5 Weeks WHAT!?

CRAZY…only five more weeks before I embark on the first overseas trip of my life.  I cannot wait to share this experience with everyone else that is going.  Seriously….it’ll be such a great time seeing their excitement for the world during the trip.  Getting to see this is what I am most excited about.   I’m excited to be in a place rich with history.  A country that is close to 900 years old; such a hard thing to fathom. I’m excited to experience this trip with some of my closest friends.    Today, Marc and Allison presented about Polish Cuisine.  SOOOO GOOD! I cannot wait to go chow down on some tasty potato dumplings.   It’ll be an amazing experience all the way around. -Wes 

Chiclets ROCK!

First of all, I would just like to say that Chiclets (as in the gum) are ReAlLy GoOd!

Moving On!

So, Marc and I gave our presentation on Polish food in class today, and we totally ROCKED IT! Ha-ha!He’s a genius when it comes to the whole PowerPoint thing.

Also, I found out today that we have a little bit more than 5 weeks before we LEAVE for Poland…….it’s almost here!I still feel like the alarm clock should be going off any time now!

I think what I’m looking forward to the most is seeing everything. The countryside, the towns, the village, everything. I mean, I have a picture in my head of what I THINK it will look like.I can’t stop thinking of ONE word. One word to describe the whole of Poland. MAJESTIC.

Maybe it’s just me….but when I think of the Polish villages, towns, countryside, and even the people, I can’t help but think of that word: Majestic.I don’t know! It could be completely different once I actually see it, but for right now, Poland IS Majestic.

Majesty. Nobility. Royalty. I can’t wait to see these things firsthand. Somehow I know that this trip….this amazing adventure….is going to change my life forever.And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Yours Truly,

–Allison–

 

Our classes have started, we’ve received our passports, groups are working on their assignments, and I still can’t believe we are going to Poland in five weeks. YAY!In preparation for our trip, we had a couple of history professors visit with us to discuss the history of Poland and her people.  I am easily impressed, but I find historians  to be some of the most amazing people.  I am overwhelmed with all they know and the passion they share with others.  Mind you, I have only studied American history and some Texas history in high school, so when Dr. Clark shared the history of Poland I was in awe.  The Polish history has such deep roots and pride that is carried generation to generation.  The university that we will be staying at has existed before North America was even discovered!In learning all of this I find myself envious of Poland’s children and their compassion for their culture that has existed for hundreds of years.   ~Alyson

A Whole New Look on Poland

In the past, my first thoughts about traveling Poland were simple.  What am I to expect there?……..Different sites, different people, different language, and unheard accents.  I guess I kept my thoughts simple since I have never traveled outside the country before.  I did some research during the holidays, but I mostly researched Poland in present day.  So all my expectations about going to Poland were becoming exactly how I pictured it.  Yet, little did I know about their unique history!After Dr. Clark’s lecture of Poland’s history this past Monday, I was AMAZED!!  I had no idea!  I almost went through the first surprise of finding out I’m going to Poland again.  Learning about their background and unique culture from Dr. Clark was very interesting.  I also knew about the pilgrimage sites of Pope John Paul II, but I had no idea how much history Poland had with Roman Catholicism.  I’m really looking forward into visiting the pilgrimage sites and Church Cathedrals.  It’s going to be very exciting to learn more about the roots and background of Catholicism in Poland.  Just a few more weeks!!……..-Ricky

A Trip Back into Time…

 Think about this: majestic castles, Kings and Nobles, glorious breath-taking churches. Now think about this: ghettos, box cars, concentration camps.Poland is rich with history just waiting to be explored. I never realized such a little country could carry so many memories.  Before Monday, I was excited about reliving the history of Poland, but after Dr. Clark and Dr. Shaffer spoke to us I am chomping at the bit! Poland is rich in culture and adventure. Unlike Americans who know so little about our own country’s history, the Polish pass down the history. They tell their children and are very proud of their heritage and the time when they were a mighty country. I am extremely proud to be an American and would choose nothing else, but I admit that the knowledge of my country’s history doesn’t stretch as far as it should. I feel that not only will I become saturated in and learn Poland’s historical stories, but will also learn some lessons of my own that deal with MY country.-CcCarter