It feels like the night before Christmas but no! it's the last night at home in Lake Country, BC and the abundance of suitcases shaping up with all their items have been carefully selected as important enough to accomany us thousands of miles to the beautiful place that sits at the 'top' of our planet in the middle of the ocean! One suitcase is like a 'house': tent, double bed air mattress, air pump, and a duvet cover. One suitcase is food (costco trip!) like nuts, spices, popcorn, and things canadian like Nutella and Maple Syrup (incl locally roasted Shuswap coffee & Kicking Horse coffee to give to Icelanders cuz i've hear they LOVE coffee!). It's a lil odd to pack warm clothes when it's crazy hot over 90 F here today. School supplies, 5 plates, 5 sets of utensils and a good frying pan. It's Amazing how little we really need if it all fits into 8 suitcases for the four of us.
Many have asked if we'd have a blog on our Icelandic adventure, thank you Alexis for your amazin creation. This is totally new to me and I am kinda hesitant to know what to share and how to. Mostly, I feel such deep gratitude for so much in my life I don't know whether to smile non-stop or have tears. When this opportunity came I had applied for exchange in Iceland (cause I heard it glowed green & blue) and Scotland (cause it felt like home when I visited a few years ago & fell in love w Scotland). When I was nominated for University of Iceland then accepted earlier this year I knew it'd have to be with my three beautiful children, to share this together. I'm going into 4th yr studies at UBCO in Earth & Environmental Science (love it!) so Iceland seemed like an incredible place to learn of its geology, volcanoes, glaciers, geothermal resources, sustainable development, and of course its rich Viking and medieval history...it seemed to feel right & lets face it - who goes to Iceland! And, I'm soooo curious :-) Later, I learned that it was named travel destination of the year for 2012. The children have schools beside the University of Iceland that welcome us openly and an apt in student housing that awaits us.
There is a feeling inside of me that children will be expanded and grow in ways of understanding from discovering and experiencing other cultures and ways of living. Also, to connect to both people and this earth we live on in new, unique ways from an experience outside of our local community. When we return in only 3-4 months I hope we will feel enriched in our soul. The longer I live the more thankful and open I am to stretch, do the uncomfortable and its magical. All the while, asking for wisdom. Thank you, our dear friends and family, teachers and colleagues that are with us in heart from home. Now, to put the luggage in the car tomorrow nite and drive away I'll have a lump in my throat...what the heck am I doing lol :-) knowing it's all going to be ok and things are always as they should be.