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.



Thursday, June 30, 2011

My Friend Torri

This morning I woke and thought about Torri. I wanted to share a little about my experiences with her. Torri is a wonderful woman who has a BIG heart and a great sense of humor. Torri was my buddy in Dubai and the one I wished I had in my room with me when the lightening fire broke out on the side of the mountain. She loved seeing the gold in Dubai and the spice markets and was a real down to earth; tell it like it is; kind of person. There were not a lot of frills and sugar coating with Torri and this I liked about her. Every once in a while... I would just crack up wondering if she was thinking the same thing I was during our travels. It was like we didn't need to say a thing to each other the expressions on our faces told the WHOLE story!

Torri lives in California and has a bird for a pet. She told me a lot of stories about her bird which I found entertaining. At one time during one of our distributions Torri handed me a stuffed Eyeore and said... "Rachel... she if she wants this?" And I almost cried right there on the spot at how the little girl just looked at the stuffed animal and hugged it and loved it. Torri was also a great buddy to have because she made sure if I wasn't at dinner or on the bus to hold the train and wait for me. Every day I need someone to cover my back and keep me focused and on task. Torri was that kind of person to me. And always with a smile.

Torri... thank you for being you. You are an inspiration to me to keep doing good. What goes around truly does come back to you. Your humor, friendship, and sincerity are one of the many blessings I was able to participate and share in during our recent travels.

Hugs
Rachel

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

From My Point of View

Happy Wednesday All,

I spent an incredible amount of time trying to get a child to be last night and need to wake her soon so this post will be short. No sleeping in for her today!

Today's picture of the day is a view from my point of view on my last day in Africa. I believe God smiles at us each and every day and whether we are in a position to receive that smile or not is entirely upon me as an idividual. So much of the time I see people who don't stop long enough to realize that roses or flowers really do smell.

For years I've wanted to write a book and title it "So What If They Dance On The Cornflakes...Throw Them In A Casserole". My life lessons about parenting. If I could write another book it would be titled.... "From My Point of View". I've recently found myself in some pretty interesting situations and can only laugh at myself when I think about the experiences I've had. And yes, sometimes I sob becasuse in order to understand happiness I must also know sorrow.

So my little peace of mind today would be to not take myself too serrious and enjoy life IN today. I am not guaranteed tomorrow.

Now to waken those little beautiful eyes to share another day with that I was looking at last night at midnight.

Hugs
Rachel

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A Typical Classroom in Africa

This is a picture of a typical classroom in Africa. Many of the desks are made by the students and sit 3 to a bench. The chalkboard is functionable, but questionable. Forget about AC or heat. The mere fact that they have shade is a blessing and there was a breeze in the room. I had to watch where I walked as the floor was not flat.

Sunday, June 26, 2011





This is me putting shoes on one little person in Africa. I'm still trying to figure out a great deal about blogging so bear with me.


Slow and stead wins the race... right?


Hugs


Rachel

Revelation

If I haven't learned one thing about blogging it's that it is not an easy task. You basically have to keep everything in perspective and be able to articluate telling others about it. This is not easy and requires time. However I do see the purpose in it.

I still haven't managed to account for my happenings in Africa and that is ok, because trust me.... my heart is still very much there.

The index cards continue to shuffle in my mind on the next course of action to take. I have however agreed to give myself until July 4th to get it all down in writting. I know there are only so many hours in a day and I could tell stories over and over and over of the wonderful experiences that I had and how yes... this trip did change my life.

So, for tonight.... know I haven't forgotten to account for them all... I will need to backdate and when I am ready to... I will share with you all my experiences.

Hugs
Rachel

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Dubai - Day One NY and Dubai

Wow oh wow... what a wonderful day we had. I don't think I've been to sleep in 36 hours. We left NY yesterday at 11am.

There are 23 of us on this trip. 3 of them are men. So far we have only had two people toss their cookies one on the plane and one on the dessert safari this evening. Our twelve hour flight on United Arab Emerites Airlines that was pretty impressive. I have pictures to post, but not tonight. I did get to watch the Kings Speach and a movie about soccer in Africa. We arrived in Dubai, UAE at 9am this morning.

From there we left to see the Spice markets and the streets lined with gold. I don't know that I have ever seen so much glitter. Not even diamond row up in NY. It was beautiful. Dubai is an incredibly beautiful city.

It was a balmy 120 degrees here today and I believe that I have sweated at least 5lbs today. I decided to not go up into the highest building because all of the buildings around were incredible. Too many to see and you CAN see them all. Instead I found myself in the largest mall with a 2 story aquarium in it watching a scuba diver feed the sharks that were as long as I am tall and getting hugged by the sting rays that were as big as the scuba diver was. From there it was a cup of joe and a bag of M&M's for lunch. Bottled water stays at my side on a continual basis.

We met lots of friends along the way and got to know the locals and they explained their head pieces and what they meant, why some women wear head pieces and why others do not.

From there we left for the safari drive in the dessert. I didn't know if my stomach could handle it and out of the 8 of us that went only one got sick. Sand was everywhere. Roll bars, insurance, and many other necessary things in order to go with a great licenced company. Our guide was great and really explained a lot of culture to us. One girl almost bailed when the driver asked if we wanted helmets. He was only joking, but when he deflated the tires so the sand wouldn't burn them out we both got a little concerned. All in all it was beyond words. I rode a drom-ma-dairy (one hump cammel) instead of a cammel. I ate wonderful food, got hennas tattoos and had a great time.

The one thing I forgot at home was my camera.... so... before I left NY I caught a cab to best buy and bought a new one. Now I just need to figure out a little bit more before I post the pictures here as to how to do it. I don't have a lot of time to read the owners manual so... maybe on tomorrows 5 hour flight to Dar (Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania) where we will be staying for the night before catching our private charter flight to Kigoma.

I miss Stephen, Grace and Sarah but did get to talk to them this morning before school. There is an 8 hour time difference so if it's 10pm here it's 6am at home. And tomorrow that may change again.

Dubai is a wonderful city. All of the local have been very nice and helpful. Almost everyone speaks english. I learned a great deal about how education is free and so is health care here. Lots of facinating facts and photos to share with you all soon.

Tuggle tuggle tuggle tuck in's Stephen, Grace and Sarah.... I love you and will be home soon.

Our trip coordinator, Katie is great and I think everyone is eager to hand out shoes and be with the children that need both hope and shoes.

Stay cool. I think they are calling for it to only be 115 here tomorrow and yes... they have humidity here too.

Hugs
Rachel

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane

The time has arrived. I'm a little questionable about my computer skills and hope the web site works while I am away. Tried to access it from a different computer in my house and had a problem. Could just be me and being anxious. Could be the other computer's issue and not mine.

Went to Petsmart yesterday to weigh my suitcase. I'm allotted 30lbs for some of the smaller flights. It weighed 17lbs. Was STOKED about that. How I managed to pack for 10 days with just 17lbs is amazing.

Have a good book to read at the airport or can just people watch and be perfectly content.

Thank you to everyone who has mad this trip possible. I could not have done it without your help. Especially my husband who will have the opportunity to fix lunches, tie shoes, attend class picnics, and be two people at the same time. I will miss the kids, but believe in my actions.

As I always say... watch the feet. A mouth will say anything, however actions don't lie.

Be safe and I'll be safe home soon
Rachel

Saturday, June 4, 2011

T-Minus 2 days

Saturday night and I can't sleep. Wonder what time the "go" engine will kick in. I've been tired most of the day with the endless thoughts of what I need to remember. I've been thinking a lot about how fortunate we are in this country to have shoes, go get something when we need it and food on the table every night. I could care less about packing my clothes and want to simply make sure I have all the proper paperwork and documentation needed to get thru customs in Dubai and Dar Es Salaam. I have got about 400 to 500 stickers for the children to share with them. I'm packing for 10 days under 30lbs. Rather challenging when the bag itself feels like it weighs 15lbs. Regardless, once I decide what I'm going to throw in the bag I will then spray it with the misquito repellant.

Also saw on another post that a new area is opening up with the S4S organization called "Travel 4 Souls". I can't wait to hear more about this. It sounds very exciting. I really do love what this group of people are doing.

So many times I have said... "I can never go to Africa", followed by a million plus one reasons why it was not possible. Truth is in 2 days... I'm going to Africa. I'm stepping out of the normal routine of daily life that I take for granted and being present for a stranger 100%. Yes, I'm sure I'll miss the small arms that hug me around the neck and making lunches and being with the hounds all day, but somehow... it is time for me to do something for me andif this is what it is than so be it.

I've been planning this trip since November. I continuously say... a mouth will do anything... actions don't lie.

Going to watch some tv, maybe play a game of go fish with my little night owl who doesn't do morning well either.

Stay safe out there friends and don't forget to count ALL your blessings.
Chow chow
Rachel