dreaming over the ocean

There are some pretty exciting things happening in life right now... despite TOO many things happening in life, I know that everything is just rolling along at a decent pace, that this feeling of having too much stuff to do will not last forever, and that right now it is essential.  It is just CRAZY how different everything feels from being in Malawi. but, one of the things about being in Malawi, is being able to be involved in amazing causes.  This past weekend, I met with a few people about WHEAMS, and the process of making WHEAMS a canadian charitable organization.  Also about what our roles are probably going to be, in taking up this initiative.  folks, you may be taking to a co-chair of WHEAMS in Canada.  woooooOOOOOoooooo!  So, one of the things that will consistently be on my mind, is how can I help to raise money for the fantastic work that is being done? And, this is one thing that can happen. do you shop?  for food, for groceri...

I have been back in Montreal since Friday the 6th.   And, in many ways, it actually feels really good to be back.  Which, I know, might be shocking to you!  the first few days didn't feel good... I missed the boy I like love, it is fricken cold here, conversations that i was having were somewhat frustrating, and I was just wanting to be half way around the world again.  but, things have been going on an upward swing, which is a relief. In the past couple days, I have had great conversations that have just hit the spot.  You know those conversations... the ones that allow you to reflect on the past, and get prepared for the future. I am sub-letting a room for 4 months, with two beautiful girls, L and R.  And, to tell you the truth, it is a big risk (for both them and me) to sub-lease to someone they have never met... no matter how much you exchange via email and "social media" you truely cannot know someone until you meet them face to face.  The ot...

Lessons learnt Clinical 1)     Lack of human resources plays a major role in care provision a.      RNs are stretched between care and administration roles b.      Students are not adequately supervised c.      Care is brief, with basic skills sometimes being missed (i.e. vital signs), or others done without thinking about why (i.e. medications) d.      Nurses are being called back after long locums, and this results in lack of skills 2)     Role of a nurse a.      Possibly still viewed as a “physicians assistant?” b.      Advanced clinical nurses are rare, and severely needed. c.      Quality interdisciplinary dialogue is lacking. d.      Spiritual care is culturally appropriate, and given more readily. 3)     Death is dealt with differently than in Western c...

HURRAH!  IT IS 2012! I celebrated the new year by taking a ferry on New Year's eve, from Victoria to Vancouver (i know, amazing, right?  but... it was only 5% full, which is shocking...).  I have been in Van-city since then, and will be returning to montreal on Friday.   Coming back to canada has been better than I thought it would go.  Only about 2 break-down-and-cry moments.  I think, that the reason why it has been easier than planned is that I have been able to spend time with my beloved, and also his family~  his parents live part time in Laos, which makes talking about international-work & living & differences in cultural aspects very easy.  nice to transition with.  also, it has been filled with fun things.  Like going to the Kinsol Trestle.    and going on my first bike ride since august 20th (um... can we say sore butt and legs and back and hands?).  and drinking good coffee and ...

I know that it has been FOREVER since I have posted... I apologize. there is not much excuse, other than the fact that the last few weeks in Malawi were busy.  I wanted to drink it in, and enjoy my time.  The final week was spent in an escape~ a place that I could just reflect on the four months, and slowly re-integrate into environments with more white people.   (seriously.  it takes a bit to get used to us again.)   but, during that last week, my computer also started acting a little fishy.  Glad it happened at that point, and not 1/2 way through my time there. I arrived back in Canada last thursday (the 22nd).  It has been nice to be home (despite not being 'home'), and spend christmas in Victoria with my new "family to be."  For the last 10 years or so, they (my beloved's parents) have spent much time working in South East Asia... so, they know what it is like to come back to North America.  To transition back into life here...

I am not going to lie.  This past week is one of those experiences where you literally have to remind yourself that what you are experiencing is actually real life.  it is also one of those experiences which plays into a "typical African stereotype"that there are wild animals running rampant. but, let me back up a bit.  A visitor's visa in Malawi is for 30 days.  You can get it extended 2x for 5000MK (which is about 25$), and then you have to either leave or get a temporary resident's permit (or, alternatively, in my case, I could also get a student permit).  Since the TRP will take forever and a day, I knew that I would have to leave.  So, I have been contemplating in the last little while:  just go to the border, eat lunch in Mozambique or Zambia, and come back?  hmmmm, nope, that would be an expensive lunch (visa for both countries are about 50$). By a plane ticket to South Africa? (hmmm, i wish!) go on a discount safari to Zambia?  SU...

Almost every day, I have experiences which kinda make me say "oh man.  I am SO far away from Canada."  Sometimes, they are very tiny things and sometimes they are monumental.  and sometimes, i even forget that that they are a little strange.  like this morning... it has so far been a relatively normal day.  Nothing too eventful.  Except for the gecko hiding on my floor that scared me. and the fact that this sign was posted on a lamp post.   Sorry for the poor photo (it was taken with my phone), but I am not sure if you can read it... it says "A night of war against satanic manipulation." oh great.  just what everyone needs. then, a fellow saw me taking the picture, and after a minute or so of conversation said "I would like to be your friend."  HA.  OK. Fine.  And, I walked into school having a little laugh... that is one of the biggest cultural differences that is hard to overcome. no matter how long you can be here, it feel...