MALAWI

So today I found out some really amazing news! I thought I was going to have to wait for about 10 days to get my official invite in the mail but today when I got home from work, it was waiting for me. With much anticipation, I opened the very large envelope and it said: Malawi!!!!! I am so excited about this placement. Malawi was on the very top of my list as far as hopeful placements and now that I know I am actually leaving, it is all becoming extremely surreal and a little bit scary, mixed with tons of excitement and anxiety about all the things that have to be done before I go. Here are the basics:

Location: Malawi
Job Title: Community Health Coordinator with AIDS/HIV emphasis
Departure Date: May 23rd, 2008

I will leave for either Washington D.C. or Philadelphia on May 23rd and have a very brief "staging" there for 2 days. From there I will fly to Lilongwe, Malawi and do 8 weeks of training (which I understand to be extremely intense). After that is over, I will "officially" be sworn in as a volunteer and will spend 2 years in Malawi either working in a clinic and/or helping the Malawian government with their HIV/AIDS prevention/education/awareness. I am so extremely excited right now.... this whole process is 7 months in the making and I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. I am spending the evening emailing, celebrating and getting ever more nervous about my next adventure.

Trying Something New...

So, as some of you may know by now, I have been officially invited to serve in the Peace Corps. I received a call Thursday saying that my invitation was in the mail and that I should get it within 10 days. So, after months and months of the Peace Corps application process, I have been told to wait some more. However, this time I know that in a few days, I will know my exact placement, leave date and work title. I have been told to expect an invitation to non-French speaking Africa leaving in the end of May.

Therefore, with a looming date of departure, I figured it was about time to get some things in order. I have been told by many people that creating a blog would be a good way to keep in touch with people for the next few years of my life while in Africa. Although I feel that blogs can be a little bit self-indulgent, I have decided to give it a try! It may be easier than trying to email tons of people all the time. So, that is all for now. I will post again when I know my country of service (hopefully just a few days) and will know more then.