Life has been so hectic here, sorry about not posting for the past few months. School break has come and gone and now the second term of school is almost finished. During my month long break, I travelled to Moshi region to see another volunteer. His region is really awesome, with a major city a hour away. By major I mean a high tourist area, where you can get all types of American style food. I went with another volunteer and it didn't start off to well.... we ended up sleeping on a bus because one of the gears of the bus broke and we had to wait for another one to be brought. Basically a 6-hour bus ride ended up being a 22 hour trip. But it was awesome once we got there and I was glad I went. It was a week of pure gluttony and partying and was something I definitely needed.

My plans for a science lab have been put on hold (maybe indefinitely?). Since the school isn't able to contribute 50 percent of the total cost, we are unable to proceed. At first I was upset because I found some people from home that were interested in helping, but I realized that it is probably for the best. This term is when a lot of teachers leave to go to university and all the math and science teachers(besides two) left. It would have been pretty difficult/impossible to do this on my own or with a teacher that has no real motivation to help with this project. So now I am trying to do something else to occupy my time (besides teaching) and I'm thinking about starting a pen-pal program with some of my students. I think this will help improve their English and allow to get to know youth around the world. If you are interested in helping email me! Also, I am trying to team up with some teachers here and start a health club to teach the kids about sexuality, proper condom use, and HIV/AIDS. It seems that many people know the basic facts, but people are scared to talk openly about it and follow the things they need to do to keep safe.

I can't believe I have been here for almost a year! The new health and environment volunteers came last week and it is good to have new people around. One of them is replacing a volunteer and one is starting at a new site. Both are in villages. It's good living in town because I will be able to see them when they come to shop! The new education volunteers come in September and I heard that we are getting 3 new volunteers. I went and visited the other people in my region because one of them is leaving for grad school soon. It was great seeing them and we had a lot of fun. We ended up watching X-Men cartoons and that was an interesting blast from the past. Did anyone else know that the character Storm was from Dodoma, Tanzania? It thought that was random but cool. Haha, it guess it's a small world! Last weekend was so awesome! One of my friends who just finished her service in Tz, sent me and the other volunteer a box. It was soooo amazing, we sat watching "Sex In the City" and eating sugar cookies with icing all night! We had so much fun (although all the sugar from the icing made us a little slap happy!) Thanks Pendo! You made our weekend!

There has been a collection of random events here in Singida. I was having some issues with my form1 students and almost lost my mind. I have never been so irritated at kids in my life. After I got over it, some other things started happening at school. So I haven't really been teaching for the past week and a half. I'm not for sure what's going on entirely, but I am enjoying my little mini vacay! Also sometime in September, there is a week-long break and I am excited to travel. In the new group of kids that came, one girl is black and Greek. I've been keeping in contact with her and maybe if I can get to her site in one day I may go visit her. If not, I might just travel around the region seeing other people's sites. I plan on going to Uganda sometime this year to visit one of my friends that is going to University there. Hopefully that happens! Also, a friend at home is interested in visiting Egypt, so I might go also, because it'll be amazing seeing the pyramids! I've been told that there is a big celebration for Christmas and New Years on Zanzibar, so I think that's where I'll be. If I can't be at home enjoying the snow and the wonderful Christmas season, I mine as well be sitting on the beach, enjoying the sun and drinking fruity drinks!

Right now is Ramadan (A month-long fast for Muslims). While the sun is up, they aren't able to eat or drink anything. I've been told they do this so they can recognize (and change) their behaviors that are seperating them from their God. I am thinking about doing it next year (some cultural exchange), but this year, it is way too hot not to drink anything. I am almost positive I would die! But I will participate in the celebration that breaks the fast. One of my site mates lives in a majority Muslim village, so we are going to get outfits made and participate in the festivities. I'm excited to go there and learn more about the religion, I think it's a pretty awesome religion, just not for me.

I cant believe so much has changed at home.... People having babies, getting married, etc. Not to mention the blast from the past with my family. I am not too happy, but thank God I am in Africa, because I can only imagine what happening with my family. It's random and sad, but I guess if that's what makes him happy... he must go for it. Well I miss you all and I hope all is well with everyone. I will try to write in here more often. (* Oh yeah, a new Internet cafe opened in town and it is SUPER fast, like America! I am sooooo excited!)

14 months to go! :-)

~ Guess I should figure out what I am going to do next.....

Just wanted to say that whatever was wrong with my blog is now fixed and it is up and running smoothly. I dont have enough time to really write anything, but I will later this week.

Things are going well here, and I miss you all ALOT!

I am so glad that this is the last few weeks of teaching for this term. The school closes around May 27th for a month long break for June. Teaching here is a lot more stressful than I anticipated! The next two weeks are exams for my form 4, so I will only be teaching my form 1 students. I am thinking about rearranging my teaching schedule so I will only teach Tues- Fri, so I can devote some time on secondary projects. I am hoping that by doing other projects here, it will help me keep sane (and enthusiastic) about being here. Teaching here has been a draining experience. I have had mostly good days, but sometimes the rain sets in and I question why I am here.

The school I am placed at is a pretty good in comparison to other schools in the country. The teacher turnover rate in this country is ridiculous, but there are a few devoted teachers at my school who wish to make it better for future generations. I'm trying to look for needs of the school/community for some secondary projects. I have notice there is no science lab at the school and interest has been expressed for one here. In Tanzania, students cant continue their education( go on to A-level (freshman and sophomore years of college)) if they aren't able to complete basic science experiments. Since my students don't have a lab, this means that this is impossible. They can take the written alternative, but it's extremely difficult (I tried last years the other day and thank god I am not teaching physics or chemistry). Also, with science it's difficult to grasp concepts of abstract ideas, so I think it will help students to just get an understanding of things. They don't even have exposure to basic instruments for these subjects, which I feel will help them greatly.

Currently I am in the beginning stages of this project like making sure Peace Corps approves it and ascertaining if the school would actually use it if they had access to a lab. I am also finding people to train teachers on how to use and maintain the equipment, compiling a list of materials that the science teachers would like and trying to locate a building on campus to convert to a science lab. Another very important thing I am doing is looking for outside grants to fund this project. Buying and shipping materials here would be the greatest cost and I am looking for any outside help. If you have any suggestions of people I could ask, let me know!

Also the other day I was walking around town and I ran (well not exactly ran) into this area that would be great for a outside fair or a concert. So I am thinking about getting together with some other volunteers in neighboring villages and doing an AIDS/HIV fair with booths of information, free drinks and snacks, maybe games and inviting some local performance groups for a talent show with a small cash prize. Worlds AIDs day is sometime in Nov or Dec, so maybe then or sometime next spring. There are also a few other small projects that I am also considering.

Other than teaching, exercising (tried to carry water on my head and spilled a 20 liter bucket of water on myself...funny story) and playing with the small kids ( we do the hokey-poky; or as they call it " kichwa ndani" at least 4 times a day! and we have a coloring day (although they have almost finished all my coloring books!)) my life is pretty non-exist ant. I am learning how to make "uji wa ulezi" (it's like cream of wheat) with some of the female teachers, which I am very excited about! If you have any suggestions of kid's songs or games ( I forget most of them), please send me! I am going crazy doing the hokey poky so much. ( There are 8 kids ranging from 8months to 6 years old.... sadly to say, they are my best friends here!). But overall, life is good and will be better once the term ends....haha

I hope all is well with everyone. I have been receiving a lot of texts and emails from people asking if I wanted anything for my birthday. I figured it would be easier to just write in a blog of the things I would need/want.

I would like:

1) Deodorant- (Degree)

2) Lotion

3)Body Wash

4)Clear fingernail polish

5)Candy (starbust, skittles (orange bag), gummie worms, ressee peices)

6)Beef jerky, Pepperoni

7)Condensed Milk (for baking)

8) Ramen Noodles

9) Magazines about whats going on in the states (Cosmo..hehe)

Anything else you would want to send... I will love it I'm sure!

My address is:

PO BOX 288

Singida, Tanzania

East Africa

Via Airmail

*Make sure you put Via Airmail because if not, it will come by boat and only God knows how long that will take...haha

First, I never thought I would say this.... I am so glad to be back in Singida! I travelled around the country for the past few weeks, had an awesome time, but was very exhausted upon returning. It was great to see other wazungu (foreigners) and to be able to speak english. The first two weeks were spent in Morogoro for training. I was glad that I was able to see some people, but a little sad that they broke the training up into two groups depending on regions. The first week of training was about our experiences thus far and ideas for future projects and support. Also we did a lot of activities concerning gender empowerement and activities for orphans and vulnerable children ( I hope to become very active in these areas). Each volunteer was required to bring a counterpart ( a Tanzanian from the school or community) who would benefit from the seminar. I chose my Tanzanian Momma, she is a fellow teacher at the school. I was so happy that I brought her because she was very enthusiatic about learning about what WE can do to help our school! (Many times the communities only see the volunteers as "banks", so I was very glad she doesnt.)She is very proactive and a wonderful woman.

So we were in this women empowerment meeting and working on an activity about relationships and what we want from them and another volunteer's counterpart said he wanted his partner to be obedient... My Tz momma stood up and she was heated (let me tell you), she asked him if he wanted a housegirl or a wife! You might not understand the magnitude of this statement but I (and alot of other volunteers were shocked! Women in Tz don't speak this way to men... (sidenote: in some areas when women greet, serve food or speak to a man they must bow down to do these things... or if a man in sitting on a couch, a woman can not sit there, she must sit on the floor... I'm not critiquing, it's not my culture. I was just pointing it out.) So needless to say he looked a bit shaken and retracted his trait to be honest...haha, oh how I love my counterpart! She is great!

Also we learned about permaculture... hehe, can you even imagine me gardening. I guess you should. I'm planting some mchicha (spinach) and maybe some other things this weekend. (When I came back a week after my counterpart I found my backyard double-dugged (technique we learned at training) for a income generating project one of the students groups were doing... talk about sustainability, I didnt even have to be there!

The next week was about the AIDS. We had this highly intelligent, blunt, amazing female doctor come in and talk to us about AIDS. She was great because she was real, upfront and direct about the reasons why AIDS is spreading like wildfire in Africa! She was an inspiration and I just hope that I can bring her in to talk to my girls one day. ( It is widely believed here that AIDS is spread by women). Another volunteer told me about a debate where the students argued if women were the cause behind the high numbers of AIDS in Africa.... sadly the team that believed this was true won the debate. Not the fact that women have little or no power in this culture... but I digress. Also an interesting tid-bit of information that I learned from Tanzanians... There are 4 basic needs not 3 (like the rest of the world believes...lol): 1.Food 2. Water 3. Shelter and 4. Sex! One man even equated the neccessity of sex to food... he said if you go without it too long, you will die.... Oh Tanzania

So after all of training I traveled down by the southern coast of Tz to the beach to relax for a few days with some other volunteers. It was so much fun. One volunteer's site looks out onto the beach and honestly, its like looking in a travel brochure. It was absolutely gorgeous. We walked on sandy white beaches and swam in pretty blue water... I loved his site but Im glad I dont live there because I would never do anything but swim and eat awesome cheap seafood! (which would probably get me kicked out...haha... plus its way too hot there!) We walked along the beach and brought huge shrimp for like 10 cents a piece and big, tasty, yummy fish for 50 cents. I also bought a whole grilled octupus for 1 dollar and ate it while walking down the street. Ummmm... good times.

But now I am back in Singida, just finished the week of classes. Still have yet to finish grading mid-term exams (only 300 to go!). It's just kind of depressing grading tests that are 20 and 30 percent. Makes you wonder if you are even making a difference or serving any type of purpose. But I guess you cant expect change over night, it's a gradual process. My self-confidence was furthered shattered by this Tanzanian man that told me my swahili sucks for me having lived here for seven months...but then he started speaking english and my crappy swahilli trumped his ridiculously bad english! But he did motivate me to improve my swahilli... Now I am refusing to speak to anyone in English, hopefully this will help!

Funny Tanzanian quote of the week: "You look Tanzanian, but you cant be... you're too fat!" haha, and this is from a guy that was trying to date me... Oh the sweet talking men of Tanzania!

I miss you all and hope everyone is doing well!

Congrats to my sister for bringing in my new beautiful neice into this world! Hope all the other "preggies" are doing well...haha

Keep the mail coming... I miss hearing about the first world!

You are probably wondering who the hell Elizabeth is and why my blog entry is named after her? haha, she is a grad student that I met this past week who is doing her research in/around Dar es Salaam that I hung out with last week, she even gave me her old pair of running shoes, for which I deemed neccessarily to thank her by giving her the title of this blog...haha. You now are wondering what I was doing in Dar... it's a long story.

So two weeks ago my tooth started feeling a little weird so I wanted to get it checked out. In the US this requires a 30-45 min drive to your local dentist... well in Tanzania it was a journey that initially was supposed to be 3 days (max) that turned into a week and a half travel across the country of Tanzania. Along the way I met some awesome... and not so awesome people and had fun, almost cried and ate yummy food! haha (honestly at this point anything other than beans and ughali is yummy).

The trip to Dodoma is a 6 hour bus ride on an unpaved bumpy road for half way. (Never again will I complain about the potholes in Ohio). So for three hours you're bouncy up down and around on this bus in 100 degree weather, sounds fun right? But when we got there, we went shopping had awesome chinese food and met a white business man from South Africa... this is where it get's interesting. He was really nice. Although the first day we saw him, we almost killed him (and nearly everyone else in the resturant) with our fahijta entree.... but honestly it was worth it. The next night he offered to pay for our dinner and of course being the broke volunteers we are, we ordered up half the menu..hehe. It was a great night until he started criticizing Americans because we prefix every other race with _____ American. Like I said he was from South Africa, so how could he talk about us when their country just recently ended the apartheid not even a decade ago??? But anywho, since he was paying we tried to rationalize with him and not pay him too much mind. We left gracious for his generousity but a little ticked by his mentality.

I went to the dentist there and they told me that the reason my tooth hurt was because (and I quote) "God made everything in pairs, and it's missing it's other half". Ummm, and then he said he wanted to do a root canal, without any x-ray or test? That was a definate no, which meant I would have to travel to Dar es Salaam on another long bus ride (7 hours... atleast this road is paved all the way through.)

(sidenote about riding the bus in Tanzania- you can get almost anything you need during this ride...shoes, clothes, food, drinks, jewelry, anything! It's great!)

So I went to Dar and ended up staying for a whole week! I was not to happy about that (didnt have more than 3 days worth of anything!) Although I despise the heat, the many people that harass you and being there by myself, I love the amenities you can get there (for most things, the only place you can get these items). I ate chinese, lebanese, PIZZA(although I ordered it one day and I waited for two hours and called the lady back and she said she forgot and now they were closed! Only in Tanzania, I swear) and real ice cream. I know that may not sound great to you but when you only see beans, rice, ugahli and mchicha (local spinach) you get excited over almost anything.

Oh yeah, good news... I weighed myself and thus far I lost 45 lbs! I am so happy. I have a goal and I have been excercising and stuff. I have even considered running the 5K next year... its only about 2 and a half miles, but it seems like fun. It'll be a great acheivement!

So now I am back in Singida and never thought I would be happy about that! Next week is mid-exams and then easter break. I am excited about that because no teaching next week, then I am off to Morogoro for IST and then to Lindi for a 4 day beach party with other volunteers. Life here is starting to seem normal and I feel like I belong here and actually am making a difference!

Tomorrow is our Women's Day celebration (a little late, but this tanzania...haha) Wish me luck!

*My email is acting up, so I created a new account. My new email address is kimber.s.lynn@gmail.com. Send me some mail! :-)

*My sister is almost due.... OMG! I am so happy, I can't wait to see pics of my beautiful new neice thats coming into this world! Yay!

(and all the upcoming pics of other babies that people are having!)

* Melanie and Sherry, thanks for the box! I received it in Dar a few days ago and I absolutely love it! My address in Singida is:

Stephanie Kimber

PO Box 288

Singida, Tanzania

Via Airmail

Well, I hope everyone is doing well and keeping their jobs... I heard the economy is getting worse day by day... I went to convert some US dollars into Tanzanian Shillings and the rate was 15% lower than it usually is.... I couldn't believe it.

Miss you and love you all very much!

Thank you everyone for all of your encouragement and support through various letters these past few weeks. It seems like when I am having an overwhelming day, I always get a letter encouraging me to continue. It was once said that in Peace Corps you will have some of the highest highs and some of the lowest lows. I feel like sometimes I am on the top of the world because students are responding to my teaching, teachers are excited about upcoming programs that I want to do and everything is going my way. Other times I feel like if one more thing goes wrong... it will be more than I can bear! So the saying I have found to be true, although I am still a neophyte in Tanzania.

Someone told me before I left that I should take this opportunity to learn from people who arent necessarily as "smart" as me. Also that humility is the number one item that should be included on my journey.

I have tried to keep this in mind and allow it to reflect on my outlook in a positive manner. There are many things that drive me insane about this culture (i.e having no concept of a line and although I have been waiting in line for two hours to get money, four people just get infront of me as I was about to go to the teller!) but somethings I truly appreciate. People in this country, especially in my region arent well off finacially ( I live in the poorest region in the country) but you can go to someones house and they practically force you stay for dinner... this culture is all about caring for one another. Also, I like how you can go to someones house and just sit. It's not required to speak, just being in one's presence is enough. This is really good for someone who is still learning the language, you just go to someones house, sit and BE. Another teacher has taken me as her daughter and treats me as so. I absolutely love her two small daughters and she treats me as I am one of the family. Also unlike the states, people are willing to help you out, and dont see it as an inconvience to them. I can just go up to one of my fellow teachers and ask them a question (where to buy this, how can I get that) and not only do they tell you, but most times they will escort you to make sure you are successful. This is really helpful and makes me feel as though I am intergrating into the community because of their commitment for my success in everything, whether it's big or small. Overall, the people here for the most part are loving and caring and I feel honored to be in their presence.

Well a brief update of my life since school has begun.

*Teaching is going well. I like my students (atleast most of them) and I feel like some are really enjoying having a teacher from america. They ask me the most random questions and they crack up when i speak swahili. I was really nervous about teaching, but the students seem to understand and perform well on tasks given. Also I feel like I was able to establish the level of respect (without beating them into submission with a stick) and a friendly friendship. They know when they need to be serious and when we can relax.

~ Using a stick here is normal to discipline children. It's sad to be around, I usually just leave because the mentality that I have observed and was told that "Africans dont respond, unless their is force is brought." This is really depressing because this behavior was started by the british when they came to colonize the country.

*Two weeks ago one of my form 1 students passed away. She was only 13 and she died of malaria. It's sad that people die here so often from a virus that can be prevented. ( I went to the funeral and let's just say that it was an interesting cross-cultural experience.)

~Sidenote: I have been here (at site) 2.5 months and 8 people have died.... most from preventable diseases.

* Many of the teachers at my school have been geting typhoid... I keep telling them its because they dont boil water but no one believes me....

*Two other volunteers and I have decided to put on a women's day program for secondary girls here on National Women's day (March 8th). In this culture girls are expected to marry at 15 and have kids immediately so they can raise a family. Most times education ceases and these young girls are dependent on men(too many times abusive men) for their survival. Here girls are told that they are the inferior sex and arent as intelligent as their male counterparts, which diminshes their aspirations for the future. Also too many times secondary school girls "sell their body" for money for school fees and if they get pregnant they have no future. So I am really passionate about educating girls that they are capable of achieving goals that they have set. We are inviting local women ( a business owner, teacher, police commisioner, tailor and a social worker) to come talk to the girls about how theyovercame the roadblocks that were place to impede their success and how they juggle family and work. Also we are going to have time where the girls can go around and ask questions. I think it is important for young girls to see other women that have broken down cultural expectations so they can have role models and know that since she did, it's possible.

*I started a small program where I allow students to write any question they may have on a piece of paper and give it to me to answer. I have found that many students are too scared to ask me in person because of their lack of english... or because they are embarassed. But thus far I have had an opportunity to educate them on a variety of issues ranging from puberty, to math and america. It's wonderful how inquisite these students are and their desire for knowledge.

* In a few weeks (at the end of march) I will go to my in-service training... I can't believe by that time I would have been here for 6 months. It doesnt seem like that long at all.

* I have made a lot of friends here and I am staring to feel like this is home.... I never thought this day would come.

(Sidenote... I was able to watch the presidential inauguration and honestly I was amazed. I felt like it wasnt true and to see him taking the presidential oath (the same oath peace corps volunteers take) it made me begin to feel optimistic for my future and the direction the country is headed. GOOD JOB AMERICA!!!)

Well I hope all is well in America... I miss you all and please enjoy the snow for me... Winter is my favorite season. :-)

So I guess the real reason for my arrival has began. School is officially open, well it has been for the past two weeks but the first week is just fee payment and cleaning. By the way.... if the tachers in the US had the students doing this kind of cleaning, it wouldnt happen. Students wash the dishes for chai, cut the grass, carry water, and sweep the floors. I teach form one and four mathematics( which is 9th and 12th/college levels.) I am the only teacher for both of those levels so I have 100 students per class!!! Someone please tell me how I am going to teach in a different style than lecture with that many kids! Anywho, thus far I have enjoyed it although I am almost certain that my form one students have no idea what I am saying most of the time! In Tanzania, students are taught in Kiswahili for primary school and in English for secondary school (form one). So this is the first time they have been taught in English... and not even their style of English. Evidently (as I have been told numerous times...) American English is wrong English... Bristish english is correct. But so far they seem to be able to do what's asked of them (besides the mocking of my Kiswahili.) When they do that I just speak in English really fast...haha take that!

Other than school my life has been non-existant. I hang out with an older teacher and her two children (who insist on calling me "dada mzungu ~foreign sister ) and try cooking new things. Today I am learning how to cook beans and cocconut. I dont have the patience (it takes like five hours! By the way any time I go outside or even open my door for that matter, I feel like a superstar! All I hear is DADA! DADA! from about the 8 kids that live by my house... haha, talk about paparazzi!!!I have also been chasing kids away from my passion fruit tree. I am very upset that they are taking all the fruit...it's not even ripe yet! I think I am just goign to cut it down. I have been learning how to garden and to use a njembe (kinda like a shovel and rake in one!) The teachers have been telling me that I should stop because I wont be fat anymore. Here "fatness" is a sign of wealth and fertility. That's probably a good thing that I'm working.... By the way none of my clothes fit anymore...I am sad :-(

Things are good with me... Hope everything is ok back in the states!

Oh yeah, I was able to watch the inauguration!!!! Yay! I was so happy, I almost cried...

I just wanted to say Happy new year to everyone and thanks for all the cards and letters that everyone has sent. I don't have a lot of time but just wanted to say that I had a wonderful christmas and a nice new year.... I miss you all!

So one of my closest friends (Cammie) told me a while ago that my life is random....suprisingly this random lifestyle has followed me half way across the world! So here is a little update on my life:

Well a week ago I was my house was robbed! Yes, it's true and I was kinda pissed. I didn't even know until I went to start cooking dinner and my freaking bowl of veggies were gone! I thought maybe i put them somewhere else in the house (i mean because no one keeps their food in the kitchen..haha) and discovered that about 40,000 Tsh were also missing. Before you freak out thats about 40 dollars, but here that can buy a whole lot! Anywho, I called my headmaster and he comes over and calls the police. They look at me and say Karibu Tanzania (Welcome to TZ) laugh and leave. Later that evening, 3am to be exact the police starts bamming on my door and yelling in Swahilli. Needless to say I was freaked out because 1) My swahilli is coming along slowly and I had no idea all of what they were saying 2)I go to bed about 9pm and 3)who the hell comes over at 3am anyways?!?!? They solved the case, two boys that live next door to me stole it because they hadn't ate in 4 days and they were starving.... who could be mad at them anymore??? I know I wasnt because they didnt take anything really important and I mean they were starving... Although they did get beat by the police because their is a harsh penalty for theft here....most likely resulting in death...sad.

The same day I was robbed I met this prison guard guy on a motorcycle that was helping me translate what the officers were saying. He seemed pretty nice and he would come over and help me buy things in town and find items that I needed. So the other day he strolls by on his pikipiki (motorcyle) and proceeded to convince me to be his 2nd wife... No he is not Muslim but his rationale was that since the world population was 4 women for every one guy he wanted to share his love so that no woman would go to bed at night lonely...haha, I told him how honorable but I refuse to be a second wife. He told me that he would knocked down his first wife and we can trade places... haha, tempting but I told him that I believe one man, one woman....that's all. He basically said that American women are greedy and need to learn how to share....haha

Funny pick up line that I heard:

Random Guy: You should marry me.

Me: Why?

Random Guy: So you can become a real black person....haha

Yesterday, I was washing my sheets and cleaning up because I had some visitors for the holiday season! I was throwing out some trash and next thing I know I look outside and kids are going through my trash and eating any and everything that is "edible". Needless to say I was shocked and saddend because I know there are starving kids in Africa, but seeing it up-close and personal is hard.... I mean hard! They were eating molded and rotten food and I couldn't bear to watch. I had some left over spaghetti that I made, so I gave it to them...they devored it in like 3 seconds... I mean I know I am not supposed to feed them, but I couldnt just look away..could you? (if you say yes, you dont have a heart) I am a lil nervous about the consequences of that though... because i know they are going to start coming over and asking for food....ugh, i think this is the hardest part about being here.... Yea, the "Feed the Children" commericals are real.....

It doesnt feel like christmas... Christmas time is my favorite holiday of the season. Not because of the commercialism of the day but because people pretend to be nice, happy and caring and everything seems to be right! There's family, freinds, snow and christmas treats! This is my first christmas away and its kinda sad really... I love the snow and christmas movies, songs (Dominique you must play "This Christmas" a ridiculous number of times for me !) and general holiday cheer... I think I may go home for next christmas. They played a few christmas songs on the radio yesterday and I was so happy! I do have a small tree and christmas lights ( I couldnt resist) and one of the other volunteers brought his charlie brown christmas cd (Momma I know you would love it!) We were going to concot a Charlie Brown Christmas tree but that would bring more bugs...and I have said before there are many residing in my house as is! haha, I hope everyone has a great holiday season!!!! Luv you all

And someone watch "A christmas story" for me.

So I was freaking out last week, I dont really know why I was so lonely and was about to go insane and not being able to buy a pineapple last week( because of some Muslim Holiday) was about to send me over the edge. I started tearying up and got all depressed... I thought about going home then and there! I kid you not it was sad.... so I ventured to another volunteers site for a bit to try to regain my sanity. She lives in this little itty bitty village called Mgori and it is so different from my site. The are only a few people there and everyone seems so nice, I even got an Muslim name because my name is too hard to say for Tanzanians.... So my new name in Swahilli is Asha... kinda cut huh? We did so many things while we were there.... like we went on this little hike to see these "so-called" ancient drawings and when we got to the top, I feel like I was in the Lion King movie, the part where the dad holds up Simba and the "Circle of Life" song comes on... needless to say it was an amazing veiw! We also tried sugar cane, it was a very interesting thing to try, cuz if you never had it it's basically this branch-like thing that you chew on to get all the tasty sugary substance. It was difficult to eat though because I thought my teeth were going to crack in half... needless to say this was a once in a lifetime experience. Never Again, but it was cool to try once, I love my pearly whites too much! Also we made a pineapple upside down cake using a charcoal jiko. It was so exciting I had no idea that you can bake on it. It's so crazy that I am starting to have the most crazy food cravings...I've never realized how much dairy products we as Americans consume, until I came here and there are no dairy products in site... I NEED CHEESE!!! haha, what I would give for a nice cold glass of milk and some chedder cheese. It's ridiculous some of the food cravings I have.... screw all this healthy good for you crap, I want my processed, artifically flavored, tastey food that I so enjoy...haha, They say all Peace Corps Volunteers conversations revolve around food, sex and poop! I dont know about the the latter, but everytime I see another volunteer we end up talking about all the delicious fooods in the US...it's sad really. But I guess it'll be there when I go back...haha.

Sorry back to my adventures in Mgori. Most of the people in the village are Muslim so we ended up going to Mosque with one of the Volunteers Mommas ( In Tanzania there are different kinds of mommas to get...it's a good thing to have many. Now I have a carrot momma, a tailor momma and a green pepper and tomato momma). It was such an exciting experience, I got all dressed up, rocking the head wrap and the kitenge around the waist. Side note: the kitenge - like a big piece of fabric that has many different purposes (i.e head wrap, waist wrap, used to carry babies (or made into a purse), used to make clothes and to filter water). Any ways, it's was an Awesome experience to go to the Mosque, and I think the Muslim religion is very interesting, although I dont know if I could convert? Also we ended up challenging these two guys to a game of pool ( and if you know me my talents for pool are practically non-existent) and it seemed as if all the males in the village came to watch. It was sad... there were like atleast 30 men watching the other volunteer and I playing pool. It was so embarrassing because needless to say we lost (2-1) but I was later told that we were the first women to ever play pool on that table. It's so weird because the guys play all hours of the day, while the women work. I admire the women here so much, they are really what Alicia Keys talks about in her song ( Superwoman).

So now I am back in town and things are good again. I am going to get a dress made today and go on another ventur to find a water filter ( Mine broke en route to Singida). I hate that i can't find one and the shop that said she would get one for me, I cant find....ARGH... Sometimes things here are so frustrating! Like yesterday I went to the Police station to get the name of the commanding officer and it took like an hour because they had to know where I was from, why I was here (apparently I am not American... I can't be!) and why didnt I have a man escort me to the Police station because I am encapable of being understood. I mean I know my swahilli is barely there but UGH!!! And today I had to go to the immigration office and they were telling me that I am not an American and that I need something to prove that I was ( the copy of my passport wasn't cutting it for them!) I even tried to use the example of Barack Obama and they still didnt believe there were black people in the US! This country pisses me off sometimes.... but I guess everyone goes through it, I just need to suck it up! Well, I guess this is enough randomness venting for now... I'm sure this isnt the most exciting thing to read...haha

Sidenote... I am so sad to learn that one of the people in our class left already. I talked to her before we got here and it was shocking that she decided to go back home... I guess for each it's own. Wish her much luck back in the US! (And eat many good foods for me!!!)

Happy holidays to all! And send me some MAIL!!! I'm Lonely here!!

I guess it's about time for some pics... These are kinda old (from training) but I guess it's better than never! haha...I'm on African time (that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!)

These are random and in no order whatsoever...hope you enjoy!

Me and my host momma and sister at the swearing in ceremony.

Me and my host brother! ( I am so happy that he is moving here for school...yay! (don't worry grandma he is only 16 :-)

Graduation Ceremony with two other volunteers that I talked to before training.

Election day.... We just found out that Barack won... peep the drinks on the table... who cares that it was only 7 am by that time....we were gone...haha. These are my two homies from my group...they are a mess!

this pic is from Mkumi safari that we went on... I put it up just for Kita... I know how much she likes twigas.

This is a pic of my house.... Ballin!!! haha

Oh yeah send me some mail!!! My new address is :

PO BOX 288

Singida, Tanzania

Hanging out in Moshi with some other volunteers!

Training is finally over!! Thank God! Not that I disliked training but I am glad to get away from being treated like a child and like I am incompetent! So I moved to my site I think three days ago and I am beginning to like it. It took 14 hours on a crammed bus to get here, but I was really grateful because it wasn't hot that day. We arrived in the evening and my headmaster suggested that it would be better that I stay in a hotel that night. So that was my last night of a nice warm shower... I moved into my house that next morning and what a pig sty it was. I was glad that I was replacing another volunteer and didnt have to start from scratch, but this place had so much crap in it and looked like it hadn't been cleaned for months.... So I started sweeping the layers of dust from the house and I came across the biggest lizard I ever seen! I started freaking out, I know lizards dont bite but I dont want them(yes i said them because I have found atleast 10 so far taking up residence) living in the house. A student comes over to see what the fuss was about and I tried to tell him to take it outside, so he beats it with a broom and it's all over. Not what I had in mind but Tanzanians don't let stuff go... it's either dead or alive...only one way out!

So the town I live in is quite nice! I can walk from my house to town in about 20mins. I have everything I need here: internet, post office, western item selling shop, and major sokoni (market for produce and other items). I live at the school and compared to other volunteers the mass quantity of lizards and the largest cockroaches that I ever saw in my life who randomly appear are mere child's play to other volunteers that battle scorpions and other scary creatures at their homes. I dont have any direct neigbors but if I walk to the other side of the school there are some wives of a few of the teachers that live near by. I went to visit them yesterday to get out and about and it was very akward because I dont know swahili and they dont know english... we could have a basic conversation and after that it would be over and we would just look at each other. I have met a few cool people here thus far, like the teacher that shows me around and the owner of the internet cafe that I usually go to. People for the most part are nice and decent except for the people in the sokoni that try to charge you 5 times the normal price since you arent Tanzanian.... freaking BS!!! I dont understand...it irritates me so much! Anyways, I met some of the students and they are suprised that I am American and that I am my age. Everyone thinks I am about 15 or 16 and that I am from a different part of Africa...haha

Things are good. I have gotten my PO Box number let me know if you want it! I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving and will be enjoying the christmas season! Love you all!

As you can tell by the title, I have had an interesting past couple of weeks. Like I said before I am moving to the desert and I found out that the guy that I am replacing has left me a hot pink cape... dont even ask. And by the way the first question he asked me was "do you like camels?" How the hell do you answer that? Ummmm, yes I like them when I see them in the zoo?!? Well, come to find out, as I walk to school I will see camels and elephants (and at night there are supposedly heinnas (although this has yet to be confirmed or denied)). What did I get myself into...haha. One good thing is that elephant poop is an excellent fertillizer! Not that it's easy to grow stuff in the desert.....

Anywho, you are probably wondering about the title of this particular entry... A few days ago, I was outside hand washing my clothes in the death-defying heat and this old man who was cutting our bushes stopped to get some water. He mosied on over and asked me where I am from (because clearly I am can't be Tanzanian from the crappy job I am doing washing my clothes). I tell him America and he rubs his chin and asks me if I am an Negro?!? Hmmmmm.... how to answer that question. I mean technically I am because although it is an "frown-upon" word, it means to be black.... but then not really because I'm biracial. So I said no and tried to explain that I was African American and that didnt go over so well.... because how can I be African if I am American (uuugh.... the complicated prefixes that we use to describe everyone who is not white...why not just American!!!!) Anywho... the blessed one (haha..that's what they call barack obama here because barack means "blessed" in Kiswahilli) aided me in my description, because evidently I am too light to have origins from Africa. Since my Swahili is still elementary, I am sure that I did not get him to fully understand that I was an American... he kind of shook his head and said "ok, back to work" haha... but Hamna shida.

So tomorrow is the big day! I will officially be a Peace Corps volunteer! I am so excited and terrified out of my mind. I am so used to being around other people that speak english and having a family to go chill with when I get stressed out that I am a lil nervous about what I am going to do when I am by myself. I know it will be ok, but now I am a little frighten about being in a area all by myself and knowing a small amount of English. It will be good to be in my own place, being able to do things my own way! Although I am sure the moving process is goign to suck terribly! If you were about to send a care package, please hold off until I get my new address, because if not I may not be back to the Peace Corps office for a few months. Seeing that I am moving into a house... if you would like to send Awesome things to decorate my home (nothing too fancy) I would appreciate it! Oh yeah, when you send things PLEASE DO NOT DECLARE EACH INDIVIDUAL ITEM... JUST WRITE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS!! Thanks, it was ok when my things were sent to the Peace Corps office, but now there is no security and resistance from things getting raided... ( Email me in a few weeks and I will send you my address, I cant put it up here)

If you were wondering what kind of things I would like, here is a small list ( but let your mind go wild):

*Peanut butter M&M's

*Ramen noodle packets

*Calender

*Fly swatter

*Pictures

*Magazines

*Juice Packets

*Beef Jerky & other meats( if you ever send something this should be included...thanks :-))

*Spices (Ms. Dash, taco seasoning, dried ranch packets)

*Other Awesome things ( like a nice letter)

But honestly don't feel obligated to send anything... it's great if you do though! So I have found out that we are in Dar on Thanksgiving, so I may give my cousin a call that lives there... hopefully he wont mind. Last time he was out of the country I guess....

It feels so good to move away, because being involved in a big group means you find people that you are too fond of.... but soon they wont be a problem! Oh yeah, my sister is having a baby!!! ( And so are other people but I wont put there business in the street...lol) It's a girl! It's so weird that life is going on without me...people are pregnant, getting married, joining Greek orgs....aghh it's too much! I love you all and keep me posted!

This past week I shadowed a volunteer in a cooler area around Moshi... I loved it, I was cold at night. Her site was amazing (although it was in the mountain... and a quite dangerous hike or daladala ride to her site, which was at the top!) Some of the other volunteers came and they went on a hike down to the waterfall (there was nothing that would convince me to go on an 11 hr hike) and we were able to see Kenya from her house. They even had an British radio station that played American music!! It was absolutley gorgeous!! We went into town and I was able to get American food, I was so excited! And the hostel we stayed in had hot water... It was my first hot shower since I've been in Tanzania. We even went out to a pretty awesome night club that played good music.... although this guy kept dancing with me the whole night and by the end his girlfriend was not too happy.... good thing I dont know Kiswahili...haha.

So I was convinced that I would be going there for my service, but NO! I freaking got stuck in the desert in the central part of Tanzania... I mean it's a fairly awesome site because I have running water, electricity and even a western style toilet ( that's livng the big life in Peace Corps terms). I also only live about a 30min walk to a major town! compared to some other people, I got it made.... so I am not going to complain! I have a fully furnished home and even a refridgerator, so upon arrival I dont need to buy anything.My closest "peace corps" neighbor lives about 100km away...not close at all...haha. But it's crazy because the only specification that I made was that I hate the heat and want to be in a cooler climate... I guess it just wasnt meant to be... Hamna freaking shida!

So that's about all that is new with me... I get sworned in next week, and I will officially be a Peace Corps volunteer... cant believe it!! Write more later...gotta go

Quick Update:

* I am so excited that OBAMA won!!! I can't believe its true... maybe because as of now I feel the US is a distant world that I use to know....

*Last night I cooked spaghetti from scratch... it turned out amazing, my family devored it... it didnt taste like speghetti but it was pretty darn good... (*OH yeah thanks grandma for the pepperoni!)

* We are basically finished with the Kiswahili portion of training...We take our final Language and Oral exam on Monday and Tuesday... wish me luck I am terrified out of my mind!

* Next Wednesday, I get to go "shadow" a volunteer for a couple of days, I'm excited to see some more of Tanzania and take a break from homestay family.... I love them, but I am in the need of change!

*I swear in on Thanksgiving Eve... and move to site Thanksgiving day... I'm a little sad because we wont be able to travel for the first three months and that means Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, Im going to be solo.... not too excited about that.

* I just found out that I have family staying in Tanzania ( to much of your suprise...it's on my white side...lol) I have scheduled to meet him the next time I go to Dar... it's exciting...

That's about it, life's great! I'm out of time... Peace

And the countdown to the end of training begins....

Well, I cant believe that training is almost over... I mean I have 3 weeks left but only more days in the actual classroom. I am so excited!!! I am more excited that I won't have to miss out on the covering of the election... PC has arranged for us to get up as the a$$ crack of dawn and go to a really nice hotel to watchy the results! Im really excited because even though the stupid state of Ohio won't let me vote (its a conspiracy and I know it!) that I will be able to watch as the blue wave of hope sweeps across America! Yes, I said it! Barack is going to win!!! The morning will consist of celebratory drinking at the butt crack of dawn or.... drowning my sorrows ... either way, I'm sure it'll be a day I'll never forget!

So thank you all who have been writing me letters, I feel so loved!!! This past week was really stressful and I was very pissed off at a certain person this past Thursday, so when I received my 5 letters and my box that looked as if they just threw the box off the plane from 15,000 ft in the air, it made my freaking day!! Thank you grandma!!! That box was amazing... I loved the sodoku ,the magazine and coloring books and crayons... Amazing! (oh yeah, i heard that if you use the white flat rate boxes at the post office, it will come in a week...future reference)

Ok, so I guess you want to know whats it been like here, thats the reason you are reading... well, things are going well, just wrapping up my kiswahili lessons. My final test is next tuesday, wish me luck! After my final test, we go to shadow another volunteer and I am very excited!! I love my host momma, but the beans and rice every day is killing me. It will be good to get on my own and live in my own house.... Thank you to all the people that called me this past week and told me how fun Halloween weekend was at OU (while I was either walking to school or in school) that was amazing (SARCASM!)

Well, I love you all and I hope to send out my letters either monday or tuesday!

Hey all, I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to town again and I felt like I should write a bit about whats going on... Well last week I took my Oral and Written language test and they went well... I scored average on my written and intermediate low on my oral (we need to score intermediate high) to swear in. But Hamna shida (no worries), I am busting out my pseudo Kiswahili every day to beef it up a bit! Last week, I was observed teaching and the guy said I did great, and that he thinks I will make a great teacher!! I was so excited, because my students are actually understanding my super slow "special" mix of kiswahili and english. All of the secondary schools are taught in english and I have the pleasure of teaching the kids that just came from primary school (which is taught in kiswahili)... so its exciting that they are actually grasping the information... granted its units but still.... haha. Life has been pretty good, just chit chatting with the fam and making embarassing mistakes with my pronounciation.... I cant barely pronounce english words let alone kiswahili words that are 30 letters long with 4 consanants next to each other... The other day I tried to tell my momma that I wanted a certain type of drink, but I ended up saying that I wanted vigina....haha!!! She looked at me all crazy and busted out laughing, fell out of her chair and proceeded to roll around on the floor.... After 15 mins she said that I need to pronounce my y's.... so yeah... This is tit!

P.S thanks cammie for reminding me more about american food... what i would give for some chicken and broccoli alfredo..... or actually anything that is not ughali, rice, potatoes and fish.... As I will say again... the food is suspect! haha

Oh the pic is from our trip to Mkume... peep the "daladala" on the gansta lean... we def. rode there with no brakes (no, seriously) for 3 hours( with 29 ppl on a 19 passenger bus).... I guess this is Peace Corps... What doesnt kill you makes you stronger...or so I've heard!

Hey all just wanted to give a quick update. Sorry I havent been able to update as often as I would like I live about a 35 min daladala ride from the town's internet cafe plus a mile walk to get to the actuyal daladala stand. Not the transportation that I want to do weekly (google it!). Well life has been going well it is week five and we just came back from Mikume park where I took some amazing pics.. I will update as soon as possible. My kiswahilli learning is going well... I was struggling at first but being in a ost family that does not speak english has forced me to really learn the language. I took my mid-exam on friday and the trainers said I was pretty awesome!!!My host mama is awesome..but sadly she as malaria now and is very very anal about everyting so i wont get it.... I get tucked in at night!! haha. I have been teachign for the past week and its going pretty well... although I feel horrible when the students ask me a question because it takes me about 5mins to even understand what tey are asking(and they are speaking english!!) Thus far I have lost about 15 lbs so I am pretty pumped although my mama is freaking out!! I am having the worst time adjusting to the food...very greasy and without spices of any kind... I was fooled at all of those OU African Celebrations that had spicy food!! haha.. well life is great. My swearing in date is on thanksgiving so while you all are eating thanksgiving goodness i will be making the most irrational and crazy decision of my life! Haha... its really great and I would love to hear from you all! Feel free and even slightly obligated to call me... Grandma and Monica Chillious have my number... so I am ordering everyone to make it happpen! The best time is 11pm - 1am and 11am -1pm (US TIME) I got to bed about 8pm. Also a letter would be nice... I am like the only one that doesnt get any mail I look like an orphan (guilt trip I hope it works)... so step it up!!! If you are really fancy and want to send a package here is my wish list:

Beef Jerky (seriously)

powder soup (chicken noodle)

mm's (any and every kind)

camp fan (runs by winding up... the mosquito nets are like heat trappers)

bbq sauce (dont judge me)

skittles/starburst

... and anything else you think i would enjoy!

Love you all and I miss you!! I still cant believe I am actually here.

Random fact I've learned: I am very very allergic to citrus.... funny story

I just wanted to let everyone know that we arrived safely last night. I am safe and sound and am just going through training. Please write me letters, I hope to be in contact with some of you soon! I will have internet access for the next few days, so you can send me an email at sk338303@ohio.edu or facebook me! I will be leaving to go stay with my homestay family on Sunday!!! Whoooo hooo

Oh yeah, Tanzania is beautiful....the people are so nice and I even have electricity, an indoor shower and standard US toilet in my room (it's kinda random that the shower has no curtain or isnt separated from the toilet, just a drain by the toilet). Oh well, it works and I had an AWESOME!!! shower this morning after my 30 something hour flight! I slept pretty well lasty night, although when the lights go off...it's dark, I mean really dark! It's cool though because I have my handy dandy shake flashlight, lets hope I dont get carpal tunnel from this.... haha :-)

I love you all and hope to talk to you soon!

As of 6:30am I will officially be off to my new adventure! I just wanted to tell everyone a final goodbye and that I love you all. I prob won't be able to have access to the phone or internet for the first week so I wont be able to call, but DONT worry!!! No news is good news (as the Peace Corps says). Well I gotta go. Off to Tanzania!!!

P.S. Aunt Judy please keep grandma from worrying too much! :-) I love you!

The time is getting closer and closer....

I am so excited!! For the past few days, I havent been doing much but packing, unpacking, trying to eliminate 10lbs from my luggage and studying swahili (which I have about 15 more hours to do...haha) I really need to get this procrastination tendency out of my system (which going to Africa is probably not the best place to go to alleviate this behavior...oh well)

I just received my Peace Corps Address, so if anyone wants to write (PLEASE DO!!!) here it is:

Stephanie Kimber/PCT

c/o Peace Corps Director

P.O. Box 9123

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Via Air Mail

* This will be my address until December 2008, I believe.... Thanks for anything you send!

Here are a few tips that I "borrowed" from another Peace Corps Volunteers blog:

For letters and packages be sure to put "Air Mail" on the front.

1) As I may have to pay a duty on packages that are too heavy, please keep the weight to around 5 pounds maximum.

2) Padded mailing envelopes seem to have the best arrival success rate.

3) When filling out the international declaration slip, you don't necessarily need to write exactly what is in the package. Certain contents are more likely to be stolen, so just writing "educational materials" or "feminine hygiene products" may ensure the package's safe arrival.

4) Again, on the international declaration slip, please do not declare the total value of the items as any amount over $10, regardless of the actual total value.

5) Other random helpful hints: write religious phrases on the packages, include "sister" before my name when addressing the package and/or use red ink & be sure to write "Air Mail" on the package.

6) Please remove as much of the packaging that the item(s) come in as possible before shipping them. It'll help reduce the weight for you & waste for me.

7) Any packages over 4 pounds cannot be mailed 1st class, but must be mailed priority. The post office has "flat rate international" boxes that may be cheaper for heavier packages, otherwise, keep them under 4 pounds & send them 1st class.

8) Finally, sending several small care packages throughout the year does much more to boost morale then one large package once a year.

I will miss you all terribly (atleast some...haha) so please write if you have the opportunity. I've heard its about 92 cents to send a letter, so please start counting those pennies!

Luv you all and the next post will probably be from Tanzania!!! Whooo hoooo

About a week ago I received my staging kit!!!! I am so excited because now it seems all real... although the mini-walmart that is pilled up on my dining room table is also a good indication! I have bought so many items, but still feel as though I am unprepared...besides the two year supply of purell and spray sanitizers. I feel kinda bad about the abundance of money I am pouring out to buy "neccessities" for my travel to a third-world country. I am curious if this is a common thought of pcv?

Well, I am leaving early September 14 for Philly to began this new adventure! I still have a million things to buy/pack, before then so I need to step up my pace... but I am trying to take full advantage of all the AC and running water that I possibly can before leaving. Oh, how I will miss those amenities.

Strangely, I am not a scared/anxious or even nervous as I thought I would be. I am so ready for this change of life that I am more excited than anything. I hope that at staging I will find some people to talk to?!? That's what I'm a little nervous about. Family and friends, think I must be out of my mind to do this, but I'm sure that's what every pcv family and friends think! It's such an awesome experience, and I feel so honored to be able to take part in it.

Also, this little hiatus will give me ample opportunity to figure out what I want to do with my life. I went from wanting to going into aerospace engineering to teaching mathematics then to creating a college prep program that focuses in math and science. While I was away from engineering, I miss that challenge and frustration that would keep me up to the weee hours in Alden drinking energy drinks and threating to pull out my hair. I can't believe that I would have missed it as much as I do, so now I am thinking of doing something in ergonomics? I feel like everything was just too easily figured out the last few months of school and although I enjoyed it, I dont know if it will satisfy my curiousity and need for achievement later in life? But, I am sure that my time with the Peace Corps will surely serve as a time where I can ascertain the direction of my future....atleast I hope!!

One thing I do know though is that this experience will show me what I am made of and allow me the opportunity to learn more about myself in the next twenty seven months than I have had in the past twenty three years.

I will post my address on facebook and send it out to family and friends. Please try to write if you have time! I would love to keep up with what's all going back in the states and how everyone is doing...besides I will have no tv, internet(atleast not often) or the craziness of all my friends and family to keep me entertained! Also, post on the blog if you would like, I appreciate your words of encouragement!

I am so excited!!! On Monday, June 02, 2008, I received my placement for Peace Corps! I will be working in Tanzania, teaching Secondary Mathematics!! I leave Sept. 15, 2008 and return December 2010. I have researched the country a little and have found out that it is completely amazing and that I am lucky to get placed there. I've heard the people there are the most kind and gracious people you will ever meet! All of my International friends keep telling me that I will have a life-changing and wonderful experience there ( I hope they're right! ). I am so ready to leave, I wish I could go tomorrow...but I guess I need to finish this quarter and graduate, which reminds maybe I should get back to doing some work?

Only 10 days to go until graduation!!! Whoooo hooo