Staging-Philadelphia

Today we ended our final day of staging! I can't believe how quickly the past two days flew by and I can only imagine that 27 months will go by just as fast. After a near panic attack and disaster leaving from home, where my luggage was way over packed (per usual) and required ripping it apart, taking things out and repacking three times, and then my bag breaking in the car, and an emergency Macy's trip for new luggage en route to Philly, I made it on time and with a huge Migraine. I didn't go to bed the night before and opted to finish all the last minute organizational details that I cant seem to ever get done in a timely manner. I arrived in Philly, tired, emotionally spent and with a gray face and flat hair :) After a teary good-bye from Mom and Dad I could finally begin. What a RELIEF! The prep time leading up to a trip is god awful and I am so happy to be done with it. ON to the next phase!
Staging-Philadelphia: We stayed in a beautiful Sheraton Hotel in a great neighborhood with tons of restaurants and bars. The rest of the people in my group, 50 in total, with 20% over the age of 50, and coming from many different regions and states make for an impressive group. Besides lots of icebreaker activities and Peace Corps policy and procedure, we've spent a lot of time just adjusting to each other, the transition that just happened and that is about to happen tomorrow night. For all of you concerned about safety and security, Peace Corps does a FANTASTIC job with offering support. The staff has been amazing, caring and enthusiastic about the roles in helping us transition and become informed. Athough exhausted I didn't yawn once in 2 days! That's quite a feat without a nap! Tomorrow we depart and I finally found a sense of excitement in all the craziness...until I called home and Mom told me that she wanted to come and get me from JFK tomorrow and bring me home! *sigh* :) Well, some things will just never change and with a new adventure lying ahead for now home is fading into the background... Much love to all,
more when I arrive! YAY! I love airports, overwieght luggage and flying! PS SQUAT TILETS AND OUTHOUSES are definately in my future for the next three months, thank-god for my bike and strong legs, who knew I would need them to squat!?? :)

watch this 8 minute video...very inspiring! Peace Corps 45 year anniversary video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fJ0fuxrohw