Current Outlook for Summer

Well, if certain details work themselves out (ie, making enough money to be able to afford the trip!), I will be going to Ireland for three months, followed by a two monthish tour of Europe.

If you know of any churches in Europe that might be interested in having an American come and give a concert (classical, acapella, foreign language, and contemporary music styles), please let me know! I'm probably leaving very soon, so I have to work on booking concerts fairly fast, though I'm hoping to have the ability to while I'm there in Ireland, as well...we'll have to wait and see, though. I'm not sure how limited my internet access will be.

Nothing else to report for a few days yet, so this'll have to do!

Co.Laois, Ireland

So, if I go anywhere this summer, it's starting to look like I'm likely to be going to Ireland!!! Yay! I've always dreamed of going to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, etc., so this is an exciting opportunity! If it works out, I will spend my summer working with a caravan company (they rent horse drawn caravans to tourists who hire out covered wagons and go camping on their own), stud farm, etc.
It sounds like a load of fun, and an international experience, truly! Being IN Ireland, working for Germans, working with a Polish fellow and a New Zealander gal... :)

Anyhow, if it works out, after my summer work is over, I will be touring Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England and other European countries, if at all possible. That being the case, I make attempt to make arrangements with some churches on my route and give a few concerts along my way... :) THAT would be MAJOR fun...and a great ministry opportunity! I guess that means I ought to start working on a concert repetoire, eh? I'll be looking for songs in English, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Swahili, etc. (All languages I've sung in before, except French.) This could be very exciting. We'll just have to see if it's possible or not. Since I'm JUST thinking of it now, it's not a very likely possibility. But, hey, if God wants it, He can do it. :)

Perth, Australia

So, I made my first international call tonight...to Perth, Australia!!! I talked to a man named Ross who owns a horse-drawn carriage company there...oh, it was SO nice talking to someone with an Australian accent! And he was super nice, to top it off! :) He and his wife seem quite friendly and are giving me a nice hint of Australian hospitality, saying they'd love to help me in anyway they can, once I get there, and before...

Anyhow, so if I manage to get there for a working holiday, sounds like I just might be able to hold a job for a short time that I really enjoy...driving carriages, breaking horses, and even possibly driving wagon trains!!! :) Yay!

So far...

Well, so far I've only heard things back from carriage/wagon companies (equestrian) in the UK (Ireland and England) and Australia...so I could wind up in any of those three places...I've also heard from camps in Maine, Massachussettes, Virginia and Alaska...along with a resort (where I'd drive a wagon train) in Alaska...so, we'll see what happens...

Even though I LONG for Australia, I'm kind of hoping to go to the UK instead for the summer, because then I'll have a chance to see some places I probably won't get to otherwise, whereas I WILL someday see Australia, so...but, hey, I'm excited about ANY overseas option, pretty much... :)

Summer Plans

Well, nothing is set in stone yet, but at this point, I am hoping to do some "tent-making" missionswork this summer, either in Alaska, Hawaii or someplace overseas...I'm looking specifically at European locations, and, of course, Australia and/or New Zealand. These last two are the least likely options...

I've made application to well over a dozen camps/resorts/etc. in the past three to five days, as well as sending numerous inquiry messages to at least a dozen more. I've posted my camp resume online with a decent looking site as well...we'll see what happens.

My ideal would be to spend the summer in the UK (Englad, Wales, Ireland or Scotland), then take some time afterwards (or before hand, depending on when I'm hired for) to do some exploring through some European countries I haven't made it to so far (Spain, Andorra, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands to be specific about what nations I would specifically choose to visit), though, of course, its all dependent on A. whether or not I get the job, B. how much the job pays, and C. how much time I have to plan the trip, make arrangements, etc. I'm not opposed to traveling alone, and my parents, surprisingly, don't seem to be either...hmm...does this mean they think I'm responsible now? Ehn...probably not. They're probably just remembering their trips through Europe... :)

That's all for now. I'll post again when I know what's going on...and then, when the summer is over, I'll be posting TONS of photos! ;)