so much to do

between finding the right, well everything, finishing up scool, and working, im f**king exhausted. (the stars are the moms idea).

things ive needed to endlessly research (on a serious budget) to make sure im not left stranded without these essentials (not to living but to relative comfort and such):

backpack
camera
mp3 player
laptop battery
shortwave radio
quick dry towel
mass quantities of certain toiletries at lowered prices

(really, these are only the largest and most obvious of hundreds of things)

the mp3 player has been my greatest annoyance lately. battery life, mac compatiblity, cheapness, and realtive stablility are some of the main factors. Lord knows having the music I love in a foreign land is not something frivolous. It will be a great source of strength and support.

It takes so so so so so so much effort to get ready for the peace corps. especially because i have my hands completely full as it is. I still have to move out of my apartment, too.

And the paperwork! oh the paperwork. I wonder just how many forms volunteers fill out by the end of service. How many pgaes-- my guess as for where I am right now (the process began almost a year ago) is something like 500 pages. Many of which took original thought

GOOD NEWS: The staging is in Atnalta. One of my best friends lives there and will be able to pick me up upon arrival at 9 am. Then we have 4 hours to hang out until staging (orientation) begins, which lasts about 2 days.

Then there is a straight flight to Dakar, Senegal. From there onwards to Theis we go, where we will have training (cultural, technical, and language) for a few months, then off to service for 2 years.

The thought of cultural training excites my inner core. THAT is what im going for and already know a lot about. (oh midwesterners ending sentences with prepositions).

Technical of course will be wonderful because it will help me with my work, which is why the peace corps needs me there.

Language-- this is what im most nervous about. (there it is again!) Because I rely so heavily on my ability to communicate effectively (I am graduating with a degree in Business organizational COMMUNICATION afterall), I am nervous about the fact that I will sound like a 3 year old to most of the people there. So, here's to hoping I can buckle down and learn french! (and maybe Wolof, too).

Anyways, this post is simply a means of escaping the hell that is work today and the hell that will be my final exam in 2 hours.

And also I realize that my mom sent this link to family members who essentially (other than what my mom tells them) are completely uninformed about what I am up to and what I will be doing in the Peace Corps, or even why I am doing it. So I will start to fil in some background information as time goes on.

But the basics for now:
Peace Corps Small Business Counseler (part of the (small enterprise development[SED] sector).
Service is from September 2007-November 2009.
Location: Senegal

I am graduationg from the University of Akron next week with the aforementioned degree and a minor in Professional Writing. If I were to guess, I would get my master's in Intercultural or International Studies in the future. My goal is to live in Asia (maybe SE) and Europe after Senegal. I realize this requires a job, so I am going to work on that as time goes on.

I also realize that experiences involving great change and perserverence modify future ambitions, core beliefs, and source of passion. So, as studying abroad in England led me to Senegal, so I hope Senegal will lead me to my next home. Who knows- I might end up having a real thing for humanitarian work. I really don't know. Which to me, is what it is all about. Pushing myself further than I ever imagined possible..... Though, I really do think all is possible. I guess it is all about just DOING the things I dream of.

Ok, I guess I will study now for my final 2 tests of college.

Cheers,
Claire

P.S. Especially as time goes on, if you do in fact read my blog, I require comments. :)

31 days

Hey Friends,

I was chatting with my friend and fellow PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) today. She is from Kent and is going to Senegal with me at the same time, so that is pretty awesome. Needless to say, we have a lot of similar things to talk about. And one of the things she mentioned was using google blog, so I figured instead of writing a paper due tomorrow, I would set this baby up.

I suppose this is what I will be using throughout my service in Senegal. In the future, once I start writing about PC-related things, I will have to start putting up some PC disclaimers, etc, as they are pretty intense about that.

Mom- get used to come cussing.
Friends- Some of the wilder info will be posted on facebook and myspace.

This is my general site that those of you who are concerned about my safety and those who are just generally interested in my daily happenings, can look at to be rest assured and entertained.

So, here it is- My Peace Corps Blog!

Just about 4 weeks until I head out of Akron. It could not come sooner, but at the same time I need every last second to do all of the necessary things and spend time with all of my friends.

Ciao.

And I guess sometimes they say stuff like "in the bond", but I think thats just for us PCVs....

So, for now...Au revoir!