NOTE:  I couldn’t get on the Internet last night.  Yes, I did try the phone line.  Nothing worked.  I gave up in disgust at 11 pm and went to bed.  So , this was written last night and since I am again exhausted tonight, I’ll add pictures tomorrow.

 

I’m tired tonight.  I don’t know why but I feel beat down.  I think it must be the rain.  Regardless of the precipitation, I had a great time.  I live for that stuff.  Princeton was gorgeous.  It made me want to go back to college.  Well, let me clarify that.  I would like to be 20 again and go to college at Princeton if I could have the whole college experience and not have to pay the tuition back in student loans.  I appreciate the chance to browse the shops.  I enjoyed yummy lobster bisque at The Soup Man.  The owner is the one and only Soup Nazi made famous by Seinfeld.  It really was delicious.  I bought a few things for the family and even manage to find a few things that I couldn’t possibly live the rest of my life without.  Oh, I did find that allusive Princeton sign and the guide wasn’t kidding when she said they were kind of lacking in that area.  I walked around a lot of that front campus and I finally found a rather grim sign that really seemed to be for posting notices.  But, hey it was a sign and it said Princeton.

 

Sure we did some educational stuff.  We saw Albert Einstein’s house, and I was really impressed that it hadn’t been made into a museum or some sort of tourist attraction until I found out that it had been stipulated in his will that that sort of thing could never happen.  I guess he was quite astute at knowing the workings of the general public…any opportunity to exploit something or someone for money.

 

The rain kind of dampened the wonderful presentation we received at the Princeton Battlefield, but I was quite impressed by the sheer amount of details the ranger had.  I really do believe he could have given us a play by play if we had asked.  The house was larger than I expected, and I thought the décor was accurate to the period.  I love to decorate (much to my husband’s dismay) and I find it particularly interesting how women of different centuries and countries choose to express themselves domestically.  I think it is very telling of a woman by the detail or lack there of in their home.  Not necessarily saying that it is good or bad, but just that it says something about her. 

 

I really now understand where the saying “you can lose the battle and still win the war” comes from and how true it is.   

Didn’t start as early this morning, but that didn’t make it any easier to get up.  In fact, I was feeling much like the college student that should occupy this dorm…tired!  Regardless, I was excited to explore the vast grounds of Valley Forge.  I am ashamed to admit that I didn’t know the origin of its name and feel relieved to be filled in on that. 

I am glad I am taking this amazing opportunity in my late 20’s ).  Ok…30’s:)  Fine, but I really am 40.  At this age, I appreciate the lectures and storytellers so much more than when my priorities lay elsewhere, even though that very “nice’ soldier would of peaked my interest at any age. 

 I know, I know.  Don’t remind me!

On a more academic note.  I bought the Yankee Doodle  Boy, and I have already started reading it.  It’s great!  Easy read and I think my students would love it.  I’ll try to get a class set with my Scholastic points.  My “OOOH” moment today was when we found out that the handrail in Washington’s Headquarters was orginal.  I ran my hand along it as I slowly climbed the stairs visualizing General George Washington walking ahead of me.  I treasure our ability to imagine.  

Quite often the topic of debate in my classroom is whether a book we have just read is better or worse than the movie that we watch afterwards.  Since most 11 year olds are living for the moment and generally have the attention span of a gnat, the movie often wins out.  But for those few, those wise beyond their years and brave enough to admit it, I will watch the book being defended.  “Why?” asks the Siskel and Eberts.  “Because I created the story in my head, and that story was so much better then that movie!”  Aaaah, your imagination.  What a wonderful thing.

 

We saw sooooo much today.  I haven’t had time to process everything. 

Independence Hall was emotional.  I closed my eyes and saw the Founders sitting among the wooden chairs debating the future of our country.  I was very moved by the visualization.  I love the ornate Senate and the room size beautiful rug that covered the wooden floors.  I was surprised by the size of things.  Everything seems so small compared to today’s standards.  I visited the Liberty Bell when I was 12, and I believe it was outside at the time, so I was impressed by the information and displays leading up to it.  Christ Church is beautiful and the speaker touched me.  I would like to go on Sunday.  The Betsy Ross house was so authentic, so small…I hope it was the actual house.  I was disappointed that they tore down Franklin’s house, but impressed at how many historical buildings they do have.  I plan to explore Franklin’s Court soon.  The history seemed to go on and on. 

The highlight of the day for me was the Quaker Meeting House, and Neil.  Neil is what makes history exciting…he is history.   He was so kind and genuine and he lived the life about which he spoke.  I could have listened to so much more and I was sad we had to move on.  I had so many misconceptions about what being a Quaker means.  I love their philosophy and wonder what our world would be like if we all adopted the SPICE life.  

I bought a ton of stuff for my kids.  I want to make this part of history come alive for them.  This is exactly what we study most of the year in 5th grade so it is amazingly relevent.  I bought old games for them to play.  I bought a timeline in a puzzle.  Old money and coins to trade for merchandise like old playing cards and marbles.  I bought Quill pens, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitiution and of course Tavern Rules.  I am going to create a walking tour of Philadelphia.  I bought a map where I’ll mark ”You are here.” and then I will recreate the walking tour that I took today with pictures and activities to do at every historical stop.  

I am going to attempt to add some fancy text and clipart, maybe even a picture or two tomorrow, but I couldn’t figure out how to log on until after 10, and it was a wonderfully long day, so I am going to call it good for my first attempt at blogging.