New Beginnings

Greetings!

Wow!  It is insane to think I will be leaving tomorrow for a year of service in South Africa.  It seems like yesterday that I accepted my placement at the DIP event in Wisconsin in April.  And now, after spending the summer preparing for my travels, the time has come to leave!

So as this is my first post, I will keep it short.  However, I think it needs to include the details of this crazy week of orientation in Chicago.  So the week started off unlike how I had hoped...United Airlines lost my luggage with all of my clothes in it  ----ALL OF MY CLOTHES.  Of course, I didn't think to pack outfits in my other suitcases.  So I had to resort to sharing clothes of fellow YAGM, washing my boxers in our sink, and wearing the same shorts repeatedly.  I think everyone here is being nice because no one has commented about my lack of style/clothing diversity this week.

But despite the luggage mishap, orientation has been great.  Getting to know the other YAGM and learn more about the year ahead has been amazing.  On top of that, we were able to spend some time exploring Chicago.  We saw the famous 'bean' on Michigan Ave., went to a Cubs game and of course ate some of that famous pizza.  I'd have to say, it was a pretty perfect way to spend our last week in the States.

As you can tell, this is my first blog of many to come.  Throughout my year in Bloemfontein, South Africa, I will be posting stories, pictures, basically anything that is worthy of a post.  Something that would be helpful to you is if you subscribe to this blog, so that way you won't have to remember to check my blog here and there.

I am so excited for my journey in South Africa and for the opportunity to share it with you.  Subscribe to my blog and I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for all your continued support!