April 20

Yesterday was April 20th and it was amazing. I was part of a Mud Endeavor, which is a 5K with 18 obstacles. I didn't complete the whole thing, because I lost my glasses a little over half way through. I was so upset about the whole thing. I was on one of the obstacles, which happened to be a slide into a murky pond. As I was entering the pond I went to hold my glasses on and didn't get to them in time. Luckily it was an old pair of glasses, so I didn't really care, except for being blind and unable to see for a few hours. All in all it was a good day and I enjoyed it. I actually signed up for another race on June 22nd. It'll be like my last big thing before leaving July 1st, which is 10 weeks away! I can't believe it.
On a side note, I got my Ethiopia guidebook in the mail yesterday. So now I can study up on the country I will call home!

weekly update

So I doubt I'll have a weekly update from now until I leave, but it would be wonderful. This week I'm realizing there is still a lot for me to do between now and my departure date. I need to begin looking up information on Teaching English as a Foreign Language, information on the country which I will be living in for 27 months, more research on what I should and shouldn't pack or have my parents send over once I get to my sight. I've already started putting things aside that I am going to take with me or have sent later. I'm thinking about footwear and what I'll need. I'm still reading blogs and wondering what my life will be like in just a few short months (11 weeks and 5 days to be exact). If I knew how to work this blog thing better, I would attach some things I have read and found interesting. I guess I just need to explore this thing better. Well that's it for today. Time to research!

12 weeks

12 weeks from tomorrow my journey begins. I'm excited, nervous, impatient, and a hundred other emotions I can't even describe. I've been doing my countless number of medical paperwork. I've already submitted dental x-rays and dental exam, yellow fever, MMR and I think 1 other task. Everything that I am given is called a task and I must complete my medical tasks before May 2nd. I've been trying to get them all finished. I was suppose to go to the gyno in March, but had to cancel. I also tried to get lab work but couldn't because I didn't have a doctors signature, however this week I go to the doctor where hopefully I can get him to fill out everything he needs and get the signature needed for lab work. Then next Monday I have an appointment for the gyno. I just really want to get these tasks submitted and not have to worry about it any more. I still need to get 3 shots, tetanus, polio and chickenpox. I think that's all that's left.
I've been reading blogs and trying to decide if I want to keep this blog or just make a second FB page and update. I know how to work FB better than BlogSpot and I think or at least hope it'll be easier, but I won't know that till I get in country. I got a hiking pack for my birthday from my parents, I just need to learn how to work it and what/where all the compartments are, it's huge and has a million zippers and snaps. I'm making lists of things volunteers suggest/recommend bringing, on top of what PC recommends. I'm still trying to lose weight and watching everything I eat. There's always a million things I'm thinking about, whether it be clothes, sleeping bag, pictures, gifts, what my house will look like, where I'll life for 2 years, and so on.
The month of April has begun with a bang. This past weekend mom, dad, Micheal and I went camping at Lake Manatee State Park. We had a blast. Mom and I decided to spend a week at Myakka in June before I leave. I have something planned every weekend this month. Next Saturday is the Walk for Life, the following Saturday is the Mud Endeavor, and after that Janet comes to town! As of right now, I'll be working 21 days in May with the 29th being my last day. Sis and Brittany leave Texas that morning and should be here around midnight or so. Then I will be heading back to Texas with them on the 3rd and staying until the 11th. From June 11th till June 30th I will be packing, unpacking and repacking to make sure I have everything, along will visiting people and enjoying my time with my family.
I still can't believe that in 12 weeks I'll leave my home and start a JOURNEY that is bound to change my life.
Hopefully before then I decide whether to keep this blog or start a second FB dedicated to my life in Ethiopia!