Day 4 in DC - 2/19/12

With the conference behind me, it was all about exploring DC a little more!  Although my feet were still aching, I had a number of places I still wanted to cover.  Deanna was headed home, but my colleague/friend Jennifer still had some time to play.  After a quick breakfast, we were ready to hit the National Mall.

We started at the Smithsonian - Museum of American History.  Highlights included Abe Lincoln's hat, the red shoes from Wizard of Oz, money over the decades, and an entire house!  The National Archives was amazing.  I was in awe viewing the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution, but seeing the Magna Carta brought things to a whole other level.  The Air and Space Museum was just as fabulous as I remembered.  I can't wait to take the boys!  I ended on the Holocaust Museum, which I've been looking forward to.  As expected, it was incredibly moving.  I felt emotionally exhausted as I exited.

I somehow avoided any snow and enjoyed my last bit of walking.  I had a lovely dinner and drinks while I reflected on a very busy, information-filled few days.  There is a lot of preparation ahead, but this is a life-changing journey that will be well worth the work!

Day 3 in DC - 2/18/12

All of the TGC participants have been anxiously awaiting today's workshops.  We knew we would be in our travel cohorts and hear more about the specifics of our travel.  We learned a little more about Indonesia and my questions were overwhelming.  I started a list so as not to overwhelm the speaker.  As I watched those around me, I could see they shared my curiousity/panic.  At least there was comfort knowing I wasn't alone.

We were fortunate enough to meet Augustina, a teacher from Indonesia, who shared a great deal about Indonesia and then answered our endless questions.  Augustina was lovely in every way and immediately made me feel excited about the people I would be meeting.  Her warmth and charm made me smile throughout her presentation. 

As we moved on to the questions, I continued to smile but some uncertainty started to enter my mind.  Thoughts of limited/spotty connection via email/Skype/phone calls home, discreet meals during Ramadan, and even "interesting" bathroom experiences temporarily haunted me.  My eyes slowly got bigger and bigger throughout the conversation like it was the first time I truly realized that I would be on the other side of the world. 

By the time we left, I was a little more knowledgeable about Indonesia.  I knew we would spend three days in Jakarta at the beginning of our trip and at the end of our trip.  We would also be partnered and traveling to a more rural area to spend a week in a local school.  Beyond this, not much specific information about our trip.  We are low priority since our group is the last to depart (some groups leave in two weeks!).

A little overwhelmed, I left the workshop taking deep breaths and finding comfort with some of my new colleagues/friends.  It was time to hit the town!

Deanna and I decided to punish our feet again and made our way to the Library of Congress, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian (Art, Natural History).  We also braved the Metro again and had a fabulous meal at Matchbox (accompanied by my new friend Jennifer).  Overall, a fantastic, busy day!

Day 2 in DC - 2/17/12

Not a lot of time to play today!  We were booked from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.!  It was very exciting to share ideas with my new colleagues and to learn a little more about where we are headed.  Although exhausted from a long day filled with a lot of information, Deanna and I decided to head out to explore DC at night.

Not wasting a moment, we decided to see as much as possible on foot.  It was truly a "monumental" adventure as we hit the Washington monument, WWII memorial, Lincoln monument, Korean memorial, MLK memorial, FDR memorial, George Mason memorial, and the Jefferson monument!  What a full evening!  (My feet hurt!)

Lincoln Memorial

Day 1 in DC - 2/16/12

After a long red-eye, we finally arrived in DC at 6 am.  The biggest surprise was that the hotel allowed us to check in.  A little sleep was exactly what I needed since I didn't get much on the plane.  The rest was brief because I had made arrangements for the day.  Thanks to Congressman Herger's office, we had an appointment at the White House and the Capitol.  (Okay, maybe not an "appointment" but a "tour".)

My assistant principal - Deanna (who joined me for the symposium) and I found some energy and headed for the White House.  We were told to be there 15 minutes before our tour time, but arrived to a massive line.  We watched the school children in uniforms ahead of us.  [Note this as it will come up again later.]  We also noted the heavy security, dogs, secret service, and multiple check-points.  All to be expected.

At last it was our turn!  We entered the White House in awe.  Pictures of President Obama with his family and others lined the walls where we entered.  At this point I was certain that the President and/or his lovely wife would be coming to speak with me soon.  Just as we were about to move forward, we were instructed to (actually, yelled at) to move back against some doors.  Secret service agents came flooding in.  Word quickly spread: Mrs. Obama was going down the hall to her office.  We waited impatiently for a glimpse, a hello, anything!  After some time, we were instructed to move.  She was safely in her office.  The moment was gone.  I could hear a couple of children in our group begging an agent to see her.  "Pleeeeeaaaaasssssseeeeee."  I wanted to join in.

Our tour was lovely.  We walked through beautiful hallways, a ballroom, the red, green, and blue rooms.  We even saw the media taking down their cameras from where they had filmed Mrs. Obama just minutes before.  Ugh.  That hurt.

When the tour was done, I thought Mrs. Obama would come running out to say goodbye.  Instead, we were simply escorted (yes, escorted) off of the White House grounds.  Those secret service men sure are grumpy. :)

It wasn't until that evening that I discovered my inlaws were watching the news and saw that Mrs. Obama HAD come out and talked with a tour group.  Remember the uniformed school children?!  Of course!  I was minutes away from THE moment.  I'm still weeping.


We went on to have a wonderful personal tour of the Capitol by two of Herger's interns.  These "kids" did a great job and we got to take underground tunnels because of their clearance as well as see a few things that were not on a typical tour.  I was very impressed with their knowledge and willingness to teach us.

We had to hurry back to the hotel to get ready for the start of the TGC (Teachers for Global Classrooms) dinner.  It was nice to start to meet some of my colleagues.  Teachers from all over the country anxiously discussed where we were headed.  And so begins the journey!

Up and running!

I'm only a few days away until I leave for the pre-symposium in DC.  I'm very excited!  I have lots of packing to do as I'm staying a few extra days.  I was able to arrange for a White House tour and a Capitol Building tour the day we arrive.  Is it sad that I fantasize that President Obama is going to come down and invite me up for lunch and ask me questions about the state of education?!  Just in case, I am prepared.

I am anxious to meet my colleagues from all over the nation and find out more about what our summer experience will entail.  I'm thrilled that my assistant pincipal is accompanying me, especially after reviewing our symposium agenda.  I hope she finds this as valuable as I do.

I hope to utilize this blog as much as possible throughout my experience in preparing for the journey, while in Indonesia, and once I return and reflect.  I know this is an opportunity of a lifetime and can't wait to see how this changes me as an educator and person.