18/7

Christmas has come and gone, and New Years is just around the corner! My, how the time is flying by sooo fast! I had every intention of posting right before Christmas, or on the day of...but, time did escape me yet again, and I some how found myself too busy to sit at my computer for a few minutes. Weird, I know. But, to my credit, I also spent the Christmas holiday working, so maybe not so weird afterall. Regardless, to all of you - here's a belated Mele Kalikimaka.

As I write this, I am sitting at the Calgary International Aiport, waiting for my plane to take me to San Francisco, where I will be spending New Years with my little sister and some of my closest friends from Hawai'i (who now live in California). I am very excited to see some "family" before I head off to Africa. I have seen some friends who are just like family in the last few days for what will be the last time before I depart. It's still a little surreal saying goodbye (although, I like to say it's not goodbye, it's just "until I see you again".). I think it's because, even though my days are numbered and time is flying by...I still have time before I leave.

I realize now, that the next time I depart from this airport, I will be leaving the country for what looks like 8 months at this time. It's still hard to believe that I will be gone for so long, and I don't think that I will grasp the immensity of that time away until departing is something that I am no longer looking forward to. Some of my friends still speculate at the length of my trip. I guess it's harder from them to comprehend not seeing me for 8 months, especially since it hasn't been done with a most of them. At times, 8 months doesn't seem so long, and at times it does. I think that I am better able to cope with being gone for so long, because I have been waiting in anticipation for this to happen for over a year now. Not only that, but, I have now been living in Calgary for a year - and even though lots has gone on, that year still seems to have passed by pretty fast. I am sure that in a few months time, I will be speculating at where my 6 months on the Mercy Ships have gone, as I set out to visit friends and explore some of the continent of Africa.

So wherever you are this holiday season, and whatever you were doing...I hope that you were surrounded by friends and family, any of those that you would consider loved ones...or at least in touch with them, to realize that you are loved and blessed. Here's hoping that this next year, 2010, is full of wonder and adventure for you, too!

"Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family."
- Proverbs 18:24 (MSG)

And, the countdown continues...

For those of you who know me, and know me well, what I have done here in this picture will not surprise you. For those of you who are just getting to know me...the title on the board says it all. I'm choosing to be aware that my days here in Canada are numbered...

Now, this may seem like a logical and natural thing to do, seeing as how it puts everything into context and gives one a timeline to work by. But, deadlines usually freak me out. I'm one of those procrastinating perfectionists...so seeing "impending doom" is something that I prefer not to address.

But, this isn't impending doom like I've known it to be in university or at work. It's something that I am working towards...trying to get everything into place, mark everything off my list (Yes, I have a list. And, it's not just a single list...but a Master List composed of many sub-lists.), and make sure all my arrangements are made. Because as soon as D-day hits...there will be nothing more that I can do. No more arrangements that I can put in place, and hopefully...nothing left to pack up. My friends tell me that as soon as I walk through the security gates at the airport (in 29 days! *insert mini-freak out here*) that I will feel a sense of relief and a sense of release. I am hoping that they are right!

29 days is all that is left. But, some how, rather than shrinking, it feels like my list is expanding. But, I work well under pressure. And one-by-one, I know that everything on my list will be crossed off.

Speaking of which...time to sort through my clothes and try to figure out what to pack for Africa, what to keep, and what to give away. Wish me luck! For a girl with nothing to wear...I seem to have a lot of clothing...


Later that day...
It looks like my closet and my dresser have thrown up all over my room...and I have no desire to clean it up...shocking...

Light It Up

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
- Nelson Mandela

Just a little something from our church sermon today to make you think about the lights you put up this Christmas season. Make sure yours are shining bright, too...

66

66 days left. Just 3 days shy of 9 weeks. A little more than 2 months.
I guess it's safe to say that the count down has somewhat officially started.
66 days until I leave.

Sometimes, it seems a bit crazy to think that the day that I was waiting over a year and a bit for is now on my doorstep. It's making me come to terms with the fact that this is actually happening...as surreal as it may or may not seem; regardless of how many things still need to fall into place. Is it enough time? Well, I suppose that it will have to be.

Current events have made me realize...life will still go on without me while I am away. Not that I for one moment thought that it wouldn't. But, some times, when big things loom on the horizon, it's easy to overlook other things. Life will continue here in Calgary...things are going to be changing. When I leave, not only will I not return the same...the place that I left will not be the same. Dynamics will shift. Life rolls on...

It's still hard to believe that I will be gone for what looks like 9 months in total. It will be interesting to see what is going to transpire in my time away. It'll be interesting to see if all the pieces of the puzzle still fit when those 9 months have come and gone.

I feel like there is still a bit of a battle within me. As excited as I am to go...and as much as I wouldn't trade this experience for the world...as much as I am willing to sacrifice to see this through...I'm still scared, apprehensive, pensive, even. I want to go, but I'm scared to go. I desire the adventure and the unknown, yet I long to stay in the comforts of what is known. Am I alone in this?

I hear, in my head, voices of friends saying how much they'll miss me. Wondering who's going to fill my place, who are they going to do stuff with, go out with, have spontaneous lunches with. And, I have realized that this adventure isn't just affecting me, it's affecting others. It's amazing to stop and see the impact that you have on others in your life. I look back and wonder when and how it happened? I can only pray that this impact will occur yet again on my trip and my time aboard the ship...

Leg One...

So...my flight to meet up with the Africa Mercy in Tenerife...is BOOKED.
Wow. Leg One. Down.

Thankfully, my travel agent, Rikki, with Menno Travel made it super easy for me. As it stands, I should be leaving in the middle of January...leaving Calgary, going to Amsterdam, then Madrid, then Tenerife. It's going to be a long day of travel...and when I say day, I mean day. I think all-in-all...with going to the airport early because it's an international flight...the 3 different flights and layovers... It'll be about 22 hours and 30 minutes of travel, 14 of which is actual air time. This will definitely be a different experience for me. The longest flight I've been on was 9 hours. But, then to travel for more after that? We'll see how it goes!

I'm also kind of excited, because I am going to tour Tenerife before meeting up with the ship. My friend, Tamara, is going to be in England, and we plan on meeting up before I get on board. Another friend is going to give me tips on what to see and do when in the Canary Islands... So, if any of you have any ideas - let me know! I love exploring!

Calagry to Tenerife. Check. Tenerife to Togo. Check.

Now...to piece together what to do after my 6 months with Mercy...

(In spite of everything going down as it is and coming together...it still hasn't really hit me that I am going. And, I keep sitting here and wondering when will it hit me? When will it sink it? I'm going away. And for a significant amount of time. I'm doing this...I'm actually doing this...)

The Human Pin Cushion...

Yesterday, I had my travel clinic appointment at Medisys. My nurse was Chelsea, and she was really awesome. She told me that she wanted to do the Mercy Ships, too...but, then she got married. She also said that she looked a bit more into it, and she's sure that her husband could volunteer, too. I told her that they should still see if they can volunteer together. How awesome would it be to share an experience like that with a spouse?

When all was said and done - I ended up with three injections. The Yellow Fever vaccine, which is mandatory and requires proof of vaccination if entering areas with yellow fever, Typhoid, and my adult booster for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Polio. Needless to say, I felt a bit like a human pin cushion. But - better safe than sorry!

(Just a note...the reason why I chose to go to Medisys is because they are a Yellow Fever Certified Travel Clinic. So, if any of you are looking to travel in Yellow Fever areas, this could be something to consider. Also, an unknown blessing when setting up my appointment - they usually waive consultations fees when your trip is for volunteering! If not, they do have a 10% off consultation fee coupon available on their website. Either way, volunteering or pleasure, I am sure that they could meet you travel vaccination needs. Also - don't forget to see if you can get your vaccinations covered by third party insurance. I just found out that my plan covers 80% of vaccinations, up to $250 per year. When you're volunteering, every little bit helps!


Me with my international certificate of immunization and prophylaxis...a necessary travel document to go to West Africa!

Shaken...

Yesterday, I went to Tehillah Monday. The speaker's name is Trevor Meier. It was awesome. It struck me. Even left me shaken.

Ever just wanted some thing that you wanted sooo bad to go sooo smoothly - without a single bump in the road? Ever think about how that never happens? That's how things seem to be going for me right now. Ever opportunity for doubt to creep in...it does. Some thing in life happens...and I second guess this trip. God, is this you? Or is this just me?

After going to Tehillah on Monday...I ended up phoning one of my best friends...a few tears may have been shed. And, she gave me a quote...a little mantra, so to speak:
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
- E. Roosevelt

So...I'm choosing to believe Him, not just in Him. Fears, doubts, bumps in the road aside. Believe with me, too...

(To view the message that I refer to in this blog...follow the link to Tehillah TV. Click on the little "HOME" arrow in the top right hand corner of the video player. Select the Tehillah option. Then, choose "Tehillah Monday, October 5th, 2009 feat Trevor Meier".)

Correspondence...

So - as you guys have heard from my last post - I have e-mailed the current pharmacist aboard the Africa Mercy...and she replied! It's very exciting for me to have someone to talk to and ask questions. And - it's great to have someone's input, who has been there, and is doing that!

From what I have gathered from her e-mail, she is from the UK and is a long term volunteer on the Africa Mercy. She told me that we work from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. (Which means weekends are free for exploring?) And, we share an on-call pager, which we have for a week at a time...much different from the one on-call shift a month here at Foothills!

It seems like working as a pharmacist on the Africa Mercy is a mix of both retail and hospital pharmacy. We still stock and supply all the medications for the wards and the patients on board...but, we also do crew clinics where we counsel on OTCs (over-the-counter medications) and fill other prescriptions as well (lots of antimalarials, from what I gather). Right now, I am appreciating my time in both the retail sector of pharmacy, as well as the hospital experience I have had since the beginning of this year. I hope that both skill sets serve me well while aboard - but, mostly others! We'll see how it goes!

Playing Catch-Up...

So, when I finally started this blog, there were lots of things starting to happen...
My spot on the ship for 2010 was completely confirmed. My volunteer dates were set. The country we were sailing to was now official. I knew where I need to fly to in order to meet up with the ship, and where I was flying from to leave. I had time to research all the information I needed to get the ball rolling...

Now, it's time for you to know, too. On August 12, 2009, I received an email from my liaison at Mercy Ships stating that I am to arrive in Tenerife (in the Canary Islands) sometime between January 24th, but no later than the 26th. The Africa Mercy will be there from December 18, 2009 to February 1, 2010 to allow mandatory technical surveys to be done onboard. Soon after, we will be setting sail for Togo, in West Africa. My departure (to where is still undecided) is to be out of Lomè, Togo on July 31, 2010.

You can imagine my excitement in knowing that everything is finally set in stone. And, also how nervous I am because everything is coming up soon...REAL SOON! I can't believe how fast time is flying by me!

My next steps are a work in progress. I have found out who the recommended travel agency for Mercy Ships Canada is - and I will be looking into booking my flight to the Canary Islands, hopefully by the end of this month, as I am sure that it's quite pricey to get there.

I also have a travel medicine appointment booked for the beginning of October. I have to get the Yellow Fever vaccine. It's actually mandatory by the WHO. Without proof of this immunization, I could be denied access into Togo. You better believe I'm holding onto that paper for dear life! While there, we will discuss options for malaria prevention (I've already decided what I want to take, hehe), see if all my immunizations are up to date, and look into optional vaccinations as well. Oh boy...I think that I am going to feel like pin cushion after this appointment.

I have recently gotten the e-mail address of the other pharmacist who is currently on board the Africa Mercy. She is a long-term volunteer, and I am sure that she can give me more insight to what it's like, weather, how to prepare for my 6 months there, etc. I am hoping to correspond with her over the next few months, just to get a better idea of what life on board is going to be like for me. I just sent her an e-mail yesterday, and am awaiting a reply.

I am already stressing about how to pack 6 months of my life (and possibly more months) into a few luggage items...but, I'll figure it out. If any of you have any hints on how to do so, I would appreciate it!

Now...since I am to be booking my ticket to go...I suppose that I should start considering if, and where, I will be going to after my time on the Africa Mercy is done. I do want to go to Egypt...I have always wanted to go there since I was a little girl. Then, I am thinking that if it is possible, I would love to visit a friend, Miss Bev, in Zambia, where she is currently working for Overland Missions. The base's backyard is Victoria Falls. How awesome is that?! I am thinking that going on a safari would be amazing, too - I mean, who wouldn't want to see the big 5? And, we'll see where my travels take me from there... Right now, I'm still dreaming. :-)

I think that's all there is for now...until my next ramble. :-)

E Komo Mai (Welcome)...

So, if you’re here, you’re probably wondering why you are here.

I have decided to start this blog as a way of keeping in touch with everyone while I am away. It’s a way for you to check up on me and keep updated…at your own leisure, of course.

So, now you may be wondering, “Where are you going?”.

For those of you who don’t know yet…I am going on a medical mission in January 2010 with a Christian organization called, Mercy Ships.

Logically, the next question would be, “Why?”. Honestly, a mission trip is something that has been on my heart for years now…but, other things had to come first, like finishing my education, getting some experience with my career, and saving money.

Last year, I finally made up my mind to start pursing this desire of mine…a chance to “marry” my career and my faith. After a few months of looking into different organizations, my heart jumped after looking at Mercy Ships a second time around. For the last year and a half, I have been in contact with the people of Mercy Ships, seeing if I am a good fit for their organization, and finding a time for me to join them and their mission. The year 2009 had all of their pharmacy positions filled, so I was slotted in for the beginning of 2010.

After waiting for a bit more…the vast majority of the details are in, and I am starting to put things together.

I’m inviting you all to join me on this journey of a lifetime. Walk along with me as I prepare for my 6 months away, and be with me as I dock on the Africa Mercy…