Once again, I am sitting on the floor at JFK, waiting to board a flight to Cairo so that I can join a team of healthcare volunteers for a mission with Operation Smile. This will be my 3rd mission this year. I think I am done, at least for this year... I think.
A few years ago, one of my many bestfriends told me that A LOT happens in a year. I spent every year after that waiting for the "big change" that happens in one year. Well, ladies and gents, it appears that 2010 is that year!
It has been an incredible year -- got my BSN, started grad school at NYU, got my certification as a critical care nurse in pediatrics, two missions with Op Smile, a 5 week mission with the US Navy in Southeast Asia, traveled 7 countries in 5 continents (Spain, France, Mexico, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and Egypt), and fell in love with a very nice young man =) . What more can a girl ask for?
There are SO many changes going on in my life. Just when I think, ok, that was huge, things will be calm now... nope, something in my life happens that totally changes the rest of my year. Things are still changing at this point, and where I will end up by the year 2011... who knows! My loved ones know I am free spirited, some would call me crazy, and others may just think i'm spontaneous. I have been the same way since I was young. Out of my siblings, I'm the only one not born in June (Imee's bday is June 2nd, Lulette's bday is June 4th, and Francis' is on June 5th). I laughed when my mom said they started family planning with me, ha! I've always been the social butterfly, always curious and willing to explore. I can't seem to get enough! I feel like there's SO MUCH out there to be done, see, and experience until I settle down, although my mom thinks otherwise.
ok, so let's get back on track. I am mentally preparing myself for a two week medical mission that will create new smiles, and change little people's lives! How could anyone turn down an opportunity to help others, especially children. A simple 45-minute surgery, and a child's speech, nutrition, self-esteem, childhood, essentially, their whole life is changed for the better. A surgery that costs $250 lets a child speak better so that their loves ones can understand them, free them from a childhood experience of being made fun of for looking "different", have nutrition deficiency because it's difficult to swallow food... it's something so simple, yet means the world to these children and their families. How could ANYONE say no to that? It's an honor to be asked to participate for Operation Smile.
bottle of water - check, travel pillow - check, fully charged iPhone - check, cheesy magazines - check, teds stockings - check, most importantly, ambien - CHECK! man, i dread flying. I'm not afraid of flying, but I have spent so much time on a plane this year. I love going to other places, but i hate packing, and definitely HATE unpacking. I am hoping to spend this 11 hour flight fast asleep! However, I do have to keep up with school work. For that, I have my laptop, notes, study guides, to make sure that I do not get lost in my classes.
I am hoping to have internet access in Cairo, and will definitely update my blog every chance i get. So stick around, you may get a sneak peek of the pyramids, the sphinx, me riding a camel, but more importantly, the children whose lives we are about to change =)
mental note: must request for a new passport when i get back!
