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Ron Clark Academy

Trip of a Lifetime

The traveling Aggie's graduation trip is AMAZING and I am dying to go. However, there is one catch. My mom has said I can go IF I live at home next semester and save $4,000 I'll be paying for an apartment. It is 25 days and looks absolutely AMAZING. I am currently trying to get Morgan, Brenna and Sabrina to go with me on it. It is from May 25-June 18th.
Here is a map of the countries we would be visiting!! It is all over Europe.

Tell me does this not sound amazing!!! (Copied from the itinerary they give you)

LONDON:

Day 1: Fly overnight into London

Day 2: Free afternoon, followed by our welcome orientation, London Pub Crawl and dinner.

Day 3: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus: these familiar names become familiar places on our morning tour. Afternoon at leisure, take in the city’s monuments or embark on a Harrod’s shopping spree. Why not attend a West End theater show tonight?

PARIS

Day 4: Travel to southeast England today and board our ship to the continent. Motor through northern France and arrive in Paris, “City of Lights.” We’ll dine together at our French Bistro Dinner, then enjoy our romantic Seine River Cruise.

Day 5: Morning tour of Paris, see the hunchback “Quasimodo’s” Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood, and the Eiffel Tower’s steel lacework. Free time in the afternoon – visit Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum, or shop the chic boutiques of Paris. Optional Cabaret Show tonight.

Day 6: Enjoy the next day at leisure, browsing at left bank bookstalls or sampling sinful pastries. (Some of the activites they sugest: Consider taking the train to Versailles on one of your free days. The gardens are gorgeous. Consider buying cheese and ham and a beverage of your choice for a picnic lunch or dinner along the Seine River. Pont Neuf is the favorite spot for Parisiens to hang out and people watch.)

BRUSSELS:

Day 7: Motor to Belgium and Brussels, and see the Grand’ Place, a perfect medieval square and the statue of naughty Mennekin-Pis. Our stop allows for enough time to sample the world famous waffles or shop for the delicious Belgian chocolates. Continue to Amsterdam and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

AMSTERDAM:

Day 8: Go biking through 13th-century Dutch fishing villages along the IJssel Lake beaches today, watch wooden shoes being carved and sample Edam cheese at a cheese farm. Free time this afternoon in Amsterdam to tour the Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum, or visit Anne Frank’s house. This evening we invite you on a boat cruise on the canals of Amsterdam followed by our Dutch-Indonesian “Rice Table” dinner.

COLONGE & HEIDELBERG:

Day 9: Cross the German border into Cologne, famous for the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. There is time for a quick lunch before we embark on a cruise along the fabled Rhine River, passing ancient castles, and the legendary Loreley Rock. Continue to Heidelberg, the City of the Student Prince and climb to the ruins of the Castle of the Palatine Elector for a bird’s-eye view of the city and the Neckar River; later we’ll dine on traditional German fare.

BLACK FOREST, RHINE FALLS & SWISS ALPS:

Day 10: Journey south into the mysterious Black Forest. Stop deep in the forest, with free time to watch cuckoo clocks being made, enjoy lunch or try some delicious Black Forest Cake. The Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfalls, come into view as we cross the Swiss border. Our route through Zurich brings us to William Tell Country and the world-famous resort areas surrounding Lucerne.

SWITZERLAND, LUCERENE:

Day 11: Roam the picturesque old town of Lucerne this morning and catch up on your Swiss watch and chocolate shopping. In the afternoon consider taking an excursion up on one of the highest mountains in central Switzerland to enjoy panoramic Alpine views and later our optional Swiss Folklore party dinner.

LIECHTENSTEIN & MUNICH:

Day 12: Ride to the principality of Liechtenstein, the storybook sized “Land of the Privileged Few.” While we stop for a short coffee break in Vaduz, you have views of the breathtaking castle where the wealthy reigning prince still resides. On to the fun-filled Oktoberfest city of Munich. After our authentic Bavarian dinner, check out the oom-pah-pah bands at the famous Hofbräuhaus.

AUSTRIA ALPS

Day 13: This morning, we continue to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace. Explore the narrow streets lined with colorful wrought iron signs and shops before we continue our journey to Europe’s largest alpine sports region. Be our pampered guest for two nights of fitness and fun while nestled in the snow-capped Austrian mountains at our Alpine Center.

Day 14: All day today is at our leisure; go for a hike in the Alps, take a ride on horseback through alpine meadows or join the fun and excitement of whitewater rafting.

VENICE

Day 15: The picturesque landscape of the Austrian Lake District brings us to sunny Italy’s Venice--”Sinking City in the Sea.” Walk to St. Mark’s Square, stop at a Murano glass-blowing workshop and watch famous Venetian glass being made. Join us on a romantic gondola ride this evening gliding through the intricate maze of canals beneath arched bridges passing 12th and 18th-century marble palaces.

FLORENCE

Day 16: Through the fertile Po Valley we approach Florence, Golden City of the Renaissance and birthplace of Michelangelo. Florence Art Tour including the Gates of Paradise, the marble Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and Giotto’s bell tower. Visit the Florentine leather workshop before free time for shopping and museums. Dinner will be at an authentic Florentine trattoria.

ROME

Day 17: Travel past Chianti vineyards along the Highway of the Sun to the Eternal City of Rome. After check-in we have time to relax or explore baroque Rome: Stop to toss three coins in Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon and sample the famous ‘gelati’ ice cream at Piazza Navona.

VATICAN CITY

Day 18: Today’s city tour takes us to the Colosseum, where gladiators were thrown to the lions and the historical ruins of Caesar’s Forum. Then to Vatican City – the world’s smallest state. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica housing Michelangelo’s magnificent “Pieta.” We follow the Via Appia to dinner tonight at our mouth-watering Roman Banquet complete with Italian specialties. On the way back drive by the illuminated monuments hailing from over 20 centuries ago.

SORRENTO

Day 19: Motor through sunny olive groves lining the way south to the Sorrento peninsula. Perched on the cliffs above the blue gulf of Naples, this is where Ulysses resisted the call of the Sirens in Homer’s “Odyssey.” Enjoy a free evening in Sorrento, or join an option to the famous Tarantella Show. The lively performance revolves around the history of the Kingdom of Naples with fabulous costumes, dancing and, of course, the sound of castanets, tambourines and melodies like “O sole Mio” and “Torna a Surriento” (Come back to Sorrento).

POMPEII-OVERNIGHT CRUISE

Day 20: Continue across the Italian ‘boot’ and board our overnight ship to Greece.

ISLE OF POROS

Day 21, 22 & 23: Continue across the Italian ‘boot’ and board our overnight ship to GreecCruising through aquamarine waters, our ship docks at Patras. Motor along the Corinthian Sea across the Peloponnese to Galatas and the island Poros. Relax with three days of living like a Greek god - swim, sunbathe, or take part in optional activities such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, banana-boating or tubing. We invite everyone to our Farewell Toga Party on the last night.

ATHENS

Day 24: In the morning we board our hydrofoil to Athens. See the 2,400-year-old Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Constitution Square. A free afternoon may find us wondering the paths of Plato, Socrates and Sophocles or trying our bargaining skills at the markets of Monastiraki. Enjoy a leisure evening in Athens or follow the sounds of traditional bouzouki music and join our optional Taverna Dinner in the Plaka District - Athen’s oldest neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis.

Day 25: Reluctantly we say farewell to Europe and new-found friends. Jet back home with thoughts of planning the next European Adventure!

Wow- that was long...if you read it all love you! : ) Anyways, I am so excited I just need to find out for sure if I get to go. It is a lot of money but I would never get to go to 11 countries in 25 days again...thats for sure. Sorry this was so long. Tell me what you think... Live at home and go, or live in an apartment and not go....???? Decisions...decisions....

Stay Away From Sonic Burritos!!!

**Update**
Chilli's = not good idea


I figured I should share with you all what a wonderful weekend I had. Friday was great. I had no school and got a lot done. Morgan came over and we not only worked on but finished our science project. I spent the rest of the day cleaning, showering, do the normal Friday activities. Friday night was Nacho Fundraiser for Delta Gamma. I went and worked from 6-7 then met Justin so we could head to the lake for the weekend. I can not tell you how excited I was. We hadn't been to the lake for the weekend since July and it was forecasted to be a beautiful weekend so I knew it would be a great weekend! Anyways, Justin and I head off to the lake but I hadn't eaten dinner so we stopped and got me some food at Sonic. A sausage, egg and cheese burrito to be exact. Wrong choice. We got to the lake, relaxed, watched Casino Royale and all headed to bed. Around 7:30 the next morning I couldn't go back to sleep and felt horrible. I proceeded to throw up and continue to throw up until 4pm. It was horrible. I would sleep for an hour, wake up, throw up and be sick for an hour. So while, everyone else enjoyed the beautiful weather on the golf course I was sick as a dog and layed in bed and the furthest I got was to the bathroom. By Saturday night, I was exhausted and still felt horrible. I went to sleep and slept very nicely all night. Sunday I woke up and felt much better I had a biscuit which kinda settled, but not completely- then just relaxed the rest of the day. I ate some noodles for dinner but they made me feel sick by the time we got in the car to come home. I just couldn't shake it. I came home and showered hoping that would make me feel better. Nope I felt awful again. I didn't even brush my hair, take out my contacts or anything I crawled under my sheets and went to sleep at 9pm. I woke up frequently throughout the night because I felt so horrible but finally was able to get some good sleep and didn't get out of bed until 12:30pm. I still haven't gotten out of bed today. I ate some toast when I woke up and some chicken noodle soup for lunch. I just still feel so weak. Hopefully all this rest will make it better. Today is Block's birthday so we are going to dinner at 8:30 at Chilli's to celebrate the 22 year old! : ) Crazy I feel like we all just turned 21! Not sure exactly what I'll be eating at Chilli's but I am hungry so I'll have to be careful not to overdo it considering tomorrow I've got to go to school, no more sleeping until 12:30!!

***Update on Roy:
As many of you know, Roy has been in the hospital with what they thought was a horrible migraine since Friday night. The doctor was not exactly sure what was happening and at one point thought he was having a brain aneurysm. Thankfully those tests came back negative. They finally (after a number of medicine that didn't work) found a medicine that reduces his headache to manageable. He was released this afternoon and is going to a neurologist that specializes in migraines on Tuesday. I have migraines and I cant imagine the pain he was in because when you get a migraine your world stops so for it be severe enough for them to think his brain was aneurysming I cant imagine.

Proud to be an Aggie, Not a Longhorn

VOMIT!

Classroom Pictures

4th grade classroom

Classroom Picture

Classroom Picture 2Our classroom pumpkin

I cant believe I only have 8 days left in the classroom!

This is Home

This weekend has been full of fun. Friday I went to school and made up last Tuesday. It was a long day but it was Friday- so you cant have that bad of a day. : ) They are having a pumpkin contest for their school and the theme is The Cat in the Hat. My teacher didn't want our pumpkin to be just the cat (which we figured everyone else would do) so we made ours into a fish bowl. She put me in charge of the paint and fish. We painted the bottom of the pumpkin blue and the top white. The kids made some fish that look like Dr. Seuss fish and then we attached them to the pumpkin. I got a blue pipe cleaner and stuck it in the top of the pumpkin then attached one of the fish so it looks like one is jumping out of the bowl. Then to add the finishing touches I painted in some bubbles coming from the fish mouths. It turned out super cute. I didn't have my camera so I will take a picture of it on Tuesday... after school I helped set up the book fair till about 5 then came home since Justin & Carla both were already almost to College Station...For dinner, me, Justin, Kason and Carla all went to Gatti-Town and were fatty's with the pizza buffet. : )

Saturday brought an early morning. Mom and Dad got to the house around 9 and we hurried so we could catch step off. Dad & Justin dropped me, Carla and mom off on the quad while they tired to find somewhere to park. Mom had never been to an Aggie football game let alone step off. We got there just in time. They formed up and the cannon went off. Justin and Dad still hadn't found a parking spot at this point. We headed toward Kyle field to meet Justin & Dad then decided to just head on into the stadium to get our seats. It was much hotter than we all had expected but it was a good game. The Aggie's held their own and went into half time with the lead. However, I don't think they ever came back from half-time because after that it was a downhill spiral.

Gig' em Daddy! (This game was very special to me and my daddy. In 2004, my junior year of high school Dad and I came to the A&M vs Tech football game and I knew then I wanted to go here. So my first Aggie football game was A&M vs Tech with my daddy and now my senior A&M vs Tech game was also with my daddy...very special)

Justin looked purple on his arms as did my shoulders by the time we left. We stayed until the middle of the fourth quarter then headed home. This is me and mom in front of Kyle field waiting for the boys to come and pick us up. Everyone came over after the game. Justin and Kason went and got food for all of us. I was glad that my parents and Justin's family got to interact some more. I love it when we are all together. It seemed like everyone was laughing and having a good time. All the families headed off around 6ish and sadly I passed out shortly after....

This morning I woke up early because I had gone to bed so early. So while everyone was sleeping I snuck away to sit in the Shipley's Donut line for 30 minutes. : ) After we ate we all hung out for a little while before me and Justin got started on the lawn. I mowed and he edged. The yard looks better than it ever has I am pretty sure. Megan and I just went on a mile walk with Pip and Shiloh and they seemed more tired than us by the time we got back. Mom is on her way here now. Justin left a while ago to go get some errands run and do his laundry.

Another week is about to begin, however, Justin isn't on his way back to Dallas right now, he is simply up the road which makes every week from now on not seem that bad : )

Announcing Nala & Rajah...

Announcing Nala & Rajah

Lexie's baby girls.

Nala (the white one) was born before noon today and Raja (black one) was born at 2pm. The disney names were on purpose. : ) Lexie is doing good and the puppies seem to be doing well and getting the nourishment they need. I went over as soon as I got done with class.
I keep thinking back to seven months ago when Pip was that little and fit in my hand, now just his head fits in it. Anyways, I was looking through Pamela's pictures on her computer and found some really cute ones of my baby...thought I would go down memory lane since new babies are here, Pip is no longer the baby.
A few hours old...already loving on Mommy
Pip & Carter in the church at the flower shop
Family Picture: Lexie, Jackson, Pip & CarterCarter & Pip in a flower pot at the flower shopThis is what my little baby looks like now...cute as ever. Gotta love him...