Ishinomaki Volunteering 27th May 2011

I joined PeaceBoat, travelled to Ishinomaki and participated in volunteer activities. I will go again on June 17th.
Every little bit helps.

Farewell Bike Ride and Party time

Thanks to Chris for organizing a great bike ride to Izu Peninsula, for leading the ride and doing all the map work whilst we just happily followed along. Thanks for waiting for me on the super huge hill - oh it was a small hill - but I'm super unfit!!!! I was ready to go back downhill except I knew you were all waiting for me up the top!!!







I didn't want one farewell party, I preferred many smaller gatherings. Thanks for a lovely afternoon tea - the most delicious apple pie and ice-cream ever!!! Thanks for dinner and drinks at my favorite mexican place in Takadanobaba. Paul we missed you but still managed to party on. Thanks for a fun night at Paddy Foley's (no pics but lots of laughs).

What a day!!!

Up and down and all over the place.
My struggles to get a Police Clearance before I leave Japan continue and it just ain't going to happen!!!
Getting the bike serviced and finding a bike shop that could actually do the job was a little challenging - but - it did happen. Bike ready for the Cairns to Karumba Charity ride. Me - not so ready.
Shipment has gone. Currently sleeping on my thin blue camping mat, in my sleeping bag on the floor of my apartment.
Just a bike and a few clothes left.

Will head off volunteering for a week, on Fri June 17 - holidays. I will be with PeaceBoat in Ishinomaki.

Then June 25th fly to Cairns with the bike to join the charity ride.

Would love just a little help with the donations, thanks to all those people that have dug deep and contributed.

Think I have found a great little 2 bedroom house in Laos - my new home - will be there end of July.
Trusting that my shipment will arrive shortly there after.

So ready to return to the tropics and the real asia. Japan just has not been the place for me. Too many regulations for one!!!

Izu peninsula Bike Ride

I have signed up for the Cairns to Karumba Charity ride.
A HUGE thank you to people that have sponsored me to raise money for bush kids - to increase their access to health and education.
I'll be doing the 780km ride from June 26th to July 2nd 2011

http://www.ridefnq.com/

There's still time to make a donation if you like:

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/cairnstokarumbabikeride2011

Sponsor a Friend - me !!!!

Did an awesome training ride down the Izu Peninsula in Japan with 5 other rides on the weekend. Oh my goodness it was so, so, so hard - I need more time to train before I get to Cairns!!!!
Beautiful day on the bike and I hope to have some pictures soon.

May 27th 2011

I have been volunteering in Ishinomaki for 2 days this weekend and can share that with everyone without fear of losing my job.
Worked with a great team of people, worked hard and even though we were only there a couple of days felt that we made a difference to the families that we assisted. More to come soon and there's pictures.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/photoPicker/albums.jsp

Cut and paste that link and hopefully you will see pictures from our trip. We visited a school and it was just so devastating.

SLACK OOOOHHHH

Oh my goodness, I have been so super slack with this blog. I can't believe I have not been here since March.
Well school resumed early April, I was accepted to go with PeaceBoat as a volunteer in the tsunami affected areas, when they were only taking 5 expats and 50 Japanese speaking people. I went to the orientation. All set to go and my employer would not support me going.
Work continued almost as per normal with a few aftershocks.
I so should have just gone with Peace Boat when I had the opportunity.
I applied for leave again 2 months after the tsunami and again it was refused.
I found other ways to help, and kept them quiet.