Intern Life - Week One!

Hey Everyone!
What a change it has been to switch from canoe tripper to intern this week! I have never in my life had to 'look professional' on a daily basis...but luckily my feet are starting to adjust to the switch from flip-flops to heels! We've spent the week immersed in sessions, speakers and workshops about responsible development, participatory approaches, health and sanitation education programs, ethics and incarnational living...all topics that I find incredibly interesting! Next week we move into water filter construction and further water and sanitation training. On top of our daily schedule, we have a stack and I mean a STACK of supplementary readings to stay on top of. Its taking a little adjustment to move from the world of busy camp interactions to reading and reflection, but I am loving the opportunity to rethink my priorities, goals and outlooks.
The family that I am billeting with are incredibly friendly and generous and have let me sort of blend into their household, which is a great blessing! On Tuesday I got to hang out with Lauren Wells and watch her kick butt (as per usual) in her soccer league and hear about her sweet job at Alberta Children's Hospital! Then yesterday I had a fabulous time traveling to Johnson Canyon and Lake Louise with a group of the interns. I had never been to the Rockies and was blown away by the beauty of these Canadian monuments! At Lake Louise we were met with a monster thunder storm that was so cool to watch take place atop the mountains!
Over the last few days, as the Woodland Challenge 10-day canoe trips have returned to camp, I've been able to connect with Sara and Andrew and hear about all their adventures and stories! As selfish as it sounds, eventhough I am so excited and thankful for this opportunity it has definitely been really tough to have missed finishing WC and participating in the 10-day! I feel as though a part of me has been left at Pioneer...this might also be because half of my family and Andrew are there too :) BUT, I know you can't have it all and that there's a plan for the way things have played out! I am so pumped to live out what's ahead!
Pictures in 'order of appearance'
#1 Lauren and I, #2 Fellow intern ladies: Keren, Me, Kim and Anthea, #3 7 of 10 interns: Me, David, Andy, Evon, Kim, Karen & Anthea, #4 Upper Johnson Creek Falls, #5 Anthea and I (my Honduras partner!)

Off to Calgary?!

Hello from Alberta!
About a month ago I received word that I had been accepted as a Water Project Intern with CIDA and Samaritans Purse! At the time I was at camp in the midst of a busy transition between the roles of Tripping Coordinator and Woodland Challenge Assistant Director and the news came as a HUGE surprise. I also found out that due to time constraints placed by CIDA, the internship schedule had been pushed forward to commence August 5th rather than the end of the month, placing me in a very sticky situation!! Fortunately, I was blessed with a boss and fellow leaders that were willing to allow and help me to leave WC early and accept the internship position. The past few weeks have FLOWN by as our fabulous WC staff came together, campers arrived and high-energy programming flowed! As we prepped for the 10-day canoe trips I tried to wrap my mind around the idea that when they departed, so did I...for six months! After a bittersweet goodbye, both Sara and Andrew headed to the woods to lead WC canoe trips, Becky got ready to prepare for the rush of LIT canoe trips and I headed home. It was very hard to leave Woodland as we have had such great kids this summer and the program is close to my heart, but it was reassuring to know that Jeff and this summer's fun and talented team of staff will it all under control!
Over the past 3 days I have had a whirlwind weekend visiting friends and family and finishing up some medical paperwork with my doctor. Much needed packing didn't actually happen until about 6 hours before my flight and involved me taking a bit of everything, unsure of what I really need...yikes! I just arrived in Calgary, where I'll be for the next 3 weeks and am staying with a lovely Samaritan's Purse staff family. Tomorrow I start training and hopefully become enlightened as to the details of the next few months! So far I know that I will be working on Water Projects in the HONDURAS!! Ahhh! Sooo excited! I'm so sorry to have kept so many people out of the loop, but the past few weeks have been CRAZY and I am so pumped to be able to catch my breath here in Calgary and catch up on many long needed communication! I hope everyone is doing great, wherever you are!
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxo