Welcome

Thanks for checking out my blog. It's here that I plan to share with you my experiences that I hold close to my heart. Enjoy reading.



Monday, May 23, 2011

Monday, May 16, 2011

23 Days

I'm going to try to do a better job at posting. I know I've been a little reserved with it, but a lot has been happening. It's almost the end of the school year and the kids are all involved in various activities. Daddy's been traveling and I've been holding down the fort and then some.

I got a few things left to do for my trip to Africa in 23 days. I'll be flying up to JFK on Tuesday 6/7/11 and meeting with my group the following morning for our 12.5 hour flight to Dubai, UAE. From there we sleep over and get up the next day for the remainder of our trip to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Just a short 5.5 hr flight.

I would like to cut up stickers for the children and friends I meet.
Get money in schillings dated after 2001
Have booster for vaccines scheduled the week before I leave
Confirm hotel and flight info to JFK
Unlock my cell phone so that I can make international calls.
Figure out how the camera I got works.
Make sure my kids are ready for the end of the year festivities at school. Picnics, etc.

So, some things left to take care of, but nothing that can't be done.

I've been doing a great deal of research into where we will be going and am really looking forward to a break from the day to day routine. I do hope that I can continue posting more at a later time.

For now
Chow chow
Rachel

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Shots & Times

Got my shots today. The only one that really feels like I'm lugging around a 40lb bag of dog chow is my left arm from the DTAP - tetnis (sp).

Got first look at flight information and yes the first flight is 12 hours and 45 minutes.
The second flight is only 5 hours and 30 minutes... I'm to drink lots of water and get up and walk around often.

Got lots of information today about what to do and what not to do. A ton of precautions, and while I think the total crap was getting scared out of me... I reminded myself that it is in giving that one truly receives. Calmed me right down.

Going to bed soon and tomorrow will bring walking Willow, my yellow lab friend and puddle jumping should the rain begin to fall on our walk.

Regardless, another hurdle jumped today. Know both my arms are up giving the peace sign as a "hi" despite the 40lb bag of dog food on the left side! (smile)

Chow Chow
Rachel

Monday, May 2, 2011

5 Week Countdown

So much has happened so quickly. I'm finding out answers to my questions and continuing to educate myself as far as safety and life in other cultures. I did meet with another woman traveling to Africa on my trip out west and found that we both had a lot of the same questions. It was reassuring to know that I was not alone in my thoughts.





Tomorrow is immunization day. A little trepid about it, but know and believe I am again... being safe.





I have reached almost 80% of my goals for fundraising and am happy about that. Life is so much not about a number, but being a part of it while it's happening. While the funds help, I'm not overly concerned about it and blessed to be in that position.





Others are not as fortunate.





I am reminded today about the families in Alabama who lost everything they had and the people of September 11th. Do you remember where you were at when you heard the news. I remember holding Stephen in my lap and feeling the need to to get out of the house and go get a gallon of milk. The phone calls were incredible as my husband was working in Washington, DC and his father at the Pentagon. Last night I was in bed watching tv with our 11 year old son.





We are truly blessed each and every day we are given a new day to see the break of daylight, breathe air, and be with people we love. Do we always like going to work and paying bills... no, but today I am grateful to stand and be a part of life as I know it.

Chow Chow
Rachel