Training Continues

We have a lot to learn!

Our training is in full swing as we get to know each other better and get to know more about our upcoming adventure.  The four of us are somewhat like wild horses, barely able to contain our excitement for every little thing.  Dan definitely has to reign us in on many occasions.

We spend our time learning more about all aspects of Rotary and our specific role in this adventure.  Time is also allotted to planning for our presentations and to learning more about Australia.  Saturday we had the opportunity to join Kristen in her beautiful Arizona town of Flagstaff for training.  The two and a half hour road trip allowed the rest of us to get to know each other a little better, including tastes in music and driving abilities.  It was interesting!!

Coz and the Crew

Once we arrived in Flagstaff, we went to the Second Chance Center for Animals (where Kristen works).  We were joined first by Coz, a wonderful woman from Australia.  She shared very valuable information about the country, as well as some delicious biscuits or bikkies!!  The information was quite helpful as we alleviated some of our concerns about the creatures we may encounter and other myths.  As we continued to discuss a variety of topics, we all seemed to take a collective breath in attempts to hold back our excitement.

Eric and the GSE Team

Next Eric, a past Flagstaff Club President, joined us to share details about his club.  We learned about Rotary as a whole, many service projects, and specifics that pertain to the Flagstaff Club.  He gave us even greater insight into the value of Rotary through his well-prepared presentation.

Each time our team gets together we become more like family, sharing our ideas and growing together through this experience.   Though it is early in the process, we seem to comfortably work together.

We look forward to our continuous learning and to sharing many more stories!  Stay tuned...

"Really?!!"  Happy dance.  Shock.  Silence.  Screaming.  We each had our own reaction to the call that would inevitably change our lives forever.  October 9, 2010 was the start of something big, something important, something memorable.  It was the day that brought together five strangers and made them family.

We each had our own reasons for applying for the GSE program, and our own experiences that lead us to that decision.  We are each truly thankful to those people (a co-worker, a friend, a volunteer, a boss, Rotary) that helped us discover this tremendous opportunity.  Without the goodwill of those around us, we would be spending March and April in very different places.

Yesterday we finally met the entire team (photo is in this order from left to right: Kristen, Larry, Mariel, Jennifer, and Dan) for the first time and started the training process.  We learned some of the basics, expectations, and the importance of an adventurous attitude.  We instantly seemed to click and the conversation flowed smoothly, allowing laughter and many moments of necessary redirection as we pictured the journey ahead.  It seems we will fit in quite well with the people of Australia.

We already have a better understanding of our role in the journey before us and the opportunity to truly be ambassadors of goodwill and peace.  We foresee wonderful opportunities to create lifelong friendships and experiences that will last a lifetime.



Many of us have already started reading books, researching anything and everything, and sharing our fears about some of the animals we may encounter along the way.  It seems Arizona isn't the only place with creatures that some of us would rather avoid during the night.  Adventurous attitude, check.


There is no way to properly thank Rotary for this opportunity, but we will do our very best to be positive ambassadors for Rotary and for the United States.  We each take this opportunity seriously and are honored to be part of such a wonderful experience.