Your in-depth guide to a 9-day journey through the heart of Japan...this is the beginning of Spring Break 2018!
Japan Travel Journal 2018
Final Pre-Departure Meeting PPT
We meet at IAH Airport at 9 AM Sunday, March 11!
Monday, February 26, 2018
Monday, September 11, 2017
Survivor's Gratitude
Near misses are good things.
Knock on wood, grazing disaster without experiencing the full brunt of calamity often imbues us with a heightened sense of gratitude. It's an altruistic adrenaline rush born of a relieved heart. As the impending storm nears and the forecast worsens, you contemplate every worst-case scenario. In an attempt to steel yourself for the tragedy about to occur, you begin to second-guess going or staying, questioning your preparation, and fretting what was left behind. Then, you wake up the next morning and you are still standing.
Instead of disaster, you gasp in astonishment at how you averted destruction and recognize deep in your soul that it was none of your doing. You were powerless and yet were held harmless. You were in the path of the storm yet were saved.
Once you realize you are safe, then you quickly discover your nightmare scenarios have been realized in others lives. Instead of survivor's guilt, the sense of relief transforms into survivor's gratitude. And so you spring into action to help. You carry someone to safety. You offer a place of rest. You serve a warm meal. You want to do everything you can to make the situation better for someone else--first your family and friends and then for people you don't even know.
And that's how the Gospel ought to play itself out in our lives. We should be so grateful that we have averted eternal destruction, despite deserving it like everyone else, that we boldly love our friends, family, and total strangers who are still suffering their own spiritual downfall. Many new to the faith do experience an euphoria and eagerly tell everyone they can about their experience. But as our distance from the point of near disaster widens, so often does our energy and compulsion to share. To all who have barely missed a tragedy, congratulations.
Don't forget the feeling.
Knock on wood, grazing disaster without experiencing the full brunt of calamity often imbues us with a heightened sense of gratitude. It's an altruistic adrenaline rush born of a relieved heart. As the impending storm nears and the forecast worsens, you contemplate every worst-case scenario. In an attempt to steel yourself for the tragedy about to occur, you begin to second-guess going or staying, questioning your preparation, and fretting what was left behind. Then, you wake up the next morning and you are still standing.
Instead of disaster, you gasp in astonishment at how you averted destruction and recognize deep in your soul that it was none of your doing. You were powerless and yet were held harmless. You were in the path of the storm yet were saved.
Once you realize you are safe, then you quickly discover your nightmare scenarios have been realized in others lives. Instead of survivor's guilt, the sense of relief transforms into survivor's gratitude. And so you spring into action to help. You carry someone to safety. You offer a place of rest. You serve a warm meal. You want to do everything you can to make the situation better for someone else--first your family and friends and then for people you don't even know.
And that's how the Gospel ought to play itself out in our lives. We should be so grateful that we have averted eternal destruction, despite deserving it like everyone else, that we boldly love our friends, family, and total strangers who are still suffering their own spiritual downfall. Many new to the faith do experience an euphoria and eagerly tell everyone they can about their experience. But as our distance from the point of near disaster widens, so often does our energy and compulsion to share. To all who have barely missed a tragedy, congratulations.
Don't forget the feeling.
Monday, August 14, 2017
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
France Video on Vimeo
It's finally here! The commemorative Ball High Spring Break 2017 Can't Stop this Feeling video mash-up has arrived. Hat's off to Fallon Smith for her hard work in refining and editing the raw footage. Merci to Christophe and Magali for a terrific tour. Hope everyone enjoys the memories...
Watch this video on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/212826463
If that doesn't convince you to join us in Japan for 2018 nothing will! Share the good news about next year's trip by directing people to: www.eftours.com/1985930TR
Thank you and have a TORiffic week!
Watch this video on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/212826463
If that doesn't convince you to join us in Japan for 2018 nothing will! Share the good news about next year's trip by directing people to: www.eftours.com/1985930TR
Thank you and have a TORiffic week!
Monday, March 20, 2017
Parting Shots France
Twelve days, seven hotels, six busses (!), and two flights later we are all safely back in Galveston. All but one bag made the return trip home, but Sarah had her last piece of luggage delivered yesterday. Everyone was concerned about the events at Orly Saturday morning--Amanda's group departed the airport at 7:30 and they shut down from 8:30 to 1 PM for an investigation into the shooting of someone who attacked a guard. Fortunately, we were already in London when the news broke.
A lot of travelers took great pictures on the trip. Below is a link to my pictures--most importantly the group pictures which not a lot of students may have. We have submitted the best to the yearbook, but feel free (students) to send Ms. Rekoff a select few if you want them added to our page.
We will post the video as soon as it is edited and will send out information about registration for next year's trip in April. Until then, enjoy the photos!
A lot of travelers took great pictures on the trip. Below is a link to my pictures--most importantly the group pictures which not a lot of students may have. We have submitted the best to the yearbook, but feel free (students) to send Ms. Rekoff a select few if you want them added to our page.
We will post the video as soon as it is edited and will send out information about registration for next year's trip in April. Until then, enjoy the photos!
Visit the site at: https://springbreaktravelhs.shutterfly.com/
Enter this site password: europe2017
Enter this site password: europe2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
France Final Day
"I have been to France."
"I have been to Paris!"
"I've been to the French Riviera."
"I went to Normandy once..."
"I have been to Provence."
"I have been to Avignon."
"I've been to the Loire Valley and Chenonceau."
Any one of these statements would be impressive in and of itself. A conversation starter-a point of connection with someone-a counter to perceived stereotypes, maybe. Our travelers now claim all of the above. It's a lot to take in. We are all grateful for the trip, for our guides Magali and Christophe, and for the unprecedented sunny weather we enjoyed this past week. We hope this is a spark, the ignition of a flame inside these young people to travel, to explore, and to meet new people.
(Spoiler Alert!) For Spring Break 2018, the new people they meet will be from JAPAN!! 🇯🇵
"I have been to Paris!"
"I've been to the French Riviera."
"I went to Normandy once..."
"I have been to Provence."
"I have been to Avignon."
"I've been to the Loire Valley and Chenonceau."
Any one of these statements would be impressive in and of itself. A conversation starter-a point of connection with someone-a counter to perceived stereotypes, maybe. Our travelers now claim all of the above. It's a lot to take in. We are all grateful for the trip, for our guides Magali and Christophe, and for the unprecedented sunny weather we enjoyed this past week. We hope this is a spark, the ignition of a flame inside these young people to travel, to explore, and to meet new people.
(Spoiler Alert!) For Spring Break 2018, the new people they meet will be from JAPAN!! 🇯🇵
Friday, March 17, 2017
France Day 11
Pont-du-Hoc: 225 Rangers scaled the cliffs to take out German guns trained upon both Utah and Omaha Beaches on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Troops had to scale the cliffs using grappling hooks and ladders fired from the boats they were landing in. Due to poor weather and a mistake in navigation, they arrived after sunrise and the element of surprise was lost. Only 90 men were still fighting after 2 days. Deep pits remain where a naval bombardment provided cover. This was our first stop of the morning.
Vierville-village of our guide and west end of Omaha Beach-the draw they advanced upon in Saving Private Ryan is one of only two points of entry to Omaha Beach today. Students walked out onto the sands and then approached the hills, reflecting upon the same view G.I. Joes had when they came ashore.
Our third stop was the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer where over 10,000 fallen Americans are interred. Several of us were brought to tears as individual stories of our national heroes were told at the memorial museum also on the grounds. Beside one of the tombstones to an unknown soldier we planted an American flag and had a moment of silence.
Lunch will be in Bayeux and dinner in Paris. Students will see the Cathedral of Notre Dame one final time. They will breathe in the air of France and spend their last euros. It will end abruptly, and although they miss home, there will be a tinge of sadness to leave behind so rich an experience. Weeks and months from now memories will resurface...France will always be a part of our collective conscience.
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