This is it!

So today is the day, it's 8:45am and I just got out of the shower. My stomach is feeling a little queasy...no, not because I'm nervous about going, but because I'm nervous that one of my bags is kinda overweight! Anyhoo, going to keep this really short as I want to leave the house by 9 (not happening) to get to the airport half an hour before the expected time so I can weigh my bags. I'm hoping if I'm one of the first people to check-in, they will be lenient with me and let me off with the $35 fine rather than telling me I can't take all of my stuff.

So far so good, I haven't shed a tear yet! This is a record for me, although some of you had tears welling in my eyes...I won't name names (*cough* Dwayne, Ian, Najat, Saada, Kerwin *cough*). I KNOW my mother is going to make me break down, I just know it. I'm going to see her bottom lip start to quiver and that will be it!

As I'm getting dressed and typing to you, my bags are being taken down to the car. My gosh! I'm REALLY GOING TO JAPAN! Honestly though, aside from all the bittersweet feelings, I am REALLY looking forward to this adventure and all that it has to offer me! (Why do I feel a lump in my throat? hmmm, gotta fix that).

Ok, so much for keeping this short and it is now 8:51am! On that note, the next time we speak I'll have reached my destination. Lots of love and keep in touch!

Parting is such sweet sorrow

So this past Sunday was the "3rd annual BBQ bashment: Sayonara", the sendoff BBQ of the year. I can't even begin to explain how it felt having the positive vibe of all who attended around me. I was truly happy. I felt and still feel loved. It's funny, some of the people that I didn't expect to show up did and vice versa...the surprise element was great. Another BBQ and mommy threw down like only she could throw down and this year we had the added cooking expertise of my Aunty Veronica...did you taste that curry chicken and potato salad!!!!??? Najat BIG UPS on that Himbasha..giiiiiiirrrrrrrl! Sara, thanks for the cake and ice cream..Sewit I swear I would've finished those cupcakes by myself if no one was looking. My appreciation goes out to all who brought a bottle or food or gifts or cards. If you were in attendance (physically and/or spiritually) and I haven't said it to you yet, I want to say a whole-hearted THANK YOU! I had such an amazing time. I actually surprised myself because I thought that I was going to be crying so much that I looked like I was hit by a train, but the positive energy didn't allow that to happen.

So now, it's a week before I depart and I've pretty much finished packing all of my clothes into their vacuum bags (plug: check out Canadian Tire or Wal-mart for the Space Bag)...those things are DA BOMB!! I can't believe how much clothes I can fit into one suitcase with these things! My jewellery is done, I'm almost done putting my boxes together for shipping(just need to buy Angostura bitters and the big tin of Ovaltine...already have the Milo), my music is packed in a CD book and the rest will be downloaded to the laptop (that I'm still waiting on from dell...shoot, I don't think I'm waiting on that laptop as wicked as it is, I think Bestbuy is going to see me in a couple days for a niiiiiiiice HP Pavillion notebook), and now all that is left to do is pack my purses and the shoes! Man I know I don't need all of the shoes I have laid out, but I just want to know that I have everything that I might need.

I've come this far and I have yet to have any sad feelings, that is until I started reading some of what was written in my farewell book. I was about to start bawling my eyes out when I simply shut the book and said "I can't take this right now, I'll read this on the plane".

I'm truly excited about my trip. No, I am not scared. The program I'm participating in is one of the best, they've been doing this since '87(check out www.jetprogramme.org). I am not worried, because I know I'm in good hands, God has been so good to me...sometimes I really sit and wonder "why?"...I am truly blessed!

OK this is pretty long for the first entry and I haven't even left the country yet! With that said, I'm outta here! Be back soon!