Film, Surprise Birthday Gifts, and Ottawa before India

Still plugging away with my film camera.....

Yup, that's a tomato from MY garden!

I'm particularly pleased and surprised with how well these pictures taken at night turned out...

Downtown Toronto at night

lobster from the best lobster joint in toronto (wish this picture had turned out better)....

I was incredibly lucky to receive VERY thoughtful and amazing birthday gifts this year...

Yes - that is an iPad from my sister her boyfriend and my two teenage brothers. So unexpected and I truly felt so lucky to receive it. And my mom got me the brand new panasonic lumix lx5 camera that I've been lusting for! It shoots HD video (such amazing quality from this little camera - so expect video posts very soon! My youngest siblings (7&9) got me luggage. So cute. All will come in very handy for/in India.

Speaking of India...I also just spent a few days in Ottawa taking part in a 5 day pre-departure training course.

Parliament Building in Ottawa

It was amazing to be surrounded by like minded people who are doing the same thing I am - going abroad to volunteer in the international development field. Between the 24 of us (3 couples) we are going to 14 countries around the world! I now have a couch to sleep on in countries such as Peru, Thailand, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Bolivia, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Tajikistan (among others). Amazing!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes in my previous post and for all of the kind words that were left - they literally make my heart smile.


Sorry for the lack of posting around here. I landed a temp gig that will go until the end of the month (at least) and am also, slowly, packing up the apartment :( Will be moving back home temporarily to save up some extra cash before heading off for India. Since I'm going for sure it just made sense financially. Since I also think I know what type of career I'd like to pursue I'm considering going back to school  - or at least taking a course here and there......we'll see. Bare with me - and thanks for sticking around.

Hope you're all enjoying the final days of summer and have a great long weekend!