Off Grid Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope you all had an amazing holiday!

This Christmas, I house sat an off grid farm! This was probably the most eventful house sitting experience of my life! It was a mix of nightmarish, yet awesome experiences!

The Good Things!

The peace and quiet! I was able to do a lot of concept art for my novels, and also draft a new one!

The writing couch!

Chris Chilling in the living room

Thought I would try some charcoal art.

Concept art

 The good food, clean air, the view, the animals...

Chris loves this horse!

The Bad Things!

- I was super sick from something I ate my first night! Was throwing up, had a hard time walking, and my vision was blurry. 

- On Christmas night, someone came into the house while we were away and left the stove open! That was freaky! They also ditched their truck on the driveway. The one nice thing about small towns is that you find out who did it eventually, which I did! They were super drunk and didn't know what they were doing.....apparently!

The ditched truck

 - I got a speck of hay in my eye, which sliced through the upper sclera (White of the eye)! Had to go to the hospital, because I was in a lot of pain, and my eye was swelling up severely! The wait time was four hours, but I got in half an hour later, cause I was starting to get feverish. They put a lot of drops in my eye, then washed it out with this weird eye wash thing, that took 15-20min. It was super scary, because they left me in a dark room with it attached to my eyeball, and didn't tell me when they were coming back! All in all, I survived, and its starting to heal nicely! 

Hospital selfie

 The family who owns this farm should be coming back tonight! Despite the few scary things that occurred this week, I'm glad I stayed! Super thankful that my brother Christopher stayed with me too. He was extremely helpful!

Chris shovelling off the solar panels for me!

 As I mentioned earlier, Chris and I did go home for Christmas! I got lots of lovely gifts this year! Mostly items that will be helpful when traveling, and also a super cool writing pen! It was fun watching my siblings open gifts too! Then in the evening, we had an amazing dinner! 

Christmas is probably my favourite holiday ever!

The gag gifts!

Hot water bottle raccoon Nancy got me!

Two more weeks till Africa! Its coming up so fast!

Home!

Going from -5 to -30! 

The beautiful silence....

Night adventures....

Christmas spirit....

I'm home! I survived Toronto! I almost forgot about why I loved the country so much, but now I am beginning to remember! Life here is truly magical!

I said a very sad goodbye to everyone at the horse farm! They really became like family and I had a great week there, even though I couldn't do much. (My shoulder injury bounced back)

Saying goodbye to the boys was sad. They didn't really understand that I was leaving! I intend to go visit them often when I get back from Africa! 

This week I've been busy planning my trip. Getting health insurance, registering with the embassy in Uganda, finding a host family while I'm in London for a week! Overall, its been relaxing, but I've still had plenty of things to do! 

On Sunday a large group of us, (my siblings, Sierra, Rike, and two other workawayers), went to see, The Last Jedi! I happen to be a huge fan of Star Wars, so I was super excited about it! Overall, I enjoyed it. It wasn't my favourite Star Wars movie, but it was still enjoyable! It was weird seeing people I went to school with coming out of the theatre. Everyone is growing up so fast! One of these people spotted me, and was like, "Since when have you been back in Pembroke?"

 I guess I kind of come and go unannounced! I guess I'm a little like Gandalf!

Anyhow, I was brave and applied for school! I finally feel ready to go! After two years full of experiences, and adventures, I feel ready to sit back in a desk for a little bit, and learn some more! 

Then I'll probably go and repeat this adventure all over again!

I applied to college, because I am very much a hands on learner! I've chosen colleges closer to Toronto since I've already formed a small community for myself there. Here is what I applied for...

Seneca: Vet assistant
Ridge Town(Guelph): Performance horse handling
Durham: Animal handler, and paramedic
Northern: Vet tech wildlife rehab

If I get accepted into all of them, I will probably go with the vet tech, just cause I shouldn't even be able to get into it! I'm apparently missing a credit, but who knows! Maybe experience will count for something?! 

I had a really hard time deciding if I should go to Kingston or Northern for vet tech, but in the end, I know I have never really liked the city of Kingston, and that I'm not so much into research, which is a big component of the program there. 

Going to Durham would be nice though, since it is close to the farm, and I could potentially work and stay there while I go to school!

Anyhow, I won't be getting letters till I'm in Africa! Africa is a nice distraction to keep the anticipation out of my mind.

Over Christmas I'm going to be house sitting on an off grid property. I'm still going to be close to home, and able to celebrate with the family, but it will be kind of like having my own home for a week! I will take plenty of pictures, because its a stunning view up there! 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Nearing the End!

When I started my job here in Toronto early February, I had only expected to stay for seven months!

My first week, hiding up in the bluffs.

Starting April, I didn't think I was going to last seven months!

Rescued bunnies, and the boys adjusting was a challenge!

Then I started jiu jitsu and wanted to stay forever!

But now I'm two weeks away from being done, and I can't tell you how strange a feeling this is for me! I've been here ten months! Ten months in the same area, in the same house (minus the summer), living my life along side the same people. The boys haven't even lived here as long as I! It's a familiar feeling packing away my things. After all, I've moved about fifteen times in my life! Its only been a few times that I have been sad to leave though, and this is one of those times!

Their second day in Canada at the Raptors game!

Hiking

At the aquarium

Their first Canadian Christmas!

 Jiu jitsu is probably the saddest thing I've had to say goodbye to so far! I spent pretty much ever spare minute I could at this gym. The coach and the gym atmosphere were amazing! The members at the gym became like family to me! I enjoyed this sport so much, I would literally end up doing arm bars in my dreams! You could say I was a little addicted!

Rolling with a friend (photo creds: Jun)

It was hard to train the last few weeks, because of a muscle injury and strep throat. My last day the strep throat effects were gone though, and my muscle injury didn't hurt too much! I had a great last two classes, got in a few rolls, had some sad goodbyes, and got my second stripe! 

2nd stripe photo.

It was great training with all of you at SBG and I hope to see you all again someday!

The other part of my life I'm sad to leave is the family! Today at dinner the eldest boy said, "Jinta, I love you so much! I don't want you to leave!" I almost choked up as he said it! I've been with the boys since their start in this country! Its been amazing observing them grow and develop over the years. I'm going to miss them so much! 

Dressed in their Star Wars day outfits!

 Then of course the pets, and my bedroom. After living ten months in this wonderful basement, I am going to miss the hot showers, the queen sized bed, all the luxury I've had! I'm afraid its made me a little soft! lol. I'm sure Africa will toughen me up again! 

The comfiest bed in the world!

And of course the pets! I get so attached to animals! The German Shepherd and I grew really close! Probably, because we had the hardest time bonding, but now that we are bonded, its very strong!

I can't say I will miss the city! I still hate the air, the water, the atmosphere in general. Although, I might miss the public transit, because now I'm going to have to force myself to get a drivers license! 

 Still, I've learned a lot from living here! I challenged myself, and I feel its made me a better person! I've realised that as much as I enjoyed being a nanny, I don't think I would be satisfied doing it as a career. At jiu jitsu I learned how to stay calm in stressful situations, how to problem solve, and developed more empathy. Because of this, and just navigating this city in general, I feel much more confident in myself! I think this is what I am going to take away the most from living here! Self Confidence!

Three more days as a nanny to go, then I spend my last week in the GTA at the farm! I will post about that next!

The Adventure 2018!

Guess what???!!! I lucked out!

I'm going to Africa!

Yep! My employers had some vacation pay stashed for me, so I didn't waste time, and bought my tickets! Its a go! I'm going! I can hardly believe it! 

Now that its a 90% chance of me going, I'll let you in on the details!

Where am I going?

I am going to Uganda, in the Pallisa district. One of the safest districts in the county.

What am I doing?

I am going to be working in partnership with a Christian mission in Pallisa, called Amina Christian house. I am going to be a teacher at the primary school! Teaching English, and Sports. The website for the school is (www.pccpuganda.org).

How long am I staying?
 I'm aiming for two months. I may stay longer or shorter depending on how much I enjoy the experience!

So there you have it! I'm super nervous about teaching in a school, but I'm told its not much different then teaching kids skills at summer camp! Sports will be easy to teach, since I've done it before! English.....going to have to work on lesson plans for that! lol. 

I leave on January 14th to London England. I'll be staying in London for a week, so to my friends over there, I would love to see you! Then on the 21st I'm flying out from London to Uganda with a stopover in Dubai! Won't get to explore the city, but I'll get to see it from the air! 

If anyone would like to help support the trip, I will need these items for my class....

- A ball that I can fill with air when I get there.
- Frisbee
- pencils
- map of Canada
- notebooks

For myself...

- water purifier
- power bank for my phone
- flashlight
- cargo pants
- hiking boots....for some reason I wore out my old pair!lol

Just putting this out there, because some people have been asking how they can help. Thanks again to Roland for the camera, and my employers for the travel backpack! Those two items have brought down expenses by a lot!

I know a few of my lovely relatives out there, are not too happy about this trip. Thanks for really caring about my well being! It makes me feel very loved! However, I really feel called to go to Africa! Its been in my heart since I was at least four years old! I'm not going to be satisfied till I go, so I have to do this! I'm fairly certain I will be just fine, but even if I'm not, everything that happens will be God's will. He'll have control, no matter what. 

Love you all, and I'll keep you in the loop!

 

Toothy Problems

Hello everyone! Sorry for my super long delay in posting! I've been super busy, and it happens to be....

 


 The goal is write a 50,000 word novel in a month, so a lot of my spare time this month has been spent typing away on an exciting new story!

Anyhow, my toothy problems! Yes...long story short, a dentist in my past messed up on a filling!
 - The filling I got killed the nerve in my tooth
- causing an infection
- which caused a lot of pain!
-which made me visit the dentist
- which resulted in me getting a root canal
- which equalled no pain....but a far more empty bank account!

So, I had NOT planned for this in any way! Luckily I had money saved up! Not for dental purposes, it was for Africa.....

So, this is my problem! I'm not sure if I can afford to travel to Africa any more, but I already booked a flight to London as part of my trip! I may not be able to afford Africa, but I can still afford to explore Europe a little bit! I have to at least go to London anyway, because I already have a ticket!

Anyways, I will let you all know what ends up happening! Either way, I will be travelling somewhere next year, even if its not exactly where I had planned. Unexpected adventures are always the best though!

So, besides my slight financial problems, life has been good! Toronto got its first snow fall this week! It was pretty magical! Here are some pics of what has been going on lately!

Making Jacko lanterns

Went home for a bridal shower, and ended up having a fun evening with my brother and best friend Sierra

Halloween!

Us kids invaded my Mom's university

I have been visiting the farm on the weekends! Spent last night unfreezing water pipes! Never a dull moment there!

 I can hardly believe it, but I am officially done this job in one month! I thought I was going to be really happy leaving the city, but I've grown to like parts of my life here, and have grown close to many people. I am going to be really sad leaving them! 

However, I do plan to go live on the farm after my adventure, and so I will see everyone again. I am seriously considering going to school next year, and am having a really hard time deciding which courses I should take!( I love to do so many things!) Here is a list of what I am considering taking!

- Performance Horse Handling (Guelph) (2years)
- Vet assistant (online, or Durham college) (1 year)
- Vet Tech (Ridge town campus(Guelph) or st Lawrence Kingston) (2-4years)
- Screen writing (Toronto film school) (2 years)

Let me know what course (or courses) you think I should take! Enjoy the winter weather!