Hello Rave Reviews Book Club Members and Bloggers!
Today I am pleased to present to you #RRBC “SPOTLIGHT” AUTHOR” Jennifer Hinsman on her exciting month-long tour! And she’s from my hometown of Michigan.
I remember when we all had to get passports after 9/11. I still haven’t had an occasion to use mine and I’m pretty sure it probably needs to be updated. Let’s see what Jennifer has to say about it…
Passport
My passport expired about nine years ago. I originally got my passport for a trip to Europe and used it in several countries. It was an easy process, quick too! I can remember traveling to Mexico and Canada in college and I didn’t even need a passport to travel to those countries from the United States. Wow, have times changed. I would need a passport now to travel to both these neighboring countries, or at least a special license to get into Canada.
I’m hoping to travel to Costa Rica the summer of 2018 with my son on a school trip. It looks like it will be a fabulous learning experience for both of us. I’ve really encouraged my kids to travel whenever it’s possible because it’s an educational experience like no other. I can remember thinking, when I traveled outside the U.S., it was a life changing experience to be able to immerse myself in another culture. I learned things that I never would have learned in school, and for that, I’m eternally thankful. The human aspect is what really got to me. What I mean is that we are all basically the same, we have families, we love, we laugh, we cry, we work and so on. Obviously there were many differences as well, language, traditions and such, were much different. I was still able to connect and communicate with people in these foreign countries though, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Anyway, I was looking into getting passports for my son and myself for the Costa Rican trip and it looks like it will take two to three months. We have plenty of time, but it’s crazy to see how much things have changed over the years. There was no Homeland Security, social media or the kinds of technology we have now back in the day. The ‘new normal’ has this process more secure, more difficult and with more safeguards to protect ‘us’ and ‘them’, I guess. I understand, but at the same time it makes me sad that we can’t just all be kind and cooperative with our fellow human beings. All of us share this planet, who cares if my ideologies are different than yours? My philosophy is, to each his/her own. If you’re not hurting other living things like animals, the environment, other humans, etc… believe whatever religion or way of life that you’d like. We could all learn a lot from one another.
I’m looking forward to more travel and life changing experiences!
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Author Bio:
Jenny graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in business. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband, two sons, a furry son (pet dog) and a furry daughter (pet cat). Jenny is an avid reader and loves to escape with a great book. She is a huge animal lover and supports rescue organizations that help save all kinds of four-legged family members and more. All of her family pets have been rescues.
Twitter – @JennyHinsman1
Facebook – @SoulsANovel
Website – hinsmanj.wordpress.com
Amazon – amazon.com/author/jennyhinsman
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Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Please stop by Jennifer’s other stops during this entire month of her October SPOTLIGHT TOUR by visiting the RRBC site.
Our Lady of Victory Remembered! 
Thanks for sharing, Jennifer. Those that mean to do harm are really the minority and, sadly, they get all the press. Those of us who want to live peacefully greatly outnumber the minority. Thanks for a great tour. Thanks to Shirley for hosting!
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Thank you Laura!
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It is sad that things have not changed for the better. Our laws have done more harm to the country than anything and its so baffling to me. Thank you Laura for visiting my blog and supporting Jennifer today on her Spotlight Tour!
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If I were a billionaire I would have my own national news station, which would tell positive, happy, and loving stories. Yes, I would highlight the negative events for perhaps 30 sec. each, but not over and over going into such detail. We need more love…it makes the world go round.
Jenny, I appreciated your story and thank you, Shirley for hosting.
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Yes Karen sometimes the wrong people get the resources and it seems like they are rewarded for the bad things that they heap on our society. We the people will have to take back our country. Thank you so much for stopping by and joining the conversation.
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The news is hard to watch sometimes, I think I’d tune in to see your show Karen! Thanks for stopping.
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Hi Jenny! I’m still grappling with the “new normal”. I worry whenever someone I love travels, runs a marathon; and now I will have to add, attends a concert. All these safeguards may be harder for my generation than my kids. They’re growing up in this madness. We didn’t have to. Thanks for the thought piece. Thanks for hosting, Shirley.
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There is a lot of madness, I like the stories of the heroes and those helping others during times of madness. Thanks for the comment Linda.
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Thank you very much for hosting me today Shirley! It’s a great pleasure to see your smiling face and be on your blog. Thank you!!
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My pleasure Jennifer! Have a great tour.
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I love to travel and learn about new cultures but traveling, even for those of us in the UK, has become more difficult. You’re treated like a criminal just for wanting to get on a plane! This world has changed so much from the one I grew up in!
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Michelle, I haven’t been out of the country in a long time because I am not crazy about flying and what with all the insanity going on, my fear has heightened. When a former president of the U.S. got rid of air traffic controllers, to bust up the unions, I think the quality of the service went down a little.
Thank you so much for joining the conversation and supporting Jennifer.
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Wishing you and your son a fun filled trip with life long memories.
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I agree with all the sentiments that have been shared here. The joys of travelling are quickly being overrun with fears and difficulties. All we can do is hope for a better tomorrow…
Shirley, thanks so much for sharing your blog with us.
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Beem, I’m still trying to keep up with you in the blog dept. I’m all fingers when it comes to technology. Thank you on behalf of Jennifer.
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Nice blog, Shirley. Thanks for sharing it with Jennifer.
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