A little confusing? I'm just excited. I have 11 hours until my plane leaves. When my plane leaves, I'll be gone for 67 days. 67 days without my own bed, my own language, my own food, etc etc etc. No, I'm not whining. I'm quite enthusiastic to go. I don't mind missing out on my bed, on stretching my comfort zone. That's the point. To change me, my life.
And you don't get to change things without getting a little uncomfortable. Or a lot uncomfortable.
On Saturday (May 24th) my mother held a little get together to wish me luck at our nearby summer camp. It was a lot of fun, if not quite wet. It rained and rained, but still friends of the family stopped by to support me. Some even with donations! What a surprise. A very appreciated surprise.
So my suitcase is mostly packed (yes, I know it's getting late), I need to pack up my carry on and my large-ish purse. I am so last minute I am even waiting for the final load of laundry before I go. Why do I leave so much to the last minute?
I am so excited, and yet I am also scared. It seems natural, when embarking on something to very new to be nervous or scared. I just won't let that fear win. "Screw you, fear, I'm in charge here!" (I hear that in my best Liz Lemon voice). So even tho I have to force myself not to be snippy as the time for departure arrives, I am anxious in the best possible way. I just want to get this started!
I am going to miss everyone very much. I am sorry to the people I wanted to visit before I go, things just got crazy! I promise to update with pictures and adventures as often as possible. Leave comments here, message me on facebook, tweet me, or even email me at my school account (z5b46 followed by @unb.ca, don't want to leave a searchable email on here for the bots!)
Namaste,
Laura Gordon
And please, keep sharing my story! My gofundme page will still be accepting donations. Anything I don't use I will be donating to the Koseli School when I leave. You can also donate directly to them via their website.
Showing posts with label Koseli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Koseli. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Forgiveness.
Sometimes I find myself re-approaching old habits without realizing it. One of those habits is losing myself in a negative spiral of self pity. I used to whine and complain and cry "oh, why me? Why doesn't anyone help me/love me/ stand by me". Which is actually quite idiotic of me, since so many people help, love and stand by me. The problem is when we forget that our worth has not to do with others, but instead is set by our own selves. A famous quote, "we accept the love we think we deserve" illustrates my point. We allow ourselves to be loved or cared for in a way we think we deserve. If we didn't think we deserved to be treated poorly or carelessly, we would leave these relationships. But so many of us do not. We allow ourselves to be mistreated by partners, family members, friends and co workers.
Let's no longer put up with it. Starting now, I challenge you to re examine what you think of yourself. Look in the mirror and instead of sizing up your flaws, say three positive things about what you see. Then say three positive things about your personality or talents. Start by telling the biggest bully in most if our lives, ourselves, to knock it off and start acting with respect.
I found a quote today which seemed pretty relevant to my situation. I posted it on Facebook only to have a friend ask for advice about it- she was going through something similar.
If someone hurts you, abandons you, betrays you, it says nothing of your worth and everything about their character.
This doesn't mean that everyone who leaves you is bad, or that breakups mean one person is a horrible meanie and the other is a saint. What I take from it is that when you are not given the respect you deserve, that every one of us deserves, then it doesn't mean you are worthless. It reflects the character of the person who wasn't mature enough or honest enough or just plain good enough to act with respect.
After someone has wronged you, hurt you, broken your heart or your trust, forgiveness is difficult but a worthy skill to develop. I say skill, because it is A tricky thing. Forgiveness isn't about forgetting what was done to you and allowing those people who hurt you back into your life while handing them the ability to do it again. Mistrust is to be avoided, but caution welcomed. Encouraging a forgiving heart allows personal growth.
Compassion, forgiveness, these a the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life. -His Holiness the Dalai Lama
The act of forgiving benefits you much more than the person seeking forgiveness. Quite often we do not want to let go of a wrong we suffer, whether large or slight, because we feel forgiving means we are letting the perpetrator get away with it. That we are in a way endorsing that behaviour. Holding on to resentment or sadness isn't just depressing, it ca have real, negative effects on your health. Imagine it like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Absurd, and unfounded.
Holding onto resentment causes stress. Stress will mess up your body and its systems. I know when I was a full time student and faced with finals, three semesters in a row my hair fell out. No exaggeration, the week or so before finals I could find a loonie sized bald spot on the back of my head. The hair always grew back, but damn! It made me really self conscious. I also suffer from auto immune disorders which get worse when stressed. (So why am I attempting a stressful, crazy adventure? Why not? Can't live scared my whole life!)
Stress can cause heart disease, sleep disorders, it has been linked to raised rates of obesity, it can exacerbate skin and digestive disorders, raise the incidence of depression, and complicate menstrual cycles. Just to name a few.
Forgiveness does not dismiss the past, but it does enlarge the future.-Paul Boese
Namaste, friends
Laura
Please, don't forget to share this blog and my gofundme page! Thanks so much to everyone who stands by me and supports me. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Let's no longer put up with it. Starting now, I challenge you to re examine what you think of yourself. Look in the mirror and instead of sizing up your flaws, say three positive things about what you see. Then say three positive things about your personality or talents. Start by telling the biggest bully in most if our lives, ourselves, to knock it off and start acting with respect.
I found a quote today which seemed pretty relevant to my situation. I posted it on Facebook only to have a friend ask for advice about it- she was going through something similar.
If someone hurts you, abandons you, betrays you, it says nothing of your worth and everything about their character.
This doesn't mean that everyone who leaves you is bad, or that breakups mean one person is a horrible meanie and the other is a saint. What I take from it is that when you are not given the respect you deserve, that every one of us deserves, then it doesn't mean you are worthless. It reflects the character of the person who wasn't mature enough or honest enough or just plain good enough to act with respect.
After someone has wronged you, hurt you, broken your heart or your trust, forgiveness is difficult but a worthy skill to develop. I say skill, because it is A tricky thing. Forgiveness isn't about forgetting what was done to you and allowing those people who hurt you back into your life while handing them the ability to do it again. Mistrust is to be avoided, but caution welcomed. Encouraging a forgiving heart allows personal growth.
Compassion, forgiveness, these a the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life. -His Holiness the Dalai Lama
The act of forgiving benefits you much more than the person seeking forgiveness. Quite often we do not want to let go of a wrong we suffer, whether large or slight, because we feel forgiving means we are letting the perpetrator get away with it. That we are in a way endorsing that behaviour. Holding on to resentment or sadness isn't just depressing, it ca have real, negative effects on your health. Imagine it like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Absurd, and unfounded.
Holding onto resentment causes stress. Stress will mess up your body and its systems. I know when I was a full time student and faced with finals, three semesters in a row my hair fell out. No exaggeration, the week or so before finals I could find a loonie sized bald spot on the back of my head. The hair always grew back, but damn! It made me really self conscious. I also suffer from auto immune disorders which get worse when stressed. (So why am I attempting a stressful, crazy adventure? Why not? Can't live scared my whole life!)
Stress can cause heart disease, sleep disorders, it has been linked to raised rates of obesity, it can exacerbate skin and digestive disorders, raise the incidence of depression, and complicate menstrual cycles. Just to name a few.
Forgiveness does not dismiss the past, but it does enlarge the future.-Paul Boese
Namaste, friends
Laura
Please, don't forget to share this blog and my gofundme page! Thanks so much to everyone who stands by me and supports me. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Educating Women
Growing up in Saint John, I was fortunate that I had a loving family, a stable home and a good education. It wasn't until I was an adult that I really felt like I was being treated differently because I was female; in my life, I hadn't ever experienced it.
Yet in many parts of the world, including our own progressive country of Canada, women are treated less than their male counterparts. In many developing countries, most in fact, girls work while boys are offered what little education opportunities may be available. And on the surface, it seems harmless. In truth, by keeping girls home and working, undereducated, the conditions and poverty of their lives are less likely to improve.
That is, if an effort is made to educate girls in developing countries, to promote education to women in our country as well as others, poverty can be greatly reduced. Fertility rates drop, girls have fewer but healthier babies. Coupled with this is a decrease in mortality rates for both mothers and their children. Women who are educated have smaller families but are able to offer the healthier futures.
Educating women reduces their risk of HIV transmission. Right now in parts of Africa, young adult women are the fastest growing group of new HIV infections. How frightening is that? Yet by educating women they are in greater control of their own bodies are have the knowledge to help prevent deadly STD transmission.
Girls who receive an extra year of primary school can expect up to 20% better wages than girls who do not. Adding an extra year of secondary school could add an additional 25% to that. Wage increases benefit the family and the community.
And of course, investing in the education of girls now is also an investment in the education of future generations. Women are more likely to share their knowledge with other women, their children, and others in their community.
One of the reasons I am so excited about helping at the Koseli school is that they actively try to recruit girls; if they find a family with boys and girls, they try to enroll the girl first. They want to take everyone possible, it when restricted, they make an effort to take the girl. Which I feel very strongly about.
Just a few thoughts on the power of educating women.
Namaste, friends
Laura
Please, don't forget to share! My blog and my gofundme page need your support! Thank you!
Yet in many parts of the world, including our own progressive country of Canada, women are treated less than their male counterparts. In many developing countries, most in fact, girls work while boys are offered what little education opportunities may be available. And on the surface, it seems harmless. In truth, by keeping girls home and working, undereducated, the conditions and poverty of their lives are less likely to improve.
That is, if an effort is made to educate girls in developing countries, to promote education to women in our country as well as others, poverty can be greatly reduced. Fertility rates drop, girls have fewer but healthier babies. Coupled with this is a decrease in mortality rates for both mothers and their children. Women who are educated have smaller families but are able to offer the healthier futures.
Educating women reduces their risk of HIV transmission. Right now in parts of Africa, young adult women are the fastest growing group of new HIV infections. How frightening is that? Yet by educating women they are in greater control of their own bodies are have the knowledge to help prevent deadly STD transmission.
Girls who receive an extra year of primary school can expect up to 20% better wages than girls who do not. Adding an extra year of secondary school could add an additional 25% to that. Wage increases benefit the family and the community.
And of course, investing in the education of girls now is also an investment in the education of future generations. Women are more likely to share their knowledge with other women, their children, and others in their community.
One of the reasons I am so excited about helping at the Koseli school is that they actively try to recruit girls; if they find a family with boys and girls, they try to enroll the girl first. They want to take everyone possible, it when restricted, they make an effort to take the girl. Which I feel very strongly about.
Just a few thoughts on the power of educating women.
Namaste, friends
Laura
Please, don't forget to share! My blog and my gofundme page need your support! Thank you!
Friday, April 19, 2013
Hostel Shopping
Well, I lost my credit card, so I had to call my bank and have them cancel it and send me another. Which means I am prevented from booking my hostel accommodations. I am on my own to find somewhere to stay in Kathmandu. Alliance Nepal, an NGO based out of Pokhara will be handling my arrival and roast 5 weeks, then I travel back to Kathmandu for the remaining 3 weeks at the Koseli school. I spend part of every day reading review after review of hostels in Kathmandu, and have a few requirements.
First is location. The school itself is in a part of Kathmandu called Tinkune, which has one affordable hostel. Only about 6 bucks Canadian a night. So I also have been spreading out, trying to stay within the Ring Road area (pretty much wraps around the centre of town and has a supposedly reliable transit system), without getting further than 5km away. A bus ride within 5km seems completely doable twice a day, and only costs about 20 cents each way. Even if I splurge a couple times, a taxi ride is only about 4 dollars CAD within this distance, so I can do it.
The second thing I am looking for is cleanliness. I don't expect Western standards, I can rough it. I just pay very close attention to what other guests have posted about beds (so scared of bedbugs) and the toilets. It is already going to be a culture shock, I would prefer to avoid hostels that reviewers specifically mention how disgusting the bathrooms are. I am avoiding a dorm room but sacrificing a private bath, so the state of the bathroom is very important.
The third is security. 3 weeks I will be assisting at Koseli, and I don't want to have to carry my netbook with me every day. So safety deposit boxes are a must. Also, I check for previous reviews from solo travellers, especially women, as to whether or not they felt safe.
So those are my main requirements as I search for my accomodations. I believe I will book by the week, instead of all three weeks at once. I mentioned there was be hostel in Tikune. It would be ideal, since it is only 5 minute WALK from Koseli, but one of the reviews mentioned the hstel was less than clean. Everywhere else I find that is affordable (read 10 dollars or less a night) are further away in the neighborhood of Thamel.
Thamel is the main tourist area in Kathmandu. It has so many hostels and guest houses and hotels, as well as restaurants, bars, shops, markets, trekking companies, etc. From Thamel you can plan your entire tour of Nepal. For me, Thamel means a transfer on the bus route, and a total of up to 45 minute travel. Not bad, sort of like how long it used to take me to bus to campus. But wouldn't you prefer to be 5 minutes from your main destination?
By booking by the week, I can "suffer" through the hostel in Tinkune should it be bad, and take Saturday to check out a couple hostels in Thamel. Should I be surprised and find the cheap and close hostel is actually great, I'll just extend my stay. Easy peasy. I hope.
I just can't do anything until the new card arrives. So I try to stay healthy, work hard, save my cash, and prepare. Only 40 days!
Namaste, friends.
Laura
Please, I know it gets annoying, but anytime you share my blog or my gofundme page, you help make a difference. Share often! Thank you!
First is location. The school itself is in a part of Kathmandu called Tinkune, which has one affordable hostel. Only about 6 bucks Canadian a night. So I also have been spreading out, trying to stay within the Ring Road area (pretty much wraps around the centre of town and has a supposedly reliable transit system), without getting further than 5km away. A bus ride within 5km seems completely doable twice a day, and only costs about 20 cents each way. Even if I splurge a couple times, a taxi ride is only about 4 dollars CAD within this distance, so I can do it.
The second thing I am looking for is cleanliness. I don't expect Western standards, I can rough it. I just pay very close attention to what other guests have posted about beds (so scared of bedbugs) and the toilets. It is already going to be a culture shock, I would prefer to avoid hostels that reviewers specifically mention how disgusting the bathrooms are. I am avoiding a dorm room but sacrificing a private bath, so the state of the bathroom is very important.
The third is security. 3 weeks I will be assisting at Koseli, and I don't want to have to carry my netbook with me every day. So safety deposit boxes are a must. Also, I check for previous reviews from solo travellers, especially women, as to whether or not they felt safe.
So those are my main requirements as I search for my accomodations. I believe I will book by the week, instead of all three weeks at once. I mentioned there was be hostel in Tikune. It would be ideal, since it is only 5 minute WALK from Koseli, but one of the reviews mentioned the hstel was less than clean. Everywhere else I find that is affordable (read 10 dollars or less a night) are further away in the neighborhood of Thamel.
Thamel is the main tourist area in Kathmandu. It has so many hostels and guest houses and hotels, as well as restaurants, bars, shops, markets, trekking companies, etc. From Thamel you can plan your entire tour of Nepal. For me, Thamel means a transfer on the bus route, and a total of up to 45 minute travel. Not bad, sort of like how long it used to take me to bus to campus. But wouldn't you prefer to be 5 minutes from your main destination?
By booking by the week, I can "suffer" through the hostel in Tinkune should it be bad, and take Saturday to check out a couple hostels in Thamel. Should I be surprised and find the cheap and close hostel is actually great, I'll just extend my stay. Easy peasy. I hope.
I just can't do anything until the new card arrives. So I try to stay healthy, work hard, save my cash, and prepare. Only 40 days!
Namaste, friends.
Laura
Please, I know it gets annoying, but anytime you share my blog or my gofundme page, you help make a difference. Share often! Thank you!
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