10 Days . . .

I can now count the days until I leave for Africa on two hands, I know it's silly to you . . . but that's so crazy to me!!  I leave in 10 days and I am so flippin' excited.  

Thank you for the comments!  It's good to know they work.  It also makes me happy to know that people actually check this thing.  I started it not knowing if anyone would read it but now people are and that is rad!!

Preparations are going well, there isn't much left to do.  I've been so anxious about this trip that I'm going to take a mini trip to San Diego for the 4th to get my mind off of it.  I know, crazy right.  But if I just sit at home all I do is come up with more lists of things I should do and I'm just starting to drive myself bonkers.  It'll be great to lay on the beach for 3 days and hang out with Courtney and the San Diego crew.

That's all for now folks.  Talk to you soon.

Hugs,

Amanda

2 weeks . . . eek!

Yup, the title says it all . . . I leave for South Africa 2 weeks from today.  Everyone keeps asking me if I'm excited and I know that I am, but it's strange . . . I'm not sure if excitement is really what I'm feeling.  There are so many emotions that I can't really pinpoint them.  But I can say that after all the preparations I am incredibly anxious to finally board that plane and land in Cape Town.  I've been trying to imagine what it will be like for so long that it will be strange to finally know.  Ok, now I'm rambling.  but you all understand what I'm saying.  :)

This past week I did get really cool shoes for Africa.  Good shoes are important for all the fun things I'll be doing . . . like maybe a shark dive.  How cool would that be?!?! 

Don't forget to keep checking back for pictures . . . as soon as I start taking them I'll start putting them on here for everyone to enjoy.

Hugs,

Amanda

3 weeks

Hey All,

Yesterday marked the 3 week mark. Cool, huh? Yeah . . . I know.

This week has been really exciting because I finally got the list of all my housemates and we've been starting to get to know each other and figure out all the fun things we want to do while in South Africa. Gotta love Facebook!! Some of them are going for like 12 weeks, I wish I could do that but not now. Some other time in my life, maybe, just not now.

I know I've been saying this all along, but wow, it's really starting to feel real which is kind of freaking me out. An excited freak out, but freak out nonetheless. And what's really starting to get to me that after all this planning and consideration . . . it's going to be over in less than 2 months. Weird.

But enough about that because I really am so flippin excited!! The program balance is paid off thanks to all the wonderful people in my life (especially mom and dad). All your support really helped. I'll still take donations in the form of Target gift cards :). Every day I think of things I should take with me, it's getting a little ridiculous.

That's all I can really think to say right now but again, just thank you so much to everyone and their overwhelming support.

Also, I'd love it someone could try to leave a comment on this thing so I know if it works before I leave because this will be my number one source of contact to all of you while in Africa.

Hugs,
Amanda

Next Month . . .

Hey all,

So now we've hit June which means that I can now say, "I'm going to Africa next month."  How RAD is that?!?!  I'm going to South Africa NEXT month, wowzers!  

Preparations are moving along smoothly.  Still have some shopping to do but I have a month, it'll get done.  

Oh oh oh oh, the real exciting news . . . I spoke to my program manager, Stephen, and he told me that I find out in about 2-3 weeks who my housemates will be!  I can't wait to meet the people I'll be living with for a month.  Can you say Real World Cape Town?  :)

Once I get all that info I'll definitely be letting you all know.  

And on the payment front . . . I'm getting closer, really close in fact.  There is still about $700 to cover.  Thank you to everyone who has made donations, you're all amazing and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.  

If you'd still like to donate don't worry, there is still time.  I have until June 12 to pay off the balance.  Simply go to my.crossculturalsolutions.org and search username "asauler."  From there the website will walk you through it.

Love you all!!!

Hugs,

Amanda