Saturday, June 28, 2008

Mo Yt 2 Dc 08

Good Afternoon Missouri! I just got up like an hour ago and i was thinking this blog needed a new post. The thought that has been on my mind the last day or so is just how much change and growth we all got on this tour. We didnt just have fun and meet new people. We all learned things about ourselves and I do believe almost everyone gained a new confidence and strength with themselves. We were constantly doing things and meeting new people. Meeting so many new people while trying to get little pins from other states allowed us to break ice barriers that normally would have stopped us. The tour helped us develop so many social and emotional skills. We faced things on this tour that made us all bond together such as a member or two getting sick, storms halting our plans, and many many blonde ditzy moments that we just turned into inside jokes. The part of the tour that probably really changed me is pictured above. Mike Schlappi and his keynote speech really touched me. All the points and analogies he made were exactly what i needed to hear. He truly was an amazing guy and talked on changing the way we think to becoming better members of society. He talked on helping people and facing our inner "bullets" and not passing blame. I really look up to Mike and i got lucky to have a picture with such and amazing individual. Oh yeah Missouri our mascot is in the picture!! Anyway I know for myself personally i grew up and matured on this trip. I saw many people who had rough lives and strange circumstances and it made me see just how blessed i was and how blessed others were. I realized this world is full of people who face trials everyday so that others dont have to. Going to Arlington Cemetary showed me all i say and do is not free and was born from the blood of so many patriots. I know that this trip was the most fun i have had but it also was the most inspiring and life changing trip i have been on. I thank all who made it possible and i pray that we all see each other again someday.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

It's all good!

I wanted to say thank you for a fantastic trip to Washington, D.C. It was an honor to go as a chaperone for such a great group of young adults. When we went to Capitol Hill, our group met with Ike Skelton and he said, "If you want to be a success, make your parent's proud." I would have to say that each delegate did just that. These young adults showed respect, responsibility and wonderful character. What a treat to be able to spend time with them!

To the other chaperones, what a ride! I'm so glad to have made such great new friends and truly enjoyed our time together. Mike, Christian and Nikki--you did a great job putting this together. Mike, you have a gift for these young people. The Pentagon has a whole new meaning for me! It was just a wonderful experience all around. As Mr. D would say, "It's all GOOD!"

Monday, June 23, 2008

Time of our Lives


So i blogged only 2 days ago but still this trip meant the world to me.... i cant help talking about it! I have to say some of the most fun i ever had was at the Orioles game or maybe possibly just chilling in the hotel because my favorite part of the whole tour was the people i met and the lifelong friends created! I dont know about the each member but i felt a bond with almost everyone the second i met them or hung out with them. I may not have been great with names but i tried my hardest to make everyones trip a little brighter... I loved the cruise, the dance, Wednesday night, Orioles game and just about everything on this trip. There never was a dull moment....well maybe a couple but the trip was so full of things to do we never had time to really dwell on things or think. We constantly went from amazing tour and hilarious moment to the another. The picture above is from Wednesday night dance during "Can you Feel The Love Tonight?" when we all joined hands and danced in massive circle singing at the top of our lungs heh and as you can see Buddy Bear was right there with us just like he was everywhere else

Orioles or Dance? Orioles or Dance?

Well...they told us to blog and vote in the poll for our favorite moment, and for me it was a toss up between to of the choices. The Orioles game was awesome. We all had a great time. We cheered, we laughed, some of us even cried (Alex!). It was so much fun. Now if we could just get all 94 of us shuttled up to Busch Stadium and cheer for the Cards the same way.

The second thing was the Wednesday night dance. That was so much fun. No one was shy or reserved in showing off their dance moves. It was a time to get to know everyone even better than we already did.

So these were my favorite experiences on "The Trip of a Lifetime". What was yours?
HEY MISSOURI!
(hearing Hey Mike's all across the state...) Welcome back! I want to take a little time and thank some people who made the 2008 Youth Tour an amazing trip. First, the chaperones that helped to keep everyone safe. They walked their leggs off, stayed up late, woke up early, ate fast food, helped kids, numbered off, and always kept a smile on. The trip could not be done without you. Thanks for the sacrifice of time away from family, to help with the Youth Tour family. A couple special thank yous....Jason - thanks for making this blog happen. You spent extra time and extra late nights to upload photos and find people to type stuff on here - you are THE MAN! Christian, thanks for all the "behind the scenes" planning and helping me - you are THE WOMAN!

Next - thanks to 84 of the coolest, brightest, smartest, funest, most talented , respectful youth I have ever met! You all are what makes the the trip come alive. You guys were a wonderful group to work with, and I will miss seeing you and hearing you number off. Please keep in touch.

Last - thanks to the Electric Cooperatives of Missouri! They make this trip a reality. They promote it, visit schools, and provide the financial means. Please know that this trip makes a difference in the lives of the youth in your community.

Again, thanks to everyone for an AMAZING trip to Washington, D.C.!

Mike