You aint seen nothing yet!
Between completing an "aspiration statement" about a job that I know nothing about, multiple essays, a resume, and sending in passport&visa information, this is all a very one sided affair. I have no idea if anyone has received any of the stuff I have sent in. And let me be the first to tell you, I slaved over these random essays that my future bosses and co-workers will be reading in order to learn my life's goals, aspirations, and history. No big deal... no pressure or anything...
So after you receive your invitation, you have about one week to respond and reserve your spot. Fine right? Nope! I was kind of busy freaking out trying to figure out why the description mentions that I will be working with a nurse and midwife. As a mediocre(at best) psychology major who quit pre-med cuz it was...(wait for it)...hard.... I can safely say that I am not qualified to deliver anyone's baby. No matter how "undeveloped" the country is. Nope not happening! After a few tries, I was finally able to contact my placement specialist and voice my concerns of inadequacy. And although he had no idea what I would actually be doing, he assured me that it would not involve delivering babies....
Maybe changing dirty diapers, or the burkinabe equivalent, or even transporting babies after birth; but certainly not delivering.
Okay thats cool, I can live with this.
So I did some research and guess what, Its HOT in Burkina Faso. Dont get me wrong, its been hot here on the East Coast too, but when one uses the Sahara desert to talk about weather....
Something about the expanding of the Sahara desert......
DAMN
-_-'
(Random tid-bit, Burkinabe culture is not too cool with shorts, so long pants are a must)
Anyways, I complain and act like Im not excited because I need to balance my self-absorbed jumps of joy and glee with realism. I have started packing and preparing to leave though. Making those last few rounds to say hi&bye to friends has been really tough. I realize that I'm going to inevitably miss out on a lot. Friends graduating from law school, grad school, and younger ones from undergrad. I realize that most of the friendships I have now will weaken as most relationships do when proximity is no longer so convenient. It really makes me want to enjoy everything to the fullest while it last!
Speaking of enjoying things to the fullest; my beautiful and ever patient other half, Britt, and I just got back from our road trip. Really truly had a blast hitting up Penn, ohio,Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, And Minnesota. We really had a blast dodging bed-bug ridden hostels, horrible drivers in Chicago, hippies in the twin cities, and farmers in Ohio. Even got to become overweight experts on chicago deep dish pizza. (Giordanos is the best.. unless of course you are lactose sensitive like me.... Cheeeeesese for MILES)
Its always interesting to see how different other people's lives are within our own country. Truly something special!
Now that summer is almost over, it is finally time to start packing and pulling things together. I have read some blogs and suggested packing list and have tried to put together a list of my own. I'm most likely missing about 50 crucial items, but eythats where you guys come in. Please look my list over and feel free to comment on things i dont need or will need.
Thats all for now,
Deuces!
Peace'n out in just under 2 months!
One or two pairs of jeans
One pair of sweatpants
lightweight cotton sweatshirt/sweater
10 pairs of socks
five casual button ups, four polos, and three t-shirts
A pair of sturdy sandals/flip-flops (Chaco Hipthong Sandal – 50% PCV discount on all Chacos.)
a pair of athletic shoes.
Hats(yall know i dont leave home without multiple hats)
Breathable rain jacket
Swimsuit
Belt
Sturdy sunglasses
Two to four pairs of shorts for around the house and biking
Casual Slacks and/or khakis (2pairs?)
One dress-up outfit (shirt and tie)
Underwear(tshirts and boxers) something like the NAU Merino T-Shirt?
Toiletries for 3 months!
Razor(electric?)
Foot care items-pumice stone and clippers
Sturdy backpacks.(small&medium... maybe a messenger bag?)
Suitcase
A good headlamp
Swiss Army knife maybe Gerber Obsidian Knife Serrated
Durable water bottle
Lightweight screen mosquito tent (got that rei bug hut 2)
Good can opener
Duct tape
Ziploc bags (in various sizes)
Lots of good pens and paper
Notebook
A book or two of U.S. stamps (Volunteers traveling home can mail letters for me)
Frying pan and Spatula?
Sharp kitchen knife (knife sharpener)
Good scissors
Family pictures and personal touches
A durable watch with alarm
sleeping pad
Flash drives
external hard drive
Camera
Laptop/Netbook hmm?
Rechargeable batteries!
power adaptor (check all electronics to make sure compatible with 220)
Music!
Lantern
Sounds like a pretty sweet list to me. I suppose that lotion falls under toiletries. We all know you be gettin ashy on the regular :P Also eyedrops! Suppose that falls under there too. And chapstick.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to explicitly mention bug spray and sunscreen...
Maybe you'd consider bringing a cup/bowl/plate and some utensils. Plastic might be good since its light!
You also forgot that sweet radio/multipurpose contraption your rents got.
Maybe a sewing kit too? They're small enough. Then again that isn't superrr necessary, but might prove to be useful at some point.
A MONEY POUCH for under your clothes!
An epipen maybe just in case!
Some over the counter drugs such as advil, pepto bismal, immodium (that adjustment period!), etc. etc. Better yet... A FIRST AID KIT with those included!
Important documentation. including COPIES of your important stuff. All of it. Passport, visa, etc. etc.
How about a towel? Washcloth?
Alarm clock in case watch doesn't work?
A travel lock.
Matches or a lighter might prove useful.
Pillow.
A sheet.
Safety pins maybe.
Perhaps a small mirror, handheld.
Kk thats all I can think of now. lol at the baby delivery images I get when you talk about that whole deal.
Ahhhh baby PC IS FOR REALLLLL!!!! :D WHOOP WHOOP! So exciting!
<3
With the wonderful attitude that you seem to have, along with your sense of humor, it almost seems unnecessary for me to say:
ReplyDeleteCongrats and best wishes!