Today, we farewell our wonderful hosts here in D7690 North Carolina and begin the next chapter in this life-changing Rotary GSE story. It is with mixed emotions that we depart - sadness in saying goodbye to so many who have done so much for us, excitement for many of the team as we soon meet up with loved ones we have not seen for 5 weeks, anticipation for Mel and Helen as they continue their international adventure, regret that the team has to split up and this wonderful cultural and vocational experience must end, but confident that we have established strong ties between our districts, states and countries, achievement of TRF goals and that this is just the beginning of much more future Rotary fellowship. We have learned so much about each other's countries, culture, history, economies, institutions and vocations, but we can continue to learn and understand more.
Thank you Chris, Jo, Steve, Mel and Helen for being the 'Dream Team from Downunder'. It has been an honour and privelege to lead you. I felt very proud to stand with you on the Rotary stage.
Thank you to DG Mike, Cookie, Mitzi, area coordinators Ann, Doug, Vana, Ashley, Rick, Larry (and Cookie again), hosts, drivers and all of the wonderful Rotary friends and friends of Rotary who have so generously made this an unforgettable experience. Thank you to the Rotary Foundation for making it happen. I hope The Future Vision model does allow this very successful educational program to continue in some form.
I look forward to seeing y'all downunder sometime. We are only a short hop acros the Pacific. "The porch light is always on!"
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The last days
Well we have spent the last days of our exchange in Ashville at District Conference. We were staying in the Grove Park in, the same that President Obama was holidaying at the same resort. There were some sightings but noone in the team got to speak with him. We did however make friends with some US Secret Service Agents over a few drinks on Friday night at the bar.
The conference was a big sucess, we completed out last presentation flawlessly and it was a big hit. We conducted a ANZAC service on Sunday and raised well over $1000 with the auctions, and two-up. We had a number of dinners, visited Biltmore House and got to meet and relax with the USA GSE Team.
But the time has come and has also gone. We are all back with our hosts for our last night in the USA. Although i am so very excited to get back home and see my beautiful wife and meet my new son in a coulple of weeks, i am so very sad to leave this area and especially leave my team.
We have all grown very close and have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. I have also made friends over here that i also know will last a lifetime and the whole experience has been one that will shape and alter my life forever.
To everyone who had any part to play in this exchange, i cannot thank you enough. To my team, Mel, Jo, Chris, Helen and Tony, thank you all as well. We really did make a great team and you helped to make the exchange as memorable as it was.
Mel and Helen, enjoy your travels in the USA and be safe. Feel free to call in at Kyogle on your way home for a Coffee when you return and meet little Ryan.
The conference was a big sucess, we completed out last presentation flawlessly and it was a big hit. We conducted a ANZAC service on Sunday and raised well over $1000 with the auctions, and two-up. We had a number of dinners, visited Biltmore House and got to meet and relax with the USA GSE Team.
But the time has come and has also gone. We are all back with our hosts for our last night in the USA. Although i am so very excited to get back home and see my beautiful wife and meet my new son in a coulple of weeks, i am so very sad to leave this area and especially leave my team.
We have all grown very close and have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. I have also made friends over here that i also know will last a lifetime and the whole experience has been one that will shape and alter my life forever.
To everyone who had any part to play in this exchange, i cannot thank you enough. To my team, Mel, Jo, Chris, Helen and Tony, thank you all as well. We really did make a great team and you helped to make the exchange as memorable as it was.
Mel and Helen, enjoy your travels in the USA and be safe. Feel free to call in at Kyogle on your way home for a Coffee when you return and meet little Ryan.
Our Last Day
Tomorrow it is all over, GSE 2010 North Carolina, has come and gone. Can you believe it? To everyone who had some part in making this happen, Thank you. The experience has impacted my life in a fabulous way.
I am truly humbled by the hospitality we have been shown. I have met some fantastic people who have inspired me to make a difference in the world.
You cannot easily explain the GSE experience. It is a unique, interesting and life changing experience. The skills we have gained on GSE are skills that will impact our lives forever. They are not just of a vocational or cultural nature they are also of a personal nature.
The friendships formed are life long and you become so close to your team mates they are like family.
To Jo, Steve, Chris, Helen and Tony thank you I will miss you. How will I know what to wear when I am travelling?
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
I am truly humbled by the hospitality we have been shown. I have met some fantastic people who have inspired me to make a difference in the world.
You cannot easily explain the GSE experience. It is a unique, interesting and life changing experience. The skills we have gained on GSE are skills that will impact our lives forever. They are not just of a vocational or cultural nature they are also of a personal nature.
The friendships formed are life long and you become so close to your team mates they are like family.
To Jo, Steve, Chris, Helen and Tony thank you I will miss you. How will I know what to wear when I am travelling?
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A British twist
It has been an interesting twist to the trip - and almost like being at home - to stay with Jill and Terry, two expatriot Brits, who keep serving me meat and three vegetables and gave me some of their vegemite for breakfast! We have also been able to compare our cultures three ways for a few days. We are looking forward to the trip to Grove Park together.
It looks like my number one goal to milk a cow whilst on GSE is not going to come true, but I'll suck up my dissapointment as the Rotary Clubs have done such a great job. The people I have met have been inspiring. As William Wickliffe (NCA&T) said today if only we could have more time together (just another half hour would have got us there)!
It looks like my number one goal to milk a cow whilst on GSE is not going to come true, but I'll suck up my dissapointment as the Rotary Clubs have done such a great job. The people I have met have been inspiring. As William Wickliffe (NCA&T) said today if only we could have more time together (just another half hour would have got us there)!
Wednesday and Thursday
Well Wednesday saw us leave the beautiful Troy area of NC and again say goodbye to our host families that we have come to get so close to. After a visit to the Indian Mounds and Community College, we made our last GSE presentation to a crowd of over 100 Rotarians. And i must say...We nailed it!!!.
After this we were collected from Ashboro and driven to Greensboro where we were met by our new host families and given the afternoon off. While some went to the movies, shopping and all sorts of other activities, others stayed at home, did some laundry and went out for dinner.
On Thursday, we spent the morning touring the Proximity Hotel (A very enviromentally friendly and Leeds Certified Hotel) and the International Civil Rights Museum. Both were very interseting and amazing to see.
After a lunch and a brief shopping stop, we went to an Ag College and a Dairy Farm where unfortunatly, Helen again did not get to milk a cow. Though we did see alot and saw the Dairy, but were on a time budget which did not allow the milking to begin in time.
Tommorrow we make the early trip to Ashville where we all hope we will get to see President Obama whilst he is on Vocation also.
After this we were collected from Ashboro and driven to Greensboro where we were met by our new host families and given the afternoon off. While some went to the movies, shopping and all sorts of other activities, others stayed at home, did some laundry and went out for dinner.
On Thursday, we spent the morning touring the Proximity Hotel (A very enviromentally friendly and Leeds Certified Hotel) and the International Civil Rights Museum. Both were very interseting and amazing to see.
After a lunch and a brief shopping stop, we went to an Ag College and a Dairy Farm where unfortunatly, Helen again did not get to milk a cow. Though we did see alot and saw the Dairy, but were on a time budget which did not allow the milking to begin in time.
Tommorrow we make the early trip to Ashville where we all hope we will get to see President Obama whilst he is on Vocation also.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
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