Oh My Goodness. This must be the most speedily I have ever updated the blog.
This morning I was none too excited to begin this adventure, but I guess it's hard to be optimistic after a practically all-nighter of packing and worrying. I am not much of a good-bye crier, but this morning I made an exception... The security officer at the Kelowna airport made a joke of asking if it was raining outside. With cherry season and the short notice of this trip I just didn't have time to mentally prepare for a six month absence. And at first it felt like I was being ripped away, rather than bounding off into the horizon.
The plane ride was pretty long, stopping in Edmonton and Ottawa before arriving in Halifax at 3:45 BC time/7:45 local. After each stop the flight attendants would say stuff like, "Oh, you still on here?". Yes, it was a long day of zooming through the clouds: catching up on some much-needed sleep, listening to music and letting my thoughts wander around, with only Bits and Bites and bottled water for sustenance. In an emergency exit seat with lots of legroom and no one beside me, thanks to Rhonda. :)
My outlook has changed almost completely since this morning. I feel ready to face everything new and interact with the group, something I dreaded this earlier today. Lesson learned, sleep=important.
Thanks to everyone who came over to my house last night, it was a perfect good-bye for me and I am really glad I got to see you all!
So. I got to Halifax no problem, I am not ridiculously over-packed (as I expected), I saw the Parliament buildings from the plane, I am in a province I have never visited before, I saw Shaun Majumder at the Halifax airport, I have had a swim in the hotel pool with some of the other girls, and I even get to update the blog! Life is good! And the time change is to my advantage... waking up at 9:00 tomorrow will be a breeze. :)
ALSO, let me just tell you a cool story. As I was packing my backpack for this trip I went to rip off the baggage tag from my return flight from Peru... only to notice that on it was an announcement for new non-stop fligths to Accra, Ghana! The Prophetic Luggage Tag escaped the trash can in favour of my future CWY scrapbook!
Yes, life is good and I suppose that's all I have to say to you for now. I hope you find ways to realize how good life is when you are in a terrible mood too, because it rocks!
Con amor,
Julia on the other side of Canada!
Showing posts with label Halifax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halifax. Show all posts
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thankful and Stoked to the Max; The Latest News.
Hi everyone! :)
I leave for Canada World Youth in less than one week! I thought I would update you on how my preparation is going since I am ridiculously busy (praying that cherry season will end in two days rather than three!) and sadly won't be able to spend nearly enough time with any of you before I go.
I reached my fundraising goal of $2800 only 15 days after learning I had been accepted to the program. I currently have $2980 in hand for Canada World Youth.
How amazing is that!? I must have THE most generous family, friends and adopted family of any CWY participant ever, and I am so blessed by and grateful to you all! There is a list of donors on the right side of this web page; thank you! I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to my change jars, bought energy drinks in the orchard, donated recyclables, bought cherries and just generally helped me out; your contribution has not gone unnoticed! If you thought about making a donation and would stll like to, it's not too late. You can find the link in my last post or contact me. I'm sure future CWY Youth Volunteers will appreciate your support.
Having my fundraising goal met has been a big relief because I have more time to devote to other aspects of preparation. Packing, buying supplies (like anti-malarials), university applications for next year, wrapping up various loose ends... It seems that every time I check something off my list three new things take its place!
The other day I talked to my canadian project supervisor, Allyson, on the phone and I've had e-mail contact with her and several of the girls from my group now. It is nice to talk to people who you will be spending 6 months with a bit in advance! Allyson is actually from St.John's, which is apparently unusual, so she is going to have some great work projects and community contacts lined up for us! But, before St.John's, I've learned, we will actually be spending about a week in Halifax for Volunteer Orientation Camp! Yet another chance to see more of Canada, yay!
Lastly, I found a tool for the blog where you can follow by e-mail. So... follow the blog by e-mail! It is on the right-hand side of the page, above the list of donors.
Hope you are having a fantastic day,
with much love and appreciation,
Julia
I leave for Canada World Youth in less than one week! I thought I would update you on how my preparation is going since I am ridiculously busy (praying that cherry season will end in two days rather than three!) and sadly won't be able to spend nearly enough time with any of you before I go.
I reached my fundraising goal of $2800 only 15 days after learning I had been accepted to the program. I currently have $2980 in hand for Canada World Youth.
How amazing is that!? I must have THE most generous family, friends and adopted family of any CWY participant ever, and I am so blessed by and grateful to you all! There is a list of donors on the right side of this web page; thank you! I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to my change jars, bought energy drinks in the orchard, donated recyclables, bought cherries and just generally helped me out; your contribution has not gone unnoticed! If you thought about making a donation and would stll like to, it's not too late. You can find the link in my last post or contact me. I'm sure future CWY Youth Volunteers will appreciate your support.
Having my fundraising goal met has been a big relief because I have more time to devote to other aspects of preparation. Packing, buying supplies (like anti-malarials), university applications for next year, wrapping up various loose ends... It seems that every time I check something off my list three new things take its place!
The other day I talked to my canadian project supervisor, Allyson, on the phone and I've had e-mail contact with her and several of the girls from my group now. It is nice to talk to people who you will be spending 6 months with a bit in advance! Allyson is actually from St.John's, which is apparently unusual, so she is going to have some great work projects and community contacts lined up for us! But, before St.John's, I've learned, we will actually be spending about a week in Halifax for Volunteer Orientation Camp! Yet another chance to see more of Canada, yay!
Lastly, I found a tool for the blog where you can follow by e-mail. So... follow the blog by e-mail! It is on the right-hand side of the page, above the list of donors.
Hope you are having a fantastic day,
with much love and appreciation,
Julia
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