So at this time tomorrow morning, Afton and I will be at the airport, and I will be making my way through security to board my flight for Vancouver! Wow! Very Excited!
Received an e-mail from dear Zoey at the South Central Ambulance Service assigning me to a day shift on 12 Feb 10 out of the Nursling Ambulance Station, Southampton, from 0800-1800! Will be observing with Paramedics Claire and Jonathan! So exciting!!!!! Will take lots of pictures, and ask many of questions!
Today will be a 'tie all loose ends up' day, as all those things on the to do list - those things that could wait.... can't wait anymore as the deadline approaches!!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Evening - the day after tomorrow
Well, the snow is upon us! Hopefully it won't follow me to Britain.... they have had the worst winter in 50 years already!
The paperwork for the 'observer status' with Southampton Ambulance Service has been scanned and sent (thanks Emily!!) and now we shall see what day they will assign me to!
All the clothes I want to take are out to be sorted and considered again....... there are waaaaay too many! So. Will simply have to be brutal about the choice - yikes!!
The paperwork for the 'observer status' with Southampton Ambulance Service has been scanned and sent (thanks Emily!!) and now we shall see what day they will assign me to!
All the clothes I want to take are out to be sorted and considered again....... there are waaaaay too many! So. Will simply have to be brutal about the choice - yikes!!
The Day after Tomorrow!
Leaving the day after tomorrow...... wow..... that seems so much closer now that I can say that!!
Had a great sleep in this morning, got up just before 10!! Light snow here today, seems winter isn't finished with us, but I was being hopeful!
Paperwork came through from Southampton Ambulance Service late last night, so will duly fill it out and send it back this morning. Very exciting!!! Now will have to choose a uniform shirt that doesn't look as though it has been through a war - they are all looking a little beat up!
Lots of people stopping by in the last few days to wish me a great trip - thanks guys!!
Will be doing the last sorting of clothes I think I should take - and final cut will be tomorrow!
Now..... to shake off the lethargy that comes with having slept in too long.......!! Maybe an espresso will help!!
Had a great sleep in this morning, got up just before 10!! Light snow here today, seems winter isn't finished with us, but I was being hopeful!
Paperwork came through from Southampton Ambulance Service late last night, so will duly fill it out and send it back this morning. Very exciting!!! Now will have to choose a uniform shirt that doesn't look as though it has been through a war - they are all looking a little beat up!
Lots of people stopping by in the last few days to wish me a great trip - thanks guys!!
Will be doing the last sorting of clothes I think I should take - and final cut will be tomorrow!
Now..... to shake off the lethargy that comes with having slept in too long.......!! Maybe an espresso will help!!
Friday, January 29, 2010
T minus 3 days...... the countdown continues!
Did have an early start to the day, but a late blog entry (sorry Albina!)
Was up early to make calls to Southampton's Ambulance service to ensure ride along arrangements are coming along. The waivers and paperwork will be e-mailed to me today, and I will return them tomorrow. Will be exciting! The ambulance service in Southampton is called The South Central Ambulance Service - NHS - Hampshire Division. Check out their website at: http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/ A well constructed site, and if you go to the media heading, lots of photos as well!
Tried to go back to bed, but too many details swirling around in my head!!
Off to get a pedicure from the lovely Sharlene today, always a real treat!
Laundry almost complete.... and stacked...... and the hard part will be picking what to take! And I MUST remember to take a uniform for my ride along.......!
Interesting note in the city today - the Olympic Torch comes through this afternoon, a very big 'do' at the CN Centre. Olympic fever is building, most have stopped complaining about the cost of the games, and focus is beginning to turn to loving and supporting our hard working athletes!! GO CANADA!
Was up early to make calls to Southampton's Ambulance service to ensure ride along arrangements are coming along. The waivers and paperwork will be e-mailed to me today, and I will return them tomorrow. Will be exciting! The ambulance service in Southampton is called The South Central Ambulance Service - NHS - Hampshire Division. Check out their website at: http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/ A well constructed site, and if you go to the media heading, lots of photos as well!
Tried to go back to bed, but too many details swirling around in my head!!
Off to get a pedicure from the lovely Sharlene today, always a real treat!
Laundry almost complete.... and stacked...... and the hard part will be picking what to take! And I MUST remember to take a uniform for my ride along.......!
Interesting note in the city today - the Olympic Torch comes through this afternoon, a very big 'do' at the CN Centre. Olympic fever is building, most have stopped complaining about the cost of the games, and focus is beginning to turn to loving and supporting our hard working athletes!! GO CANADA!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
T minus 3-3/4!
OK!!
Have gathered all I can of - BCAS pins/crests/pens, RCMP, pins/pens/other cool things, Canada pins, BC pins, and Prince George pins (thanks Afton for having the patience to track these down!), and of course - maple syrup! (Does anyone actually eat this stuff? Or do we just buy it and give it away to others????) Small suitcase is all packed up, mostly things I will be taking over and leaving........... (it weighs 42 pounds.......hey.... room to spare!!). The larger one stands ready to receive (hopefully) less than 50 pounds of the rest..... clothing, ditties, shoes, etc etc. Thank goodness for suitcase scales, I won't be rearranging the contents at the boarding gate in the airport!
Wow, so time does indeed march on, even if you're excited and think time will never pass...... and yet it does. Next week at this time I may well be eating fish and chips and getting excited to go to Quiz night at the pub! Hopefully I will contribute in a positive way and not shame the entire nation! Reviewing trivial questions - are there 206 bones in the human body? Or is it 209??? (And LORD, if there is a question about anything Canadian, PLEASE let me know the correct answer.... crickey, I should study!!!!). No pressure at all. Should be fun. Yikes. Gulp!! Good thing it is held in a pub..... I can blame alcohol for lack of complete brilliance har, har, har!
So did pick up some British pounds at the bank today. Was lucky - they actually had a few..... apparently you have to order these ahead of time! Who knew??? Also bought a roll of brand new 'Lucky Loonies' which are soooo pretty!!! (oh, note to self - - research the Lucky Loonie thing so as to sound half way intelligent when relaying this story - no one will really believe we freeze them into our ice rinks anyway!!)
Check it out - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_1_dollar_coin#The_lucky_loonie
Anyway, getting ready for the trip has been a lot of fun, and has been a treat to get to know about my own country even more, as I venture forth to represent us, as a Paramedic, and a proud Canadian. If a video clip ever appears on here with me singing 'O Canada', you will know that my patriotism has completely overwhelmed me - and you really should stop reading/listening and log off, for your own protection!!!! I am not one of the 'singing paramedics' !!!!
Enough drivel. Back to folding laundry. :)
PS: Is longer now Albina!!!!!
Have gathered all I can of - BCAS pins/crests/pens, RCMP, pins/pens/other cool things, Canada pins, BC pins, and Prince George pins (thanks Afton for having the patience to track these down!), and of course - maple syrup! (Does anyone actually eat this stuff? Or do we just buy it and give it away to others????) Small suitcase is all packed up, mostly things I will be taking over and leaving........... (it weighs 42 pounds.......hey.... room to spare!!). The larger one stands ready to receive (hopefully) less than 50 pounds of the rest..... clothing, ditties, shoes, etc etc. Thank goodness for suitcase scales, I won't be rearranging the contents at the boarding gate in the airport!
Wow, so time does indeed march on, even if you're excited and think time will never pass...... and yet it does. Next week at this time I may well be eating fish and chips and getting excited to go to Quiz night at the pub! Hopefully I will contribute in a positive way and not shame the entire nation! Reviewing trivial questions - are there 206 bones in the human body? Or is it 209??? (And LORD, if there is a question about anything Canadian, PLEASE let me know the correct answer.... crickey, I should study!!!!). No pressure at all. Should be fun. Yikes. Gulp!! Good thing it is held in a pub..... I can blame alcohol for lack of complete brilliance har, har, har!
So did pick up some British pounds at the bank today. Was lucky - they actually had a few..... apparently you have to order these ahead of time! Who knew??? Also bought a roll of brand new 'Lucky Loonies' which are soooo pretty!!! (oh, note to self - - research the Lucky Loonie thing so as to sound half way intelligent when relaying this story - no one will really believe we freeze them into our ice rinks anyway!!)
Check it out - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_1_dollar_coin#The_lucky_loonie
Anyway, getting ready for the trip has been a lot of fun, and has been a treat to get to know about my own country even more, as I venture forth to represent us, as a Paramedic, and a proud Canadian. If a video clip ever appears on here with me singing 'O Canada', you will know that my patriotism has completely overwhelmed me - and you really should stop reading/listening and log off, for your own protection!!!! I am not one of the 'singing paramedics' !!!!
Enough drivel. Back to folding laundry. :)
PS: Is longer now Albina!!!!!
T Minus 4 days.........
Red sky in morning...... Sailors take warning!
Lots of friends travelling today - - take care out there!!
Lots of friends travelling today - - take care out there!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
T minus 5 days and counting!
Organizing for the trip going very well. Today is the big push to get the homefront ready. Garage cleaning on the agenda, and stocking up the freezer for the kids. Will probably start the actual pack today as well, with the exception of the good clothes.....need to do as little ironing as possible when I get there!
Sky here today very gray, low cloud. Hopefully that will burn off, and allow the sun to shine through.
Sky here today very gray, low cloud. Hopefully that will burn off, and allow the sun to shine through.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
T - 6 days......! Yikes...... less than a week!
Good snowy morning from Prince George!
Uninspired to literary greatness this morning...... sleepy.... and trying to get kids out the door - Ben to a science exam and Robin to school. Very diverse list of chores to do today. A good day to just dig in and get things done. So with that industrious thought, I shall get on with it!
One observation - - in exactly one week, GMT, I will be in Hythe getting ready at the hotel to go watch football game!!!! WOW!!!!! Can't wait!
Uninspired to literary greatness this morning...... sleepy.... and trying to get kids out the door - Ben to a science exam and Robin to school. Very diverse list of chores to do today. A good day to just dig in and get things done. So with that industrious thought, I shall get on with it!
One observation - - in exactly one week, GMT, I will be in Hythe getting ready at the hotel to go watch football game!!!! WOW!!!!! Can't wait!
Monday, January 25, 2010
T minus 7 days.......
Well! Just one week exactly until the travel portion of the Everlong Adventure begins.........
Next week this time, Aft and I will be on our way to the airport in Prince George. Am hoping that the weather next week will be a little nicer here in Prince George, but really, I guess that is a lot to ask for, being that it is mid winter.
Did manage to track down a nice 3/4 length black coat yesterday that isn't quite a rain coat, but will do. Also nylons and some other bits and pieces. The dining room is looking an interesting mess, as it is my designated spot for collecting my travel items.
Peter and I are going to enjoy "Dinner and a Movie" transatlantically today, which is so much fun. Making Maple-Orange Glaze chicken and watching Braveheart, I at 1000 PST, and he at 1600 GMT. Something we have enjoyed doing together.
Next week this time, Aft and I will be on our way to the airport in Prince George. Am hoping that the weather next week will be a little nicer here in Prince George, but really, I guess that is a lot to ask for, being that it is mid winter.
Did manage to track down a nice 3/4 length black coat yesterday that isn't quite a rain coat, but will do. Also nylons and some other bits and pieces. The dining room is looking an interesting mess, as it is my designated spot for collecting my travel items.
Peter and I are going to enjoy "Dinner and a Movie" transatlantically today, which is so much fun. Making Maple-Orange Glaze chicken and watching Braveheart, I at 1000 PST, and he at 1600 GMT. Something we have enjoyed doing together.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
T = 8 days.... and counting!
Well, Sunday morning here after an excellent sleep...... woke up feeling energetic (well, almost!) and working on my 'to do' list........
Buy nylons (blech)...... can't I just wear tights or nothing at all?? LOL - who invented nylons anyway??
Make a trip to LUSH, for some nice bath products to take along......
Pay some household bills......
Chase down some BC Ambulance stickers and or pins to take along for riding third with Southampton Ambulance Service...... am hoping they won't have me go with a motorcycle medic, hanging on to the back for dear life!!!! Mind you.... that would be a different way to see things!
Look at current clothes - - - - decide what to take - - - - and more importantly, decide what NOT to take (I ALWAYS overpack)..... I mean really, how many coats does one need? 7 or 8???
Decide if current clothes are adequate..... are they ever?? Shop to cover inadequacies..... (in clothing I mean!)
Figure out if I really need some trampy shoes........ J, do I really???? If yes, break with personal tradition of eschewing such things and buy some......oh, and note to self...... bring band aids to cover the blisters after I wear these!! (Just because I am a paramedic doesn't mean I always have a band aid WITH me!!)
Find those little electrical adapter thingys that I bought a while ago..... where DID I put them??
Organize the garage.....
Figure out nightwear...... have made a firm decision NOT to bring those devastatingly cute red and white flannel ones I wear at the station!! (Warm - yes, attractive - NO!)
Look at the itinerary again........ and smile, and sigh happily ......... again........ and see if I can figure out how to post a modified version of it here!
Ooooh, I digress..... clearly my mind is less on the logistics of the trip and the bits and pieces of things to be put in place..... than it should be, and more on....... well, never mind! Hmmmmm.
Buy nylons (blech)...... can't I just wear tights or nothing at all?? LOL - who invented nylons anyway??
Make a trip to LUSH, for some nice bath products to take along......
Pay some household bills......
Chase down some BC Ambulance stickers and or pins to take along for riding third with Southampton Ambulance Service...... am hoping they won't have me go with a motorcycle medic, hanging on to the back for dear life!!!! Mind you.... that would be a different way to see things!
Look at current clothes - - - - decide what to take - - - - and more importantly, decide what NOT to take (I ALWAYS overpack)..... I mean really, how many coats does one need? 7 or 8???
Decide if current clothes are adequate..... are they ever?? Shop to cover inadequacies..... (in clothing I mean!)
Figure out if I really need some trampy shoes........ J, do I really???? If yes, break with personal tradition of eschewing such things and buy some......oh, and note to self...... bring band aids to cover the blisters after I wear these!! (Just because I am a paramedic doesn't mean I always have a band aid WITH me!!)
Find those little electrical adapter thingys that I bought a while ago..... where DID I put them??
Organize the garage.....
Figure out nightwear...... have made a firm decision NOT to bring those devastatingly cute red and white flannel ones I wear at the station!! (Warm - yes, attractive - NO!)
Look at the itinerary again........ and smile, and sigh happily ......... again........ and see if I can figure out how to post a modified version of it here!
Ooooh, I digress..... clearly my mind is less on the logistics of the trip and the bits and pieces of things to be put in place..... than it should be, and more on....... well, never mind! Hmmmmm.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Getting Ready! T= 11 days till blast off!
Welcome to my Everlong Adventure......
Called after a great tune from the Foo Fighters, and significant to me in that life is an Everlong adventure, and should always be appreciated in that spirit! I have been busy re-discovering so many things..... music........ my own adventurous spirit, yes, it is still there, alive and well..... and soon - new places!
"Blogging" is brand new to me..... and it does seem a little like bragging....!!
The purpose of this one, is to write about the experience of breaking with the everyday, and keeping friends and family up on the adventure of travel and new life!
I have been very fortunate in my life to have done some travelling, and am looking forward to "Going Abroad" to see Europe. I took the plunge 01 December 2009 and booked a ticket to London, England. And so I shall - 01 February 2010!!
The flight leaves Prince George, BC, Canada 01 February in the morning, and I will spend the day and night in transit to Heathrow Airport in London, England 02 February at around 1:oo pm GMT. For those in Western Canada, GMT is +8 hours to our Pacific Standard Time, for those in the Eastern time zones...... well, I know you can do the math!!
The flight from Prince George to Vancouver, lasting only an hour, will put me into YVR fairly early in the day (1040), and I have opted to spend the day in Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge, which is truly a treat, before boarding the flight to London late in the evening (1815).
So, preparations to date for the trip, are:
Trusty old suitcases out of the garage- two
Read all the crazy new security gyrations in place!! Hopefully by the time I fly no new restrictions will be in place, and we will all be able to keep our underwear on for the flights.......
Have searched out and found some interesting "Canadian" gifts to bring with me - Olympic scarves, pins, Canadian flag pins (thanks for finding these Afton!!), and of course some small bottles of maple syrup :)
Bought a lovely red Olympic coat to wear that says CANADA across the front, so there will be no mistaking where I am from!!
Lots of great music downloaded to my Ipod, in an attempt to amuse myself on the long flight!
Planning to take my laptop, and some DVD's as well.......
And a good book.......or two....... (did I mention that I am not the biggest fan of flying??)
In progress........
Still looking for a decent long raincoat to take with me..... but ...... it isn't the best season to be searching for such things here in the middle of Canadian winter. Perhaps will chase one down in London!
Getting the house ready for Nicole to move into for 16 days!
What to wear?? Help..... I need a fashion consultant!!
Called after a great tune from the Foo Fighters, and significant to me in that life is an Everlong adventure, and should always be appreciated in that spirit! I have been busy re-discovering so many things..... music........ my own adventurous spirit, yes, it is still there, alive and well..... and soon - new places!
"Blogging" is brand new to me..... and it does seem a little like bragging....!!
The purpose of this one, is to write about the experience of breaking with the everyday, and keeping friends and family up on the adventure of travel and new life!
I have been very fortunate in my life to have done some travelling, and am looking forward to "Going Abroad" to see Europe. I took the plunge 01 December 2009 and booked a ticket to London, England. And so I shall - 01 February 2010!!
The flight leaves Prince George, BC, Canada 01 February in the morning, and I will spend the day and night in transit to Heathrow Airport in London, England 02 February at around 1:oo pm GMT. For those in Western Canada, GMT is +8 hours to our Pacific Standard Time, for those in the Eastern time zones...... well, I know you can do the math!!
The flight from Prince George to Vancouver, lasting only an hour, will put me into YVR fairly early in the day (1040), and I have opted to spend the day in Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge, which is truly a treat, before boarding the flight to London late in the evening (1815).
So, preparations to date for the trip, are:
Trusty old suitcases out of the garage- two
Read all the crazy new security gyrations in place!! Hopefully by the time I fly no new restrictions will be in place, and we will all be able to keep our underwear on for the flights.......
Have searched out and found some interesting "Canadian" gifts to bring with me - Olympic scarves, pins, Canadian flag pins (thanks for finding these Afton!!), and of course some small bottles of maple syrup :)
Bought a lovely red Olympic coat to wear that says CANADA across the front, so there will be no mistaking where I am from!!
Lots of great music downloaded to my Ipod, in an attempt to amuse myself on the long flight!
Planning to take my laptop, and some DVD's as well.......
And a good book.......or two....... (did I mention that I am not the biggest fan of flying??)
In progress........
Still looking for a decent long raincoat to take with me..... but ...... it isn't the best season to be searching for such things here in the middle of Canadian winter. Perhaps will chase one down in London!
Getting the house ready for Nicole to move into for 16 days!
What to wear?? Help..... I need a fashion consultant!!
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