in country

This is going to have to be a quick post. I think in the future I will write what I want to say before and then just type it. I am in Zambia and it is really a beautiful country. We chose languages yesterday and I chose Soli - which means that I will be living somewhere in the Lusaka Provence. This is in the middle of the country - closest to Lusaka of all the provences - and we are the first volunteers to ever be there. Which has some pressure but could also be really exciting. Apparently the community is really eager to have us come. So far we have just been doing more training and paperwork etc. But tomorrow we go out for a week long site visit (2 day car ride) so we will get to see how other volunteers live and more of the country. I am so excited to see the Northwestern provence! I don't know what else to say - so far everything has been great. I love my training group. I really like my program (called RED -Rural Education Development now instead of LTM) . And I really like Zambia. You all should come because it is so beautiful!

This is kind of a boring post. Next time I will be more prepared with funny stories and specific instances of cultural differences.

We have all noticed the very subtle differences between us trainees and the long term volunteers. We are all excited to be more like them in a couple years.

Oh and I DID find my camera! the cab driver was a friend of an employee of the hotel so after several phone calls the drive got in touch with me. Unfortunately by that time we were already on our way to Dulles - Do I paid the driver to bring the camera out to me. It was an expensive! cab ride but still george from Eritrea is my hero. also Manny at Holiday Inn.

I am not spell checking so get over it.

im off.

I leave for Zambia tomorrow and apparently will not have internet access for a while and when I do it will be infrequent. So - I like my group. I am excited about Zambia - more now than before staging. AND my appreciation for the peace corps has incresed since staging. Next time I have a chance I will put up a disclaimer about my opinions not reflecting the US Gov. nor the peace corps but until that time - please know that these are my opinions only and no reflection of the US Gov. nor the Peace Corps/. Also - looks like I lost my camera. Haven't left the country yet...sigh.

Your friend,
Keli

I like to list things

I would like to bring several things to your attention:

1) This little flashy picture box to the right is a link to pictures - right now you may view some photos of me in Australia, or of my new hair cut, etc. In the future this will be where you will find pictures of Zambia.

2)Check out the link to my friend Alice's page on the right. She has a pretty voice.

3) The adventure starts tomorrow (Monday)

4) I have wonderful friends and a very loving and supportive family. Makes me want to be a better friend or family member. This is perhaps the most important of the four items.

jiao ji

I got a fortune cookie tonight that said "A visit to a strange place will bring you renewed perspective" and then had the chinese pronunciation for"anxious" on the back. Fortune cookie, how do you know me so well?

I leave on Jan 22nd

Things That I know keep me happy:
1) Consistent physical exertion
2) A Schedule - however flexible
3) Goals with enduring excitement
4) Something to think about
5) Music
6) Good books
7) Enough rest
8) An outlet for creativity
9) A listener for my trivial thoughts (haha that's YOU!)

Things I plan to do in my free time in Zambia:
1) Improve my mind through reading
2) Improve my powers of synthesis through writing
3) Improve my ability to play the harmonica by learning anything on the harmonica
4) Improve my determination by running in jungliest Africa
5) Improve my seeing eye by photographing
6) Test my resolve for self-discipline
7) Be friendly to my neighbors and practice looking people in the eye
8) Play cards
9) Maybe grow a garden
10) Probably sculpt things out of mud
11) Raise a baby elephant

Of course these are just my ideas. Zambia might have some better suggestions too.