Work has been going slow but it shall pick up has school gets started for the year. I am still working at a ton of different places. Which all keep me fairly business in some way and plenty of people coming by to seek my help.

I have been writing a few grants. Nothing big just a few very small and simple ones. to get some new equipment for the schools I work at. I hope to have all the paperwork finished and edited to be turned in by next month. I need to have everything ready just in case they question our wants, needs, and willing to do.

I personally have been doing fine. Is was a bit different to see the difference in life styles when I got back. And to answer so many questions and pass out some new items I collected while home. I have been getting sick and tried a lot. Mostly due to the climate and time schedule change. But I should be all back together by Nov.

Well till later..

OK so on Aug 2. I set my bags up and prepared for the long ride all the way to Senegal. I was going in to Senegal to take my flight on to OHIO. Man was I excited behind belief. I spent 2 days with my host sister and brother walking around Senegal. The day of my flight I had to get to the airport early. But traffic on the street was so backed. Lucky we left at least 3 hours in advance. So once at the airport I went in to check that the flight info was all the same and then went back outside to be with the family for a while.

The walk through all the bag checks, ID checks, Ticket checks were so long and took up so much time. Finally I was able to sit and wait for the boarding. Once on the aboard I was sited next to some old lady you pissed me off. With all my environmental allergies set off by the nasty air condition I started having a runny nose. She started questioning and threaten to move cause she didn't want to catch the flu. After I explain to her if I really had the flu she would catch it sit next to me or not with the recycled air she claimed down and went to sleep.

A long lay in DC of almost 7 hours just to get one a 1 hour flight to Cleveland. I was so out of my mind with nothing to do. When did all the airports start charging for Internet. Its not like we plan on living in the airports and we have already paid for the ticket. I guess nothing is free anymore..

So back to the state. 1st thing to do was getting food. McDonald's yes, I had everything on the dollar menu. And since when did they decide to change the name of things and add a coffee shop. I swear I just stared at the menu lost and holding up the traffic but I didn't care.

So I tried my best to spend time with everyone but that didn't happen to much. The days are way to short and of course people still had to work all but me. lol. So I was able to get out and hit the streets twice and boy was it a blast. Note to self drink in small amounts if after a long period of time without, my mistake. But in all I had a great time. Just being able to get dressed and go out with my girls was a blasted. I even loved just the scene of the night life cause its so very different here in Gambia.

Weekend random trip to Chicago was great. We didn't have any real hard plans (bad ideal). But we were able to run around the whole city running into things and finding places to go. The downtown there has so much more then Cleveland could ever dream of. We need more shopping, sites, and people willing to even be downtown to rebuild it. But this was a cheap trip. Rented a car got hotel room from a friend and ate streets style. was not bad at all.

Finally my family gave a small party to celebrate my coming home and great accomplishments thus far. And surprised my friend Tierra with a small birthday acknowledgement in there. Happy Birthday Tierra hope you enjoyed it. It was great to once again get all my family and friends in one place and see everyone having fun.

Last be not least I had to make my way back to the Gambia. The trip and layovers this time was not as long which was great. I even got a whole row of seats to myself all the way from DC to Senegal. I was so happy to straight out for the 8-9 hour trip. I ate very well on the plan and had some wine for the last time for free.

Now once in Senegal I had the plan to head straight out for Gambia. Since I got into Senegal at like 6am. I would be home in my own bed by night fall. But Senegal had other plans for me. I was stuck in what had to be the worst traffic in life. I was stuck on a highway barley moving for 10 hours. Cause me to have to sleep in the car and wait at the broader cause it was closed. Lucky I was not alone on this trip. I think I would have lost all my mind and been very upset. But i made it home by noon the next day. That trip took me near 20 hours for something that is normally 7 hours.

But am home now. Or at least in The Gambia

Hello all my readers. Am so sorry it has been a long time since I have last wrote anything here. So here is the update in short. I will have longer version under this one if you care to read.

This is my First year mark of being in the Peace Corps The Gambia. I have made it through all the hard challenges and changes. The Peace Corps has had both its ups and downs for me within the last year, more up then downs. But it’s just like any other job/organization in the world. You have people who work very hard and listen, those who work but don’t listen and then those who do nothing but complain and nothing to change it. I have tried to my best ability to be a person who works hard and listens when playing my part, I also know my limits and I do know how to say NO now. But overall I would never wish to go back in time and change my thoughts about joining the Peace Corps. It has been every bit of the new adventure and experience it say it will/would be.

Personally, I have made big changes in my life since being here. I have had the chance to open myself up more. I have the time to get to know myself and grow. Reading more books (not only fiction) which have enlightened me to new things, I didn’t know already and they allow me to escape in my mind. I have learned to take what it is you have not for granted. They are many things that I left at home or that I cannot afford to have here that I thought “I just had to have”. But now I know that you can live with bare minimum and be just as happy or even more. That life should not revolve around your work/job/career there are many more things out there in life that can give you pleasure. As I have come to find out there is nothing more rewarding them the company of another person in which you can share ideas, thought and cultural.

This is about me missing my family and friends in the states. I have kept in touch with more people then I thought I would have. You would never believe how much a letter, picture, card or email means when you are very far away from your norm. To have a blog is a good ideal but I think that it can be done from both sides me and those in the states. It allows them to have information about me and my doings just as much as it would allow me to check on the same for them. Or to at least have a webpage that you could keep up with small updates and pictures.

Well since my family and I are both missing each other I think I will be coming/going home very soon. I was making plans to come home in December but people are telling me to come for the summer break and not winter. So I will be checking into airplane tickets to check the cost I hope it’s not too much. I don’t have cash like that even though I have been saving I still have to think about the cost of me being home and going out. And I hope to get to see as many people as possible and go out every day of the weekend and maybe even some week nights. But first is a must needed shopping trip.

The Best Quote: From my brother “What you don’t come home till next year. Oh no you have to come home now. I miss me litter sis.”

The Gambia has been a wonderful place to be. I have enjoyed my time with the people, cultural, customs, and life style. When coming to this country I came with a very open mind and low expectations. I believe that me coming here without knowing much about the country and have low expectations has opened me up to the Gambia. If I would have come with an ideal in mind of how life was to be I think I would have been disappointed but because I didn’t I have not had any real disappointing points since being here. I have not had the chance to see the entire (most) of the country but my travels will come.

Lately the weather has been my problem with all the heat. It has been regularly 37 or 39 Celsius (roughly about 100 plus degrees) like every day. The night time does get better but its not all to cold. The season is about to change again and now its time for the rains to come. I don’t think I will like it any much more then I like this hot season. Why because now it will be very hard to stay clean and dry. The one thing that all the change has brought about is fruit. I have been eating so many mangoes, guava, cashews (both the nut and the fruit), jack fruit, and other random local fruits. I will have to put up pictures for you to see what some of these things look like. Some are things I have never seen or even heard of.

The host family that I am living with has been great to me. As I said before they enjoyed the visit from my mom. The have decided that she was such a nice and loving person to honor her. That will be done in the way of giving the new baby her name (a little African namesake). That is if the baby is a girl. Two of the older brothers recently got married to their first wife (not sure yet how many they will stop at). The one older sister (younger then me by 1 or 2 years) was married in the fall and has since left the house to live with her husband and his family. As the family continues to grow and spread out am trying my best to keep up with all the names and ceremonies that are taking place.

This is the season for programs to take place. I have been very busy with all types of works that I have cost me to miss a few programs but I plan to try my best to show up. There have been many naming ceremonies and weddings. A few congratulation parties for getting promoted at work or within the village and a few sad and unexpected funerals have taken place with in or around my village.

The one things about programs taking place is it allows you the chance to get dressed up. I have now the small but very nice collection of cultural/local outfit. And with more programs to take place my wardrobe will only get bigger. The fabric here is beautiful and relatively cheap (remember am getting paid just as much as the or a little more then my counter parts). And to get the fabric tailored is just as inexpensive for me since I have yet to get and all out fabulous outfit made.

Working here in Africa – The Gambia. The working conditions have been a little challenging at times. I have been trying to figure out where it is the problems lies with not getting things done or lack or resources. I have found that the problem mainly lies within the people or the structure of the organization.

Many people are not taught in such a way to think outside the box or looking at the bigger picture. The always seem to just look at what it is that want and need now verse looking in the future. It makes it very hard when putting plans together because they don’t remember that there is a small need of space for maintenance and updates. I have found a ways of fixing it within meeting by having them create or fill in a general meet outline and then telling them to stick to the topic at hand. So much time is wasted on arguing or complaining on topics which are not the ones of the meeting.

The lack of resources is not as true as I thought. There are so many different program, grants, founding, sponsorships, etc that are given or found within this country. I have become a hug fan of writing or starting grant proposals. The problem is people do not know how to write these proposals, lack the correct/needed information to fill them out completely, or don’t care to try and communicate. Along with all this the many different people and organizations have/are given so much to the people of the Gambia its unbelievable. The problem with all the giving to this country is that it does not teach the people how to take care of themselves. Many people have this mentality to think they are owned something or should be giving things within them doing nothing for it. There is a large need for the Gambians to become more active in the projects and to maybe contribute to the project within they are going to rep the benefits of. This way it will make them feel more part of it and the maintenance of it.

I have started to look into furthering my education. I want to continue to get my Master degree in Communication department (Cultural, Cross Cultural Comm.). I have not settled on a school but I have been looking into a few different Colleges/Universities. With me being in the Peace Corps there are many different schools that offer different types of programs and scholarship options, which is very much needed in my eyes. The ideal program for me would be one that will allow me to do my study while contining to travel see how that’s a big part of what I want to do in the end. If you have any suggestions or input information please do let me know. I still have to take the GRE so am not in any rush to find one school now. I want and need to weight my options very carefully since this will send me in my career direction.

Traveling around the world is my life biggest joy and goal. I have been to more place in my short life time then many people twice my age. But as of now I am not done with completing this goal. I have only been on 6 of the 7 continents and I have one more to go. Along with reaching each continent I have a few places on my list of historical places to see in person I have to complete.

Within my first year of being here in the Gambia I have traveled to Senegal. Senegal is Gambia’s surrounding country (literary Senegal is on all sides of the Gambia beside the ocean). I went to the country myself which was not a very good ideal since I did not speak neither French nor Woloff their spoken languages. But with the help of others and my luck cell phone I was able to get around and enjoy myself.

I have had the chance to mingle with the likes of all kinds of people.

The first connections I have made are those within the Peace Corps office it’s self. There are many people working in the office who have a wide range of experiences. In the office we have a wide range of people from different states, people who have traveled or lived outside of the US, degrees from just about every department, and shared like ideas about the future or life in general.

Second work in the education sector I am exposed to many different locals and foreigners. Many of the people work directly within or linked to the education system in the Gambia. Even though not all expects of education have high interest to me (personally) they are all wonderful people to meet. Not only do you get to find out the things that interest them about education and their job. But you also get to know some of the personal and work reality experiences. Their experiences in more ways then one can be applied to my job now and future jobs to come.

Third but the one that is most valuable is the connections that have been created with the local people. These are the people who are affected directly and directly by my existence in the community. The level of connection can be from a counter partner in the field all the way to the vendors within the market. You can either get good help at work and understanding as to way the job is hard. Or get luck by your favorite vendor saving good veggies for you or making the price a little lower.

Thus the power of connections has now become very important in my life. The only hard part about it right now is remembering everybody’s Name. Here it is very important to remember peoples name if not the first name the surname is the best. As they use name calling as a form or greeting one another.

Sorry for the late post. Its March and I have now been in The Gambia for 8 long months. My classes are starting to pick up and work is getting more fun. I have been requested to help out a few other government schools and local groups. So now I am starting to feel more like part of the community.

Life is going well nothing new or bad. Oh my laptop almost died on me. It was very sad. All I could was hope it wasn't a virus or that I would be able to correct what was wrong. And after long time of not: being able to use my Zune correctly, play any of my 20+ gigs of music, not watch a DVD, or play any of my video games. I have fixed the problem and saved the day. Now life is going very well. I can even get more work done now cause I can use my laptop at home.

This is the month I have been waiting for. Why you ask. Because my mom is coming to visit me. She will becoming into Senegal, the next country. So we will spend a couple of days there. Then come to my home, where my family is planning a naming ceremony for her. I have no clue as to what name they are picking. After we stay at my house for a while seeing my area and doing nothing. We will head for the city, where once again we will go around site seeing. After all is said and done. My mom will be leaving me. but its ok I will have new pics of her and am happy about that.

So till next time...

Good month people.

So Jan. has come and gone. The new president has taken office and all of Africa is excited. The month has gone by without any big things happening. I have been teaching classes at the middle school and will start at the local nursing school. I have been traveling around the country going to different schools and fixing up their computers. Most of the time many of the computers just have virus on them from the many jump drive them put in to them. So its a simple clean up.

Now its Black History month and its nothing new or big in Africa. I have been trying to read a history book (text book). Titled: From freedom to slavery. It has been very eye opening to me. And I have learned a few things more then I did before hand. So I could say that am not as ignorant to my own history as I was before.

This is my porch and the number one way of transportation

Living room

Kitchen

Snacks and food to live on

Spare room has a desk and chair.. this room has the best light from the sun.

Bedroom... i was cleaning up This is my backyard, bathing area, and garden..

Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides

The Hobbit - J.R.R. TolKien

Goodbye Best Friend - Cherie Bennett

The day of the dog - Archie Weller

When love calls you better answer - Bertice Berry

Bend it like beckham - Narinder Dhami

From Babylon to Rastafari - Douglas R. A. Mark

Afterburn - Zane

Chocolate Flava - Zane

Mystic River - Dennis Lehane

Love - Toni Morrison

The sex Chronicles - Zane

Possible Side Effects - Augusten Burroughs

Sula - Toni Morrison

The month with many celebrations in it has started and am away from home for the first time. My Birthday, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Years. This will be a big adventure for me to get through this month without wish I was at home. But I will try to find things to occupy my time.

I have also started computer classes at the upper basic school. Well I guess you cant call them classes more like free time on the computers. Am allowing the teachers to have time and just expose themselves to the new technology and use it. I am there if they have any questions or need any help. But I have also put that job on the other teachers. This why they become teachers and get a better grasp of computers themselves.

Tobaski is here. The Muslim holiday of the killing of a ram. They day started off just as simple as any other day. People got really dressed up by noon. The old boys came to the compound, killed the ram, and processed to skin it. All while this was taking place the women prepared the spice and sauces to cook the meat in. once the lunch was finished many people went around greeting other families. The kids got to get dress and go around to ask for charity (kids get money for adults) and I think even some adults joined in and collected as well. I had prepared 2 outfits for the day, which is what most of the girls in my family have done.

So my birthday is here. Am not very excited or sad about the day and hope I feel happy soon. Many of the people I talk to here, remembered and sent me a text saying happy birthday and that did make me smile. I got my phone calls from home and that also put a smile on my face. The most I had planned for the day was to cook one of my own meals and make something I really wanted. Which was steak in a gravy sauce with potatoes.

My birthday has come and left. It was not so much fun as it would have been if I was in the states. But I still enjoyed myself and made the best of it. I enjoyed receiving a few calls from friends and family.

Since school is still out till the 5th of next month. I will have plenty of time to read books and work on my house. The next two books on my list are pretty big and will take me some time to read. As far as my house its in good shape for now. I plan on painting and hanging up curtains to fell more at home and hang up some of the card and pictures I have gotten from home. Oh and did I ever mention anything about my garden am growing. It is a very good thing for me to have and take up some of my time in the day with. I have planted cucumbers, tomatoes, papers, cabbage, and spinach. And I will tell how it turns out if they get big, die, or start to produce.

So the month is just started and I cant wait for the week to start. The election is in 3 days. It is about to be a very historical moment not only in my life but in American History. We just might have the first very African American President. This will change the future and history of African around the world. Not only is America on pins and needles waiting for the moment to be over but the rest of the world is also watching and waiting to find out the outcome. When I write the next time I will either be very excited and overjoyed or disappointed. As I will know who the new President of my home is and how my life will change with just that knowledge while am in another country. Till then

Last night Nov. 1 was the first night I really felt it was past my time to be here. All these bugs kept falling in the bed with me and sticking to my computer screen it was so annoying. All I could think about was calling my mom and telling her to come and pick me up. But lucky I had no credit on my phone and it was too late to go out and look for some. So I just finishing killing the bugs I could see and took some pills and tried to fall asleep. But this morning I feel semi OK. Am not trying to leave till its time. I need to get the benefits from the Peace Corps that are promised at the end of one’s service. So I must wait till then. Less then what 20 months to go. And I will be Scott free and ready to move on in life. A new and changed person. Hopefully this experience will make me "grow" up. Also I hope the path to another government job is open since that was my biggest reason for joining. We shall see. 2 days till the major election of my life and am in Africa..

We have done it. For the first time in the history of America. There is a African American President to be. The historical moment in time has not only shifted the lives of those in America but the entire world has been move. This election has caused more excitement then the reporters can report on of the Africa American community. But it is not only the black community that has now had it hopes and dreams come closer to reality. Every minority race in the world is now on a new level of possibilities to dream for. Something that was never thought to actually happen, something that every kid hears from their parent's that they could one day become president. To sit and dream and give a kid high hopes and give them a dream to work hard towards is now not just a dream but an actually possibility. And as this moment occurs in my life while am living in Africa I can only hope that my dreams will come true. That I will one day land that job that will allow me to become a world traveling woman making change in the world for the people that need it most. The dream that hard work and dedication can get a person where ever they wish to go is what am holding on to. As am making my dreams come true I can only hope to continue on my path to become an accomplished young Africa American woman.

Being stressed out. You never been stressed out so much till you change your living environment instantly. I have just began to miss the life style I once had in the states. Even though I do get to do a few things here that are similar the majority of my life is now different.

I Have started to come down with something which is the result of me being so stressed out. But I have a new found hope. One of the PCT in my group is getting relocated to be my next door neighbor. That should bring me a little closer to home. She is close to being my opposite but we have a few things in common. Starting with us both being army brats at birth. She is going to help me in more ways then she knows it. I should really start to get into shape as she loves to ride her bike. And now that I have someone to go with I will feel more comfortable about riding the darn things. And just being able to have the opportunity to talk with someone face to face every day about the daily changes, challenges and stress is going to be good for me at least.

I have also been not been able to do much of any work here this month thus far. I have been sick and with the president given out random holiday transport was a no go. So I took this week to mend myself and spend some time with my new site mate. Who is living with me till her house is ready. And we mostly talk and read in the house as its too hot to be outside and nothing much to do.

So its almost time to vote for the president and I just cant wait. I have been able to keep up with a bit of the news. And it looks like America might have its first African American man president. The world is about to shake if this actually happen. From where I stand the entire world seems to want and hope for Obama to win verse McCain. I hope to be near a Tv when voting day starts, we are about 8 hours behind in time so it will be a long day for us here. I hope this election which ever way it goes brings about change for the American people who so desperately need there lifestyle to be alter. Even though with the fall and stock markets that is starting to happen and the gaps between poor and rich are being noticed more. And those struggling the line of middle class and poor are being giving a helping hands that a few years late but were not dead yet. The best part is the gas prices are low and at a comfortable but still high price. My loan interest rate is dropping which is always a good thing. Seeing how a higher education in one of the richest nations should never be so high. Am thankful for my family and friends who care enough to still write and call me. While am on this adventure in Africa.

Ok I have now been at site for about a full week. My house is starting to take shape. I had to have a few things fixed but nothing major and then had to have the family kill the rats. OMG. But now that am moving everything into its own room am starting to feel more comfortable. The family is starting to take to me more and speaking in mandinka is not that hard if I understand the question. I haven't been to work yet but that shall come. Hopefully with the start of the new week and school actually starting I can be more productive.

2nd week at site has ended. So I have started to work and work is nothing like what I aspect even though my expectations were very low to begging with. Since my post is the education department office I mainly have been fixing the computers there first. I shall soon go on treks to see the other schools that have computers. And see how they are doing and what it is they need. I have also been asked to teach some of the staff how to use the computers since the advancement in technology they must learn to keep up. So am trying to come up with a schedule to were I will be available for teaching classes and trekking all at once. But since it’s the end of Ramadan is here now I have more time to work on a schedule and go to the city to do banking and a little playing on the internet. I have to take pictures of my new place to show off to people at home that my house is bigger. But that will come. Plus I have meet another sister who lives in Dakar. So we have exchanged information so that when I travel there I have a free place to stay and with family everything is cheaper.

So I will be living in one of the big cities in Gambia. I will be in Soma which is ok since it has markets that are daily and not only weekly. Ok After finding out where I was going to be living it was back to the training village. I cant believe how much my life style has changed. I have been placed on a vegetarian diet. Who consumes mostly all rice with some type of sauce on top it, 3 times a day. I don’t see much meat unless it is bought by the Peace corps because it cost to much for my family to afford it. But am still alive so the adjustment is not to hard. I just don’t eat much breakfast because I don’t like rice porridge which is something like oatmeal and grits but made from rice. I eat a big portion of lunch which is the only meal I get that has vegetables in it everyday. And I try my best to eat at least half my dinner bowl because it the last meal of the day and because I know I wont eat breakfast. My language has made a big improvement in the last month. I am now at NH which is very good for me thus far. I have to be at IM by the 12th of Sept. so am going to continue to work on t and hope for the best. If worst come to worst I will be keep back to have more language training or sent home. So lets hope for the best. In training village for the majority of this month none of the men have been at home. They have all went to travel to either work or religion. So at home it has just been the women and kids and its still just been great fun.

Am now in my training village and my family is very much happy to have me here. The life style here from GPI or Home is very different. So far what can been seen from the outside is the lack of amenities such as: running water, electricity, paved roads or walk ways, trash pick up or cleaning up and good clothes. But after living here for a week I have seen much more that has me concerned and surprised all in one. I have learned to live without running water or power. Its not that hard to fetch water and getting things done before the sun goes down or by flash light or candle is not that difficult either. The lack of good cloths is mostly on children because they either don’t have the money or because the kids get them so dirty so fast. My family does take care of themselves very well. With constant baths, cleanings of the house or family open area and food. Out of the 3 of us in this village I think and have been said to have the best family. I personal have come accustomed to not have power or the running water. I enjoy the very cool water for bucket bathing 3 times a days with the heat. I enjoy the food that’s cooked even though I don’t eat a lot cause am not use to all the rice yet. I have come pretty close to my host family and talk with them as much as I can with my limited language skills. In my family I currently have: 1 father, 3 mothers, 2 wives, 4 brothers, 2 sisters, and 4 or 5 kids. Yes that’s the way my family is made with me. And I did get my new name from my family and am named after one of my kids. Kadii Dimba. Within the next two months I will continue my language studies to improve myself to better work with the people and communicate in the local language. Along with language classes I will get more training on my actual job here which is computer. I will not be permanently station in a village such as this because of the need for power to do my type of work. Which is not good or bad at this point. Those who live in the city say its expensive and those who live in the villages say its hard. So am looking forward to the next challenge. So I have now been in training village for about 2 weeks now. I don’t dislike it but there are a few things that I don’t care for and some things that I just love. First off dislikes: Food: Dried Fish Green Sauce Rice porridge Not having veggies The pit latrine (are toilet) Bugs ( in the bed, when showering, etc. ) Language: Not being able to communicate Having to learn things and not feeling like am making effort Second likes: Food; Eating lunch (veggies, meat, good sauces) People: Family (very friendly and welcoming) Keen to making me talk The good is all mixed in with the bad. I do like being here with the intentions of teaching computer technology. I don’t know if am going to be any good at it but am going to try the best I can. I am more of just a tech person and not a teacher. So am looking forward to it but I have my debts.

So this is the day before I got into my village. Am going off to a very small village and am going to practice and speak Mandinka. I am so excited and cant wait to see what happens in the next two weeks. I wont have access to a computer or anything that's electronic and no running water, so you will have to wait for the next update from me. Am also in the process of putting my pictures together so that You all and can see them. The next few weeks are supposed to be the hardest of my two years of training and working because it will be taking me so far out of my norm to make me adjust to the new lifestyle fast. What is it that I will have in my new house now; I get a trunk with the following: a pack of Ramon, powered milk, 1 box of cereal, toilet paper, 2 bucks, 1 broom, 10 candles, a tin of cookies, 4 different packs of seeds, and something else random oh and I get a bike & helmet. So am excited all about this change and the things I get to have.

But if you know me well you know am more of a pants girl and I made sure I bought enough with me. But now when I get here they tell me the best thing for me to wear is long skits cause am a teach and should dress more like the women here. So I had to buy a lot of fabric, lucky it wasn't that high price. Am going to have to take it to a local tailor and have them work their magic and do the best for me.

But because am not going to have a large selection of things am looking for care packages with some of the following items. And remember the items sent are not limited to this list so feel free to send some other things.

Address ask me for it

Care Package list:

Food:

Apple cinnamon oatmeal

Grits

Instant pasta (the ones you just boil or add hot water to)

Cereal Bars (apple, strawberry or chocolate chip)

Ramon – all the flavors

Liquid soup

Honey nut Cheerios or Smart start

Caned or packed meat (prison style beef, chicken, or tuna)

Snacks: oatmeal pie, zebra cakes, Mike & Nikes

Caned fruit (small cans single serving)

Gatorade

The instant kool-aid packs

Dieters Tea

Personal Items:

Wash cleaner (Germ X, etc)

Good bath soap

Baby powered

Baby wipes (good ones)

Leg shavers

So now I know that I will be speaking Mandinka. So that will be my new addition to the list. We just started to learn how to greet each other so am all about to be happy.. Life here is simple but wears you out quick. So am still trying to get use to the time difference and set me body to work differently.. Till next time..

Hello to all, I have finally made it to Gambia. Its very hot and not what I was expecting it to be. I was looking for a lot of dirt, low income housing or mud homes, with dirt roads but what I got was a lot of new green, new housing and hotel development, paved roads everywhere but no traffic lights (yet) and just some real good hospitality. Am such in a shock to be round such good people not only are the people in training with me great but the staff and other volunteers are too. Everyone is so eager to help and give me answers to the questions I have I thought I would be in the dark forever.

Me and the trains got to spend 3 days and 2 nights with each other before getting on a plan to come over to Gambia. We played some ice breakers, talked about emotions and feelings, asked a ton of questions and went out and mingled together. The people that am here with made me feel real comfortable and like I belonged here so I wasn't ever much nervous just excited. I am in an Educational sector where I have 5 of the following: Teacher training, Math & Science teachers, and ICT or IT. Ad yes am the only girl in the ICT group guyz, so they have deemed me their queen. So am excited and its just getting starting. We will be finding out about what languages we are set to learn in the next few days. So here is another one to add to my list.

The first meal was great. And we have been having nothing but good food and good company. Since today was the 4th of July we had a cook out with other volunteers and the director's house. Meeting the other volunteers was very good because we got to mingle with other people beside the 15 of us, but because we were able to hear stories and swap info about the villages and work that will be getting done or started.

At night the best thin to do which would not be all that good back home was a cold shower. The shower was pool water cold but I loved it because I was so hot, sticky and sweaty that it just made me cool down and feel refreshing. I was then able to get dress and unpack just a little before it was bed time. Which for some odd reason I could do without a TV (inside joke for those who know me) without any problems. But I did wake up at the crack of dawn which was at 6am.

But am having a good time here and just cant wait to see whats going to happen in the next few days, weeks, months, years with me here in The Gambia.

So I have went through my closet and storage and have pulled together some old and some new things to take with me.

Clothes:

dress pants

cargo pants

linen pants

4) polo shirts

2) dress shirts

pair of long basket ball shorts

5) plain T-shirts

1) full body swimsuit

2) head scarfs

4) 6 packs of underwear

2) 6 packs of socks (getting 2 more)

School supplies:

pens

pencils

markers

crayons/coloring pencils

2) packs of note book paper

1) folding compassed folder

1) ruler / hole puncher

Others:

small scrap book

small case of DVDs

kids world map book

decks of cards

8-in-one game set

small kids toys

Toiletries:

a bunch of over medicine

folding hamper

4) toothbrushes

3) large toothpaste

4) sticks of deodorant

4) bars of soap

2) lotions

Electronics:

Laptop - power cord, cleaning wipes, keyboard protector, Ethernet cord

digital camera

flash drives

shake up flesh lights

MP3 player

More things to come as I go out and buy them.

Today I will be preparing the house for my graduation/going away party that will be happening tomorrow. I have a lot of family and friends coming to see me off and congratulate me for finishing college. Many of the people that will be attending the party will be family and friends of my parents who have watched me grow up. The most important thing at this party is for everyone that comes gets a last chance to see me if not before I leave, since some of the people coming I have not seen in years it will also be a time for catching up.

I have been working on my list of things to buy for the Pace Corps and think that I have everything that I want and need on my list that I will be taking with me. Anything that I have left out my list is because I can get it locally. I am only taking 3 bags: my hiking backpack- is easy to move and travel with, a small carry on suit case on wheels, and then my laptop backpack - for everyday use. My list will be up shortly today.

Everything is happen so fast right now. I have just been invited to serve in the Peace Corps in The Gambia. My departure date is June 30, 2008. I am in the process of filling out the tons and tons of paper work and working on my packing list. There is so much paperwork that has to be obtained and signed and sent and kept its so hard to keep up with the originals and the copies and make sure the right one is being sent. I have also been in and out of the doctors offices to make sure they fill out everything and that I have check ups with every doctor. My life right now is in the fast lane.