 7's framed two groups of 3 for her bedroom wall. My favorite is the back of the boots as the they are looking out the bus windows. I think that Maggie is in there!
I know that she is coming home with more photos and we can print those - make a slide show - whatever she wants. Truly I am sending this to hear how other parents are doing and hear about any communication that others may have recently received. I know that Maggie is going to need her space and re-entry is not going to be easy. I would love any tips advice or thoughts that anyone has to share! This journey has been incredible to experience from our part of the world in Minnesota. I cannot even imagine what we are about to hear when our traveler comes home.
Keep in touch!
Marsha Burgeson
I know that Brian Walker Molly and I are counting days with happy hearts. Our adventurers are probably (hopefully!) thrilled to come home yet I imagine some heavy hearts at the end of their journey. I cannot wait to see and hug and listen to the person that I see come down the escalator at the Minneapolis airport.
To get me to that day I created a photo album for Maggie. I keep hearing that it will be hard for the girls, and thought that if she had hard copies of photos to share immediately that she would not have to do all the talking. Family and friends could get an idea from the incredible images that we received from Gennifre and Dawn through Snapfish and Kodak Galleries. I ordered numerous photos from both sites. They came within a week.
Here is what I did. I bought a sketch book - simple and inexpensive. (Maggie has told me that she does not think she can even walk in a Target again....and always has a sketchbook.) I went to our spray paint supply and found a chocolate brown and blue (like their bus!) and randomly sprayed the cover and pages. I double stick taped the photos in - leaving room for her to comment and caption. I added a few e-mails and other text that came from TTS. I am not a scrapbooker. This was easy, therapeutic, and will be something that she can hold on to and may help her adjust! (is this where I add that this is the first photo book I have made for her in 16 years - the rest are in boxes!) I also had 5 X 7's framed two groups of 3 for her bedroom wall. My favorite is the back of the boots as the they are looking out the bus windows. I think that Maggie is in there!
I know that she is coming home with more photos and we can print those - make a slide show - whatever she wants. Truly I am sending this to hear how other parents are doing and hear about any communication that others may have recently received. I know that Maggie is going to need her space and re-entry is not going to be easy. I would love any tips advice or thoughts that anyone has to share! This journey has been incredible to experience from our part of the world in Minnesota. I cannot even imagine what we are about to hear when our traveler comes home.
Keep in touch!
Marsha Burgeson
A note from Namibia
Hello, parents! This is Grace's mom, and I'm sitting in an Internet cafe in Windhoek, Namibia. We left the girls yesterday near Etosha National Park, and they are all doing great! Mallory's dad and grandma, Dave and Amy, joined Jennifer Royall and I on this trip and it's been a blast! Thanksgiving was so wonderful. We all worked hard in the morning at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and we got a lot accomplished there. We had a 'traditional' Thanksgiving dinner, thanks to (teacher) Emily's parents, who brought many of the fixings. The girls participated in a poetry reading after dinner, and it was so amazing to hear what some of these incredible young women shared. We were moved to tears more than once.Your daughters are wonderful, every one of them. I didn't get to know all of them as much as I'd have liked, but the 'groupness' of these kids was apparent the entire four and a half days that we were with them. The teachers -- Dawn, Emily, Rhea, Leah, and Shannon -- are all fabulous women and truly love our daughters. I was able to sit in on some of the classes, and their enthusiasm and knowledge base was impressive. They are so integral in making TTS what it is!I could go on and on. The words to express what the TTS experience really is escape me -- as a writer, I hope that I can come up with them some day. If you send your girls on another semester with TTS, please do try to make the parent trip -- it's worth every penny to get just a glimpse into the amazing world that our daughters are living in.Take care and God bless.
Laurie Stopher
lrstopher@yahoo.com
Laurie Stopher
lrstopher@yahoo.com
Thursday, November 20, 2008
From Maggie's Mom
I received an e-mail from Maggie - my first - so I know that today is going to be a great day!
I need to contact Minnehaha and set up a time for her to speak in chapel. It sounds like she wants to do this before Christmas break. I will contact them today and would like to know how long this presentation is. Five minutes? 10? Please advise. Am I correct in assuming that Maggie is implying that it needs to be done pretty quickly after she gets back?
I cut and pasted from Maggie's e-mail. In her defense she did tell me that she did not have time to edit. My daughter is enthralled in things that I never could have imagined. From the zillionth time - thanks for your vision and program. The Burgesons are ever thankful to TTS and all of you!
Take Care,
Marsha
FROM MAGGIE:I sleep outside every opportunity i get. The night sky is something that will forever hold my interest, i love it. If you go outside and look up it's fun to pretend all the stars are rain drops frozen in time .It's hard to do but it's fun if you can concentrate on it. I also love to think about how far away that all is.. We have star maps so I'm figuring out all the constellations. Also i have located some dust masses and galaxies and it's all very enthralling to me.
(talking about Namibia) Dawn is so cute, she loooves rocks so she was in heaven.
I need to contact Minnehaha and set up a time for her to speak in chapel. It sounds like she wants to do this before Christmas break. I will contact them today and would like to know how long this presentation is. Five minutes? 10? Please advise. Am I correct in assuming that Maggie is implying that it needs to be done pretty quickly after she gets back?
I cut and pasted from Maggie's e-mail. In her defense she did tell me that she did not have time to edit. My daughter is enthralled in things that I never could have imagined. From the zillionth time - thanks for your vision and program. The Burgesons are ever thankful to TTS and all of you!
Take Care,
Marsha
FROM MAGGIE:I sleep outside every opportunity i get. The night sky is something that will forever hold my interest, i love it. If you go outside and look up it's fun to pretend all the stars are rain drops frozen in time .It's hard to do but it's fun if you can concentrate on it. I also love to think about how far away that all is.. We have star maps so I'm figuring out all the constellations. Also i have located some dust masses and galaxies and it's all very enthralling to me.
(talking about Namibia) Dawn is so cute, she loooves rocks so she was in heaven.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
River Life
Dawn sends word from the Orange River on the border of South Africa and Namibia. The kayaking trip was a complete success. The timing of this four-day kayaking and camping trip was perfect. Coming off of the group's first real separation during home-stays and then its frenzied reunion and activities in Cape Town, the river excursion gave the ladies an opportunity to reconnect, enjoy each other and relax a little.
As some of you know, living the river life can't be beat. There is something magical about floating along in your own craft, watching the birds and scenery pass and being a part of a team to set up camp, make dinner, fetch water, tell tales, and sleep and wake with the sun.
The stretch was well suited to the group's skills, with a nice mix of lazy, flat stretches and more technical rapids. This was an important bonding experience for the group and as Dawn put it yesterday, "The teachers are falling that much more in love with these girls -- learning about each other's lives, hopes and dreams for the future." I know this group will only continue to grow as they experience more of southern Africa together and can't wait for new river stories and maybe even pictures.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Surf Report From South Africa
Dear TTS 12 Parents, Family, and Friends,
The Billabong Pro Surf Tour is wrapping up here in world- renowned Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa. It has been an eventful week with quite a showcase of talent and fierce competition among our TTS 12 contenders. The girls took Jeffrey's Bay by storm as they rolled into town in their conspicuous blue truck towering over the Main Street shops. The girls, from all parts of the United States, braved the cold waters in full wet suits with nothing but smiles. Nothing could stand in the way of this vivacious, thrill-seeking group as they quickly picked up the skills needed to catch wave after wave.
Contender Highlights
Nilsa: Don't let the leg brace fool you folks, Nilsa is a natural talent catching wave after wave and riding them to shore.
Katie: Katie showed off that “East Coast style” with some fancy footwork to the envy of others.
Ginny: It must be her dancing background that had Ginny standing from the very first wave, what grace and style.
Sarah: Taking to water sports as well as she does downhill skiing, Sarah is someone to watch out for.
Evelina: Evelina's smile, positive attitude, and perseverance make her a well-respected competitor.
Maggie: Bringing her own style to the competition, Maggie is a fantastic wave catcher on her tummy!
Emmy: Shear determination has earned Emmy a place in this competition. With quick turn around and paddling skills Emmy is a natural talent.
Mallory: A favorite of the photographers, Mallory graces the waves with her smooth style: was she always meant to be riding waves?
Ellie: A crowd favorite, this positive contender brings cheers to all the surfers out there.
KD: Also a crowd favorite with great wipeouts, KD's fearlessness keeps us on the edge of our seats.
Quinn: Improving steadily throughout the competition, Quinn is one to watch out for with her beautiful rides to shore.
Cheyenne: Taking to the sport like a natural, Cheyenne is a consistent competitor with some great long rides.
Taylor: One of our hardcore competitors, Taylor suffered a toe injury during the first heat is back with sheer determination.
Lehana: Improving her skills from her last competition in Peru, South America, Lehana is always up for a fun rejuvenating surf session.
Melissa: Quite the thrill seeker, Melissa takes to the waves without a second thought and inspires those around her with her enthusiasm.
Grace: Also improving from her last competition in Peru, Grace challenged herself in the surf earning much respect from the crowd.
McKenna: She's still up folks! McKenna's long rides to shore earned her the longest ride of the day award!
Kara: A tough competitor, Kara's determination and great spirit are hard to beat.
Not only do the TTS 12 girls take to the waves but they also endure rigorous academics on the side. Some recent highlights include a visit to the village of Qunu where Nelson Mandela grew up. That night the girls gathered in one of the traditional rondovals and read aloud excerpts from Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, by oil lamp. At the museum the next day they saw photographs, video clips, and heard audio recordings of momentous events during Mandela’s life and the anti-apartheid struggle.
Another highlight was a visit to a Khosa village in Mdumbi, a small village located right on the coast in the Transkei. The girls learned some Khosa phrases, had an inside look in some of the village huts, and got to ask our guide Lesandro's family about daily life in the village. While in Mdumbi the girls also learned about the non-profit organization, Transcape, dedicated to community development in the area. We stayed at their eco-lodge, which is dedicated to sustainable living practices such recycling their own water and running off of solar power. The girls left incredibly inspired and eager to get involved.
The TTS 12 crew been practicing for the Billabong Pro Tour and taking advantage of the culture that surrounds them on their travels, but if that wasn't enough, they have also been preparing for midterm finals. Yes folks, I don’t know how they do it; this crew is extremely diligent when it comes to their work. In Science they are designing their own reserve park complete with conservation ethic and endangered species; in Literature the girls are working hard on editing pieces for their midterm writing portfolios; in Nutrition the girls are learning the basics of wilderness first aid; and in Math Applications the students are learning about credit cards and continue to balance their expenses and income in the Game of Life. They are also in the process of reviewing for tests, which are just around the corner in History and Language.
So as you can see the last couple weeks have been packed with adventure for these young professional surfers. It is inspiring to be around such a group. Stay tuned for updates from their next adventure as they move west towards Cape Town.
Dawn Card
South Africa Surf Desk
The Billabong Pro Surf Tour is wrapping up here in world- renowned Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa. It has been an eventful week with quite a showcase of talent and fierce competition among our TTS 12 contenders. The girls took Jeffrey's Bay by storm as they rolled into town in their conspicuous blue truck towering over the Main Street shops. The girls, from all parts of the United States, braved the cold waters in full wet suits with nothing but smiles. Nothing could stand in the way of this vivacious, thrill-seeking group as they quickly picked up the skills needed to catch wave after wave.
Contender Highlights
Nilsa: Don't let the leg brace fool you folks, Nilsa is a natural talent catching wave after wave and riding them to shore.
Katie: Katie showed off that “East Coast style” with some fancy footwork to the envy of others.
Ginny: It must be her dancing background that had Ginny standing from the very first wave, what grace and style.
Sarah: Taking to water sports as well as she does downhill skiing, Sarah is someone to watch out for.
Evelina: Evelina's smile, positive attitude, and perseverance make her a well-respected competitor.
Maggie: Bringing her own style to the competition, Maggie is a fantastic wave catcher on her tummy!
Emmy: Shear determination has earned Emmy a place in this competition. With quick turn around and paddling skills Emmy is a natural talent.
Mallory: A favorite of the photographers, Mallory graces the waves with her smooth style: was she always meant to be riding waves?
Ellie: A crowd favorite, this positive contender brings cheers to all the surfers out there.
KD: Also a crowd favorite with great wipeouts, KD's fearlessness keeps us on the edge of our seats.
Quinn: Improving steadily throughout the competition, Quinn is one to watch out for with her beautiful rides to shore.
Cheyenne: Taking to the sport like a natural, Cheyenne is a consistent competitor with some great long rides.
Taylor: One of our hardcore competitors, Taylor suffered a toe injury during the first heat is back with sheer determination.
Lehana: Improving her skills from her last competition in Peru, South America, Lehana is always up for a fun rejuvenating surf session.
Melissa: Quite the thrill seeker, Melissa takes to the waves without a second thought and inspires those around her with her enthusiasm.
Grace: Also improving from her last competition in Peru, Grace challenged herself in the surf earning much respect from the crowd.
McKenna: She's still up folks! McKenna's long rides to shore earned her the longest ride of the day award!
Kara: A tough competitor, Kara's determination and great spirit are hard to beat.
Not only do the TTS 12 girls take to the waves but they also endure rigorous academics on the side. Some recent highlights include a visit to the village of Qunu where Nelson Mandela grew up. That night the girls gathered in one of the traditional rondovals and read aloud excerpts from Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, by oil lamp. At the museum the next day they saw photographs, video clips, and heard audio recordings of momentous events during Mandela’s life and the anti-apartheid struggle.
Another highlight was a visit to a Khosa village in Mdumbi, a small village located right on the coast in the Transkei. The girls learned some Khosa phrases, had an inside look in some of the village huts, and got to ask our guide Lesandro's family about daily life in the village. While in Mdumbi the girls also learned about the non-profit organization, Transcape, dedicated to community development in the area. We stayed at their eco-lodge, which is dedicated to sustainable living practices such recycling their own water and running off of solar power. The girls left incredibly inspired and eager to get involved.
The TTS 12 crew been practicing for the Billabong Pro Tour and taking advantage of the culture that surrounds them on their travels, but if that wasn't enough, they have also been preparing for midterm finals. Yes folks, I don’t know how they do it; this crew is extremely diligent when it comes to their work. In Science they are designing their own reserve park complete with conservation ethic and endangered species; in Literature the girls are working hard on editing pieces for their midterm writing portfolios; in Nutrition the girls are learning the basics of wilderness first aid; and in Math Applications the students are learning about credit cards and continue to balance their expenses and income in the Game of Life. They are also in the process of reviewing for tests, which are just around the corner in History and Language.
So as you can see the last couple weeks have been packed with adventure for these young professional surfers. It is inspiring to be around such a group. Stay tuned for updates from their next adventure as they move west towards Cape Town.
Dawn Card
South Africa Surf Desk
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Packages from home
I have sent a couple of small packages to Katie with some candy and photos and I don't really know what else she can use. Anybody have any other suggestions for something that the girls really enjoy or appreciate while they are in Africa? Also, if it is not too late, is there something that I could send for the family that she will be staying with? Thanks - and thanks to everyone for the stories and information that they have shared to date. I check out the blog every day and I'm so excited when I get to read something new - so keep it coming!
Mary Bentley (Katie's mom)
Mary Bentley (Katie's mom)
Book Recommendations
I've come to realize that I don't have as much of an understanding of the history/culture that my daughter is immersed in as I'd like to have.Years ago I read "African Women" by Mark Mathabane on the perseverance of three generations of women in his family-- from his grandmother to his sister-- through extraordinary conditions in South Africa. I'm not always a big non-fiction reader but I remember being captivated.
Just wondering if any of you have recommendations...
Thanks.
Vivienne Frederick
Just wondering if any of you have recommendations...
Thanks.
Vivienne Frederick
Thursday, October 2, 2008
In a student's words..
If any of you would like to share in Melissa's descriptions of her experiences, you can find her blog here. Happy reading.
Vivienne
"Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead
Vivienne
"Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Close Encounters
I had a restless week, so I thought I’d share what had kept me awake. During my first “beefy” call with Nilsa, clatter in the background disrupts our conversation. She politely informs me that she needs to place the phone down because she wants to see the hyena that’s been spotted in the campground. “Yes, Mom. There is a hyena in our campground.” Hmm, I think this is odd. I don’t dwell on it, though, thinking maybe it has something to do with the conservation program or maybe my warning bells were disconnected because I so much wanted to hear my daughter’s voice. We continue our talk and a bigger commotion ensues. “Oh my god, there are four more hyenas in our campground,” she interrupts. My adrenaline kicks in, but without sending her any alarms, I tell Nilsa that now is a good time to end the phone call so that she can pay closer attention to her surroundings. I don’t know much about hyenas, except how evil they are in “Lion King.” I hang up trying to convince myself that there’s no danger since TTS would not place them in a risky position. However, I couldn’t really stop thinking about it because my maternal instincts were on overdrive. A week passes before I speak with Nilsa again. (In the meantime, I had written an e-mail to Jim and in a nonchalant manner had asked him “whatever became of the trespassing heinas in the campground?”) During the span of a week, Nilsa seems to have forgotten the hyena episode, so I bring up the subject. “Oh, they weren’t really in our campground. They were on the other side of the fence, which we couldn’t see because it was dark. Mom, did you know that they can crush your bones in a single bite?” No, I didn’t. Thank goodness. After the call, I received Jim’s response confirming Nilsa’s story.
p.s. Thank you, Gennifre, for posting your magnificent pictures and writing a lengthy update. Keep them coming.
p.s. Thank you, Gennifre, for posting your magnificent pictures and writing a lengthy update. Keep them coming.
When your daughter is sick on the other side of the world.
Melissa called last week and started right off with stories of her amazing experiences… but she couldn’t hide what her father heard in her voice:
“How are you feeling?”
“How’d you know?
I waited anxiously to get a hold of the phone. She had been to the clinic for a chest infection. After lots of news on both ends, including her amazement at the free health care she was able to receive in South Africa, I told her to get well and sleep inside the tent until she felt better. We said good-bye. My mind was a whir—my little blonde child from rural upstate New York in a health clinic in South Africa-- what a lesson in what it is like to be different. Amazing… but wait a minute… my little girl… sick… in a health clinic in South Africa?
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Text Message update from Grace's Best Friend
Just got an update that Grace called her friend Monica today.
I'm at the Board of Directors Retreat and meeting for TTS in Bozeman this weekend (ironically).
Monica says, "Hey! I talked to Grace last night!!! She slept in a cave Friday night. It was Saturday morning when we talked, she wanted to tell you that she loves you."
I'm at the Board of Directors Retreat and meeting for TTS in Bozeman this weekend (ironically).
Monica says, "Hey! I talked to Grace last night!!! She slept in a cave Friday night. It was Saturday morning when we talked, she wanted to tell you that she loves you."
Thursday, September 18, 2008
More Questions About Mail
(a) is it too late to send mail for it to get to the address provided before the time the girls leave that town? Or, rather, when DO the girls leave that town so that we can figure when the latest we can send mail and it will still be received?
(b) "CD mixes"? Do they have access to a computer to copy these mixes to their iPods?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Hello from the first week!
Dear parents and friends,
All the best,
I'm writing to send a quick note as your daughters are spending the afternoon in class. This morning they went rock climbing, mountain biking, or did a team-building activity involving a large cabbage and a kayak. They are sweaty, dirty and enjoying life! It is HOT here!
We've enjoyed this first week as a wonderful, busy and exciting time to get to know each other and start building our community. The girls have been rock climbing several times - and every single one of them has made it to the top of at least one climb (yes, YOUR daughter has been climbing hard!). They went backpacking this weekend for 9 dusty miles through a stunning river gorge and spent the night either under the stars or inside a tent. We cooked over an open fire and hiked back the next morning.
Tomorrow we go to a township high school and the girls are busy preparing songs and dance routines to perform before the school. They'll be teaching classes about how they stay postive in their worlds and they'll try to form connections between some very different cultures. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a lunch of spicy peri-peri chicken before rappeling next to a 150 foot waterfall - a great last day in Boven!
The safari truck arrives tomorrow night and we'll all head to Kruger Park Friday morning to see elephant, giraffes and zebras for the weekend. We're going to stargaze with a prominant astronomer and we'll do an evening game drive. At the beginning of next week, I'll fly home and the girls will continue south - I'll bring back photos, videos and all sorts of fun!
Expect to get a phone call from your daughter this weekend - and from this point forward! She has lots of things she'll want to share!
And if you are sending a package to Cape Town - please rememeber to put the city - Cape Town - in the address!
Thanks for all of your support and we'll be in touch soon!
All the best,
Gennifre
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Parents,
Now that your daughters have left for southern Africa, (and you've had a moment to collect yourselves and get back to work, etc.) you might be thinking about sending out care packages and letters. So, it's time for me to send out a reminder about mailing packages. I've taken this from the web site, so you may have read it already. Please take a moment to reread it as a reminder about mailing packages overseas.
Mail
Every semester many packages don't make it to their overseas destinations due to various factors: they are too large and have a tax placed on them, they arrive after the group has left the area and cannot be forwarded, or they are lost in the mail. Communication can be one of the most frustrating aspects of sending your daughter overseas, yet getting mail to your daughters need not be a stressful or futile activity. Here are a few suggestions to help you successfully keep in contact with your daughters while overseas:
1. Mail early. Plan ahead and mail small packages and letters early to ensure they are waiting for your daughter when we arrive in a city. TTS will specify mail pickup addresses and dates for each semester. Give mail at least three weeks to arrive to its international destination.
2. Mail small packages. When you haven't seen your daughter for several months, the inclination is to send as large a package as you possibly can. While this is an understandable imperative, please realize that it is the host families who collect the packages, and when they are large, the families often have to pay a tax to pick them up. Keep your packages to the size of a football – any larger, and they may not arrive or they may be expensive to collect. Don't send boxes: send padded envelopes. Better yet, send flat envelopes to ensure timely delivery of overseas correspondences.
3. Think about what you send. Please also consider what you put in the packages. In Nutrition class, we discuss healthy eating habits and wise nutritional choices, so while a moderate amount of candy and chocolate is acceptable, please be thoughtful in what you send your daughters. Students love to get photos of their family and friends, CD mixes, handwritten notes and cards, and articles about local events.
For this semester, the only mail drop is at one of the home stay homes in Cape Town. The Cupidos have been working with TTS since our first semester in South Africa (2003). They have agreed to collect all the mail for our teachers and students and distribute it to them when we arrive in October.
A reminder regarding packages and letters: Everything should be sent:
C/O Sharon Cupido
Your daughter's name
249 12 Avenue
Kensington 7405
Cape Town
RSA/ South Africa
Please remember that the post office charges delivery fees for international packages and that everyone must reimburse Sharon on arrival.
Plan on mailing your package very early, (it generally takes 3 weeks or more for a package to arrive) so that the packages and letters make it to South Africa in early to mid-October. International Fed Ex Express or UPS can also be problematic, since this often means having the student pick up a package at the office herself, which often is difficult to make happen.
I hope this helps! Feel free to pass this on to your daughters' friends and other family members. Please contact me if you have further questions.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Now that your daughters have left for southern Africa, (and you've had a moment to collect yourselves and get back to work, etc.) you might be thinking about sending out care packages and letters. So, it's time for me to send out a reminder about mailing packages. I've taken this from the web site, so you may have read it already. Please take a moment to reread it as a reminder about mailing packages overseas.
Every semester many packages don't make it to their overseas destinations due to various factors: they are too large and have a tax placed on them, they arrive after the group has left the area and cannot be forwarded, or they are lost in the mail. Communication can be one of the most frustrating aspects of sending your daughter overseas, yet getting mail to your daughters need not be a stressful or futile activity. Here are a few suggestions to help you successfully keep in contact with your daughters while overseas:
1. Mail early. Plan ahead and mail small packages and letters early to ensure they are waiting for your daughter when we arrive in a city. TTS will specify mail pickup addresses and dates for each semester. Give mail at least three weeks to arrive to its international destination.
2. Mail small packages. When you haven't seen your daughter for several months, the inclination is to send as large a package as you possibly can. While this is an understandable imperative, please realize that it is the host families who collect the packages, and when they are large, the families often have to pay a tax to pick them up. Keep your packages to the size of a football – any larger, and they may not arrive or they may be expensive to collect. Don't send boxes: send padded envelopes. Better yet, send flat envelopes to ensure timely delivery of overseas correspondences.
3. Think about what you send. Please also consider what you put in the packages. In Nutrition class, we discuss healthy eating habits and wise nutritional choices, so while a moderate amount of candy and chocolate is acceptable, please be thoughtful in what you send your daughters. Students love to get photos of their family and friends, CD mixes, handwritten notes and cards, and articles about local events.
For this semester, the only mail drop is at one of the home stay homes in Cape Town. The Cupidos have been working with TTS since our first semester in South Africa (2003). They have agreed to collect all the mail for our teachers and students and distribute it to them when we arrive in October.
A reminder regarding packages and letters: Everything should be sent:
C/O Sharon Cupido
Your daughter's name
249 12 Avenue
Kensington 7405
Cape Town
RSA/ South Africa
Please remember that the post office charges delivery fees for international packages and that everyone must reimburse Sharon on arrival.
Plan on mailing your package very early, (it generally takes 3 weeks or more for a package to arrive) so that the packages and letters make it to South Africa in early to mid-October. International Fed Ex Express or UPS can also be problematic, since this often means having the student pick up a package at the office herself, which often is difficult to make happen.
I hope this helps! Feel free to pass this on to your daughters' friends and other family members. Please contact me if you have further questions.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Friday, September 5, 2008
mailing address for letters
Where would I send mail to reach Cheyenne? I have several friends and family that would like to send her a card and are requesting an address. Thanks for your help!
Susan Hensey (Cheyenne's mom)
Susan Hensey (Cheyenne's mom)
Friday, August 29, 2008
READY, SET, AFRICA!
Hey Parents,
We have a day and a half left in Bozeman finishing up with the teachers, then, they're off to Washington, DC. I know things are moving fast with your families. You are probably starting to realize how much you're going to miss your girls. Please use this blog as a way to interact with each other -- share information, questions, ideas with each other -- it will make the initial separation easier.
We have a day and a half left in Bozeman finishing up with the teachers, then, they're off to Washington, DC. I know things are moving fast with your families. You are probably starting to realize how much you're going to miss your girls. Please use this blog as a way to interact with each other -- share information, questions, ideas with each other -- it will make the initial separation easier.
I'll be adding information and photos here all semester long. Students can access this blog too. I'll email you as well, but this forum is perfect for conversations between everyone in the group. If you're having trouble posting here, please let me know.
Jennifer
Thursday, August 14, 2008
From Barb Snyder - Advice for parents!
I thought I'd pass along a few things we did (or wish we had done) before leaving last semester that made communications easier (long, but hopefully helpful):
- Discuss whether the first call on any given day should be to mom's cell, dad's cell, home, work, etc. Sometimes the girls only have a few minutes to call. Hitting voicemail is frustrating for all and takes precious minutes from any subsequent call, if one is even possible.
Encourage messages if she hits voicemail or when she has the opportunity to call but knows you're not available. "Hi, I'm having a BLAST!!!" is much better than waiting another week to hear her voice. Plus, you can play it back over and over and over. :-) - If your daughter will call more than one place (mom's house, dad's house, older siblings, etc), let her know those of you back home will communicate with each other (she repeats less; you get more updates). And, she won't be as likely to pass up making any phone call because she doesn't have time to make two phone calls.
- Discuss time differences and best times to call (but know they may not have options and call when the opportunity presents itself).
- Write down your daughter's calling card number and pin so you can check available minutes and reload before it runs out.
- Have your daughter create a blog so she can post news and stories for people back home. Although Jenna was only able to post twice, I added a few of her emails and photos the teachers sent.
- Create a separate blog for friends and family to post news from home, photos, etc (we made this by invitation only). This provides a single place for her to read updates when Internet time is limited. Jenna said Facebook and MySpace don't work as well.
- Make sure your daughter adds all email addresses to her contact list, and if possible, creates email groups (family, friends, teachers, etc) to save precious email time.
- Share what you hear from your daughter on this blog -- other parents will love you! Not all girls call or email at the same time or share the same stories.
- Know that no news is good news -- if she's homesick, sick or hurt, you'll hear (hopefully none of us will hear any of these things).
This all said, know that you will ache for the next phone call and email, and no matter how often you hear from your daughter, those calls and emails won't be as frequent, as long, or have as many details as you'd like. But, when you do hear from her, oh, it is wonderful!
Welcome to the TTS12 blog!
Hi everyone-
Only 2 more weeks until the backpacks are packed and everyone comes faces to face in Washington DC - what an adventure! Please use this space to ask questions, post comments, and interact with other families who are preparing for the same adventure! Check out TTS 9, TTS10 and TTS11 blogs on this same site for previous postings from previous semesters. We're going to be clicking in Zulu and climbing incredible African cliffs before you know it! :)
All the best,
Gennifre Hartman
Executive Director
The Traveling School
Only 2 more weeks until the backpacks are packed and everyone comes faces to face in Washington DC - what an adventure! Please use this space to ask questions, post comments, and interact with other families who are preparing for the same adventure! Check out TTS 9, TTS10 and TTS11 blogs on this same site for previous postings from previous semesters. We're going to be clicking in Zulu and climbing incredible African cliffs before you know it! :)
All the best,
Gennifre Hartman
Executive Director
The Traveling School
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