With only 2 weeks left in the United States life has been crazy: visiting friends, working, getting stuff together, packing, etc. Just today I put my car up for sale online and I thought it would take a week or two before someone would want to buy it. (Let's just say I didn't have the best car...it was a 2 door with only 1 handle.) I'm still working this week and running errands so I was really not thinking it would sell. After only ONE hour on craigslist someone paid cash for my car and I am officially without a car.
It feels odd to be without the car I've had since I was 16. Not because I'll have to share my mom's car with her this week and revert back to my grade school days of getting rides from my mom...but instead because this shows me how close I am to getting ready to start this new journey to Africa!
I'm getting so excited but at the same time am a nervous wreck thinking about packing and leaving my amazing family & friends. At least now with 14 days before I leave I can say that I have 99% of the stuff on my packing list! That itself is amazing because I'm not one to get things ready early or even packed early. I always wait until the last possible minute to pack for trips. I'm really hoping I can motivate myself this week to pack both my bags and see if they are overweight. I'm pretty sure with everything I have in my room now my bags are bound to be overweight...I wonder with all the toiletries, teaching stuff, household items and kitchen stuff if I'll even have room for my clothes?? I guess we will just have to wait and see, Wish me luck!
These next 2 weeks are going to fly by with visiting family & friends, eating froyo, and enjoying nice warm showers and bathrooms that are not outdoors. Got to go study my portuguese! (I need to really buckle down considering I can say hi and good morning but still have NO clue how to say "My name is..." I better get started with those next few lessons!) :)
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
One Month!
31 days until I move to Africa! I cannot even begin to describe the feelings I am having right now. Excitement for this new journey in my life. Sadness to leave my family and friends. Nervousness for the animals, bugs and language barriers. Joy to meet people who have a different outlook on life.
As the time gets closer it becomes more of a reality that I'll actually be living IN Africa for 2 years! Trying to cross off all my items on the multiple packing lists has been crazy. Today I accomplished a LOT at Sam's club. Can I just say how much I absolutely love that store! It has anything and everything you would ever need. Haha, I did have to limit myself at times and not go too crazy. Especially with the Peanut Butter and the treats.
This next month life is crazy but a good crazy! I am lucky enough to be able to visit all my family and friends before leaving to Africa. I'll try and see everyone before I go so if I haven't yet let me know! I'm also extremely excited to have a going away party at Vala's Pumpkin Patch!! I was so worried that it wouldn't be open before I had to leave so it was perfect timing that it opens the weekend before I leave :) I know I haven't sent out invitations yet so if anyone wants to come I'll post details later!
I know I've been pretty sporadic at posting lately but since the time is closer and when I'm gone I'll try to post at least once a week (or whenever I have electricity/Internet access). I need to say it again but THANK YOU so much to everyone who has helped me get to the point of where I am today. I couldn't have gotten ready or been prepared without my family and friends helping me shopping, getting me things on my packing list or just spending time with me before leaving.
I'm so excited to post pictures and tell you all about Mozambique once I get there in a month!
31 days and counting! :)
As the time gets closer it becomes more of a reality that I'll actually be living IN Africa for 2 years! Trying to cross off all my items on the multiple packing lists has been crazy. Today I accomplished a LOT at Sam's club. Can I just say how much I absolutely love that store! It has anything and everything you would ever need. Haha, I did have to limit myself at times and not go too crazy. Especially with the Peanut Butter and the treats.
This next month life is crazy but a good crazy! I am lucky enough to be able to visit all my family and friends before leaving to Africa. I'll try and see everyone before I go so if I haven't yet let me know! I'm also extremely excited to have a going away party at Vala's Pumpkin Patch!! I was so worried that it wouldn't be open before I had to leave so it was perfect timing that it opens the weekend before I leave :) I know I haven't sent out invitations yet so if anyone wants to come I'll post details later!
I know I've been pretty sporadic at posting lately but since the time is closer and when I'm gone I'll try to post at least once a week (or whenever I have electricity/Internet access). I need to say it again but THANK YOU so much to everyone who has helped me get to the point of where I am today. I couldn't have gotten ready or been prepared without my family and friends helping me shopping, getting me things on my packing list or just spending time with me before leaving.
I'm so excited to post pictures and tell you all about Mozambique once I get there in a month!
31 days and counting! :)
Friday, July 20, 2012
Random thoughts while I prepare for Africa
Did you know that Hippos are considered the most dangerous animal throughout Africa? They are huge and can apparently bite you in half and kill almost 3,000 people every year...
Yes, that is just one of the many random things I've been thinking about as I get ready to leave. I know this most likely will not happen to me but seriously I can just imagine a newspaper article saying PC volunteer dies by Hippo. Okay not funny I know but still I can't help it.
More random thoughts:
-I used to LOVE watching the movie Anacondas and thought I really wasn't bothered by snakes. That is until I got up close and personal with some snakes at work and realized I would run screaming into the night if I ever saw a snake by my house in Africa. (We'll see how that turns out since it's going to happen...)
-Twice this week we had wasps/hornets in my classroom at work and I freaked...some coworkers pointed out that if I'm scared of those wasps how am I going to survive African Killer Bees? I still have no answer for that
-I'm really going to miss frozen yogurt (froyo) and I highly doubt they have that in Africa
-You are going to laugh...but I'm honestly scared I'm going to fall into the Pit Latrine one time.
Now that you've laughed at all my recent fears and thoughts I'll update you with what I've been doing (besides researching dangerous animals). I've been trying to devote a few minutes each day to practicing Portuguese and listening to how it sounds. I feel like I've gotten better with the greetings and farewells. But obviously still need lots of practice before I feel sufficient enough in speaking Portuguese. All that's left is buying some random items on my packing list, practicing the language and of course cherishing my time left at home with family and friends and eating lots of froyo!
Tenha um bom dia! (Have a good day!)
P.S. Hope you got a good laugh out of the hippos fact...if you want to read about it here's a website.
Africa's Most Dangerous Animals
Yes, that is just one of the many random things I've been thinking about as I get ready to leave. I know this most likely will not happen to me but seriously I can just imagine a newspaper article saying PC volunteer dies by Hippo. Okay not funny I know but still I can't help it.
More random thoughts:
-I used to LOVE watching the movie Anacondas and thought I really wasn't bothered by snakes. That is until I got up close and personal with some snakes at work and realized I would run screaming into the night if I ever saw a snake by my house in Africa. (We'll see how that turns out since it's going to happen...)
-Twice this week we had wasps/hornets in my classroom at work and I freaked...some coworkers pointed out that if I'm scared of those wasps how am I going to survive African Killer Bees? I still have no answer for that
-I'm really going to miss frozen yogurt (froyo) and I highly doubt they have that in Africa
-You are going to laugh...but I'm honestly scared I'm going to fall into the Pit Latrine one time.
Now that you've laughed at all my recent fears and thoughts I'll update you with what I've been doing (besides researching dangerous animals). I've been trying to devote a few minutes each day to practicing Portuguese and listening to how it sounds. I feel like I've gotten better with the greetings and farewells. But obviously still need lots of practice before I feel sufficient enough in speaking Portuguese. All that's left is buying some random items on my packing list, practicing the language and of course cherishing my time left at home with family and friends and eating lots of froyo!
Tenha um bom dia! (Have a good day!)
P.S. Hope you got a good laugh out of the hippos fact...if you want to read about it here's a website.
Africa's Most Dangerous Animals
Friday, June 29, 2012
Your mission...should you choose to accept it
For me there was no question about not taking this mission...it might be scary or hard but I know that it'll be one of the greatest experiences of my life and can't wait for it to begin. Okay that was a bit of a dramatic title but I couldn't help thinking of Mission Impossible movies when I got this letter. My invitation packet finally got to me this morning and I was beyond excited! A bit nervous with all the changes going on right now but anxious to start this adventure and learn about where I'm going.
The first thing I saw when I opened the packet was a paper that said "your assignment" and I was almost too nervous to look at it. But after about oh 2 seconds I ripped the kit open and looked at everything inside! Here's what it said...
It's safe to say I'm pretty happy I got the letter before my trip down to KC so I could talk/ask questions to a family friend who just returned from service in the Peace Corps. Now that I know where and when I'm going I feel like I have a ton of things to get done. All those little things add up-for example: buying waterproof sandals, a rain jacket for the rainy season, clothes appropriate for the culture of Mozambique, and most importantly learning Portuguese!
I've started with just learning the alphabet...I thought I would start at the basics and work my way up. Here's a youtube video of the alphabet that I thought I'd post in case anyone else might want to learn it :) More information to come later!
até mais...til next time
The Portuguese Alphabet
The first thing I saw when I opened the packet was a paper that said "your assignment" and I was almost too nervous to look at it. But after about oh 2 seconds I ripped the kit open and looked at everything inside! Here's what it said...
It's safe to say I'm pretty happy I got the letter before my trip down to KC so I could talk/ask questions to a family friend who just returned from service in the Peace Corps. Now that I know where and when I'm going I feel like I have a ton of things to get done. All those little things add up-for example: buying waterproof sandals, a rain jacket for the rainy season, clothes appropriate for the culture of Mozambique, and most importantly learning Portuguese!
I've started with just learning the alphabet...I thought I would start at the basics and work my way up. Here's a youtube video of the alphabet that I thought I'd post in case anyone else might want to learn it :) More information to come later!
até mais...til next time
The Portuguese Alphabet
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Waiting...somewhat patiently
One year ago I officially applied to the Peace Corps in hopes that I would be nominated and be able to teach overseas. After hearing that I was and then starting the medical process I was jumping for joy! Then I had to wait one month, two, three and so on to hear where I would be placed. As the days get closer to when I will hear where my placement is, I am getting more and more excited.
I know the Peace Corps is all about waiting patiently, filling out paperwork and answering questionaries and with that in mind I try to stay sane with this long process. However, waiting is hard but leaving is even harder. I know that when it comes time to leave I will be sad to say goodbye to family and friends but oh so ready to start on this journey in my life. I'm crossing my fingers that I will get my placement letter by the end of this month and will be sure to let everyone know the minute it comes in the mail. I may not know the language of my country, what clothes I will need, heck even the name of the country of where I will be going...but I do know I am ready to go and make a difference.
P.S. Since I'm trying to practice Portuguese (hopefully the language in the country I'll be placed) and finding lots of phrases online I decided to title my blog até mais which means till next time. Next time I post I will have my placement letter in hand!
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