Well, there is only one more day left until I'm on an airplane and on my way to Uganda. To be honest, I can't even believe that this is about to really happen. It is only just now starting to sink in that I'm really about to go to Africa! I'm slightly terrified and yet excited all rolled into one. My Mom recently told me that she is really proud of me for having the courage to go and that she wishes my grandma and grandpa were here to see me because she knows that they would be proud of me too.
My wonderful boyfriend and friends surprised me last night with a bon voyage dinner at my favorite sushi restaurant. That definitely made me feel really loved and it was fabulous to see my friends before I go. Seeing all my friends before I go was really fabulous. I was able to make some really happy memories that I can take with me on my journey. Since I've been working so much I haven't been able to see anyone cause I've been so tired. However, my friends are awesome and made sure to spend time with me before I depart.
So on today's agenda, I need to do my laundry, finish packing, spend time with my dogs, run a ton of errands and enjoy my new couch. (I did an adult thing and bought a washer/dryer set and new couch before I go.) My feet have been killing me since I've been working so much lately that sitting down on my couch will be so fabulous. Luckily, I convinced my boss to let me have today off. Thank goodness for that cause I really needed today off. I don't think I could have worked another day. However, the job served its purpose because I made easy money before I left.
Recently, I've been emailing with my CT (collaborative teacher) in Uganda and found out that I will be teaching 6th grade science. I couldn't be more ecstatic. When I completed TOSS, I taught 8th grade science and loved it so I'm excited to be able to teach 6th graders now. I really hope that I do a good job teaching because I'm worried I might now. Since I took the summer off I feel like I've somehow forgotten what to do. I'm sure that isn't true but it's what swirling in my head.
Well....I need to begin the process of my last day in the states. Wish me luck and I'll update soon!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
2 Weeks Until Go Time...
So, I realized that it has been a while since I've updated the blog. Trying to still get used to actually keeping track of my life and specifically Uganda updates.
Alright, so as of today, I leave in exactly 2 weeks. The time is ticking away and I'm scrambling trying to prepare myself. Good news though, I was able to obtain a cell phone from Natalie (who has already been to Uganda and will be there upon my arrival). Of course, I wanted to add a picture of the phone because it is super high tech, but I can't find it. Therefore, I'll be digging for it again when I'm finished with this blog.
Tomorrow, I'm scheduled for another round of my Hepatitis A & B shot. That will be fun. After the shots though, I'll be working. Yes, that is right. Working. I picked up a seasonal job at the bookstore across the street from KSU. Actually, I'm glad to have a job cause I need money. I mean, I'm a broke college student (and I'm not 22) and I'm about to head to Africa. A job is really a wonderful thing at the moment. However, I'm not used to working so even though the job is not hard, it's still rough. At least I have the opportunity to make money though.
Here is something random. I bought my malaria medicine from India. I hope that it won't be a problem. I'd image not, but you know, it is medicine from India. It was super cheap and since I don't have insurance, it seemed worth it. Hopefully nothing will go awry. Speaking of medicine, I think I got everything ready to go. All my medicine has been picked up and is ready to go and just the last shot for tomorrow.
My biggest worry is just my dogs.
I mean, look at these cute boys! I'm worried to leave them for 3 months but I know that Shane will do a good job taking care of them.
Well, I think I'm done blogging for now. I'll update again soon.
Alright, so as of today, I leave in exactly 2 weeks. The time is ticking away and I'm scrambling trying to prepare myself. Good news though, I was able to obtain a cell phone from Natalie (who has already been to Uganda and will be there upon my arrival). Of course, I wanted to add a picture of the phone because it is super high tech, but I can't find it. Therefore, I'll be digging for it again when I'm finished with this blog.
Tomorrow, I'm scheduled for another round of my Hepatitis A & B shot. That will be fun. After the shots though, I'll be working. Yes, that is right. Working. I picked up a seasonal job at the bookstore across the street from KSU. Actually, I'm glad to have a job cause I need money. I mean, I'm a broke college student (and I'm not 22) and I'm about to head to Africa. A job is really a wonderful thing at the moment. However, I'm not used to working so even though the job is not hard, it's still rough. At least I have the opportunity to make money though.
Here is something random. I bought my malaria medicine from India. I hope that it won't be a problem. I'd image not, but you know, it is medicine from India. It was super cheap and since I don't have insurance, it seemed worth it. Hopefully nothing will go awry. Speaking of medicine, I think I got everything ready to go. All my medicine has been picked up and is ready to go and just the last shot for tomorrow.
My biggest worry is just my dogs.
I mean, look at these cute boys! I'm worried to leave them for 3 months but I know that Shane will do a good job taking care of them.
Well, I think I'm done blogging for now. I'll update again soon.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Shots, Shots, and well... more shots
Well, let's just start with "Happy Birthday, me!" Okay, now that we got that out of the way, I'll go ahead and say ouch. I had to get shots for my upcoming trip to Uganda, to which this blog is dedicated.
Unfortunately, I needed a total of 4 shots and a typhoid vaccine that is in a pill form (thank goodness). I received yellow fever, dTap, and meningitis in my left arm and a hepatitis A & B combo shot in my right. Needless to say it seriously hurt but a very good nurse friend of mine forced me into doing push-ups so the dTap (tetanus) shot didn't completely debilitate me. I have had to warn people to hug me gently because poke my sore arm and I will be very upset.
Part of me feels good for having gotten all the shots but it sure was a lot. I'm truly hoping that my experience there will make all of this worth it. Not that I'm having doubts, okay, well maybe a little. But that is normal, right? I mean, let's think about it. I'm a college kid, also 27 (as of today), and I'm not currently working. I mean, this is a huge financial decision that I'm making. On top of the fact that I'm graduating in December with an education degree, let's just say December is not the time to be looking for teacher jobs. There is definitely some scary aspect to a lot of this. However, this will be the experience of a lifetime. One of my bestest buds is coming with me and really what more could a girl ask for? Trip to Africa, with a wonderful girlfriend no less.
Just need to learn to trust the process and know that everything will be alright.
Unfortunately, I needed a total of 4 shots and a typhoid vaccine that is in a pill form (thank goodness). I received yellow fever, dTap, and meningitis in my left arm and a hepatitis A & B combo shot in my right. Needless to say it seriously hurt but a very good nurse friend of mine forced me into doing push-ups so the dTap (tetanus) shot didn't completely debilitate me. I have had to warn people to hug me gently because poke my sore arm and I will be very upset.
Part of me feels good for having gotten all the shots but it sure was a lot. I'm truly hoping that my experience there will make all of this worth it. Not that I'm having doubts, okay, well maybe a little. But that is normal, right? I mean, let's think about it. I'm a college kid, also 27 (as of today), and I'm not currently working. I mean, this is a huge financial decision that I'm making. On top of the fact that I'm graduating in December with an education degree, let's just say December is not the time to be looking for teacher jobs. There is definitely some scary aspect to a lot of this. However, this will be the experience of a lifetime. One of my bestest buds is coming with me and really what more could a girl ask for? Trip to Africa, with a wonderful girlfriend no less.
Just need to learn to trust the process and know that everything will be alright.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Plane tickets are purchased
Well, it is now official. The plane tickets to Uganda have been purchased and $1800 later there is no backing out now. There is a weird mixture of excitement and reservation that has overcome me. I am super excited to go on this journey but now I am nervous. Perhaps I am nervous because now it is really happening and it isn't just a dream anymore. The dream is actually coming to life.
The tickets that we purchased are through Delta which is who the international coordinator suggested we fly through. Brittney and I are going to first fly to Amsterdam, then to Rwanda, and then to Entebbe. We begin our journey on August 26th at 5:35 pm and we will not arrive in Entebbe, Uganda until August 27th at 10:15 pm. The total hours of traveling will be roughly 17 hours not including layovers to arrive in Uganda. That's a long travel time and will be the longest that I have ever traveled.
Luckily, the flight home should be a little better. We will depart on December 4th at 11:30 pm and return to Atlanta, Georgia on December 5th at 2:40 pm. Considering Brittney and I will be 7 hours ahead we may be really jet lagged.
I cannot believe that this is all really happening. I have already received an email letting me know that I have been assigned a collaborating teacher. At this point, I have not yet emailed her but I should attempt to begin correspondence with her. Recently, I just finished my first paid teaching job as a co-lead for the Fast Start Academy at Kennesaw State. Now that the program is over, I am feeling more confident as an educator and ready to start my student teaching.
My dreams are coming true. I am definitely scared but I'm ready.
The tickets that we purchased are through Delta which is who the international coordinator suggested we fly through. Brittney and I are going to first fly to Amsterdam, then to Rwanda, and then to Entebbe. We begin our journey on August 26th at 5:35 pm and we will not arrive in Entebbe, Uganda until August 27th at 10:15 pm. The total hours of traveling will be roughly 17 hours not including layovers to arrive in Uganda. That's a long travel time and will be the longest that I have ever traveled.
Luckily, the flight home should be a little better. We will depart on December 4th at 11:30 pm and return to Atlanta, Georgia on December 5th at 2:40 pm. Considering Brittney and I will be 7 hours ahead we may be really jet lagged.
I cannot believe that this is all really happening. I have already received an email letting me know that I have been assigned a collaborating teacher. At this point, I have not yet emailed her but I should attempt to begin correspondence with her. Recently, I just finished my first paid teaching job as a co-lead for the Fast Start Academy at Kennesaw State. Now that the program is over, I am feeling more confident as an educator and ready to start my student teaching.
My dreams are coming true. I am definitely scared but I'm ready.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Immunizations and Stuff
So, I just recently made an appointment with the health clinic to get all the CDC recommended shots for Uganda. Needles really freak me out and I'm not even sure how much all of this will cost me. I believe the only shots I will need are the typhoid, yellow fever, and rabies. Yes, I said rabies. This is recommended by the CDC so I am not going to fight their recommendations. Then I will need malaria pills where I will take the pills one month before arrival in Uganda.
Oh the joys of going out of the country for a long period of time. These are not the things that I like to do but they are the necessary things that have to happen.
My dream of going to Africa are becoming more real to me everyday. With each step in the process, it feels more real. I read the book, What is the What, which sparked my interest in the country of Africa. The book is about the Sudanese lost boys and the journey that they embarked upon for survival. I also read The Poison Wood Bible where a family of missionaries goes to the Congo and experiences something that changes them forever.
This is what this trip means to me, to figure out what I am really made of. I've never left the safety of my life. Now is the opportunity for me to go out into the world and find me. This is the journey, adventure, life changing experience that I will take with me forever.
Oh the joys of going out of the country for a long period of time. These are not the things that I like to do but they are the necessary things that have to happen.
My dream of going to Africa are becoming more real to me everyday. With each step in the process, it feels more real. I read the book, What is the What, which sparked my interest in the country of Africa. The book is about the Sudanese lost boys and the journey that they embarked upon for survival. I also read The Poison Wood Bible where a family of missionaries goes to the Congo and experiences something that changes them forever.
This is what this trip means to me, to figure out what I am really made of. I've never left the safety of my life. Now is the opportunity for me to go out into the world and find me. This is the journey, adventure, life changing experience that I will take with me forever.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Beginning
Hey everyone!
This is my blog that will be about my travels in the country of Uganda. The trip is quickly approaching and I am trying to prepare myself.
Recently, I went to the Re-Entry seminar where the students that were abroad shared their experiences of their travels. Having the chance to speak with the women who went to Uganda for student teaching have just made me so much more excited about the chance to go abroad. There was 3 women that went and gave my friend and I lots of useful advice, like bring a flashlight and lots of bug spray. I am definitely worried about being gone for 3 months but it will be good to have my friend Brittney with me and the support of the women that I met.
I wrote a list of some of the things that the women told me to bring:
-toilet paper
-flashlight
-sunscreen
-mirror
-bug spray
-universal adapter
-fan
-batteries
-light clothes
-first aid kit
-atomic clock
These items are only some of things that I need to make sure that I bring with me when I leave. The international field coordinator just emailed me this morning so I can verify the housing that I will have while in Kampala. I decided to take the $10/day room so I could have some room to breathe. Also, the coordinator emailed me about taking a safari for 3 days prior to starting the student teaching. I am so excited about going on a safari and seeing Timon & Pumba in their natural habitat.
This is my blog that will be about my travels in the country of Uganda. The trip is quickly approaching and I am trying to prepare myself.
Recently, I went to the Re-Entry seminar where the students that were abroad shared their experiences of their travels. Having the chance to speak with the women who went to Uganda for student teaching have just made me so much more excited about the chance to go abroad. There was 3 women that went and gave my friend and I lots of useful advice, like bring a flashlight and lots of bug spray. I am definitely worried about being gone for 3 months but it will be good to have my friend Brittney with me and the support of the women that I met.
I wrote a list of some of the things that the women told me to bring:
-toilet paper
-flashlight
-sunscreen
-mirror
-bug spray
-universal adapter
-fan
-batteries
-light clothes
-first aid kit
-atomic clock
These items are only some of things that I need to make sure that I bring with me when I leave. The international field coordinator just emailed me this morning so I can verify the housing that I will have while in Kampala. I decided to take the $10/day room so I could have some room to breathe. Also, the coordinator emailed me about taking a safari for 3 days prior to starting the student teaching. I am so excited about going on a safari and seeing Timon & Pumba in their natural habitat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)