Auburn, Washington

For our last two cities in the US we made the trek over to Washington from Montana.  It was about a 15 hour bus ride and we stopped in Spokane, WA for an overnight with the cast. Full cast overnights are a bunch of fun! We worked on some Mexican music for the show and then did a very large cast debrief on the past week because we all had such different experiences and it is very important for us to share those because they were all unique.  We had some students who lived in tepees for the week, many went to sweat lodges with their host families and so many of us had amazing conversations with various Natives both old and young.  Looking around our group you could see touches of Native jewelry around people's necks or wrists that were given to them by their host families and each one had a story or meaning behind it.  Then of course we had some free time to kill and just be with each other.  We were staying at a Salvation Army facility and we slept on donated cots with blankets and pillows donated by the Red Cross which made a huge difference on how well we slept! 

The next day we had about 4 more hours to get to Auburn, WA which is like a suburb of Seattle.  For the next two weeks I would be staying with Marie from Belgium and we were staying with on of the sponsor Rotary presidents, Gwen.  We lived about an hour away from Auburn so every morning was a pretty early one but it was so worth it to be with Gwen.  

Tuesday was a CI day where we went and cleaned up a riverbed of invasive plants.  Then we had an awesome lunch at the local senior center with some of the locals.  In the afternoon we went to a warehouse where we cut these huge tarps into smaller ones.  The lady who was our site contact was so enthusiastic and helpful.  At the end of the day they gave us T-shirts and water bottles as a thank you.  Then we got to take the train back to our facility.  We had to rehearse for a BTS the next day, so that was our afternoon.  Our host mom is very much a mom.  She cooks us amazing food and then doesn’t allow us to pass the island in the kitchen because she likes doing the dishes.  She cooked us Gumbo because she is from Louisana.  She has so much to tell us about and has lived a very colorful life.  She has 3 grown daughters and quite a few grandkids as well who she adores.  She is also involved in so much! She is President of one of the many Rotaries, has her own non-profit (HEY-Helping Empower Youth) and she also volunteers at a local church with the youth group.  

Wednesday I was in a middle school with anti-bullying workshop and we had a fantastic class.  They were all very attentive and interactive which made our job so much easier.  The afternoon was all internal.  The Education interns did their final project.  It was all about sculpting yourself as an individual in a group using balloon animals as their demonstrations and then we made monsters representing qualities about ourselves that we don't like and talking about how we can remember those traits, but they don't have to control us.  After that, Pete, the Study Abroad management professor was here and he did the same workshop we did last semester about "being a bad apple in a group".  This time he used the 2nd semesters since we are a small group and it went really well because all of us were able to really exaggerate our roles and it made for a better outcome.  

For SA on Wednesday our classroom was in the Museum of Flight! It was super cool! We also had Pete and Theresa, our professors, with us which is always great.  The last hour or so we got to explore the Museum.  I've been to several flight museums and this one was one of the best! We even got to see the first Air Force 1 and it had great WWI and II exhibits.  For dinner Gwen, Marie and I went to this great little Italian restraint and tried some kind of italian ice cream.

Friday was another day of SA where we were in the local city hall in the conference room.  I also found out that I am going to be the next Show Manager intern for the next 5 weeks! I’m SO excited because I’ve applied for it 5 times so I’m ready to get started! In the evening we had a show.  The theatre is a part of a high school, but the place is HUGE! The auditorium is really beautiful too.  The show went really well and I’m sure the awesome alumni audience helped.  

Sunday for host family day we went to Gwen’s beach houses on the peninsula.  It was pretty cold and rainy out, but the homes were so cozy and it was a beautiful setting.  I loved the weather too because it was so refreshing.  I get to stay with this family for another week which is nice because then I didn’t have to stress about getting packed.  Plus I love Gwen, she has been so sweet to us! 

Gwen demonstrating how to toast a marshmellow

Marie's first s'more!