My 5 Days in Heaven on Earth.

It was in 2014 January 5^th – 10^th, CCIP group was busy in shopping for warm clothes like boots and jackets to kept themselves warm for our Mid – Year Retreat to Arizona. “Margaret” our coordinator explained the entire activities we would be conducting and initiating during our excursion. Consequently, we were overwhelmed with excitement to set on our commute. All CCIP’s with a burning desire, they were busy in charging their cameras and mobiles. Everyone was getting ready with necessary accessories because they do not want to miss to capture the beauty of Arizona. We were very impatient for the next day as it was one of our last trips together with CCIP consortium, and there was only few days remaining until we return back to our respective countries, so we decided to have a big blast on our final trip.

Our day one was Sunday, 5^{th Jan} 2014, we were supposed to reach Phoenix, Arizona @9:30 am, where ‘TOURWEST America 56 passenger bus’ will be at the Aventerra apartment 1960 West Keating Ave, Mesa with 10 MCC students plus 1 coordinator and 3 event staff to pick us up from Phoenix “Sky Harbor Airport”.

Our flight landed round 10:15 am and we approached to our own hosted bus. Bus #1 was hosted by Paul Patterson. Driver: Tom Benson, Bus #2 was hosted by Christina Hyda, Driver: Paul Geise and Bus #3 was hosted by Allison Myers. Driver: Bill Herinya.

That was our first plan and we remember it……. We got ready at mid night 3 am to go to airport and to 4 ambassador as well to pick the others CCIP’s for Wolfson campus.

Than we approach for Miami International Airport.

At 11: 00am Bus #1 and Bus #2 departed for Lake Powell and Bus #3 at 12: 45 pm. All the 3 buses were planned to stop by for 30 minute at Flagstaff, AZ. The half way point.

The adventure started when the bus started the engine. The way to Lake Powell Resort was unbelievable, I have seen those sceneries only in Hollywood movies, the big cactus desert and the way with snow the beautiful views of the road side didn’t let me take a single nap either……… Most probably I didn’t want to miss that opportunities to enjoy the view as well.  We reach Lake Powell Resort at 5:00 pm but instead of worrying about tiredness for the journey and Check-in for our room, I started taking pictures and we have limited time for dinner as well. We are all scheduled that we have to manage ourselves for dinner in Lake Powell Resort Rainbow Room by 7:00 pm as we have opening session for our retreat at 8: 30 pm to 10: 00 pm. Margaret kept calling us to come up and check-in to our assigned room but the Lake Powell beauty didn’t feel like going inside. It was just the beginning of My 5 days in Heaven on Earth. 

Our first session starts “Having the eyes to see” from 8: 30 pm with Paul Petterson. Nate Crayton “Reflecting, Refocusing and Sharping Our Leadership Skills” adding with “Getting to know one another- Activities” that was a great activity for knowing each other with different kind of unbelievable questions. The most interesting one in this session was Pauls’ story  at mid night in the Lake Powell Lake all alone. That make me felt scared and also encouraged by knowing how he might be feeling at that moment. However program ends at 10:00 pm.

Day two “The Inter connectivity Experience”, “Building the Sustainable Global Leader” this was the first half program for group A and group B. Starts from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. And after lunch from 2: 00 pm Leadership: “Putting legs to your vision”. An Action planning workshop, these are the topics of that day program and we enjoy how we participated and the experience on it. Those all are memorable scope for us. Than in Evening Session was an amazing and unbelievable program about “Native American History, Culture and Spirituality” there was a speaker Hopi Micah Loma’omvaya. He and his family talk about Hopi community in US. That was also an interesting lecture of America in different culture. The PPT they presented on the presentation was awesome.

The Lake Powell Resort viewed from Lake Powell Boat.

Our Day three……. After breakfast we went for the Lake Powell Boat Cruise. That was cold weather and the view of Lake Powell was awesome. The rocks are so beautiful and that was like a dream come true. I love the wind on that day which nudges my face and the “anttakshri Game” (Is a game played by sing songs the group have to start a song with the other end word) we played on the windy boat. The game was India Vs Pakistan and we got same score that was lovely moment for different countries togetherness. Everyone in the boat was busy taking pictures. No one gets tired with the pictures and that was amazing thing to stand and watch them as well. I really love it.

Than after Boat ride we are ready for Antelope Canyon Hike One more exciting place which I haven’t thought of. That was a surprise to me and to all. When we enter the way to Antelope Canyon I started kept myself quiet and started asking questions to myself that where I’m now is my dream or real. I have not even dream that there is such a place in this world. When I see in movie I used to think that that is just an auditorium and all seems fake but that wasn't.

When I enter the Canyon I found some picture which was so beautiful and amazing it doesn't only wins my heart, it also makes me type this Article just to keep this moments forever. 

Next our Evening Session Starts with Reflect and Refocus: “Where have we been and Where are we going” with an activity let’s be Creative and in this session we express ourselves as no one was there in that room. But in reality there were 400 people. After that Leadership session again: “The one who makes the rules wins the game” by DR Sydur Rahman he is one of my idols. Whenever I see him I feel like I can do more then I plan off. He didn’t let me feel weak from the first day I talk with him. He is my best inspiration who make me alive again an eye seen GOD. When we came back to room I call up my mom she asked me “How do you feel when you see those views?” and my answer was I feel like I’m in heaven Mom and I hang up my phone and enter to my room and I cried badly. I was still confused that what I have seen and where I was all real or fake. But still we have two more days to go on to see more amazing god gifted natural sceneries. This was my 3^rd day on “My 5 days in Heaven on Earth”.

Our 4^th day we have been instructed for our bus ride activity: During our bus ride, we will be given paper and an envelope and asked to write a “Letter to our self”.  The buses are to be loaded and board for Grand Canyon. We have heard and seen in internet about Grand Canyon but now we are going to see that with our necked eyes. With that thought we started our trip again. At 12:30 pm Maswik Lodge “Santa Fe Room” then at 2:00 pm bus was loaded for Grand Canyon tour.  One more surprise was the sunset of Grand Canyon. The view and the beauty of it. The lovely moment out there in Grand Canyon was a moment we can’t think that it will come back or not just grape every moment in that when you were exactly there. Just don’t miss anything to enjoy the place and the fantastic view.

The Grand Canyon.

 How much time to make that beautiful view and that make me feel like no matter how much time it take me to grow I shouldn't stop myself on what I am focusing I can win one day as the Nature wins the view.  

Then come up with the evening session “Let’s Meet Our Schools!” In this session all the schools have to present their own schools with a short videos. The schools which where to present are:

•     San Francisco Community College- Ken Lee.
•     Miami Dade College, Kendall- Margaret Di Gennaro.
•     Houston Community College- Lorin Banja.
•     Scottsdale Community college- Allison Myers.
•     Miami Dade College, Wolfson- Nate Crayton.
•     College of Dupage- Nicole Spizzirri.
•     Northern Virgina Community College- Amira Al- Khulaidy.
•     Northern Virgina Community College- Paul Wagner.
•     Bunker Hill Community College- Zoe Edwards.
•     Mesa Community College- Paul Patterson.

This where the colleges which have to present their campus on the video and that was the moment we were eagerly waiting for.  

The 5^th day was the last day in Arizona but not least. Our program starts from 6: 00 am as we have to enjoy the view of the Grand Canyon Sunrise. And after that we are about to move for SEDONA the “Silent Hike” 

Our hike have to be silent…. We have been instructed that we are not allowed to talk while climbing the mountain. And we started our hiking without any word to each other. The way to till the top was tiresome and it was my first experience climbing mountain. I went till middle and feel scared to go further when I turn back and looked the view was incredible, amazing, awesome unexpected and it was unbelievable. The view makes me feel like I’m on top of the world. While searching for my favorite stone I wrote on one stone that “I will be coming back again”.  Why I wrote that I don’t know but I feel like I will go back to that mountain again with my family. And will let them feel what I do at that moment.

Then comes up our closing session:

•     Reflecting on your silent hike experience.
•     The Sacred Art of “Remembering”

Integration:

•     “Open Microphone for Group Sharing”- Christina
•     “Final Thoughts, Encouragements and Challenges”- Christina
•     “Recognitions and Final Announcements”- Christina
•     “Commencement”- Dr. Syedur Rahman.
• 
  
• Dance Night till 11:00 pm.

Next Morning was the only time to say Goodbye to each other that too at the Breakfast time 7: 00 am – 8: 30 am. Then we where to go for Montezuma Castle National Monument. After that have to move for PHX-“SKY HARBOR” AIRPORT for returning flight to Miami.  The experience and the knowledge I gain through that trip is the only idea that enhance my capability in bringing  out my full potential and applying into my personal and professional life. The moments I spent there in Arizona were the moments I want to keep it for my whole life and that makes me write this article. “My 5 days in Heaven on Earth” is the best and unbelievable dream which come true in my life. And that credits goes to US Department of State for giving me such an unforgettable memory to me. 

Thank you 

Program Director: Dr Syedur Rahman.

Associate Director: Christina Hyde.

U.S Dos Program Officer: Larita Hagar.

CCIP Kendall Coordinator: Margaret Di Gennaro.

CCIP Wolfson Coordinator: Nate Crayton  

And to all US Department of State.