In 10 days, I will have arrived in St. Lucia. I’ve been busy wrapping up my work with CITZ and sorting out the details of my arrival with my Cuso Country Program Support Officer in Saint Lucia. The recent Easter long weekend couldn’t have come at a better time – brunch with my kids, a couple of yoga classes and some sleep, which has been in short supply ever since my Ottawa trip.

This weekend is looking busy too, with lots of goodbyes, errands and packing left to do. Jamming one’s life into three suitcases is a first for me. Thank goodness for compression packing cubes. (OMG, how did I not know about these before!) When I arrive in St. Lucia, I suspect it will take some time to wind down from the past several weeks of running around, over thinking and endless revising of to-do lists.

Good news – Cuso has an apartment lined up for me, and I should receive the details about it early this week.

Now that the departure date is in sight, I’m realizing I can only do what I can do – I can’t see everyone before I go, and I can’t bring everything I want with me. Plus, there are bound to be items I forget to pack. As long I’ve got my phone, plane ticket, passport and visa exemption documents, I’ll be okay.

In our back garden this morning, I was surprised to see the garlic I planted in the fall has sprouted up a foot and a half. Tod told me it popped up three weeks ago. So, that is how unaware I’ve been lately; head down, focused on work and eliminating to-do items. Now that work is finished, I am trying hard to slow down, take in every moment I have left in Canada and be as present as I can with family, friends and colleagues who have been so incredibly thoughtful and supportive of my decision to volunteer. I am going to miss you!

The Cuso International Program Manager, located in Jamaica, walked me through what the first 10 days in Saint Lucia will consist of. I am super impressed at Cuso’s attention to detail, and the consideration that has clearly gone into my in-country orientation. I’m looking forward to unlocking the door to my apartment and getting settled; nine days and counting.

For now, I plan to make the most of each day I have left in Canada.