New Beginnings

This past week has been full of ....everything.  My best friend Maria surprised me and spent the night with me before I left.  AMAZING!!!! I had lunch with 3 of my really good friends, had to say good bye to them also at the end.  I am not good at telling people good bye, maybe because it seems weird that it is such a long time that I won't seem them that it might not be real to me yet?

I had to say good bye to my mom because she left for her vacation on the 29, that didn't suck or anything.  She did help me pack and then my dad got the rest of my stuff packed and weighed and I am at 80.4 but dimensions wise I am a little over. 

I packed up the rest of my clothes in boxes and left notes for my mom.  When I come back to the states my house will have been sold.....hopefully! 

This post is not very good because I got up so early this morning to tie up some loose ends and as I am writing I keep thinking of things I need or need to get right before I leave today....yikes.

I also added some pages at the top of my website that have my contact information and a wish list I will start soon.

Thanks for all the love and support from all my friends, family and coworkers.  Keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.

Be kind to one another

Zambia or Bust!!!!!

So here is my attempt at a complete packing list.  I tried to actually pack today but got a little overwhelmed so I revamped my packing list-hopefully this will help.  I also felt as if I wasn't packing enough....I am kind of the opposite of a hoarder....I am a compulsive purger of 'stuff'. Maybe I am packing just the right amount of 'stuff' but reading other blogs makes me feel otherwise. My mom is coming over tomorrow and Thursday to spend some quality time with me before I leave.

So I'm returning my iPad.  I don't think I am taking a computer at all with me to Zambia.  I am taking my nano and camera and that's it.  I was really excited to bring my iPad because I wanted to ease MY transition into this country when in reality its not about ME.  And my mom said she would bring me her laptop when she comes to visit IF I change my mind and want it.  

My last day of work at The Goddard School was Friday :(  I loved working there and all those little babies. It is weird to think that when I return most of my kids will be in the preschool side of the building...TALKING, WALKING AND POTTY TRAINED....crazy.

Saturday night was amazing.  A lot of my sorority sisters came to Indy and we went to Broadripple.  Shit show.  My friend Sarah W. and I cried in a bathroom together over the fact that I am leaving.  Next Saturday is my families going away party at my sisters house.  We will also be visiting Broadripple again for hopefully another memorable night.  

I think I have almost everything I need, I just need to wash some stuff and start actually packing.  I still have not committed to what bags I will be bringing.  Most likely I will be leaning toward checked bag #1 rolling duffel checked bag #2 hiking backpack and my carry on will be my smaller backpack and maybe a smaller duffel.  

My family freaked out over the 20/20 special.  I myself did not watch the special but I did read some of the article of the PCV who was tragically killed.  My aunts called me crying and left me messages.  They then called my mom and told her to watch the special(which I did not tell her about the special on purpose) they also  called my dad, who is out of the country on vacation, and told him about the special and he called my mom asking what they can do about their daughter going to Africa.  

All I can tell my family is that I have to be aware of my surroundings.  Be proactive about situations you are uncomfortable with and listen to the safety tips the PC has to tell me...

Be kind to one another

Major purchase

So I bought an iPad!!!! My laptop is done forever and the nook color cannot give me what I want to be able to do while I am in Africa and I am typing this blog on my new iPad.....purchased by ME!!!
I feel proud and accomplished
My mom is coming over Saturday to go over my packing list for Zambia and hopefully we can get some shit done
I also listened to some music that's from Zambia and it makes me soooo excited!!!
20 days and counting

I also spoke with someone to basically check in on me to make sure we are on the same page and it was very exciting....I now have one more thing to add to my packing list...dictionary.

Be kind to one another.

Decisions, Decisions...

So to get my 7 year old mac fixed would be roughly 700 bucks so now I am just debating between a nook color or an iPad....
I also am debating whether to get a video camera or just stick with my camera that was video capabilities...?

My packing list is still in the works....patience is a virtue

Be kind to one another

Packing List Attempt

So I have a packing list started and will post shortly.  But right now I am debating between a nook color, iPad or just getting my old computer fixed and taking that.  I really love the nook color because you can put pictures and music on it and also I wouldn't have to pack a lot of books I could just buy them before I left.  The iPad is the same way but I could have Word on it and could journal on it. My old computer also weighs a lot more than an iPad or nook color.  But fixing my computer is also an option because if something does happen to my laptop, it is already like 7 years old so I wouldn't be super sad if it got stolen.  But I would probably cry if my iPad got stolen.

I also need to figure out what bags I want to use to pack all my stuff in.  I have thought about a collapsable rolling duffle for checked bag #1 and then also checking my massive hiking backpack and then carrying on my normal sized backpack.  OR I could bring a big rolling sized bag AND the collapsable duffle to be my 2 checked bags and then carrying on my big hiking backpack. 

Lots to think about...

Be kind to one another.  

Update...

So I need to get some serious shit done in the next like 30 days...

I started packing up clothes to store at my mom's house.  I still need to pack up my children's books, my books and a few more clothing items.  It is so weird to think what clothes I will need in Africa, when I have never been there or really met someone who has to help me pack what I need.  The only thing I will need to move to my mom's house will be a desk, and one book shelf.  When I moved home from college I DID have a bunch of kitchen stuff, furniture and bathroom stuff but I figured I didn't need it, and since it would sit in storage for 27 months, I just gave it to the women's shelter in my town.  I did get a lot of stuff for Christmas but I still feel like I need a lot more.  I also got an eye exam and had them fill out the paperwork for the PC to have on file if something does happen to my glasses while away.  I got another pair of glasses and new lenses in my old pair.  

I had a week off work because we were closed and I was so excited to get some stuff done for the PC but I didn't do shit.  Oh I did get my nails done and my eyebrows done!!! (probably for the last time) I spent a few days in Evansville, where I went to college, to visit friends and ring in the new year with my friends.  I had more fun the night before NYE then on NYE.  

I had a few good-byes to say when I left and I cried a little.  I did not like it one bit. 

I am having a Going Away Party Jan. 22 at my sisters house for family and friends.  I really hope my friends from college come because I want to see them one last time.  Now I just need to have a going away party with my co-workers!!!  I originally planned on having my last day of work Jan. 20, but I am so glad I made it Jan. 13 because I am definitely going to need those extra 2 weeks to get my stuff together.  

O AND I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY STAGING INFO SOON!!!!!

Be kind to one another

More stuff for Zambia