C'est La Vie

Well it's official, I've dropped the ball on blogging.

I know, I know, no excuses... but I'm just SO BUSY! I leave for Chicago in exactly 5 days, and I'm still not fully packed, on top of having to get ready for my going away party this Saturday. I know, woe is me. It's gonna be a blast though, I can't wait. Especially to be able to hang out with my college roommates all weekend. I may or may not cry... jury is out. I'm normally the most emotional cliche of a girl, but lately I've been getting what I like to think of as stage fright. I get the feeling everyone is expecting me to cry and just waiting for it to start.. and I just haven't. Ha, we'll see how the weekend goes.

So anyway, the idea of my new home being Sierra Leone in about a week is finally beginning to hit me. It comes and goes in waves, and mostly I'm super excited, but every once in a while a small nervousness grows in the bottom of my stomach and I can't seem to get rid of it. This is what I've wanted for over a year now. I know it's going to be the most challenging and rewarding experience I'll have in my entire life... but I'm also aware that it will be exactly that: challenging. I've read all I can possibly read on what to expect while volunteering in a third world country, and all about the different cultural traditions, and etc. But reading something and living through it are two different things. I'm nervous that everything I'm expecting is completely wrong, and the thing I least expected is in actuality what I should be worried about.

You get the point.

I'm just gonna focus on the next few days and enjoy my time with family and friends (not to mention, my time with favorite foods that I've wholeheartedly consumed with no concern over weight gain...). Sierra Leone will come soon enough, as will homesickness, loneliness, frustration, and complete contentment.

C'est la vie.

Guess who's back, back again

Sorry for my MIA status recently, I've been busy...

you know, just loungin around.

It's Mother's Day though, so enough about me! (More pictures & stories to come)

In honor of this lovely day, and my even lovelier mother, enjoy a song

Un Más Día

This time tomorrow I'll be laying here

With this in my hand

I can't wait to be in Spain! And then Ireland! And then Scotland!

I can't believe in a matter of a few months I'll be a world traveler. This is my dream come true, pinch me?

See you all in May :)

Save Yourself

Slightly melancholy, but I'm into it right now

This is Africa

Hello friends, I'm sorry I've been a little MIA lately!

I'm leaving for Spain on Monday night, and on top of planning for that trip, I've been trying to get as much done for Africa as I possibly can. I'll be gone until May 2nd, and I know once I get back the month of May will fly by and before I know it I'll be leaving!

I certainly hope I don't fall in love with a hot Irishman while I'm abroad...

Kidding. Sorta.

In other news, I gave my little blog a makeover. I hope you like it. It seems more appropriate for my upcoming life adventure in the land of elephants (yes, I know elephants aren't really in Sierra Leone, but a girl can dream).

I was bored last night and decided to watch Blood Diamond again. I'm not sure if that was a good or bad decision. I already knew the history of Sierra Leone and am well aware of all the diamond trade issues they have had. But... I cried throughout the whole movie. I mean, me crying is no shock of course. But I just can't believe the people of Sierra Leone have lived through so much unrest and suffered in ways I can't even comprehend. It broke my heart. It solidified my decision to serve in the Peace Corps even more. So, I guess it's good I watched it after all. I think I'll have my mom stay away from it though...

Songbird



Padi Kusheh-O

That's Krio for 'Friend, Hello'

I know, I'm a natural

Lately I've been very overwhelmed with a ton of mixed feelings that vary hour to hour between being excited/nervous/unqualified/stressed (about how much I need to get done before I leave)/excited, again.

I can't sleep.. So I figured, why not write a blog with some interesting facts about Sierra Leone? I hope you find them as fascinating as I do.

• There are two seasons, rainy season from May to November and dry season from December to May- the average temperature is around 81° F
• 50% of the population is under the age of 15
• One of the top 10 diamond producing nations in the world (Pssh, knew that one already)
• The country is slightly smaller than South Carolina, and is bordered by Liberia, Guinea, and the Atlantic
• They have an abundance of pineapples, bananas, papaya, coconuts, and mangos (Mmmm YES)
• The average woman bears 6 children in her lifetime
• The government recognizes at least 16 different ethnic groups- while each speaks its own language, the majority speak either Mende or Temne, and almost everyone speaks Krio, as well as English
• Religious makeup is mainly split between Muslims (55%) and Christians (35%)
• The palm tree and the rice grain are symbols recognized nationally - there are over 20 different words to describe rice in Mende

 Ok, this hour I'm back to being excited

Songtime

SUCH an old song (that I don't even like much to be honest) but it's been in my head lately because it describes how I've been feeling these past few days!

Crazy change of plans...

MY INVITATION CAME TODAY! It was waiting for me when I got home from work and I ripped it open as fast as I could. I am completely ecstatic. I cried, and laughed, and jumped around. I'm so happy I can't even put it into words... however, this entire process has had me focused on South America. I speak Spanish and was told I'd most likely be placed there. My original nomination was for South America. I've done all my research on the climates and work programs and countries of South America.

As you can see... I'm going to Africa. I'm very much in shock. It's a good shock, and when you think of the Peace Corps I would definitely say the quintessential experience would be in Africa.. I just wasn't picturing me there at all. But it's typical Peace Corps fashion. Lets test Chelsea's patience and flexibility some more! Looks like I'm back at square one with research... not to mention I have a very short window of time before I leave. It's funny how life works out, after all these months of waiting, all of a sudden things seem to be moving too quickly.

Anyway, I'm off to read all I possibly can about Sierra Leone. I'm hoping it isn't really like Blood Diamond depicts it. This is the one time I hope Leonardo DiCaprio is wrong.

PS. Fellow nominees, follow me and leave a comment if you've received the same invitation! Lets be like the cool high school students that friend each other before they actually know each other just because they're going to the same school. And then we can awkwardly meet for the first time, all the while secretly already knowing everything about the other person. It's gonna be great, I can't wait.

Surreal

I woke up this morning to the highly anticipated 5 am email from Peace Corps stating my application change.

It's all real! I'm camping out at my front door until the mailman comes with my invitation packet!

Times they are a-changin

Guys, I have some big news.

I just got the (202) phone call... and had my final placement interview!

Her name was Heather and she was awesome. She's a placement officer at the environmental and agriculture desk and was given my file when my original nomination became closed (womp womp). Anyway, we had about a 40 minute discussion, mainly about what I've been doing to prepare and what my expectations are and if they've changed, and then she spoke the words I've been waiting since last April to hear:

"Well Chelsea, I'm going to go ahead and officially clear you for service."

Being the emotional mess that I am, I started crying and told her that she was my best friend. Thankfully she just laughed and said "my pleasure, you'll be a great volunteer." Ha, I am so embarrassing. Anyway, I don't know where I'm going or when I'm leaving yet... but just to finally know without a shadow of a doubt that I'll be a volunteer with the Peace Corps.. I'm ecstatic. I see the light at the end of the tunnel that is my mundane life these days.

I was told I should hear from her again by the end of the week with more information, because she needs to find another program suited for me. She even mentioned the idea of a teaching program, which is pretty cool and I think I would really enjoy. I'll be sure to keep you all updated.

Oh man, today couldn't get any better!

Sunday is for Songs

I am LOVING The Dodos right now. And yes, I know I'm about 3 years too late. But better late than never!