Planning/Packing/H1N1 Vaccine

Today is Saturday, the day I was going to try to sleep in just a bit. However, I was awake at 5:30AM, my mind already racing with things to do. The excitement of this adventure has really put a cramp in my sleep! :) Nevertheless, I was up and decided to make my list of things I need to do today.

1. Make another list of things I need to pick up this week. This past week I purchased a large duffel bag and a 15 degree sleeping bag from a company that gives a KILLER Peace Corps discount. I also picked up a North Face pack to use for weekend trips or hiking for the day. However the list of things to buy keeps growing, from things like index cards to thermal underwear. MUST TACKLE MORE OF THIS LIST TODAY.

2. Try to find a place that gives the H1N1 vaccine for free. I know that the Fairfax Health Department does, however they are closed for renovations and instead of driving out to Arlington to get it (and wasting gas), I might just go to CVS to get one for $15. Any suggestions? Luckily, this is the only shot I need to get before staging. I know a guy who left with the PC for the Philippines last year and he received 12 vaccines before he even started work at his site!

3. Meet with Mom to discuss BBQ plans.

4. Listen to at least an hour of the Romanian Language Lessons the PC sent me. I admit I am slacking on learning the language as I've been so busy planning and packing! WILL LEARN MORE ROMANIAN TODAY.

5. Fill out more forms that I received from PC for my housing and host family preference. I decided that I would like to live with a family with children. When learning a language, I have found that children are much easier to understand because they speak slower, and they are MUCH faster at correcting you when you speak wrong! :)

6. Start packing up my room to move back home.

So that is what I can think of right now...I know there are a million and one more things I need to take care of, but this will do for today.

Staging Info!

I will write a longer post tomorrow (because I'm exhausted tonight!) but I wanted to let you all know I received my staging information. Staging is like a Peace Corps orientation for all the Romanian volunteers. It is usually 1-2 days in the states in a big city before we fly out to our country.

I got the info today, and I'll be leaving May 18th to fly to CHICAGO for staging, then flying to Romania the afternoon of the 19th! Whoo hoo!

More to come tomorrow....

Ice Gripping Boots

So, over the last week I've been going through all my paperwork, reading all of the PC manuals, handbooks, and information on Romania I received in my welcome packet. It is a ton of material, but I am so, so excited to learn more about where I'll be spending the next two years of my life!!

I was happy to see that cell phones are common in all areas of the country and service is reliable. Mail is very reliable as well (takes 1-2 weeks). However I did read that in the winter (November-March), I might lack heating, hot water and cooking gas...hellooo Peace Corps Experience!! :) Bring it on. I am definitely investing in a super warm jacket and sleeping bag as well as long underwear and extra thick socks.

Looking over the checklist the PC gave me, I noticed that "ice gripping boots" were under the shoe category. So this week I marched over to REI for my first pair of real, waterproof, ice gripping boots. The clerk informed me that I also needed "ice spikes" on the bottom of my boots, (because I'm going to be hiking glaciers?!) so with my new boots and ice spikes I walked around REI, and felt, for the first time, "Wow. This is happening...in 5 WEEKS!!" I walked out with the new boots, new thermal socks, and left the ice spikes for the pros. :)

One huge blessing--dear friends from Epiphany have given me a beautiful hiking backpack!! I was totally shocked and so thankful. I again thank you all for your support..I am so blessed to have you in my life.

More later...

PEACE CORPS CALLED!

It is official. After 7 months of waiting, I have received my invitation from the Peace Corps for my assignment in Romania!! My departure date is May 19th, 2010. I have created this blog to keep you all posted on my adventures...so please add your comments and keep in touch!

The next few weeks will be a whirwind of packing, planning, and saying goodbye...I will miss you all MORE THAN YOU KNOW. Thank you for all your support thus far.

Let the adventure begin! :)