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Ending Post!

Although mini-mester is over and we will soon all be returning to finish out the year, the California girls hold their heads high! Throughout our trip we have had so many life altering experiences, some of which i never thought i would experience. I consistently found myself saying throughout the trip, "well that is one thing i can check off my list of things to do before i die." It is truly amazing to know that throughout this trip we all lived life to the fullest extent. I mean honestly how many people can say that they jumped into the pacific ocean off Anacapa Island in Mid-March??? This trip was an eye opening experience, and had to be approached with the right attitude. Since i have been home i have frequently been asked.... "So was it hard living in an RV?" My answer has been the same everytime.... "well of course not because the girls and teachers were amazing!!!!" Not only did this trip offer amazing experiences, but it also offered opportunities to spend time with girls i barely see at school. Looking back on the first day we arrived in Las Vegas i realize how little i actually knew about the West side of America. As i snow shoed in sequoia, hiked up the trail to see the GREAT General Grant, or took pictures on the Ansel Adams tour in Yosemite i finally realized how amazing America is! The trip was perfectly balanced with the National Parks framing our schedule for the first days, and the large cities framing the schedule for the last few days. On the second to last day as i walked through LA, i decided once and for all that New York was overrated and LA is the place to be. Walking down Rodeo Drive looking at the fabulous shoes that i could definitely not pull off we actually saw Carmen Electra shooting a add!! This was definitely the highlight of that day. However, the next day we had to say good-bye to our home for the last 10 days and head back to Virginia. We were all in the dumps as we arrived back at the Westin (and lets just say i am not so sure they were excited to see us 20 girls with large suitcases.......) But the amazing chaperones of this trip surprised us!!!! How does one say good-bye to the wild west better than a night out in Las Vegas with an amazing group of friends and teachers........IN LIMOS!!!! This trip was sooo amazing and i have gotten to know my fellow students and teachers better. As i told one of my teachers... "I use to just ignore you because i was scared of you, but now i realize how cool you are!!" This was an amazing mini-mester and i will never forget the sights i saw, the memories created, or the friendships i made during it.  

Natalie Clark 

GO Island Packers [or Jumpers??? :)]