Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Well, we're home! It was a great trip and a real learning experience. It is really eye opening to see into the lives of underprivileged people. Growing up, I always had food in my stomach and a roof over my head. My parents were married, they weren't into drugs, and the only gang activity I ever witnessed was in movies. So, to be in an environment where drug and alcohol addictions and domestic violence are common was definitely different. I have always been sheltered, and when living a sheltered life, it is easy to forget that there are those who are not so fortunate. Working with the families and children in the struggling neighbourhood that we visited, and hearing their stories, was something I will never forget. Of course, it wasn't all work and no play - we did have some time to engage in recreational activities, and those were fun too. But it is the difference that we made in the lives of those people that really sticks out in my mind.

Spanking-wise, there wasn't much action. Sleeping arrangements for the trip, which involved sharing rooms either with or very close to others, didn't provide much privacy. Then there was the night where we slept in a teepee (yes, a teepee!) and those aren't exactly soundproof. We were learning about First Nations culture, which was really interesting, and quite frankly baring my butt to the nippy night air and constant swarms of mosquitoes just wasn't all that tempting anyway! The fact that Leo and I were there together on a faith-based mission with our church to help make a difference was already enough to help us feel very close. But, as I have mentioned before, I am not a morning person...and all of those early mornings, along with 3 day bus rides, did make a little bit of a grouch out of me at times. I have a feeling that a spanking may be in due course!

I will do my best to post soon. For now, I had better get unpacked and into bed - thankfully, it's not an early morning tomorrow!