Hi everyone! I’m Jane!
My friends call me Janeo, Janie, and JP; apparently they switch it up depending on my mood at the moment, so you can call me whatever floats your boat.
Welcome to my blog:) I never thought I would be a blogger but here I am just typing away. After last night, our second Cultural Routes 12 dinner, I feel constantly watched by people and like everything I do is going to be put in the “The Book”; which I am going to have to learn to navigate considering I am an Enneagram 3, “The Performer”. “What is The Book?” you might ask? The Book is a journal where Dr. P documents everythinggg he finds out about us. So that’s good. I guess I’ll never know my deepest darkest secret about myself but Dr. P will and forever keep it in his book.
Here are a few things you should know about me:
- I am the youngest of four kids (two of whom are married)
- I have two dogs – Tug and Hank (and a dog-nephew named Ruca)
- I am from Palos Verdes, California (about 45 minutes south of Los Angeles)
- I love chocolate, ice cream, coffee, sunflowers, horses, sunny days, and Jesus! (I guess I love a lot of things, which can’t be a bad thing!)
Okay, Okay, Okay let’s get to the good stuff. CR 12! Oh boy, oh boy am I excited! I am so thankful that I get to be a part of such an amazing group of people to explore Europe with and learn so many new things about history, cities, culture, and the people I’ll meet as well as the people I’ll be with! I know a few people who have gone on past Cultural Routes, their eyes always lighting up when talking about it. This reaction made it simply impossible to not want to apply and not hope and pray about being accepted. It seems so surreal that this is all happening and I just hope I capture it well.
The Beginning
Let me start at the beginning of the application process. When I was applying to CR, I was also applying to work at a camp called Pine Cove. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do both over the summer, logistically, so, after getting the exact job I wanted at Pine Cove, I decided to turn it down and pursue my chances of going on Cultural Routes.
Why did I choose to continue with my CR application and say no to Pine Cove? Before I give you my reason, I want to say that I never once regretted saying no to Pine Cove, even during the waiting process, knowing full well the chances of getting accepted were not very high. Either way, I knew I wanted to take that risk. I chose CR for four main reasons: 1. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity 2. I couldn’t listen to all of the things people were telling me about CR and not have an immense desire to be a part of something this special 3. I saw the importance and purpose of this experience and believed in it whole-heartedly and 4. I really just could not say no.
Thank goodness for the risk. That risk has led me here and I couldn’t be more grateful and excited.
January 8, 2020
I found out of my acceptance on the way out of getting my hair cut, waiting for my dad to pick me up. Well, actually, the truth is that I got the scary email (that apparently was not automated) that said a decision about my application had been made. I realized that this could become either a) the worst haircut in the world, b) the most stressful haircut in the world, or c) the best haircut in the world. I decided to go with “b” and didn’t open the email until I left the salon. A pretty anticlimactic scenario, but I will remember it forever. Who was the first person I told? Not my family. Sorry mom and dad, but don’t worry I still love you with my whole heart. It was my big, Cooper (plus, I wanted to wait until I was home to tell my parents in person and together). I texted Cooper immediately –in all caps, of course– and received a FaceTime about ten seconds after the text went through. I wanted to share this moment with someone who understood what this meant and understood the joy that comes with going on CR. She had also helped tremendously with my application. She assisted me in finding the right words to say about describing the person I am. For that I am eternally grateful since those essay responses were long!
When I got home from my haircut, my first thought was to film my reaction video. I knew how excited I was and I knew how excited my dogs get when I come home, so I ran to my room and filmed the video with my dogs. If you are reading this and don’t know me very well, you will very quickly learn how much I love my dogs. Hopefully, Mama Prock will send some pictures of them while I am abroad so I can show all my friends.
Quick Sidenote: When I told my grandma of my acceptance, she called me on the phone just about crying tears of joy. She told me things like “Oh my goodness Janie, you have no idea how much CR means to me” and “I am going to read your blogs everyday and I’ll probably end up knowing the names of everyone you’re with”. Her excitement was a perfect demonstration of the impact this experience has on people. She had seen my two cousins go on CR in years past, and if that is how my grandma felt, I can’t even begin to imagine how I will feel as I’m walking through Berlin or admiring the view in Riomaggiore.
Blogs:
I would like to set the stage for my blogs. First of all, I want to thank everyone for reading them. Secondly, I want to let you know that I can be pretty all over the place (and I will be literally, haha), but I will do my best to reign it all in to be clear and concise for you. Lastly, I want you all to know that my blogs will be nothing short of my authentic self. I want you all to be familiar with the places I am and the people I am with during this experience. I want to give you a glimpse of who I am and the journey I am on throughout. I know that it is going to be incredibly worthwhile and I want to share a little bit of that with you. If I blog correctly, you will finish reading wishing you could experience this as well (unless you already have). I hope I can express all that I am seeing, feeling, learning, and laughing at accurately into words. I want you to know that I write how I speak, so hopefully through this you will get a glimpse of my personality and energy.
In conclusion, I am thrilled to go on this journey and this blog to be a tracker of my growth and knowledge, as well as an outlet to express my feelings and share stories that happen throughout the month. The thought that in less than 100 days, I will be traveling with 17 amazing people that will become lifelong friends makes me giddy and eager for what’s to come! EEK, I AM SO EXCITED!
Alrighty people, talk to ya later! Goodbye!
Jane:)
Cultural Routes 12 