I know, I know

Things have gotten hectic once again - and not to mention now, during our time off we are constantly tempted by the beautiful spring weather and Florida sunshine....it always seems to sound much better than computering. Last time I wrote I was sitting in a library and now I am sitting in the Freedom Villiage senior living center in Bradenton, FL. Since my last post we have hit two college towns - Florida State University and University of Florida, rivals! That by the way remind me  very much of the rivalry between MSU and U of M...interestinggggg. I only experienced FSU nightlife though which I can attest to being great. You cannot beat a $10 wrist band that covers your drinks all night long. This was also the night that Teele and I ate McDonalds...TWICE - enough said. We also visited Waculla Springs with our hosts in Tallahassee....A beautiful natural spring and nature preserve where you can take a boat tour and observe incredible animals in their natural habitats including alligators, a variety of tropical birds, BIG turtles, and the famous gentle giants: Manatees.

We then stayed in Micanopy, Florida in the most amazing house I've ever been in. All five of us got to stay together with our awesome host Jeff. We fell in love with the home and grounds which they also use sometimes to host events such as retreats and weddings - you can see pictures at www.baylaurel.biz. CHECK IT OUT! It is unbelievable. Although we had a crazy busy schedule during our stay there - our time we could be at home felt like we were in a relaxation oasis. Also while there, Zuly and I attended a lecture with Jeff given by a journalism professor at U of F. The title of the lecture was along the lines of  "Living in a world of anti-social social media". It was very interesting to me to notice the difference in opinions in generations in regards to the benefits and disadvantages of the internet and social media. I'm sure you can tell by the title of the lecture what the main idea was - very interesting indeed.

After Micanopy we had a short journey to Gainesville where I met my future self in my host. I stayed with Jean and Tony, and Jean my host mother is absolutely gorgeous in her 70's, she and Tony were full of life and personality, they had a beautiful home and two rightfully spoiled mancoon cats...I couldn't have enjoyed myself more with them and  I can only hope in my future I am as much like Jean as possible - if you read this, you are my new real-life idol!! :)

The singers and I have visited many more high school's than usual, recently it seems - which has been a refreshing change. That was a random insert, but I wasn't quite sure where to mention it although I know I needed to.

So now we are two days back at work - before this the singers and I enjoyed 7 exquisite days off on beautiful and historic St. Augustine....Am I making it sound too good to be true?...it was!!!! We spent a lot of time on the beach...yes I am tan! One of our hosts was a marine biologist at Marine Land and she was able to get us passes to go visit and meet the dolphins there...magnificent animals, they truly are...and so cute! We took a trolley tour of St. Augustine and saw Fort Matanzas, and we also received special passes for a Freedom Trail tour that focused on the history of The Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine which was extremely interesting! We saw many homes where Martin Luther King Jr. stayed for example, and one of the places he was arrested as well as the homes of many other key name in American Black History. We also enjoyed a few fun nights out with a variety of live music and dancing - and the gorgeous weather just tied it all together perfectly, like a bright pink bow!

Now we are trying to get back into the working swing - oy vey. It is 8:00p.m. now and I left the house this morning to begin pick ups at 6:30a.m.and it started out as a rough morning...with the wrong address and a slightly unexpected 3 hour program...but throughout the day...aside from being utterly exhausted, things have gotten better and tomorrow, we have another day off! Woo hoo!

My parents are in the process of moving out of their house back at home and thankfully moving my stuff along with them for now for me...I know they are feeling the stress and pressure of moving and organizing and I wish I could be there to help! Love you guys...keep your chins up! I am really missing my parents, and my dog :( And also job hunting for after the tour has had me stressed in recent weeks....but other than that life is good :)

Also I just found out that after the tour I will be able to go and visit The Netherlands and a few other places in Europe thanks to Mr. Kevin Groothuizen!!! I will be overseas in 57 days folks, and I am completely ECSTATIC!! Thank you Kevin!!!!! :-D Can't wait!

Well that is the best recap I can do for now on the past few weeks in which I have totally slacked on my updates here...we will be enjoying the Florida sunshine for about another week and a half and visit Disney World on Sunday! Yay! After Florida we will head to the nations capitol, Washington D.C. which I am also really looking forward too!

Tata for now! Love, Jackie