16 days

Does anyone else read that last title as "Goddess me"? So I'm officially vaccinated and honestly- it was a good experience. Another confession, needles freak me out a little. I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to faint, but I will always opt. for 10 days worth of meds rather than a quick injection. It's very silly but whatever. So I went into the health department ready to leave with a sore arm or arse, but instead I discovered 2 things. #1, I actually already had MOST of the vaccines that I need (thanks ma) and #2 the oral vaccine is about 40 dollars cheaper, lasts 3 years longer and um- hello, it's a teeny pill. Well, it is 4 teeny pills but still. SO that was a very long story about nothing of purpose but I am SO bad about posting I feel the need to publicize even the trivial and irrelevant just to say SOMETHING to me...3 loyal readers.

Yesterday I found out I got the RA job at GHP. I don't think I've been very clear about how much I desperately NEEDED this job. It covers room and board- two things I won't be able to afford when I come home, and it's an amazing job. Also, Taylor Sapp my fabulous wonderful beautiful friend is going to- basically, these youths will never know what hit em'. Another perk of getting this job is that I can now set dates to my trip.

Nepal March 15-June 3

India June 3-15

Macon June 16-21

VSU June 21-July 21

Reflecting yesterday I realized how rough the last month and a half has been. I have been going so unbelievably stir crazy not being in school nor in a show or even working very many hours. Honestly- I prefer to be overwhelmed rather than underwhelmed. I can feel myself slowly going crazy as the days tick by soooo slowly.....now cross your eyes and drool.

However, as for waiting, this is pretty much the last bit of waiting I will be doing for a long time. In 16 days I will literally be on the run for months! Until July 21, and then I need to find housing and employment. Hopefully I will be accepted into nursing school (if not, I will come up with some elaborate lie about needing more time to find myself) and that will start about 2 and 1/2 weeks after I get home from GHP, so really, this is the most downtime I will have until further notice. I've been told to relish the peace but alas I am an Aries. That just won't happen.

Goodness me

Four weeks from thursday. One month from tomorrow. Today I spent my evening chatting (thank you Mark Zuckerburg) with a former Umbrella volunteer. A very sweet irish girl I reached out to when I first discovered Umbrella. Today I got to ask her all of the burning questions.

But first, I have a confession.

I have not slept in a week. I have been so terrified. The most I can tell you about Nepal is WHERE it is. I've officially been in freak out mode.

Tonight, after talking to Judy, I feel like a major weight has been lifted. She is one of those European badasses you secretly model yourself after. The kind that travels all around in their 20s and makes ordinary people like myself feel so...stagnant. Anyway, I bombarded her with WHAT ARE THE CHILDREN LIKE, WERE YOU EVER AFRAID? WHAT'S THE STAFF LIKE? WHERE DO YOU LIVE? WHAT SHOULD I PACK? IS THERE ANYWAY YOU CAN HOLD MY HAND AND TAKE ME THERE?

In conclusion the answer was this.

Breathe, it's going to knock your freaking socks off. The kids are amazing but be aware of what they've seen and been through. Be consistant. Be smart. She says she never felt unsafe. She said I'm going to be okay.

And I believe her.

Also, a side note. I have a weakness for Irish accents and ---what's that? A lot of Umbrella volunteers (well, it is an irish organization) are irish. Oh heavens. What's a girl to do?

I digress- let me remind everyone (including myself) that I'm not going over seas to meet selfless bronzed rugby playing soft hearted beautiful Irish gentlemen...what was I talking about? OH right. I'm going to love these kids every second. I'm going to do everything I can to share my gifts with them. To learn, to see, and to live. 29 days folks, 29 days. Vaccines tomorrow perhaps. (sarcastic "yay")