Packing is as packing does...

Ok, so here's the problem. I created a packing list and started figuring out what I need to buy (I know so unlike me!) BUT that was bad bad idea.

I HAVE SO MUCH TO DO!

Not only do I need to start packing and figuring out what I can take in my two suitcases but I have to go BUY a lot of it! I feel like the time I have until I leave just keeps rushing by and I don't have enough time to see people, pack, buy the necessities and be ready on time. How did I ignore this for so long?? I should have started weeks ago and the fact that I didn't was just silly.

I received my staging email this week as well. I officially have a staging date and location and a flight. It's crazy that I have less than 30 days until I am out of the country for over 2 years...But for those who are interested, I am leaving DC on February 9th and arriving in Philadelphia late that night, I have about 7 hours of staging in the hotel on February 10th and I leave on a bus for New York at 2:30AM on February 11th. I will fly from New York to Johannesburg, South Africa and then from there I will fly to Antananarivo, Madagascar. Then I will start my time as a trainee and if I learn enough and have enough language proficiency at the end of my training I will officially become a volunteer. My journey has begun!

On a side note, I started writing my "just in case" letters this week. And let me tell you, its HARD. First of all, figuring out what you want to say if something bad happens to you is hard to imagine, what do I want to say if I never have a chance to say anything again? Umm...mostly sorry I didn't stay with you. But I'm managing I need to get them done before I leave for California because I'm leaving them with Alaina along with a few other odds and ends.

I know that some people have a lot of questions about the Peace Corps. I know a lot of information and I still have questions! Here's a cool video that recruiters often show at universities at info sessions. Well, there is not that much else that is going on with me. I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!

Best,
Chloe

Happy New Year, Cheers!

That's right, I was in London for New Years!!!

I got to spend a week in London with my parents, sister and brother-in-law. It was the best possible family vacation I could have had before leaving for two years, I got to spend a ton of time with Kate and Ron and we got to explore and have an adventure as a family.

Some of the awesome things I got to do include:

- The London Eye, I'm going to be honest, its amazing, the views from the Eye are incredible and if you are ever in London (even if you've been there before) get a ticket and enjoy the view!

- A trip down the River Thames, this was awesome and you got to see a large amount of the city all at once.

- Shopping on Portabello Road. This was awesome and we saw some awesome stuff and if you are someone who loves to shop this should be a great stop. I would love to make it on a weekend in the summer when the weather really allows you to see the street vendors instead of mostly just the stores.

                                                                    Portabello Road

- Canterbury Cathedral may not technically be in London but it is worth seeing. I took my first audio tour (thank you for insisting Kate) and really enjoyed walking around the beautiful cathedral while learning a lot of interesting history. My favorite part was the cloisters which was the area where the monks lived in the past, it was beautiful.

                             View from the area where the monks would worship and sing all day

                                                                             The alter

                                                                   View of the cloisters

                                             Some of the cloisters with the Cathedral behind it

                                                                It was just beautiful!

- If you ever go to London, do a bus tour! There is so much history in London that it was awesome to learn more of it.

                                                                A newspaper just for mom!

                                                             St. Paul's Cathedral

                                                                 View of Tower Bridge

                                                               Crossing Tower Bridge


- The Tower of London was something my mom and I did just the two of us. It was really beautiful, we didn't see the crown jewels because we didn't want to wait in a long line but we got to walk the battlements and see some medals and learn about the history of the tower. It was so cool to see but...the Tower is so SMALL compared to what I saw in my mind. But it was still awesome!

- The British Museum is something I would love to go visit again. We didn't have as much time as I would have liked so we only got to walk around a little but it was so cool and they have so many artifacts that I would love to spend a day or two going from the top to the bottom. We did get to walk through the African area and found some textiles from Madagascar and then we walked through Egypt and Ancient Rome. It was awesome!

                                                Dad and I in front of some ancient Roman art

                                        Mom in the center of the main floor of the British Museum

I bet you can't guess but I thought my whole trip was awesome! It's the first time I've been to an English speaking European country and I loved that I still heard French, Spanish, German, and many other languages. I'm pretty sure I heard Finnish which was pretty cool. I can't wait to go back and it made me want to live in Europe even more.

In other news, while I was in London I got confirmation that I have been medically and dentally cleared! And the night before we left I submitted my graduation transcript so I have EVERYTHING turned in. YAY!!!!

And as of yesterday I am FREAKING OUT about leaving in a month. How am I going to get everything done? I have so much to do to get ready for Madagascar and I just hope that I get it all done in time. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a completely last minute packer and I had an epiphany yesterday that I cannot do that this time. This could be a hilarious time to witness, my parents are going to get to see my attempts and getting things done early and I'm sure they will have many stories to share.

Hopefully my next post will be about how awesome I am at preparing but...we shall see. I hope you have an amazing week!!!

Love,
Chloe