No Turning Back

  


Hand Sanitizer is Good!

It is a rare Arizona rainy night.  The smell, the beauty, the simplicity of the evening rings in the end of another normal day.  However, today was anything but normal.  Today was our last training session, our last moments to prepare for what lies ahead.  In six very short days we will begin a very unique adventure, an opportunity to truly make incredible memories, and to create connections with our new "family" across the water.  To top off the day, three of us were sick.  Today reminded us of the need to be flexible and ready for anything.  Hand sanitizer is vital, at least according to Kristen.   

 

Dan...A Moment to Relax


We began our last session with relaxed conversation (see Dan) and quickly moved into the to do lists in front of us for the week.  We were joined by Bryon and Levi, who provided  additional direction for our presentation and the expectations before us.  We were also reminded that it is "go time."  

Rod also joined us from Chandler North to share specific information about club procedures and projects.  He shared wonderful information and provided additional suggestions for our presentation.  Rod, thank you for joining us!  



Rod-Chandler North



As always, we ended our time together with moments of intense laughter inspired by quirky conversation about the most random things.

 

Time is a precious gift that always seems to pass quite quickly when you aren't looking. It is amazing to look back at the preparations of the last few months and to be reminded that we were once strangers. Now these strangers are about to take to the skies. Just as the last few months have passed in a blink, the month ahead will probably do the same. We hope to savor every last moment of the experience.



Levi, Larry, Bryon

 



We are so very thankful to everyone that has provided support, guidance, and a laugh or two.  Let the journey begin!



Here We Come!



The Countdown

20 Days, 17 hours, 14 Minutes, 13 Seconds...or so the app tells us.  Phones with all the gadgets are such a fun, yet crazy thing.  Technology truly has changed the world, and allows us to connect in ways never before possible.  For the record, we also know what time it is in Brisbane thanks to this little device!

This has been a big week for our group!  We received the final schedule for our adventure and started to feel the reality of what is ahead.  Some of us have already created packing lists, while others purchased uniforms just in time for today's pictures.  The planners versus the procrastinators is on!  In 20 days, we will all discover if we remembered to pack the toothbrush.

At 10:00ish this morning we met to venture out for picture day.  Makeup done, matching outfits on, and smiles ready to go, we stopped at a local nature center.  After some bargaining, we were allowed to take pictures in the beautiful surroundings of Arizona.  Per our usual interactions, laughter was in full bloom.  Though we are each very professional, we can't help but laugh most of the time when we are together.  Our hope is that the laughter will pull us through some long flight days, and early mornings.

After we finished the picture taking, we moved on to a yummy lunch at Monti's.  We were joined by two GSE alumns, Levi and Kelly.  They shared stories of their travels, the people they met, packing advice, and the possibilities of a wonderful adventure.  Hearing them speak allowed us to become more grounded in what is just a mere 20 days away!  The excitement is palpable.

We finished up lunch and practiced our presentations.  After advice from the audience, we realized we still need some fine tuning.  And fine tune we will!!  The show will be ready to go when the curtain goes up!!