Dear Anybody

I was trying to explain to Shye what this blogging thing was all about and she thought that the greeting above was best way to start. And so dear Anybody, I am moving. And how am I ever going to survive living in Calgary without this little girl and all her hugs, and a certain young boy and his attempts to dominate in wrestling.
I haven't moved in a very long time, moving is so much bigger than traveling or wandering. Living nowhere in particular doesn't scare me. Living by some loose and open-ended version of a plan suits me just fine. Not knowing, always new. Great. Staying put? I hardly know how. This week, moving to Calgary seems like the continuation of my wandering adventure, but at some point new is going to become old, normal, and ordinary. And I'm afraid that I don't know how to do that.
At this point ordinary seems a long way off, while I am moving tomorrow, I know that one month from now I should be 'moving' my things across the city again into some sort of apartment that may be home for some time. For now I will be living with a handful of new people, and then I will be living with more new people. I am going to have to learn what it looks like to love my neighbour and teammates in a place I don't even know about yet. I am starting school on Tuesday, and it has been 3.5 years since I was in school, what have I got myself into? And while for the next few weeks I am a bit of my own boss, I am also looking for a new job. There's plenty of uncertainty and newness on the horizon.
For now I am excited and ready for the challenge, but certainly sad to leave. The weight of leaving is heavy. I am not just traveling, I am moving. I am making the choice to be somewhere else, a choice to leave my family. I feel as though the decision was made too easily, and I feel as though it was birthed in me so slowly and with prayer. Both.
I am moving tomorrow.
From,
Kim

Next Things

We're moving on today, after a month here at the Catholic Worker we're making tracks. Heading to San Fran today, see a Giants game tomorrow, maybe visit a new friend who happens to be a priest. Go to the ocean, and then on to a winery north of San Fran to pick grapes for about 10 days before we head back this way and on to Reno to check out a cattle and horse ranch! After all the uncertainty of where we were going to head next, a way has been made. New farms, new places, new things! And by the way, it's still really warm.

Smoky River

D and I spent an afternoon at the river. He and I are hanging out for these 2 weeks, I'm reclaiming my "domestic goddess" title, tying up all the loose ends for the trip and trying to get in decent shape.

Unemployed!

It's official - I'm unemployed! Everyone else is heading to work, being responsible, continuing on in "normal" and I get to plan my own days. What do I want to do today? It's kind of exciting.
I'm sure my days will mostly fill up, appointments and errands I have been putting off, can be put off no longer. I have to do a better job of packing things into storage, need to soak up this hot weather and there's a grand trip to plan!
It's less than 3 weeks until Chantal and I hit the road the West Coast. I can't wait for the beauty of the ocean, the 101, the mountains, the redwoods. I have to spend these weeks getting into shape, cause I have been lazy since boot camp ended. So I've started into a regular regime of running stairs to get ready to hike.
And then there's the farming to plan, my friend Kurtis has decided to join me, and we're searching out the best farms in California! This next chapter of life will be grand!

Manila-Land

Manila, again, I'm back. And oddly arriving last night felt a bit like coming home! Not like the excitement I have inside when I think about Thursday. (Yay!) But just this comfortable happiness at seeing all the familiar places, the traffic, driving past all the malls. I've noted that perspective must play a lot into my vision, living here I never romanticized this city into a happy, pretty-lights kind of place. But enroute to loved ones and Canada, my eyes see good things.
Until of course I ventured out with a dear friend this afternoon to attempt my last minute purchases. Big mistake! Sunday afternoon, Christmas season, 18 million people! Such a bad idea! And then trying to find a cab, my aching lungs, mixing with the experiences of the day, reminded me, that all is not wonderful in Manila-land.
But I am happy to be here, enroute, visiting friends and my Manila family. And happy to God for those friends, and to be going to a place my heart's been wanting for a long while. I'm blessed.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

I finished my last shift this morning. My work and practicum are officially over. Tapos na, humana ko. Here are all the lovely ladies I've been working with these last six months, they've all taught me so much. I started off the year working with the beautiful Mercy midwives in Manila, and I'm finishing it with the beautiful Glory midwives here in Cebu. And as they all pointed out (very jealously), I am extraordinarily white in this picture. But do not worry, I'm on my way this very hour, to spend the rest of the week fixing that! I have my backpack with me, in this little internet cafe, and in a bit I'll head out and meet my near-stranger traveling companion. I love traveling, and I really like doing it with near strangers too! I have seen many corners of many countries with people I barely know, and great pictures always result. Someday maybe I'll travel with dear friends, until then I'll take adventures with whoever is keen.

The End

It's all coming to an end. Sunday night marks my last shift at Glory Reborn, and the next morning I'll be heading to the nearby island of Negros ("knee-gross", not "knee-grows"), for 5 days of relaxation and sightseeing. Next Saturday I fly to Manila, and say goodbye to all my friends there. Four days later I hop another plane to cross that big, big ocean and make my way back to the cold of GP.
I'm ridiculously excited about home, albeit frigid, and a couch in my folks basement! But leaving is never easy, especially for an emotional wreck like myself. Here in Cebu I have had the privilege of working with more than a dozen fabulous Filipina nurses and midis, then there's the ever-so-helpful guards, the gym-folks, and Church friends. My Can-American friends Jen and Andrey have been God's great blessing to me! And I will seriously miss the cooking and eating of mouth-watering homemade meals, enjoyed with great conversation, local beer and The Office!

"Pagans in a Crisis"

I have enjoyed the wisdom of Mr. Oswald this week, here are some quotes:

"If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark."

"We act like pagans in a crisis— only one out of an entire crowd is daring enough to invest his faith in the character of God."

"What are you fearing? Whatever it may be, you are not a coward about it— you are determined to face it, yet you still have a feeling of fear. When it seems that there is nothing and no one to help you, say to yourself, 'But 'The Lord is my helper' this very moment, even in my present circumstance.' "

"Human frailty is another thing that gets between God’s words of assurance and our own words and thoughts. When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God seems to be nonexistent. But remember God’s assurance to us— 'I will never. . . forsake you.' "

If you happen to be facing fears, the unknown, big questions or the call of God on your life, perhaps these words will encourage and challenge you as much as they did me. I especially love #2.
Yesterday I bought my ticket - no turning back now! I am setting sail from Manila next Wednesday, taking an overnight ferry down to Cebu City to begin this next chapter, it seems that life is just a series of chapters, and mine seem to be short ones... I am excited for the ferry experience, it might be one I only want to have once, but I'm ready to give it a try. I'd appreciated your prayers for my ship not to sink! Thanx.

Kim's Going Away Party

Last night was the official Kim's Going Away Party, and never has there been a dance party like it!! We all boogied for a solid 3 hours, I mean we went mad! It was a beautiful, crowded, overly warm celebration. I would pick no better way to leave all these blessed friends then to "smack that" and "drop it like its hot" with them!! Some of the most fun EVER!
There were a lot of people there last night that represent a big part of my heart - its hard to really say goodbye, hard to know that none of us will stay the same (ultimately a good thing), but that means that this special time, these last 4 months, will not be repeated - good things don't last forever, you enjoy them while they are, but you must hold them with an open hand.
So I am going to open my hands now, and "smack that"...

(pictures to follow this afternoon!!)

Definition of a Good Day

Now I'm not saying a great day, but a pretty good one includes:

• 1 last day at work,
• 1 Flames victory over the Oilers,
• 1 evening out with Jessica!

Not too shabby eh? Now, from a good day, to a good nights sleep!

PS: only 5 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Countdown is On!!

More Than I Could Ask For

I finished work yesterday - the end of another era in my life. Yes it has been 4 years that I have working on and off with Pembina Pipelines in 3 different towns, and now, with any luck, I will not work for them again! Pembina has been good - fun people, comfortable job, good money. To be honest I'll miss my FSJ/WC/GP work buddies, but I am thrilled to be finished! I never want to hear the words "Micro Main" ever, EVER again!
But I must report on a bit of the fun that I've had this week. Every so often something special happens that makes your week. Well, to be honest this week I had about 6 special somethings, pretty lucky if you ask me.

1. Sunday was a beautiful start to my week. My BBQ blessed the socks off me, I hope you all realize that. If people think its just about the fact that I raised more money then I could have ever hoped that isn't it. It was that God moved in people to give, He was working in them. It was that people were saying to me, and demonstrating to me that they love and trust me, and see God working through me. Wow.
2. One of my work buddies (he's over 50, don't worry) decided he'd miss me (or maybe was just really happy to see me go) and celebrated with giving me roses! I may be shallow folks - but flowers do make me happy. They just make me smile. What a sweetheart!
3. I also found out that my folks are going to splurge for the digital camera I've been dreaming of, Nikon D50 here I come! This is an SLR camera like the one I own, but digital. Although I really love traditional cameras, I am so thrilled that I won't have the costs or restrictions of film. This means a million more pictures, better pictures and easier sharing right here for you!
4. On Wednesday night one of the bosses at work and I took her 2006 Ford Mustang convertible out to a nearby religious colony (just a random detail) for dinner. The food was good, the company was good, a great time. But did I mention that I got to DRIVE her brand new 2006 Ford Mustang convertible (top down) on the highway! Woohoo!
5. A couple months ago the WC office gave me a gift certificate as my going away gift and they told me to use it towards an iPod, something I was happy to obey. So I told my new boss that he needed to match it (as a half-joke), and well - he did! So yesterday I had the fun of picking up my very own 30GB iPod. Now I can take my music/pics/videos with me to any corner of the globe!
6. Yesterday came and went and it was my last day at work! The FSJ office gang were just as sweet as the WC crew. I received a donation for midwifery school, a card and cake! As well as the offer (threat), that the guys could line up for kisses, it was really funny, but you probably had to be there.

It has been a really special week. I look ahead though and there are only 5 brief days left here in this place that is my epic-center, my home. Despite what my passport might tell you, leaving here is hard. It is something that makes me feel kinda cold inside, anxious, ick. I'm choosing not to think about it, I love travel and missions and all of these things I'm blessed to be a part of, but God has planted me here at home. Not that I need to stay - but I know and feel my roots. This year has been one of the best of my life, Pembina included. God has helped me step back from the last few years and put in place the things I learned, and learn some of the things I missed. Leaving my friends and family has never been harder.

My Excellent Planning

You would never believe how much is involved in getting ready to leave the country for a couple years! Seriously!
I'm feeling pretty calm today but I'm sure the panic will hit again. And I can assure you - a week ago I thought I'd never manage to finish the phone calls. Immunizations, doctor, dentist, eye doctor, health insurance, car insurance, packing, buying textbooks and plane tickets, finishing a big project at work - not to mention the fact that there are people in my life! And apparently leaving the country for a couple years, isn't something car insurers are used to dealing with - they just don't know what to do with me!
I can't believe I wasn't thinking about all these things earlier, I'm usually a planner, but it never occured to me to be planning things a little earlier than May. I've only known about school for 6 months now! (Dripping with sarcasm, dripping.)
Of course I'm usually dripping with sarcasm. Something I only really discovered last year. In DTS I lived with 20 people, from so many cultures, so many languages, so many life experiences. I found out that my sarcasm wasn't always understood, wasn't always funny, wasn't always right. It was a good lesson. It hurt. And I'm not perfect now. Sometimes after I let a comment slip I wonder if maybe it wasn't what I meant to say, or maybe it was, but I shouldn't have wanted to say it in the first place. But I digress this isn't what I was really writing about, was it?
Life is complicated. For everyone. And you don't really realize how connected, and bolted down you are until you try to pick up and go. Then in one month try and fight for freedom. If you're ever in my situation, may I suggest - start to work out the details just a smidge earlier than I have!

Fleshing Out - Excitement

Everyday someone asks me if I am excited about leaving, training to be a midwife or entering missions.
"Excited?"
"Yeah, I can't believe its almost here / I can't believe they're actually going to let me do this / Only 23 more days / I can't believe I found something that involves so many of my passions / I've been waiting so long, it barely seems real / Just trying to get all of life in order before I leave / Yeah, and a little bit scared too."
Those are my usual responses. You've probably heard them. And they're true, that's why I say them. But I honestly don't feel like they really communicate much. They're pat. Not that I have a problem with pat - Pat's a great name.
I wish I could actually say what I'm thinking. Seems easy enough, but I don't exactly know how. So I'm making a list - these are some of the right words:

• emotional
• overwhelmed
• ecstatic
• anxious
• expectant
• curious
• impatient
• keen (an entirely Canadian word!)
• joyful
• nervous
• encouraged
• ready

Now you know. Please keep me in your prayers. Everything begins in 23 short days, actually by the time you read this it'll probably be less!

I'm really excited! (Ha)

The 4-1-1 on Financial Support

For those of you who are looking for the details on cheques and moolah - the best way to give support is to write your cheques out to myself, (Kim Hughes), and get them to me through my church mailbox, or on a Sunday morning.
Because of charity regulations the church is unable to accept donations for me. The downside is that I am not able to provide you with tax receipts for your gifts. I know that for some of you that isn't a big deal. But for others of you that might be an issue. If you are unable to give without a receipt I fully understand - I wish I could get them for you!
If you are planning on giving each month, you can choose to give a bunch of post-dated cheques which will be deposited each month, or you give them individually - whichever works for you.
And if you are planning on giving - well, Thank You, so much! I hope I can have time to talk with each of you, and I look forward to sharing with you the fruits of your giving!

Flight Booked

Okay 2 in one day, ridiculous, I know! But I have news to share.
I booked my flights this morning! So I now know I'll be leaving GP on June 7 - 1:00PM.
That's it - that's all, 50 short days left. And then...
"I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again."
You can all plan to come crowd the GP airport, (shouldn't be too hard), to wave and cry and blow kisses. Or something. Mark your calendars!

Oil Towns, Goodbyes, God's Providence

Well this is where I have spent the last 3 months, in a town overflowing with excitement, in:

And now 3 months are over, and I have finished what I came here to do (that'd be organizing an extremely boring computer database).

I feel accomplished...or something.

This is my last day in Whitecourt and this morning they shocked me with a "Good Luck Kim" cake and a Thank You with a Walmart gift card! How sweet is that? All the guys gave me a hard time (as usual) and said goodbyes!

"I'm missing you already" too!
Now that I have completed this adventure I move on to another - the same boring job in:

As much as most people would question the goodness (ha!) of living/working in either of these lovely locations, I really believe that having these two contracts has been a real gift from God.

And God is Good!

God has used this job over the last year to provide me with a big chunk of the cash I need to enter this school. And teach me patience. He has been providing for me in advance!

Amen.

Mandatory Check-In

Well, I've been a terrible blogger so-far, I will improve. I posted earlier that I had only 3 more weeks living/working away from home. How foolish!! I'm still here. Life as I know it is rather uneventful, as the countdown to midwifery school heats up there will be more to post here, more to share. Can't wait to let you in on all I'm learning and experiencing. And until then I have my nose to the grindstone, or stuck in a textbook!

141 Days...

141 days. That's how long I have before I start Midwifery school. And even a few days before that I will be leaving the country to travel down to Boise and get settled in. Leaving the country... and for 15 months, maybe more!! I have never been gone from Canada for so long, I've never been apart from my FAMILY for so long. And that is something that scares me, I am really going to miss them!
Why is that in order to travel and have adventures, to meet amazing new friends, you have to leave behind all that you love. My family, my friends here, they're just as important to me as anyone I meet in travelling. But I can't have both, or rather I can't be with both.
As for now I really have neither! Work has taken me out of town, to a wonderfully greasy small Northern town. I don't really see people, but instead plunk numbly away at a computer all the day long. 3 weeks down, 3+ more to go! And all of it in the name of money, money for school, money to be a midwife, money to go and serve the God who made both women and children!
141 more days!