Here's what I've been up to...

Hello All! It's been a while since I've posted anything real so I'll update! I've made my official flight arrangements and since I live a stone's throw away from Philadelphia, PA I won't be flying out until the morning of October 12, 2010. I'd like to say I found a few people that I'll be in orientation with but I think they found me first. I'm still really struggling with this blog thing... but i'll get there eventually. I'm really excited that i've found a few blogs for people that i'll be serving with in Kenya!!! In the grand scheme of things however, it still hasn't hit me yet that i'm leaving everything I know for 27 months, I don't think it will until the very last minute. Anyway, to summarize i'm RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED to meet the other Kenya people!!

This weekend will be trip 2 for me. My mom and I are headed to New York tomorrow after work to see family. It'll be a nice trip since I haven't seen them in two years and I'm not sure i've ever been there in any climate other than cold. I'll let you know how the trip goes but I'm certain it will be fantastic.

In other news, I got an e-mail from Kenya today... actually it's from the Africa Country Desk Assistant, but I prefer to say I got an e-mail from Kenya. He sent a little survey situation to fill out so they can better fit me with a host family which is exciting, I'm glad they're asking for a little bit of input from me. My Grandmother really wants me to have a family with teenagers because she thinks they'll be more willing to teach me what they know... and more likely to speak english. I kind of hope my family doesn't speak any english at all. It's also a really exciting thought to think that my host family is probably contemplating what kind of American they will get. :-)

I'm updating this blog from my back porch and I just noticed that leaves have started to fall here but we've got this wonderful breeze that makes it really pleasant

so it's not that great a picture but... you get the idea

Okay, this is my last thing and it comes with a picture too. My friend Ashley took me out on the town for one last time before I leave... We had an absolute blast and it was so much ridiculous fun! We met a bunch of guys that went to the same college as me, as well as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. He told me to get a good bed, and to not quit... he talked much longer than that, but that was the jist of it...

That's all for now, this was a long one, thanks for reading if you were able to stick it through to the end!!!

hey staging team, lets be best friends

It's here! My staging information is finally here! I didn't even have to wait for it in the mail, they sent it directly to my e-mail which is new and refreshing. Anyway... it says my staging starts on the 12th of October and then we fly out from JFK on the 13th. Looks like we get to make a quick stop in Amsterdam! Just wanted to post up a quick update!

Also all my stuff is officially moved into the concrete box... what a ridiculous day that was.

Thanks for reading!

Full swing, fall down

I haven't updated in a while but there isn't too much going on in Peace Corps world other than I'm still waiting for my medical hold to be lifted. However, I've been trying to see more of the people I know I'm going to miss when I leave. At this point I'm full speed ahead on everything I'm doing i.e. packing for the PC, packing for the storage unit, working on invites and decorations and such for my Safari njema party before I leave!!
Yesterday I had my first ever real skateboarding lesson. It lasted about 8 minutes before I completely wiped out and got a gnarly scrape on my elbow... I've been telling people I was in a break dance competition in a parking lot because if I tell them I was skateboarding they look at me all crazy. I am proud to say I was up on the board for several seconds at a time so I was pretty impressed with myself. I'm fairly certain I would have continued but I think I got up too quickly and then almost passed out, it was hilarious fun and time well spent. I'd do it again in a heartbeat... but with more padding.
I also received my first Kenya letter from a great friend the other day. It was a dry run I suppose and before I got it I was so confused as to why I was getting it before my departure but it was great and I loved every word of it. I'm bringing it with me.
Speaking of what I'm bringing with me.... my pile of "things I need to bring with me" is dominating the left side of my closet and starting to ooze out the doors. Therefore, in the future there will be a post about deciding what to bring with me out of that mountain, plan your life accordingly.

Storage moving day: T minus 9 days! Status: Not Ready.
Thanks for reading!