Jess' Journeys

Jess has traveled from New Jersey to Florida and Belgium. She has just made it to Oregon. I should have some updates soon. My external hard drive isn't compatible with my new laptop. Arggg! I knew it was too much to expect everything to work simply.

Jess In New Jersey

Jess had a great time in the Garden State with her host family.

Jess in Massachusetts

Here are the links to FreakTm's photo albums if you want a quick way to view the pictures.

Jess tours Salem
Jess Goes to WGBH
Jess Visits Harvard/Surprise

Jess goes to Harvard

FreakTM takes Jess on a tour of one of the most prestigious, not to mention the oldest, universities in the nation, Harvard. Harvard is located in Cambridge, Mass. Think you might have what it takes to attend Harvard? Check out the application requirements here.

Jess arrived back at the house to find that the girls had a surprise in store.

Jess visits WGBH

FreakTM continues hosting Jess in MA. In this episode our girl, Jess, visits WGBH, a public broadcasting station. A favorite PBS show in my youth had been Sesame Street. Check out their podcast here. Yes, Sesame street is now podcasting! I must be old, though, because I have no idea who Murray is. Grover was always my fav. Sadly, my kids never got into Sesame Street, preferring Barney or, more recently, Fetch!. Check out the PBS website for fantastic tools for parents, games for kids, links for teachers, or to lend your support.

Enjoy the show!

Salem

Jess begins her adventure in Massachusetts by taking a trip to Salem. FreakTM did an excellent job getting some great pics! Enjoy a slideshow of her adventure.

Massachusetts

Jess made it safely to Massachusetts. Whew! I can breathe a small sigh of relief that she arrived at her first destination. I love American History and Massachusetts is high on my list of places to visit. Some facts about Massachusetts:


Commonwealth: Massachusetts, along with Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, are commonwealths. This was important when states originally defined governance to be in opposition to the British Empire. Nowadays, the distinction between a state and commonwealth is considered less meaningful and more like a salute to our past history of rebellion against British rule.

Famous People: *Presidents John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, John Kennedy, and George HW Bush*Patriots Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Samuel Adams, . * Susan B. Anthony, who played a pivotal role in women's suffrage. *John Chapman, known as Johnny Appleseed.*Poets William Cullen Bryant, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Robert Lowell, John Greenleaf Whittier, E.E. Cummings and Emily Dickinson* Authors Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Dr. Seuss, and Henry David Thoreau*Eli Whitney, inventor* Artist James Whistler

Famous areas: Massachusetts is one of the oldest states in the US. So much early American culture is kept alive here, from the Pilgrims to the American Revolution. The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims along with the Wampanoag. Plymouth Rock, the traditional landing site of the Mayflower is a popular historical area. Salem is infamous for it's Witch Trials. Boston Harbor was the stage for the famous Tea Party. The first shots in the American Revolution were fired at Lexington. Harvard University and MIT are prestigous universities. Cape Cod, and offshore islands, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are popular tourist areas.

State Flag:

State Nickname: Bay State

Capital: Boston

State Bird: Chickadee

State Flower: Mayflower

Jess is on her way!

While my sister visted we were able to take a trip to AG Atlanta with our girls. We had all been saving since January so we had cash burning a hole in our pockets. I had debated on which doll to get but when I saw that they were celebrating Felicity's Birthday, I knew she was the one! We picked out our dolls and a few new outfits. What did we forget? Our camera! I was able to take a few with my phone but the quality could have been better.

Jess does a little last minute shopping before her trip and shows off her story.




Soon it was time to go home and get started on packing for summer vacation. Let's see...shoes, clothing, PJs. Check, check, check. Small journal. Check.






Hmmm...the fit is a little tight but it'll work. At least the foam is cushy.

See everyone soon!!!

Welcome

Hello to all who are joining us on Jess' Summer Adventure. We are sending our American Girl, Jess, to various hosts around the country. We plan on using her travels to help with our American History and Geography studies. Jess begins her trip on May 11 in Boston. She should arrive home in Sept. Please join us to view her pictures as she travels.