I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I sure did :) spending it with my family and friends. I will post some pictures when I get home in the new year. I received some very practical gifts this year, all things I can take and use in Tanzania. No frivolous gifts like an iPad or e-reader :( lol. It is probably a good thing I did not get frivolous gifts that I would want to take with me, as I am going to have enough trouble packing everything I 'need' as it is.
I was hoping to take three bags and pay for the third one, but realized that it would cost over $300. That is just silly! I can save that money and buy things in Tanzania and if I really need, my parents can bring me things when they come. Then I discovered that because I am flying Delta for part of my trip I can only take one carry-on bag :( I know most people ignore the rule and more often than not I would too if I was not going so far and for so long. I know with my luck that the day I'm flying will be the day they decided to enforce the one bag rule and I would be screwed!
I realized something funny and kind of warped a few days ago. The thing I am most worried about is how I am going to take everything I want with me to Tanzania in 2 bags and one carry-on. But really, I should be worried about the fact that I have no idea what and where I am going once I land in Tanzania! lol. I tell myself it is because I have control over the packing but not the planning, so no point in worrying about things that are not in your control. And I know that once I am in Akron at training I will receive more information.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Whoopsie :)
What a day Cynthia and I had yesterday! It was one of those that you can let really irritate you or makes you laugh. We choose to laugh as much as possible.
It started first thing in the morning when Cynthia went to go take her drivers exam because her Mexican license has expired. She had to borrow my car because a stupid city transit bus took off the passenger mirror on her car. But guess what? Right when the driving instructor was checking the lights with Cynthia on my car the one of the brake lights quit working! It stopped working as she was looking at the darned thing!!! So she could not take the test :( because the light bulb is loose. Her husband Cesar will fix it for me :) Thank you Cesar!
Cynthia could have been very upset at the situation (and me because it is my car) but she decided it meant that she was not supposed to take the test that day. For whatever reason God was saying to her "Not today Cynthia".
So I became her chauffeur for the day :) which was my pleasure. After lunch we headed out to meet my sister-in-law Carissa to do a little Christmas shopping. We forgot Fernando's stroller! Thankfully we were on Broadway and I was able to get a spot a block away from the store we were going to. So together we carried Fernando in his bucket seat. (Cesar you need to leave the stroller in the car all the time! ;) )
After that Cynthia and I went to Superstore to pick up some groceries that she needed for tonight's Posada (Mexican Christmas party). She was able to find almost everything she needed, we waited in line at the checkout and finally made it back to the car. As were are heading out we decided to grab a coffee at the Starbucks drive-through. I told her to grab my purse and I would pay. She reaches into the back seat and says "Jodi, where is your purse? Did you put it in the trunk with the groceries?" Instantly I know where it is but she hops out to check the trunk anyways. It is not there, which I already knew. She looks at me "Did you leave it in the cart?" I sure did! :)
"Well I guess your paying for the coffee" I say and she looks at me in shock like she can not believe I just said that! What else am I supposed to do? We are in the drive-through so I can't go anywhere but forward so might as well still get coffee :) So we get our coffee and head back to Superstore and truth be told, I am kinda laughing about all this. This is somewhat typical Jodi.
We get back and there is my purse, on the cart with a another cart already put in after mine. Problem is we only have one loonie so can only get one cart out. Thankfully someone else was getting a cart and we asked her take one from that row. She did, but was looking at us like we were crazy! We put in our loonie and voila, I have my purse back :)
I am still laughing :)
It started first thing in the morning when Cynthia went to go take her drivers exam because her Mexican license has expired. She had to borrow my car because a stupid city transit bus took off the passenger mirror on her car. But guess what? Right when the driving instructor was checking the lights with Cynthia on my car the one of the brake lights quit working! It stopped working as she was looking at the darned thing!!! So she could not take the test :( because the light bulb is loose. Her husband Cesar will fix it for me :) Thank you Cesar!
Cynthia could have been very upset at the situation (and me because it is my car) but she decided it meant that she was not supposed to take the test that day. For whatever reason God was saying to her "Not today Cynthia".
So I became her chauffeur for the day :) which was my pleasure. After lunch we headed out to meet my sister-in-law Carissa to do a little Christmas shopping. We forgot Fernando's stroller! Thankfully we were on Broadway and I was able to get a spot a block away from the store we were going to. So together we carried Fernando in his bucket seat. (Cesar you need to leave the stroller in the car all the time! ;) )
After that Cynthia and I went to Superstore to pick up some groceries that she needed for tonight's Posada (Mexican Christmas party). She was able to find almost everything she needed, we waited in line at the checkout and finally made it back to the car. As were are heading out we decided to grab a coffee at the Starbucks drive-through. I told her to grab my purse and I would pay. She reaches into the back seat and says "Jodi, where is your purse? Did you put it in the trunk with the groceries?" Instantly I know where it is but she hops out to check the trunk anyways. It is not there, which I already knew. She looks at me "Did you leave it in the cart?" I sure did! :)
"Well I guess your paying for the coffee" I say and she looks at me in shock like she can not believe I just said that! What else am I supposed to do? We are in the drive-through so I can't go anywhere but forward so might as well still get coffee :) So we get our coffee and head back to Superstore and truth be told, I am kinda laughing about all this. This is somewhat typical Jodi.
We get back and there is my purse, on the cart with a another cart already put in after mine. Problem is we only have one loonie so can only get one cart out. Thankfully someone else was getting a cart and we asked her take one from that row. She did, but was looking at us like we were crazy! We put in our loonie and voila, I have my purse back :)
I am still laughing :)
Friday, December 17, 2010
The Beginning of the Farewells
I am all done work at DAS which is where I have been for the last 3 years. It has been a good 3 years despite all the ups and downs (fortunately there were more ups than downs). To be honest, I was starting to think about moving on from DAS, maybe go and do my masters in international development or agriculture when the opportunity with MCC came up. So I thought it would be easy to leave and would not be emotional for me but, surprise! Now that I am all done and gone I am emotional about it!
I wonder if its the loss of that sense of security and routine that is causing me the emotions?
Tonight is the staff Christmas party which I am not going to. I had come up with some excuses about why I wasn't going (and I thought they were true too) but I think it was my subconscious telling me not to go because it would be too emotional for me. So instead I am going for supper with my Dad and oldest nephew Jack. I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with 2 out of 4 of my favorite men with me :) (Beckett was sick and Jeff out of town).
Now that it is the next day and I have had some time to reflect I think its more going through the whole routine of 'goodbye' that was making me emotional about leaving DAS. And I also said goodbye a week ago to someone I met a just few months ago but has grown very close to my heart. I didn't realize at the time that I would miss him as much as I do, but hopefully time and God will heal this sorrow in my heart.
I wonder if its the loss of that sense of security and routine that is causing me the emotions?
Tonight is the staff Christmas party which I am not going to. I had come up with some excuses about why I wasn't going (and I thought they were true too) but I think it was my subconscious telling me not to go because it would be too emotional for me. So instead I am going for supper with my Dad and oldest nephew Jack. I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with 2 out of 4 of my favorite men with me :) (Beckett was sick and Jeff out of town).
Now that it is the next day and I have had some time to reflect I think its more going through the whole routine of 'goodbye' that was making me emotional about leaving DAS. And I also said goodbye a week ago to someone I met a just few months ago but has grown very close to my heart. I didn't realize at the time that I would miss him as much as I do, but hopefully time and God will heal this sorrow in my heart.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The Truth
I feel like I need to get this off my chest. I have talked about it with a few friends, but I need to write it out. I am excited and happy that I am following my dreams, which is leading me to Africa. But the truth is I am also sad, scared and apprehensive. I am leaving so much behind! I am not worried about the material things such as my home, my car and all those other things we North Americans say we can not live with out. It is my friends and family that I am leaving behind that makes me sad. By the time I get back my niece will be in her first year of university (if that is what she decides on) and my nephews will no longer be the little boys whose tummies I can blow raspberries on (if I try that when I come back they will probably be able to pin me down and blow raspberries on my tummy! ).
I am scared that no matter what I do to prepare myself I will never be ready, that I will land in Tanzania and be overwhelmed with culture shock. I am scared and apprehensive that I will not know what to do to help others. I am also apprehensive that no matter how hard I work or teach (once I figure out what to do because I know I will) I will not be successful in helping others to be able to grow enough food for themselves and others.
Ahh.... I feel much better now :) I think it is normal to feel what I am feeling and it is most likely a good thing for me to acknowledge it. I know deep down in my heart that I will be okay. God is leading me by the hand. I will survive the culture shock and I will know what to do to help others.I will miss my friends and family, but we will keep in touch and they will be in my heart and thoughts as I will be in theirs.
So next time you ask me how I am doing regarding my big move I will answer with the truth, "I am excited yet also scared".
I am scared that no matter what I do to prepare myself I will never be ready, that I will land in Tanzania and be overwhelmed with culture shock. I am scared and apprehensive that I will not know what to do to help others. I am also apprehensive that no matter how hard I work or teach (once I figure out what to do because I know I will) I will not be successful in helping others to be able to grow enough food for themselves and others.
Ahh.... I feel much better now :) I think it is normal to feel what I am feeling and it is most likely a good thing for me to acknowledge it. I know deep down in my heart that I will be okay. God is leading me by the hand. I will survive the culture shock and I will know what to do to help others.I will miss my friends and family, but we will keep in touch and they will be in my heart and thoughts as I will be in theirs.
So next time you ask me how I am doing regarding my big move I will answer with the truth, "I am excited yet also scared".
Monday, December 6, 2010
Shopping and Packing
I am trying very hard not to go overboard with what I take with me to Tanzania but it is hard to know where to start and stop. My list keeps getting longer and longer especially for the personal hygiene type stuff. This is silly because in my limited travels, I discovered you can find almost everything you really need anywhere in the world, including developing countries. But despite knowing this I still want to take 4 of everything! lol At this rate I'm going to need at least 4 bags and I can only take 2 (or I assume I can only take 2). It does help that I am going somewhere warm, so I do not need to pack winter clothes. If you saw how many winter jackets and pairs of boots, toques and scarves I have in my closet you would understand it would be a major challenge. But I only need to pack the warm weather clothes, whew...
So for now I am going to try not to think about packing until after the holidays. By then my ticket will be booked and I can find out whether I can take 2 or 3 bags. Mom might have to send me a box of things shortly after I leave of the little things I couldn't fit :) but don't want to live without.
So for now I am going to try not to think about packing until after the holidays. By then my ticket will be booked and I can find out whether I can take 2 or 3 bags. Mom might have to send me a box of things shortly after I leave of the little things I couldn't fit :) but don't want to live without.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Paperwork
It is amazing the amount of paperwork one must fill out as they plan to leave the country. I guess I should not be surprised as I am moving half way across the globe for 3 years! I just sent my first package of documents to MMC Akron. I had two folders full, one with medical and emergency information and the other with the paperwork for my work visa in Tanzania.
Here is a sample of some of things I needed:
5 passport photos
My CV notorized
A record check
Updated immunization and a full medical
It is such a relief to have the bulk of this done. It was weighing on my mind, I kept thinking about it and what I needed to do next.
Some of the things left of my to do list is go to the lawyer to sign my will and finish setting up power of attorney (I hope my brother doesn't decide he wants to make some extra cash and sell my condo?!? lol), dentist, pack up my house and move out and pack my bags for Tanzania. Not much left to do! Other than spend as much time as I can with my friends and family :) and finish off my long shopping list!
Here is a sample of some of things I needed:
5 passport photos
My CV notorized
A record check
Updated immunization and a full medical
It is such a relief to have the bulk of this done. It was weighing on my mind, I kept thinking about it and what I needed to do next.
Some of the things left of my to do list is go to the lawyer to sign my will and finish setting up power of attorney (I hope my brother doesn't decide he wants to make some extra cash and sell my condo?!? lol), dentist, pack up my house and move out and pack my bags for Tanzania. Not much left to do! Other than spend as much time as I can with my friends and family :) and finish off my long shopping list!
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