Well, I am positive I have lost my mind!
It feels like there are still a million things that need to get done before I leave. My biggest concern is money. And of course you can't move forward to get other things done until this is figured out. Sigh.
I have been working two jobs since September to try to save up money for this trip, but so far I haven't saved anything. It just seems like one thing is happening after another to prevent me from saving money. Travelling almost every weekend for fundraisers has not helped either. Gas will never be a reasonable price again.
Speaking of fundraisers, we have our final one this evening in Saskatoon. Followed by our last meeting Saturday morning. I am really hoping this meeting will seal up all loose ends. I have typed up my packing list, my suitcase is empty, but ready to be filled, and I have meetings with the bank to figure out the financial end of this journey.
There is a teeny, tiny sliver of light at the end of this tunnel. All appointments have been made, I am starting to get a pretty good base tan, and I have had amazing support from people back home and family. It is quite surprising who will help you when you ask. Those that you expect to jump right in, don't. And those who sit just on the edge of your social circle, give a giant amount of support without the blink of an eye.
The support we have received thus far has been amazing. I thank everyone who has donated from the bottom of my heart. It means a lot to Global Students Helping Students, and it means so much more to those we are going to help in Thailand.
Physically, I am damn near ready for this trip; emotionally, I am not as certain. It is going to be hard, one of the largest challenges I have faced in my life thus far, but I am positive it will affect me and change me for the better.
So, here I sit, 18 days until I board my flight that'll take me halfway across the world. When looking at the big picture, I am pretty much ready to go, with the exception of financials. That is the one, final issue to work out. The last kink in my preparations. I have 18 days to smooth it out. I am sure I will make it work. I always do.
I will try to add one more post before I leave. One last update.
Until then,
11.05.2010
11.02.2010
Just A Little About Me..
.. I graduated high school in 2008 with honours.
.. I love candy.
.. I am currently in college working towards a diploma in Architectural Technology. I graduate in April of 2011. 6 months! :)
.. My favorite sport to watch is football. Make that Roughrider football.
.. I love to read.
.. I will do anything for my family.
.. The place I feel most comfortable is on a snowmobile on fresh powder.
.. I have the best friends in the whole world. I don't know where I would be without them today.
.. I am finding a unique love for every season of the year.
.. I love extreme sports, cars, trucks, and UFC. That's the boy deep down in me. :)
.. To contradict that statement, I have a soft spot for shoes (particularly heels) and purses.
.. I am the oldest of four children.
.. I've always wanted to work in the construction industry. Only recently have I found a desire to work in this industry in different countries.
.. I have owned three cars in my life.
.. I am very excited to buy a house, but am willing to put that on hold to do some travelling and experiencing.
.. I am a cry baby. If someone else is crying, I cry. Movies and tv shows make me cry too.
.. I really, really want to help others. My focus right now an ethnic group in Burma, the Karen. My goal is to work for some organizations that are set up in the UK, who help out these particular groups; to bring them home again.
.. I moved away from home at the age of 17.
.. I have never broken a bone or gotten stitches.
.. I am trying to learn a new language right now.
.. I love pink. :)
.. I rode on a plane for the first time alone this past summer.
.. Rock music is my number one choice, but I will listen to anything.
.. I love watching movies, but not a fan of war movies.
.. I enjoy meeting people.
.. But I consider myself a shy person.
.. I am addicted to tattoos. :)
.. I miss high school sports.
.. I worry most about losing people I love.
.. I am a facts person.
.. I love learning. I will never stop wanting to understand everything.
.. I like to do things for myself. Hence, why I never want to stop learning.
.. I am quite independent, but enjoy having someone to lean on as well.
.. I have so much love to offer!
With love,
.. I love candy.
.. I am currently in college working towards a diploma in Architectural Technology. I graduate in April of 2011. 6 months! :)
.. My favorite sport to watch is football. Make that Roughrider football.
.. I love to read.
.. I will do anything for my family.
.. The place I feel most comfortable is on a snowmobile on fresh powder.
.. I have the best friends in the whole world. I don't know where I would be without them today.
.. I am finding a unique love for every season of the year.
.. I love extreme sports, cars, trucks, and UFC. That's the boy deep down in me. :)
.. To contradict that statement, I have a soft spot for shoes (particularly heels) and purses.
.. I am the oldest of four children.
.. I've always wanted to work in the construction industry. Only recently have I found a desire to work in this industry in different countries.
.. I have owned three cars in my life.
.. I am very excited to buy a house, but am willing to put that on hold to do some travelling and experiencing.
.. I am a cry baby. If someone else is crying, I cry. Movies and tv shows make me cry too.
.. I really, really want to help others. My focus right now an ethnic group in Burma, the Karen. My goal is to work for some organizations that are set up in the UK, who help out these particular groups; to bring them home again.
.. I moved away from home at the age of 17.
.. I have never broken a bone or gotten stitches.
.. I am trying to learn a new language right now.
.. I love pink. :)
.. I rode on a plane for the first time alone this past summer.
.. Rock music is my number one choice, but I will listen to anything.
.. I love watching movies, but not a fan of war movies.
.. I enjoy meeting people.
.. But I consider myself a shy person.
.. I am addicted to tattoos. :)
.. I miss high school sports.
.. I worry most about losing people I love.
.. I am a facts person.
.. I love learning. I will never stop wanting to understand everything.
.. I like to do things for myself. Hence, why I never want to stop learning.
.. I am quite independent, but enjoy having someone to lean on as well.
.. I have so much love to offer!
With love,
Blog Number 1!
So, here I start, with post number one. I guess an update is necessary.
Well, I leave for Thailand in 20 days. I will be there for three weeks, and it will be my first experience travelling on my own (without family).
The trip has many purposes. We are rebuilding a school that was destroyed in a recent storm. This is happening in the town of Mae Sot. We will be visiting refugee camps and orphanages, donating relief items and bringing Christmas to kids that don't get to enjoy it the way we do. Most of all, we will be helping those in need; putting our greed and privileges aside.
I suppose I should let you know what I mean by "we". I am not doing this alone. I am going with a group of 15 people (mostly students). Our group is going in partnership with Global Neighbors Inc. In December of 2009, a group went on a very similar trip from my school, SIAST, in Moose Jaw, SK. They then created a group they called Global Students Helping Students. I am now a part of this group, and this is the "we" I am referring to.
More information about Global Neighbours and GSHS can be found on our websites: http://www.gnci.ca/
http://gshs.ca/
Here is an article for your enjoyment, as well: http://nipawinjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2798177
Lastly, I want to add, that I have chosen to go to Thailand 10 days earlier than our working trip takes place. I am going with a friend, and this is purely for a vacation. We are basically backpacking in the Southern part of Thailand. We want to tour around some of the islands, and see all the hotspots.
All in all, it will be quite an adventure; from lounging around on the beaches to seeing the conditions Karen Refugees live in. I have a good idea about what I am going to experience, but I know that I will still be stunned and dumbfounded by what I see and witness. This trip will change my life. And it is only the beginning of life changing trips I plan to take.
With love,
Well, I leave for Thailand in 20 days. I will be there for three weeks, and it will be my first experience travelling on my own (without family).
The trip has many purposes. We are rebuilding a school that was destroyed in a recent storm. This is happening in the town of Mae Sot. We will be visiting refugee camps and orphanages, donating relief items and bringing Christmas to kids that don't get to enjoy it the way we do. Most of all, we will be helping those in need; putting our greed and privileges aside.
I suppose I should let you know what I mean by "we". I am not doing this alone. I am going with a group of 15 people (mostly students). Our group is going in partnership with Global Neighbors Inc. In December of 2009, a group went on a very similar trip from my school, SIAST, in Moose Jaw, SK. They then created a group they called Global Students Helping Students. I am now a part of this group, and this is the "we" I am referring to.
More information about Global Neighbours and GSHS can be found on our websites: http://www.gnci.ca/
http://gshs.ca/
Here is an article for your enjoyment, as well: http://nipawinjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2798177
Lastly, I want to add, that I have chosen to go to Thailand 10 days earlier than our working trip takes place. I am going with a friend, and this is purely for a vacation. We are basically backpacking in the Southern part of Thailand. We want to tour around some of the islands, and see all the hotspots.
All in all, it will be quite an adventure; from lounging around on the beaches to seeing the conditions Karen Refugees live in. I have a good idea about what I am going to experience, but I know that I will still be stunned and dumbfounded by what I see and witness. This trip will change my life. And it is only the beginning of life changing trips I plan to take.
With love,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)