Zambia at a glance

So I've gotten some pictures of what my life might possibly look like and entail the next few years.

Such beautiful colours. This is the typical women's wear, so I'm basically not packing any clothes from home, as this is what I'm expected (and excited!) to wear while in the village.

They told me to start doing back strengthening exercises because I will be doing a lot of labor and bending over, which is really rough on volunteers backs. (I think they missed the part in my medical paperwork that states I've broken bones all throughout my Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Spine, and within the last 3 years!) ;) I will be bending over the fire to cook, work in the fields, carry large/heavy objects, as well as sitting on short stools. 

Baby wearing!! Of which I am a huge advocate. Actually, I just put this up because I think they are such beautiful people. And I keep reading about how lively, welcoming, and warm they are. Past volunteers say that you go past a village or a hut, and you see all the women together just singing and laughing as they work away. 

Another reason to strengthen my neck & back before I go! 

Look at all the colours!!!!

The basic terrain, also gorgeous.

That's where Zambia is located. There are many reasons that I'm excited to be here, but the # 1 thing on my "Africa Bucket list" is to go to the Victoria Falls, which are located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe (which is the country directly south and the middle of Zambia). Zambia is roughly the size of Texas. Also, I'm just a hop skip and jump across some water to Madagascar, which is somewhere that I'd love to go. Being in Africa will hopefully open up more travel opportunities- although I know that's not the reason that I'm going. I WANNA SEE IT ALL!!

Those are the Victoria Falls. Look it up, so gorgeous. And massive. I'll be fairly close to Victoria Falls, maybe a few days travel by bike, foot, and hitch hiking! But it sounds like I'll be able to see tons of magnificent waterfalls throughout the surrounding areas of where I'll be living. 

And my future home & bike :0)

Geography/Climate

"Zambia is a landlocked country positioned in southern 

Africa and is bordered by the countries of Botswana, Angola, 

Namibia, D.R.O.C., Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, and 

Zimbabwe. It is located south of the Equator and is in both 

the eastern and southern hemispheres. 

Most of the country consists of a wide plateau with some 

scattered mountains. Though located in the tropical latitudes, 

the general height of the land gives Zambia a more pleasant 

climate with relatively low humidity. There are three 

seasons—cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry from 

September to November, and warm and wet from December 

to April. Only in the valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa is 

there excessive heat."

As my welcome letter said, "Welcome to the real Africa!!"

Some more information

I have sooo many folders of paperwork to go through, aspiration statements to write, a resume` to update, passports and visa's to apply for, vaccines to get, reading to do- and not enough days to do it in.

On top of that, I have 13 clients to let know I'll be leaving in two months, and will possibly have to spend time training new therapists. Ending my self-sustaining job. Packing-- what do you pack for 2 years in rural Africa!?! My truck to think of, setting up my cat, Chica Bella, with a new home, and every thing else that goes with getting ready to move to a new country and have no communication for two years. People to say "see you later" to. AND GOING AWAY PARTIES TO THROW! ;) 

But I'm thankful to take breaks from it all and be able to sit and document all that I'm going through- the overwhelming emotions that have been surging through my body the last day and a half, imagining what my life is going to be like. And you know what? Instead of freaking out, the more I read about it, the more excited I become. So I thought I'd share some more information with you all about what I'll be doing.

So if you didn't watch the video of me opening my little blue Peace Corps package, and you haven't caught on to where I'm going yet- I'll be in Zambia. It is a Health Program, and my job title is Community Health Development Extensionist. I go to staging on July 17, 2012, and will depart the U.S. for Kabulonga, Lusaka, Zambia, Africa on July 19, 2012. After three months of training with my fellow PCT's (Peace Corps Trainees), those of us staying will swear in on October 6, 2012 (my 23rd birthday [yes, I'm only 22]).  My dates of service as a Peace Corps Volunteer would be Oct. 6, 2012- Oct. 5, 2014, but that's subject to change (depending on if the world ends in Dec??).

My project is to assist Rural Zambians in being health and empowered to promote appropriate and sustainable strategies that mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS and malaria, improve food security and address other local health priorities. I am the fourth group of volunteers that will be working on this project- so I will be coming on to an already developed/developing project. A lot of it will be skills transfer, leading by living in a healthy lifestyle, teaching and meeting with different groups of people in villages all around, out in the fields, or with young children.

My coverage area will be roughly 20km, and I will be given an all-terrain bicycle as my main transportation (it's either that or walking! no public transportation.. unless I tame a zebra or something). I will be posted in a remote village, but will be working ~20k+ to and from my job sites each day. English is spoken in Zambia, but I will be out in remote areas where they speak their village languages.

I will be living in a village earthen house with a thatched roof, lit by kerosene lamps or candles. I will cook my meals over a wood or charcoal fire. I will need to carry my water from as far as 30 minutes away by foot, and will need to treat and filter it. I may be 100km from the next PCV. Transportation to the capitol city could take 1-2 days, and I will be traveling on trucks carrying livestock or produce, or hitching rides in the missionary vehicles.

I will be eating, primarily, nshima (cornmeal porridge), cabbage, and kapenta (dried fish), as well as other staple foods like local leaf sauces and smoked fish. Fruits such as mangoes, guavas, and especially bananas, can be found commonly everywhere, but mangoes are seasonal; vegetable variety is generally good, but can be seasonally difficult, and meat is not readily available for Volunteers while at their site. I will be able to plant my own vegetable garden- which will allow me to help teach about healthy living to the people of my village/community.

They have told me that I must be aware of the high emotional toll that disease, death, and violence can have on me as a Volunteer. I will be developing relationships with local people who might die during my service. A lot of people where I will be living will have HIV/AIDS, but I will also be seeing malaria and malnutrition, and may possibly encounter motor vehicle accidents, domestic violence and corporal punishment. Having to see all this and, of course, maintain my own emotional strength so that I can continue to be of positive service in my community.


Now: the part that I really want to share. They sent me some stories from volunteers that have served where I will be, and I'd like to share one that I really liked.

Upon arriving in Zambia on June 17, 2007, I knew that my life would never be the same. I had accepted my assignment to become a Peace Corps Zambia Volunteer with both excitement and anxiety, knowing that I had the motivation to work hard but feeling nervous about the physical and mental challenges of living in rural Africa. However, once I stepped off the plane and inhaled my first breath of Zambian air, I felt that I had made the right decision. Something told me that all of the difficulties I would face would be worthwhile, and after spending a year and a half in this beautiful, mysterious country, I can say that my initial instinct was correct. I could not have imagined a more fulfilling, enriching, or worthwhile experience than serving as a Peace Corps Zambia Volunteer.

I reside in one of the most rural villages in the country, well over 1,00 km from the capital Lusaka and a solid day's travel from the provincial capital, where the nearest supermarket stands. My house is a modest structure made of mud brick and a grass thatched roof, and I cook over charcoal and bathe out of a bucket. I usually ride my bicycle between 20 and 60 km in a day to get to my meetings and do my shopping, and I run all of my meetings using the local language, as few people near me speak any English. I read by candlelight, wake up with the sun, and often come back to my hut at night, exhausted from a full day. When I leave my village, I do so through a combination of cycling and hitch-hiking, usually meeting some of the most kind and interesting people I have ever encountered along the way.

My service has been full of emotional ups and downs, with the "ups" being some of the happiest moments in my life, while the "downs" being some of the most saddest and frustrating. I've biked long distances in the pouring rain arriving covered in mud only to find out that no one had showed up to my meeting; I've sat next to a mother writhing in pain as she wailed in mourning over the loss of her child; I've witnessed firsthand the ravaging effects that HIV and malaria can have on a community; and I've lived surrounded by some of the worst hunger, malnutrition, disease, and poverty in the world. But I've also held a woman's hand as she cried for joy when she found out she was HIV negative; I've stayed up all night dancing in sacred traditional ceremonies where women celebrate their upcoming marriages; I've seen night skies with more stars than I knew existed, beautiful sunrises explode over vast flood plains, and huge waterfalls crash through dense foliage to land on pristine, untouched ponds; and I've organized events where hundreds of people received health education, were tested for HIV, learned skills to improve their food security, and became empowered to help themselves.

Joining the Peace Corps is a big decision to make, but it will probably be the greatest thing to happen in your life. The things I've seen, the people I've met, and the lessons I've learned have shaped who I've become throughout this experience, and I know I'll return to America a more perceptive and well-rounded citizen. As an avid lover of everything this country has to offer, let me be the first to welcome you to Zambia and to the toughest job you'll ever love. 

-Nancy Ringel

HAP 07

So yea, I think "pretty stoked" explains how I feel right now.

A quick break for a few thoughts.

So all of last night and today I've been on such an adrenaline rush and high. I'm super excited at the moment, but I'm guessing this will start waring down soon and I'll realize what I've signed myself up for and freak out ;) I think I'm a very strong person-mentally, physically, emotionally- and am fully capable of living in the conditions that I will be in and putting myself at risk for certain things. I have been taking, and still am, a Women Against Rape self defense class- where we are put in real attack situations, and are taught to be able to defend ourselves, seriously injure the attacker, and get away from many different situations safely. I have learned and am continuing to learn SO much, and I notice that I'm now practicing the safety tips they give us in my every day life; whether it's always getting to my car and locked inside quickly, scanning people, my surroundings, and cars more to make mental notes, letting friends know when I'm going somewhere like a on run by myself, and when I'm expected to be back to my phone, not running at night or taking certain alienated trails anymore, etc. I'm so thankful that I'm taking this class, and I think it should be taught to every woman and girl. I am confident that I will be able to defend myself and be safe. I'm concerned about being light skinned, light eyed, and light haired in a village that might not be used to that. I acknowledge that I could be a target for many different things. I realize the risks that I am taking. But I believe in myself. And I believe that what I'll be doing and experiencing will far outweigh those risks, and this will the be experience of a life time.

8 weeks from now. 8 weeks and two days to be precise. And I'll be gone for 27 months. Literally falling off the face of the planet, but I hope not!! I will try to get in touch and keep everyone updated throughout. But I would LOVE if people wrote me letters!!!! It will take 4-6 weeks to get to a main hub, and I'll probably be able to go in to the capital city (50km from my village, 30km bike ride and then I'll have to hitchhike from a road on a motorcycle or the back of a livestock pick-up truck for the last 20km) at least once a month. They said it could take 1-2 days to make it in to Lusaka, which is where I will be able to pick up mail and have very limited access to e-mail. I hope I will be able to update my blog.

What I think would be awesome and really help me with homesickness, is if, when I do make these treks in to collect mail and get online, I came and was to pick up a TON of letters!!! I want people to write to me about life back home, draw me pictures, whatever. Just no packages, because that is extremely expensive and they are often opened and stolen. I have a feeling I'll have a lot of down time in my 'hut', and will love having people to write back to when I have no other means of communication for 2+ years. I will give an updated address later, after I'm placed in my final site. The first three (3) months while I'm there and in training, this is my address:

Caitlin M. Ambrosia/PCT
Peace Corps
P.O. Box 50707
Lusaka, Zambia

I leave on July 17 for Zambia!!!

And the verdict is....

I feel that this is the best way to share with everyone at the same time. It took me a while to post because I wanted to talk to family first! But I was able to share in the excitement with some of my really great friends, and am so thankful to have such amazing support!!! Yes this was done whilst celebrating with wine, so I apologize for any silliness that might appear ;) JK, it was perfect. Except my camera ran out of memory... and it got shut off about half way through. So here's just a little bit of my future!

Without further adieu:
(Fast forward at least a minute to miss most of the clatter of trying to start off and the silliness)

It got cut off... I'll explain more later, but here's another minute:

All I have time for at the moment- gotta hit the road for a 6 hour drive!!!

Cheers, friends, and thanks for all of the support & kind words!! This is going to be extremely difficult to do, but I know I've got so much love coming from back home and around the world.

The Peace Corps Process

I've been debating for a while on where & when to start writing in my blog. I was going to wait until I got my official invitation in the mail, so that I could share where & when I'll be leaving, but that's just taking way too long!

Back in the beginning of 2009, after speaking with one of my flatmates/neighbors while living in Ireland about the Peace Corps on a few occasions, I decided to start my application process and begin looking into it more. I was still in college, and I had other plans, but this was something that was in the back of my mind. It wasn't until June 28th, 2011 that I finally submitted my application. My friends that were already serving or were about to leave for their service told me that I just had to ride the waves from here on out, and that's exactly what I needed to do. The application process is tedious. It's long. It's invasive. And there is a crapton of waiting without knowing. Nearly a year later, and I'm still just riding the waves, taking what they give me as it comes.

After turning in my application last year, I was called for a phone interview. Since the recruiter liked me at this stage and after looking over my 27 pg application, she called me in for a 2 hour, face-to-face interview. For me, the PC recruiting office is in Oakland, in the Gov't Federal Building. That was super intimidating! So was having everything recorded, and being watched by so many people. At the end of the interview process, my recruiter told me that she wanted to nominate me for a Health Program in Sub-Saharan Africa. She said that this program would have an emphasis in HIV/AIDs work, and suggested that I get at least 3-months of volunteer experience in the field. I was sent on my way, was told to never wear jeans to an interview with the government (oops!) again. In September, my nomination for South Africa was sent to me, along with a multitude of health forms and questionnaires.

The next few months of trying to complete everything they asked health-wise was pretty trying. If you're healthy- it should be a breeze! If one little thing sparks interest, they want to know absolutely everything about it. And with me and all of my health anomalies, they wanted to know absolutely everything about everything. They give you about 200 dollars to cover physical fees and such while filling out the paperwork, but because of what they required from me, we ended up with a couple thousand in medical bills. All for me to get medically rejected, lose hope, and then get medically approved 6 months later. For the longest time I was thinking: Crap, I don't really have a Plan B. Everything I've been doing and working towards was riding on me leaving with the Peace Corps; I thought I was a sure thing, done deal.

Thankfully, in early March, I got an email saying that I passed my medical clearance, and I was in the placement process! This usually means a few more months of waiting- they'll call you, ask you some more questions, have you send them more essay's, resume's, they'll compare you to other applicants, etc. I was waiting for a phone call for the next step in the process when BAM! He called me and asked me if I'd be ready to go in a month- He had a program he needed to fill immediately and asked if I'd be ready to go. I went from thinking I still had many more months and steps to go, to "holy crap I might leave in a month".

He told me he had a program to fill in Asia- where I'd be working with youth, doing development, and still doing HIV/AIDs and a health program. Everything right up my alley. I found a website where you can check which programs are leaving & when with the PC (They won't tell you which countries because 1. They don't want you to get your hopes up & 2. They don't want you to start researching a country and getting the wrong expectations, or only seeing it from a tourist point of view.) So I looked at which programs would be leaving for Asia within the time frame he gave me and the results were Cambodia or The Philippines. SUPER STOKED!!! Even though they told me in Sept. that I'd be going Africa, and I really am okay with going anywhere, when he told me Asia I got so excited. I love both Cambodian and Philippino cultures, & food! +, Cambodia would border Thailand which is the #1 place I want to travel to, and Philippines would be on a tropical island. Man, it would have been perfect.

Unfortunately, as the PC teaches you, things don't always go as planned. My placement officer promised me I'd be receiving my invitation for Asia the upcoming Wednesday. Wed came, invitation didn't. Thurs came, invitation didn't. Fri came, invitation didn't. Same on Saturday. Monday comes around and I email him, in which he responds that he has "(good) news" for me. Oh no, he didn't send me to Asia.

As of right now, I'm leaving for Africa in July. The three programs leaving that month go to South Africa, Togo, or Zambia. I'm supposed to be seeing my official invitation in the mail within the next two weeks. It's the Peace Corps, we'll see if that actually happens, and if I end up there. But I'm pretty sure it's Africa, since I now have 7 months of HIV/AIDs experience and training under my belt! The official invitation will tell me exactly where I'm going, the exact date I'm leaving, and the job that I will be doing. However, it could always change, so I won't believe it until I'm on the plane and landing in the country!

Wherever I go, I'll be happy. I want to see the world. I want to learn about everyone, everything. I want to do it all, experience it all. I'm just excited to leave- I don't care where to!

FAQ's

I think the best way to explain a lot of why I'm doing what I'm doing, is to post up some of the application questions that the PC asks, and what my responses are to them. Please, if you're currently going through the Peace Corps process, use your own answers and reasons, not my responses. Everyone does things for their own unique reasons, and I respect that. I understand that a lot of people don't support what I'm doing or the way that I chose to live my life- but that's okay because I probably don't support yours either ;) JK- Do what you do, and do what makes you happy! As long as you're not hurting others in the process, then everyone is entitled to live how they want. Don't worry, I'll change the world for you :0) But here: you can see my thought process behind a lot of how I'll be spending the next 27 months.

Re: My Reasons for Wanting to Serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer

- One of my most prominent attributes is my innate capacity for serving others. I believe that certain people are born to do certain things, and I was lucky enough to have an inherent characteristic of compassion for others and a desire to serve those who occupy the same planet as me. Since I was little, volunteering was something that I just simply did. It wasn’t asked of me, it wasn’t even presented to me by my parents or peers as a good thing to do; it was something I picked up on by myself and enjoyed doing. Whether it was spending my recesses and summers helping out in the Special Education classroom at my elementary school, or walking across the road to the nursing homes to spend my afternoons playing BINGO and assisting the elderly, caring for others was what I loved. As I’ve grown, my passion for service has also grown tremendously. 

 I’ve had some amazing opportunities to serve abroad and within my country through my University during both my winter and spring breaks. After graduating, I chose to travel to Brazil to volunteer for a few months in a Children’s Discovery Museum. I’ve been fortunate to travel to third world countries and experience what it means to live with no running water, electricity, and the privileges and freedoms that many so often take for granted in the United States. Even with my current jobs, I’m engaged in serving children with developmental disabilities and youth with behavior difficulties, and work towards making their lives the best that they can be while encouraging positive actions within their communities. My dream has always been to live abroad, preferably in a third world country, and serve populations with developmental disabilities. I plan on obtaining a Masters Degree in Disability Studies and, later, a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy, then using my knowledge as a tool to help others. 

 Of the Peace Corps 10 Core Expectations, I expect to find initial difficulty in the length of time I’d be away from home. While nervous at first, I know that with positive coping methods, such as sharing my experiences and writing about the work we’re doing while engaging with those whom I’m working with as well as integrating myself into the culture with respect and the desire to both learn and teach, I’ll be able to put aside feelings of being homesick.  

Being able to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer has been on my mind for many years, and I feel that I’m at a point in my life now where I can fully professionally, emotionally, physically, and mentally commit to 27 months abroad of service to others. I understand that it will be draining and tough at times, but I feel that my past service trips to other countries have prepared me for any hardships I may encounter. I’m ready and willing to put my whole self forward, to step outside of my comfort zones, and continue to live my life benefiting others and improving their quality of life. Service is what truly makes me happy.

Re: What challenges I have faced while living/working in an environment different than my own:

-One of my ambitions in life is to place myself outside of my comfort zone as often as possible, and really delve into others cultures to experience how they truly live and what their cultural norms are. One of the most important things that I’ve learned when traveling or going to serve is that flexibility is key. I feel that you can’t go into a situation with too many expectations, because you’re either going to be let down, or your expectations are going to be far surpassed. In traveling to Romania to serve through United Planet, I had expectations of the sort of work I’d be doing, but it turned out completely different. For what they expected of us, we didn’t have any of the needed materials, and we had to learn quickly to just go with the flow and make do with what minimal supplies we had. I had to improvise, take initiative, and be extremely creative. Coming out of that, I learned that you can never fully be prepared for any situation, and you have to be able to easily switch gears without anger or frustration when things don’t go as planned. At the age of 21, I’ve been extremely fortunate to travel to as many countries as I have. I believe that by deciding to move to a different country on my own, where I wouldn’t know anyone, was a huge risk that forced me to grow tremendously as a person. In living with strangers of all different backgrounds, I’ve learned to never make pre-judgments, and to go into situations with an open mind and open heart. I’ve learned that confidence is a necessity if one expects to fully learn about a culture; because you have to be confident enough to put yourself out there and actively yearn to be involved and live their lives.
I’ve definitely faced challenges with trust. Trust that my personal items are safe, trust that I’m safe in my community, and trust that others will be accepting of my presence there. Being North American, I’ve felt hostility from others while traveling, because of their stereotypes of my culture. I have to remember that a lot of this is fear of the unknown, on both parts, so it’s important to both learn and teach. I’ve learned not to impose my own ideas or norms; just because I believe in a certain lifestyle or do things a certain way doesn’t mean that it is the right way or the only way. The purpose of my travels abroad, service or not, have always been to truly get to know another culture and way of life; while sharing with them my own knowledge and experiences. Everyone has a story to tell, and everyone needs an opportunity to tell it.

Re: Site placement & living conditions

-I am willing to go anywhere there is a need for me. I have a desire to see and travel the entire world, no country excluded. That said, I’m very geographically flexible. I’m so excited to learn from and live like another culture somewhere else in the world. I’m grateful that time is spent with host families, to help ease into things, but I’d love to challenge myself in new ways and experience an entirely different lifestyle- so I’d definitely be ready to serve somewhere with little-to-no amenities, such as electricity, running water, and an indoor toilet. I'm prepared to serve in a site that is isolated and/or a significant distance from other PCV's. I'm able to meet physical challenges, including carrying a bucket of water for up to ten minutes; walking up to five miles per day; bicycling ten miles per day on rough terrain.  All I wish to do is learn, teach, and inspire; and I’m excited that I get to experience that in a whole new place of the world. Thank you for considering me for “the toughest job I’ll ever love”!

Re: Concerns

 -I’m not sure that I could say I have a single greatest concern. There are things I worry about, like missing out on important events back home, not being around to see my little cousins grow up, missing friends, family, my cat, etc. I’m also concerned with my health- being in a 3^rd World Country with different food preparations, diseases, and water filtration systems. I’m sure that I will encounter things that my immune system won’t know how to fight off. Being a female, safety is a concern, but I am taking preventative classes before leaving. I’ve moved away before, and I’ve dealt with all of these things. I’ve also learned how quickly I’m able to make friends and enjoy time in other places; this is a rare opportunity that not many people get to experience- I think that alone outweighs all other concerns.

Re: Things I've learned while preparing

- I feel that you can never be fully prepared for everything- and I doubt I’ll be able to fully prepare myself for what I’ll be experiencing, but that’s part of the journey! Often times I'm sure I'll feel like there is no work or resources available, or that I'm not accomplishing much, if anything at all. I’ve learned that, as much as you can submerge into a new community, it’s always important to keep your guard up and prepare for the worst. I’ve learned that patience is going to be key- this application process has also shown me that! I’ve also been informed that being able to “just go with the flow” is an important virtue to have. I know that the experience is what you make of it a lot of the time, some people have good stories and some feel as though they didn’t really “change the world" like they envisioned to do. It’s important to keep in mind that this matters, and I matter.

... A lot of people say "27 months- that's a long time!!!!" ... Well, possibly it is. But I'm sure it's going to absolutely fly. And when I moved to Idaho, I committed to 4 years of college there. Even though I wasn't there that long, that was still a long-term commitment. I know Africa and Idaho are a lot different, but I've placed myself out of my comfort zone before, and succeeded. The way I look at it is, I'm young. I have no obligations. No kids to take care of, no family to support. No boyfriend making me think twice about leaving him behind. Now is my time to live, to explore, to travel; to be young, wild, and free! I'm sure I'll miss back home and everyone whose paths I've crossed, but I'm going to be having such an amazing experience, and learning so much. I'll be getting to do things that I wouldn't be able to do in the U.S. I'm so excited about committing to live in a foreign land with foreign people, speak a foreign language, and eat foreign food for the next 27 months of my life!

Any questions you have about... well, anything at all! Feel free to ask. I'm open to talking about everything & anything, with whomever! 

¡Oî!

I'm very fortunate and thankful to have grown up in the Bay Area, especially in the Silicon Valley. It's so extremely diverse, and I was able to learn about different cultures, foods, and languages while growing up. I have friends of all colors and creeds.

Deciding to move to Northern Idaho for college, where I didn't know a single person, really shaped who I am today. I got to see, yet again, another lifestyle. I met some amazing people. I got the opportunity to live in Ireland for a semester and study. And meet more amazing people. Then I had the chance to travel to a small orphanage in Romania, on a service trip with even more amazing people.

Romania changed my life. Romania finalized my belief that this is what I want to do with my life, this is how I want to live: for others.

Being an Idaho Vandal is a huge part of who I am today. Joe Vandal is our Mascot. I have a mini Joe doll. Joe goes with me wherever I go. The Vandals are the reason I'm taking this path with my life. Serving with Joe is the name of my blog. Joe will be traveling with me wherever I go, and hopefully modeling in some pretty cool pictures!

I'm not sure if I'll be able to access internet wherever I am, but I will update this along my 27 month journey with the Peace Corps as often as I can!

Thanks for following :0)