Today began at 2am when I woke up to pee thanks to my trainer who wants me to drink a gallon of water a day. Since my alarm clock was set to the ungodly hour of 5 am, luck would have it that it took me almost until that time to get back to sleep again.
Hello Sunshine! Why so early? We had to be at the school at 6:45 (yes, in the morning) to go on a field trip. And bleary-eyed & grouchy we went.
We pulled up to Monticello around 8:30 in the blessed morning and much to my dismay Thomas Jefferson’s people were NOT serving coffee. I could have used some because my head was pounding from the luxurious bus ride complete with seat kicking and the movie Cars blaring from the tiny bus television.
Once off the bus, we got to wait forever for a tour of the estate and then poke around the grounds and gardens on our own. This part was very cool. (I think that was the intention.)
Man, was that Thomas Jefferson a genius. I don’t know what I would do with all of that brain power. (No worries there, right?)
I did have a lot of time to think on the bus and I prepared a list of some things that I just don’t get.
1. I understand that kids are going to kick the bus seat in front of them. But the parents?
2. People that call everyone’s attention to traffic accidents. We all hope no one is dead. Why yell it out loud?
3. Mothers that wear cleavage-baring tops on field trips. Who exactly are they thinking about when they put that on and hoist up their girls in the morning?
4. Tour guides that use the two finger point like they are a flight attendant. Over and over.
5. Anyone that would allow their child to purchase a toy that makes bird calls right before a 90 minute bus ride.
That’s all I’ve got. Screw the water… I need a glass of wine.
Beautiful pictures! Brings back memories of my trip there. I was impressed too with his genius. Luckily I wasn’t on a bus trip with 8 year olds! Quite a reality check! Just look at the experience as fodder for your blog!
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I’d love to go and visit that place…especially the vegetable gardens! Beautiful, thanks for sharing!
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I am so not looking forward to field trips…ugh.
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Thomas Jefferson was a genius and did you know he died on July 4th along with his good friend “John Adams” who also signed the declaration of independence. Yes, they both passed away on July 4th.
1. Like on purpose? Over and over? Or are they tall and when they move their legs, they kick the seat in front of them? Just wondering, since I know people hate sitting in front of me on planes for that reason.
3. Because they are whores.
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Are you serious? A gallon of water a day? What exactly is the rationale?
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#3- Uh yeah, I’ve always wondered the same thing! Note to those moms- check yourself…It is a field trip. With children! As a former first grade teacher who used to lead field trips of questionably dressed moms I feel I can say that.
#5- Hope you got right up and threw that noisy thing out of the window. I would have!
Glad you survived and yes, you need a bottle of wine!
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K- She was a big girl. Big and extremely caffeinated…or on meth She could not sit still. Honesty, she was worse than her kids. (So I don’t forgive her) You, I would sit by anytime. Hell, we’d have a ball kicking the whores!
At least you survived
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mmmmmmmm….. wine.
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you deserve some wine… very funny post.
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OMG that is so COOL that you get to go to Monticello for a field trip. I’ve had a crush on TJ since I saw 1776!
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It is so beautiful there! Lucky you! Of course, I haven’t seen it since I was 19 . . . but, um . . . anyway - good for you chaperoning that trip, pour youself a big glass of something cold!
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Amen! I recommend a nice, perfectly chilled, Arger-Martucci Viognier. Perfect for the après field trip wind down.
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You are taking me back!! When I was younger, I got to spend some time at Monticello during a time when archeologists were excavating what they thought was an outhouse of the property. I kid you not. It was fascinating!
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Wait a minute. Parents have to ride on buses for field trips.
I am very scared.
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#3 - I’m in total agreement. What is up with that?
Found you through Martinis for Two.
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Those photos are over the top gorgeous. I would like to see Monticello, esp after watching the John Adams series. On the other hand, even with your photos, not badly enough to see it on a field trip full starting at 630am. Not a snowballs chance…
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I loved Monticello. I used to loathe history but now as an adult i have a new appreciation for it. To walk the grounds of a forefather just feels amazing to me. I know I am weird.
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1. I’m not a parent (wandered by here accidentally), but I am 5′10 and tend to fidget a lot - I am often not even aware I’m doing it. Which, of course, does not make it any less annoying, and I’m sorry. Chances are, if you turn around and ask a seat-kicker politely to please knock it off, they will apologise profusely and do their best to stop until something requires their attention or their mind wanders (because for many fidgeters it takes a concentrated effort NOT to do so).
The answerts to 2, 3, and 5 all include some variant on “they are jerks.”
As for the two-fingered point, many (not all) tour guides, particularly at places that attract or may attract a great deal of international visitors, are taught to use a two-fingered (or full-hand) point because, for one, it avoids making unintentional gestures that may be considered offensive in a viewer’s native culture, and, for another, pointing with one finger to indicate something or someone is considered a terribly rude thing to do in many cultures (particularly if you are the one being pointed at) anyway.
Monticello sounds beautiful. Those pictures are stunning!
Ooh, those gardens look very nice. I hope to visit there some day.
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