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

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

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

Why The Title

Why So Litte Time? I am given such a short time on earth. Perhaps instead of asking why so little time the question should be a phrase like... Because I Am Able. We all always have choices in our lives. Do the right thing or the wrong thing. What I find is even more important is am I happy with the consequences and outcome of my actions? If I am not, than I must change my behavior. If I want a different outcome, than I must change my behavior. That some days means simply changing how I view the world. Such a simple little thought, yet how many others take for granted. I hope I am always teachable. Rachel

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