memorial

this weekend has made me very excited to start my actual physical adventure as a PCV. i helped my aunt and uncle build a fence yesterday. my cousins and brother with their partners and my parents and aunts and kids and all these people came and helped. family, together just building a fence... it was alot of work. but with the quirky list of characters that IS my family, it was an adventure and worth getting up at 6 am to do a little healthy manual labor. the beginning training of some construction projects abroad? :) :) today i continued that streak with a little yard work, and probably wouldn't put up a fight if my parents made me do the entire lawn haha

everyone i have talked to lately has gushed over cameroon, which further builds my excitement to live and work there! they all speak of people have amazing times and life-changing experiences abroad. i know that this is a "to each their own" .... "it is what you make it" opportunity; can't wait to start. i have been nervous, wondering a little if this is right or if i should have made a different decision. but i think everyone does that.... or at least everyone should. i can't even yet comprehend how big this is going to be, i don't think i'll realize that until i am there. i know that my friends and family are worried, but trust me when i say i will write and try to contact you as much as i can.

i just counted and its about 3 months and 17 days until i leave... i better start packing now. oie. im definitely an over packer.

set fire to the rain

commencement

i am a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. GO BLUGOLDS! Huh-Rah! all that jazz. i honestly can't believe how fast the past four years have went. i definitely did not see myself where i am now, but i am pleased where my path is taking me. i recently moved back home with good ol' mom and dad, and although a little weird to be back in the nest it has been nice. i always feel as if nothing has changed when coming back, but everything has- it's been moving and adjusting just like you.... but that familiarity is calming.

i have really begun to dig into looking at things to buy for cameroon and the amount of things/ the cost of it all is going to be an adventure to tackle :). DOES ANYONE KNOW AN AVERAGE AMOUNT THAT PCV'S USUALLY SPEND?

Who thought even six months ago that I would be THIS excited to pick out an LED headlamp :p No matter the price, I still want quality items, so whatev.... what matters is that i'll be in the Peace Corps!!! :) i feel like my parents and i will be able to handle looking around for deals a little bit, i am glad that we are talking more about the process, what pc will be like/ what to expect. it's nice to be talking and informing and wondering right alongside them.

i really am happy to be back home with them for my final months in the states. :)

my friend sarah mentioned being in egypt for a wedding while i'll be serving (totally making that a vacation!!)

tuneage

I have decided that I want to create an epic playlist for my trip abroad.
Anyone have any "must-have" feel good songs, I'd love to hear suggestions
Please, and thank you.

I already know that Dave Matthews, Kid Cudi and Radiohead will be incorporated

:D

Much love

oofta

I think saying that I NEED to be here with a Mojito right now.... is an understatement...
Today was a rough one...

A decade

Osama bin Laden is dead. I feel like my entire childhood I have heard this man's name. I was taught to fear it, taught to hate it, and now that this person is dead I have no idea how to feel. Should we celebrate death? Is that right? I understand that many lives were and still are being taken from us, but there is a certain unrest in the air now. What will come of this? Backlash, uprise, stagnant warfare? I hope that peace will grow and casualties are avoided. Best wishes to everyone serving abroad (PCV, military, etc).


About 4 months until Cameroon! :)
Only 3 weeks until graduation!!!!!


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