Last Night Before I leave

Tomorrow I will head to Ghana! Crazy!!! After 2 months of planning, I can't believe I finally get to start my journey. I am very excited.

In physical therapy school, I joked that I was homeless and had to live out of my Tahoe. That was nothing compared to this! Its amazing to think my life will consist of my backpack and 2 duffel bags for 3 1/2 months. I really tried to pack light, but I know I did not succeed. It is just hard since I do not know what type of supplies I will have access to in the village. I figure, whatever I brought and do not use I can donate at the end of the trip. I did really well though not over packing clothes and shoes.

So I've been thinking about the things I'm going to learn to live without over the next 3 months. Its scary because I'm so attached to many of them. I know though that I will be just fine! It will really make me learn what I need versus want. Here are the things I know I will miss:
1. Hot 30 minute showers (Its the equivalent of 5 cups of coffee for me!!)
2. My bathroom scale (Why I listed this who knows, but I just have some weird need to know my weight every morning when I wake up right before my hot steamy shower)
3. Makeup, specifically black eyeliner (I only packed chapstick!)
4. Being able to drive to the shopping store when ever I "need" something
5. American food (We all know I can be a picky eater)
6. I know there are so many more but these are the big ones for now!

I'm so excited to post updates over the next few months so you can share this experience with me!!! As of now, my posts have been very superficial, but I hope to have much more engaging stories to tell in just a few days.

Before I end this post, I would like to personally thank everyone who made a donation. It was very helpful!! It made my volunteer fees much more manageable for me since I am foregoing income for 4 months. I was able to prepare very well for this trip and have some great supplies to provide the hospital and orphanage. If you would like to donate, you still can! Send me an email to kariqpie@yahoo.com and I will tell you the best way to do it, based on where you want the money to go to (ie: volunteer fees, hospital, orphanage, etc.)

Thank you to the following people for donations:
Ann Churches
Joanne Pickett
Leighton and Kathy Johnson
Leslie and Suzanne Somos
Allied Health Professionals
Erin McNamara
Homecare Pharmacy of Beloit, WI
Xouhoa and Tom Bowen
Kendra Kinzer
Nick and Meghan Johnson
Daisy Surany
Tom Johnson
Andy Beretvas
Elizabeth Szegho
Kimberly Johnson
Linda Szeto

Please comment on any of the blog posts or write me emails! I am going to miss all of you very much. Without everyone's generosity and support, I would not be able to make this journey a possibility. Your support, whether its been emotional or financial, is going to make a difference. This trip is not about saving the world, but it is about trying to better someone's life!! The 'someones' I help along the way I know will also be thankful to you for supporting me!!!

Wish me luck and keep me in your thoughts and prayers for a safe adventure!
Love, Kari