Supplies keep coming

I purchased my 2nd hockey bag on Monday. I had gone into Canadian Tire to purchase the cheapest bag I could find and of course they were out of stock, but when I went to another store the next day, I found a better deal. A nicer bag on sale for much less! Unfortunately, the bags appeared to be priced wrong, but when the sales person found out I was using the bag to go away she gave it to me at the sale price anyway. Tonight, I thought I'd start packing some of the toys I have received from many generous people, but I just got off the phone with Karen (our team captain and orgainzer extrodinaire) and I found out that I can bring supplies that I have not advised everyone about.

If anyone is still looking to purchase items for me to fill my bags, here is an updated list:

-gauze
-diapers (re-useable for toddlers and teens)
-facecloths
-toothpaste
-mosquito nets (can be purchaed from Mountain Equipment Co-op and IKEA)
-triangle bandages/slings

I'm hoping that I can take every donate with me on this trip, but as I am limited to 55lbs per bag, I may have to store supplies until my next trip. I promise everyone that if I can't take them this time around, they WILL get to Haiti!

Finding my word

I saw Eat, Pray, Love two nights ago. I HATED the book and the author's self-indulgent prose. That said, I didn't hate the movie.  I'm not proud to admit this, but it's true. I'm not sure the intent of the movie or what most people will take away from it other than another Julia Robert's blockbuster, but a few things resonated with me. Perhaps because I am planning an adventure myself, I related to the spiritual journey that is experienced when traveling to new and unknown places. This is a big year for me. I don't know why, but I can feel it...... in my core. Things are starting to happen, to move forward without effort and challenges. I've never experienced this sensation before so I'm just trying to go with it and enjoy the ride.
In the movie, everyone has a word to describe themselves or where they are in life. I don't yet have a word, but I am guessing that I will have one soon. Until I find one, I found a quote from the end of Eat, Pray, Love to be meaningful to me.

"...I've come to believe that there exists in the universe something I call "The Physics of The Quest" - a force of nature governed by laws as real as the laws gravity or momentum. And the rule of Quest Physics maybe goes like this: "If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared - most of all - to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself....then truth will not be withheld from you."

I'm ready to take on on The Physics of the Quest and cross over to wherever that may be. I'll let you know when I get there!

The Packing Has Begun.......

That's me packing

As you can see by these photos, I have many, many toys that have been donated. I found out that I need to inventory my bags.  I've started, but quickly realized how hard it is to fit a car seat into a hockey bag. It took some figuring out, but I got it to fit with room to spare! I'm hoping that some kind soul will donate another hockey bag so that I don't have to go out and buy one. The one you see in these photos was donated by my landlord's sister at a recent yard sale. Again, the generosity of others has not yet failed to amaze me.
I found out last night, that we may get the opportunity to visit a Women's Art Fair while in Haiti as well as spend time shopping at local stores that were not destroyed in the January earthquake. I am thrilled to start my Christmas list and know that I will be helping to support the Haitian economy. I'll be trying to pack flattened cardboard and rolls of bubble wrap in my bags so that I can safely transport my purchased goods home (hopefully in one piece).

My living room has turned into a toy factory

An interesting thing happened to me today. I was out shopping with my mom and wandered in a small locally-owned clothing store. The friendly owner struck up conversation with me when she noticed me eyeing a floor-length sundress. "Are you looking for yourself"? "Yes" I replied. "I am going away in November and this dress would be perfect". She got a big grin on her face and asked where I was going on vacation. I suddenly realized that this is a normal question when someone replies that they are going away. We assume it is to go on a relaxing and comfortable vacation. I quietly responded "I'm actually going to Haiti". Right away, she started going on about how brave and wonderful it is that I was going to help. She gave me a 10% discount off my clothing purchase and followed me out to the street praising my good-will and that she had forgotten all about what had happened in Haiti because it wasn't in the news anymore. While it was a bit awkward, I also found myself going on about how excited I was about going and that I feel that I "get to go".
I will be writing more blog entries on "Getting to go" to Haiti. I believe that I am being offered a potentially life-changing experience that very few people are offered, or chose to accept. In taking on this challenge, I feel honoured that I am going to help those in need with nothing more to gain but creating memories and a few new friends,  taking photos to remind myself how lucky I am to be living in Canada, and hopefully bringing back some amazing souveniers. I can't wait for November to arrive. Really, I wish I could start packing now.

Anyone know how to fit a car seat into a hockey bag? Hmm...

Happy Birthday

Flowers from Robin

I celebrated my 39th birthday today. As my cousin reminded me, I should REALLY enjoy this one as it is the last one in my 30's. I had an amazing day. I received more well wishes than expected, and beautiful flowers from two very special little girls, Robin and Imogen. Went to see the Lion King with my mom and then drank champagne and had dinner made for me by a very good friend who also happens to be an amazing chef! Thank you to everyone who made this day so special for me and for making me appreciate you all more than I already do!

Flowers from Imogen

My Journey..... A Work in Progress

A time comes in your life when you finally get it... when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice in side your head cries out.... ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on. Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon. You realize that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you... and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance. You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, or appreciate or approve of who or what you are.... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself... and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you - or didn't do for you - and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that everything isn't always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself... and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties... and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with.

You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people... and you learn not to always take it personally.

You learn that nobody's punishing you and everything isn't always somebody's fault. It's just life happening. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.

You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.

Finally, with courage in your heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.

         - - Author Unknown