State 3/50 "West Virginia, Mountain Mama, Take me Home Country Roads."

West Virginia: A second home. Seeing as half of the entire state is related to me, I have been there many times. At least twice a year, sometimes more. And I love everything about it...that is, except for the windy, hilly roads which don't agree with my stomach very well (however, I have even learnt to cherish that, a little).

This trip for Christmas we were able to make a stop at Marshall University, which is not far from where my grandparents live.

 Marshall University was named after Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (served 1801-1835). It was founded in 1937 as Marshall Academy, chartered as Marshall College in 1858, established as a state-supported institution in 1867, and granted university status in 1961.




However, Marshall University is probably more recognizable by the movie featured it, which came out in 2006. Starring Matthew McConaughey [or should I say 'McConaughottie'?] and Matthew Fox, the plot is "When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team's new coach and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive." This movie is based on a true story.

Now what you might not know is that the stadium they filmed part of it at was actually not at MU. The field (named Fairfield Stadium) that the team originally played on was demolished in early 2004 and replaced by the Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The scenes of the movie that needed the Fairfield Stadium were then filmed at a stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, which resembles the Fairfield Stadium. Fun little fact for ya :o)

The Keith Albee, the movie theater which featured in the film.

Me and a few of my siblings that were with me today :).

I do expect to be back in WV soon :)






And remember: we are -MARSHALL!

State 2/50 Michigan "We need to continue to make the case that Michigan is where you ought to be. "

What an incredible trip! So, some of the people that we met in Scotland last year (and that DRAMA, the ministry I'm a part of, met two years before then) came here!! It was *so* great to see them again. Especially the girls I've gotten really close with after being there with them.
So, while they were here, we had sort of a "reversed mission trip" where we gave them some mime practice and experience miming in front of people! It will be so good for their group that they've started this past year!
  Here are some photos!

Lake Michigan! While we were visiting Muskegon. 

Two of my 4 fantastic Scottish friends that came :). (I realized that Muskegon looks so much like Canada! Or at least the part of Canada [Ontario] that I've seen. The trees, and weather, and big black squirrels ;) )

 










Lucy and me. Lucy is one of the sweetest girls I met in Scotland. I am so lucky to have her as a friend.

 Left: The team & the girls from Muskegon
 Below: The team along with some awesome peeps from New Tribes Bible Institute. Yes, we are really that crazy in real life.

Our director's sister is attending New Tribes at the moment. We were able to present at her church, and stay at the institute. They were so kind as to host us, and everyone there was so welcoming! It is awesome to see people training others up in the way of missions.

A few photos of us mimes:

Teaching a Workshop

Lastly, dear Michigan: Thank you for sharing your beautiful state with me :).

State 1/50 -New York! "It couldn't have happened anywhere but little old New York."

Heyy friends! As I've mentioned before, I went to many different places in NY (including Thousand Islands, Watertown, Corning, NYC, and a few others), and to Niagara Falls, Canada. It was a blast! Here are some photos from it :)

in NYC, in front of the Radio City Music Hall. (Didn't actually go in there, but I did visit the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, and part of Times Square). NYC is so incredible. So different from where I live. The buildings are all so tall, and there are so many different people everywhere. And that's what I loved. Though being a tourist myself, I love to be in places where there are a lot of tourists. I could just sit there and watch people for hours. Every person is so different, there are so many characters. In the span of this week I have at least seen Chinese, English, Hispanics, Japanese, Australians, French, German, and Italians -not to mention the many different people of the United States! How much of variety and creativity does my God have :)!

I loved NY so much. Can't wait to go back :) <3  9/6/11

Boldt Castle located on Heart Island in Thousand Islands. Beautiful place :) Also, funny story: I was sitting on the ferry with two of my sisters when randomly a young Asian man (excuse my politically-incorrectness, but that's what he was) came up and asked if he could take a picture with me. I was kind of confused but was like, "Uh, sure!" Figured it couldn't do any harm :P But a little after we landed on Heart Island, I passed by him again. He was like, "Hi!" and I was like, "Hey!" I'm pretty sure we were 'buddy-buddies'. ("The Wedding Planner" quote ;P). Haha, so there's my story!   9/4/11

Corning Museum of Glass. This place was actually really interesting. I liked it a lot. My favorite part was definitely the glass blowing demonstration. It was really probably one of the most hypnotizing things I've seen. Watching his hands, how they were constantly spinning his stick -they were so gentle and smooth. I don't know why I thought it was so beautiful, but it was. It was almost like watching a dance. (=     9/2/11

Country 1 -God Bless America, but God help Canada to put up with them!

Canada. (Not the first time I've been out of country, but since I've started this, yes.) Visiting Ontario while on our NY trip.

We saw the Falls from just about every angle possible. And it never got old.

-Our bedroom window, a helicopter, the Skylon Tower, and "Journey Behind the Falls."

This was our crew:












This was my tour-bus buddy (:  He and his parents were pretty awesome.

Butterfly Conservatory                                                                                            Beautiful Creatures

Niagara Whirlpool.


Canada. Such an incredible country. The people are so sweet, and even if they aren't, they're still polite. I'm not quite sure where the U.S. would be without Canada. They are our best friend. We have many similarities, and yet many differences. Especially as we've been dealing with the remembrance of 9/11, they have been so encouraging and supportive. We think highly of you guys, and so glad to be your neighbor, friend, and brother.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Must Begin with a Single Step

Here it begins: my adventures.
Well... the recording of my adventures, anyway. If only I had started it sooner.
Now, this blog is more for my sake than for yours. To record my adventures, to journal my travels. But I'm happy to share them with you :)! And I always welcome thoughts and comments.

So follow my red ribbon here -it will be in each one of my photos (.....hopefully)!
Heading off on a new adventure to NY and Canada with my grandfather and two of my sisters. Can't wait!