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I think that I have achieved a lot of personal goals in my lifetime. Some were easy goals and some were hard goals. But with determination and a little support from family I achieved the goals I set.
I first completed my goals of going back to school while raising my children. The boys were older but still in school. They often times did not get along or got in trouble when left on their own. With my sister’s help I managed to complete a computer programming course. I still couldn’t program but I graduated. Never got a job in computer programming and programming has completely changed now.
After I moved to Florida, I also went back to school for something different. I got an associate degree in accounting. Education is never lost even if you don’t go into the field you studied. Today everyone is expected to know how to use a computer. Accounting is used everyday as we manage our finances.
Beautiful Colonial Home Similar To Mine WhisperToMe
My biggest goal, perhaps not the hardest goal, has been buying my own house as a single woman. The hardest part of buying the house was getting through the mortgage process. Banks and government regulation can make things harder. I bought my house ten years ago and I love being a homeowner on my own. I don’t like renting although I have done that. When you rent the owner gets to keep all the equity in the house. Meanwhile, all you get is a stack of receipts. Owning my own house, the equity if I ever have to sale the house, the equity will allow me a good retirement. Owning a house is a smart investment.
So I have met several of the goals I set for myself over the years. Now my goal is to continue making improvements to my house. My final goal is to have something to pass on to my children. I guess I will never achieve my goal of becoming filthy rich.
Daily writing prompt
What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?
Harrisburg, Pennsylvanian is a good place to take children for fun and a great learning experience. It offers entertainment and educational opportunities.
In 1897, the capital building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania burnt. This left the Pennsylvania government with no building for the government to conduct the business of government.
The new capital building which was built between 1902 and 1906 is one of the most admired in the USA. It is a beautiful work of Architectural and artistic while also full of history. The building is full of art, beautiful paintings, murals, sculptures and history. The new capital building was designed by a young and upcoming architect, Joseph Huston. it is designed in American Renaissance style. Huston’s vision was to build a building that was a palace full of art and he accomplished that. There was a lot of competition for the rights to build the capital building. Joseph Huston won the contract and completed the building. After the completion of the capital building Huston was accused of taking bribes and conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania government. He was convicted and spent six months in prison. The building reflects many different types of styles throughout the building. Italian, Greek, Roman and French are all part of the buildings charm and beauty.
As you first enter the capital building, the first thing you will notice is the marvelous centerpiece staircase. It is often the source of group photos. Schools plan class trips to tour the building and have their class photos taken on these steps. Above the staircase is a 52 million pound dome. At the top of the staircase, it turns to both the left and the right.
The Rotunda Of The Pennsylvania Capital building in Harrisburg showcases a beautiful staircase.
The 52 Million Pound Dome Over TheRotunda
The Welcome Center in the Capital Building
The welcome center in the capital building is fun for the adults and children. There are interesting and educational trivia games to play. There is also a gift shop and places to grab a quick bite to eat near the Welcome Center. Children and adults can learn how laws are passed.
Children and adults can take free tours through the capital. The tours are popular and fill up quickly. It is best to call in advance and schedule a tour. Afterwards, they can find the Welcome Center of the building. Here, there’s trivia games and different learning experiences for everyone.
These are only a few of the highlights of visiting the Capital Building of Pennsylvania. Guided tours are offered by guides familiar with the history of the building.
The Pennsylvania Museum The Pennsylvania Museum is located near the capital building, within easy walking distance for most people. It is located at 300 North Street, Harrisburg. The museum has three floors full of interesting exhibits that families can enjoy.
The ground floor is where you enter, pay for your tickets and you are given a map of the museum. You can then choose which floors and exhibits you want to visit.
Ticket prices
Adults $7
Senior Citizens $6
Children $5
The first floor in the museum exhibits artifacts exhibits featuring old dishes, some broken or cracked. It also displays items that some of us senior citizens still remember from our childhood. There are also a lot of exhibits and a video which emphasizes the civil rights movement throughout Pennsylvania’s history. The exhibits on the first floor are sometimes changed to add new exhibits.
Second Floor
The second floor of the museum is my personal favorite. This floor has Native American exhibits, civil war exhibits, and industry and transportation exhibits. The Native American longhouses were pretty neat. Here there are old covered wagons, old stagecoaches and a turnpike display. The turnpike display shows an old car paying its toll at the tollbooth. On this floor there’s also one of the first tiny campers for campers.
An old covered wagon from early American exhibited at the State Museum of Pennsylvania
While the third floor wasn’t my favorite there’s a lot of interesting exhibits. Those who are interested in nature, ecology, animals, birds will enjoy these exhibits. There’s also a planetarium on this floor.
Make the Most of Your Trip
Both the capital building and the State Museum of Pennsylvania can take several hours to explore thoroughly. You may want to visit everything so be sure to plan ahead. Schedule your tour of the capital in advance and plan to spend a few hours at the museum. Make a plan that includes lunch whether it’s in the capital building or a restaurant nearby. Then enjoy a day of fun and education with your family.
Pennsylvania is the place to bring your children on a fun filled and educational vacation. Here in Pa, children can visit a working farm. They can learn about the Amish. They can see sites where history was made. Children can also visit zoos and wildlife parks. They will have fun learning every day.
History in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pa is full of history for the whole family from children to grandparents, there’s lots to learn and enjoy. Philadelphia, Pa was the site of the first Continental Congress and the first capital of the new country, America. In 1776 The Declaration Of Independence was read by John Nixon from the steps of what is now Independence Hall. This document was the beginning of the separation of the thirteen colonies from England.
Also in Philadelphia, you can visit several museums. These include the Ben Franklin Museum and Museum of Art. There is also The Franklin Institute, which deals with science. Additionally, the Betsy Ross Museum and The National Constitution Center are also museums worth checking out. Some of these museums charge admission fees, while others are free. There are many more museums in the Philadelphia area worth visiting.
Visiting the Liberty Bell is a must see.
Students viewing the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pa
The Liberty Bell is another piece of American history. It can be seen in Independence Hall sporting its famous crack. The Liberty Bell was ordered by the Pa Assembly in 1751 from White Chapel Foundry located in London.
Pennsylvania Zoos
Historical marker for the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
There are several nice zoos around the state of Pennsylvania.
ZooAmerica located in Hershey Pa is eleven acres which is actually a part of Hershey Park. ZooAmerican showcases some 200 species of North American wildlife
Tobias Lake is a wildlife park which was began in 1965. It features a Safari tour, where you can view most animals in their natural habitat. There’s an African lion, a Bengal tiger, an a giraffe. There’s also a reptile building where kids can learn about reptiles. There’s exotic birds, monkeys and a petting zoo. Take a picnic lunch and the children will love it.
While you are in Philadelphia don’t forget to visit the famous Philadelphia Zoo. The Philadelphia Zoo was the first Zoo in America. It covers forty two acres and has nearly 1300 animals. The zoo also features a great collection of botanical plants.
Penn’s Cave & Wildlife encompasses sixteen hundred acres. You can take a guided tour in a flat bottom boat through the caverns. Additionally, you can take a ninety-minute tour through the wildlife park. There are about fifty steps to the main entrance of the cavern. This is not suitable if you are handicapped.
T & D’S Cats of The World is located in Penns Creek, Pa. It is a refuge organization that takes in abused and mistreated animals. Starting mostly with wild cats, it now has bears, foxes, parrots and a bird Aviary.
The above is just a small list of family-friendly and educational places in and around Pennsylvania. Kids would enjoy these places and have fun learning. These places are great for home schooled students.
History Lovers Corner 