Seattle

All in all I would say a good trip. It was the first trip with Red, the new journalism teacher (been at the school a while, just new to journalism). We got to feel each other out a bit. She's an introvert so I think she had a bit of sensory overload by the end of the trip, and she is hard to get to know so she may have thought it was terrible without me realizing such is the case, but I thought it was pretty good.

I really wanted some time to discuss JI next year which didn't happen, but at least I got some ideas of how I want to revamp the class etc.

It's been a couple of years since I took kids on a journalism trip so this was a good trip for returning to the trip world. Of course I can't find some of my receipts which could make it an expensive returning to the trip world trip. But with any luck, I will get reimbursed quickly and not find myself in the hole financially.

I managed to not see any of the advisers that annoy me so that was delightful.

The kids were good. The hotel staff was annoying, so we will not be staying at a Kempke again even if the hotel itself was fine.

All in all. a ok.

My suggestion is to cross your legs

Today, I shall write about my bathroom adventures. Trust me when I tell you I am using the term "bathroom" quite loosely. First, the key is to use the restroom in the hotel and then do NOT drink fluids. Tricky, cause it is hotter than the hinges of hell, and sweat runs in rivers down the back. Smell isn't all that great either.

So, after lunch I found myself in need of the facilities. They were out back...yes, very similar to an outhouse. In fact, it was pointed out to me through a window. I asked which door is the girls...and they said either. Turns out left door was for pee, right door for poo... Luckily Andrea had already gone, so she was able to guide me through the process. It looked like a shower, but one stands on the "edge" of the shower and squats to pee. There were pipes that get turned on to flush out the pee. Turns out, unlike Andrea who was able to pee perfectly into a two inch square hole, I can't make pee in a shower stall.

The day progresses. By late afternoon I have to potty again. I'm obviously drinking way too much water because I've pretty much been peeing once day up until now. So, back at the admin building (where I know there is at least a toilet) I've accepted the fact that the toilet paper gets thrown in the trash and that this is the land of squatting, but at least it is a toilet.

I am ready to pull my pants down, but I have sweat so much that I don't actually have to unzip. Suckers just come down. Then I get my Charmin and the stuff sticks to my hands cause I am dripping. In the meantime my skivvies are all sticking to me. It was a total Charlie Foxtrot.

But, I am back at the hotel, freshly showered and thanking the good Lord for American restrooms.

Accra, Ghana

Ok, I haven't really thought much about it but with 5 days till we go, I guess it is time. I am going to Accra, Ghana Friday with two other teachers from HP. Crazy right? I am without a doubt nervous. Mostly because let's be honest, I'm a bit of a diva and I have all sorts of food issues. What am I gonna eat and how am I going to be nice to all of these people for 10 days??? How??

I am already packed. Although I forgot I have to get everything out and spray it with the bug spray. I have the $1500 of shots, and I start the malaria pills on Thursday. I have ordered 24 baby rolls of charmin to take with me and keep in my purse (come on people, I have a delicate backside, I'm not going anywhere without the charmin) Maybe not all 24 rolls, but I do go to Europe in 3 weeks too...

You would think that my to do list would be getting shorter and shorter, but I am here to tell you that every time I turn around I have to add to it.

So, I'm a little freaked out and stressed out. Very long plane flight followed by a 5 hour car drive to wherever we are going (It's close to Accra, but I'm not exactly sure of where it is.)

It was an adventure

"Let's go on an adventure," said Christopher Robin.

"What shall we do," asked Pooh.

"We should go to Topeka, Kansas," replied Christopher Robin.

After a moment of thought Pooh said, "OK" because, after all, who doesn't like an adventure?

the last time I took editors to the Jostens Printing Plant in Topeka, Kansas, it was 2009. There was heavy snowfall (although it had been quite warm in Dallas when we boarded the plane.) We arrived at the Kansas City airport, got our luggage and then opened suitcases and started piling on clothes.

I have no idea of why I thought this trip would be less of an adventure.

Our flight was scheduled for 1:20pm on Southwest airlines on Sunday.

As it turns out, Southwest had hit the news cycle on Friday for problems. Sunday morning our yearbook rep (who was accompanying us on this jaunt) received an email from Southwest declaring our flight canceled.

I headed to the airport to try to determine options (canceling almost 50 flights seriously increases phone hold time when calling.)

I had my 6 2012 senior staffers with me as we tried to find another flight...another airport...anything. There was nothing on any airline.

But me? I'm no quitter. So, we kept trying to find new ways out there. In the end? Well, I got a hold of "Buses by Bill" And Bill? He's a miracle worker. By 5pm we were boarding a full size "executive coach" headed to Topeka...

Only 7 of us at this point because one of the moms was worried about the long bus trip, and it WAS a long, long bus trip. We arrived at the hotel by 1:30am The front desk clerk almost had a heart attack thinking a bus full of people was arriving, but no just us 7.

We got up, ate and were at the plant by 9am. It was a great day. They learned a lot, got some ideas, saw how the book is actually put together. They spent time learning more about the computer program and what it can do.

Back on the bus by 3pm and headed home, mission accomplished!

Now I'm bulletproof

Have I mentioned I am going to Africa? Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the forum...

I work at a fairly (read this as very) affluent school district. We invite "gurus" of the industry to come speak to our staff and to work with us as we improve what we do. Turns out one of these gurus said that a problem with American students is that they have no empathy for the rest of the world. Go figure.

In an effort to build relationships and forge bonds with our brethren around the world, a position was created within the district, let's call it "global guru." So, GG starts working on finding places via the internet also interested in forging relationships. Lo and behold, if a district in Ghana didn't say, Helllloooo there.

Long story short, yours truly is on the short list of 3 people going, GG, a middle school teacher and yours truly.

Yesterday, MST and I go to get a yellow fever shot which we know we must have to be able to go to Africa. We had been told we had to pay for our own shots, but we figured what the heck.

The very nice lady at the "so you want to leave the country, here's what you have to do to stay alive" office went through a very long list of diseases we could get etc. Disturbing to say the least. Yellow fever, my ass.

In addition, it seems that rabid animals are a bit of a problem too, but there is nothing you can do about that. The instructions? "If you are scratched or bitten BY ANY ANIMAL, you should EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY." Sweet Christmas, great. fantastic. can't wait.

She then goes through exactly how much it would cost and how many shots would be required. Let me tell you, had I known in advance, not sure that there would be a plane ticket with my name on it... Not. Kidding.

I left the office and immediately went to get a drink because my ARM REALLY HURT.

Then I concocted the note I was going to write to the superintendent in my head (and the principal and the head of curriculum and my friend PR because, well, that's the kind of girl I am). Which I did. See below.

To whom it may concern,

Yesterday I went to Passport Health in preparation for the trip to Africa. I was expecting one lone yellow fever shot. I received EIGHT shots inoculating me against every major disease on the planet. I return in a month for TWO more. The total cost...wait for it...$1150.

That being said, I would like to officially offer myself up for any and all trips to scary places that require shots. Because I have my shots, and they were expensive, and the only way to get my money's worth is to go EVERYWHERE.

So, with total dedication and a lot of pain in both arms right now, I say, I'm ready to serve.

Your devoted employee,

The Diva

I haven't heard back from anyone. What's up with that? At any rate, as the BFF said, with all those shots in me, I am practically bulletproof! Hence, my desire to travel the world while I am fully immune to all diseases. Except for rabies. Which is unfortunate because I am a tasty morsel to the dog population of the world. Other than that, I am bulletproof. Oh, and the flu. I hate flu shots, so I don't ever get those. I could get the flu still. Other than that, I am bulletproof. Well, and the common cold. There's no defense against that, and let's be honest, I work with wealthy kids, but they still get sick, a lot if you ask me. Aw screw it, I am only bullet proof against the following illnesses: yellow fever, polio, mumps, measles, rubela?, typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Dengue and cholera.

Going to Europe

Ok, it's been a crazy week, and instead of cleaning I'm blogging. What is wrong with me??? At any rate, I'm almost done with my checklist, and I'm pretty sure I remembered underwear and I definitely have the hydrocodone, so really, it's all good.

This is the "blog" for the trip...you'll probably be able to tell which posts I add and which ones skip adds.

http://morans.ontheroad.to/europe2010

42 kids, 4 adults, 12 days and 6 cities or so. Pray for me. That is all I ask.

If you could just try to live a normal life...

WARNING: EXPLICIT SHOTS OF ONE DIVA DERRIERE.

Sure, sounds easy enough doesn’t it? But, no. That is not what the good Lord has in store for me! So, this is my last full day before leaving for Europe. I have to get busy. I haven’t packed, I haven’t cleaned. I haven’t gotten Euros. Nothing. I did manage to get Cat up to Mom and Dad’s. While on the way, I realized that Cat has no hair on his backside. The whole area near the tail,

hairless. And he is getting pretty skinny. I guess when you get to 15 or so things happen.

This morning I got up at the CRACK of dawn so that I could walk the dogs one final time before taking them up to Mom and Dad’s (Yes, I am totally grateful that my parents are willing to help me out. I know the dogs are going to get better care and be happier with them than anywhere

else, not to mention the amount of money that I’ll be saving.

So, as we are walking along I see a white lab approaching us. So, I tighten their leads and we keep going. But sure as shit, they get all excited, and Buddy puts on his bad ass mean dog face. He rears back, I jerk the lead, he falls into my ass and takes a big ole bite. Seriously. It hurts.

Exhibit A: The wound as it first appeared on my backside. OUCH

So, I had Mom check my derriere. She determined the fact that the wounds bubbled courtesy of the hydrogen peroxide to be good. She also said the wounds looked deep, so it needed to be checked while on the trip. I called Blondie to let her know of her extended Europe trip duties: checking the divas backside for infection. She was thrilled.

Exhibit B: Shot with bruising so that you can see the exact size of Buddy's jaw as it clamped onto my tender flesh. Also, teeth marks pre-infection. ha ha. I hope.

Another trip with Blondie

Well, our adventures in Journalism conventioning have begun. We arrived yesterday afternoon. Blondie and I were greeted at the airport by the BFF. She, in case I haven't mentioned it lately, is the coolest. She brought Cranberry Juice (for my morning medicine routine) and crackers. And great big hugs which I have been needing desperately. Her very existence is God's gift to me.

Once my other friend, Mrs. Jostens arrived, we headed out to grab a taxi. Cab driver, a lovely man, managed to take our conversation on the beautiful fall foliage into a discussion of politics. We said, "Gee the leaves are beautiful" and he said, "They look better since George Bush left." huh.? He continued on his happy monologue regarding GB.

We arrived at the hotel, still confused by the ramblings of our cab driver which segued to his love of Hillary Clinton for standing by her man by the time we were exiting the car. We mentioned to the front desk personnel the strangeness of the cab ride, and son of a bitch if he didn't start chastising us about talking about politics in DC. Really?

The room is great. With three of us sharing, there was some concern re: size. It is great. sofa, two chairs, two beds and a desk and chair.

We went to a fabulous steakhouse in the W hotel. Sooo good. The hotel has a rooftop bar that is very hip, trendy and cool. (I'm lucky they even let me in.) Dinner was courtesy of Mrs. J. Thank you!!

This morning we got up and headed over to the convention. Today's cab driver rocked cause he knew where there was a 7-11 on the way!

Oh, and by the way, last night I was able to talk to the drummer. I've known I needed to gird my loins and just ask what the deal is. He confuses me, it seems liked he isn't all that in to me, but he does call and ask me out. So, yeah, not that into me. Totally awkward and uncomfortable and really no fun. Not to mention totally an ego killer and heart crusher. Yes indeed the good times continue to roll for the Diva.

Yes, I know, it has been a while

Busy as hell people. I am busy as hell. I have been working madly on the house. Had to stop though cause I am teaching at a Journalism workshop Sun - Wednesday. I leave Wednesday for Washington DC to spend time with the Bff and her family.

I have a whole nother post I'm creating in my head on the handyman working on my house. Nice guy, but he is driving me to drink . . . ok, more than I usually do.

In the meantime, the dogs have gone to the Canine Country Club for some r and r. He hasn't worn a collar in years because he gets upset, starts trying to take it off and then gets it caught in his mouth. Distressing for all of us to say the least. So, I bought a collar and a name tag for him and a halter so that if he tried to get the collar off then they could make him wear the halter. ( He used to try to escape all of the time, he really doesn't try any more, but we weren't certain of how he would behave.) So, Cat, is now chilling with the parentals. They have kindly been keeping me up with his happiness.

Cat is so happy - he may not speak to you when you return. I have the bag with the harness & receipt awaiting your return from MB's so you can return it. Of course, one never knows with a cat....he may be just waiting for us to relax and he will try to escape.

This cracks me up. He is a crafty bugger, and certainly he might be trying to lure them into a comfort zone before attempting to exit the premises. However, he is older now and, quite frankly, he enjoys Dad's lap too much to go out into the cruel world.

Another quick side note, if this were big sis's cat, he would be bringing them mice, frogs, birds and other things (some dead/some alive) to show his affection. I may have to remind the parentals about this if they start getting testy about Cat's love of the lap.

Wow, it's been a while

I almost feel like I need to reintroduce myself it's been so damn long since I last posted. Not much has been happening. Ok, well, I've been busy as hell, but none of it has been particularly blog worthy or interesting in general for that fact.

School is out. Thank you JESUS. I survived. All of the grades were entered, all of the children passed, most of the yearbooks were passed out, and there were almost no complaints. Call it good and get out.

I leave for Europe tomorrow morning. Hooray. I am totally excited. The kids are awesome, there are only 17, so it is a small group. We actually have a blog for it, hp2europe.blogspot.com. I am taking my oh, so very light laptop (thank you, Sis) and we will be blogging from Europe. Twittering too. We have to use KT's twitter since mine is less appropriate should anyone decide to look at previous posts. (I use dirty words, ya know.)

Dating continues to suck. I have spoken to the most boring man in the world . . . twice. I got a drink with a fellow Kirby's barfly but he was a total dumbass.

I had 3 guys from the online dating world contact me . . . let's see one is 5'2" really? one is Jewish and one is an atheist . . . apparently the part where I said I wanted someone to go to church with me . . . they thought I was kidding.

My handy dandy friend Scott started working on the new mantle in the front room of the house. We took the old mantle and we're (take that to mean he) is making it into a headboard for my bed. How cool is that? I plan to totally trick out the master bedroom when I get back in town and then work on dismantling the front bathroom. It should be the summer of the house.

Fun story, so one night I am sitting at Kirby's, drinking my cosmo, cause I love them so. I'm sitting next to a fellow barfly, Janice. She is texting some guy she met through eharmony. . . part of me is a little freaked cause it kinda feels like I'm looking at my future. i can't decide if she is my age and just looks old or if she is about 10 years older than I am with her reading glasses perched on her nose so that she can read the phone as she texts.

At any rate, I make a comment about the fact that I've stopped dating. It is now just me and the boys. They pander to my every desire, always tell me how lovely I look, and never whine when I pay attention to others. What boys she asks?

Travis, James and Tony, of course. (The bartendars for Kirby's- all sweet hearts, all in their twenties). She says, but Tony's taken. . . sigh. Not clear on the concept. Of course I'm not REALLY dating the boys. In fact, James and I came up with a few house rules the other night. 1. I will not go out with anyone I meet at Kirby's. It's like dating someone you meet at work, it's not going to work out and then you have to deal with the after dating crap of having that person around. Yuck. I don't mind being a barfly, but not the barfly that's dated half the male patrons. Other rule: I hang there on Sun, Mon or Tues. Weekends they are too busy. They can't devote themselves to me fully when they are having to care for other bar patrons.

I still have a little more to do to be ready to go. I went to a happy hour earlier for my friend Susan that is retiring this year and then I went to a porch party across the street. I'm now moving a little slowly, but I still have chit to do.

Good night.

Topeka

If you follow the Twitters, then you pretty much know everything that happened in Topeka. I like to keep my audience fully apprised of all the minutia in my life activities.

We arrived in Kansas City Sunday afternoon. They had SNOW.

The rental car place tried to give us a small cadillac for six people. Literally, we walked out to the car. Stared at it for a minute. Counted heads again. Contemplated the car, then trudged back inside.

After much discussion and calling to the lot dude, we got a Mercury Mountaineer.

We had a lovely drive to Topeka. Since our flight left at noon, I was pretty sure the girls wouldn't plan out in their heads how meals would work. So, we got to Topeka and they were all starving. Worked great, cause I like to eat din din earlier than most . . .

So we are at Outback Steakhouse by 5pm where I fall victim to the most delicious of delicacies . . the blooming onion. I love that thing which is unfortunate since it is fried and no longer on the approved list of foods to eat. Damn gallbladder.

That meant when I got my oh, so tender and yummy steak, I ate about 2 bites before I stopped because my stomach was NOT happy. Chit.

Last year the girls wanted to watch Enchanted when we got back to the room. This year? Frost/Nixon. I'll admit, I wasn't sure how good it would be, but we really enjoyed it.

We got to the plant at about 9am. I love the plant. There are great smells. . . It's like magic markers, glue and gas exhaust all wrapped up together. A lovely little high ; )

We were in Kansas, so it was only appropriate that we follow the yellow tape lines through the plant. . . If we weren't certain that they were amazing, they had a big banner to help us out. . . The girls noticed immediately that there was a sign identifying the "big ass books" that they do . . . please note 39111 (no irony in THAT job number)

At any rate, after sniffing my way through the plant, we went to lunch and then had to head to the airport. Talk about a quick visit.

Sabrina was waiting for me when I got home, and I picked up Buddy last night. Turns out Buddy may have been too much for my poor Dad. He is exuberant in his love and he is a danger to kidneys due to his desire to leap into laps. (He is completely unaware that 50lbs is a lot of weight to drop onto a lap suddenly.)

Date #6

So, this didn't turn out quite how I imagined. Date 6 was supposed to occur when I got back in town.

On the way back from Conneticut the first day in NYC, I met a man on the train. We talked most of the way, and he gave me his number. He told me that he was meeting a friend for drinks, and he would love for me to join him.

We, the 14 students and 3 chaperones, went to Lion King that night (totally amazing). Afterwards, we went out for dessert. Totally exhausted and very late, I crashed and burned.

The next day, I told Daisy about it, and she insisted that I text him a note. "Sorry I couldn't make it" type thing. So, I did. He called and then we texted back and forth. We made a plan to meet for breakfast Sunday morning.

At one point on Saturday he left a message asking if we could move the time to about 10 am because of the train schedule. As he was leaving the message, he says never mind, don't change anything I will be there at 9am.

I called him and said we could change it; we would just have a little less time. He said he didn't want less time. I have no idea of what time he caught the train to get into Grand Central, but he did. Our plan was to meet at the clock in the middle of the terminal. While the children traipsed off to church Sunday morning, I headed towards Grand Central Station for a date. Certainly, it was easier to get ready for since by Sunday morning I was out of clean clothes and only had the trip home outfit!

So, I took a shower Snday night, packed my bags (really difficult considering the size of my bag and the purchases I had made) and watched TV.

Got up at 7am, dolled myself up with what was available and made it to the clock just as he was walking u to the clock.

We crossed the street and went to breakfast. We talked for about 3 hours. He ordered the bagel and lox and I got eggs. We talked the whole time. Once I spoke to JH, we headed out to find a cab. He rode with me to the restaurant where I was meeting everyone, and I have to admit, I was loath to leave him.

After breakfast, I got a policeman on the street to take our picture.

*As a side note when the kids and JH finished church they headed to lunch and called me, but I didn't hear the phone So, then I had a succession of messages because they were concerned I was being chopped up into pieces.

I sent a text saying thank you for a lovely morning, and then he sent a response, and we were off again.

We went to the Met, after a short visit to the Egyptian room (and texting) which is my favorite part of the museum, I returned to the main hall so that we could talk some more.

Back to the hotel, talked to him again. To the airport, talked to him some more and oh, yes, we texted in between/ Is this not the craziest shit ever?

It's weird. I'm a little freaked out, but I can't stop myself either.

Pride cometh before a fall

It was with great pride that I compared the size of my luggage with the kids. All of them. Including the boys. I had the smallest. Carry on only. Sure it was jammed in there tighter than a whore in a red mini skirt, but I had done it. After 3 full days in NYC, I have picked up a few things along the way, and I say to you . . . I have NO FREAKING IDEA of how I'm going to get everything into that small little piece of luggage. In fact, I can say with all most total certainty, it ain't gonna happen. Chit. Chit. Chit.

NYC

I am a very tired woman. To bed at about midnight, up at 5:30 traveling to Conneticut to visit with a group of high school student similar to our students, back, getting ready for dinner and then off to see The Lion King.

Trip to New York

Let me start with I love to travel. I love going to the airport because it's always the beginning of an adventure whether mine or someone elses. I love hanging out at the airport watching people come and go. I like imagining their lives, what they do, where they live, where they might be going. I like to see how people dress for traveling. Clearly, comfort is the word of the day for today's travelers.

I love looking out the window of the plane. Everything looks so small. God's eye view. The world is beautiful at 35,000 feet. As the sun sets there is a beautiful glow across the horizon. Lights begin to appear below. Again I find myself getting lost in the idea of so much humanity below.

People dying, babies being born, lovers fighting, students working to learn calculus, others watching TV.

People living lives of quiet desperation, others living out loud. One person just waiting to exhale as someone else is falling in love.

The world has a soundtrack as my Ipod plays along. Skipping songs that don't fit the mood and replaying others that speak to what I'm feeling as I look down on parts of the country so lit up and beautiful. The lights form snakes and figure 8's. Lines on wagon wheels, pods of lights and then other places mostly dark with small flickers of light here and there.

I love arriving in a new city. Every city has its own personality.

New Orleans is slow and sweet with an air nonchalance about it. Rome is filled with the self-satisfaction of people who are surrounded by the history of us all. Not so small and intimate as Florence, but not the big uber cosmopolitan Paris.

New York is sophisticated, full of energy and alive.

i love hotel rooms (nice hotel rooms) Clean tight sheets, fluffy comforter. Room service tea in the morning to wake me . . . (although most New York hotels don't have room service.) Mud masks at night because, after all, there will be new towels for the new day and I don't have to be so concerned with how I'm going to get those wash clothes cleaned! I love that (at least in America) I can crank the air up or down without fear of the electric bill.

I don't have a TV in my bedroom at home. So, I love the decadence of watching TV until sleep takes over.

And then if the trip has been timed right, I head home just as I become antsy to sleep in my own bed again. I pack my stuff and head back to the airport and then home.

With any luck when I leave NYC this trip, I'll return to Dallas with the weather being just perfect reminding me again of one of the things I most love about Dallas, the weather.

So, it is 11:30pm. I am making sure that I get my post for today in. If you read the Twitter on the left, you can get practically a moment to moment update of the first 3 hours in New York.

Time for a bath and then bed.