Akron Photos- Part One

Here are some photos from the first week here in Akron from the MCC campus. It has snowed a lot since we arrived and it has created some great scenery.

Toby built this snowman with help from his wife Yasmine who is from El Salvador

This might be one of my favorites so far :)

I love the way the snow on the roof is hanging over as  it started to slide off the roof during the warmth of the day. 

I hope to put up more tomorrow from Akron and area.

Farewell Dinner

Here are a few pics from the farewell dinner that Carissa and Cynthia organized before I left. We had a great meal at La Bamba (my favorite Mexican restaurant in Saskatoon) and fantastic company.

Thank you all for your love, support and prayers :)

Reflections from Akron

So I made it to Akron along with all three of my bags :)

As soon as I met the first few people I would be spending my two weeks here with, I knew I had made the right decision. I was somewhat shocked that I was not the only one here around my age and single preparing to go overseas to work for three years! Out of 15 there are 5 of us (interestingly we are also all female). But knowing I am not the only one who has made what some may call 'this crazy decision to move overseas and work all by yourself and not know anyone there!' reaffirms my decision and that what I am doing is right for me.

As we sit at our tables during the season I realize how much I have been missing these thought provoking and motivational conversations. They are open, honest and insightful. They are accepting of the differences (because we are all very different and come from different backgrounds and experiences) but also question you so you are forced to look deeper into yourself. A lot of the conversations and discussions revolve around peace and justice and I do not think I have ever discussed peace and justice with anyone in the past (I hope to right more about this if Jimmy is okay with it). We discuss where we have been and where we are going, our personal experiences and how they will benefit us or hamper us. Around the dinner table we talk about current events, Canadian and American politics (I think I finally understand what the Tea Party is!). We talk about family and friends, past careers, hopes and dreams.
 
Lastly but not least there is a lot of laughter!

Tears

Last week when I said goodbye to my Grandma Holzman I cried a little as I walked away. I have such fond memories playing at her house and spending a good portion of the summer with her and Grandpa at the lake when I was little. I most likely will never see her again.

I almost cried today for the first time this week. I gave my niece a big hug and said 'I love you,' which I think might be the first time I ever said that to her. I had tears in my eyes. It has been a hard day. My younger nephew Beckett has been asking me questions all week about Africa, where it is and why I am going there. His older brother Jack has said hardly a word about it until this morning. We were all sitting in the living room, the boys playing and us adults having our morning coffee when all of a sudden Jack starts crying 'I don't want Aunty Jodi to go to Africa!' At first I thought he was upset because his dad had turned the TV off. When I realized why he was so upset it almost broke my heart!

Even though I am leaving tomorrow morning I am so grateful I had this week to spend with my brother and his family. The boys mean so much to me and I love playing with them and watching them play after they have worn me out :) I can't think of a better way to have spent my last few days!

I am sure that there will be more tears tonight, but oh well :)

The Bags are Packed

The bags are packed! That mountain I showed earlier was greatly reduced thanks to my sister-in-law Carissa and best friend Cynthia. They made me go through everything on the bed and floor and I discarded close to half. We had a few laughs too. I had one shirt I wanted to take and Carissa mentioned she has never seen me wear it, to which I responded "that's cause it only fits me when I am skinny as its kinda clingy." Needless to say she made me put it in the discard pile, which is a good call :) Really Jodi? You never wear cause its clingy? Why on earth I had it the pile to take to begin with, I have no idea!?!?

Here are few pics of the piles in progress and the end result.

 

Here is my discard pile, some I will pack and store

others I will give away

     Notice the smaller piles and no shoes?

   They made me get rid of 3/4 of the shoes

in the original pile

               

                

 The piles are more organized and smaller now

Less overwhelming!

The final result. Two bags that weigh 45lbs each!

And now I'm off to pack and clean my house so I can move out on Sunday.

Overwhelmed

I feel so overwhelmed right now. I am trying to pack my two bags to take to Tanzania and it may just be the end of me! The pile of stuff I want to take with me looks little a mountain, its almost funny. I know I don't need to take everything in this pile with me but I want to. :(

My packing room aka my spare bedroom

What I find funny is that when I went backpacking in Central America I had one bag for three months. That equals three pairs of pants, a couple pairs of shorts, a few t-shirts and tank tops. I was perfectly fine with that wardrobe :) but for some reason I think that this time I need to take everything in my closet and then some!

My pile of shoes that I want to bring. 

I love shoes because they always fit and look 

good no matter how your feeling :)

Thank goodness my girlfriend Cynthia is coming over to help this afternoon. She will at least be able to give me some moral support and laugh with and at me! Just what I need :)

Happy New Year

Here is a sample of my white Christmas with friends and family :)

Christmas started at my brothers house in Saskatoon

 

Taylor, Jack and Beckett (my niece and nephews). 

They were so excited to watch her open the present they 

helped pick out for her.

 

My sister-in-law Carissa, my brother Jeff and Beckett.

Jack opening presents, with my Mom beside him. 

Such a serious little guy with everything he does.

 

Dad, Mom holding Fernando and Aunty Louise at Grandma's House.

Mom, Me and Cynthia enjoying a relaxing Christmas Day

Cynthia, Cesar and their little guy Fernando.

Holidays and ramblings

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.

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 :)

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. 

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".

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.

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!

Job of my Dreams

As I mentioned in the first post I would follow up with more details of what it is I am going to be doing for the next 3 years in Tanzania. To be completely honest it is not perfectly clear to me either. I have a job description but I have a feeling it will change repeatedly for better or worse. :)

So here is my actual job description as laid out by MCC

 

The overall objective of the Community Agriculturalist will be to
explore innovative agricultural practices made possible by consistent
water supplies, and teach local farmers about these practices.
Anticipated interventions include establishing a community-based crop
demonstration plot featuring location appropriate sustainable
agriculture techniques and practices; promoting improved harvest
storage technologies and soil erosion mitigation practices; and
teaching and advising local farmers.

The Community Agriculturalist will work together with a local
agricultural counterpart under the supervision of the Project
Coordinator of the Community Based Water Project. The work schedule
of the Community Agriculturalist will be quite varied, with a mix of
office and field work.

I have a feeling this may a very challenging role and I will most likely spend the first 6 to 12 months building relationship prior to starting any agriculture initiatives. At least I am somewhat aware of this before I leave so hopefully it will not be as frustrating. I know my patience will be tested many times and patience is not my strong suit.
I will give more details soon. 

Needles

So on Monday I went to the Travel Clinic to start the process of getting my shots (immunization) up-to-date. 2 hours and 4 needles later I was sent on my way. I needed a Hep A booster, Tetanus booster (includes whooping cough, so a 2-in-1 :) ), a TB skin test and the flu shot. And the scary thing is I'm not done! I have an appointment to go back the 1st week in January to get more.

My arms were not to sore until this morning, then they hurt a bit. And weirdly enough my leg didn't hurt until this evening. Oh woe is me! lol

The Beginning

Here we go! I have a few months to get prepared for the biggest journey of my life. I have dreamed for as long as I can remember that I wanted to do development work in agriculture. I must be honest, I never once imagined it would actually happen and that everything would fall into place so easily. Last August I applied with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) on a whim. They had one posting and were immediately interested in me. Things didn't work out for that posting, but they did ask me if I would be interested in a position in Africa. I said I would consider it and after a week accepted the position. It was a fairly easy decision as every time I thought about not going I felt sick to my stomach and when I thought about going I felt good. So by listening to my body the decision was made! So to Dodoma, Tanzania I go!
Details of exactly what I will be doing to come :)