IFYE TOUR 2009!

Hello Everyone,
I apologize for not writing more frequently since I have been back in the U.S.A. However, in future I hope to report as often as I can on the status of my tour and interesting events/adventures that I take or that find me. So, I began my tour through WV 3 weeks ago (Feb. 16th officially) and have been quite busy. I began with YAC (Youth Adult Conference) at the end of January for my opening presentation, which went really well and my audience seemed to be quite entertained and enlightened. At least I thought so ;)

Then, as I stated, I began my tour on the 16th and have visited Braxton, Webster and Barbour Counties as well as given presentations to 4-H University and Teen Leader Weekend at Jackson's Mill. All of which have been great and I have received good feedback. So, I guess you could say that I have become completely immersed in presentation giving encompassing all aspects; the set up of all my computer 'gadgets,' microphones, clickers, speakers and of course the infamous projector. Therefore, all has, up to this point, been running very smoothly without any major setbacks. I have become well adjusted to my current life of travel as well as a rental car, which has been fabulous with the dubious weather and 'winding roads' of West Virginia. I have had the opportunity to meet many, many new friends and contacts throughout WV as well as to live (for a night or two) with different host families; which, you might think, I am a master of from my experience abroad. Well that is partly true, however the drastic change in my favor is of course the fluent English speaking ability of those around me.

I am scheduled to go to Wood, Tyler and Kanawha (Girl Scout Troop) Counties this upcoming week and the following weeks will be concentrated toward Southern WV. Then, in April, I will be in Monongalia, Marion, Harrison as well as Ohio and Marshall and then when May approaches I will be nearing home with Preston, Grant, Hampshire, Mineral and Pendleton Counties. I hope to attach more specific dates in the near future. However, a news release has been created and should be in your local papers with my presentation schedule and details. I look forward to meeting, presenting and discussing my trip with those of you who have kept up with me and my blog as well as to initiate new interest through my tour. I would like to thank my readers, I have now had lots of feedback in relation to my blog from those that I have met during my presentation schedule and casual encounters and am very grateful to know that I have a larger fan base than my mother (even though she is an essential fan, it is nice to know that I have other supporters ;) More to come from your WV IFYE!