Trying to leave!

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I am writing this first entry as a transition. A transition from the life I have lived and loved in Washington, DC consecutively from Sept. 1, 2004 - May 21, 2006 - with only small vacation breaks to Mexico, Europe and home in FL. Now it is time to move on. Breaking my comfort zone.

I have scoped out and come into contact with friends who will be in Nicaragua: staying with a friend of my former professor, contacted Aygul and Eliza (Gtown 09 and 08), know a friend from Student Campaign for Child Survival who will be volunteering as a medical helper in Esteli, the town just south of the town I will be staying in, Somoto.

Map of Nicaragua

Right now I am procrastinating by creating this blog. But really I must be packing!

So far I have

* bought a digital camera
* made as much money on the beach as I can
* begun to "organize" my stuff that I will take with me
* purchased a whole medicine cabinet
* realized I will have no health insurance after August 14
* planned my first week's lodging
* ordered Stata so that I can work on my thesis research from my own computer
* got puppets, books and flashcards for the kids
* said goodbye in one form or another to about 75%!o(MISSING)f my friends
* made plans to get to the airport tomorrow with my cousin, Sarah.




Well, if that sounds good, then you don't know me. I've still got to

• Read more articles so that I understand how I want to research
  
• PACK everything into one suitcase, two carryons and a purse
  
• Remember with which card I purchased my e-ticket so that tommorrow I won't hold up the line any longer than I have to (well, I guess that's not such a big deal)
  
• make a copy of my passport. I never realized coming by a Xerox machine would be so difficult in Cocoa, FL. I have asked 6 businesses, no less.
  

Besides that, I am ready to go. Who knows who I will meet or what I will learn. My first stop will be Grenada, Nicaragua where I will stay with the family of Reinaldo - my professor's friend. He is currently working on reports for Save the Children and in the past has written about child labor in the Dominican Republic for the International Labor Office. He is working very hard on a report right now. I will try to learn as much as I can from him while I am at his house for the week.

Until Nicaragua - have a good time, guys.

Amanda

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Photos

Dad Chillin
What we do best, play around on the computer.

Sunset in Cocoa, FL
Just thought I'd show you what I'll be missing for 7 months... well, actually longer

Packing
What I need to learn to do!