Beginnings

Thanks Peace Corps, for setting me up in a swanky hotel in downtown Atlanta. The meetings are over. All that is left is a shot or two early tomorrow and an attempt to board an airline with WAY too much luggage. 6pm tomorrow is the 9.5 hour flight from Atlanta to Frankfort, 4 hour lay over and then a 6 hour flight to Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. After that is 10 days of training in Addis followed by training in satellite villages surrounding Assela (to the south of Addis) for 10 weeks. I have no idea how much internet access I'll have during training or after I will be at my post.

I'm too excited to sleep.

Lovin' and Nostalgia: Double Feature

There has been a movie reel of all my favorite people doing all my favorite things playing in my head since I got to Atlanta. Playing games in Beaumont, kicking dad's butt at Race for the Galaxy, Caleb licking Baxter, Anthony laughing, getting in one last delta, dance-off with Hayley Monster, dance-off with mom and Hayley Monster, relaxing on beautiful Texas nights with beautiful Texan friends.... Give me some of that soulfull lovin' and I will hold it close to me where ever I go.

My Niger stage-mates and friends have also been on my mind alot since I've arrived here. Staging is the exact same format as before and I keep expecting to turn around and see Dougie giving me a goofy smile or Shelly busting out the baby hands. I was blessed to have such an amazing set of fellow volunteers- its hard not to wish they were all here in Ethiopia with me. Now I have 68 new fellow stage-mates to get to know and already I've meet some great folks.

Next time I update the blog it will be from Ethiopia and this long awaited adventure will be underway. The anticipation is overwhelming. I feel prepared to meet whatever is thrown my way. BRING IT ON PEACE CORPS!