I’m Gonna Poop In A Hole…

Well there you have it, life is going to change… Honestly I am terrified but this video makes me die laughing AND makes me feel so much better! Yes, I will poop in a hole but it could be worse. Brett said he would build me a personal seat! I have the best husband EVER!

 

A Growing List… Mali Wants and Needs

Since we will be traveling and living in a different country for over 2 years I have decided that I maybe should be compiling a list to make that time easier as far as creature comforts but I also need to be constantly learning about Malian culture.  Really African culture in general too.  So… I am going to write it all up here, otherwise I will loose it – and also maybe my family can help me with ideas and ways to obtain items :) … If you have an extra of any of these, I would love to grab it from you.

Most of the items listed are ideas from Malian Volunteers currently serving, or from family and friends that have posted options on their blogs. I have spent more time reading volunteer blogs than I have reading books these past couple of days – which is big considering I read a LOT of books!

Also, PLEASE leave comments of things I definitely missed! Especially those of you serving or about to be… It’s tough to find suggestions of what people can’t live without over there!

Knowledge and Language:

1. Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
2. French and English Dictionary
3. The End of Poverty
4. Guns, Germs and Steel
5. Lonely Planet – West Africa

Fun / Necessity Items:

1. Sony 8 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo
2. Solar Chargers for Battery and USB Devices
3. Any Anti Mosquito Products
4. Hoyle’s Modern Encyclopedia of Card Games
5. Travel Games
   1. Rummikub
   2. Scrabble
   3. Scattergories
   4. Blokus To Go
   5. Sequence
   6. Phase 10
   7. Rook

Mali, Africa!!! Our Invitation Arrives…

Our Soon To Be Home

I was just laying around, watching “Biggest Loser” with my sister in-law and out of the corner of my eye I see the UPS truck pull up the long dirt road leading to my in-laws house! I was instantly nervous! I knew it was coming, but still had NO idea what it would say…. In my previous post I mentioned possible countries – Mali was not one of them! Funny how that works. You would think Peace Corps Wiki would have all the possibilities ;) but that wasn’t the case! All of us go and meet the UPS guy and all of us take the package into the kitchen – we take one excited look around the room and start opening! Out comes the blue Peace Corps folder and all the paperwork! First page…

“Dear Brittany and William,

Congratulations! It is with great pleasure that we invite you to begin training in Mali for Peace Corps service. You will be joining thousands of Americans who are building stronger communities around the world.  This call to action gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and to find the best in yourself. “

Mali!! What!! I didn’t know that was an option…. Where is that!!! Lol. We all immediately thought it was an island. WHOA shows how much we know in the heat of the moment. I am sure if not surprised we would have been more intelligent about our geography. Don’t judge. :)

Quick Facts about our new jobs for the next 2.5 years:  We have orientation May 31st, 2012.  Then we head to Mali for training June 2nd, 2012.  Training lasts about 3 months in the capitol of Mali which is Bamako, and then we start our service August 3rd, 2012.  Our actual service will be in a small village somewhere in the country.  There is no telling where or how big.  We won’t know details like that until we are finished with training.  Brett’s title is Water and Sanitation Extension Agent. My title is Education and Literacy Program Volunteer.  Even with those titles we still won’t have a real understanding of job duties until we get there.

We are fired up for this next phase of life! I will update as we continue on with the paperwork and gather new details!!! Wow! Dreams really do come true!!

Next steps:  Learn French and Bambara, Yellow Fever Vaccination, Peace Corps Passport, Accountability Paperwork and Researching our country!

Start saving your money family and friends! I’m going to need visits :)

Peace Crops Invitation!!!!

Wow! Nothing is better on your Birthday than an email saying ” We have processed your invitation! Congratulations!” Yes! Congratulations :)

This is great news! Our search is over, the waiting is pretty much finished and although I’m still nervous I couldn’t be more ready to start Peace Corps service! Our placement adviser said our invitation will be in the mail by the end of the week and we will receive it in at least 10 business days! Our final Region is Francophone Africa leaving June 2012.  So that means we are going to: Burkina-Faso, Benin, Cameroon, or Senegal! Wow. Africa … The craziest thing is that the first time I applied (in college 2007) I was nominated for this same region… and to be going there again is really a huge sign that it is right.  Sometimes it just takes awhile and a couple of new turns to get you where you are supposed to be.  Brett is beyond thrilled especially with his job description! Water and Sanitation has been on his heart for a long time and I am glad he will be able to live that out.  Now, once again we are waiting… but this time there are some cold hard facts at the other end of it.  In our packet will be the departure date, specific country, and job titles. :) I can’t even believe it.  Throughout this process I have tried to prepare myself for a 18+ month wait, some couples take even longer, but we have been placed and will leave all within 14 months of submitting our application! I feel lucky, so blessed to have this opportunity!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!! 26 Years Old and Moving To Africa!