Still in Toronto....

Yes...still here.

It seems that I have very, very bad flight karma. I arrived at the airport yesterday and was quite lucky with my luggage - I only had to pay overweight for one:) The plane boarded slightly late and then left the gate, but did not get far. It turns out there was an engine abnormality that had to be investigated. Over 3 very hot hours later they let us off the plane....but had us wait a little longer. Needless to say, I was pretty frustrated. We received $20 food vouchers, which I managed to spend completely at Starbucks:) By shortly after 11pm (my flight was scheduled to depart at 545), the flight was canceled, and by midnight I was home.

Fingers crossed I fly out today and there is space on the flight to Uganda!

So long, farewell Toronto

Well, somehow everything managed to get packed! All there is left to do now is put together my carry-on, and hop on the plane. The travel is not bad at all - I overnight to Amsterdam and after a 4 hour layover fly to Uganda. The forecast for the week there is sunny and 24.

The next week will be pretty chaotic in Kampala - I land Monday night at 815pm and then will be visiting a school the next morning at 9am!! No recovery time there - but that it the way I like things.

If I didn't get a chance to say good bye to you, it because I don't really like goodbyes, and anyway I'll see you in a year:)

That's it, that's all from Toronto - next post, Kampala!

Disaster that was packing!

Preparing to leave Toronto

3 more sleeps to departure!!
The past 12 days have been a bit of a whirlwind - I had some time in Halifax and Pictou with the MTA Ladies to celebrate Julie & Mark's Wedding, then back to Toronto for a final week at the office. Hopefully I tied all loose ends....but I am sure if I missed anything someone will let me know:). I had a great going away party last Friday - thanks to Sig for organizing and all those who came to wish me a fond farewell. It was funny that it took my pending departure for me to see some of my friends that I haven't seen since Rotman Graduation last year.
I have spent most of the past week organizing myself to pack - not only am I trying to pack for a year, but also pack up all of the stuff I have managed to accumulate while living with my parents for the past 3 years. Is it wrong that I don't want to throw anything out?
With only a few days to go, things have made it into suitcases and many 'see you in a year' goodbyes have taken place. I am down to checking items off lists to ensure nothing has been forgotten. Lucky for me, one of my co-workers will be traveling to Kampala in about 6 weeks and can bring anything I forget or find that I need.
I must admit, pathetic as it sounds, I am a little sad that I will miss the final two weeks of SYTYCD!! Someone will have to keep me posted on the results!

Headed to Kampala

I am headed to Kampala, Uganda to work at the Right To Play East & Southern Africa office. I have spent the past 15 months working in Toronto, and sometimes NYC, on various fundraising initiatives. It has been a pretty incredible year! I was offered the opportunity to work in our regional office to learn from the team there about our programs and work to develop a local fundraising strategy, and I jumped at the chance to return to East Africa. I will spend one year working in Kampala and then the plan is to return to Toronto and continue working for Right To Play.

For more information on Right To Play visit www.righttoplay.com

From what I have read Kampala is a very safe city, but of course I will be careful! Approximately 1.75 million people live in Kampala. It is located just north of the Equator, which means around 12 hours of sunlight / 12 hours of darkness a day. It is around 4000 feet above sea level, which I hope means its not too humid! The temperatures range from 18 - 28, with two rainy seasons. I am bringing a good rain coat along!

I have started this blog to keep people up to date on my latest adventure. I will warn in advance that I am not a witty writer. I will try to post pictures here, but will likely continue to post on facebook.

Enjoy!