Almost thursday

I don't remember the last time i was so nervous about a thursday. Such a regular sounding day right? I'm guessing i will be feeling anything but "Regular" when mom drops me off at the airport at the crack of dawn with my bags packed (but not too packed) with odds and ends and clothes and pictures.
As i'm putting all of my things into bags, i'm realizing i may have to leave some things here. With a 80 lb weight limit, i've already said goodbye to things i thought i couldn't live without; Goodbye guitar, see ya coloring books, hasta la vista laptop.
And this weekend has been full of much harder goodbyes to family and friends. Its hard to leave the people i love, but i know they will all be with me there, in spirit, and that helps me feel better about "goodbye."
I'm going to have to cheer myself on to get that first foot through the airport door, then i'm going to take a deep breath, smile, maybe hum an uplifting tune to myself and get on that airplane!

Nine more days til departure...

As i'm scrambling to get the last of my "to do before i leave" list checked off, i'm finding that the upcoming journey/adventure/challenge across the world is getting me more and more anxious. I am very excited about this opportunity to travel, meet new cultures, interact with communities, and try and help in whatever way i can...BUT... still feel butterflies when i think about the time i will be spending away from family and friends in such a foreign environment.

While i've been reading up on Uganda, their community, other Peace Corps volunteer stories, etc., I know it will be an experience that i just can't imagine right now. So in the precious few days i have left in beautiful Texas, i'm just trying to take it easy and not dwell on all the unknowns of the future. "One day at a time" as my mom says.

All anxiousness and excitement aside, i have been pretty busy with compiling my things i will be taking with me. I've yet to start packing anything in bags; i'm still in the accumulating stage. It's hard to imagine what i will or won't need for two years. I'm counting on family and friends to help supplement my packing with the occasional care package of goodies/things i forgot! (Pretty please...)

I hope to be able to update this little site as often as possible, but in the event that Internet is hard to find, i will be sending as many letters as my hands can write. And please feel free to send me letters (to the mailing address on the right side of this site) as i'm sure anything from home will set my heart soaring!

Warm Sunny Sunday

Its so warm today! The sun feels good and i'm itching to go hiking. I've gotten better at knitting. Still practicing, but its easier to hold the needles and yarn! Its the little things that seem to bring the sunshine! 

I've been getting my list of last minute to-do items before i leave, like:

1. Get a sturdy addressbook 

2. Pack up my room !

3. Review the new language 

4. Say goodbye

5. Get my financial standing in order

6. Get a haircut

And the list goes on forever, so i'll spare you. 

January Before the Trip

I have gotten the final approvals to go to Uganda. And the trip seems to be coming much faster now that it is 2009. But even though i will be leaving in about a month (gulp) i think i'm in a small nexus of coming and going, so i'm kinda at a standstill. A little weird. 

I am working back at the school, helping out with creating brochures and enhancing the alumni network. I'm having a nice time, since its a second home to me anyway. 

December 20th 2008

Drinking coffee with Langela at the Brass Bean