JMU Ranked No. 14... Yea Dukes!

JMU Media Relations released this. JMU made the Peace Corps Top 25 again! This time we jumped from mid sized schools to large schools with 54 alumni now serving. We are also ranked No. 126 among graduate schools with 2 alumni serving... possibly me and Keith?! Also The Breeze, the University's newspaper did an article on the new rankings. Check it out here. JMU is looking pretty good these days.

There is definitely something unique and special about how this university prepares all of its students for the world. The oppurtinities students have to learn and grow both in and out of the classroom are simply wonderful. Something I am so greatful for. Definitely going to Bleed Purple for the rest of my life.

Snow

I am going to miss snow. And WaWa Hoagies. But definitely snow. Being from Pa I have had the privledge of enjoying 4 seasons and all that comes with them. I don't know anything different. And, I LOVE SNOW. I spent the day yesterday snowboarding in the Poconos and it was fabulous. That will most likely be my last snowboarding trip for 3 years (Ill be returning to the States in late April 2009) and I am a bit sad. Snowboarding is such an awesome rush... nothing but you, the mountains, fresh air, and your thoughts. Its one of my favorite things... if you have never tried it, you must!

I dont think Ill be seeing much snow in the DR... and how will I explain Snowboarding and snow to the Dominicans?! They will think I am insane.

For the time being, I am enjoying the little snow I have :)

Staging Packet... wow, this is for real

I have been wishing away time for the past 2 months, and now that I have less than a month until staging (orientation) I am amazed at how fast the time is going. I am overwhelmed with the little things I need to do, and keep putting off, people to visit and say goodbye to, and a life to organize as I leave and a life to prepare for ahead of me.

I finally received my Staging Packet... it includes all the information about where and when I will have the orientation and what will be discussed, flight information from the US to the DR, and a packet for family about the typical stages a volunteer goes through and what to expect. I am a bit speechless right now as all the information I have read is being processed. My staging is in DC for 2 days (Feb 13-15). It will be interesting to see how 35 of us will dress comfortably during staging for the colder weather when all we will have will be clothing for 85 degree weather.

Packing. How do you pack for 2 years??? Seriously, how do you cram all your stuff into baggage that is allowed to weigh at most 80 pounds? And what do you take? Of course I am thinking that I can take basically everything I own. I have to keep in mind that I have to be able to manage any bags I bring... which makes me think of Keith and Chris hiking the AT this summer and having packs that weighted 30 pounds and those being heavy! So far here is a general list of what I am bringing:
-Clothes (both professional and casual)
-shoes (sneakers, flats, sandals, dress sandals)
-pictures
-a blanket that converts into a pillow
-can opener
-peeler
-frying pan
-ziplock bags
- the best book... "Where's Mom Now That I Need Her"
-iPOD
-Camera
-travel sewing kit
-Head Lamp and flashlight
-Nalgene
-pocket knife
-umbrella and rain coat (Hello rainy season and hurricanes)
-World map and map of Namibia
-Cards
-Books
-Stationary
-alarm clock
-duffel bag and backpack as checked luggage and a bookbag as my carry on
-Sunglasses
-Cowboy hat (I live in this thing) and baseball hat

So that was a bit more detailed. Its a start and I know it will be ever changing between now and the 13th.

25 days and counting...

36 days

36 Days until I leave! I have had the count down for awhile now... I think since the day I received my invitation back in November. Anxious is definitely what I am currently feeling. I am so ready to go and get my life with the PC started. With that excitment also comes the nervousness. I am going into a situation and have no idea what to expect. But that is not deterring me at all. I am ready to dive into this adventure head first!
The big question I have been getting since I decided to apply to the Peace Corps is "Why?". And I say, why not? Im young. I want to travel. Ill learn a new language and live in a culture completely unlike my own. I am going to learn so much and grow through this unbelievable experience. Its my big adventure, and I have always wanted to have one before I settle into a typical job and routine. Its an experience of a life time! Plus its different, and I like to do things on the road less traveled.
I was involved with an incredible organization at JMU called Community Service Learning(www.jmu.edu/csl) and became very involved with their Alternative Spring Break program. My advisor with ASB is an amazing woman who I greatly admire and has been my mentor and really inspires me. The trips I took were incredible... out to Kansas City to an Abused Womens Shelter, to Myakka River State Park in Fla, and to Biloxi MS and The Kiln MS for Katrina Relief. I caught wind of PC working in the CSL office and began to research it my senior year of college. I put the idea on the back burner because I knew I was going to grad school. Fast forward to Dec 2005... I fill out my application for the PC, turn it in a month later, was interviewed in March, and received my invite to serve in November! So its been a solid year for this whole process.
I have an incredible family (mom, dad, noah and kathy, jonah, and laura... Love you guys!) and friends who have supported me and put up with my rantings and ravings! And I have the most amazing boyfriend, Keith, who is always encouraging me. He is currently a Peace Corps Volunteer (Congrats! He just finished his training and was sworn in on 1/05/07) in Namibia and will be teaching secondary math. He is doing really well and loving every moment of it. Check him out, if he ever updates www.namiblife.blogpsot.com

Thats it for now.... until next time