packing list

As I was packing today, my best friend since 4th grade (and a newly wed!), Rosa Martin-Walker, wrote down everything that I've packed for the next two years. So kind of her, look how helpful she's being! Note, she likes the way 'a' sounds rather than '1'.

clothes
a down coat
a hoodie
a sweater/jacket
a rain jacket
a beanie
a scarf
2 pairs of jeans
a pair of black slacks
3 long skirts
3 knee-length skirts
a dress
5 pairs of shorts
a pair of sweat pants
4 pairs of tights
4 long-sleeved shirts
4 sweaters
3 long-sleeved button up shirts
5 t-shirts
4 short-sleeved shirts
4 short-sleeved button up shirts
3 under shirts
swim suit
3 bras
7 sports bras
23 pairs of underwear
16 pairs of socks
2 towels
a traveler’s towel
belt
2 necklaces

hygiene
shampoo/conditioner
Dr. Brownner’s Magic Fair Trade Soap- Lavender
Face wash
Tooth paste
Tooth Brush and case
A spare tooth brush
2 deodorants
Tampons/pads
a razor
razor blades

eye stuff
Contact solution
6 months of contacts
2 contact cases
eye drops
two pairs of glasses with cases

hair things
2 chap sticks
bobby pins
hair ties
a comb
germx

sewing kit
safety pins
tape measure
leather men
hemp/thread
needles
seam ripper
pins
duck tape

medicine kit
vitamins
Midol
Tylenol
Imodium
ex-lax
Tiger Balm
First Aid Kit

art supplies
2 paint brushes
2 pencils
a pencil sharpener
3 tubes of water color
eraser
super glue
xacto knife

books (more to be mailed)
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
July’s People by Nadine Gordimer

miscellaneous
2 journals
A blank notebook
Pictures from home
World map
Texas map
Passport
Texas Post Cards
Peace Corps Files
Baggage Locks
Rosary Beads
Wallet
Water Bottle
Extra Zip-Loc bags
Playing Cards (AMERICA)

electronics
Computer/charger
Cell Phone/charger
Ipod/charger
Camera/Battery Charger
An extra memory card
A memory card (in camera)
Camera case
External Hard Drive
2 flash drives
A memory card reader
Head light

bags
A tote bag
A messenger bag
A day pack
Large Backpack

I really enjoyed packing but I'm glad it's done! I've also really enjoyed spending time at home with my family and friends. I'm going to miss everyone so much.

ridiculous excitement!

I am very excited to share with you the experiences of my 27 month Peace Corps service in beautiful South Africa! (And no, sadly I will not be going to the World Cup.) I want to say thank you to my family, friends, teachers, and all other souls whose influences of friendship, guidance, struggle, support, and love have helped me reach this adventure. Thank you all so much for helping me grow, you're amazing!

I've wanted to join the Peace Corps since I first learned about it from my friend/roomie Laura during our freshman year at Tech. Last September I started the application and by October sent it in. Many thanks to Dr. Chris Smith, Dr. Lynne Morris, and (one day) Dr. Laura Zak for writing those tedious recommendation letters! In November I had a phone interview and received a nomination for an education placement in Africa. I became medically cleared in February. In May (7 months from my application submission) I received an invitation to South Africa as a Resource Specialist in the Schools and Community Resource Program. I didn't mind waiting those 7 months, in fact I really love waiting!

I was so excited when I got my invitation packet in the mail I had to lick it. Thanks Keeley for photographing!

So, what does a Resource Specialist in the Schools and Community Resource Program do exactly? According to the invitation packet my primary duties will be working in either a primary or secondary school (maybe both) assisting teachers in improving teaching, subject content knowledge, and classroom practices. I'll also be teaching, working with the Department of Education, supporting HIV/AIDS awareness and education initiatives, collaborating with the community, and strengthening programs for out of school youth. Until I'm settled in my new home within the coming months I won't really know much more than this.

I will be living in one of two provinces, Mpumalanga or Kwa-Zulu Natal located in the north eastern part of the country. South Africa, in area, is roughly equal to Texas x 2.

Here is some information from the Welcome Letter that I think is pretty cool:

South Africa is a country with a rich history and cultural diversity. Currently, the country has 11 official languages, and each language has a number of regional dialects. Following South Africa's first democratic election in 1994, Archbishop Desmond Tutu named the newly integrated South “the Rainbow Nation” to represent South Africa’s ethnic and cultural diversity.

I'll be leaving for staging (orientation) in Philadelphia on July 12th and for South Africa on the 13th. I'm way too excited to be nervous. Until them I am getting packed, taking care of really fun paper work, painting a mural for a local church, and spending time with family and friends under east Texas skies.