Blogs from Jackson, Michigan, United States, North America
INDIA - Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) 2012
Published: November 22nd 2011North America » United States » Michigan » Jackson
November 21st 2011
With the encouragement of my neighbor, Kathy, I decided to apply for the Group Study Exchange (GSE) program through Rotary. I didn't know much about it other than you had to be: • 25-40 years old • Non-rotarian • In your field for at least two years I didn't know if I would qualify or if I had the right experience they're looking for, but I figured the worst that would happen was that either I wouldn't get accepted or that I would get accepted and come home to no source of income, boyfriend or place to live, but at least have the experience of a lifetime. There is no way that you can spend a month in another country and not have some kind of life revelation. Since I was learning about the program pretty ... read more
Raceday: At Michigan International Speedway
Published: August 20th 2009North America » United States » Michigan » Jackson
August 16th 2009
Glueck gehabt! Wir haben Hot Passes von Joe Gibbs Racing bekommen. D.h. nicht nur vor dem Rennen, sondern waehrend des gesamten Rennens, kann man sich frei in der Boxengasse bewegen. Um 10 Uhr fahren Cornel & ich los. Ca. eine Stunde bis zum Racetrack. In Charlotte sind die Strassen am Renntag komplett verstopft und man braucht mind. doppelt so lange. Nicht in Michigan. Der Racetrack ist im Nichts. Nur gruene Wiesen drum herum. Bei schoenstem Wetter, ist schon ziemlich heiss, kommen wir um 11 Uhr dort an. Noch ca. 3 Stunden bis zum Start. Erst holen wir die Tickets und lassen uns von einem "Busanhaenger", der an einem dieser grossen Amitrucks haengt, naeher zur Rennstrecke bringen. Erst einmal haben wir Eric gesucht, Cornels Buell Kumpel, der schon um 8 Uhr morgens da war ..... vor lauter ... read more
June 14th 2009
Can't quite figure out how to sort my pics from my Memorial Day visit. So I will just make a few different entries each with some kinda common theme. This one is sister Virginia cause I got some good pictures of her playing different instruments and I just got done watching Violinists on PBS. The kids from the college (Spring Arbor University) come to her house and bring an instrument and say that they would like to learn how to play it. Could be anything. She takes the instrument for a couple of weeks and figures it out and then starts giving them lessons. I don't know how many more instruments she has or can play. Oh yeah the piano and of course her specialty the Harp. She played the french horn and trumpet in the ... read more
May 31st 2009
While driving along the roads in Michigan and Indiana you can see all manner of wild life on the roads. I mean literally on the roads. No need to go traipsing through the woods. Everything will be right there on the pavement or just off the shoulder. It is a veritable cornucopia of animal carcasses from species of animals native to the area. These pictures are but a sampling of the many many many rotten, decaying putrefying, spoiling, decomposing, disintergrating, bodies on the highways of the midwest. No wonder Louden Wainwright jr. sang the infamous "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road Stinking to High Heavens." You know me, I broke into song whenever I passed by or over or near any sign of a dead mammal. So here for your perusal are just a ... read more
April 29th 2009
I am having a hard time concentrating on much other than our trip out west. The trip was canceled last year and is finally coming together for September. I have been researching a proper tent to get, looking up scenic routes, historic sites, national parks, and even booked a concert. Someone suggested we visit Red Rocks. When I Googled it, the first thing to come up was the Red Rocks Amphitheater. It looks amazing. As it turns out, there are three concerts in the beginning of September so I snagged seats for The Killers on 09/09/09 (AWESOME!). Does it get much better than live music and nature? The venue is a half hour from my good, good, good friend, Kat Wrozek, who I am hoping to be able to stop and see in Colorado if her ... read more
December 22nd 2008
Home sweet home! Our alarm was set for 8:30, but I was up at 6:58 and ready to get a move on. I lied about being done jewelry shopping....I got another necklace and a bracelet. Did I mention everything is SO FREAKIN' CHEAP compared to the states? I'm very excited about my collection! We packed, ate, shopped, and hit the road. There were two traffic jams where people were being pulled over for random military checks. Dudes with huge guns guiding you either to pull over or keep going. We were in the clear for both. We got to the airport way to early and had to waist quite a bit of time. The plane was 20 minutes late. All that wasn't to bad, but to make up for our more then perfect flight in, we ... read more
Home Sweet Home [Adventures]
Published: July 29th 2008North America » United States » Michigan » Jackson
July 29th 2008
Jackson, New York... Well... after a lot of planes taking off and landing late, missed flights and a lovely sleepover in the Dallas Fort Worth airport I made it home about 18 hours after I had planned on it. But I MADE IT HOME! The airport adventure were to be expected I guess. The travel agent booked some of my flights so close together I had a feeling I'd miss at least one place. Just so happens the plane I missed caused me to miss the following plane. The plane they put me on to replace that flight was cancelled.... thus the lovely sleep over in the DFW airport. But hey, it wouldn't be the same if something like that didn't happen, right? So anyway. I spent a week at home. Never really got any jetlag. ... read more
July 23rd 2008
we got a late start but headed towards Big Sable Lighthouse, a 4 mile hike through the state park. We were able to climb to the top and look around. We then spent some R+R in the campground and went to the Mason County Fair at night for the Off Road Derby. Very cool, loud and some strange way to give out prizes ("Who is missing a finger?") Heading for Port Huron tomorrow (about 4 hours).... read more
May 5th 2008
Well it's getting so close! I leave Thursday morning. I have to be at the airport at 4am. . I think I am ready. I have everything packed and it doesn't even take up two suitcases. I am proud of that since I will be gone for two months and I am only taking the necessecities. I picked up my new camera yesterday. So far I am satisfied with it. It takes some really good quality photos. I got my home stay information a few days ago. I will be staying in Atwell with a woman and her son as well as a Korean student who is trying to learn English. The woman, Suzette, tells me that her 17 year old son is a health nut and is at the gym a lot. Looks like I'll ... read more
This day goes down in the books....
Published: February 2nd 2008North America » United States » Michigan » Jackson
January 29th 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008 If you travel to Mexico and don't know Spanish...the road signs with the "E" crossed out means No Parking. We picked that up along the way...it could prove useful. Today was one of the most incredible days of my life. Today. I'm sharing it with you, but unfortunately the only photographs of the best parts are the ones stored to memory. I thought I should warn you in advance. Today I met two retired men - Bill from outside of Toledo, Peter from Canada, and one middle aged Mexican with shaggy naturally highlighted hair from long days in the sun named Sergio. Today. Alex and I dove the Chac-Mool Cenotes - Little Brother and Kukulcan with Bill, Peter, and Sergio. It must have been the summer after third grade going into fourth ... read more
