The Christianville Spirit: Travel in The US

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Sparks Your Heart

July 27, 2011-TCS # 260

So, The other night I was watching TV and nothing good was on. It’s usually like that on certain nights. Anyway, I found a show called 21 Hottest Caribbean Escapes which I knew had been on many times on The Travel Channel but, I’ve never watched it. After a while, I was thinking, “I want to get a stamp in My Passport from somewhere.” I saw all the places on it, and thought, “I want to go there, there, and there” but, then I thought, “There are great places here in the US that are very pretty too.” I asked My Mom about it and she says, “it’s more about the thrill of being in a Foreign Country instead of your own.” And, you know she’s right. But, watching shows like that on Travel Channel, which by the way is one of My Favorite Channels, puts you in what I’ll call an “I really want to go there daze” otherwise known as “The Travelers Daze” and that’s kind of the point of Travel Channel which I like and don’t like. But, anyway, When seeing all the other places in The World and thinking about Places in America, it takes a reminder for even someone like me to think, “What’s so great about America?”. Well, actually, there’s a lot to love about the USA that’s equivalent to things found elsewhere. And, yes, even places in America that won’t have a lot of commercialism. For example, instead going to The Bahamas or Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, you could go to Key West, Florida; Puerto Rico (which is Owned by The US) and My Favorite Place I want to go, The USVI(or United States Virgin Islands for short). Why? they have somewhat the same culture of The Caribbean, They speak English, and of course the Turquoise Water. And, in case if your wondering they do have turquoise water in Key West. Anyway, if your a History Buff as they call them, instead of going to Roma(Rome) or Berlin, Germany, You can go to one of the many Civil Water Sites dotted all over The South and there are even ones in places like major cities. For Example, in Atlanta there’s the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield just west of Marietta. Next, if you love Nature, instead going to Norway’s Fjords(which by the way is on My List), You can go to the Adirondack Mountains/Park in New York State; Yosemite National Park in California; and, Baxter State Park in Northern Maine. Now, if you ask me, My Favorite location would be the Adirondack Mountains or Baxter State Park, even though I haven’t been yet, based on what I’ve read their both are really awesome. If you love Culture, instead of going to Thailand, China, or Brazil. You can go to The USVI(US Virgin Islands), Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, and New York City. For example, in New York City there’s many cultures in many parts of Manhattan especially in Lower Manhattan or uptown in Harlem. If you like to see how a country works, instead of going to Roma(Rome), Beijing, London, or Oslo. You can go to Our Nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C. In Washington D.C, you can see where The President lives at The White House; Where Congress makes laws at The US Capitol; see all the Monuments and finally, see all the Museums of The Smithsonian.

All in all here, There are many alternatives here in The United States you or I can go to and best of all it’s not that expensive to go.

Thanks for Reading The Christianville Spirit. The sites of America are closer than you think. You just have to Book a Flight or Hop in The Car and Go!

The Christianville Spirit: The Study and A Surprise

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Sparks Your Hearts

July 21, 2011- TCS # 259

Hello, My Readers. Yes, I know today is Thursday and I’m a day late. But, after I tell you what happened, You’ll know. So, for those of you who know me well, I have Potocki-Lupski Syndrome(PTLS). When I was 4, I was diagnosed. I went through the first study for this duplication when I was 9, which at that time was unintentional because My Mom knew that I had something but, she didn’t know what. Anyway, so the study was actually about the opposite of what I have, to make a comparison. You See, Potocki-Lupski Syndrome wasn’t what it is today. In fact, it was just know as A Duplication of Chromosome 17(or Medically know as dup.17p11.2) and they were doing a study of a Deletion of Chromosome 17p11.2 or also known as Smith-Magenis Syndrome(SMS). Anyway, Dr. Potocki decided to have me go through it again, only this time as a Young Adult. So, on Monday Night we drove down to Houston for the study, which would happen on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Then, on Tuesday Morning we had to be at Texas Children’s Hospital at 8:00AM. After long discussions that were really good, We decided to redirect the study for another time. So, on Tuesday Night while we were waiting to go have dinner with another PTLS Family, that we’ve met many times before, that lives in Houston, I had the biggest surprise. You See, I watch this show on TLC on Tuesdays, ironically, called The Little Couple. It’s about two wonderful little people named Bill and Jen. Anyway, Jen, the star of this show, works in the NICU and Simulation Lab at Texas Children’s Hospital. So, My Mom apparently set up a surprise meeting; so, around 6:00PM she came through the doors to the research area where I was and she drove by in her fancy wheelchair, because the hospital is so big and it helps her get around quicker. When I saw her, I thought, “Wait a minute. Is that Dr. Arnold?!?” I walked out to see if it was her and that’s when I heard her voice when she was asking where I was, and I knew it was her. I said, “Hey Jennifer” because I knew that was her name. As she walked over, My Mom introduced us and she said, “Hi, I’m Dr. Jen Arnold”. So, My Mom and I got to talk with her for a short time, because we knew she was very busy.... And it was so awesome! When I saw her, I thought she was coming for another patient or something. But, little did I know, she was coming to see Me and best of all she knew my name. Now, I know I sound Starstruck, which I was. But, when someone that you watch weekly and are a Fan of knows Your Name, it’s very special. Anyway, she gave me her card with her and Bill’s Signature and I gave her a book of some of My Newsletters. I told her about PTLS and I told her how I see the world through My Eyes, which is Special. So, I asked her how she saw the world through her eyes, so I showed her what I meant by getting down to her level. She told me that she has to looking up a lot and it hurts her neck. She gave her really great giggle. She smiles all the time which is really wonderful to see. She also said we could be Friends and I could send her My Newsletters I write. After we talked with her and she left, I couldn’t stop smiling, even at dinner with the PTLS Family, which we did afterwords. To this day, I’m still smiling because for someone I so admire, and Inspires many people, for her to take time out of her busy 24 Hour day to come meet me is Awesome! After we hugged and posed for a picture. She had to rush home to get dinner for Bill who was at home watching Rocky and Maggie, their dogs. We certainly stay on touch!

So, on Wednesday Morning we had a nice final discussion with Pilar, the genetic counselor, and then we drove home. On the way, we stopped to visit my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Mike in Huntsville. We had an awesome visit!

All in all, It was a great visit. But, what more could you ask for; A Personal Hospital Section, A Personal Room, A Personal Nurse(Mindy and Rosa were great), and A Reunion with Dr. Potocki and Pilar, A great dinner with Laura, Laura, and Allison and all topped with seeing my new friend, Dr. Jen Arnold. Maybe Bill will join us next time. Thanks Jen!

Thanks for Reading The Christianville Spirit. Friends come in all sizes and differences. What a beautiful view of Life.

The Christianville Spirit: My Legacy

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Sparks Your Heart

July 13, 2011- TCS # 258

You know those Thought Provoking epiphanies that occur in Your Life. You Know, the ones that make you see the meaning of Life or more along, Your Life. Well, I had one a couple days ago and it was about My Legacy. You See, I’ve heard about these “meaning of life” or “What in the world is My Life about” kind of epiphanies, Rumors says that like Every big thing that happens, seems to occur in Your 20’s. Just like your 20’s, you tell your parents about anything and everything that’s every happened as well as anything that has ever bothered you. Anyway, This Epiphany came about because I was thinking some of My Family’s Legacies and Believe Me, the Smith Family has led many great legacies including My Grandma Honey helping teenage unwed mothers in Maine to her great work-ethic. Of course, the Legacy of The Smith Family can’t forget Popi, My Grandpa who was, to say the least, A Great Man. But, then I thought, “What in the world is My Legacy?” and God in my head spoke, “Your Legacy is to help The Families and to Inspire them”. Of Course, I knew what he was addressing. He was addressing My great PTLS Family and that I need to help them. Now, by “Help” I believe he means not necessarily Support them because That’s up My Mom. But, to Inspire Them. You Know, back when I was in Senior High School, My Friends and I would occasionally sit in this Garden area which was a little walk from the Cafeteria. Anyway, there was this Plaque that read “Friends will come and go, but good friends will leave a foot print on Your Heart that will last forever”. At that time, I sort of understood what it meant and I thought it was sweet. But, I didn’t really understand what it meant. Today, now thinking about it, I do. You See, In a way I’m leaving my print on Many Hearts of members of My PTLS Family and the truth is their doing the same to me. All in all here, We all have legacies that we are here to lead, as little or as big as they may be.

Thanks for reading The Christianville Spirit. Here’s a rare-double dose Inspiration. Find what Your Legacy is and lead it. The Second, is from the Plaque with a little twist of mine “Friends and/or Family will come and go. But, good Friends and/or Family will leave a print that lasts forever.”

The Christianville Spirit: Independence Day!

The Christianville Spirit

The Spirit that Sparks Your Heart

July 6, 2011- TCS # 257

So, as most of you know, the other day was The 4th of July or technically known as Independence Day. Independence Day is our National Holiday which was the day that we got the freedom we have today. So, what does it mean? Well, if you’ve forgotten, it’s actually about the day The Declaration of Independence was made on July 4, 1776 from Britain. You See, at that time there were just the 13 Colonies and we were under rule of Great Britain (or England). But, we newfound Americans wanted our own freedom and our own country so we wrote the Declaration of Independence. Anyway, I believe that not only should we celebrate our freedom but, also we should celebrate The States that make up this country because without The States, we wouldn’t be The United States. I celebrate not only our freedom but, also our states. In fact, it would be awesome if during The Fireworks in Washington that they said the name of each state and showed their flag; like if they said them in alphabetic order like “Alabama!, Georgia!, North Carolina!, Texas!”. By The Way, I call it Independence Day because it seems more important than calling it 4th of July. So, what did you do for Independence Day? All in all, Independence Day is an important day for all of us and it’s makes me proud to be American.

Thanks for Reading The Christianville Spirit. Be Proud to have the freedom that you have and to be an American