Thursday, June 7, 2007

Getting Ready to Leave

Well, it is Thursday, June 7, and I am three days away from beginning my great adventure in Cayes, Haiti. At this point, everything is still surreal. It is not going to be my first rendezvous, but certainly my longest. As I look at my two duffel bags that are busting at the seams, it begins to hit me how much time I am going to be spending away from my home. Nervousness begins to creep over me as I think about leaving behind the luxuries I am accustomed to. Then excitement overtakes me as I think of seeing the smiling faces of my friends down in Haiti, and the new task I am about to pursue. After that, sadness as I think of the "see you laters" I will be saying to all the people I love in the States.

My mission while in Haiti is to expose the children of Pwoje Espwa to as much English as possible in order to help them gain the fluency they will need for higher education. I will be posting messages and pictures as often as possible in order to keep you all at home up to date on my progress. In doing so, I expect to hear about what is going on back home! I love you all!

12 comments:

  1. Good Luck Paige!!! I hope you have a great trip. You'll be missed, but I'll do my best to keep in touch as often as possible. Hope all is well.

    AJ

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  2. Hi my Paigey.....we are anxiously waiting for a confirmation from you that you are all set up in your new "home away from home". Sorry we missed your call when you arrived in Les Cayes. I am wondering if your new phone only allows you to call out....because I tried to call the number back that came up in my missed calls. It didn't go through. Anyway...we will be missing you soosoo much. We know it will take time to get into a routine. I hope you are feeling the love across the many miles between us. Love you!!!!!!

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  3. Paige,
    We wish you the best of luck. We had no idea that you were going on such a big mission.
    Looking forward to reading about your adventure.
    Hugs...Cynthia & Dennis

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  4. Okay, this is crazy. you have been gone for only a couple of days, and it still hasn't hit me you will be gone for 6 more months before i see you. i don't know how long it will take me to adjust to such a new feeling. i am very proud of you for following your dreams, and taking this opportunity. please call home soon! i love you and miss you.

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  5. Paige: Gram is sooo happy to be able to communicate with you. I'm now familiar with where you are via Mapquest and I'm happy you are "safe and sound". Now some sleep and and you'll soon have everything in Paigey order. We'll miss you, but know that great things will be happening there. I'll keep you in tune with great-grams special sayings so you don't get lonesome and have some laughs along the way. "Time flys when you're having fun". Christmas will be a blast for all of us. Keep us informed, we are interested in all details. Love you, Gram & Grandpa

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  6. Ok, thanks Lynne and Mom. I am sobbing right now!!!! Both of you are so sweet. I, too, love that we can all let Paige know what we are thinking and feeling. Her journal entries are great, aren't they? Keep up the good work Paige. Believe it or not...your mommy is ALSO journal writing. I begin each entry with Dear Paige...so that you can read it all when you return (not that what goes on around here can even compare to your days). Anyway....thank you family and friends, for sharing with us during this unbelievably amazing mission Paige is on. I love you all. Love you, Paige!!!!

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  7. Hi Paige- Wow- It is so amazing what you are doing. You are an incredible woman. I am in aww over what you are doing. They are so blessed to have you in their presence in Haiti. I am excited to read your blog entries to see how your days go. We will be thinking about you day in and day out. Take care of yourself. We love ya.
    With much love,
    Your Cousin Katee =)

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  8. Paige.....wouldn't you just click on the word comment at the bottom of your home page like the rest of us? I wondered why you didn't put any comments on the blog yet.
    I woke up this morning wondering if your lightning show turned into a rainy night? We are having very warm weather. Jill actually swam all day. Dad had extra misters placed in the plants around the pool, so it feels like a spa out back. Very nice.
    Hope you're reading your always remember list each day.

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  9. Bonjour Paige-
    I'm so excited to read about your trip and that you reached Les Cayes safely. I've been holding you so close to my heart, so I signed in relief when I read all of your 'new news'! I love the pictures; it helps me, and the rest of us, I hope, feel as though as not so far away.
    I hope you're having a fantastic day and settling in to your routine.
    Love you,
    Auntie Pat

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  10. Hi Paigey.....Dad and Jill and I will be heading to LHC tonight to be with Grandpa and Grandma, Uncle Wayne, Auntie Penny, and Wayne and Greg for a day on the water tomorrow to celebrate Father's Day. It feels so weird without you here....I know Daddy feels a bit "out of sorts" without his oldest girl present. Lynne has to work Sat., but we will catch up with her back in Phoenix for dinner on Sunday so she can be with Dad. We will look forward to the trip, being that we will be riding in Jilly's convertible mini cooper!!! Good thing Jill is so small and will fit in the back seat!! Do you have the visual yet???? Yeah...I am wondering how she'll do, too (miss " I need more space"). I think of you more times in a day than I can count, Paige. I miss you so much. I love you so much I feel like I can explode!!! Take good care of yourself!!

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  11. Paige-
    I hope that you're smiling at the thought of your parents and Jill riding in the new 'Mini-Cooper'to LHC! I know I am...
    Have a good weekend, honey! I hope that it's not too hot there. Chicago is expecting 91 degrees tomorrow, with probably means 91% humidity, too. As much as I love summer, I have to be careful what I wish for!
    Take good care of yourself!
    Auntie Pat

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  12. Hey Miss O...Im crying juszt thinking about the day you left remembering everything...i miss you oh so much...Our Pow Wow'S!!! those were the best...You being wacky all the time and acting like one of us...i can't say enough how much i miss you!!
    well i'll be checking up on the blogs more often..you can message me on myspace or on my e-mail: castro_602_patty@hotmail.com
    please make sure you get back to me please...!!:'(

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