Exhausted, in a Good Way

   All I can say is:  WOW.  What a day.  And I can't believe I've only been here one full day.  There is no way I will be able to describe everything we did and all the information we learned and all the funny things that happened today.  Suffice it to say, it was a busy, busy day!

   I want to start off by saying that I had a hard time falling asleep last night, mainly because my new neighbors were making a ton of racket upstairs (and down).  I found out this morning that the reason is because the A/C wasn't working in one of the rooms.  So two of the Iowa teachers were moved to fancy single rooms in another colonial house and everyone is jealous!  I'm not jealous, however, because I discovered that the little sitting room and pantry are actually only part of my room!  So I actually reside in the front part of the house.  Every time we're walking in a group in this area I say, "There's my house!"  One cute girl, for a split second, thought I meant the actual house where I live.  :)

   Sooooo...in the smallest nutshell possible:  I got up at 5:00 and ran 2 1/2 miles (two of the CA teachers are runners too), met the group for breakfast at the Williamsburg Lodge for a breakfast buffet, went on a walking tour of Williamsburg (including the Wetherburn Tavern), did some primary source activities and portrait education at the Dewitt Wallace Museum, explored the museum and had lunch there, took the bus to Bruton Heights School, tried on costumes, did a very cool biography activity, learned about the Internet resources, were given a biography assignment that's due Thursday, had dinner there, and then did an archaeology activity.  Then walked home in the rain.  So our day started at 7:30 a.m. and ended at 8:30 p.m.  

   Here are a few photos for your enjoyment. 

Here I am with Bunny

Rich, everyone's favorite

CW interpreter.  The group

from Pearson that went in 

the spring told me how 

endearing she is and it's

true!  I said hello from all

of you and she said hi back.

No relation to our Blago!
Just a wealthy East Coast
museum donor.

  

Yes, I am a farmer's wife.
I'm standing with Monica (FL) and Sarah (SC).

   

   It's just so great to be here and to learn so much history in such a unique way.  I am really fortunate.  And the teachers are such a hoot.  Some of them are going to one of the taverns but some of us (such as I) are just too exhausted.  On Thursday we get out of class "early" at 5:30 and we don't have to meet for breakfast till 8:30 on Friday, so many of us are going to wait till Thursday to grab a drink.  

  It's cool having so many states represented.  Those used to seeing squirrels are amazed that Minnie, the teacher from Hawaii, had never seen one before; those used to fireflies are amazed that the CA teachers had never seen them; and those used to massive magnolia trees are amazed that the editor from Pearson had never seen anything quite like the one by the courthouse.

   Jamestown tomorrow!