OK, so maybe that headline is a bit misleading.

Literally, I'm still right here in Central PA. But instead of going to work in a newsroom among journalists every day like I have for the past decade, I drive to school.

And it's really different.

Different, I expected. But I honestly feel like I've been plunked down in a foreign country from when I wake up each day until I get home in the afternoon. I don't understand this environment where time is structured minute by minute and a question or careless comment can be dangerous.

I don't know the language, the geography or the people. Their traditions and routines are unfamiliar. I'm focused on basic daily survival these days. No mental or physical energy for anything else. And I haven't even met the kids yet.

I'm so amazed at what a different world this is that I've begun to take notes on all the crazy things that strike me. I won't be able to write about all of them here because of my new role, but hopefully I'll have the energy to share some of this new adventure.

Monday, classes start.

Will I survive? Stay tuned....

I just realized it has been more than two weeks since I have posted here.

But I have good reasons.

Reason No. 1 is that I am embarking upon a new adventure.

Reason No. 2 is that I came down with some mysterious seven-day summer illness (what's up with getting sick in August?)

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations for its 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations list. This year's list included nearby Lititz.

A York woman is part of a picture on display now at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. It's a painting by artist David Lenz that pays tribute to Eunice Shriver's work with the intellectually disabled.

Here's a story about it from Smithsonian magazine. If you're down in D.C., stop in and check out the York link.

You knew it was only a matter of time.

The amount of money people spend on their pets has been growing for years. Many hotels and attractions have become pet friendly.

Now, this story about a couple who have started an airline just for pets.

What do you think of that?

York County Cooperative Community Education, Mountain View Travel and Princess Cruise Lines will hold a meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 in Room 160 of York Suburban Senior High School, 1800 Hollywood Drive, Spring Garden Township, for anyone interested in learning more about a seven-day cruise to Alaska scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 14, 2010.

Those who go on the trip will get a chance to cross the Arctic Circle and dip their toes in the Arctic Ocean. The trip includes Anchorage and Denali National Park.

For details, call Sharon Stutts at Mountain View Travel, 444-3131.

You might think camping is a pretty "green" activity, but this summer, Pennsylvania State Parks will teach campers how to enjoy the outdoors while leaving even less of a footprint on the environment.

A demonstration "green" campsite will be set up at state parks across the Commonwealth this summer as a weekend program for visitors. It features a tent and sleeping bag made from recycled materials, a fuel-efficient cook stove, an LED flashlight, solar charger and reusable batteries, reusable cook set, solar camp shower, non-toxic bug repellant, bear-proof food container, clothesline and reusable marshmallow sticks.

Here's the schedule:
July 17 to 20 -- Cowans Gap State Park (yay!) in Fulton County.
July 24 to 27 -- Ohiopyle State Park, Fayette County
July 30 to Aug. 3 -- Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset County
Aug. 7 to 10 -- Parker Dam State Park, Clearfield County
Aug. 14 to 17 -- Worlds End State Park, Sullivan County
Aug. 21 to 24 -- Hickory Run State Park, Carbon County.

And a few tips for green camping:
*Dispose of trash properly or take it with you when you leave.
*Recycle aluminum cans. Burning them in a campfire will release chemicals that pollute the air.
*Avoid dumping soapy water on plants because the soap could kill them.
*Use biodegradable camp suds for dishes and personal hygiene.
*Use reusable water bottles and dishes.
*Look for an already-established campsite, more than 200 feet from a water source. Stay off plants as much as possible.

Irene and Lynn Dietz of Springettsbury Township sent this picture of the Bahamas' Half Moon Cay, owned by Carnival Cruise Lines. They say it was by far the best beach they've been to in their travels.

The couple took a five-day cruise from June 29 to July 4 on the Carnival Destiny (pictured) with their children to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. They also visited Grand Turks and Nassau.

Their travel tip: If you need shade you best take the first tender over, as the shade trees are taken fast.

I stumbled across this song and video by a musician from Halifax, Canada, who came up with a creative way to vent his anger and frustration at bad baggage handling by United Airlines.

How sad that it takes thousands of hits on YouTube to get corporate bigwigs to pay attention to a situation that should have been taken care of way before the thousandth phone call.

What's your worst baggage handling experience?

The biggest surprise about this news is that they classify the Sprite and peanuts as food!

I always look forward to trips on foreign airlines because the food is actually edible. Compared to what they serve on U.S. airlines, it seems practically gourmet.

What's the best/worst airline food you've had? (If you've gotten any at all)