Ok so I am officially about to do this thing! Hanging at good ole RIC until my flight to DC leaves, and am so excited but actually really sleepy, this is a good thing though, I have a lot of flying coming up! I just said goodbye to my parents, but it was a good kind of goodbye, guess that why they call it "good"bye...I feel like I am very prepared for my next few moves because of my semester abroad and can't wait to meet the group in San Fran! We will be staying at the Kabuki Hotel, which looks pretty rockin' if any of yall are headed that way anytime soon, doing orientation for a few hours, then chilling until our flight early Tuesday morning to Japan and then on to Bangkok! So I'm feeling pretty good about everything and just want to thank all my friends and family again for all the phone calls, send-offs, and support (and thanks for following my blog!)

Ps: I actually have butterflies but I might just be hungry...hmm.

"Thai"ing up Loose Ends

Almost ready! It's so great to get ready for an adventure; it can be a really "cleansing" experience. I feel really free; I got rid of all my stuff that I don't use or want that someone else might want or move; and closed out bank accounts, life editing, etc. It's great! Also, my luggage is underweight (this is something I particularly proud of)!

As for goodbyes, they are going pretty well. I saw Revolutionary Road with Jessica and Jennike last night. So intense, but good to spend time with them. Then hopped all around the Fan seeing tons of different people, although I probably should have forgone the partying and the "O-bomb-a" shooter. Oh well, I will learn someday...

Preparing for Departure

Hi all,

This is my first blog, actually my first reason to blog and I hope it will be a good way for me to share my thoughts and experiences during my Peace Corps Adventure in Thailand. I will be serving in the Peace Corps from January 26, 2009 until mid-April 2011 as a Community Based Organizational Development (CBOD) Volunteer in Group 121. I am thrilled with my assignment and so excited to start learning Thai and to learn more about my new job!

In my last few days while stateside, I am picking out books to take, making sure my bags don't weigh too much (80 lbs. limit!), and eating all my favorite American foods (cheese grits tonight!). My family and friends have all been amazing as I prepare for departure; they even through a surprise dinner party for me that my friends from college to traveled to Richmond to be a part of!

More to come when there is more to say; leaving for San Fransisco at 4 am on Monday!