24 days

This summer has gone by so quickly. Tomorrow will be three months since graduation. It really has been a splendid last summer of doing not too much. I've been nannying for the past 8 weeks for a five year old boy named Joe. Its been lots of fun and its been nice to spend so much time outside. The past three summers I've had inside jobs for the most part. I am ready to live in summer all year round again like in high school in Manila. The African heat can't be much worse then D.C. in August with its 90% humidity levels and temperatures hitting the 100's. Manila is actually a similar latitude to Dakar but Senegal is on the western side of the continent which affects its rain-fall patterns so the weather will likely be quite different (my meteorology class kicking in).

Prepping to go is taking me a long time, mostly because I am trying to make sure I bring stuff I will really use. I've been making all sorts of lists. I only get 80 lbs. and 107 inches (h+w+l) under Peace Corps rules. I tend to pack heavy so I need to be careful. I've been spending hours pouring over LL Bean and REI websites. It all is feeling a bit expensive but then I remember that this is going to last me for at least a year and then it doesn't sound so bad.

I've now found out I'm leaving the 10th so two more days with my family and now I'm not leaving on my mother's birthday! Training is in Thies, Senegal. I'll be living with a host family there. I'll likely live with a family my whole time in Senegal, particularly because I am female.

On Tuesday I am driving out with Kelly, my sister, to Minnesota. We are driving out my car so she can take it over. I am going to miss it!!! Then I have to say goodbye to her! I likely won't see my family until next June or July!! 10 or 11 months.