Ill be back!!

I have entirely too much to type and very little time left on this very very very slow computer so expect big things on Sunday or Monday. Things are going very well. Im starving a bit but other than that its all good!

If anyone is thinking of sending something Id love cookies of any american variety and anything else that i can eat and wont go bad en route.

IF YOU SEND ANTHING PLESE ADDRESS THE ENVELOPE IN RED INK and be sure to write airmail. We are told it cuts down the likelihood of theft en route.

Ill be back soon!

Im here!!

Im here and this visit to the cyber cafe was unplanned so I just spent most of my time writing an emqil to my dad who apparently got rid of his msn email account! dad, when u see this email me so we can talk and tell me moms work sched. so i can call next friday or the week after. merci beaucoup!!

ANYWAY. my french is coming along very well and in my next post i will have a ton to tell you guys bc ive been having a blast! im starting yoga! i had ,y first class this morning and im also signed up for drum lessons. should be interesting....

ill be in kaffrine on a field study trip for the next few days but will be back on thursday i believe.

sorry my typing is so bad. french keyboards are quite difficult to get used to!

Here we go!!

Staging in Philadelphia is over and tomorrow I'll be getting all of my shots and shipping out! I just wanted to touch base to let everyone know that the staging went well and the people I'm going with are great! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous but I'm also very excited and I can't wait to spend my pre-service training learning about my program and making friends!

In addition, the training center I'll be going to each day for the next two months is conveniently located across the street from an internet cafe!! So I'm hoping to check my email at least once a week.

Next time you hear from me I'll be in Senegal!!

Chemicals... yummy

A fascinating fact about the country I'll be living in for the next two years: ALL the water in Senegal is considered contaminated.

For this reason, a portion of our training in health and safety will focus on the importance of chemically treating all water before drinking or utilizing to clean foods. In our Peace Corps. Welcome Book it actually says that if your water doesn't taste like chemicals you haven't used enough for the water to be safe for use or consumption. I don't know about you all but chemicals sound delicious to me!!

Boy oh boy... I wish my bags weren't completely full because I know I'll need some crystal light "to go" packets for the yummy chemicals I'm going to be drinking every day.. ehm ehm.. hint hint

You're kidding me right?

Packing for my departure may or may not have been the most stressful experience of all time! Until last week I was quite impressed by my level of composure... I made lists, got a lot done, and really thought I had my emotions in check.. Ha!
After packing and re-packing for a week (with some crying and a great deal of frustration), I've successfully squeezed as many belongings as possible into my bags (even got a pair of stilettos in there!). I didn't anticipate the packing to be my most emotionally exhausting endeavor.... But I suppose trying to compile two years worth of toiletries, clothes, pictures, books, music, electronics, and kitchen supplies into two 40lb bags can drive even the calmest of folks a little crazy.
Honestly though.. we are only allowed two 40 lb bags!? I wish it was just a cruel joke...

What in the world would possess me to move to Africa for two years?!

Whether or not you've asked me this I'm sure many of you have wondered so I thought I'd just clear up any assumptions or misconceptions about my motivation for embarking on such an adventure....

I consider myself a lucky woman. I have a great family and wonderfully supportive friends that have always believed in me and given me the strength to accomplish all I've set my mind to. I've always known what I want in life and have been fortunate to live a comfortable life that has afforded me many opportunities to achieve my goals. Realizing this, I can say whole-heartedly that I feel it is my obligation to give back. There is all the time in the world for working and making money, but I will only be young, healthy, and single once.. and I'd be a fool to not jump at an opportunity such as the Peace Corps. This will be an opportunity to dedicate my time to those less fortunate and hopefully show other people the love and support I've been lucky enough to have. I just want to be the best person I can be and looking at the lives of former Peace Corps. volunteers I know (all of whom were very influential in my decision to join!) has shown me that this experience will teach me more than I could ever hope to learn! If I'm half the person they are when I return I'll consider this journey a great success.

So, that sounds pretty corny but I don't care because I am so excited about the future and I can't wait to see where this adventure is going to take me! Thank you to all my family and friends for being the best a girl could ask for! You know I will miss you all terribly... but in the meantime stay posted for what are sure to be some crazy/stupid but hopefully entertaining stories and pictures!