Here's some background information on how I got started on this great adventure.  Way back in Sept. of 2011, I along with my friend Eileen, committed to apply for the Teacher Creativity Grant offered by the Lilly Endowment.  It is one of the oldest programs of the Endowment.  Its purpose is to revive and revitalize hard working teachers.  They are given $8,000 (now $10,000) to pursue an interest that fascinates them.  It does not have to be directly associated with the subject matter that they teach.  The philosophy of the grant is that teachers lack time and the resources to pursue their many interests.  If they are given that opportunity, the benefits to the individual teachers and consequently their students will far outweigh the investment made by the Lilly people. I had know about this wonderful opportunity for years, but had lots of excuses for not carrying through. This was the year!  Perhaps my motivation came from my friend and mentor, Mary Golichowski who brought me my third copy of Paris: Birthplace of the USA, or maybe it was Eileen as I talked to her about the program and saw her eyes light up.  Nevertheless, we took to our computers to fill out the applications and obtain the necessary letters of recommendation. I wrote about that book, my fascination with Paris, articles I read about Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams and their fascination with Paris and much more. I fussed over the application for weeks, and then it was time to turn it in!  Was I ready?  No matter, it had to go.  Several months ensued and there were times when I almost forgot about it.  I remember saying I didn't need to go to Paris, I'd been there before......but there was always that little voice saying that this would be a special trip......

Then it came, that big envelope in the mail.   My husband called me when it arrived. Even though I was afraid, I instructed him to open it.  Whoppee---I got it!  My next thought was for my friend, Eileen. Perry sanned the names of the other grantees, and she was there too.   Whoppee again!  I was going to Paris and she was off to Myanmar.  Adventure, here we come.