It's really happening... wow

I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and it's never kept me from doing a single thing I wanted to do. ~ Georgia O'Keefe.... So I've packed, unpacked, weighed threw away some stuff, and repacked. Been vaccinated against Polio & yellow fever (I dodged the MMR).. I got the once a week malaria pill and that seems to be a good thing and I'm ready... well as ready as I'll ever be. I am with 42 other PCTs (Peace Corps Trainee's)... we come from everywhere... the majority are west coasters. But some from MI, OH , TX, OK, NY, DC and surprise surprise one fellow North Carolinian... she and I have bonded over things such as bbq and the difference between east, west and middle. I've already been told I'm the sweet southern girl... which I welcome with open arms. We're all so different but very cool. Army brats, non-profit kids, Ivy League and public schools, some born in Germany, Argentina & Puerto Rico. I can see our potential and its very exciting. I am one of the youngest with our average age being 26. No married couples or anyone over 30 they tend to send only the healthiest of applicants to the toughest of nations... we've joked about how "we're the real peace corps". Staging (pre-depature orientation) has been really good... busy with an overload of information but I realized that I'm not in this alone. It's almost as though we didn't know how to communicate our fears until we all said them out loud. I'm nervous and can't seem to shake this knot in my stomach but I can't wait to overcome that and be walking down the streets in Niger with ease... this won't come overnight or even within a month but it will come and that my friends will be a grand day!!! I'm excited about the different ways my life is about to change with this crazy group of people, the hope that I can make a difference in one person's life... and then bring that knowledge and hope back to all of you guys. My flight leaves JFK (in NY) at around 9 and then I'll land in Niger tomorrow around 3:30pm (about 9:30 am Eastern)... I hope you're all doing well... I and my 42 new best friends are a little woozy after our shots and we have to take our malaria pill on a very full stomach so I'm off to my one last meal (before airport food)...Au Revoir mes amis! (sorry about the format the hotel computer is rather odd)

Oh the difference a year makes...

Just one year ago I was filling out my application to the Peace Corps with big dreams of being accepted and running off to save the world. I sit here in Old Town Alexandria with many of the same dreams and ideas but slightly toned down. The reality of my new life hasn't quite set in but I've come to accept the fact that I won't cure AIDS & HIV in the 2 years that I'll be in Niger.

I'm nervous, excited, sad, anxious... so many things all in one. In just a few short hours I will register as a trainee into the Peace Corps and meet my new best friends and only source of normalcy for the next two years. There are 30 of us total and I can't wait to meet these 29 other people who saw the prospect of no running water or electricity and a high probability of catching malaria as a good option for their next career move or retirement, I'm sure we'll be a fun bunch.

The good-byes have been tear filled and sometimes more than once but without a doubt my mom will be my toughest. I love you mom... Take care of you! I will miss you all greatly!

I will do my best to update this weekly but I have no clue how frequent I'll be able to get to a internet cafe.

Love you all!

Change begins with you...