Preparations

Hello everybody. I am just beginning my Peace Corps adventure, and am trying to gather together everything they suggest to bring, and in only one suitcase, which is going to be a challenge. I'm a little nervous, as I leave for Philadelphia in 12 days, and from there on to Uganda. I know this will be an incredibly rewarding experience, but 2 years is a very long time.

This isn't going to be a very long post, because I haven't got much to say yet. I still don't really have a clue what I'll be doing or if I'm qualified to do it, but I know I'll figure it out and do just fine. Right now I'm worried about all the little things, like where to buy food, how to cook without electricity, where to bucket bathe, how to get my luggage from one place to another, etc.

I can't wait to meet the other volunteers who are going to be at my staging event (2 day orientation in Philadelphia prior to departure for Uganda) and in my training group in Uganda. I'm sure we'll get to know each other very well, considering we'll be experiencing something incredibly strange and new for all of us for 2 + months together during training. I'm definitely getting very sad thinking about leaving here, all my friends and family who have been so great in helping me out with getting all the gear I need, sending me off with great parties, and intending to send me care packages while I'm away. I'm very excited to see what all of you send, and you should send me regular old letters as well! I will want to know what y'all are up to. If you want my address in Uganda, please ask my mom, Charlene Bender, for it.

So let me know what you are doing, and I'll keep you posted on this site as much as I can.