Thursday, February 3, 2011

Mercy Ships Training in Texas

I got here to the Mercy Ships International Operations Center in Texas for training safe and sound. So far I've been here 3 weeks but I feel like I've been here much longer. Everyone here is very nice. Many different countries are represented including Australia, Germany, England, New Zealand, Wales, Canada and of course the US.


The first day we were here it starting snowing! They only get snow every few years here so it is quite an event. It means all of us who packed for hot Africa are a little chilly though. Fortunately they give us plenty of opportunities to go to the local Walmart to stock up on warm clothes. 

Our common room 

We have training classes from 8am until 5pm. In between we trek up to the cafeteria and eat a hearty home-cooked meal which usually includes lots of Texas beef.  After class and dinner we can go back to the dorms. 

Miriam, from New Zealand
Harriet,  from England
There are 2-4 people to a bedroom and there is a nice common room as well as kitchenettes and a laundry. I have two roommates, Harriet and Miriam who are from England and New Zealand.  They both make me laugh all the time. 

At night we do homework, play games, puzzles, or hang out in the common room. Recently we discovered there is a Wally-Ball court on the campus which is a really nice stress reliever.


This week we are learning Fire safety and first aid. So far I've learned how to put my fire gear on in less than a minute and practiced fighting all the different types of fires. Tomorrow we are going to practice water safety and rescue. 

We are also spending this time to prepare for the Field Service project we'll be doing for 2 weeks when we get to Sierra Leone. There is an orphanage for disabled children in Freetown and we will be working with them to repair the building and do activities with the kids. 



I only have one week left in Texas before we leave for Sierra Leone. I've gotten to know a lot of great people so far and I'm really excited that I'll get to serve with them once I get to the ship as well. It's like I already know my co-workers before I start work! I still miss home and all the people I love, but I'm getting more excited. I also found out that I'll be living on the ship in a cabin on the 4th deck with 3 other roommates. It even has a little window! 




Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Mercy mission | News Virginian

The wonderful Augusta Health Skilled Nursing and Rehab facility I work at raised over $1500 to support me in Africa! So amazing, more than I could ever ask for. 

They also got me on the local news and on the front page of two local newspapers! Here's a link for one of the articles: The News Virginian article.

I still have a lot of money to raise, but their help was such an inspiration and encouragement in this whole process. I couldn't ask for better co-workers and friends!






Thursday, December 23, 2010

On the news!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Next Adventure








Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Chattanooga Weekend

"So where is this house you all come from, where everyone is beautiful and talented?" -Morgan


Okay, KB has the best sister ever. She managed to get us all together for an amazing weekend in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was a weekend of surprises, new experiences, old friends and beautiful landscapes. We surprised KB and Annie surprised us all by driving up from Atlanta on her weekend off from touring with Invisible Children.

We arrived in Chattanooga around 1am in the morning. I knew Annie was coming but it was a surprise for everyone else, so I had told Annie to meet us at a grocery store parking lot. When we pulled into the parking lot we saw a man in a nice Lexus waving us down. Since I've watched way too much Law and Order; I figured we were about to get gunned down by this drug dealer/pimp so I peeled out of the parking lot. Turns out it was KB's really nice cousin who had come to lead us to the cottage. Embarrassing.


Ashley had planned for all of us to go to Raccoon Mountain Caverns for a 6 hour Wild Cave Expedition. We got to wear headlamps and kneepads and crawl through tunnels called dubious names like "the birth canal" and the "teeth scraper". I never knew human bodies could fit through holes so small. We came out caked in mud and completely amazed by what is under the earth.


Chattanooga is a beautiful city with an amazing art district. The sidewalks even have dance steps printed on them!

Walking around Chattanooga we found a beautiful walking bridge, a giant hill to sled down on old cardboard boxes and awesome crafts for sale, most of which you can buy on Etsy. One of the crafters was Reuse First, sellers on Etsy.com who make beautiful things out of things people usually throw away. I loved their etched jars and wood grain books which they silk screen using old house paint! I think I'm in love. We also went to an amazing dessert house, Rembrant's Coffee House; magical is all I can think of to describe all the desserts and pastries they have. I got Tiramisu and a pumpkin truffle. Amazing!





Such a good weekend. It was amazing to have us all in one place and it made me realize how magical and epic great friendships can be.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Petaluma Whiskerino!

So ridiculous, ridiculously AWESOME.

PETALUMA WHISKERINO: "Beardo Optico" from TINBIKE on Vimeo.


Monday, October 11, 2010

Mowgli

I know, I know, this means I'm a cat lady.