Spring Break 2014

I know...I know...after last year's Spring Break trip, you were expecting me to head to Alaska this year to catch more snow (read up on last year's trip here, or here, or maybe here, or even here...or become very well read and check it out here, and here  and there and finish here. For the shortened version, only read this one.)

But, I decided to keep to the more traditional Spring Break this year and headed south.

As in Dominican Republic kind of south.

And, if you know me at all, you will know that by "traditional" I mean my kind of traditional.

:)

This year for Spring Break, I had the amazing opportunity to travel with a group from Clemson of 12 other nurse practitioner students, 6 senior nursing students, 2 spouses of said NP students, 2 nursing faculty, 1 former Clemson grad student, 1 somewhat random nurse from Maryland (who became a very dear friend!), and 1 family/OB/GYN/ER doctor. We spent a week in the DR and crammed so much into that week, I'm still reeling from the trip a week after we got back!


Destination: San Juan de la Maguana
Total Miles: absolutely no clue
Total Cost: around $2,000

So, I know you are wanting lots of details, etc...but...you'll have to wait for another post for that.

Just a quick run down of what we were doing:
We spent two days traveling, one day at the beach, and four days holding clinics in various locations.

The clinic days were by far my favorite part of the trip!

I'll go into more detail in the next post, but we saw a total of 552 patients, handed out tons of vitamins, prescriptions and reading glasses, got to do joint injections, saw some crazy diagnoses, met some wonderful and giving people, and made some amazing friends.

We had several translators working with us, but (with the help of a couple translators and lots of practice!) I was able to pick up a decent amount of my Spanish (learned that in two years of high school Spanish and a random semester of Spanish in college). I was also able to use my Creole from my Haiti trips with a couple Haitian patients we saw and with Pastor Anol. Pastor Anol traveled with us to the clinics and handed out tracts and spoke with people about Christ. He doesn't speak English, but I discovered on our first day of clinic that he speaks fluent Creole! Loved him and am so thankful I was able to communicate with him and see his heart for the people on this trip.

The scenery was gorgeous and reminded me of Haiti. The overall poverty level was a little better than Haiti, and the majority of the people were a little lighter skinned than the Haitians. It was really odd to see so much of the scenery and familiar buildings and feel as though I were in Haiti, but then to do a double take because everything was in Spanish and not Creole.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I promise to share more in the next few days! For now, I'm sorting through the unpacking, the reverse culture shock, and the three languages I now have mixed up in my head.

At Long Last

After taking a sabbatical from blogging for sundry reasons (grad school, et al.), I am back!

Temporarily.

For a couple weeks out of the year, after midterms and mid-semester projects have been turned in, it is time to enjoy those rare road trip opportunities that I seldom have time for any more. But then, of course, reality comes back, and classes commence.

And I am ready to get away from this cyclical and crazy cold weather we have had this winter!

However, as you may or may not know, grad school is just about two months away from completion...and then: the adventures begin anew!

New job, new faces, new schedule, new adventures.

So. Let us see if I can remember how this works.

Destination: Florida (and sun. and warmth.)
Total Miles: TBA (at the end of the trip)
Total Cost: TBA (probably one of my more expensive weekend trips)

What has prompted this road trip, you ask?

Rivertree Singers!

Our choir auditioned to sing at the American Choral Directors Association Southern Division. We were one of 77 choirs from across the Southern USA to audition. One of 17 chosen. One of only two from South Carolina.

And the ONLY community choir that made the cut.

We are singing a 25 minute concert in Jacksonville, FL with repertoire including works by Tomas Luis Victoria, Eric Whitacre, Dan Forrest, Moses Hogan, and two of my friends: Peter Anglea and John Hudson. And call time is in approximately two hours!

So, yesterday afternoon after a long day of classes, discussions,
projects, and 2.5 hours of sleep, I met up with my friends and coconspirators (fellow Alto II, Heidi Moore, and Tenor II, Will Robinson). While we were driving in two separate vehicles, we followed each other down to Jacksonville. We stopped at Denny's for dinner and got into Jacksonville around 10:30pm.

The hotel we are staying at is fairly snazzy...the Hyatt Regency, and it is a walk away from where we will be singing. It is also on the waterfront and provides some lovely views of which we took advantage of last night after checking into our rooms.

I'm very excited about singing...and about the remainder of the trip.

Did you honestly think I would come all the way to Florida and NOT go other places, see other people, and try some new things?!

:)

Apparently, I'm an enlightened traveler!

Home Afar

Destination: Spring Break
Total Miles: 2,114
Total Cost: $330



Ok...ok. So you are all wondering a few things:

The light at the end of the tunnel

1. Spring Break? A "destination?"  Yes. It was shorter to put than "anywhere within a couple hours of the Eastern Shore of Maryland" or "anywhere but here" (both of which sounded awkward).
2. Total Miles...the totals from the other posts do NOT add up to 2114. Let me be clear in stating that the "Total Miles" from each day's trip were added using Google Maps and thus not a complete representation of exactly where I drove. And did not fully account for the occasional got-turned-around-in-traffic moments (Philly and Norfolk, I'm looking at you!!!). This "Total Miles" is Mr. Darcy's summation and an accurate count of the mileage covered.

3. Total Cost. I will be the first to admit that this does NOT include the cost of gifts that I bought. That total would be closer to $700. I like to buy things for other people. Do not judge. :) The total cost also does not include every meal I ate or lodging...HUGE shout-out to my relatives and friends.

Highlights from the trip would include visiting with friends and family, walking around Philadelphia while reminiscing about the history of my country, seeing an Amish horse and buggy, eating delicious foods, Noah from Sight and Sound Theater (probably one my favorite parts of the trip), discovering the Longwood Gardens, riding the Cape Mays-Lewes Ferry with Mr. Darcy, and just driving around (crossing over 90,000 miles!!!) and meeting new people. And of course, one of my favorite parts about traveling: coming home.

Which reminds me of one of the verses from The Road Goes Ever Ever On:

The Road goes ever ever on,
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wondering have gone
Turn at last to home afar...

All the same, I am working very hard to not go through Travel Withdrawal. The past week was exactly what I needed: a break. Sleeping an average of 7-8 hours a night for the first time in...months...I've already had people commenting on how rested and refreshed I look now. But now it is time to buckle back down for the remainder of the semester.

And it's time to start planning my next big trip: Colorado!

So. The conclusion of my Spring Break? yes.

The conclusion of my travels? Not a chance!!!

Saturday Email 3/23/13

Independence Hall

Mr. Darcy at 2nd 

Sight and Sound Theater

The Eastern Shore of Maryland

Jiggity Jog

March 22, 2013

Destination: Norfolk, VA
Total Miles: 225
Total Cost: $10 (this was only for lunch...I had filled up the day before)

Friday was just a traveling day...wait. I did NOT just say that.

Friday was more than "just a traveling day." Friday was a lovely day that included leaving my family in Maryland, visiting with a friend from nursing school for lunch, meeting up with my cousin Andrew and his girlfriend, driving across and thru' The Bridge-Tunnel again, going Mexican for supper with my friends, Laurie and Matt, and watching some March Madness while eating cake with Laurie and my Little Man, Nate (Matt went to the in-laws to watch more games).

I had a blast catching up with everyone. As always!

My friend from nursing school, Loren, works in Salisbury, MD. We enjoyed a lunch get-together at Panera Bread. I am so thankful for Facebook and the ability to keep up with friends from college and high school! Loren and I hadn't seen each other in person in over four years, and we had fun discussing current events in our lives and comparing jobs.

My cousin and his girlfriend joined us for lunch, and I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew's girlfriend, Stephanie. We all talked and discussed a variety of topics before it was time to hit the road again.

Heading south is usually not much of a problem. the Bay Bridge-Tunnel is, as always, huge. (secret: I have to work hard on not focusing on the fact that I am driving over and thru' a lot of water. I enjoy the drive, but I do not like all the water. But as it is necessary to cross the water to get to the Eastern Shore...)

Traffic coming off the bridge was not ideal. After turning around a few times because other drivers would not let me off my exit, I finally made it to Laurie and Matt's. Just in time for supper! We tossed around a few ideas and eventually settled on Mexican. My burrito was huge (which reminds me! I left my leftovers...again! Along with my sunglasses...) but delicious.

Being a self-proclaimed Cake Connoisseur, Laurie voted for Sassie's for dessert. We all got to-go cakes...including Nate. Mine was a chocolate with lemon mousse covered in a chocolate gold. Laurie got the Red Velvet...equally delicious options! We splurged on our cake while watching some college basketball. I love March Madness!


March 23, 2013

Destination: Travelers Rest
Total Miles: 448 miles
Total Cost: $30ish

Saturday's adventure continued the journey home...with one more major stop.

Breakfast with the Bates.

(That would have been the title if the post had been it's own day and not the last leg of the journey.)

Approximately 25 minutes from Matt, Laurie and Nate's domicile, my high school friend, Sarah,  resides in Chesapeake, VA. Sarah and I were debate partners in high school, winning some debates and having more fun than was probably allowed. After graduating, she headed to Florida to attend Clearwater while I stayed in Greenville to attend the nursing program at Bob Jones. Eventually, Sarah and her husband, Andrew, moved to the Virginia Beach area for additional school and ministry opportunities.

All that to say: Sarah and I haven't seen each other much since high school graduation.

Breakfast turned into an all-morning affair. :) Between getting caught up on each other's lives, spending time with her adorable baby, discussing our former classmates, and just talking, I did not head back out on the road until after one.

It was worth it.

Back on the road, it was time to head down my least favorite road-58. About the only thing of note that happened on this long and very boring road was being passed twice by a car that had a backseat full of kids that waved at me as they passed by. Something worth a smile.

After finally reaching I-85, the remainder of the drive was smooth and enjoyable, including the passing of cities of awesomeness: Charlotte, Greensboro, and Durham.



...



Being as that I am attempting to watch the Duke-Creighton game, I will finish here and post a final end-of-trip note that will include the running total miles (according to Mr. Darcy) and other notable moments.

Friends, Family, and a Venus Fly Trap

Destination: Longwood Gardens, PA
Total Miles: 143
Total Cost: $50 (ish)

Having almost sufficiently satisfied my cravings to drive as much as possible, and having put an additional 1,000+ miles on Mr. Darcy in the past 7 days, I opted to meet up with some friends at Longwood Gardens for the day.

Remember that snow that was supposed to come?! It came. This morning.

To give you the abbreviated experience of what transpired this morning, I must start with my leaving my aunt and uncle's in Galena.

It was theoretically going to snow this morning. Imagine my Southern dismay when I arose early in the morning to see not even a drop of precipitation falling. No problem though, I'll fix myself a cup of Caramel Cappuccino and head to the Gardens for a rendezvous time of 10:00 am.

By the time I was leaving the subdivision, I started seeing little white specks falling softly to the earth. By the time I reached Middleton, the flecks had turned into flakes and were falling steadily. But by the time I had almost reached I-95, the flakes falling steadily had turned into gigantic puffs rapidly descending from the sky. The stoplight just before I pulled on to the interstate turned red, and just while I was sitting there the snow began to accumulate on my vehicle.

"Keep calm," I told myself, pulling on to I-95.

Then visibility dropped...I could barely see a quarter mile in front of the vehicle.

"AHHHHHH!!!!! I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW!!!!!!"
"Remain calm. No one knows that."
"WHAT WERE THOSE LESSONS DAD ALWAYS SAID TO REMEMBER IN WINTER WEATHER!?!?!?!?!?"
"1. Both hands on the steering wheel...check.
2. Stay calm...almost check.
3. Go slow...yeah right! Everyone is still flying past me! Crazy people...
4. Repeat step 2...fine. Check.
5. Let off the gas when going over bridges...WAIT! Was that a bridge? Oh snap...
6. Repeat step 2. Sigh.
7. Do NOT break if you slide. Turn your steering wheel...UMMM...which way am I supposed to turn? Towards where I slide? Away?
8. Just hope you don't slide."

By the time this exchange with myself was finished, it was my exit and just as suddenly as the heavy puffs had started, they stopped. Much to the relief of my blood pressure! :)

The Longwood Gardens are located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania...also near Brandywine (which made me glance about for Hobbits).

The gardens were beautiful! I had a marvelous time catching up with my friends, Josh and Meredith, and enjoyed seeing their lovely children. Josh had been several times, and they had a membership that allowed me to go for free. With Josh acting as our tour guide, we journeyed through the conservatory and grounds.

Inside the conservatory were rooms full of plants from around the USA and the world...a bonsai exhibit, a rose room (LOVE!), the green wall, the Orchid Extravaganza, and other various rooms too lovely to describe.

All too soon, it was time for lunch. Applebee's provided a delicious lunch and a good time of fellowship...wish they lived closer so we could visit more often!

After we parted ways, I headed back to the gardens (I was branded with a stamp that gave me free passage back into the gardens). Roaming about the grounds, I found a huge meadow, the back of the DuPont house (which I then promptly toured), and many other wondrous places.

Because of the cold (it never got above 40F), I wandered in to the Cafe...and left empty-handed! They did not sell hot chocolate!

The Garden Shop was a fun way to end my visit. I curbed my desire to spend a bunch of money, and settled on a couple of gifts...including a Venus FlyTrap for the Little People! Hopefully, it will survive the ride home and live many days eating flies and such!

Still longing for a good warm drink, I looked up closest coffee shops. For some odd reason, the closest my app showed was a good 5 miles away...which was no problem, but odd considering I passed at least two other coffee shops and several Dunkin' Donuts. But I was determined to try the one that showed up on my app because everything happens for a reason.

I was the only customer at the Bishop's Coffee Co., and I ended up having a very random but pleasant chat with the guy making drinks. He was reading a book, and after sharing book recommendations, we discussed places to eat in Philadelphia, when to visit Washington D.C. (he says during the Cherry Blossom Festival is the best time), places I had visited this trip, his recommendation to visit Longwood during the Christmas Season, and the NCAA tournament. The mocha was excellent (just bordered on the edge of caffeine overload for my hypocaffeinated blood), and the chocolate cookie was good. I hung out there, enjoying my drink, and watching the St. Mary's vs. Memphis game (bit of a nail-biter at the end!).

After the game finished, I headed towards my other uncle and aunt's, Kevin and Kelley's, for supper. The ride back was splendorous, and I enjoyed reveling in God's creative design.

Supper and the Maryland vs. Denver game were on the menu, and I thoroughly enjoyed both. I love my family, even the extended ones I do not get to see as much as, and wish they all lived closer (though, it might be Rush family overload...they are all different, yet so much like my mom that it is easy to find the family resemblance!). Yet, I am so thankful for the time off I have and am able to spend with them.

Poppies...or Peonies...or Posies...

Dried Hydrangea 

The Meadow

Me and the Awesomely Cut Hedges

Flowers Waiting To Bloom
-Near the Meadow-

 :)