In my search for a way to include my family, friends, co-workers and students on my summer adventure, I found that a blog made the most sense. I will be the first to admit, I am not really a blogger, but I'm so excited that I'm willing to give it a try!
For those of you that don't know, I have been attending Florida State University the last two summers to get my Masters of Music Education. I will be finished with my studies this August after spending this summer, my third summer, in London. What started out as a scholastic endeavor has morphed into a journey I never could have predicted.
The last day of the school year for students is June 8th. I leave for New York City the morning of the 9th packed for my 6 weeks in London. I am a proud member of the Festival Singers of Florida, and our first tour is the first leg of my trip. After some wonderful performing experiences, typical tourism behavior and visiting with friends, I will be leaving from there to head to London on the 14th to meet my brother, Hans. We plan to spend a fair amount of time exploring London (which is new for both of us) and then my awesome, history-buff of a brother will take me around one of his most beloved cities from his travels, Berlin.
Eventually, the purpose for my trip comes about when Hans heads back to the states and it's time to get to work. I am a big fan of school, so I'm very much looking forward to my time with two amazing professors, Dr. Andre Thomas and Dr. Clifford Madsen. In between their time with us in London, we have week to travel and weekends off. I'm hoping to get to Ireland and Scotland for the week, and I can only imagine where the weekends may take me. I have learned about so many people that I could have the privilege of running into across the pond that I'd like to leave a little bit to chance.
Once I have achieved my official status as a Master Teacher, I get to spend the last two weeks of my time abroad with my family in Canada. On the last day of July, I will fly through NYC to Montreal to get in a car to drive up to Hudson. I will FINALLY get to see Aunt Helen and Uncle Gordie on their side of the border.
I haven't quite wrapped my mind around all of it, but I know that it will be amazing! Just writing it all out is a bit overwhelming, but in the way that a child anticipates Christmas morning, so that's good.
