Final Hours...

in the District... weird. Some tears have already occurred, more are inevitable. It's all so this new chapter of my life can begin. Here's to being challenged and changed!

A little emotional and I'm nostalgic, so please take no notice

Part of preparing for my time in Senegal is the inevitable series of goodbyes, where excitement for Senegal and a new adventure mix with the fact I have to leave so many loved ones back here.

Today was an emotional day: last shift at the coffeehouse, a few more WWI goodbyes, (probably) last metro ride, last African Dance class, and last time seeing some of the MTC kids.

The last shift was fine. Many regulars and newbies were very supportive and I spoke with one man who said his "wife wouldn't be the same person had she not done PC in Cameroon," which is always great to hear. Of course there were some annoyances and awkward things, but it was a fine last shift and fun and chill hanging out with them at Comet, laughing a lot. I'm going to miss that place a lot--we're a beautifully dysfunctional family, love 'em!

It was also my last opportunity for some rockin' West African dance...that is, until I get to Africa, woot! Mama Marcia was as encouraging as ever, we did my favorite dance (Wolosodon; it's about freedom and overcoming adversity), and the drums were hot! I was so happy and had a huge, dorky smile (a la my cheerleading days) the entire class and then she put me in the middle and people (some I had never even spoke to) danced for me. It was so empowering and encouraging to know that people were honoring me and supporting me in my dreams and what has occupied so much of my time this past year. I then danced and while I mildly screwed up (confusing break), I just let it go and loved it! Awesomeness. When I think about how much I feel like I've changed since I started this class a year and a half ago, it boggles my mind. Maybe it's just me, but I've felt my soul lift and been much more joyful than I was. I really love the drums and the steps and am looking forward to celebrations and ceremonies when I get in Country. As Mama Marcia said, when I get to Senegal and the drums start, "they're gonna wonder where you came from" as I start dancing.

I also love talking with people (even had a few opportunities today) to talk about why I'm doing this and what helped me make the decision. It reminds me that amidst the sadness and nostalgia of leaving, I am very excited for the new and challenging chapter of my life that it less than two weeks away...!

Almost Last Day...

Tomorrow is my last day at the coffeehouse and I am just about 60 hours away from leaving DC...and barely packed, haha! Yep...

Just a few days left in DC...

3.5 to be exact...wacky!

Thanks to all who came to the party yesterday, I really appreciate the support. Big thanks to Vicky, Heidi, and Suz for their roles in planning the party. Thanks for making me feel loved and I will take all of the encouragement with me and remember it when I am feeling lonely in Senegal. I love you guys. :)

Side Note: Last time at St Thomas and I think things with our priest ended on a much brighter note than when we first started going there. He even prayed for me and my time in PC. It was really sweet and I think we both proved we can get over the awkwardness, which is awesome! He's a great guy, even if he sticks his foot in his mouth occasionally.

2 days left at Modern Times and the packing has *kinda* started :(

Facebook Makes It Real

So, since I have finally posted my blog address on my Facebook profile, I guess this blog is officially "live," subject to being read by friends and family, or something like that...

So since it is now more than just my ramblings to myself (or is it?...), I should probably explain the purpose of this blog and what my journey and service in Senegal with the Peace Corps will be like, though in reality I'm walking in blind faith to an uncertain future...

Time frame: Well, my last day at Modern Times is Tuesday, my dad comes into town on Wednesday, and we pack me up and leave DC on Thursday morning. I will be back in IL for roughly 10 days before flying off to Staging (aka US orientation) in Atlanta early the morning of March 10. There, I will meet up with fellow Trainees to fill out paperwork, talk policies and logistics, and get vaccinated before flying to Dakar, Senegal, on March 12. From Dakar, we will take a bus to Thies for roughly 3 months of mainly language, culture, and safety training before being sworn in as a PC Volunteer. After officially becoming a Volunteer, my time commitment officially begins and I will travel off to the village that will be my home for two years. After spending some time in my village and assessing the needs, I will receive more specific technical training in order to help me become a more effective Volunteer. Over my two years of service, I will get together with fellow Volunteers as possible to plan community events and workshops, receive more training, travel, and help train new Volunteers and Trainees. Since everyone keeps asking me, I may or may not be back in the US during my two year commitment...if it is able to be worked out, it will probably be sometime during Summer 2009, roughly halfway through my term of service.

Projects: My official Peace Corps assignment in my Invitation packet "Preventative Health Educator" for the Rural Health Education Program. According to the PC website, my assignment is "Health and HIV/AIDS," while an email from PC Placement earlier this week generally described my program as "Public Health." Whatever the title is does not matter, because basically it could involve HIV/AIDS, general health education, maternal and child health education and workshops, or whatever. The goal is to work with local community health liaisons to work towards capacity building and overall improvement of healthful practices by community members. It's a very vague invitation, but that's ultimately desirable because it allows me to work with my host community to develop a program that is needed and hopefully effective.

Contacting me: I will have occasional internet access, but will not know how frequent it will be until I am In Country (another PC term, meaning "in Senegal"). I plan on posting here when possible, sharing stories, emotions, frustrations, and praises, as well as talking about the work I'm up to and how you can get involved. I have posted my mailing address from March-May 2008, when I move to my village and receive a new mailing address (P.O. Box basically). You can send me mail (standard letters are $.90, I believe), care packages (I will keep a running list here of things one can send my way), good thoughts, and prayers. ALSO, I will have a cell phone, so you can Skype me! While I will not have frequent internet access, cell phones are big in Senegal and Skype-ing to a cell phone is not nearly as expensive as a regular call. The world is becoming so small, much to the benefit of the PC.

Well, that's all I will post for now. Always feel free to post any questions you may have for me and I will try and respond in a timely matter. In the near future, I will also post more about the PC and general info on Senegal. Until then, I have just a few more days in the lovely District of Columbia. Time for some sweet nostalgia...

Time is Getting Close...

I leave DC in 8 days, for 9 days in CL...People, this is getting serious (and super exciting!). I have TONS to do, beyond what I am able to realize and think about at the moment, but I have hope that most of my time in CL will be spent shopping around, at the gym, seeing family, and visiting SEAS since I don't really know anyone else around CL anymore. Almost every minute and meal of my last few days in DC has been planned out (or at least feels that way) and I need to start packing since Katie is coming down on Friday to take some stuff--mainly stuff she wants like my free weights, espresso machine, and purses, as well as books and other mementos.

Tomorrow is my last night closing, though I still have a few more shifts, but it's something big...wow, I'm such a sentimental sap. Keep in mind, however, that a customer asked me if I was new and someone else's replacement this morning...No, not so much...

Open Mic Lovely Farewells

So tonight was officially my last Open Mic Night at Modern Times. My last day isn't for another week and a half, but I'm scheduled next Friday during the day rather than Open Mic, which makes me sad, but it will be ok. Maybe I will drag Katie along to hang out and listen to it next week when she's in town, we'll see. Maureen made an announcement about it and then sang a song for me and at the end, they started singing "Happy Trails," which made me laugh a lot. They're good kids over there and I really appreciate their kind words, smiles, and laughter. The energy they brought almost every Friday made me almost forget I was at work when I could be out on the town, or something like that...

Here's some pictures from Open Mic tonight...
Some of the kids towards the end of the night (ie fewer people and singing campfire-style)




A leaf, though definitely not my best...but the only latte pic I took tonight.