"Preparing for Change" Training - Ottawa June 4 - 7, 2010

So here I am in Ottawa, Canada's capitol city...and what an amazing city! I had no idea what to expect when I got here, but I am pleasantly surprised to say the least. Sheila and Linda met me out here in Thursday, and we toured the Parliment building on Friday prior to my training. We dined at an incredible resto/lounge called Eighteen in the Market district and stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. I told them that I don't think I can afford to be their friend any more! haha! Linda graciously picked up the tab for the wine...oh, and it was so worth it!

So now the real reason I am here...Preparing for Change. So far this work shop is exactly what I expected, although the major theme of this adventure that I am about to partake in is to have NO EXPECTATIONS!! We have covered a lot of ground already in just 2 days; travel documents, saying goodbye, stereo-types, expectations, defining "development", dealing with isolation and loneliness, relationships (building new ones and managing current ones), cultural differences, communication...and it's only just begun!

It is really wonderful to be surrounded with so many other like minded people. We are all so different and yet we share similar values and passions...even though some of us have a hard time defining or expressing what it is that we are feeling and our motivations, we all "get" each other! We are all here for the same underlying reason...world citizenship. Thank you to my new friend Delphine for that concept!

I am getting even more excited about my upcoming trip. The unknown is exhilarating and scary. There is so much to think about and consider...where will I go, what will I be doing, will I do a good job, will I make friends, will I be safe, what will my new home look like, will I miss my family and my friends, will they even notice I am gone, will I succeed in changing the world in only 6 short months (haha).

I take comfort in knowing that everything will work out just as it should!!