getting ready.

The process of getting ready for something is an interesting one. As my dad says, it's a 'hurry up and wait' kind of thing. Last Spring was when I started preparing. It was all very far off as I decided where I wanted to go and what program I wanted to do. As I applied and then got my acceptance letter, it didn't seem real. Since then, it's been a whirlwind of getting ready. Funny Christmas list items, scholarship applications, a yellow fever shot, and a forever long visa process have all been a part of that. The worst part of all of it (even worse than the shot) is having to tell people good-bye. I realize it's not that long, but it's still hard.


It's really a weird feeling finally being so close to leaving. You would think that all this preparation would be a lead in but honestly I'm still shocked that I'm about to be on another continent. 


Another weird thing is deciding which parts of your life are important enough to make the trip. Today I packed up a giant backpack full of jeans, dress, flip flops, advil, and contact solution as well as a smaller bag with knitting stuff, sudoku puzzles, chapstick, my journal, and my bible. I still need to shop a little to get things super potent bug spray, kaleidoscopes (apparently kids just love them), and peanut butter (according to my friend Scott, peanut butter there just isn't the same and therefore bringing it will make you the coolest kid on campus).


To switch gears a little, here's a little about my program. While I don't know too much about it, I do know some. :) The name of the program is Amazon Resource Management and Human Ecology and it is with the School for International Training (SIT). Sound spiffy already huh? I will be learning Portuguese and staying with a host family, both things I'm super excited about. Here's a little blurb from the website about the program:

The program office is based in the city of Belém, in the Amazon River Estuary. Belém is one of the two large urban centers of Amazonia, hosting a large number of research institutes, universities, NGOs, government agencies, and other entities involved in and with Amazonian issues.

The  program involves excursions to many different areas of the region. Those excursions include travels to Zona Bragantina, Manaus, Santarém, Trombetas, Ilha do Marajó, Southern Pará, and other locations to understand how environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural issues come together in different ways throughout Amazonia.

Students often see the ten-day boat trip down the Amazon and tributaries as one of the highlights of the program.

Apparently on the boat ride, we sleep on hammocks on the boat. crazy. 

Basically, I'm keeping an open mind and I am way excited about what's to come

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Well, that's about it. So with the little Portuguese I know

Até logo!