Last night at home :(

I'm all packed (except for this laptop) and both bags are the appropriate weight (although the duffel is pretty big; I should check to make sure it falls within the appropriate length and width measurements, but it is 50 lbs. and my backpack is 30. go me!)

Just wanted to quickly update before I go to bed (I have to be up at 4 in the morning) as I probably won't be able to write much in the first few weeks; it sounds like they are going to keep us pretty busy!

I'm excited one minute, nervous as hell the next. It's really exhausting. I didn't think I'd be nervous when I got to this point, but now that its actually happening, I am. Monica said its good I'm nervous; there'd be something wrong with me if I didn't feel at least a little of that.

Here's my address; I'd love to get mail, even if its just letters on how life is going in America:

This will be my address during training; it will change after I officially swear in as a volunteer in December:


(My Name)
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 10537
Niamey, Niger

Instructions
1.Write “air mail” or “par avion” on letters and packages. They should take anywhere from two to six weeks to get to me.
2.Number letters so I’ll know if one goes missing.
3.Write the address in red ink; people are superstitious about it and will be less likely to open it or steal it. Also drawing religious symbols on it or Bible verses; you could also put “Sister” in front of my name (haha). All of this will make people less likely to open it. However, don’t overdo it with the religious paraphernalia; otherwise I may get in trouble with the embassy.
4.Tape the corners of the packages so they will endure the trip. Also, putting tape or stickers on the inside of the flaps will make it easier to tell if someone tried to open it (and it may deter people from doing so in the first place).
5.Use padded envelopes whenever possible, as they are cheaper for both you and me. I may have to pay a tax on boxes, especially if it’s big or its contents are expensive. So don’t declare the items as expensive; keep it under $20.
6.When declaring the contents, keep it vague. Write “educational materials”, “personal hygiene items”, or “nutritional items” (for food), etc. If it doesn’t sound exciting, people will be less likely to open it. If you are sending me batteries, you have to “forget” that you packed them, as the U.S. won’t ship them overseas.


Next time I post I'll be in Niger!!

overpacking, maybe?

This is (most of) my stuff strewn out across the guest bed. Now to make it all fit into 2 pieces of luggage and weigh less than 80 lbs. And about a hundred other tasks to accomplish before Tuesday morning.

Five More Days!

So already I'm not updating this thing as much as I had planned, but nothing too exciting has been happening since I moved back home a month and a half ago. I've been watching TV, eating lots of crap, enjoying my bed and hot showers, and basically just trying to soak up all the American-ness I can before leaving.

I've never experienced such a roller coaster of emotions before in my life (and I used to take meds for bipolar disorder). For almost a year I struggled just to get an invite, feeling only excitement, no nervousness, no doubt, about finally getting that invite and starting my service. Now, my emotions are all over the place. I sometimes get random and very intense panic attacks and think "oh my God, I can't do this," even though I know, deep down I can (maybe because I've had people telling me my whole life "you can't, you can't." Maybe I just psych myself out a lot). I sometimes think "what if the Peace Corps made a mistake and they really dont want me? What if I get medically separated, since I've had to clear so medical hurdles in the past? Will I want to start the whole application process over again, over the course of another year and THEN do two years of service when I'm in my mid twenties?

And then, there are the times where I get SUPER excited. The past few days I've been bouncing off the walls excited. While at my grandparents house, I sifted through some of their travel books, looked at pictures of Africa, and was like, "omg, I can't WAIT to get there and actually LIVE there!" Ditto goes for when I read peoples' blogs and read about what they are doing, and I'm like, "yeah, that's EXACTLY what I want to be doing with my life right now."

So right now I've got a bunch of stuff strewn out on the guest bed, yet to be packed into my 2 pieces of luggage. I'd like to do a "trail run" of packing before Tuesday to see if everything fits into my luggage and is the appropriate weight. I'm probably bringing way too much stuff; i should take a picture of what the bed looks like with all my stuff on it.

Alright, off to calm myself down again because I'm experiencing another bout of nervousness.