9.22.10

I cant believe the day has finally arrived... I am leaving for UGANDA TODAY!!!!

Even though i have said most of my goodbyes and i am fully packed (3 bags.. all of which are pushing the 50 lb. limit!) it still doesn't seem real and doubt that it will feel real until i am on a plane or even standing in a place i have never been before.

*Tangent: It is probably the most frustrating thing to try and pack for a place you have never been before. I kept asking my mom if i needed anything else because she has been there before and she would give me a few items and i would go buy them. When i would get back she would have a whole new list for me. I swear the people at Target knew me by name after i was done buying everything i needed. But who knows if i even have everything i need. Also i hate Fry's... its probably the most ridiculously designed store ever!

Anyways, this will be my last post from the United States. I am not sure if i will have internet in Holland, but i spent most of last night modgepodging composition books so i have lots of paper to keep track of everything that happens and will update this blog as much as i possibly can. While in Uganda i will most likely check email and blog once a week depending on how much it costs. We will see... i pretty much don't know what i am getting myself into, but thats the exciting part! :)

The itinerary as far as i know goes as follows...

Wednesday

- 10:30 am: leave San Diego for LA

- 1 pm: meet Mandy at her house for prep

- Around 6 pm: fly out of LAX for JFK

- Layovers in New York (i really wish i could get out of the airport and wander through central park for a little but sadly i cant), and London

Thursday

- Land in Amsterdam

Friday

- Sight seeing in Amsterdam. A girl who just spent time volunteering and doing what i am about to do is from Holland and is going to show me around. Im excited to get to know her and hear her stories and advice about her time in Jinja.

Saturday

- In meetings with Mandy about the kids.

Sunday

- Attend church in Amsterdam and maybe sight see a little more before heading for the airport again.

Monday

- Land in Uganda!!

After that who knows. Mandy says she will have lots of jobs for me to do so i am excited to see what that entails.

I found out something interesting today about Jinja! It is actually the second largest city in Uganda. It is about 20 blocks by 3 blocks. Its crazy to think about when the United State's 2nd largest city is Los Angeles and we all know how large that is. I also found out that they have motorcycle taxis there that you can ride around on the back of. But apparently women have to ride side saddle which will be interesting to say the least! I have a feeling i will be knocking out bucket list items left and right!

Well i need to go to sleep... i have to be awake in 5 hours to get ready to meet Kelcie for coffee and finish some last minute packing and putting away stuff so my room doesn't look like a tornado went through it the entire time i am gone.

Please keep my travel safeties in your prayers tomorrow.

-H

P.S. HAPPPYYY BIRTHDAYYYY JAZZZYYYY!!!

I love you girl and hope you have the most amazing 19th! Wish i could spend the day with you! Your Nana loves your very much!

p.p.s Listen to this song... it super great and pretty much my theme song right now!

Good Life-OneRepulic