“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” ~Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher

It’s an adventure to be sure, and we have already taken several steps! We’ve all heard stories of traveling teams but none of us has ever yet had the opportunity to compete in a foreign country. This will be a first in Kalamazoo College Volleyball history and in all of our own personal histories. As I write from my office at Kalamazoo College, I have a Chinese calligraphy print on the wall which means Crisis and Opportunity. I also have calligraphy on my back which means “Believe”. This particular journey of fifteen-thousand miles is the result of much belief blended into amazing opportunity.

In one week, the Hornets and our fellow travelers will be in the air en route to Beijing. Please follow along as we update our blog on a daily basis with adventures and pictures of the day. Our gratitude goes out to all who have helped us reach our fundraising goals throughout this past year; to everyone who helped us host the visitors from The Shanghai Volleyball Association in September 2008, and to anyone who has helped us prepare for this journey. Thank you from the bottom of our little Hornet Hearts.

To all the incoming Hornets and those who could not make the trip, use this space to stay connected with us as we create stories that will propel us into our 2009 season. And finally, you may think that it was Green Day who said “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” when in fact it was Seneca, the Roman philosopher, who wrote it down first. So to Megan and Cory, our seniors who will graduate this Sunday: while this is the end of your journey with the Hornets, let this trip be an adventure to propel you into the next phase of your lives.

Let’s go!

Jeanne Hess
June 12, 2009
Kalamazoo, Michigan