time is flying!

gah! university graduation is 3 weeks from Wednesday and PC staging is 9 weeks from tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to the NYC Peace Corps send off ceremony down at NYU on Saturday. I met 5 RPCVs from Benin, 3 of whom were TEFL volunteers. It was great to talk to them and ask specific questions about clothes, climate, living conditions, etc. They definitely put my mind at easy and told me how the TEFL program is the most established PC program in Benin and that it is very well run. They also told me that there are minimum housing standards and that odds are my house will have a cement floor and walls with a tin roof. Electricity and water supply varies by site but apparently volunteers can voice any specific preferences during training and the staff will try to place people where they will be happiest.

I hope that staging information comes soon. I've heard that it will probably be in Philly, however, I'm kind of hoping it'll be in D.C. so that I can say a last good buy to my sister and a few friends that will be there. We shall see...

I sent out all of the passport/visa, aspiration statement/resume fabulousness last week which is good! I also have a complete mental list of everything I will be packing so I'm feeling good in that department too.

It's somewhat stressful though: I'm very excited, but very terrified. I know what to expect being that this is extended trip #3 to Africa, but I still have some days where I'm so intimidated by the idea of 2 years that all of the exciting parts are overshadowed. I have to work hard to bring myself back to the state of mind that understands that this is what I want to be doing, that 2 years isn't that long when you really think about, that the people I love and care about that are there to support me and will always be there, and that this decision feels right.

I've been spending as much time as possible with friends as I can. Graduation and all awesome senior events have started...for now I'm just trying to soak up as much of my friends, family, and nyc as possible. I will miss them.

The invite is here!

My invite finally came in the mail on Monday! I'm going to Benin! I'm very excited as this was one of the countries I was hoping to be sent to. I've been extraordinarily happy all week and I can't wait to meet the other volunteers going to Benin.

For now it's all about getting the necessary paperwork done and shopping for all the things I want to bring with me while trying to finish up my final semester of school! So busy, but so good.