Hitting the ground running…

A couple people got an earful of my weepiness as I said my goodbyes in Toronto.

In airports I always look on  at those smoochy couples who don't want to say goodbye or weepy young teenagers leaving home for the first time… and consider myself such a savvy traveller. Strong, independent… you know the deal.

But this time around was a different story. I was “that” girl. Tears started with the goodbye at the doors with the good friends who dropped me off.… they sprung again once through security as I read a lovely note of love and encouragement that had been slipped into my hand… and once again as I called my parents and Gramma to say goodbye. I was a straight up MESS.

5 months is a LONG time. But eventually I pulled it together and was back to being the strong, independent person I remembered being.

After 2 days, 3 flights, countless sketchy airplane meals… I landed in Udaipur and  hit the ground running…

4 hours after I landing I was at the office and I haven't stopped since.

We have been busy prepping for the arrival of a crew from Disney’s ‘Friends for Change’ – who partner with Free the Children supporting our development projects. We will be hosting them for one week, showcasing the progress within our communities as they film a commercial with one of Disney Channels big stars.  This is my first big gig- in preparation I have learnt a TON- mainly what goes into hosting large donors and public figures along with the need to become well versed on our projects and their history. I will be the one speaking to it all on and off camera… YKES! Wish me luck.

In preparation I got a crash course in “Indian wear” … to truly represent our projects and to be more authentic I will be sporting a couple outfits this week. Photos to follow as I am sure you are all interested to see this white blonde decked out!

During the time with Disney I will be staying at a fancy shamcy hotel, but since landing I have started to settle back into my apartment. I still need to pretty it up and do something about the rock hard bed but otherwise no complaints. The view is just breath taking! Honestly when the sun sets over the mountains and the palaces and old Havelli’s light up I have the best view in the city. Ill have to capture it soon and showcase it for you all!

Well I just wanted to drop a quick line before I am tied up for the next week. Wish me luck and I will be sure to write about all the craziness before heading off to Kenya!

Stay tuned, much love!

She adjusted her sails…

 

I needed to read stumble across this tonight as I am prepare to board my flight out of Toronto.

Bring on the storm… I got it…

I think!

My friends are cooler than yours!

2 years ago I made the decision to move to the big city, I was SO nervous. I was starting fresh, leaving behind the comforts of Guelph, leaving behind my solid group of friends, a city and University I knew so well. Toronto was the big city, the traffic, the culture, the vibe, the people all unnerved me.

2 years later it terrifies me to leave it all behind. Thankfully I know this isn’t goodbye, simply see you later. But still it is going to be incredibly tough.

Thankfully I have a PHENOMENAL group of friends to send me off, shoot me full of encouragement and love so I will be riding a high wave when I depart in a few short days.

The last couple days have been so amazing, here are a couple of my favourite moments and favourite people.

A fantastic evening followed up by a day of rollercoasters, childlike fun, funnel cakes and plenty of laughs at WONDERLAND!

My friends are WAY cooler than yours!

Endlessly changing horizon

"...The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." -Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild

I imagine one day I will have it all figured out, I will know the correct course, I will have a "plan”. But for the time being I find comfort this this quote- there is value in a endlessly changing horizon.

My horizon is about to change in a very literal way, my longest trip away from “home”. This past weekend I had the chance to head back to the “homeland” and say goodbye to my family and a couple of good friends.

I HATE goodbyes! They were brutal, squeezing my little brothers 'wanting them to never let go but knowing they don’t understand how LONG 5 months will be. Hugging my parents trying to remember the feeling so I can relish it on those rough days when I am oceans away. Laughing with friends- hoping the connection doesn't fade. Snuggling my puppies and giving them so much love so they don't hold a grudge for my extended absence.

“ Every goodbye makes the next hello closer” right?

When I start to freak out about the time away I have to remind myself that “the joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences”… so here’s to new experiences, new challenges and a joyful life journey!

I am off in a few short days! Looking forward to some quality time with quality people before boarding that plane!

Stay Tuned!

“Play” is a universal language

I had the opportunity to hang out with this lovely group of kids this morning from a local school here in Udaipur …..

Indian education is very “proper” the students sit quietly, stand when answering a question, use “ma’am” and “sir”, ask before entering a classroom, and speak only when spoken to. So when I was asked to run a leadership workshop I was a little worried that it wasn't going to be the energetic session I am used to.

But boy was I wrong….

With a little coaxing they were ready to blindfold their peers, run around in circles and scream at the top of their lungs.

 

AND while having fun we also created an action plan that they are going to complete to raise awareness about poverty in their own country!

Although their English was spotty and their learning style is different…

PLAY is a universal language.

A Humble Abode

Moving to Udaipur I have made some sacrifices.

It will be hot, I will sweat.

It is far, I will miss my favorite people.

It is different, I wont have the same liberties.

But I will have a place to call home and it will be comfortable. A personal non negotiable.

And I was presented with a couple anxiety- raising options but I am so blessed to have found a very comfortable apartment just a walk away from the office and a short distance from “the old city” my favorite part.

WELCOME….

The front entrance with the beautiful view of the old city and the Aravali mountains!

The front room with the makeshift couches!

One of 2 full bathrooms

On the top right the entrance to my kitchen, the top left the entrance to the 2nd bathroom and to the bottom right the entrance to my balcony and bottom left the entrance to my bedroom!

My kitchen

Out to my balcony

The picture doesn’t do it justice but I can see the City Palace, the Pichola Lake, the old city and the mountains!

My bedroom without any decorations yet!

Now come visit…I have lots of room!!!

The Happiness Project

It is early evening and I am sitting outside enjoying the warm breeze, it is spring here in Udaipur but the heat is rising by the day. I have just put down my e-reader having started my newest book  “The Happiness Project”just an hour ago and for the first time in 3 weeks I am inspired to write a blog.

3 weeks ago I landed here in India, starting my journey “back” with a week stay in Delhi. The past three weeks we have had 6 groups of young people travel for the first time to India on our service learning trips.

As a product of such a trip I find so much of my passion reflected in their experience, I have talked in the past about how excited I get to witness their “ ah ha” moment. I love watching these young people make connections with communities members who have never before been looked in the eye by a person of a higher status. Every time I lead a trip I learn something new- but the more I do it the more I take these experiences for granted.

But just last week I had the opportunity to host a group of donors who travelled to our Free the Children projects here in India to see the fruition of their hefty donation.

This particular donor was very passionate about girls education and women empowerment, part of their two day visit was a meeting with the first women’s group in our community called Lai. These women have come together in a 2 year long process of empowerment, self sufficiency and alternative income generating.

I had learnt about their project and had memorized the messaging but as I walked down the hill with the donors in tow I was especially moved, ALL the women had gathered ready to welcome our small group with rose lays and red bindi’s. In introductions the women were told that I would be joining the local team for an extended period and they erupted in giggles and smiles. They excitingly gathered around, all talking at once in Hindi, showering me with smiles and grabbing my hands. Although my words will not do the experience justice it was yet another “ah ha” moment for me. 

In minutes the excitement bubbled over into a mini celebration….I was soon holding a precious little baby about 2 months old, dancing with the women to the drumming and laughing as they all welcomed me with tips of advice. The most memorable was that “I MUST learn how to make roti”!

It was almost as if I had a out of body experience, but while this was all going on I vowed never to take for granted my time here.

Yes the culture is challenging, I don't care much for the food, I crave salad and sushi on a regular basis, I miss my family, my puppies and my best friends….

I am here for a reason and the journey has just begun. 

I am taking on my own little Happiness Project!