Finding Inspiration on my iPhone!

As my departure date comes closer and closer, I can barely contain my excitement.  I will be working at Boot (pronounced Bo-at) National High School with a physics teacher in Tanauan City, Batangas, Philippines.  I'll spend June 5-10 in Manila, June 11-20 in Tanauan City, and June 21-22 in Manila.  I am most looking forward to...everything!  As I was scrolling through my phone this afternoon I came across a few songs that give me inspiration as I set out on this amazing journey.

"Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw

The first time I heard this song, it brought tears to my eyes.  His words are so powerful and spoke to me as I embark on this amazing journey.  As I am experiencing the Philippines in a few short weeks, I will remember the words of this song.

"I Lived" by One Republic

This song holds a special place in my heart.  It came out not long after I had finished a very challenging school year.  The lyrics resonated with me because I realized I had lost myself in the stress and frustration of the year and I forgot to live.  I told myself I would never make that mistake again, in fact, a combination of this song and my 2014-15 AP HuG class is the reason I applied for the TGC program!

"Try Everything" by Shakira

This song is self-explanatory.  I'll just have to remind myself of this song when it comes to the more exotic foods of the Philippines. ;)

"Back Home" by Andy Grammar

No matter where I go in the world, home will always be the best!

You Can and You Will!

I have definitely been slacking in my blogging duties over the past month.  It's not that I didn't have anything else to say about my impending trip to the Philippines, it's that life keeps interferring with my blogging time.
Keegan and Kaitlin decided that their Destination Imagination team was going to place 2nd in Maryland and qualify for the Global Finals in Tennessee at the end of May.  I was, and continue to be, so proud of their accomplishments, but a trip to Tennessee less than a week before I leave for the Philippines was not in my plans.  I should also throw in the fact that we had to raise $10,000 in less than a month to get us there was also something that was not in my plans.  Life has a funny way of doing this kind of stuff to me!

When faced with these kind of challenges, my initial reaction is to feel completely overwhelmed and question if I can do it.  Can I take off the time from school to go to Tennessee?  Can I send my kids to Tennessee with people who for the most part are essentially strangers?  Can we actually raise $10,000 to get the kids to Tennessee?  Can I go to Tennessee and within a week of getting back leave for the Philippines?  As I was asking myself these and many other question, I remembered a gift that I had been given recently by my best friend, Emily.  It was a simple gift, but with a very powerful message that I needed to be reminded of in my time of self-doubt.

Sometimes, your friends know you better that you know yourself!  I keep this coin with me and it will be going to the Philippines in June.  It will serve as a reminder in my times of self-doubt that I can do it, regardless of what "it" is that I am facing.  It is important when you are setting off on a new adventure to believe in yourself and your ability to handle anything life throws your way. :) 

P.S.  I am going to TN with my kids, we did raise $10,000 in 4 weeks, and I'll leave for the Philippines less than a week from getting back Tennessee!