A quick update

I was able to move all the toys that found a home on my living room floor the past few weeks back into my office. YEAH! I have completely packed one of my bags and I was shocked when I weighed it. I thought that 42 lbs would feel less and was certain that I had exceeded my 55 lb capacity. Now I am concerned about how I am going to get these bags to where they need to be. My travel partner will not be coming on this trip as she is going with another organization next week, so I'll be traveling on my own and meeting up with the rest of the team in Montreal. The second bag is 3/4 packed, but I will have to leave some space for my toiletries that cannot come on the plane with me due to new security restrictions. You can get quite creative in packing items into small crooks and corners of these bags to utilize every square centimetre of space!

I am scheduled to get my last needle on Tuesday and then all of my immunizations are done. Unfortunately, the $360.00 I spent on immunizations was not refunded by my insurance, and I got a very small $126.00 cheque from them that is covered under my plan.

My fund raising initiatives are going well due to many amazing people in my life. I found out a week ago that another colleague is supporting me in her facility by putting up a large poster board explaining to residents that I am going to Haiti, the organization that I am traveling with and their mandate. To everyone at the Terraces, and the residents that have supported me, thank you again for your generosity! I am aware that there are many other places for you to donate your money, so I apprecicate you choosing to support me.

Mom has returned to Thunder Bay after an almost month-long visit, and while I am sad to see her go, I also know that I will see her again in December when she will return for another month. We will be heading to Hawaii which is a first time for me and a second time for her.

Just in case some people are questioning how little has progressed since the earthquake six months ago, here are two videos that show the current conditions and with the rainy season coming up, things are only going to get worse!

I will make every effort to keep posting as often as I can before leaving, but time just has a way of passing so quickly these days.