A Leatherman, Goal Zero solar charger, Gorilla Tape, and a Black Diamond headlamp. I never thought those would be the important items in my suitcase, but apparently so. Peace Corps packing is quite different from vacation packing. I have no idea what I truly need in Lesotho for the Peace Corps, but I'm following the advice of Continue Reading
Check Out My New “Gutsy” Website For the Peace Corps
Hello Friends, How do you like the new header and video on my blog? The round hut is called a rondavel, from the Afrikaans word rondawel. It's the westernized version of an African-style hut. I love the one I selected as it has a turquoise door. I might live in a rondavel in Lesotho, while I serve as a primary education Continue Reading
I Leave for Africa with the Peace Corps on October 4th
It's all confirmed; I leave for Africa with the Peace Corps on October 4th. I called to make sure all my paperwork was in order, as I hadn't received a confirmation in writing, and I have to sell my car and pay for a storage unit. My recent Bamboo Project volunteering, was the best thing I did to prepare for the next stage of my life: Teaching Continue Reading
A Lifetime Experience Crammed into Two Weeks
I'm having a lifetime experience crammed into two weeks, on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand, working as a volunteer teacher in a local public elementary school. From now on, I've decided to take volunteer vacations rather than regular vacations, as a way to immerse myself in a new culture, meet interesting people from different continents, and Continue Reading
My First Impressions of Volunteering in Thailand
It's been one week since I landed at Bangkok International Airport, and today is my first day of teaching a first grade class how to count numbers one through ten in English. I'm nervous after observing the students during our initial orientation. Why am I nervous? Because I truly want to help and for the following reasons: I have no Continue Reading