About 24 hours before I board the plane to head to Argentina and I find myself amazingly calm and relaxed. My bag is packed ( a carry on only ) with USA items to trade and/share that will not be coming home with me. I actually have space left .... I mean the lid of the case closed  and there was no stress. I am watching the USA World Cup game knowing that I am headed into a wild and crazy world of soccer in South America and wondering what types of adventures all my various country soccer gear will bring. I am starting to think that the international side of travel is becoming almost second nature and easier because I know what to take and what to leave home. All the important documents are copied ( several times ) and placed in various locations in my luggage so I feel pretty comfortable with that as well.
            I have found the time to jot down a few things for Steve to remember since I have taken care of a bunch of others. It is our anniversary ( 38 years ) : where does the time fly and how is it possible because I am still feeling rather spry and chipper..... At least I am home today , first time in about 5 years and of course it is a workday for Steve and he has overtime......it will be all good though.............. headed for my walk after the game and a few other things before getting some anniversary food together........ later gators!

The time for the iEARN International Conference and Youth Summit is getting closer and closer..... Nervous excitement is probably an understatement , but with it being World Cup time as well...... it will be a grand adventure and experience. Please , if you are following me, post and make comments or ask questions..... that is what makes a blog so interpersonal and fun!!! I will soon say Adios... but for now: not quite yet

Countdown Clocks

..............paperwork is one of the worst part of anything that life throws at us. It is necessary of course, but also quite tiresome and tedious........I have completed the paperwork and faxed it off for the journey to New Zealand! I guess it is starting to become more real all the time. The next few days will be busy with a Color Run and the normal activities of daily school and home life. Next week I  will need to start contacting people in the Embassy or Consulate to see if they have any contacts for the school systems near Auckland........... oh and did I mention that it will be winter when we are there?  

Adventures begin in your mind and carry on through your life, if you allow them to. I have always dreamed of visiting New Zealand and seeing the volcanoes and learning about the Maori culture. I pondered and sweated and created essays to submit to make my dream come true and last Friday ..................... the dream came true. I am a Hilton  - IIE Teacher Trek grant recipient and I will be going to New Zealand in August.  More to follow, but wanted to get this started again so i could record all of the feelings and tasks ahead of me...................  My class shared the phone call!!