We at the hotel, motel, holiday inn.

Actually, we are staying at the Days Inn because it was the cheaper option. Haha. Granted, the military pays for it but we've got to fork the cash over up front so anything to save a couple bucks. Which is why I hope we aren't stuck here for too long, that could get expensive. Not to mention we have a rental car and we've got to eat out everyday since the hotel doesn't have a kitchen. These things are covered as well, but who knows when we'll get reimbursed? (Bonus: We get $70/person per day for food. Who eats $70 worth of food everyday? Though I'm not complaining, that's just cash in the bank.) But what I wouldn't do for a home cooked meal right about now.

So we have been at the hotel since Monday, which is when the move started. And it's gone fairly smoothly, aside from a few hiccups. The shippers packed up some books that I didn't plan on taking with me, but that's not a huge deal. And they forgot to pack my 5lb weights and I didn't realize until after they were gone, and I accidentally had them pack my jean jacket which I meant to take with me in my suitcase. I guess I wasn't thinking there. Oh well, things could've gone a lot worse.

Tomorrow the movers are coming back to pick up all the stuff that is going into storage, the stuff that is coming with us overseas is (hopefully) packed into a sea can and on it's way to the Middle East, the car is in storage, and now we just have to wait for our passports. That is the most annoying part. I have been waiting to leave since March! And the military is always like this, rush rush rush, wait. I am just getting so anxious to get over there and settle in, I have no idea what to expect and the anticipation is killing me.

On the bright side - my sister and brother in law are coming to visit us one last time this Friday, so I guess it's sort of a good thing that our passports haven't come in yet.

So Long, Oshawa

Roderick and I have just returned from our week long trip to our hometown of Oshawa. It's really weird to think that I won't be there again for another two years, possibly longer (or shorter, in case something goes terribly wrong - but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that that doesn't happen).

Aside from a few hiccups, it was a pretty good trip home. I think that I managed to see everyone I wanted to see, however a few weren't able to make it out due to not being in the country, which sucks, but that's life.

My Aunt Jane had a going away party for Rod and I on Saturday, and there was quite the turnout of people, and I had a really nice time. And it was the perfect opportunity for us to announce our engagement! That's right, we got engaged in Boston and it took everything I had to keep it to myself for a week because I was waiting for this party. Unfortunately, I am not a public speaker and after thanking everyone for coming and telling them how much I'm going to miss them, I ended up in tears so Rod had to announce it for us. I'll dedicate another post to our engagement and the proposal.

So anyway, it felt good to finally tell everyone and my parents, friends and family are all very happy for us!

Yesterday we left Oshawa, and it was a sad day. I tried not to cry when I was saying goodbye to everyone, so I saved the tears for after they left. *sigh* Rod thinks I'm crazy for being upset and crying about all of this, but I can't help it. Sure, this new adventure is exciting and it'll be a great experience for us, but it's still sad leaving your family and friends, regardless.

And I'd just like to take the time to thank Alex for having us over on Friday night for a going away party and to those who came, and to my Aunt Jane for hosting another party at her place and to everyone who came to that as well.

I'll miss you all! xo

The Best Vacation Ever

Well, we're back from our first trip together! Boston was amazing, however it is a long drive (about 7 or 8 hours including stops) and I am quite happy to be back in the comfort of my own home.

The days were jam packed full of things to do, and I am completely exhausted now. Every day we woke up early and did a ton of walking, my legs are incredibly sore but it was all worth it. We went on a ghost tour, we saw the Blue Man Group which was amazing and way better than I expected, we went to the New England  Aquarium, we did some shopping, we ate a lot of delicious food, did a day trip to Cape Cod, swam in the ocean, saw wild seals, and just had the best time together. We laughed, we bonded, it really was perfection.

Downside to Boston? The driving! Oh my word, it is insane. It's almost like it's a free for all and people just drive where ever the heck they want. Fortunately for us, the B&B was close to the "T" or subway, and the couple who stayed there before us left their 7 day passes, which was rather nice of them. Free, and convenient!

It's so strange, going to America. The last time I was there I was 13 and I forgot just how different we are. Thank god for Roderick's car which is able to switch into miles, that helped us avoid speeding. Not only that, but they have cigarettes on display in the stores, lottery tickets by the thousands on the wall, the food, the prices, just the way of life. I guess I thought we'd be more alike than we are. But no.

Shipping up to Boston

Several weeks ago, Roderick brought up the idea of a road trip to Boston. I wasn't sure if we'd have enough time to cram it in before we left, but turns out we do. We will be leaving early Wednesday morning and heading home on Sunday, as I have a two day course to attend the following Monday and Tuesday for spouses going overseas.

I've booked us a room at a gorgeous bed & breakfast (click here to see photos). After looking into several hotels in Boston, this was the most affordable option. I also managed to reserve us a haunted walking tour on Thursday evening, after snagging the deal on Groupon for $18!

This will be our first vacation together, and even though I've gone on a few roadtrips to Florida with my aunt and uncle when I was younger, I've never gone on one with friends or a boyfriend. So I am pretty stoked on this.

See you all when we return!

One month to go!

Only one month until we touch down in Pakistan, I cannot believe how fast the time is going. Fortunately I've managed to stay pretty busy, being unemployed, with appointments here and there for all sorts of things. We've been running around like mad trying to get everything sorted before leaving. There have been countless doctors visits, vaccines, dentists, meetings with the people who do the move, paperwork for loans, visas, passports, credit cards, and calling all different places to make sure that we have everything cancelled and all the addresses changed. It's just nonstop. Today a man came over who works for the housing organization on the base, to do an inspection and make sure we didn't destroy the place. Then on Monday a guy is coming in to estimate how much stuff we are shipping with us, and how many boxes he will need, as the military pays someone to pack it all for us. That is a huge bonus and such a weight off my shoulders. The only thing I need to do is create an excel spreadsheet of everything we own, including value and serial numbers, if need be. And since our spare bedroom is now emtpy, I've started putting everything that we're shipping with us in there, to make it easier on the movers.

This whole process is just so exhausting and I just can't wait until it's all over and we're finally there!

I've just returned from a quick trip to Oshawa. It was nice to see everyone, as usual, and even managed to have a going away party at Rod's parents place. We weren't sure if we would have time for one the next time we come down, but it looks like we will, so we planned a little get together for some of our friends to come over for drinks. It was a great time and I hope we're able to do it once more.

Unfortunately, I had to leave my animals with my in-laws when we left. I looked into it, and it would cost $10,000 just to ship Mya, my 80lb German Shepherd. The two cats, Fawkes and Cougar, probably wouldn't be so much but Cougar's getting old and I don't know if he'd make it on a 20 hour flight, and I want to keep them together anyway. I am devastated, to say the least. It was so weird coming home, opening the front door and not being greeted with kisses and meows. Broke my heart.

As it stands right now, and unless something goes terribly wrong, we will be back in Oshawa the last weekend of June. So those of you who live out of town, if you're able to make it down to see me, that'd be awesome. Because who knows when you'll get another chance. After Pakistan, we're hoping to be posted to British Columbia so it could be quite some time before I see anyone again.

Anyway, you've all been warned so if I see ya, I see ya.

My deepest fear

The other night Roderick started to watch a documentary on Doomsday. Apparently on December 21, 2012, the earth, sun and a black hole in the milky way are all meant to be in alignment. This could cause a shift of the poles, which would cause devastation throughout the world. The Mayans were very accurate in everything that was in their calendar, and I can't help but be scared that this will happen. The film also said that this has happened before, some 25,000 years ago. Not to mention, in the Muslim faith the end of the world is on a Friday. December 21, 2012 just so happens to fall on a Friday. Coincidence?

I always thought that maybe something would happen on that date, but I was thinking more along the lines of a shift in society. That we would all have to learn how to get along and live in peace, so as not to kill each other off.

But what if the poles do shift, and there are earthquakes and all sorts of natural disasters?

I am not afraid to die. However, I am afraid of dying without fully living. I want to experience what it's like to get married, to have children, grandchildren even, I want to travel the world more and meet new people, see some amazing things. I am not ready to die, not now. But if it happens, then so be it. I'm more terrified of the fact that if something did happen, in the off chance that I was still alive after it all, I'd be thousands of miles away from my family (if they were still alive!) and the place that I'm most comfortable in. In the event of some soft of apocalypse, I'd be able to survive in Canada, I don't think I'd be able to survive in Pakistan. I don't speak the language, I don't know the area, I wouldn't be able to make my way home for years and years and years, if ever, because I'm sure all the planes, boats, and everything needed to build them would be gone, and I'd have no way of contacting my family. This is my biggest fear. And I've not told anyone, until now...

I'll be missing you

Well Roderick is home from his two week training course in Virginia/North Carolina with a sweet as tan! (And no, that is not a spelling error.) He had a good time, but what man wouldn't when he spent his days shooting guns and playing paint ball? Lucky duck.

I had my first minor meltdown the other night when he informed me that we'd most likely have to say goodbye to the animals in two weeks time. Two weeks? That's far too soon. I was hoping we'd say goodbye the night before we left, even though I know that's not realistic. But two weeks? It just broke my heart to think that I may only have two weeks left with them, and what if I never see them again? I know I shouldn't think like that, but it's true. What if something happens to me? Or them? Cougar is getting up there, he's 10 years old now. If we stay in Pakistan for four years, he'd be 14. And while Fawkes and Mya are both still young, anything could happen. Honestly, I don't know how I am going to do this. They are my babies and this is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done.

In saying that, I hope nobody takes that the wrong way. Of course it's going to be difficult to say goodbye to all of you, especially my parents and my siblings, but I've done this before. I moved to Holland. I moved to Ottawa. And while Ottawa really isn't that far away, I only go home every 3-6 months for a couple of days, spending only a few hours with everyone. Nobody ever calls me, and while I try to call people every once in awhile, sometimes life gets in the way and I just never get around to it. Whereas when I lived in Holland, I made sure to call every week or two. So it's almost a guarantee that I'll talk to my family more when I live in Pakistan, than I do now. Sad to say, but it's true.

Anyway, back to the point... I already know what it's like to leave my family behind. But I have no idea what it's like to leave my babies, my animals. They are always here for me, no matter what. I take Mya for 1-2 walks everyday, she keeps me busy and I love spending time with her at the dog park or just wandering around base. And Fawkes and Cougar are such cuddle bugs, if I'm having a bad day I know they'll be there to snuggle up with and watch a movie.

Yep, it's safe to say I'll be a freakin' mess when that day comes!

"Every step I take, every move I make

Every single day, every time I pray

I'll be missing you"