And the questions roll In

Last night as I slipped between my clean crisp sheets and pull my duvet up to my chin to guard against the fall chill, I was struck with another wave of "What the hell are you doing?". This has been happening a lot lately, especially when I am enjoying the comforts of a lifestyle I have worked hard to achieve.

Again today, I staved off the annoying questions racing through my head as I went for a long walk along the waterfront. I was strolling along in the sunshine with my music flowing in my headphones helping me keep up a healthy pace, when I was struck by the litany of "Are you really sure you know what you are doing?", "Can't you 'find your passion' closer to home?", "Do you really need to throw in your job, condo, car, and God knows what else next year?".

I am getting better and better at calming myself down and letting these thoughts slip smoothly out of my mind as quickly as they come. This is not the first time I have questioned my future plans. In fact, if I look back at my "big decision moments" in my life, they have all come with this kind of self inquisition. I have come to see this time as a good bell weather to help me pinpoint areas of the plans that I may have not given enough consideration to or ensure I have all my tasks well thought out.

This time around I seem to be more at ease with the onslaught of questions. Maybe it is because I expect many of you to ask me the very same questions and if I can quiet the biggest critic of them all, ME, then I can handle anything you throw my way.

So bring it on! Just be prepared for a long - well thought out answer. After all, I have been rehearsing the scripts in my head for months.

Volunteer adventures

An important part of my travel program for 2009 includes volunteer programs. I have volunteered with many organizations over the years, but recently have not felt connected to any specific opportunity.

I had originally planned on including several programs into my schedule along the way. Over the course of designing my trip I was forced to make some significant changes to those early plans. In the end I have boiled it down to a couple of programs in South Africa focused on my love of the the water and marine animals.

I have been accepted into the following two programs managed by Enkosini Wildlife Santuary.

1. Great White Shark Project (learn more)

Gansbaai, South Africa
April 15 - 29, 2009

I will be working within an Eco-tourism program to explore and conserve the world's greatest predator, the Great White Shark, and its environment. I will be able to experience first hand the awesome power and mystical nature of these amazing beasts. Althought I have never been a huge shark fanatic, when I read about this oppotunity, I just couldn't pass it up. I will be sure to keep all my fingers and toes inside the cage. I definitely need to find an underwater camera for this one.


2. Whale & Dolphin Conservation Project (learn more)

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
April 30 - May 15

I will be working with marine specialists to support this thriving coastal environment by combining education, conservation, community development, science, and tourism. After spending time with the sharks, the majestic nature of the dolphins and various species of whales will be a welcome calming change. This program is focused as much on the community of Plettenberg Bay as the marine programs themselves. There is a ecology centre in the town that requires support as well as several community outreach programs to help sustain the pristine environment. I do hope to get in the water with some of these creatures and will definitely post lots of photos.



Each of these programs require a fee to support the needs of the program and cover my costs while participating. I am hoping to raise $5000 to support my involvement, however, I am prepared to manage the costs on my own if needed. In the past few years, I have converted all of my charitable donations into sponsorships for people who are giving their time and energies to programs that they feel passionate about. So if you would like to participate in my adventures via a donation, I would be very happy to include you within my fundraising efforts. You can use the Donate button below to add funds to my PayPal account (I promise it won't be used on eBay), or if you'd prefer you can contact me directly.

You don't need to have a PayPal account to use this system. You can provide your donation via a credit card or bank account.

Thank you so much for your consideration. I appreciate any form of support and encouragement.

Check, add, move, new tab, check, check ...

Another day spent pouring over my list of things to do for my trip in 2009. I now have lists of my lists. There is a certain amount of comfort that I draw from staring at my lists, but I am starting to realize that pretty soon, I will be abandoning the lists and actually hitting the road.

As I go through my checks and rechecks of each component - work, home, travel, family, etc, I come up with more and more things that need to be considered, captured, done, not done, accounted for, and so on. I have always been a list person, but this is really to another level, even for me.

There are few people that could really appreciate my lists (you know who you are), but I thank them every time I remember a tidbit of their craziness that helps me capture another item. I can't wait to really make my plans public, so I can share this insane sanity with those of you that will really appreciate it.

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry.
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely.
Sunshine almost always make me high.

If I had a day that I could give you,
I'd give to you a day just like today...
- John Denver

We have finally started to have the summer we have all been longing for, except it is happening in September. I guess there is no more questioning the theory of global warming.

Bliss - Thy name is cottage weekend

I have just spent a long weekend at a cottage in Haliburton with my closest friends. This tradition started several years ago and has been a highlight for us all throughout the year. It proves lots of fodder for laughs later in the year.

We load up the cars with plenty of snacks and hit the road. We all love the city of Toronto, but for this short period of time each year we are glad to see it (and its smog) fade away into the distance in the rear view mirror. We have our usual stops along the way for pee breaks and more snacks. This year we were all devastated to see that the Pie Lady was not in her usual parking lot at the high school along the way - damn you Pie Lady.

Have no fear, we were well stocked with dessert goodness after another annual stop at the Foodland grocery store in downtown Haliburton (aka one major traffic light intersection - grocery store on one side, liquor store on the other). All stocked up, we made our way the last few miles to the cottage.

Once fully unloaded, fridges packed to within an inch of their lives, we all headed down to slice of heaven in the sun - the dock! To say this place is wonderful or lovely is too generic. This really is idyllic. You can't really see the neighbours, but you know they are around so there is no really concern about any Deliverance moments. There is a kayak, canoe, and plenty of swimming noodles. We each get our own rooms so our private moments can remain so - a good thing given we are all very independent.

The weekend really revolved around eating and doing the least amount of stressful activities possible. Hours spend floating in the cool water, then drying off on the lounge chairs is the typical activity. I did manage to get out for a kayak or canoe each day. This then allow me to load up on extra helpings of breakfast, lunch and dinner as I had to keep up my strength for my next paddle!

All in all this was a perfect weekend. I had my closest friends at hand, perfect sunny summer weather, and a lovely cottage on a serene lake just outside blackberry range.