Final plans

Today we received our passports with Uganda residency visas as well as our airline confirmation for Sept 30th. Everything regarding letting out the house, utilities, packing up the house, cars, etc has been done. We've had all our immunizations and got our supply of anti-malarials which we've already begun taking. Just the final packing and a few odds and ends to complete.

We are now in the process of saying goodbye to our friends and Danny's relatives and it's been difficult and sad. Both Danny and I are excited about going but are beginning to get a bit nervous as it's sinking in that we really are going.

Probably won't post again until after we arrive in Uganda for our in-country-training.

Motivation for going.....

The reactions we've received when describing our upcoming placement have varied from "are you insane?" to "you two are saints" and everything in between. When describing how 'un-modern' our accommodations will be I've garnered looks of horror....okay, maybe not quite horror but definitely distaste.

I made a few comments in the beginning of this blog regarding my motivation but thought I'd do so again.

So, why have I agreed to this venture with Danny aside from the fact that he wants to do it and has much to contribute to any education system?

• adventure
• help people much less fortunate than myself
• experience a culture firsthand which is vastly different from any in which I've lived
• learn how spoiled, pampered and wealthy I really am
• leave my safe and secure environment and expand my view of the world
• live in a place long-term in order to examine/change my own values
• learn that simplicity really is the best way - see that I have way too much 'stuff'
• return home with a much greater appreciation of what I have

Back from holiday and in high gear!

We returned from Michigan today and enjoyed a very full and fantastic 3 week visit with family along with a relaxing time on our own in the northern area of the state. We left quite a pile of money at REI, another outdoor centre, and a few other shops in order to stock up on Uganda-appropriate clothing and supplies.

Our calendar is quite full for the next couple of weeks with all the things we need to finalize and sort out as well as visiting with friends and Danny's family before we leave. Our friends/future tenants are all set to move into our house. Danny also has motorcycle tests and a few more immunizations.

Some family members from both sides of the family have promised to visit us in Uganda and go on a safari.

Since returning home I've been hit with the realization that we're really going to do this. !!Although I find the image of my pre-departure to-do list more daunting than the images of washboards, pit toilets, malaria-carrying mozzies, and lack of other conveniences.

Countdown: 18 days to departure