Things To Be Excited For

1.Visiting Heather and Kellen in Kato, Region 8. Excited to see their site and another part of Guyana. (August 24-28)

2. Going home for a week in September to see family in Arizona and California
(September 17th-24th)

{I leave Guyana on September 16th and fly to Barbados, where I stay for 15 hours, excited to sit on the beach}

3. Zach spending a week in Guyana. We are flying back together on September 24th and he'll be here until October 2nd.

4. Spending 7 days on the island of Tobago. Excited to see another Caribbean island and spending time with Heather, Becky, Princess, and Leighton. (October 26th-November 1st) 

5. Helping out with Chelsea's project, Food for Healthy Babies.

6. Close of Service (COS) conference {knowing the date to leave Guyana!}
(hopefully this will take place the first week of December).
  Updated 8/18:  just found out the dates are January 2-5, 2012.

7. Applying to COC for prerequisite classes so I can start nursing school. 

8. And one day, having a little puppy as cute as this lil' guy!

Day 9 & Goals

Your biggest fear.

If you know me you know I strongly dislike and kinda fear mice. This fear started a few years ago when mice were living in our garage and I could hear them at night biting and scratching at the wall. I would imagine them getting through the wall and attacking me, ugh just the thought gives me chills. A few times I had to call Papa over to either set a trap or throw away a dead mouse. I couldn't even look at one, and I hated going into the garage.

Since being in Guyana I've not only seen mice but also huge rats. If I see one I have to turn my head immediately. Thank God I have not had any in my house (knock on wood). But I do think seeing these rodents more frequently has helped me a little to over come this fear. Even though I still squirm and shriek when I see them.

Funny story... we were at the pool in Linden one afternoon (the only time we've been). My feet were in the water and to the right I saw a mouse scurry along the side. I didn't want to make a big deal of it so I just turned my head. When all of a sudden I looked at the water and the mouse was swimming. I screamed and to my surprise the life guard dove in, grabbed the mouse by the tail and flung it out. We all laughed and cheered.

 ****************************************************************************************************
Lately I've been all about setting goals for myself. This past week I had two goals: to wear clothes I don't wear a lot and to cook dinner every night. I successfully achieved both goals!
Here are 3 pictures of the lower half of my outfits.  More pictures coming soon, Chelsea and I have big fashion plans!

It's Raining...

Source: Laetificus

...still

Going A Little Stir Crazy

Happy Spring! I can't believe spring time is among you. I love spring when everything is new again, the weather gets warmer, the air is fresh, and lovely pastel colors start popping up everywhere.
4 weeks, 4 weeks, 4 weeks until I get to witness a little of this magic!

Lately it has rained a lot, there were a few days it rained none stop and I just wanted to curl up in my bed with hot chocolate, not because I was cold but because I imagined it was a cold winter day back home.  And this morning I imagined it was the first day of spring (or more like the first day of summer) because it was HOT. I was out doing some wash and the air felt nice and warm and I could hear children laughing. It totally reminded me of how I felt when I was little!

But I can't help to feel a little stir crazy

And this could be for a couple of reasons....I've been confined by my 4 walls for days now. I've gotten so lazy over the last year. I'm exhausted all the time (a mystery to me). I'm so excited to come home. There is no variety and it's wearing on me.

........

But I gotta just keep swimming

On A Girly Note

I miss being girly. Now, I've never been over the top girly, I've never worn designer labels, I've left the house without make-up on, and the most I've worn heels was when I worked at LA Hotel. 

But I miss feeling pretty, I miss taking the time to do my hair and make-up, I miss shopping (even window shopping), I miss feeling "done up".

Since I'll be home (visiting) in a month I've been scoping out clothing websites (mostly AE.com). I love American Eagle and can't wait for the moment I step foot into one of their stores...it's going to be dangerous!

I really want a new dress, shirts and jewelry!

I have been one for loving bright colors and I think this dress is incredible!!

I'm excited for the first day I'm home and I get to feel girly! I just might imagine I'm wearing this dress, hehe!

On a more serious note, I love, love, love Mexican food and I was craving it like crazy all week. Luckily my craving got a little fix when Chelsea had the idea of making enchiladas for dinner on Saturday. They were pretty yummy and the salsa I made almost brought me home.

Sorry this picture isn't great

I'm really hoping there's a Mexican restaurant at JFK. Oh, I can't wait!

Now, on a real serious note, come April 14th there will be two new PCVs in Linden.  And right now they are here visiting and getting a feel for the next 2 years of their lives. We had them over for dinner last night and they both seem really cool and excited to be coming here.  It's surreal to be the "older" volunteers, it wasn't that long ago we were in their shoes. 

I remember feeling so overwhelmed and scared when the volunteer I stayed with took me out for a walk one night. She interacted so well with everyone, she seemed so comfortable and I wondered if I would get to that point? It's crazy to look back on my time in training and how far I've come.

A little funny fact I learned about one of the girls; her name is Amy and I told her my sister's name is Amie and she said her sister's name is Sarah, her sister is also younger.  How bizarre!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!!

Love and miss you!