T-Minus 9 Weeks

The past few weeks have been flying by so quickly. These are the things I can put a check mark next to in preparation for my trip:

• Received my visa for Tanzania.


• Made appointment for Immunizations.


• Figured out how much money I will need for each day for incidentals.


• Arranged to meet with another individual going to Africa who lives in California.


• Asked if I could bring stickers and crayons for the kids.


• Kept my packing to a shopping bag/backpack size wise.


• Raised 60% of funds for trip.


• Asked a lot of questions.


• Read a great deal of information on Tanzania and Dubai


• Made a 2nd attempt at a different address to contact Charlotte Blessing; the author of New Old Shoes, the book that planted the seed for this endeavor.

I'm in countdown mode. Only 9 weeks left and I do believe Spring has Sprung. It was 86 degrees here yesterday and absolutely beautiful. I think I filled six 40 gallon trash bags full of leaves from the yard and gardens around the house. The cherry tree in the front yard has bloomed and the kids remember snow from the winter when the blossoms blow all around the yard. Slow and steady wins the race... chug chug chug. What are we all racing for? Must remember to keep things in the moment and enjoy them. Looking forward to spring break with the kids. Not so much the five hour flight. They are older than the last time we traveled and hopefully will behave.

Have an action planned trip.

• Going to Venice Beach for a day of people watching


• California Science Center


• Reagan Presidential Library


• Disney


• Dinner with "my African friend"


• LaBrea Tar Pits


• Grumman's Chinese Theatre


• and which Hollywood Star will be our favorite on the walk of fame?

Bought a ton of little things to keep little ones busy and occupied for the flight across country. I think my favorite thing so far is the complete works of Beatrice Potter to read to Sarah. Wish we could go see the Giant Sequoia's and Yosemite, but that will have to wait until next time and the kids are older. The kids need to see that once in their lifetime to fully appreciate it.

Things I still need to do:

1. Fund raise the remaining 40% of the trip.


2. Get a map and translation book for Swahili


3. Ask more questions and get more answers


4. Figure out a way to convert shillings to American dollars. Trace the daily rate and estimate where it is at. Does it change daily?


5. Establish a paper itinerary for where I will be and when. Points to contact


6. Ask about access into and out of Dubai


7. Figure out how to upload photos to Blog from trip.

I still believe that I am doing something to better society as a whole and am looking forward to this trip. Others have said this will seem like a vacation to me because I do so much around home on a normal basis. I believe when you do something with truth, compassion and love that those things come back to you ten times more. I'll continue to try to post more frequently. If nothing else to track my own progress and where I stand. Hope that I can post as I travel and upload photos as well. (just added that to the list of stuff to do.)

Till next time...

chow chow

Rachel

Begining of a hectic week. I did get my passport and visa application mailed off to Soles4Souls on Saturday. It should be there by Monday at 3pm. Little nervous about fundraising, but believe in the purpose. Looking forward to our Elementary school auction this coming Thursday evening. Moonbounces, a DJ, face painting, lots of cool things, plus dinner to boot. I've put a great deal of work into this event for the school and I truly hope eveyone has a good time. I survived the all night Girl Scout sleepover at the local mall this past weekend and my allergies have gone full throtle. Busy doing life. Going to order the special surprise for the auction this moring. Just doing life. I am becoming more and more grateful for the 24 hours in a day. I don't know if I could survive more than 24 hours a day despite how I wish many days were longer.

Chow Chow
Rachel

March 1

How oh how did March get here so quickly? I'm still fundraising and have since obtained passport. Soles 4 Soles (S4S) will be obtaining the visas necessary for travel. This is a huge help. I've gotten the application for visa to Tanzania completed. Have package ready to mail to S4S and regarding trip. Need $1134.00 by March 8th as far as fundraising. Must remember this date. This is a third of the cost of the trip.

I've shared with most everyone I come in contact with that I'll be doing this. Now, the hard part.... having faith. I keep telling myself that God can move a mountain but I'd better bring a shovel. Well... here I am at the bottom of the mountain... shovel in hand. (laugh)

Found out last month that we will be staying in the United Arab Emerites (UAE) for a 24 hour lay-over for the plane to refuel. We will have a hotel room there as well. I don't know anything about UAE other than they have a lot of gold and oil. I've been told they have the tallest skyscrapers in the world. I'm truly hoping I have a roommate that I can attach myself to their back pocket. Scary and fun all in the same breath.

I was blessed to get one more day in regards to the school calendar. Ours son's 5th grade graduation ceremony is now on June 17th. I come back on June 18th. The school had to push the celebration back one day because of a snow day here. So I'm also including just one more snow day in my prayers so I can attend. If not, my son and I have talked and he understands that this is not high school or college and how very proud I am of him.

Ok.. just wanted to update everyone. I'll try to do more to update or make my blog page a little more exciting, but time is the issue.

Until next time... use your time wisely
Rachel

February

February -

Goals:
1. Obtain 1/4 of financial support for trip
2. Figure out what visa's I need and how to apply for them
3. Remain open-minded and teachable
4. Work on creating a better web page that is more fun and exciting.

January 2011

January

Spoke with a friend that has been on a previous trip such as mine. He was very helpful and the best advice I received was "don't let bureaucratic red tape trip you up. Get the official paperwork done and the rest will follow. I have applied for and obtained my U.S. Passport. This was a little sketchy when I handed over my original birth certificate and was told it would be mailed back to me. Three weeks later the Department of the State did it's job and passport has been obtained and original birth certificate returned to me.

I wrote and rewrote my solicitation letter seeking financial and emotional support for my trip to abroad. I gave the letter to a few people and asked for their input. After a few changes, I am satisfied and am feeling good about setting attainable goals and reaching them.

1/9/10 Sunday

Today and this weeken were good. Our son won his basketball game and I got my letter for solicitations completed and am satisfied with the final outcome of it. I also think I may have figured out a little bit more about blogging my experiences with this facet of my life. Nothing like trying something new.