I know many of you are reading this blog, but are not officially "followers" of the blog. If you are so inclined, please sign up to become an official follower. This helps me know who may be reading this and I can write specifically for my audience, if there would be something of interest.
For example, if I know which dental friends of mine are reading, I might post something like "the steriziliation out here in Uganda would send the CDC into a tail spin..." or if my neighborhood friends are following, I might say something like..."thanks for keeping an eye on my boys while Dom works out in the garage. CAR!!!!" :)
Anyway, I think you get the idea.
Well, today is Saturday. It's 8:19 am and I'm avoiding getting out of bed. I have so much to do!
In 36 hours, I will be boarding my plane to London. I can't believe it's here already! Occasionally throughout the day, I find myself having a flash of reality and saying "I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M GOING TO UGANDA!" and I freak out for a few minutes and then get back to my routine.
I'm virtually all packed, just have a few items left to get and pack. I need to go to Costco to stock up for my family. I also need to stop by my office and meet a patient whose girls and girl scout troop managed to collect 1000 pencils and erasers and pencil sharpeners for the kids in Uganda! I'm so impressed by her efforts to support me on this trip.
The kids in Uganda don't take anything for granted and are not wasteful. They use there pencils until they are small little nubs. You see, they don't have a surplus of anything and they don't know when they will get a new pencil again. So they use their supplies wisely.
This is a foreign concept to us Americans who live in the land of waste and plenty!
These girl scouts were so touched by that bit of knowledged that they wanted to send the kids there a supply of pencils. They set a goal and made it happen through corporate sponsorship. I'm so excited to give the pencils out and to bring home video and photos of me passing out the pencils to smiling children.
Tonight, I hope to have my "last supper" American style. I'm craving a steak and baked potato. How blessed am I that I can indulge my cravings...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Ponchos and water and money....oh my!
Ok, so the poncho... I met a lady who has been to Uganda a couple of times and she strongly recommended that I bring a poncho. Since Uganda has 80% humidity, I automatically assumed it would be used for the daily downpours. But no...the poncho, my friends, is for the following purpose:
Some areas where I will be traveling will not have bathrooms. I will literally have to squat in the bushes. (Sorry for the visual folks) The poncho is to cover yourself while taking care of business!
As I mentioned in the previous post, my neighbor brought a poncho to my Bon Voyage party. She had the guests sign it. And the joke of the evening was that I would have good reading material in "the bathroom". She named it "Dr. Josie's Hienie Hider". It was quite hilarious.
Water
Many people are asking me what the drinking water situation is out there. It is not good! The Ventura County Public Health nurse, who went over missionary travel instructions with me, advised me not to drink the water and to avoid ice cubes. We were told that we will have bottled water available to drink. However, I am still brining potable aqua tablets just incase. It's amazing what the Camping isle at Walmart carries!
Money
The money system is weird. We were advised to bring money that was printed in the last couple of years. If we don't, we won't get as good of an exchange rate! Apparently, counterfitting is rampant in the area, so any American dollars printed before 2005 will receive significantly less on the exchange.
Thanks for following my blog. Please become a follower by clicking on the right. That will allow me to know who is likely reading the posts. If there is something that would be of particular interest to my followers, I can make sure to post about it.
Thanks!
Some areas where I will be traveling will not have bathrooms. I will literally have to squat in the bushes. (Sorry for the visual folks) The poncho is to cover yourself while taking care of business!
As I mentioned in the previous post, my neighbor brought a poncho to my Bon Voyage party. She had the guests sign it. And the joke of the evening was that I would have good reading material in "the bathroom". She named it "Dr. Josie's Hienie Hider". It was quite hilarious.
Water
Many people are asking me what the drinking water situation is out there. It is not good! The Ventura County Public Health nurse, who went over missionary travel instructions with me, advised me not to drink the water and to avoid ice cubes. We were told that we will have bottled water available to drink. However, I am still brining potable aqua tablets just incase. It's amazing what the Camping isle at Walmart carries!
Money
The money system is weird. We were advised to bring money that was printed in the last couple of years. If we don't, we won't get as good of an exchange rate! Apparently, counterfitting is rampant in the area, so any American dollars printed before 2005 will receive significantly less on the exchange.
Thanks for following my blog. Please become a follower by clicking on the right. That will allow me to know who is likely reading the posts. If there is something that would be of particular interest to my followers, I can make sure to post about it.
Thanks!
Monday, February 15, 2010
6 days and counting!
I can't believe I'm going to Uganda in 6 days!
I have started packing and am realizing that I won't have room to bring many clothing items.
I have had so many dental supplies donated for the trip and purchased a few items as well. It's more important to have room for those items. Multiple changes of clothing is not really an option.
Last Friday, I was blessed to have a friend host a prayer send off for me and Bonnie (my travel buddy).
About 30 ladies came to pray for us and send us off with well wishes and hugs. My neighbor was thoughtful enough to bring a much needed poncho so that all the ladies could sign it for me.
Stay tuned for why I need the poncho...
While preparing for the trip has been time consuming and, at times, overwhelming, I have managed to feel a calming sense of peace this week that can only come from a higher source.
I want to thank everyone that has been praying for me and this trip. I can't wait to see what awaits me!
I have started packing and am realizing that I won't have room to bring many clothing items.
I have had so many dental supplies donated for the trip and purchased a few items as well. It's more important to have room for those items. Multiple changes of clothing is not really an option.
Last Friday, I was blessed to have a friend host a prayer send off for me and Bonnie (my travel buddy).
About 30 ladies came to pray for us and send us off with well wishes and hugs. My neighbor was thoughtful enough to bring a much needed poncho so that all the ladies could sign it for me.
Stay tuned for why I need the poncho...
While preparing for the trip has been time consuming and, at times, overwhelming, I have managed to feel a calming sense of peace this week that can only come from a higher source.
I want to thank everyone that has been praying for me and this trip. I can't wait to see what awaits me!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Uganda Mission Trip Countdown....17 days left!
So I'm leaving in 17 days.
As the time crunch begins, I am becoming well aware that these will be the last 17 days of life as I currently know it. I suspect this trip will bring me a new perspective. I'm excited to see what life changes may come as a result of my experience in Uganda.
I am also becoming increasingly aware of how hard it will be to be away from my family, particularly my boys. My husband, of course, will be missed. But as an adult, he more clearly understands my absence and it will likely make both of our hearts grow fonder.
But my sweet little sons...that's another story. I notice them becoming more clingy and articulating that 2 weeks is too long of a time to be away from them. And as I cuddle them at bed time, I agree. I can't fathom not kissing their soft cheeks multiple times a day or feeling their breath on my cheek as I tuck them in.
I've always though it was cruel that you can capture how something looks with a photograph and you can record how something sounds - but you can't capture how something "feels"; like their hugs or the softness of their skin.
It's going to be a LONG 2 weeks away from them. My precious sons.
As the time crunch begins, I am becoming well aware that these will be the last 17 days of life as I currently know it. I suspect this trip will bring me a new perspective. I'm excited to see what life changes may come as a result of my experience in Uganda.
I am also becoming increasingly aware of how hard it will be to be away from my family, particularly my boys. My husband, of course, will be missed. But as an adult, he more clearly understands my absence and it will likely make both of our hearts grow fonder.
But my sweet little sons...that's another story. I notice them becoming more clingy and articulating that 2 weeks is too long of a time to be away from them. And as I cuddle them at bed time, I agree. I can't fathom not kissing their soft cheeks multiple times a day or feeling their breath on my cheek as I tuck them in.
I've always though it was cruel that you can capture how something looks with a photograph and you can record how something sounds - but you can't capture how something "feels"; like their hugs or the softness of their skin.
It's going to be a LONG 2 weeks away from them. My precious sons.
Friday, January 15, 2010
FAQ about my Uganda trip (part 1)
So, only 5 weeks left before I leave for Uganda, Africa. The purpose - to provide missionary dentistry to people in the African bush.
How long is the flight? Total time in the airplanes will be about 19 hours.
How long will you be gone? 2 weeks
Where is Uganda?! It is in Africa, on the eastern side (click here to see a map) Africa Map
Where in Uganda will you be going? We are flying into Entebbe which is near the capital city of Kampala. From there, we will be going away from the city into the bush areas. Uganda Map
What will the weather be like? Entebbe is on the equator so I'm expecting it to be hot! Although, from what I've read, temperatures during Feb / March will be on average around 78 degrees but will have at least 80% humidity. So it will be nice and sticky. Just what a curly haired girl wants to hear....
Stay tuned for more info.
How long is the flight? Total time in the airplanes will be about 19 hours.
How long will you be gone? 2 weeks
Where is Uganda?! It is in Africa, on the eastern side (click here to see a map) Africa Map
Where in Uganda will you be going? We are flying into Entebbe which is near the capital city of Kampala. From there, we will be going away from the city into the bush areas. Uganda Map
What will the weather be like? Entebbe is on the equator so I'm expecting it to be hot! Although, from what I've read, temperatures during Feb / March will be on average around 78 degrees but will have at least 80% humidity. So it will be nice and sticky. Just what a curly haired girl wants to hear....
Stay tuned for more info.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The 3 R's of Expiring Medication
Two-thirds of American's medicine cabinets contain medications that have expired or are nearly empty, according to a recent study. The survey found that while 80% of respondents clean out their refrigerators when the seasons change, and 55% clean out their closets, only 42% give their medicine cabinets the same treatment.
Take time to prepare for the season by stocking up on pharmaceuticals to combat colds and allergies, as well as chucking out old medications that may have lost their effectiveness.
1.) Read labels and expiration dates
2.) Remove what's past its usefulness of effectiveness
3.) Restock with appropriate preparations
Medications, generally, should be stored in a dry place away from sunlight. Bathrooms are often too damp and humid, which can break down, degrade or decrease the potency.
Take time to prepare for the season by stocking up on pharmaceuticals to combat colds and allergies, as well as chucking out old medications that may have lost their effectiveness.
1.) Read labels and expiration dates
2.) Remove what's past its usefulness of effectiveness
3.) Restock with appropriate preparations
Medications, generally, should be stored in a dry place away from sunlight. Bathrooms are often too damp and humid, which can break down, degrade or decrease the potency.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Excitement Mounts!
I can't believe our trip is just around the corner! I have had 4 of my 6 required shots. 2 more to go!
The fundraising was a success! Thanks to generous donations from personal friends and professional colleagues, I was able to reach my goal by December 1st!
Now, I have to work on my supply list. I will be doing mainly extractions and incision and drainage of abcesses...without suction...should be interesting! So I'm going to be bringing a lot of gauze!!!
You know, as I type this, I realize how I really need to outline how amazingly this trip has come together. I see now that I have being prepared my whole life for this trip.
Stay tuned for more blogs as I go back in time to show you how I got to this place! It is something else!
Merry Christmas!
The fundraising was a success! Thanks to generous donations from personal friends and professional colleagues, I was able to reach my goal by December 1st!
Now, I have to work on my supply list. I will be doing mainly extractions and incision and drainage of abcesses...without suction...should be interesting! So I'm going to be bringing a lot of gauze!!!
You know, as I type this, I realize how I really need to outline how amazingly this trip has come together. I see now that I have being prepared my whole life for this trip.
Stay tuned for more blogs as I go back in time to show you how I got to this place! It is something else!
Merry Christmas!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
