Greek Update

I am not going to even try to top this one ... oh, how I miss my girl.  She makes me laugh and I love her so ...

Hey,


I'm in Gouves now...it's supposed to be our nicest hotel so that's pretty cool. we had a half day at the beach yesterday and will probably have one again tomorrow. I tried rabbit. It's not bad. I'm sure dad will be happy that i'm branching out...however, i saw a MacDonalds to day and about peed my pants. I tried to get some dog to lead me to the Big Mac but i don't think he understood...he probably only speaks Greek. There are dogs everywhere, but don't worry i've named all of them...Balto. It seems fitting, except for stupid Kujo who didn't understand Super Size my fries and chocolate shake today. I've gotten A's on both my test and report so far, but whether i really am a master of Mycennean Palaces, or whether it was because Dr. Morris took several shots of Ouzo at lunch no one will really ever be able to tell. I have come up with several nicknames for the people on the trip that i can not wait to divulge to you further, but to heighten your anticipation here are a few: Indian Jones, Old man River, pringles, and Balls. Just marinate on that for a while. I see you in less than two weeks and I can't wait to eat real good american food...like store bought pizza, chipotle, and china kitchen. YUM.

give everyone my love a hundred times over, r

Guess who called!

Woo Hoo!  We got a phone call from Ryan this morning!  Brian and I were like little kids - we were so excited to hear her voice.

They are in Athens waiting to catch the Ferry over to Crete.  She has pretty regular wireless internet service in Athens and apparently has been trying to email since yesterday.  My inbox at work was full (way too busy at work) so the emails were getting returned.  Another girl on the trip has an iPhone and let her use to call since the emails were being returned.  So excited ... so grateful to this young lady.

Okay, so here's the update.  They were hiking in Delphi this morning and then headed to Athens to catch the ferry (overnight trip) to Crete.  They were sitting in a Starbucks when she called.  The trip has gotten soooo (Ryan speak) much better.  They are not spending as many long days back to back and they have a little bit more time off.  She gave her first oral report - on the Trojan War, and felt pretty good about it.  The students on the trip are all getting along well (no drama) and she's thrilled about that.  Still not thrilled about the food, but digging the exchange rate.

They went out to a club in Delphi and some of the local boys were enjoying the company of some of the girls on the trip.  So I asked.  "Were you one of those girls?"  "Me?  No.  I'm sorry, but I don't think Greek boys are very attractive."  I just sighed and privately thanked God.

While we were on the phone, I could hear some commotion in the background.  Ryan was so excited!  Some of the girls found a nail salon and they decided to all get manicures!  We said our goodbyes and our world traveler was off again.

We miss you, Ryan.  We are so thrilled that you have the opportunity to take this trip.  Be smart.  Be a leader.  Make good choices.  Love you bunches!

Delphi and on to Sitia

We have heard from our world traveler!  She is really enjoying the trip, even more so now that she's used to the long hours and found some food she likes.  She said the group is wonderful and really getting along well.  She will be in Delphi for two days.  Here they will see the Sanctuary of Athena and the Delphi Museum.  From there, they will travel by ferry to the island of Crete and the city of Sitia.  Amazing to think that these are the things our daughter is getting to experience - so awed by this!

This is her email ... she's a trip!

Hey,

I'm in Delphi now...the hotel is pretty lame but we're only here for two nights so it's fine :) I miss you guys but the trip is starting to get really fun and interesting. Apparently there are people who are very "skilled in the night" so I dont think I'm going out haha. I'll keep u posted...we go to Crete this weekend so that will be fun Talk to you soon R

Live from Olympia

Ryan just sent an email.  They have arrived in Olympia and she said the hotel is much nicer here.  I have posted some pictures (from the internet, not sent by Ryan) of the hotel they're staying in and some of the sites they'll visit.  She said she's really busy with the course work, but feels like she's handling it.  She is having a good time, but getting a little homesick!  Bless her heart.  I told her to close her eyes and feel a huge hug and big smooch from her momma.  Hopefully, that will tide her over, and this too shall pass!  Enjoy the photos.

Weekend Update ... from Greece

Ryan sent an email last night.  She is loving every minute of the trip and is absolutely capturing all her memories in her journal.  She said she plans to write a book about the trip ... we'll see about that.  She said she's a little surprised at how much she misses all of us.  I'm not.  In her heart, she's a family girl.  She did say she had some sad news.  Due to the issues in Athens, they may have to stay some extra days in Santorini rather than spending the last three days in Athens!  I'm having a tough time being sad about that one!

They are leaving Napflion and heading to Olympia tomorrow.  They'll spend two days in Olympia and then on to Delphi.  Can't wait to hear from her again and will be sure to post when I do! 

Thanks for all the well wishes - and I know Ryan thanks you, too! 

Greece Update ... Day 2

Hey,

Day two and I'm already in love. This place is like a dream. I miss you guys like crazy though, I keep grabbing for my phone at the end of the day to see if I have any texts...and then I remember that it's turned off.   I'm already a little tanner so I'm not hating that. Sorry it takes me so long to email you but the internet is ridiculous and we didn't get back until 8PM our time today :( I'll try and keep you as updated as I can though.

Everyone is getting along really well and it's really chill. I saw the temples of Zeus and Apollo today and swam in the Mediterranean Sea. Big ole NBD (no big deal). Miss and love you.

Talk to you soon

R

The Percussion Section Prayer

Archbishop Spalding High School's music students competed in Virginia Beach this year.  We took 260 high school students who performed with six instrumental groups and six vocal groups to Virgina Beach April 22-24, 2010.

I realize I'm a kid fan, and not just of my own, but of kids in general.  So, my angle is that I believe in these kids and all the potential they have plus what they have yet to realize.   Each year, and I've been a part of band trips since Meghan was 10 years old, I am more and more amazed by these kids.  They represent all that is good in kids today.  They are committed, kind, compassionate, polite, fun-loving, wonderful kids.  This year's trip was no exception.

Well, except ... for one thing! 

So, let me set the stage.  My job on these trips is to make sure kids get where they're supposed to be on time, dressed appropriately and with all the stuff they need to perform.  Some might say t's a pretty tough job.  But, as noted above, these kids are awesome!

As I am walking back from the warm-up room after making sure the Wind Ensemble students were settled in and warming up with the director, I look over to the entrance to the hall and see this group (photo).  This is the percussion gang.  They are gathered in a group, much like football players before a game.  They are chanting and it's getting louder and louder.  I am kind of waiting for Ray Lewis to pop up and start asking about dogs.  At any rate, they rile themselves into quite a fury, break huddle with a yell and start moving equipment into the hall and onto the stage. 

I look at one of the dad's and ask what apparently is the most ridiculous question ever asked.  I say, "what was that?"  And, the answer, "oh, that's just the prayer."  I say, "the what?"  And the response is "the prayer."  Now, this didn't look like a prayer to me, so naturally I am intrigued.  Noticing the perplexed look, he goes on to explain.

"Your son started this freshman year.  Before every performance this percussion group gathers in a circle and says a prayer.  Some are somber and some are roudy, but still, its a prayer. Its what they do.  Didn't you know that?  Haven't you ever seen this before?"  I answer, "No, I had no idea.  But, that was one of the coolest things I have ever seen!"  The dad says, "I know."  Like a true mom, I say, "We should get this on video."  The dad, with a look of shock and exasperation on his face says, "absolutely not.  That would ruin it." 

Huh? 

Then, I get the real explanation, which is confirmed by the members of the percussion group later.  They tell me, "It's a guy thing. You wouldn't understand.  It's what we do, but it's only for us.  No girls and no video allowed!"

I feel completely put in my place.  At the same time, I am deeply proud of my son and his friends, and really grateful I got to see it!  

Safe Arrival Call

WHEW! I knew it would be a while until we heard from Ryan.  I knew they were going to have a tough time making the new connection in Rome to Athens.  And, this whole time change thing ... nuts! 

Okay, I'm not a stalker, but I am a mom.  And, given that I am a mom, I do have inalienable rights to worry, sometimes even obsessively.  I can feel the stress rising in my esophagus.  So, I found the time change converter on line and downloaded that.  Then, I found the Alitalia website and tracked her Alitalia flight from JFK into Rome.  The only way they made the connecting flight was if they were gold medal sprinters and someone held the plane for them. 

I take a deep breath.  Then, I take another one.  Okay, so we talked about this at JFK.  What happens if you miss the connection?  Who do you call?  Who do you talk to?  Thank God I am crazy busy at work and people keep interupting my obsession to get work done!

I incessently check email.  Please tell me this Ipod Touch thing works.  We bought the service so she could have access to email in the airports and other hotspots.  We went over how to work it.  I even gave her the "don't give up and don't accept NO speech!"  (If you know something should work, don't give up, keep fighting with it unitl you make it work)

Still no email.  I work late trying to keep my head above water there.  I hit the grocery store on my way home.  Patch is at a drum lesson.  Brian's at his mom's.  I put in a load of laundry.  I hear the phone ring.  Shoot, we still don't know how to work this digital voice thing with Comcast.  (#@%$#@).  I run upstairs and miss the call.  I check my cell phone - no calls and no email.  Phone rings again.  Don't recognize the number.  I answer it anyway and the sweetest, most delicate little voice is on the other end. 

"Mom?'  "Yes."  "It's me.  I'm here.  I did it.  We made it!"  Yes, I cried (please refer to mom rights noted above).  It turns out they did miss their connection in Rome and were delayed another five hours before catching their flight to Athens.  They got in at 1:00 in the morning their time and she borrowed a phone to call me at 3:00 a.m. their time. 

She sounded exhilirated.  It reminded me of when she was little.  She was the only kid in the crowd who couldn't swing by herself.  She didn't want to be pushed anymore.  She worked for hours and hours and finally she jumped off that swing mid-flight screaming, "Mom!  I did it.  I made it work!"

You go girl!

Oh, the places you'll go ...

Ryan is taking a two courses during a maymester program through school.  Six credits in Greek culture and civilization.  Now, if you're going to take six credits in Greek culture and civilization, doesn't it seems logical to take those courses in Greece!

On Tuesday, May 11, Brian and I drove Ryan to JFK in New York so she could begin what I hope will be the first of many amazing journeys.  The plan:  arrive at JFK in plenty of time to check in, get some money exchanged, go over some last minute advice and get her through security.  We thought we had it planned perfectly - no long goodbyes and no tears from me!

Right.  So, reality check.  Flight is delayed five hours, guaranteed to miss the connection in Rome to Athens and the ticket counter isn't opening for another two hours.  Yikes.  Regroup.  Gather with other C of C students going on the trip.  Their professor was not with the group as he went ahead to ensure all was safe in Athens prior to their arrival.  Not a bad idea, however it would be nice to have another representative from the school traveling with the students.  I know, they're not in high school anymore.  I know, they'll figure it out.  But, I'm also a huge fan of less stress for all involved.

Only one or two students in the group had ever flown internationally before, so they were all a little out of their element.  It's tough.  They're college students and supposed to be burgeoning adults.  However, they are still 19 year old kids.  So, I put my momma hat on and we guided them through check in with luggage all the way to Athens, rebooking connecting flights in Rome, and exchanging some money so they would have Euros in Rome. 

Everything happens for a reason.  I think Ryan and the other students were glad we were there to help and I was so preoccupied with helping them that I didn't have time to worry!  Mission accomplished.

We left after they made it through security.  Ryan called a little while later to say they all got something to eat and then took out their books to begin studying and preparing for the four exams and two oral reports each will have throughout the trip.

It has happened so fast.  My little girl has grown into quite a young woman.  I am filled with pride.  And, yes, there are some tears, too!